In Death 22 - Memory in Death

squeezed.
    “I’ve got a line on some side work I can do, help pay for it. I just want to … You weren’t going to dump me?”
    “No, but I should. I should dump you right on your pointy head and save myself all this aggravation.”
    She dropped her hands, sighed. “Maybe I was avoiding you because I didn’t want to talk about going to Scotland.”
    “You always said you wanted to go one day.”
    “I know what I said, but that’s when I didn’t think we’d ever go. Now you’re pinning me to it, and I’m nervous. No, not nervous. Terrified.”
    “Of what?”
    “Of meeting your familyall at once. Of being the one you bring home for Christmas, for God’s sake.”
    “Jesus, Peabody, who the hell do you want me to bring home for Christmas?”
    “Me, you idiot. But when you bring somebody home for Christmas, it’s a big. It’s arealbig. They’re all going to be looking at me and asking me questions, and I can’t lose a stupid goddamn five pounds, because I’m nervous, so I eat. And I figured if we could just stay home I wouldn’t have to worry
    about it until whenever.”
    He just stared at her in the baffled waymenhad stared at women across the ages. “You took me home for Thanksgiving.”
    “That’s different. Itis,” she said before he could object. “You’d already met my parents, and we’re Free-Agers. We feed anybody and everybody on Thanksgiving. I feel fat and clunky, and they’re going
    to hate me.”
    “Dee.” He only called her Dee when he was particularly tender, or especially exasperated. This, from his tone, seemed to be some of both. “It is a real big to take someone home for Christmas. You’re the first
    I have.”
    “Oh, God. That just makes it worse. Or better. I don’t know which.” She swallowed, pressed a hand to her belly. “I think I feel sick.”
    “They’re not going to hate you. They’re going to love you because I do. I love you, She-Body.” He gave her the smile, the one that made her think of little puppy dogs. “Please come home with me. I’ve been waiting a long time to show you off.”
    “Oh, wow. Oh, boy.” Sentimental tears sprang to her eyes as she jumped him. His hands clamped on
    her ass.
    “I’ve got to lock the door,” he muttered as he bit cheerfully at her ear.
    “Everybody’ll know what we’re doing.”
    “I love being the object of envy. Mmm, I missed you. Let me just”
    “Wait, wait!” She shoved back, dug into her pocket. “I forgot. God. It’s our present from Dallas and Roarke.”
    “I’d rather have one from you right now.”
    “Look. You’ve got to look. They’re giving us the trip,” she said as she opened the box, showed him the cards inside. “Private shuttle, ground transpo. The works.”
    Since his hands dropped off her ass, she figured he was as stunned as she’d been. “Holy shit.”
    “All we have to do is pack,” she said with a watery smile. “You don’t have to take the side job, unless
    you want it. I’m sorry I was such a freak about this. I love you, too.”
    She threw her arms around him, locked lips. Then eased back with a wicked wiggle of eyebrows. “I’ll lock the door.”
    * * *
    Minutes after Eve stepped into her office to coordinate her next move, Peabody rushed in.
    “I’ve got the initial sweeper’s report on the room the Lombards vacatednothing,” Peabody said hurriedly. “Canvassing cops found the barone block east, two south of the hotel. Door was unlocked. Zana’s purse was inside on the floor. I have a team heading there now.”
    “You’ve been busy,” Eve said. “How did you manage to fit in sex?”
    “Sex? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I bet you want coffee.” She darted to the AutoChef, then whirled back. “How do you know I had sex? Do you have sex radar?”
    “Your shirt’s not buttoned right, and you’ve got a fresh hickey on your neck.”
    “Damn it.” Peabody slapped a hand to the side of her neck. “How bad is it? Why don’t you have a
    mirror in here?”
    “Because, let’s see, could it be because it’s an office? You’re a disgrace. Go do something about yourself before the commander” Her interoffice ‘link beeped. “Too late. Step back. Step the hell back so you’re not on-screen. Christ.”
    Her head might have dropped in shame as she eased out of range, but a smile tugged at Peabody’s mouth. “We made up.”
    “Can it. Dallas.”
    “Commander Whitney would like to see you in his office, immediately.”
    “On