Vendetta in Death (In Death 49)

A ceremonial blade, as Morris had hypothesized, lay waiting on a counter—its hilt carried the same inscription as the breastplate.

LJ

And, above, the reason for Peabody’s reluctance.

A shelf held jars of liquid preserving the genitals she’d removed from her victims—all carefully labeled.

“Barking mad,” Eve mumbled.

A long night, she thought yet again as she finally made her way to the third floor. Donnalou sat beside Eloise’s bedside.

“It’s going to take some time to finish processing the basement, and any areas Darla might have used. It would be better if Eloise stayed elsewhere for the next few days at least.”

“I don’t understand any of this.”

“Can you wake her up?”

“It would be better if she woke naturally. The sedative your partner brought up is mild, but—”

“She’s going to need an explanation. I have to leave shortly, and she deserves an explanation. And I think she’s going to need you to stay with her.”

“I will stay with her, as long as she needs me. I’ll wake her. Please be gentle. This is going to break her heart.”

Donnalou took a little vial out of her nurse’s bag, waved it under Eloise’s nose.

Her eyes fluttered; she gave a little sigh. When she started to roll over, Donnalou took her hand. “Miss Eloise? Miss Eloise, it’s time to wake up now. It’s Donnalou.”

“Oh, did I fall asleep again? Donnalou, I’m getting so old and lazy.” She sighed again, opened her eyes. And saw Eve.

“Lieutenant Dallas?” Eloise pushed herself up to sitting while Donnalou fussed, arranging pillows at her back. “My goodness, did I have a relapse?”

“No.” Eve pulled a chair to the side of the bed to make it easier for Eloise to see her face.

“Oh God, oh God, something happened to Darla.”

“She’s not hurt. She’s in custody.”

“I— What?”

“Eloise, I’m going to say something I think you already know or suspect. Darla is and has been ill, mentally and emotionally. There were probably signs. You took her into your home because you love her, and maybe you thought that would help, would be enough, but there were probably signs.”

Eloise, pale as the sheets around her, reached for Eve’s hand. “What did she do? Please, tell me, what did she do?”

Eve told her.

21

Eloise said very little while Eve laid out the facts and evidence she had. Tears welled up more than once, and Eve realized it took an iron will to pull those tears back rather than let them fall.

“I need …” Because her voice came out raw, Eloise took a moment. “Would you excuse me just a moment? I’d like Donnalou to help me get up, get presentable. If you’d wait for a few minutes in the parlor there?”

Work to do, Eve thought, so much yet to do. But respect for that iron will had her rising. “I’ll wait.”

“I won’t keep you long.”

Eve walked into the elegant little sitting area, closed the door behind her. Photos, so many photos. Family, Eve deduced, and others of Eloise through the years, at events, with other luminaries, at marches, on red carpets.

A full life, from what Eve could see, lived to the fullest.