“You read about wedding stuff online?” Cate stared at her.

“I can hope, can’t I? Don’t you want to find a hot guy like Eve did and be blissfully happy? Have a real home with a yard and porch swing instead of this one-bedroom, bare-bones apartment?”

“For as much time as I spend here, this place suffices. And I can be blissfully happy without a hot guy. You can too.”

“True—but maybe I can be even happier with one.”

“You should go read a few books about female empowerment.”

“Hey—I’m empowered. How many women cut up dead bodies for a living, as our middle sibling so elegantly put it?”

Eve wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure that’s empowerment. It’s kind of ghoulish if you ask me.”

“I’m blazing a trail. That’s empowerment.” Grace stuck out her tongue at Eve.

“Whatever.” Eve waved a dismissive hand at their youngest sister. “Back to the subject at hand. You’re both coming for dinner, right?”

“I am.” Grace brushed a few crumbs from the table into a neat pile.

“Are you certain Brent is on board with the plan?” Cate crossed her arms. “I mean, he’s a great guy and all, but I bet he’d rather have you to himself on New Year’s Eve.”

“He’s fine with the plan. Better than fine, to tell you the truth. He hasn’t had many family traditions in his life, so he’s looking forward to being part of one—and I have the document to prove it.” She pulled a folded sheet of paper from the pocket of her jeans and passed it across the counter to Grace with a smug look.

Grace gave it a quick scan, grinned, and held it out.

Cate returned to the table, took the paper, and read the handwritten message.

Cate and Grace—

Eve tells me you’re concerned about intruding on our New Year’s Eve celebration. Don’t be. I’m all for family gatherings. And remember—Eve and I will have the whole next day all to ourselves to welcome the new year privately.

Brent

“Satisfied?” Eve smirked at her.

Leave it to the host of a controversial radio show to anticipate and prepare for every counterargument—and secure documented proof for her position.

“Fine. I’ll come.” She handed the paper back to her sister.

Eve slid the note in her pocket. “So how are we supposed to keep in touch with you while you’re on this undercover job?”

They were back to that.

“I’ll have a handler again. As soon as I get contact information, I’ll pass it on. And FYI, my gig is being shared on a strict need-to-know basis, so keep it under wraps.”

Eve picked up the dishcloth and swiped the counter. “Is Brent in the loop?”

Logical question, since he was also a County detective.