Page 27 of Fury In Death

“So the victim’s family doesn’t see?” Morris pulled off his goggles. “Now, that’s fascinating.”

“On the desk, facedown, undamaged. What are coincidences, Peabody?”

“According to my brilliant LT? Bollocks.”

“He didn’t go after the wife because he doesn’t blame her for whatever he blamed Chu for. He doesn’t blame the sons, their wives, their kids. Just Chu.”

She studied the body. “What the hell did you do, Larry? What did you do?”

“Whatever he did, or didn’t,” Morris said, “I can’t imagine it deserved this.”

“The killer thinks he did. Thanks, Morris.”

“Oh, the previous victim? The accidental? Darwin confirmed that last night, and took good care of him. I’ve got a memo his family’s coming in later this morning.”

“Okay. Don’t climb ladders in slippery house skids.”

“Wise advice. I’ll see you both at the party. I’m looking forward to it.”

“You’re bringing your sax, right?”

“As requested.”

“It’s going to rock so hard.”

“Before that,” Eve said, “let’s try to solve a murder. We’ll drop in at the lab, see if we get lucky with the attacker’s blood.”

“Doubtful you’ll have any from his hands. The contusions tell me he was gloved. Gloved, not sealed.”

“Yeah, I thought so, but you gotta try.”

“Good hunting.”

As they walked out, Eve shoved her hands in her pockets. “Contact McKay, the houseman, see if he’ll come in.”

“Will do. We finalized the menu for the party last night. We wanted some adjustments to the previous finalized menu.”

“Okay.”

“That’s going to rock hard, too. Wait until my family sees my kitchen. Mavis’s, too. We’re going to cook and bake our asses off.”

“How much is tofu?”

“There will be tofu. Also pizza—my dad makes amazing pizza. Meatballs—organic. My sister’s bringing cheese made on her farm. My granny’s making her applesauce cake. We’re still harvesting from the garden, so fresh veggies. And more, more, more. My mother’s going to bless the house.”

“Bless it?”

“It’s a thing. A Free-Ager thing. It’s a pretty ritual.”

“All right.”

When they got to the car, Eve sat a moment. “Just contact the lab. Morris is right about the gloves. The chances they got any of the attacker’s blood is slim.”

She glanced over as she pulled out. “Did you invite Dickhead?”

“Well, we really had to. He is lab chief, plus you know he’d get all pissy if we didn’t. He comes to your holiday bash.”

“Yeah, yeah. DeWinter, too, right?”