“Yeah. So did the killer.”
“Point taken.” He traced a fingertip over the dent in her chin. “I might be a little late tonight. I should be home by eight.”
“Okay.”
“I have something for you.”
“Oh, come on.” When he reached in his pocket, she stuffed her hands in hers. “This isn’t the time or place for presents.”
“I see. Then I guess I’ll just keep this for myself.”
Instead of the jewelry case she’d expected, he pulled out a jumbo chocolate bar. Her hand whipped out of her pocket, snatched it.
“Then again,” Roarke murmured.
“You bought me a candy bar.”
“I know the way to your heart, Lieutenant.”
She tore off the wrapping, bit in. “I guess you do. Thanks.”
“It’s not dinner,” he said with a narrowed eye. “But if you can hold off, we’ll have some together when I get home.”
“Sure. You got transpo?”
“I’ll walk. It’s a nice day.” He caught her face, kissed her before she could tell him not to.
Chewing her candy, she watched him walk away. And thought she understood exactly what Peabody meant by the love of a lifetime.
*** CHAPTER FOURTEEN ***
Mira studied the record of the interview with Kenneth Stiles. She sipped her tea while Eve paced. In another five minutes, she would have been on her way home. Eve had caught her as she’d been locking up.
Now she would be late. That thought shifted through the back of her mind as she focused on the interview. Her husband would understand, particularly if she made a quick detour on the way and picked up a carton of his favorite ice cream.
She’d learned long ago the tricks and balances of blending a demanding career and a successful marriage.
“You and Feeney are an excellent interview team,” she commented. “You read each other well.”
“We’ve been doing it awhile.” Eve wanted to hurry Mira along but knew better. “I think he’s been practicing that hard-ass look in the mirror.”
That brought out a smile. “I imagine so. Given his comfortable face, it’s surprisingly effective. Am I correct in assuming you don’t believe Stiles told the whole truth?”
“Are you ever wrong?”
“Now and again. You’re looking for this Anja Carvell?”
“Peabody’s tracking her.”
“He had, and has, strong feelings for her. I’d say she was a turning point for him. If it had been a storybook, the woman would have come to him after he defended her. Happily ever after. But—”
“She didn’t want him.”
“Or didn’t love him enough, felt unworthy, humiliated, scarred.” Mira lifted a hand. “There are countless reasons why she and Stiles didn’t match. Without observing her, I couldn’t say. Still, it’s Stiles’s emotional and mental state that interests you.”
“Peabody’s idea is that this woman was the love of his life, and because of that, he’d never have completely lost touch with her.”
“I think Peabody has good instincts. He protected her, defended her. A man with his sense of theater