Answering the Call

by Ali Vali

  Sept pumped her hips into her as if to make her thrust upward more powerful, and Keegan wanted to cry now that Sept was completely healed from the gunshots that could’ve taken her away from her. The remaining souvenirs of Sept’s last case had left scars on her left forearm and leg, but she was alive and in love with her. Keegan felt that emotion in every touch and every time she made her completely insane like now.

  The end came quickly, and she fell into Sept, content to float and listen to the birds around them. “I can’t believe I’ve never liked fishing before now,” she said, and Sept laughed.

  “Good.” Sept pulled her hand free and held her. “If you’d learned this technique from someone else, I might’ve gotten jealous.”

  “Your jealous days are over, Seven,” she said, using her favorite nickname for Sept since her name was actually the French word for the number seven. “Your only job now is to get Della to love you.” Della Blanchard was the current head of the Blanchard restaurant empire and Keegan’s grandmother, and she lived to tease Sept until she cried for mercy.

  “Your grandmother can pretend all she wants, but I know she loves me,” Sept said and laughed. “Want to head in and take a shower?”

  “Don’t tell me you’re tired.”

  “Nothing’s biting but you, so I want to get more comfortable before we continue our afternoon. Tired has nothing to do with it.” Sept wiggled her eyebrows as she pulled her shorts on, and Keegan laughed along with her. “We’ve got four more days of vacation left, and I’m not interested in catching another fish.”

  “What can I interest you in then?” She straddled Sept’s legs when she sat up. It had taken Sept three months to be cleared from desk duty, and Keegan had enjoyed every single day of it. Sept had closed one of the worst cases in New Orleans history, but not without penalty. The serial killer she, along with the rest of the department, had hunted for weeks had shot her twice before he was taken into custody. The normality of the hours and having Sept next to her every morning had spoiled her. “You want lunch?”

  “Yes, I do, but I’d like an appetizer first,” Sept said and kissed her. “Della was nice enough to rent us that cabin, so let’s go practice some of that happily-ever-after.”

  She nodded and leaned forward to press against Sept. Her grandmother had arranged their getaway with the hint of them starting the family Della wanted. “I love you,” she said, and Sept kissed her.

  How they’d made it to this place from such a gruesome beginning she didn’t know, but the death of the Blanchard pastry chef had brought Sept into her life. All the deaths that followed hadn’t blunted what was happening between them, and their relationship had only deepened. Sept Savoie was everything Keegan wanted in a partner, and she was looking forward to the rest of her life because she’d spend it with Sept.

  “What are you thinking so hard about?” Sept asked, cupping her butt and tugging her closer.

  “I’m thinking about you, and it’s all good.” She lost her smile when Sept’s phone rang and understood why Della always looked like she was sucking a lemon when she heard the damn thing go off at their Sunday brunches. “Tell them you’re off until Monday.”

  “Hey, Dad,” Sept said, nodding and listening for a few minutes. “We won’t be back in time for that, but if it’s important I’ll swing by your office Monday morning before I go in. I’ll do that, but are you sure you don’t want to tell me now?” she asked as Keegan rested her head on her shoulder and sighed. “Love you too,” Sept said and hung up.

  “Something wrong?” Keegan asked, not moving.

  “He wanted to talk to me about something that’s not work, but he can wait until Monday, so it can’t be that important.” She kissed Keegan’s temple and rubbed her back. “Let’s go in and talk about china patterns.”

  She lifted her head and stared at Sept, trying to figure out what she meant. “China patterns?”

  Sept slid the tackle box closer and opened it. The velvet box was in the corner compartment, and the sight made Keegan press her hands to her mouth. “Last week I had lunch with the three most important people in your life, and I’m going to tell you what I told them.”

  “What?”

  “The best day of my life was the day you basically told me off, which guaranteed I’d be back for more because you’re damn beautiful when you’re angry.” She smiled at the memory of Sept accusing her of murder. “The more has been the best days of my life, but I’m greedy. I want all your days, and I’ll spend them making you happy. I love you, Keegan Blanchard, and I promise to love you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes,” she said, kissing Sept through her tears. “I love you so much.”

  “Before I open this, you need to know I love you too, and Della loves you as well,” Sept said and smiled. “After she asked for my fingerprints, a DNA sample, a physical evaluation, and following a thorough interrogation under a naked lightbulb, she asked a favor of me.”

  “Considering what a hard time she gives you, I’m shocked you haven’t cuffed her yet. Your patience with her does prove how much you love me.” She combed Sept’s hair back, kissing her again. “What was the favor?”

  “To consider this ring instead of the one I’d gotten.” Sept opened the box, and Della’s ring fell into Sept’s palm. Della had inherited it from her own grandmother, and Keegan had loved it from the first time she saw it. The large diamond flanked by two sapphires was simple but beautiful. “She told me how much you loved this ring and that she’d promised it to you.”

  “You bought me a ring?” She loved Della’s ring but didn’t want to insult Sept.

  “I did, but the most important part of this was the girl saying yes, at least to me it is. Della also told me how much happiness her own marriage had brought her, and she wanted the same for us. I love you, and you love this ring, so,” Sept took the ring and held it close to her finger, “marry me.”

  “I love you, and my answer will always be yes.”

  Sept slipped the ring on her finger and kissed her.

  “The setting could’ve been more romantic, but I couldn’t wait any longer,” Sept said as she held her hand. “I’m looking forward to spending my life with you.”

  “You could’ve proposed at the landfill, and I would’ve loved it, and my answer would’ve been yes. I can’t believe you actually had lunch with my family and I didn’t figure it out.” Sept was such a no-nonsense person, and that wasn’t her family at all. They loved her, but they were hard to take all at once if you weren’t used to them.

  “When I said the three most important people, I didn’t mean at the same time. Even I’m not that brave.” Sept came closer and kissed the side of her neck. “So you better be nice to me.”

  “You are too good to be true,” she whispered in Sept’s ear before sucking on her earlobe.

  “And you’re a lucky woman.” The way Sept hugged her warmed her body. “I already knew this before talking to them, but your mom, sister, and grandmother love you very much.”

  “Thank you for doing that. I’m sure it made points with all three of them.”

  “If that’s your fishing technique for more information, it needs work,” Sept said and laughed. “Come on. Jacqueline gave me some champagne that she promised would knock your pants right off.”

  She sat next to Sept and pinched her side as she lifted anchor. “She didn’t say that.”

  “I’m sorry, but have you met Jacqueline?”

  Sept guided them back in and carried their gear to the large wrap-around porch overlooking the lake. The hanging bed at one end had a bouquet of yellow roses next to it, and a bottle of champagne waited in an ice bucket. Keegan couldn’t believe how much trouble Sept had gone to. Then again, Sept knew instinctively what made her happy, so it wasn’t such a shock.

  “To the years to come,” Sept said, handing her a glass. “And the joy we’ll experience.”

  “Definitely.”

  Chapter Two

  “The mee
ting is set up for Monday, but Sebastian Savoie seems to be on board,” Gwen Berger said in her very succinct manner, wanting to get off the phone as soon as she could.

  Gwen had been Nicole Voles’s secretary for the last five years and three best sellers, and Nicole appreciated how the young woman could almost think for her. The flight to New Orleans wouldn’t leave for another hour, so Nicole had used the time in the United concierge lounge to look over the file her mole in the NOPD was able to get a copy of.

  There was still plenty to see, but the district attorney’s office would have the complete file, as well as a record of Detective Sept Savoie’s cooperation in putting the serial killer, Alex Perlis, away. The legal system was only a few months from the trial they hoped would land Perlis on death row. That Savoie had apprehended a crime-scene technician working his own crimes after going on a killing spree was impressive, but she was more interested in Alex Perlis.

  “Sept Savoie agreed?” Nicole asked as she stared at Tameka Bishop’s crime-scene photos. The call girl had met a horrific end, but Alex Perlis hadn’t stopped there. He’d killed again and again, twisting the Santeria religion to meet his needs. She planned to use the story of why Alex had turned to murder and how Sept Savoie had captured him as the subject of her next book.

  “Not yet, but Detective Savoie promised she’d be at the meeting Monday. I’m sure you can use your charm to persuade her to agree to whatever you want.” She could hear Gwen typing as they spoke, but that was her norm. Her assistant prided herself in her ability to multitask.

  “Oh, believe me, she’ll agree.” She pulled out a newspaper article written after the case had concluded. It was fairly standard but did include a large picture of Sept Savoie.

  Sept wasn’t, in appearance, what she was expecting. The detective was young, but the full head of white hair made her memorable, as well as incredibly attractive. Maybe this assignment wouldn’t be as boring as usual, and maybe the detective would be interested in a little fun along with telling her story. After the phone call with Jacqueline Blanchard, she doubted it, but she loved a challenge. And sometimes after the reality of a monogamous relationship set in, the challenge was as trying as stepping over an ant hill.

  Nicole studied the picture a minute longer, then skimmed the article. The subject of her book, at least one of them, wasn’t real talkative when it came to giving anything up to the media, but that was good. Sept was a mine she was getting ready to strip of information. The detective simply didn’t realize it yet.

  “Keep after our contact,” she said, starting to pack. She still had time to get a drink before her flight. “I want the whole case file along with Savoie’s notes, if we can get them.”

  “I’ll try, but don’t count on it.”

  “Try some of that charm you used on me when you convinced me to give you this job.”

  Nicole ordered a drink, rested her head on the back of her chair, and closed her eyes. Of all the stories she could’ve tackled next, Alex Perlis had been at the top of her list because he’d come up with an almost ingenious way to kill people. As a crime-scene technician working his own crimes as a way to control evidence collection, that made him almost perfect. If it hadn’t been for Sept Savoie, Alex would still be killing and trying to get his gods to resurrect his wife and son.

  Luck had led Sept to Perlis, according to her father, after Nicole had shared the file with him. Nicole had read six months earlier that her dad, Brian Voles, was coming to the end of a distinguished career with the FBI, but his contributions would be remembered long after. He was the division head of counterfeiting operations in Los Angeles but could’ve done anything within the bureau because of his brilliant mind. Telling the stories she did, in her opinion, paid tribute to her father and his work, and she wanted the world to know how special he was.

  “Ms. Voles?” A woman stood close to her chair with a hopeful expression. “I hate to bother you, but could you sign this for me?”

  Nicole accepted a copy of her latest best seller and smiled. Having your eyes closed should be the universal hint for leave me alone, but unautographed books seemed to trump every rule of common courtesy. “Sure. I’d love to.”

  “I really should stop reading your stuff at night since you scare the hell out of me, but I can’t help myself. I’m addicted to you.”

  She smiled as she flipped to the title page. “So should I make this out to ‘addict,’ or would you prefer your name?”

  “Kelly…can you sign it to Kelly?”

  “Sure,” she said as she wrote her usual phrase but added “sweet dreams” before she finished with her signature. “I hope you’re enjoying it.”

  “This is my second reading so I can say I totally loved it. You’re one of the only authors I read more than once.”

  “Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.” She handed the book back and wanted to laugh when the woman made a move to touch her hand. “Where are you headed today?”

  “Going home to New Orleans,” Kelly said, and seemed to lose her shyness as she sat on the arm of her chair. “Are you on my flight?”

  “Looks like it.” She didn’t move when Kelly put her arm around her shoulders and leaned closer. “Maybe we can find something to make the trip more interesting.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Kelly whispered in her ear, then stood. “The restroom is right over there.” She pointed to the right and smiled, her book pressed against her chest.

  “The nap I thought wasn’t going to happen might be possible, depending on how talented Ms. Kelly is,” Nicole said softly, hoping a bit of fun would relax her enough to sleep. This was her last frivolous dalliance before she concentrated on bending Sept Savoie to her will.

  “Tell me what you want,” Kelly said after Nicole entered and locked the door.

  “Everything, so get on your knees.”

  * * *

  “I still can’t believe it,” Keegan said as she sat between Sept’s legs in front of the roaring fireplace Sept had lit after cranking up the air conditioner.

  “You shouldn’t be too surprised.” Sept kissed the side of her neck before pouring her more wine. “I had to ask before someone else came along and tried to steal you away from me.”

  “You’re good at flattery, baby.”

  “Not really.” She scratched Keegan’s abdomen, making her laugh. “You’re a beautiful, sexy woman. I can flatter all I want. It’s in the contract, especially since you’re mine.”

  “That last part is right. I am yours, and I’m incredibly happy about that.” The sun had set, and she wanted to enjoy every bit of their alone time, so she ran her hands down Sept’s thighs. “And in case you didn’t realize how much I loved this trip—I do.”

  “I’ve got one more thing to give you.”

  She turned and knelt between Sept’s legs. “You’re sure about this, right? If you think I’m rushing—” She stopped when Sept pressed her fingers to her lips.

  “I waited on the proposal this long so you wouldn’t think I’m some kind of stalker, so stop talking. I’m where I most want to be.” Sept kissed her and smiled. “Before we left I asked my father for a job downtown.”

  “Downtown?” She put her hands on Sept’s shoulders and squeezed. “What does that mean?”

  “It means a desk job and regular hours. I don’t think it’ll be hard to get because of the last case I cleared.”

  Keegan had waited to hear these words since the first time Sept kissed her. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead to Sept’s. She’d wanted the safety and comfort of the words, but not at the price it would cost her lover. Detective Sept Savoie was a cop who came from a long line of cops, and it’s who she was. Taking her position away from Sept was like asking Keegan to leave the kitchen of Blanchard’s and run her family’s corporate finances. She could manage it, but she’d be miserable anywhere except as head chef at their flagship restaurant.

  She couldn’t help the tears that started to fall because of Sept’s giving nature. No ma
tter what they’d been through, she’d found someone who not only loved her, but understood her. That was rare.

  “Hey. Why are you crying? Trust me, the only danger I’ll be in now is from a paper cut.”

  “Thank you,” she said, swiping at her cheeks impatiently. “The way you love me is beyond perfect.” Sept held her gently as she kissed her and waited her out when she leaned back so Sept could see her face. “That you would do that makes me very happy, but you’re really good at your job, so I don’t want you to quit. I also don’t want Nathan to hate me forever if he’s stuck behind a desk alongside you,” she said of Sept’s partner, Nathan Blackman.

  “I told Dad to reassign him,” Sept said, sounding like she wasn’t ready to let the idea go.

  “Do you honestly think he’d do that? Believe me, Batman, your Robin isn’t going anywhere.” The muscles in Sept’s neck were tense, but she tried to smile. “Believe me, honey. I may not always love what you do, but I do understand why you have to do it. More important, I don’t want you to stop.”

  “This is about both of us,” Sept said, placing her hands on Keegan’s hips. “If it makes you nuts every time I go to work, I’m afraid you’ll get tired of it and leave.”

  “You asked me to marry you and gave me a ring, so you’re crazy if you think I’m going anywhere. I love you and I’m stubborn like Della, which means you’re stuck with me.” She put her hands over Sept’s and kissed the tip of her nose. “But you do have to promise me something besides picking out china with me.”

  “Name it.”

  “Swear you’ll do your best not to get shot again.”

  Sept laughed and nodded. “That’s an easy one, and if you were wondering, the way you love me is perfect too. All I want is a long happy life with you.”

  “We’ll have that, since the Alex Perlis case has to be a once-in-a-career one, right?” In her heart she truly believed that. Perlis had to be an anomaly that would probably define Sept’s career, but surely she’d be involved in only run-of-the-mill murder cases from now on. “Tell me crazy serial killers aren’t the norm.”