“Apparently so.” She worked on dimming the smile. “This is an official channel, Roarke.”
“Is it?” His brow lifted. “It doesn’t sound like official surroundings. The Blue Squirrel.”
“I’m meeting someone. How’s Australia?”
“Crowded. With luck I’ll be back within thirty-six hours. I’ll find you.”
“I’m not hard to find.” She smiled again. “Obviously. Listen.” To amuse them both, she tilted the unit as Mavis roared into her next set.
“She’s unique,” Roarke managed after several bars. “Give her my best.”
“I will. I’ll—ah—see you when you get back.”
“Count on it. You’ll think of me.”
“Sure. Safe trip, Roarke.”
“Eve, I love you.”
She let out a baffled breath when his image dissolved.
“Well, well.” Nadine Furst moved from her position behind Eve’s shoulder and slid into the booth opposite. “Wasn’t that sweet?”
Torn between annoyance and embarrassment, Eve jammed her communicator back in her pocket. “I thought you had more class than to eavesdrop.”
“Any reporter worth her salary eavesdrops, Lieutenant. Just like a good cop.” Nadine stretched back in the booth. “So, what does it feel like to have a man like Roarke in love with you?”
Even if she could have explained it, Eve wouldn’t have. “Thinking of switching from hard news to the romance channel, Nadine?”
Nadine merely held up a hand, then let out a sigh when she scanned the club. “I can’t believe you wanted to meet here again. The food’s terrible.”
“But the atmosphere, Nadine, the atmosphere.”
Mavis hit a piercing note and Nadine shuddered. “Fine, it’s your deal.”
“You got back on planet quickly.”
“I managed to catch a flash transport. One of your boyfriend’s.”
“Roarke’s not a boy.”
“You’re telling me. Anyway . . .” Nadine waved that away. She was obviously tired and a little lagged. “I’ve got to eat, even if it kills me.” She scanned the menu and settled dubiously on the stuffed shells supreme. “What are you drinking?”
“Number fifty-four; it’s supposed to be a chardonnay.” Experimentally, Eve sipped again. “It’s at least three steps up from horse piss. I recommend it.”
“Fine.” Nadine programmed her order and sat back again. “I was able to access all the data available on the Towers’s homicide on the trip back. Everything the media has broadcast so far.”
“Morse know you’re back?”
Nadine’s smile was thin and feral. “Oh, he knows. I’ve got seniority on the crime beat. I’m in, he’s out. And is he pissed!”
“Then my mission is a success.”
“But it’s not complete. You promised an exclusive.”
“And I’ll deliver.” Eve studied the noodle dish that slid through the serving slot. It didn’t look half bad. “Under my terms, Nadine. What I feed you, you broadcast when I give you the light.”
“What else is new?” Nadine sampled the first shell, decided it was nearly palatable.