"Oh, that's our very best." Yvette beamed at her. "And, honey, you look exhausted. This is just what you need. We'll fix you right up."
"Thanks." She wandered off, ostensibly to study the glass cabinet full of colorful bottles that guaranteed beauty and vitality with regular use. In a fast whisper, she gave Eve her report.
"They were both shaken, tried to cover it. Worked on convincing me I'd misinterpreted." She bit back a snort. "Went into placate-the-client mode, like it was programmed. Promised to look into the matter right away, offered me a free second consult and this deal here. I saw the brochure. The Diamond Day goes for five thousand. I didn't let them off the hook. Told them I was going to take the day to calm down before I spoke to my lawyer."
"Good work. Talk to as many of the consultants as you can while you're getting slathered and rubbed. Bring up Holloway's name. I want reactions, gossip, opinions. Make sure you get some male consultants in there."
"Anything for the job, sir."
"Ms. Peabody?"
Peabody turned, and thought her mouth must have hit her shoes as she stared at the polished golden god. "I'm uh ... Yes?"
"I'm Anton. I'll be assisting you with your herbal detox. If you'd like to come with me now?"
"Oh yeah." Peabody managed to shoot Eve one sidelong eyeroll before Anton took her hand and gently led her away.
Hoping for the best, Eve tucked the printout in her bag and headed up to the office level of Personally Yours.
"Rudy and Piper are unavailable," the receptionist announced with just enough snip in her voice to put Eve's back up.
"Oh, they're going to want to become available." She slapped her badge on the counter. "Trust me."
"I'm aware of who you are, Lieutenant. Rudy and Piper aren't available. If you'd care to make an appointment, I'd be happy to schedule one for you."
Eve leaned companionably on the counter. "Ever hear the term obstruction of justice?"
The woman's eyes flickered. "I'm just doing my job."
"Here's what we've got. You clear me through to your bosses now, or I take you down to Cop Central and charge you with obstruction, for impeding an officer, and for being basically stupid. You got ten seconds to decide how you want to play it."
"Excuse me." The woman turned, switched on her headset, and murmured into it quickly. Her face was stiff when she turned back. "You're to go right in, Lieutenant."
"There, that wasn't such a tough choice, was it?" Pocketing her badge, Eve strode back through the glass doors, and met Rudy and Piper at the doorway of their office.
"Was it necessary to bully our receptionist?" Rudy demanded.
"Yeah. You got a reason for wanting to dodge me this morning?"
"We're very busy."
"You're about to get busier. You'll have to come with me."
"Come with you?" Piper put a hand on Rudy's arm. "Why? Where?"
"To Cop Central. Brent Holloway was murdered last night, and we have a lot to talk about."
"Murdered?" Piper swayed and might have fallen if Rudy's arm hadn't whipped up to support her. "Oh God. Oh dear God. Like the others? Was it like the others? Rudy."
"Hush now." He drew his sister closer while his eyes held Eve's. "It isn't necessary to go into Central."
"Well, that's where we disagree. Your choice is to come voluntarily, or for me to call a few uniforms up here and have you escorted."
"You can't possibly have cause to arrest either one of us."
"You're not being arrested or charged at this time. But you're required to come in, upon demand, for formal interview."
With Piper trembling against him, Rudy let out a careful breath. "I'm going to contact our attorneys."