Devoted in Death (In Death 41)

His eyes, hot now, fixed on hers as he shrugged out of his suit coat. “And who have I had wandering free – a stranger to you with a stunner on his belt – without your knowledge?”

“Okay, okay, you want to be pissed, be pissed. I got interrupted, and I forgot. I’ve been a little preoccupied with murder.”

“I won’t have murder as your excuse for every shagging thing, as preoccupation with it is a matter of course. And one I’ve accepted fully.”

She started to snap back, then imagined it from his side. She didn’t want to imagine it from his side, but it came over her too clearly. Guilty now, and defensive, she paced away.

“Two kids and their mother got smashed to pulp with a sledgehammer – by the father.”

“Ah, Christ Jesus, what a world you live in.” Roarke scrubbed his hands over his face.

“Baxter and Trueheart caught it, and Baxter came into my office, shaken up, when I was about to text you on Banner. He doesn’t get shaken up easy. I’m his LT, Roarke, I had to put things aside and listen to him.”

“You did, of course.”

“Then things just kept rolling, and I forgot. So I’m sorry. Be pissed.”

“I am.” He changed his shirt for a sweater, cooling off as he did. “You’re fond of your Marriage Rules, so add this to them. If and when you’ve the inclination to host a complete stranger to me, you don’t forget to let me know. As the next time, I might stun first, ask questions later. I’m firm on that one.”

“I suck at it, you know I do. I don’t get why you keep getting pissed that I suck at it.”

“You don’t, so when you do something that sucks, as you say, it’s very annoying.” He continued to change while she said nothing. “Both children?”

“It looks like the boy’s going to make it. His older sister shielded him as best she could with her own body.”

“And Baxter?”

“He’ll get through it. It’s what we do.”

“It is, yes. It’s what you do.” And for better or worse, what he often did now as well. “And this Banner?”

“He’s solid, like I said. He came here on his own nickel, hopped a shuttle when he got the alert about my searches. Then drove the rest of the way when weather dumped him in Cleveland. He’s been pursuing this, mostly on his own time, since last summer because the feds and the locals don’t think his vic was in the stream. I do. Anything we can get may help us find Jayla Campbell before it’s too late.”

“Then we’d best get to work on it.”

“I’m sorry. I am.” Though she felt annoyance at every damn thing tangling up with the sorry. “And I’m going to be sorrier because I forgot to tell you Peabody and McNab are coming, too.”

“Banner told me.”

“Shit.”

He crossed to her, set his hands on her shoulders. She noted, with relief (and a little more guilt) the temper had faded from his eyes. “It’s our home, and those you want are welcome here. But —”

“Not strangers with stunners.”

“Unless you give me prior notice.”

“Got it.”

“All right, then. We’ve left our guest cop alone in your office long enough.”

“I thought he’d take longer to settle in. He’s been going since yesterday.”

“Then I imagine he could use a beer and a meal.”

“Thanks.” She cupped his face, kissed him. Gave him another as she’d decided, positions reversed, she’d probably have slapped harder than he had. “Seriously.”

“You’re welcome.” He kissed her back. “Seriously.”