Read Online The In Death Collection: Books 26-29 by J.D. Robb - Free Book Online Page B

doesn’t stay here. Brigit—a friend—offered Ava her guest suite for however long she needs it. I think I’ve nearly convinced her to go. They called from…the morgue. They told us we can’t have him yet.”
    â€œIt takes time.”
    â€œWe can go there and see him. I thought, if she’s up to it, the sooner we do that, the better.”
    â€œYou’re probably right.”
    â€œI’d take her. She needs to…We both need to…” He trailed off, shook his head. “Do you know, can you tell me, if you know…”
    â€œIt’s very early yet, Mr. Forrest. We’re actively pursuing all lines of investigation.”
    â€œIt seems like days. I know it’s only been hours, but it seems like days. Sorry.” He rubbed his fingers over exhausted eyes. “I looked you up. There was something familiar, but I couldn’t think. I just couldn’t think clearly this morning. But I looked you up. Roarke’s cop.”
    â€œThe NYPSD considers me their cop.”
    â€œI didn’t mean—”
    â€œIt’s all right.”
    â€œI mean to say, you’re supposed to be the best there is. You solved the Icove case, and you caught that maniac who was kidnapping and mutilating those women. You’ll find who did this to Uncle Tommy.” Now, riding with grief was a plea. “You won’t give up.”
    â€œI don’t give up.” Eve looked past him as Ava came into the room.
    â€œCan’t we have a few hours? Can’t we have any time alone? Must you people be here?”
    â€œAva.” Ben rushed to her side, took her weight when she slumped against him. “The police are doing their job. We need them to do their job.”
    â€œThey’ve made him a joke. They’ve made his death a joke.”
    â€œNo.” Ben turned her into his arms, stroked her back. “Ssh, now.”
    â€œTake me to Brigit’s, Ben. Take me away from here. I can’t bear it. I can’t stay here.”
    â€œAll right. That’s what I’ll do.” He glanced at Eve, who pointed to herself, then upstairs. Nodding, he led Ava away.
    Though she’d have preferred an empty house, Eve walked back to the front door. She imagined the dark, the quality of it in the odd blue glow of the security lights. An efficient killer would have already sealed up, hair, hands, shoes. Extra protection, extra soundproofing with booties over the shoes. No chance of leaving any sort of print.
    Directly upstairs, she thought. Down to business—priority business, she decided as she climbed the stairs. No squeaks, she noted, no creaks. Solid construction. Straight to the master bedroom, no detours. The door would be closed, as it was now. Not sealed though, she thought as she used her master to uncode the police seal.
    She turned the knob, eased the door open. Again, it was soundless. Privacy shields over the windows, she recalled, and heavy blackout drapes over that. Tommy liked to sleep in his snug cave.
    Pitch-black. It would be pitch-black. Even someone knowing the room intimately couldn’t be sure how the victim would be positioned in the bed. A pin light would be enough, she mused. Just a thin beam to show the way.
    Because she didn’t want to be disturbed, she closed and locked the door behind her. “Lights on,” she ordered, and took the time to arrange the room as it would have been for the killer. “Lights off,” she ordered when she stood back at the door, and flipping on a pin light, used it to cross to the bed.
    Syringe first. Knock him out. Did he stir? Feel that quick little nip over the skin? Count to ten—it doesn’t take long—count to ten, slow and steady.
    What are you thinking? she wondered. Excitement, fear? Not rage, can’t be rage. He’s already beyond you, you saw to that, so it’s not rage.
    Turn the lights back on now. No need to work in the dark.