Visions in Death by J. D. Robb Page B

said, and he hurt me, too."
    "He broke her arm." Tears flooded the woman's bruised eyes. "It took that to wake me up."
    "You don't blame yourself, Marly," Louise said gently.
    "We can stay here with Dr. Louise, and nobody hurts you, and nobody yells or throws things."
    "It's a good place." Peabody hunkered down as much to take the focus off Eve as to speak to the child. Her lieutenant looked ill. "I bet there's lots to do."
    "We have chores, and teachers. You have to do your chores and go to school. Then you can play. There's a lady upstairs, and she's having a baby."
    "Is that so?" Peabody glanced back at Louise. "Now?"
    "First-stage labor. We have full obstetric and natal facilities, and a midwife on staff full-time. Try to keep off that leg as much as possible for another twenty-four, Marly."
    "I will. It's better. A lot better. Everything is."
    "We really need to speak with you, Louise."
    "All right, we'll just..." Louise trailed off as she got a look at Eve's face. "Are you okay?"
    "Fine. I'm fine. A little pressed for that time, that's all."
    "We'll head up to my office." Deliberately, she laid her fingers on Eve's wrist as they walked back toward the stairs. "Your skin's clammy," she murmured. "Pulse is rapid and thready, and you've gone pale. Let me take you into Exam."
    "I'm just tired." She eased away. "We're running on two hours' sleep. I don't need a doctor, I need an interview."
    "Okay, all right, but you don't get the interview unless you down a protein booster."
    There was activity on the second floor as well. Voices behind closed doors. And weeping.
    "Therapy sessions," Louise explained. "Sometimes they can get intense. Moira, a moment?"
    Two women were standing outside of what Eve assumed was another therapy room or office. One turned, and her gaze skipped over Louise and fastened on Eve. She murmured something to her companion, gave her a long hug, then started down the hall.
    Eve knew who she was. Moira O'Bannion, formerly of Dublin. The woman who'd known Roarke's mother, and after more than thirty years had told him that what he'd known of his beginnings was a lie based on murder.
    Sickness curdled in Eve's belly.
    "Moira O'Bannion, Eve Dallas, Delia Peabody."
    "I'm so glad to meet you. I hope Roarke is well."
    "He's good. He's fine." Sweat began to slide like cold grease down her spine.
    "Moira's one of our treasures. I stole her."
    Moira laughed. "Recruited, we'll say. Though dragooned wouldn't be far off. Louise is fierce. You're having the tour."
    "Not exactly. It's not a social call."
    "Ah. I should let you get to business then. How's Jana doing?"
    "Four centimeters dilated, thirty percent effaced last check. She's got a ways to go."
    "Let me know when she's ready, will you? We're all excited about the new baby." Moira smiled at Peabody. "It's good to meet you both, and I hope you won't be strangers. My very best to Roarke," she said to Eve and stepped out of their way.
    "Moira's brilliant," Louise said as she led the way to the next level. "She's making a big difference here. I've been able to—ha—dragoon some of the best therapists, doctors, psychiatrists, and counselors in the city. I bless the day you stomped into my clinic downtown, Dallas. It was the start of the twisty path that led me here."
    She opened a door, gestured them inside. "Not to mention leading me to Charles." Briskly, she walked to a cabinet, and opened it to reveal a minifridgie. "Which reminds me, we're setting up that dinner party I keep trying to pull off. Night after tomorrow, Charles's place—it's cozier than mine—eight o'clock. Suit you and McNab, Peabody?"
    "Sure. Sounds like fun."
    "I've cleared it with Roarke." She handed both Eve and Peabody a bottled protein booster.
    She'd have preferred ice-cold water and an open window so she could lean out, just breathe. "We're in the middle of an investigation."
    "Understood. Doctors and cops learn to be flexible and live with canceled social engagements. Barring emergencies,