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“Justconversation”

“I also adht a lot of happiness to the world She’ll be missed”

“So to miss either of them”

“True enough” In her sraht be a bit pressed for time, but I work better with a little stih you could use some”

“I’m fine”

Recognizing the tightly controlled hostility in the tone, Mira only lifted a brow “Overworked, as usual It happens to those who are particularly good at their jobs” She handed Eve a cup of tea in one of the pretty china cups “Now, I’ve read over your reports, the evidence you’ve gathered, and your theories My psychiatric profile,” she said, tapping a sealed disc on the table between them

“You’ve completed it” Eve didn’t trouble to mask the irritation “You could have transmitted the data and saved me a trip”

“I could have, but I preferred to discuss this with you, face to face Eve, you’re dealing with soerous”

“I think I picked up on that, Doctor Tomen have had their throats slashed”

“Tomen, thus far,” Mira said quietly and sat back “I’m very much afraid there will be more And soon”

Because she believed the sanored the quick chill that sprinted up her spine “Why?”

“It was so easy, you see And so simple A job well done There’s a satisfaction in that There’s also the attention factor Whoever accomplished the murders can now sit back in his or her horieving, the services, the public arena of the investigation”

She paused to savor her tea “You have your theory, Eve You’re here so that I can corroborate it or argue against it”

“I have several theories”

“Only one you believe in” Mira smiled her wise smile, aware that it made Eve bristle “Fame What else did these tomen have in common but their public prominence? They didn’t share the same social circle or professional one Kne of the same people, even on a casual level They didn’t patronize the same shops, health centers, or cosmetic experts What they did share was fame, public interest, and a kind of power”