‘And you don’t?’
Her gaze shifted coolly to his. ‘When I’ve earned it.’
‘And, of course, you’ll be sharing and sharing alike cheerfully with Casto in the meantime.’
Her lips curved. ‘Shut up, Roarke. The point is, I have to link Boomer’s death with Pandora’s solidly. I have to find the person or persons who connect them, who knew them both. Until I do, Mavis is facing a murder trial.’
‘As I see it, you have two avenues to explore.’
‘Which are?’
‘The glittery road to haute couture and the gritty road to the streets.’ He took out a cigarette, lighted it. ‘Where did you say Pandora had been before she got back on planet?’
‘Starlight Station.’
‘I have some interests there.’
‘What a surprise,’ she said dryly.
‘I’ll ask a few questions. The people in the circle Pandora exploited don’t respond terribly well to badges.’
‘If I don’t get the right answers, I may have to go there myself.’
Something in her tone alerted him. ‘Problem?’
‘No, no problem.’
‘Eve.’
She pushed away from the table again. ‘I’ve never been off planet.’
Bemused, he stared. ‘Never? As in never?’
‘Not everybody just goes popping off into orbit whenever they get an itch. There’s plenty to keep most of us busy right here.’
‘There’s nothing to be afraid of,’ he said, reading her perfectly. ‘Space travel is safer than driving in the city.’
‘Bullshit,’ she said under her breath. ‘I didn’t say I was afraid. If I have to do it, I’ll do it. I’d just rather not, that’s all. The closer I’m able to keep this to home, the faster I’ll have Mavis out of it.’
‘Umm-hmm.’ Interesting, he thought, to discover his stalwart lieutenant had a phobia. ‘Why don’t we see what I can find out for you?’
‘You’re a civilian.’
‘Unofficially, of course.’
She looked back at him, saw amused understanding, and sighed. ‘Fine. I don’t suppose you’ve got an off planet flora expert you can lend me while you’re at it.’
Roarke picked up his wine again, smiled. ‘As a matter of fact . . .’
Chapter Eleven
The case was going in too many directions at once, Eve decided. The best course was the most familiar. She took to the streets. And she took to them alone.
She’d left Peabody with a pile of data to check, buzzed Feeney for an update, but she headed out solo.
She didn’t want to make small talk, didn’t want anyone looking too closely. She’d had a bad night and was well aware it showed.
The nightmare had been one of the worst so far. It had squeezed her by the throat, battered her awake in a sweaty, whimpering mess. Her only relief had been that dawn had been breaking when it had reached its peak. And she’d been alone in bed with Roarke already up and in the shower.