The In Death Collection Books 21-25 - J. D. Robb [352]
“Just not today, okay?” she slanted Mavis a leery eye. “Absolutely not today.”
“No way! I want time to play with all the gifts, and put all the little outfits away, and make it all abso perfect before little Roofus or Apricot come along.”
“Roofus? Apricot?”
“Just trying them out.”
Eve glanced at her friend. “My advice? Keep trying.”
12
AFTER SHE LED EVE TO TANDY’S APARTMENT door, Mavis shifted from foot to foot. “Gotta pee again. My bladder feels about the size of a chickpea lately, and what there is of it keeps getting kicked.”
“Just…think about something else.” Eve knocked. “Don’t bounce like that. It can’t possibly help, and you might shake something loose.”
“She’s not answering. I really, seriously, completely need to pee.”
Changing tactics, Eve turned and knocked on the door across the hall from Tandy’s. Moments later, the door cracked open to the security chain, and a woman peered out the crack suspiciously.
“What?”
“Hey, Ms. Pason! Remember me? I’m Tandy’s friend, Mavis.”
“Oh, yeah.” The eyes warmed fractionally. “You’re looking for Tandy?”
“Uh-huh. She missed my baby shower, and didn’t answer the ’link, so I was…Wow, Ms. Pason, I really have to pee.”
“’Course you do. Come on in and use the bathroom.” She unhooked the chain. “I don’t know you,” she said, pointing a finger at Eve.
“This is my friend, Dallas. She gave me the most magolicious baby shower today. I’ll be right back.”
Ms. Pason folded her arms as Mavis dashed off. “I don’t like letting strangers in.”
“I don’t blame you. I can wait in the hall.”
“It’s okay, this once, since you’re her friend. Tandy and Mavis are nice girls.”
“You seen Tandy lately?”
“Couple days ago, I guess. We left for work at the same time.”
“That would have been…”
“Wednesday, Thursday?” Ms. Pason shrugged. “One morning’s the same as the next. And I keep my nose out like I expect people to keep theirs out of mine.”
“Good policy.”
“Gosh, thanks, Ms. Pason.” Mavis beamed a smile when she came back in. “You’re a lifesaver. Did you maybe see Tandy today?”
“No. Couple days ago, like I told your friend here.”
“A couple days?” Mavis reached out, gripped Eve’s arm. “Dallas.”
“Stay calm. Anybody come see her since you saw her that morning?” Eve asked Ms. Pason.
“Didn’t notice. I keep—”
“Your nose out, yeah.”
“Dallas, we need to go inside. We need to go into Tandy’s. You could use your master.”
“Master what?” Ms. Pason demanded. “You can’t just go around going into people’s homes.”
Eve pulled out her badge. “Yeah, I can.”
“You’re the police? Well, why didn’t you say so? You think something happened to that nice girl?”
“No,” Eve said quickly. “But since she’s not answering her ’links or her door, and you can’t remember seeing her today, it may be best to check her apartment. Maybe Mavis can wait here.”
“I’m going with you.” Mavis clung to Eve’s arm. “I want to go in, make sure.”
“Fine, fine.” And if Tandy objected to having her premises entered without a warrant or probable cause, it was just as well to have Mavis there to run interference.
Eve knocked again, then pulled out her master. “Tandy, if you’re in there it’s Dallas, and Mavis. We’re coming in.” She uncoded the locks, eased the door open.
The room was the same size as the one across the hall, which meant it felt claustrophobic. Tandy had it spruced up in soft colors with ruffled curtains at the single window. They were open so that a couple of live plants in white pots could soak up the winter sunlight.
On the table in front of a small sofa was a box wrapped in white paper with purple cows dancing over the surface. It was topped by a huge purple bow.
“See, that’s my gift.” Mavis pointed. “I told her how cute that paper was when I was in the baby store a few weeks ago. Tandy! Tandy! Are you all right?”
The place was empty—Eve could feel it—but she let Mavis go in.
No sign of struggle, she mused as she