“What does that mean?” Eve shifted the mug away from her mouth and leaned forward.

“Down, girl. This is not a media interview.” Cate tried for a teasing tone. “And before you jump in”—she turned to Grace—“save that forensic pathologist curiosity of yours for people who can’t talk back. I’m not at liberty to discuss the case. I only told you about it to keep you from worrying when I don’t respond to your calls and texts.”

Eve and Grace exchanged glances.

“I don’t like this.” Eve took a sip of coffee and skewered her with one of the probing, razor-sharp looks she usually reserved for unsuspecting guests on her drive-time talk radio show. “Did they strong-arm you into this?”

Sort of.

But she was the logical choice for the job.

“The term strong-arming may be too . . . strong.” She shrugged, as if the assignment was no big deal. “I fit the criteria for this particular investigation.”

“Do you want to do this?” Grace joined the inquisition.

“I want lawbreakers to pay for their crimes. If going undercover is what it takes to get justice in this case—so be it.”

Her conviction sounded so convincing she almost fooled herself into believing she was fine with her decision.

Almost.

Her sisters, however, seemed to buy her assurance.

“How long is this going to last?” Grace jabbed her fork into the last bite of her cooling moussaka.

“As long as it takes.”

“Will you be here for my birthday next month? The big three-oh only comes around once.”

“And we can’t celebrate properly without you,” Eve added.

“I’ll do my best. You know I try to make every family gathering.”

But her sisters weren’t concerned about her missing the landmark birthday.

They were concerned about her.

Her vision blurred, and she swallowed past the lump that formed in her throat.

What would she do without Eve and Grace? With Mom gone all these years, and Dad doing a stint as a visiting professor at Cambridge, the three of them were tighter than ever. Siblings, yes, but also best friends.

So of course they’d worry about their big sister—especially after her negative comments about her previous undercover assignment.

Yet much as she dreaded this job, she could handle it. While the trafficking case had soured her on undercover work, it had also boosted her confidence that she had the acting chops to handle whatever was thrown at her.

And she had to convince her sisters of that. Vanquish the sudden pall that had fallen over their holiday get-together.

“Hey.” She waited until she had their full attention. “Stop worrying. I have the skills for the job, and the environment is much nicer than my previous gig. You could almost say cushy. I’ll be fine. And I’ll be back in the ranks of regular detectives very soon.”