Redux in Death---Chapter Ten

When Eve went to the door less than an hour later, she glanced at herself in the hall mirror and saw someone she didn’t recognize. If it hadn’t been for the color of her eyes, she never would have known it was her own face staring at her in the mirror. While waiting for Simon, Eve had used some hair gel gook that Trina had left behind and Eve smoothed her choppy locks until they curled slightly under her jaw. She had rubbed some face gook on to smooth her skin and give it some shine and applied some eye gook to her lashes. For her clothing, she went with black slacks and sleeveless tuxedo top that Roarke had purchased for her as an anniversary gift. She had worn it only a few times to casual events.

   “Simon’s on his way to the front door.” Summerset spoke from behind her. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go?”

    Eve saw his face in the reflection of the mirror and turned. “I’m bringing Roarke back here whether he remembers me or not, Summerset. Not remembering me would be the highlight of your life, wouldn’t it, scarecrow?”

    Summerset didn’t respond to her comment. Instead he said, “I want Roarke home.”

    Eve wished she hadn’t made the comment she did. Summerset looked tired and worried and having her harp at him every few minutes wasn’t helping either of them. The doorbell rang and Eve grabbed the door since she was right there. “I’ll bring him home to you, Summerset.”

    There were fewer than a handful of people on the shuttle to Ranseen. They were all dressed comfortably for a six-hour shuttle flight. No one delved into another’s life; everyone keeping to themselves as they hurtled through the atmosphere and into space. Eve kept her mind occupied with things she wanted to do when she got to Ranseen. First, she needed to check into a hotel room, preferably close to Roarke. Next, she needed to see Roarke. Thirdly, she needed to cut Maggie Purcell into small little pieces and throw them into a disintegrator. Eve figured the third one she could
do before she boarded the shuttle with Roarke for home.

    Home. Did Roarke even know home existed anymore for him in New York? He had no idea of the good things he had done with his life since they were married. He had no idea of the friends he had made or the life he had planned. Roarke didn’t know Eve Dallas existed and what if his memory never returned? Could she walk away from the man she didn’t want to love in the first place? Eve knew without a doubt she could give up the money and the mansion—giving up Summerset was a no-brainer---but could she give up the man she loved? Would it even be possible for her to walk away from him and never look back; to return to the life she had before Roarke.


    The sun was up and delivering its first rays of sunshine when the shuttle docked in Ranseen and Eve followed Simon out. He had a car at the airport, which made it more convenient for both of them. Simon showed her the hotel they were all staying at. It was a hotel fitting for Roarke and Magdalena. The doorman opened the glass door for them and Eve walked into paradise.  Gold and glass was the theme of the hotel. A huge glass chandelier hung down in the center of the front room. Two women—not droids—stood behind a large mahogany desk. Their uniforms were gold colored and their nameplates shined on their breasts.

    “My last name’s Waverley in this case,” Simon whispered to her as they approached the check-in desk. Eve realized as she stood there that she had never asked Simon what his last name was on this mission. It never stayed the same unless he was working with the same people. That rarely happened due to the fact that he was responsible for putting most of them in prison or somewhere equally revolting.

    Simon stepped aside and let Eve check in using the card that Simon had given her. She was staying in a room next to Simon’s room. The only way to get into each other’s room was a balcony that either one of them could get over within minutes.

    Simon waved off a bellboy and took Eve’s bags up with his. As they took the golden elevator up to their rooms on the ninth floor, Simon gave Eve the rundown on where Magdalena and Roarke were staying in the hotel. It turns out they were a floor below them. Eve felt her heart race as they passed the eighth floor in the elevator. Roarke was one floor below her and he didn’t even know who she was.


    As suspected there were several calls on Eve’s link when she settled her bags into her room. Peabody, Detective Pastor, Nadine, Commander Whitney, Summerset. Eve chose Commander Whitney first and called him back.

    “Where are you, Lieutenant?” His voice was stern and authoritative. It made the hair rise on the back of Eve’s neck.

    “I’m following up on a lead to Roarke’s whereabouts. I’m not sure when I’ll be home, sir.”

    There was a muffled noise and then, “Are you aware that two kidnappers walked out of the NYPSD last night like they were visitors at the Met.”

    Eve nodded, forgetting that video had been blocked. “Yes, sir. I can assure you, sir, that neither Mr. Berry nor Mr. Austin is on the street.”

    “How do you know that, Lieutenant?”

    Eve sat down on the edge of the bed. “I just do, sir. I have a good lead on Roarke’s whereabouts, sir. As soon as I return, I will come into Central and accept disciplinary actions.”

    “Very well, Lieutenant. Good luck.” He ended the transmission on his end.

    Eve tagged Peabody next. She blocked video as well. Eve didn’t want anyone figuring out where she might be. “Dallas, where are you? Are you with Roarke? Do you know about Austin and Berry walking out of here?”

    Eve took a breath and smiled. Only Peabody could ask so many rapid-fire questions like a true reporter. “I can’t tell you, no I’m not, and yes, I do know, but I can assure you they are being dealt with.”

   There was silence on the other end of the line and Eve could see Peabody mentally putting the answers with the questions she just asked. “Are you okay?” Was her partner’s next question.

    “I have a lead on Roarke. Tell Pastor just what I told you, especially about Austin and Berry. I’ll be home soon.” Eve ended transmission.

  The next person she needed to speak with was Doctor Mira.