by Edwin Dasso
13
Kat and Mike entered the loud, noisy bar at the Magnolia to the Southern Rock sound of the Allman Brother’s Band. The mood was typical bar, happy, drunken and festive. They spotted their reunion group at a group of tables to the right of the massive highly-carved oak bar.
"What took you guys so long?" a slightly drunken Allison slurred, her green eyes sparkling with booze and excitement. "We've been here for hours," she scolded them as she pushed her long, blonde hair out of her face and swayed to the music.
"No, you haven't," Kat assured her. “All we did was stop for gas. Mikey's redneck truck drinks gas like Mike drinks Mountain Dew. What’s happening here?” Kat asked as she surveyed the crowd and waved to a couple of newcomers in the group.
Allison grinned and wiggled her index finger at Kat in a ‘come hither’ fashion. "Liam's here. He's sitting over there next to Tom and, if you want my opinion," she murmured as she tossed her long hair back again, “he looks hot – plus, he's alone," she confided as she gave Kat a conspiratorial wink.
Kat stared at the floor as she interpreted the flurry of emotions that overcame her. She was still shocked over the fact that Barb had been deliberately poisoned by hemlock, and now, was about to become face to face with her college heart throb, the man she’d hoped to marry. All of that had ended at Nags Head on the Outer Banks of North Carolina last year. She hadn’t heard from or spoken to Liam since.
For a moment, she was breathless, unable to respond. Her heart pounded in her chest until it hurt. She felt Mike take her hand. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. His voice comforted her.
"It's not a big deal, Kat. Just go up and speak to him. Keep your cool. We won't see him at all tomorrow, but we will see him on Thanksgiving over at the Kiln for dinner."
Kat looked up into Mike's honest blue eyes. "Yeah, Mikey. I can do this. No problem," she smiled at him. Lida touched her shoulder. "Kat, how is Barb? Did you just get here?”
Kat nodded. “Yeah, we just got here. We saw you guys outside. And, we just received some good news about Barb. She’s coming out of her coma and is much more alert. They’re hoping for a full recovery.” Kat purposefully didn’t mention the poisoning.
“That’s wonderful news!” Lida hugged Kat tightly. “I was so worried about her. It’s been a tough day, hasn’t it?” Stress was etched into Lida’s lovely face.
Kat looked into her friend’s eyes. Could someone really be trying to kill her friend? “Yes, it has been. Tomorrow will be better,” Kat reassured her with a hug. “We’re very lucky.” She put her hand in front of her mouth and whispered to Lida. “They say, the doctors, that Barb was poisoned.” Kat felt Lida’s body stiffen in her arms as she stepped back to look at her.
Lida’s pupils dilated and she was speechless for a moment. “Poisoned? Oh no. Who would poison Barb? She doesn’t even know anyone here. No one at all.” Lida’s face paled under her tan as she watched Kat. “Do we know who?”
Kat shook her head and gazed steadily at Lida. “No. We have no idea who would try to poison Barb. Do you?”
Lida flushed, cleared her throat and looked around anxiously. She didn’t answer Kat’s question. “Would you and Mike like to join us at our table?" She winked at Mike. “I can guarantee you good service.”
Kat looked up at Mike who nodded. "Sure, we’ll be delighted." Mike turned his body to face Joe Minelli and extended his hand. "Joe, great to see you. It's been forever, hasn't it?"
Joe flashed Mike his megawatt smile that Kat figured had cost the Minelli family lots of bucks. He accepted Mike's extended hand. He shook it firmly. "Yeah, Mike. It's been years. Are you still over in New Orleans most of the time?" Joey asked as he escorted Mike, Lida, and Kat to his table which was directly diagonal to Liam's table.
Mike pulled the chair out for Kat. He gave Liam a quick salute with his hand. Kat sat down, her back towards Liam. Mike looked over at Joe. "Yeah, I'm in the Big Easy most of the time, particularly during the winter. I've got an interest in a restaurant just off Bourbon and most of the time I'm either the maître d' or the bus boy. Sometimes I even cook. In truth, I fill in wherever we're short," he laughed. “Plus, it always seems to be me who takes out the trash every morning at two am.”
Joey looked impressed. “Bourbon Street, you’re down there with the tourist crowd. That’s big bucks. What’s the name of your place?”
“Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let the good times roll,” Mike answered proudly. “There are three of us who own it. And yeah, it does well. We’re generally booked every evening and for Sunday brunch.”
“Wow, that’s a terrific place, Mike.” Joe’s eyebrows shot up. He was impressed. “It has a great reputation, and you own a piece of a goldmine. Good for you, dude.” Joe looked genuinely pleased for Mike.
Mike grinned. He was proud of his third of the restaurant. “I hear you, Joey, but I’m still the bus boy and the trash collector there. It is a good investment though. I’m glad I did it.” He paused. “We’ve considered a second location in Metairie. We’ve already located a venue.”
Lida looked surprised. "Mikey, I had no idea you were in the restaurant business. You should be the cook," she said with a smile. “You're the best Cajun cook I've ever known. I can’t wait for Thanksgiving at your parent’s house. I love everything about Kiln, Mississippi. Life over there is so relaxed and so different from Biloxi. One day, I’d like to live on the Wolfe River.”
Joe smiled at Lida. “I didn’t know that Lida! We can make that happen right away,” he promised as he touched her hand.
Lida smiled at Joe and turned back to Mike. “Plus, I’m sure it’s gonna be the best food I’ve eaten in ages. Your parents cook the best Cajun food I’ve ever eaten.”
Mike grinned. “Yeah. They do and they’re excited to see everyone. It’s gonna be good. My Mom is doing the side dishes.” He changed the subject. “Back to my restaurant, I’m supposed to be the “Executive Chef” but truthfully, we only serve traditional Cajun cuisine so there’s not much executive anything about those menus.”
“Oh, stop that Mike. You have a special every night of the week,” Kat reminded him.
Mike looked back at Lida. He had to admit to himself she looked happier than he’d ever seen her even considering her black eye and bruises. For a moment he felt guilty for his thoughts about Joey Minelli. From the looks of the two of them, they were very much in love. Nevertheless, his gut convinced him something was very wrong in their relationship.
"Thank you, Lida.” He turned to Joey. “I hope you can join us over in the Kiln for Thanksgiving. We're cookin’ up a traditional Cajun Thanksgiving," he offered with a generous smile.
"I’d love to," Joey winked at Lida. “Thanks for the invite, Mike. Things here should be slow on Thanksgiving Day, so it shouldn’t be hard to slip out.”
Lida smiled at Kat and said, "Well, we’ve got that settled, I’m ready for a drink."
Joe motioned for the waiter. "What would you guys like to drink?" I'm having a pilsner from the Lazy Magnolia. Mike, would you like one of the Lazy Magnolia microbrews since they’re located in your hometown?"
Mike nodded, "Yeah, I'll have the IPA.” Mike loved the Lazy Magnolia micro-brew pub based in Kiln, Mississippi. It was close to his parents’ home and he knew the owners. In fact, they were good friends. “Kat would like a White Russian," he said as he winked at her.
Kat opened her mouth to protest, "Mike, that's the last thing I need. I don't need all that alcohol," she admonished him. “But, it does sort of sound good.” She smiled at him.
Mike smiled at her but noted Lenny near the bar. He watched Lenny glare at them out of the corner of his eye. “That looks like your big brother, Joe. He hasn’t changed much over the years, has he?”
Joe’s face darkened. “No. As a matter of fact, Lenny hasn’t changed at all. If anything he’s much worse now than he was when we were kids.” He turned to Lida. “Would you like to dance, Lida?”
Kat smiled and watched as J
oey and Lida went to the dance floor. "They look happy to me," she said wistfully. "I'm delighted for them."
"I agree," Mike nodded. "I hope his family approves of her," he said with a tight smile as he continued to watch Joey's brother glare at the couple.
Kat and Mike sat at the table alone and watched the dancers. Mike excused himself to go to the men's room and Kat was alone. She looked around and decided to visit some of her old friends at another table until Mike returned. She rose and squeezed between the chairs and ran straight into Liam as he returned from the bar with two drinks.
Kat greeted him with a smile despite her discomfort and said. "Liam, how are you? Good to see you. How’s life in the Big Apple?"
Liam looked her over like a piece of meat. He leaned over and kissed her cheek as he looked into her eyes. For several moments, Kat felt completely naked in the middle of the bar as Liam's eyes raked her body. “You’re looking great, Kat. Can I buy you a drink?”
Kat shook her head. “No, I’m sitting with Mike and Lida.” How could I have ever cared for this creep? It’s like he's sizing me up for the kill. And I thought I was in love with him?
Liam continued to stare at her. "New York is great, Kat. You should move there. So, Allison tells me you’ve finished your Masters degree. Is that right?" Liam took a step closer to her.
Kat nodded and backed away from her old boyfriend. "Yep, I'm happy to report that I'm finally out of school and I'll be working at the Smithsonian as an assistant curator in one of their museums.” Her eyes sparkled in anticipation.
Liam nodded his head in approval. "That's terrific, Kat. That's one thing I've always said about you. You go after what you truly want, and you usually get it." He gave her a wry smile.
Kat nodded and sipped at her drink. "Well, you know I’m a goal setter," she noted, a flippant tone in her voice.
Liam nodded and continued to stare at her. Kat began to feel uncomfortable and backed away from him. “Good to see you Liam. Let me get back to my table.”
Liam took a step and put his arm around her and said, "Why don’t we have lunch tomorrow? We can drive over to New Orleans and spend time in the French Quarter or check out the antique stores on Magazine Street, you know, just like old times," he said in a low voice as he winked at her.
Kat inhaled his scent. He still used the same aftershave and shampoo. He smelled exactly the same. She ignored her racing heart and shook her head. "Nope, I couldn't possibly do that. Barb's still in the hospital and I need to check on her and besides Liam, I believe I made my position quite clear to you last year in North Carolina. I'm sure you remember." She stared at him as anger flashed in her eyes.
Liam shrugged his shoulders. "Kat, that was a year ago and I've changed a lot. I spend most of my time thinking about you and wishing last year had never happened. Please, will you give me a second chance?" Liam’s hazel eyes had turned green with intensity. They bored into Kat’s face.
Kat shook her head but maintained eye contact. "No, I'm sorry, Liam. Perhaps you should have remembered the eight years we were together last year before you partied all night and almost got arrested for murder. I’m not interested in a relationship with you at all." She paused for a moment as her eyes searched the bar looking for Mike. He was not in sight.
Liam stared at her and said, "Who are you looking for? Mikey? He's over there on the other side of the bar talking to some of his old friends."
Kat nodded and turned to leave.
Liam reached for her shoulder. He frowned. “Are you guys an item now?”
Kat noted a glint of anger in his eyes and ended the conversation. "Always good to see you, Liam. I'm headed over to see the guys over at this table. Have a good night."
Kat moved over to a table full of old friends and classmates. She looked back over to her own table and saw a short stocky man staring down at Joey and Lida. Joe looked angry and Lida looked frightened. Kat figured it must be Joey's brother. Mike was right. He did look like a gangster. He was creepy, ugly, with a bald head and little piggy eyes that were too close together. She decided to stay gone a bit longer so she wouldn't have to meet him. She’d noticed how he leered at the women.
Lida walked over and joined Kat at the table with their old friends. "Kat, do you need to go to the restroom?"
Kat shook head and then searched Lida’s eyes. She saw unshed tears. "Come to think of it, I should go." She looked around and assured everyone they’d be right back. She and Lida walked over towards the restroom, located a good distance across the casino floor. Kat put her arm around her friend. She felt the sadness in Lida’s spirit. Then she noticed a slight tremble. Lida was frightened too.
When they were out of sight of their group, Kat pulled Lida into a corner. "What's wrong? Was that Joe's brother I saw at our table?”
Lida nodded as tears escaped her eyes. She was shaking so badly she could barely talk. She was agitated and frantic. Her teeth chattered. “He’s a horrible man. You can’t possibly imagine how bad he is.”
Kat nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard. Lida, what is it? Nothing could be this bad. You’ve got a guy who really loves you, a great job, and Barb is much better. We should be happy tonight! Why are you so upset? Just ignore Joe’s brother. He’s a fat, nasty, gross pig."
Lida was shaking uncontrollably. Kat heard her teeth chatter as she sobbed quietly in the corner. "It's Lenny, Joe's brother. He's mean and cruel. He just told me that if I didn't make changes in the casino’s financial system, he’d hurt Joe, maybe even kill him." Lida burst into tears. A moment later she raised her finger to acknowledge someone.
Kat turned around, “Who is that? Is it Joe?”
Lida shook her head. “No. It’s a guy who sort of works here. His name is Thad. I’ve known him a while.” Her eyes followed him. “I’m right about Lenny, though. Joe’s brother will hurt Joey.
Lida shook her head. “But Joe is his brother. He wouldn’t do that. He wouldn’t hurt him.”
“Yeah. He would. I think he’s gonna kill Joey.” She sobbed hysterically and her hands were shaking. “In fact, I know he will.”
Kat grabbed Lida’s hands. They were freezing. She shook her head but a cold chill pierced her body. "Are you sure? He wouldn’t hurt his own brother. He doesn't mean that, Lida. Brothers don’t kill each other." Kat paused. “At least, not in real life.”
Lida shook her head repeatedly. "Yeah. Yeah, they do. Lenny will kill Joe. I promise you that he will. I know he's hurt other people, possibly had them killed. He’s a mean, cruel, vile man, I promise you," Lida sobbed. “He’s brutal, ruthless, and violent.”
Kat gave Lida a long hard look as realization set in. "Did Joe's brother kill the girl we saw in the boat today? Did he hurt you and Melody?"
Lida trembled with panic, but she didn’t answer.
Kat put her hands on Lida’s shoulders. “Hush, calm down. Did Lenny hurt those people?” Kat’s voice was hushed but persistent. Her eyes darted around the room.
Lida was frantic. Her hands started to twitch and she looked at the floor. In another minute, she’d be in the middle of a major panic attack. Kat spoke softly. “You need to calm down and try to look normal.”
Lida’s panic was palpable. "I’ll… I’ll try. And yes, I'm sure he did. I’m sure he killed Valerie, but no one will ever prove it. Lenny does lots of horrible things, but he never gets caught," she sputtered. “Or, he buys his way out of it.”
Kat’s mouth fell open. "Come on, Lida. We’ll go to the police," Kat consoled as she reached for Lida’s hand. They'll help us," she assured her. “We’ll go right now.” Kat’s voice was determined, emphatic.
Lida jerked her hand away and folded her petite body into a corner of the room, away from prying eyes. "No. No. The police won’t help. They won’t, Joe's family ‘owns’ this entire town. Their power extends to the governor's office, maybe even higher. Lenny does whatever he wants to do without repercussion.”
Kat arched her eyebrows in disbelief. Fear tingled down h
er back. “No one kills and gets by with it,” she said, her voice forceful.
Lida shook her head and covered her face with her hands. “Lenny Minelli does. I know you don't understand this, but it's true. He gets by with murder and he has, probably a dozen times." Lida started to shake from head to foot. Her teeth chattered. “You need to go on into the restroom, Kat. It’s safer for you not to be seen with me. I’ll go in when you come out.”
Kat shook her head. "No way am I leaving you, Lida. Let me think about this and I'll talk to Mike. Maybe he'll have some ideas. In the meantime, go to the restroom and repair your makeup. I'll head back over to our table to see what Joe and Mike are up to."
Lida hesitated and then nodded. "Okay. I’ll be back in just a couple of minutes." She hesitated for a moment. "Do you need to go in? I can wait."
Kat shook her head. “Nah. I don’t need the restroom. I’m going back to the table.” Kat shook her head. She saw uncertainty on Lida’s face. “On second thought, I’ll go to the restroom with you. That’s the better idea.” Kat was concerned at how pale and frightened her friend looked.
Lida shook her head. “Nah. On second thought, I’ll be fine. I'll see you in a couple of minutes." She flashed Kat a convincing smile through her tear-stained eyes. “Keep my seat warm until I return.”
“You’re on,” Kat promised her as she turned and headed back towards the bar.
14
Kat wandered back over to their table and stood next to Allison. She’d noticed Allison weaving in and out of the crowd. She’d definitely had enough booze. "Hey, girl. Come on back over here and sit with me for little bit. You're getting a little unstable on your feet." Kat smiled. “No wonder. Look at those high shoes you’ve got on."
Allison, in the typical fashion of many drunks, reached out, hugged Kat. "Oh, Kat, I love you so much. You are so beautiful! We've got to get together more often," she gushed. “I hate living so far away.”
