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Working…File indicates Ecstasy / Zoner combination in both counts.

“That’ll get you off, won’t it?”

Please rephrase query.

“Never mind. Search and list cohabitation and/or marriage data.”

Working…Formal cohabitation license issued in New Los Angeles for Areena Mansfield and Broderic Peters from June 2048 to April 2049, union mutually dissolved. Marriage license issued in London, England, for Areena Mansfield and Lawrence Baristol September 2053. Divorce petitioned, Mansfield v. Baristol January 2057, unopposed and granted. No children resulted from marriage or cohabitation unions.

“Okay. Search and list any professional credits in productions that involved Richard Draco.”

Working…Off-Broadway production of drama Broken Wings, from May through October 2038. Subject and Draco, Richard, in secondary roles through run of play. Small-screen video production, Die for Love, starring subject and Draco, Richard, taped New Los Angeles, 2040. Video production, New York, Check Mate, starring subject and Draco, February 2044. London Arts production of drama, Twice Owned, starring subject and Draco, Richard, from February 2054 through June of that year.

“Interesting timing,” Eve murmured, reaching over idly to scratch the ears of the plump cat that leaped onto her desk. As Galahad made himself comfortable directly in front of the computer screen, Eve watched Roarke stroll in through the door connecting their personal offices.

“You didn’t mention Areena had an illegals habit.”

“Had being the operative word. Is it relevant?”

“Everything’s relevant. Are you sure her affection for illegals is past tense?”

“To my knowledge, she’s been clean more than a dozen years.” When he sat on the edge of the desk, Galahad slithered over to bump his head against Roarke’s long-fingered hand. “Don’t you believe in rehabilitation, Lieutenant?”

“I married you, didn’t I?”

Because it made him grin, she angled her head. “You also didn’t mention that she and Draco were in some productions together over the years.”

“You didn’t ask.”

“The timing of two of their acting connections coincide down the line with her illegals convictions.”

“Ah. Hmmm.” Roarke sent Galahad into feline ecstasy with one slim finger over fur.

“How tight were they, Roarke?”

“They may have been involved. Gossip ran that way during their last project together in London. I didn’t meet Areena until a few years ago when she was married and living in London. And I never saw her and Richard together until we were casting this play.” He lifted a shoulder, helped himself to what was left of Eve’s coffee.

“When I do my run on the victim, am I going to find illegals charges?”

“Probably. If Areena was still using, she was discreet and professional. No missed rehearsals, no temperamental scenes. I wouldn’t use the term discreet in the same sentence with Draco, but he did his job. And if they were involved in a romantic or sexual fashion, they kept it behind locked doors.”

“Nobody’s ever discreet enough. If they were banging each other, someone knew. And if they were rolling around sweaty together or popping illegals, it adds some angles.”

“Do you want me to find out?”

She got to her feet, leaned forward until her nose bumped his. “No. Now, if there’s any part of that you didn’t understand, let me repeat. No. Got it?”

“I believe I do. I have a meeting in San Francisco in a few hours. Summerset knows how to reach me if you need to.”

Her scowl at the mention of Roarke’s tight-assed aide de camp was instant and heartfelt. “I won’t need to.”

“I should be home before nine.” He rose, sliding his hands up the sides of her body, then down again to her hips. “I’ll call if I’ll be any later.”

She understood he was reassuring her she wouldn’t be alone at night—alone where the nightmares chased her. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I like

to.”


Tags: J.D. Robb In Death Mystery