Innocent in Death (In Death, #24)

by J.D. Robb

“Officer?” Eve looked over her shoulder. “Tell Detective Peabody I’m going to the principal’s office.” His mouth twitched, very slightly. “Yes, sir.”

Putting together a pop quiz for his next class.” “There’s a motive,” Eve said dryly. “I hated the pop quiz, and question its constitutionality.

The wit? Rayleen Straffo is the fruit of Oliver Straffo’s loins.” “Oh, shit! Seriously? Does she have horns and a tail?”

The air always smelled just a little too sweet there, like a careless whore who’d used perfume instead of soap to disguise some unpleasant personal odor.

Now theres a comparison for ya.. LOL!

“Jesus, Jesus, why is there February?” Eve demanded. “February should be eliminated altogether for the good of mankind.” “It is the shortest month, so that’s something.” Peabody actually moaned as the heat came on. “I think my corneas are frozen. Can that happen?” “They can in fucking February.

I still don’t want to go to Montana.” “That’s your cow fear talking.

She went after some guy with a baseball bat at a Little League game. Broke his shoulder.” “There’s team spirit.”

“Yeah, sure. I got the memo.” “What memo would that be?” “From the top dog. It got sent out first of the year. Full cooperation from all managers, department heads, supervisors, and yadda-yadda is expected to be given to Lieutenant Eve Dallas if and when she has occasion to request information or services. Right?”

“You, Lieutenant, are often crude, you are certainly rude, and have very little sense of how to be the wife—in public—of a man in Roarke’s position. And you would do anything, no matter what the personal risk, to keep him from harm. She will never love him. You will never do anything but.”

Thinking to give it a boost, she opened the back of her computer, reached in to where she’d taped a candy bar to the inside of the case. And it was gone. “This is fucked up.” She could see a trace of the tape where it had stuck when the candy had been yanked out. The insidious candy thief had struck again. Not for the first time she considered putting eyes and ears in her office. A little surveillance, a little chocolate, and she’d bust the thieving bastard. But that wasn’t the way she wanted to win. This, she thought, was a battle of wills and intellect, not technology.

Tell me about the woman.” “She’s beautiful. Seriously beautiful. She’s younger, prettier, and classier than me. She has bigger tits. I know that sounds ridiculous.” “It certainly doesn’t. I dislike her intensely.”

“She speaks French and Italian.” “That bitch.”

“Tourist from Ohio, right?” “Omaha. Same difference.

“We don’t let winter get in the way of our mayhem.

If it wasn’t for you, I’d never have worked on Nadine at your place.” Trina snapped the cape like a matador at a bull. “Appreciate it.” “So, somehow, I brought this on myself.”

Peabody says we need to take a gift. A teddy bear or something.” “That should be simple enough.” “Good. You do that part. I don’t get the bear thing. Aren’t bears something people generally try to avoid so as not to be mauled?”

When she walked to Williams’s head, she noted Morris had shaved a circle of hair away on the crown. “Man, would he hate that. Bald spot.

“Kind of creepy in here, isn’t it?” Peabody said from behind her. “Schools are always creepy.

Trapped, Eve avoided the rainbow chair and took the traditional rocker in neon pink. She braced herself when Mavis leaned over and laid the baby in her arms. No poopie, at least, Eve reminded herself, and stared down as Belle stared up. “I don’t like the way she’s looking at me. Like she’s planning something.”

“So…” Mavis nursed and rocked, nursed and rocked. “Why haven’t I heard any media dirt about a blonde fuckhead found floating in the East River?”

what the bleeding hell have I done? Be specific.” “You looked at her.” He stared, and for a moment those molten blue eyes were simply astonished. “Well, as I haven’t been struck blind in the last day or two, I’ve looked at any number of women. Castrate me.” “Don’t diminish my feelings, my instincts, or what I know. Don’t you make a joke of this or of me. You looked at her, and for a second, the first time you saw her again, you gave her what’s supposed to be mine.” “You’re wrong.” “I’m not!” She shoved up now so they were eye to eye. “I’m a fucking trained observer, and I know your face, I know your eyes. I know what I saw.” “And your police training tells you that this look I gave her, for a second you say, is cause for this irrational bout of jealousy?”

“She’s been through a couple of rich guys, got herself a nice cushion. But you. You’re the grand prize, and she miscalculated before. Ditched you for the bird in the hand. Now you’re…What’s a really big bird?” “An ostrich?” “Yeah, but that doesn’t sound right.

“I’m very glad to hear it.” “I know you are. Appreciate it.” “I’ve brought that unfortunate vehicle you’ve yet to wreck around in anticipation of your departure. I hope you won’t leave it soiling the front of the house much longer.” “Kiss my ass, scarecrow.” “There.” He smiled at her. “We’re back to normal.” She let out a snorting laugh, then strode out.