Leverage in Death (In Death 47)
“Usually, yes. But she’s out of Hollywood all this week because Oscars, Dallas. And I have to get out there. I had to bump up the shuttle, add a night to the hotel.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.”
“I’m not, and I’m sorry. Sincerely because you’re doing a solid friend thing here, and now it’s more.”
“When?”
Nadine, face a little frantic, held her breath a moment. “We have to take off in two and a half hours. I’m sorry!”
Eve closed her eyes and, while Rhoda looked on, lowered her head to pound it lightly on the counter.
“Dallas! Dallas!”
“Shut up a minute.” Eve gave herself a couple more pounds, sucked in a breath. “Fuck.”
“I know, I know. Leonardo’s going to do their fittings and adjustments out there anyway. They just need to pack and be at the shuttle in . . . an hour forty five. I’m sorry, really. I don’t want to let her down, and it’s on me if you can’t cut her loose, but—”
“They’ll be there.”
“Oh, thank God. We owe you. We all owe you.”
“You’re damn fucking skippy you do,” Eve snapped and clicked off. “Sorry,” she said to Rhoda.
“Think nothing of it. Could I get you a blocker?”
“There isn’t one big enough.” Eve strode back toward Rhoda’s office as Peabody started out.
“It took some doing with her admin, but Mira’s clear in thirty, in person or via ’link.”
“Good. You have to go.”
“Talk to Mira?”
“No. Nadine has to leave in two and a half hours. You have to get to the shuttle in an hour forty-five.”
“But it’s tomorrow.”
“Now it’s today. Tag McNab on the way. Go.”
“But, but, Iler. I can’t just—”
“Look at my face.” Eve jabbed spread fingers at her own eyes. “You’re now on leave. Get the hell out so I can work. One more word, just one, and I haul you out bodily.”
Peabody pressed her lips together, then thumped a fist to her heart.
“Yeah, yeah, get out. I’m busy.”
Peabody rushed to the door and, figuring she could probably outrun Eve with the distance and the adrenaline, called out, “Thanks, boss!” Kept going.
“You’re fucking welcome,” she muttered, kicking Rhoda’s desk before she could stop herself.
She tagged Baxter first.
“Just finishing up interview three on-site.”
“When you wrap it come down to the manager’s office. Rhoda will show you.”
“Ten tops,” he said, clicked off.