Royalty in Death - an In Death series fanfic (J.D. Robb)

Chapter 9

"We have talked about it, and he knows that we don't have much time to look for a perfect bait as I do. He'll do hands-on in this op, so no worries.", Eve replied as she swiveled towards the Skyline.

Peabody pulled her communicator as it beeped. "McNab messaged me that they have a tail now going to Central. Trueheart sends one as well, but they were able to lose it and now they're currently going to Levinski's residence."

"Playing a prince to his damsel in distress, huh?", Eve mused, trying to hide her irritation of Levinski's stupidity of taking cops like an amateur.

"Do you think Levinski did it?", Peabody asked again.

"Let's see how Mira would say about it."

Instead of leaving the DLE again at the hotel's entrance, she parked it in the proper slot.

"Is that the reason why you left the interrogation to Baxter?"

"Regardless if Baxter or I handled it, Levinski is already convicted for accepting bribes and will be convicted sooner or later. And revealing these shreds of evidence, Feds or even the HSO, or worse the Harmin officials, will dip their hands to our platters."

Eve might be telling her partner the truth, but that was not all. She wanted Levinski to be dealt with no preferential treatment since Roarke happened to have some past with him. With the upcoming consul party, she'll be able to evaluate Levinski up close, together with Roarke.

"Just remember, you have to interview some of the Harminian staffs, get their sympathy - you're good with that - and study the interiors. If you got stalled, try the hotel staff and the owner. Wait for my message before you return here."

"Yes, sir.", Peabody replied then went outside the car.

They were walking on the thin wire now that the Lieutenant and the Impostor must exist at the same time, and it so happened that these two were a single person.

Five minutes after Peabody left, Afef emerged from the lot and slipped inside the passenger seat.

"Greetings, Lieutenant. I would like to thank you personally for helping our Royal Highness' causes.", he said.

"Thank Roarke. He's the one who arranged everything.", replied Eve.

She heard a disappointment grunt when she mentioned Roarke's name.

"So, how can you leave using your vehicle without them knowing?"

"I can pull some tricks.", she said, pushing some buttons on the DLE. She just recently learned that not only it has stealth, it has a camouflage-holo duplicate; and depending on her moods, she can alter her gray-colored DLE with a striking red exterior in a matter of seconds.

"I see that your husband doted you so well.", he jeered.

"Do you have a bad blood with Roarke?", Eve asked as they left the premises.

The butler scoffed.

"None as I can remember, as we met only once during a luncheon for the Royal family. I admit he was better than Mr. Levinski even with his murky past, but I'm glad he did not end up as one of our royal consorts."

"I think Roarke mentioned to me before that one of your princesses was offered to him for marriage. Was it insulting that he rejected the proposal?"

"As I've mentioned earlier, I'm glad he did not become one of us. And speaking with that princess you mentioned, she's now a mother of five and living happily with her husband.", he stared at Eve with warmth. "But it seems that he was more fortunate than anyone of us to marry you, and with your state..."