Reunion in Death

«Not particularly powerful this. Wouldn't have killed anyone who'd been five or six feet back. That'll do it.» He replaced his tools, stood again.

Eve didn't ask if he was sure. He was always sure. She gave the all-clear signal to her team, then indulged herself by leaving her master in her pocket. And kicking in the door.

She swept the door with her weapon, then gestured for Feeney to take the adjoining washroom.

There were a couple of ratty chairs, a dented desk. And a scent in the air that was both female and expensive. She'd left the communications center and a small, exotic arrangement of fresh flowers.

Eve stepped to the window, looked out, across, and into her own office. «She'd have needed equipment. You can't see enough from here with the naked eye. Good equipment she wasn't willing to leave behind. Start knocking on doors,» she ordered without turning around. «Talk to the other tenants, see who knows what. Find the building manager, get him up here. All building security discs. Feeney run the 'link and data center.»

«Sir.» Peabody cleared her throat. «This was in the flowers.»

She handed Eve a small envelope marked eve dallas. Inside was a handwritten card and a data disc. The card read:

With best wishes for your speedy recovery,

Julianna

«Bitch,» Eve grumbled, turning the disc over in her hand. «Feeney, disperse the men. We won't be finding her here today. Peabody, call in the sweepers.»

She turned the disc over again, then plugged it into the desk unit. «Run data,» she ordered.

Julianna's face swam on-screen a blue-eyed blonde now, and the closest to her own coloring and style than any of her looks since she'd started her latest murder spree.

«Good morning, Lieutenant.» She spoke in the lazy, somewhat breathy Texas drawl Eve remembered. «I'm assuming that salutation is correct. I doubt you'd have managed to get this far last night but I have such confidence in your abilities that I'm certain you'll be playing this before afternoon. Feeling better, I hope. And as you're playing this, you detected and defused my little welcome gift. It was really just an afterthought.»

She angled her head and continued to smile. But it was the eyes Eve studied. Eyes that were like ice over a deep, empty pit.

«I have to tell you how nice it's been to see you again. I thought about you a great deal during my … rehabilitation. I was so proud when I learned about your promotion to lieutenant. And Feeney's to captain, of course. But I never felt quite the same connection for him as I did for you. There was something there, wasn't there?»

She eased forward, face intent now. «Something deep and strange between us. A true bond. A recognition. If you believe in reincarnation, perhaps we were sisters in some other life. Or lovers. Do you ever wonder about such things? Probably not,» she said with a little wave of the hand. «You're such a practical-minded woman. It's appealing, in its way. Does your new husband find that part of you appealing? Oh, belated best wishes, by the way. It's been nearly a year, hasn't it, since the joyful event. Well… time passes.

«It passes slowly in a cage.» The drawl hardened like prairie dust under a baking sky. «I owe you for those years, Eve. You'd understand about payback. You never really understood what I did, why I did it, never respected that. But you understand about payback.»

«Yeah,» Eve said aloud, unconsciously brushing her fingers over her bruised cheek. «Damn right I do.»

«I've watched you, sitting in your office hard at work, standing at the window looking out as if the weight and worry of the entire city is on your shoulders. Pacing that horrible little space of yours. You'd think a lieutenant would be afforded a better work area. You drink far too much coffee, by the way.

«I had equipment set up in here. You know that now. I thought it best not to leave that behind. My own practical streak. I have several hours of you on disc. You dress better these days. Careless still, but with a style you once lacked. Roarke's influence, I'm sure. It's good to be rich, isn't it? So much better than … not being. Has it corrupted you, I wonder, in some secret part of yourself? Come on, Eve honey.» She laughed lightly. «You can tell me. After all, who'd understand better?»

Talking too much, Eve thought. Been lonely, hasn't it, Julianna, with nobody to talk to who you feel is on the same level?

«I'm sure he's excellent in bed, if you find such things important.» She settled back, made a movement that had Eve imagining her crossing her legs.

Getting cozy. A little girl-talk.