Reunion in Death

«If I got much better, I'd be illegal, on the personal front at least. Professionally, I'm overworked, which is just the way I like it. I'd hoped you and Dallas might be able to come by the shelter sometime soon. We've finished and opened three more rooms, and the recreation area's complete. Dochas is already making an impact on lives.»

«We'll make sure we stop in when you're on duty.»

«That'll be great. Is Dallas available? I have some information for her.»

«Right here. Overworking. I'll see you soon, Louise. Best to Charles.»

«I'm sure giving him mine. Dallas,» she continued, briskly now when Eve came on-screen. «I think I might have something useful for you regarding my little assignment. I remembered hearing bits of scandal discussed in my family when I was a girl. Things I wasn't supposed to hear, of course. Regarding a doctor who'd interned with my uncle. Apparently his private behavior was unseemly, and covered up by the white wall for years. He enjoyed young women, very young women. Some of whom were also patients. The white wall wouldn't stand for him when it was discovered he'd begun to terminate patients without specific and clear-cut authorization.»

«Got a name?»

«I didn't, but I called my cousin upstate. And that you owe me for, Dallas, as my cousin Mandy is a thoroughly annoying diva who proceeded to interrogate me about my love life, my social life, and lecture me on wasting my skills on the dregs of humanity at the clinic. Et cetera.»

«The name, Louise. You can bitch later.»

«Eli Young. He was a chief resident, internal medicine, at Kennedy Memorial before going into private practice.» Louise paused, lifted her elegant eyebrows. «And I can see by your expression you already have the data on him. Why did I waste my time?»

«You didn't. You just saved me considerable effort. Appreciate it.» Eve glanced toward Roarke, shifted in her head. «Ah, listen, I tapped Charles for a favor today, too, and I feel kind of weird about it.»

«The conjugal at Dockport?»

«Oh, well, then … Guess he mentioned it.»

«Yes, he told me.» Louise let out a quick laugh. «Dallas, loosen up. By the way, Peabody looked wonderful. Love's in the air.»

«Something's in the air,» Eve grumbled when they ended transmission. «What are you grinning at?» she demanded of Roarke.

«That, despite it all, there are some areas of sex that embarrass you.»

«I'm not embarrassed, I'm baffled. But it's none of my never mind.»

«The whole point of love is that it has no reason. It just is.»

She looked at him. «I guess I've got that one.» She pushed away from the desk. «I'm going to go pay a visit to this Eli Young, see what I can shake out.»

«I'll go with you. Don't start the civilian routine, Lieutenant. Let's just say I'd enjoy taking a drive with my wife. It's a pretty night. Besides.» He draped an arm around her shoulders as they started out of the room. «If memory serves, the bad doctor's address is in one of my buildings. You won't have any hassles getting up to see him with me along, will you?»

It did have certain advantages. When the electronic security panel informed Eve that Doctor Young was not in, she held up a hand to hold Roarke back. And pressed her badge against the view screen.

«Not in, or not accepting visitors?»

I AM NOT AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT SPECIFIC INFORMATION. DUE TO THE NECESSITY OF PROTECTING THE PRIVACY OF OUR RESIDENTS, I CAN ONLY REPEAT THAT DR. YOUNG IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. YOU MAY CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING MENU TO LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR DR. YOUNG OR ANOTHER RESIDENT. MY APOLOGIES, DALLAS, LIEUTENANT EVE, FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO ASSIST YOU IN YOUR REQUEST.

«You must admit,» Roarke commented, «it's very good security, as well as polite.»

«With a warrant stuffed up its electronic butt it might not be so polite.»

LOITERING ON THE PREMISES BY NONRESIDENTS OR APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED GUESTS IS DISCOURAGED. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO REQUEST ANOTHER RESIDENT OR LEAVE A MESSAGE, I MUST ASK YOU TO VACATE THIS LOBBY. IN FORTY-FIVE SECONDS, BUILDING SECURITY WILL BE INFORMED OF YOUR FAILURE TO COOPERATE. MY APOLOGIES FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE.

«Would now be a good time?» Roarke asked. «Lieutenant, you know how it excites me when you snarl at me.»

«Just get us past this thing, and stop looking so smug.» Roarke simply laid his hand on the palm plate, then coded in.

GOOD EVENING, ROARKE. WELCOME. HOW MAY I ASSIST YOU THIS EVENING?

«We'll be going up to the twenty-second floor. Release the elevators.»

YES, SIR. ELEVATORS ARE RELEASED. PLEASE ENJOY YOUR VISIT AND THE REST OF YOUR EVENING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN BE OF ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE.

«Don't you get tired of everything and everyone sucking up to you?» Eve demanded.

«Why, no. Why should I?» He gestured her into the elevator as the mirrored doors opened soundlessly. «Twenty-second floor,» he ordered. «Young could very well be out, you know.»

«I'll see for myself. There's a reasonable chance he's Julianna's supplier or knows who is. I don't walk away until I talk to him.»