Loyalty in Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

lived in New York, it’s a toss-up right now if he was killed here or on the other side of the river.”
    “I’m not taking the case, I’m just looking at it. You run Arlington?”
    “Everything that popped is on side B of the disc.”
    “Fine. I’ll skim through, then we’ll head over to Branson’s office.”
    Eve narrowed her eyes as a tall, gangly man in worn jeans and an ancient parka hesitated at her doorway. Early twenties, she judged, with a look of such open innocence in eyes of dreamy gray she could already hear the street thieves and hustlers lining up to pluck his pockets clean.
    He had the thin, bony face she associated with martyrs or scholars, and brown hair worn in a smooth tail and liberally streaked from the sun.
    His smile was slow and shy.
    “Looking for someone?” Eve began. At the question, Peabody turned, gaped, then let out what could only be called a squeal.
    “Hey, Dee.” His voice creaked, as if he used it rarely.
    “Zeke! Oh wow, Zeke!” She took one vaulting leap and jumped into long, welcoming arms.
    The sight of Peabody in her ruthlessly pressed uniform with her regulation shoes dangling inches off the floor while she giggled — it was the only word to describe the sound — and pressed cheerful kisses onto the long face of the man who held her had Eve slowly rising to her feet.
    “What are you doing here?” Peabody demanded. “When did you get here? Oh, it’s so good to see you. How long can you stay?”
    “Dee,” was all he said, and hauled her up another inch to press his lips to her cheek.
    “Excuse me.” Well aware how quickly tongues could wag in the unit, Eve stepped forward. “Officer Peabody, I suggest you have this little reunion on your personal time.”
    “Oh, sorry. Put me down, Zeke.” But she kept an arm wrapped possessively around him even when her feet hit the floor. “Lieutenant, this is Zeke.”
    “I got that far.”
    “My brother.”
    “Oh yeah?” Eve took another look, searching for family resemblance. There was none — not body type, not coloring, not in features. “Nice to meet you.”
    “Didn’t mean to interrupt.” Zeke flushed a little and held out a big hand. “Dee’s had lots of good things to say about you, Lieutenant.”
    “Glad to hear it.” Eve found her hand lost inside one the consistency of granite and as gentle as silk. “So which one are you?”
    “Zeke’s the baby,” Peabody said with such adoration Eve had to grin.
    “Some baby. What are you, about six-six?”
    “And a quarter,” he said with a shy smile.
    “He takes after our father. They’re both tall and skinny.” Peabody gave her brother a fierce squeeze. “Zeke’s a wood artist. He builds the most beautiful furniture and cabinets.”
    “Come on. Dee.” The flush became a blush. “I’m just a carpenter. Handy with tools, that’s all.”
    “There’s a lot of that going around lately,” Eve murmured.
    “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming to New York?” Peabody demanded.
    “Wanted to surprise you. Didn’t know for sure I’d come until a couple of days ago.”
    He stroked a hand over her hair in a way that made Eve think of relationships again. Some weren’t about sex or power or control. Some were just about love.
    “I got a commission to custom-build cabinets from these people who saw my work back in Arizona.”
    “That’s great. How long will it take?”
    “Don’t know till they’re done.”
    “Okay, well, you’ll stay at my place. I’ll get you the key and tell you how to get there. You’ll take the subway.” She gnawed her lip. “Don’t go wandering around, Zeke. It’s not like home. Are you carrying your money and ID in your back pocket, because — “
    “Peabody.” Eve held up a finger for attention. “Take the rest of the day on personal time, get your brother settled in.”
    “I don’t want to be any trouble,” Zeke began.
    “You’ll be more trouble if she’s worried about you getting mugged six times