Marriage isn't for the weak or lazy. It's work, and it should be. What would be the point otherwise?

— J.D. Robb

Maybe I just didn’t want it to be Benny because he really loves her, and if I was wrong about that, it’d be depressing. Who wants to be depressed?”“Poets,” Eve decided. “You have to think they must.”“Okay, other than poets.

— J.D. Robb

Minute by minute, then hour by hour, then day by day. Work is solace," he said, "friends are comfort. Life is for the living. You and I know that, even though we spend so much time with the dead - maybe because of that we know we have to live. Chile has been a great help to me."" That's good," she said, thinking of the priest she'd suggested Morris talk to. "You can ... you know, anytime."" Yes." His lips curved. "I know. You're work, and a friend, so have been both solace and comfort.

— J.D. Robb

No. No, I don't believe you'd betray me with her. I don't believe you'd cheat on me. But I'm afraid, and I'm sick in my heart that you might look at her, then at me. And regret.

— J.D. Robb

Peabody pursed her lips. "You're really mean today." "Yes. Yes, I am." Eve took a deep gulp of hideous air, and smiled. "I feel good about that.

— J.D. Robb

Peabody, you never cease to amaze me."" One day I'll tell you about my granny and her five lovers." "Five lovers isn't abnormal for a woman's lifetime." "Not in her lifetime; last month. All at the same time." Peabody glanced up, deadpan. "She's ninety-eight. I hope to take after her.

— J.D. Robb

People have been sleeping and/or marrying their way to the top since the first cave woman said: ‘Ugh, that one’s the strongest and has the biggest club. I’ll shake my mastodon-skin-covered ass at him.’”“Ugh?”“Or whatever cave people said. And it’s not just women who do it. Cave guy goes: ‘Ugh, that one catches the most fish, I’ll be dragging her off to my cave now.’ Ava sees Tommy and—”“Says ugh.”“Or today’s equivalent thereof.”-Eve & Rourke. .

— J.D. Robb

Pull yourself together, Detective. You're embarrassing yourself, and more important, you're embarrassing me."" They're going to do it outside. In public."" So the fuck what?"" Public," Peabody said, head still between her

— J.D. Robb

Rourke didn't quite make it to Eve's office. He found her down the corridor, in front of one of the vending machines. She and the machine appeared to be in the middle of a vicious argument." I put the proper credits in, you blood-sucking, money-grubbing son of a bitch." Eve punctuated this by slamming her fist where the machine's heart would be, if it had one. ANY ATTEMPT TO VANDALIZE, DEFACE, OR DAMAGE THIS UNIT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. The machine spoke in a prissy, singsong voice Rourke was certain was sending his wife's blood pressure through the roof. THIS UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH SCANTY, AND HAS RECORDED YOUR BADGE NUMBER. DALLAS, LIEUTENANT EVE. PLEASE INSERT PROPER CREDIT, IN COIN OR CREDIT CODE, FOR YOUR SELECTION. AND REFRAIN FROM ATTEMPTING TO VANDALIZE, DEFACE, OR DAMAGE THIS UNIT." Okay, I'll stop attempting to vandalize, deface, or damage you, you electronic street thief. I'll just do it." She swung back her right foot, which Rourke had cause to know could deliver a paralyzing kick from a standing position. But before she could follow through he stepped up and nudged her off balance." Please, allow me, Lieutenant."" Don't put any more credits in that thieving bastard," she began, then hissed when Rourke did just that." Candy bar, I assume. Did you have any lunch?"" Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know it's just going to keep stealing if people like you pander to it."" Eve, darling, it's a machine. It does not think."" Ever hear of artificial intelligence, ace?"" Not in a vending machine that dispenses chocolate bars.

— J.D. Robb

Rourke: The bodies of the three men were found floating in the Chattahoochee River. Eve: I think it'd be embarrassing to be dead in the Hoodie-Coochie River. Roarke: Chattahoochee Eve: What's the difference? Roarke: Quite a bit, I'd think.

— J.D. Robb