Golden in Death (In Death 50)

As she got out, a dog about t

he size of a football covered in puffy white fur raced around the glass-walled side of the house to bark like a maniac.

Since Eve figured she could have drop-kicked the dog a solid twenty yards through the goalposts, she just gave it a cool stare.

Peabody, in contrast, went into gooey mode.

“Oh, aren’t you cute? Aren’t you the cutest little thing? It’s okay, baby. What’s your name, baby?”

“If it tells you, I’ll strip naked and dance the hula right here.”

“Jeez, then I really wish she would.” Peabody crouched and made kissy noises.

The dog continued to bark, from a safe distance, but the ferocity eased. And it cocked its head as if considering its next move.

“You know, even dogs that size have teeth,” Eve pointed out. “Sharp little teeth.”

“She doesn’t bite!” A woman ran around the house, long, lustrous ponytail swinging. “Quiet, Lulu!”

Lulu gave one last piping bark, then subsided. Kendel Hayward, looking like the picture-perfect upper-class suburbanite in black yoga pants, pink tennis shoes, and a thin white cardigan over a pink sports tank, scooped the dog up.

“We were just out back. She must’ve heard your car.” Kendel gave Lulu a quick nuzzle. “She thinks she’s a guard dog,” she added with a smile. “Can I help you?”

“Lieutenant Dallas, Detective Peabody, New York City Police and Security Department.” At the words, at the badge Eve held up, the smile on Kendel’s face faded.

“Is something wrong?”

“We’re investigating two homicides in New York connected to Theresa A. Gold Academy. We’d like to ask you some questions.”

“TAG? I don’t understand.”

“We’ll explain. Can we come in?”

“I…” Kendel glanced at the house, clutched the dog a little tighter. “Yes, I guess so. I graduated from there, but that was eight years ago. I’ve lived in East Washington for nearly five years. I don’t really know what I can tell you.”

But she walked toward the house, up the two steps to the portico, used the palm plate to unlock the door.

The atrium entrance soared with a curve of staircase to the right, a small sitting room to the left. A trio of prints—Eve recognized Parisian street scenes—graced the wall over the plush little two-seater sofa.

A central table held a pale green vase of fresh spring flowers.

She led the way back, into a large great room, with conversation areas in shades of blue, green, gray. The wall of glass doors at the back stood open to the spring air.

“Actually, would you mind if we sat out on the patio? Lulu really needs some outdoor time, and even though we have the invisible fence, I like to keep an eye on her.”

“That’s fine.”

“She’s really adorable,” Peabody commented.

“She’s so sweet. My fiancé gave her to me for my birthday last summer.”

When she put Lulu down on the smooth patio stones, the dog raced off for a little red ball. Came back, dropped it at Peabody’s feet.

“Does she want me to throw it?”

“Yeah, but I warn you, she can keep it up for an hour.”

“That’s all right.” Happy to oblige, Peabody tossed the ball.