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“Dr. DeWinter.”
“Someone must be dead.”
“Someone always is.”
“That’s true, isn’t it? Oh, well, it keeps us busy. Richard, I just wanted to come down and thank you for getting that report to me so quickly this morning.”
Richard? Eve thought, and watched Berenski preen.
“No problem, Doc. We’re on the same team.”
“Yes, we are.” She moved down, laid a hand on his shoulder, studied the computer screen along with him. “Chamomile, lavender, valerian. Tea? A soother?”
“So far.”
Stuffing her hands in her pockets—no way she was touching Dickhead—Eve moved down the counter to read the screen herself.
“What’s that?” she demanded with a long, unpronounceable element scrolled on.
“Hold on,” Berenski murmured, then nodded as a second, then a third element popped up.
“Those sure as hell aren’t herbs. That’s a Rohypnol-bremelanotide compound. Erotica with a twist. It’s a sex drug.”
DeWinter glanced over at Eve. “The combination would stimulate the sexual drive, yes, and potentially lower inhibitions. The tea is a relaxation blend, and would mask the chemicals, add to the lack of inhibition and certainly increase sex drive.”
“Your vic didn’t have any of this in him,” Berenski told her. “I saw his tox screen, and it was clean.”
“No, he didn’t drink it. He used it on women.”
“What you’ve got here is like a super soother, and it’s laced with illegals. Sort of a mild date-rape drug.”
Eve scorched him with a look. “Nothing’s mild about rape.”
“Don’t get twisted. I ain’t saying that. I’m saying the product’s on the mild side. It’s not like whore or rabbit, and the user’s likely to feel relaxed instead of jumpy after the job’s done. It don’t make it legal, and it sure don’t make it right. Your vic was an asshole if he used this without telling the women what it was.”
“No memory loss with this,” DeWinter added. “No wild up and downs or desperation. But compliance and escalated sexual desire. His victims, as that’s just what they were, would likely have thought themselves agreeable, even pleased. Afterward, again depending on the circumstances, there may have been some regret or embarrassment.”
“He used these, too.” Eve gestured for Peabody to put the incense case on the counter. “In combination.”
“I’ll check them out. You want the other teas analyzed?”
“Yeah, do the whole lot, but I think we hit the mother lode. Appreciate the quick work,” she added, and turned to go.
DeWinter fell into step beside her. Eve spared her a look.
“Richard?”
“It makes him feel special, and by making him feel special I often get my samples and specimens moved to the head of his list. Is he a bit of a dick?” DeWinter said with a hint of a smile. “Absolutely. But he’s also excellent at his work.”
“I just bribe him.”
“Also a viable option. I wanted to say I’m looking forward to your party. Li’s bringing me.”
“Morris? You and Morris?”
“Yes—and no, so don’t look so appalled. We have the dead, an appreciation of music, and absolutely no interest in a relationship in common. So it’s nice for both of us to have a date for your party. So, I’ll see both of you then.”
“It is nice,” Peabody said as they headed out. “It’s nice that Morris has someone to hang out with. He’s a sociable guy.”
