Answering the Call

by Ali Vali

  “Shit,” Nathan said, following her to the sidewalk out front. “How’d they miss that?”

  “Happens,” she said, texting George. “That’s why I like to come back when the circus folds up and rolls out.” She put the purse down and watched the water ooze out of it. “Everyone concentrates on finding something small, and stuff like this blends in.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Jennifer showed up and, at Sept’s request, spread out a plastic sheet. They opened the purse and removed the five items in it. A pack of cigarettes, American-flag lighter, a box of condoms, bottle of Scope, and a small coin purse with thirty dollars in it. Nothing gave a clue to the woman’s name or address.

  “Well, it could be hers since the cigarettes aren’t a complete mush, but why wouldn’t she have any ID on her?” Jennifer said, bagging each item separately.

  “If she gets popped for prostitution, she can give another name, and people like her think there’s no way to verify it,” Nathan said. “See if you can lift any prints from it, and we’ll know for sure.”

  “True, so let’s go by Gavin’s office and run her prints and see how many names our working girl gave,” Sept said of Gavin Domangue, the coroner.

  The sun was starting to set, but Sept headed to the morgue to check the prints and anything else Gavin had found. Despite the late hour, the place was full of police personnel, and Gavin was wearing bloody scrubs, meaning he’d actually been performing the autopsies. Gavin usually came down for the major crimes, but his talented staff handled the day-to-day stuff.

  “Where have you been?” Gavin asked as he signed the files his assistant handed over. “It’s been a shit show in here today.”

  “We’ve been at the same show, so I’m late, but you know I can’t stay away from you, sexy man,” she said, making Gavin suck in his large gut and pose with his fists on his hips. “Let’s go, handsome. Tell me a story.”

  “You’re here about the girl, I’d think,” Gavin said, pointing to the room to his left.

  “Actually, I want to know about all three bodies, since I think the same perp did them all, and I have a feeling you’re about to get as busy as when Perlis was working, but let’s take them in order. Did you run the prints on our Jane Doe?”

  After being photographed, the woman on the table had been cleaned up more in the last hours than in her entire life, Sept guessed. She appeared middle-aged, but street life had a way of piling on the years. From what she could see, the victim didn’t have any tattoos or marks on her chest, and the large wound had been closed.

  “If she had any prints I would’ve done that,” Gavin said, standing at the gurney’s side. “Someone shaved off the tips of her fingers. You probably wouldn’t notice at the scene without a close inspection.”

  “I think I would’ve noticed if her fingers were bleeding,” Sept said, bending down to stare at the woman’s left hand.

  “You would’ve in most cases, but the animal who killed her applied some kind of adhesive to prevent bleeding. It was a good move to throw you off finding out who she is, but she doesn’t seem to be the lynchpin to figuring out who the killer is,” Gavin said, placing his hands on the table. “I’ve seen so many like her in my career, but they usually come here because of an overdose or a bad turn with a john.”

  “We’re going to work for all the answers we get this time. That’s what all this is about,” she said, shaking her head as an idea came to her and she exposed the woman’s feet.

  “I checked that first after conferring with George. All her toes are there, so your gift might not have anything to do with this.”

  “My gut tells me it does, but have you found anything on that yet?”

  “Patience, Grasshopper. We sent the sample in for DNA testing so it’s a waiting game now,” Gavin said. “Now get out of here so I can work on our two fallen brothers. I want to finish tonight so I can turn them over to their families. They deserve that kind of respect.”

  “They do. Call me if you have anything.”

  “I will as long as I get an invitation to your wedding,” he said and winked. “Congratulations, kiddo. I’m happy for you.”

  It was dark by the time Sept and Nathan got outside, so she called Royce, their supervisor. “Have the troops started arriving?” she asked, knowing Fritz had formed a task force.

  “Fritz called, and tomorrow morning should start with a crowd. Where are you?”

  “We’re leaving the morgue, so we’ll see you then. I want to check one more thing before we call it for today.” She asked Nathan for the keys and drove slowly to where Tulane Avenue turned into Airline Drive, not wanting to miss her quarry.

  “Who are you looking for?” Nathan asked as she covered another two miles.

  “You remember Brandi Parrish?” She pulled into a small gas station and convenience store.

  “Yeah. Do we need to stop by the Red Door?” he asked, sounding excited about visiting the infamous brothel in the French Quarter.

  “We need to find you a girlfriend, buddy, or I’ll have to see if Brandi has any gift certificates available for your birthday. And no, we’re not going to see Brandi, but that’s Tiny Mongo Williams.” She pointed to a guy who was anything but tiny.

  “Is that a joke?”

  “No. Tiny is a pimp, but none of his girls have ever turned on him, so he’s still in business.” She got out and walked to the four-hundred-pound, older white guy with a ponytail and a T-shirt with the Saints logo on it.

  “Detective Savoie,” Tiny said with a high-pitched voice that didn’t fit his size. “Long time, but you’re famous now. No time for slumming, I guess.”

  “Tiny, don’t make me embarrass you in front of all these potential customers,” she said, bending over his chair to get in his face. “Especially since I’m here offering a get-out-of-jail-free card.”

  “Sept…baby, you know I always get out of jail free,” he said, and laughed until she flicked him on the forehead.

  “I’m talking about not having to wait in that lockup for a month while they continually lose your paperwork.” She flicked him again. “You know I’d do it.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Tell me who this is.” She showed him a picture of her victim that Gavin had taken. “If you don’t know, I’m giving you until tomorrow to find out.”

  “Let me see,” a young woman said when Tiny reached down for his glasses. “What’s wrong with her?”

  “She was murdered today and had no identification on her,” Nathan said.

  “I think that’s Bonnie, but she don’t work with us. Her boyfriend watches out for her.”

  “You don’t know her last name?” Sept asked.

  “No, but she works close to that place with the palm trees on the sign,” the girl said as Tiny snatched the picture out of her hand.

  “Thanks, and, Tiny, I’m coming back soon and often to check on my friend here. If she’s got one little bruise on her, it won’t make me happy. Pray she doesn’t trip before then.” She patted Tiny on the head and laughed when he jerked away. “What’s your name?”

  “Misty, and that’s fucked up that Bonnie got killed. She was nice.”

  “Thanks for your help. I won’t forget it.”

  She drove to the Palm Court Motor Lodge but didn’t recognize the young guy in the office. “How long do you need the room? And towels are extra,” he said, sounding bored out of his head.

  “Let’s start over before you piss me off,” Nathan said, putting his badge in the guy’s face. “What room did this woman rent yesterday?” He slammed the picture down and jabbed it with his finger. “Think carefully before you say you don’t know, because two dead cops are involved.”

  “Bonnie killed two cops?” the guy said, seeming truly shocked. “Man, I didn’t see that coming.”

  “Bonnie’s dead, followed by two cops, so give us a last name,” Sept said, taking out her phone.

  “I’m pretty sure it’s Matherne, but don’t quote me on that. We aren’t exac
tly friends, but she hung out here when the weather was bad.” He picked up the photo and stared at it. “She never got the rooms, though. That was up to the guy, but if they wanted to screw in the car, they couldn’t do it here.”

  “So yesterday, did you have any really generous customers who paid extra in cash so they wouldn’t have to sign the register?” She knocked on the dingy vinyl counter and smiled. “Think about what my partner said and what’ll happen if you say you don’t know.”

  “One of our regulars came in and paid a hundred,” he said, and she tapped the counter again. “Okay, two bills for the room on the end. I don’t know who he took in there.”

  “Son, do we need to keep pulling teeth here?” Nathan said.

  “It was Crazy Nick, but I haven’t seen him since,” the guy said, putting his hands up. “That’s the truth.”

  “We’ll get to that, but for now have you rented the room again?” she asked.

  “No. The maid said it was like he never used it, so it’s available.”

  Sept pulled out her cell. “Royce, I need a warrant for room…” he looked at the clerk, who mouthed the number, “thirty-nine at the Palm Court on Airline. Then run someone named Crazy Nick and see what you find. Get George and the forensics team down here as well.”

  “I thought you were calling it a night?”

  “Something came up, so get me that warrant,” she said and stared at the clerk. “I’m sure our friend over here would let me in without one, but we’re doing this by the book. I don’t want any questions when we wrap this investigation.”

  “And we need this warrant because?”

  “Our Jane Doe got snatched here. At least I’m fairly certain that’s true. We’ll wait here, but call me if you get a hit on this Crazy Nick character.”

  “You got it.”

  “When the cavalry gets here, send them down to the room. We’re going to make sure no one gets in there before we do.” The guy nodded, and she glanced in the direction he pointed.

  “This could be good since he went to such trouble to hide Bonnie’s identity,” Nathan said as he drove them to the end. “If we weren’t supposed to find this, maybe something’s in there.”

  “Maybe,” she said and got out close to the room, intending to examine how the killer could’ve gotten Bonnie out or if she left voluntarily. If she was lucky, some camera would be pointed in this direction that recorded what happened. “If the guy pulled his car up here, he could’ve gotten in and out without being seen unless someone was in that room.” She pointed across the parking lot as Nathan followed her around.

  “I’ll go check with Mr. Answers in the office,” Nathan said as he started walking to the office.

  He was twenty feet away when an explosion leveled the room they were waiting to enter. Nathan started running, dodging all the burning debris strewn along his path. “Sept,” he screamed.

  “Sept,” he yelled again, already hearing the sirens in the background. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Hello, Daddy,” Nicole said, smiling into her laptop camera. “I’ve missed you.”

  “My darling girl,” Special Agent Brian Voles said, the bookcases in his office the background for his head. He liked having these conversations at the office so her mother Gail wouldn’t interrupt. “Are you set in your new place?”

  “It’s small, but functional.” She took a sip of her neat scotch. It wasn’t her favorite, but he loved the amber liquor, so she didn’t mind sharing a drink with him when they were miles apart. “I got here just as something was going on, so I haven’t gotten very far.”

  “I read what you sent me about Sept Savoie.” The knot of his tie and his hair were still perfect, even though it was after nine in the evening in California. Brian had always taken pride in his appearance and had insisted on the same from her.

  “I’m trying to find ways in, so I’m not worried about it.”

  “This might not be the kind of cop you’re used to, baby. She’s ambitious, but not in the pursuit of power. The job and the reputation of her family name seem to be the only things that drive her.” He lifted his glass and took a healthy sip. “Law enforcement is her family business, and they’re all good at it.”

  “I’m interested in her, but the real focus is Alex Perlis. This guy picked a unique path and would continue killing if they let him out tomorrow.”

  “The file on him has some holes, but I don’t think he’s crazy. He knew what he was doing when he killed his family. And after he armed himself with this Teacher person, he found the rest of his victims.” He drained his glass and chuckled. “He was planning ahead on the chance he got caught, which proves to me he was definitely not mentally deranged.”

  “The jail hasn’t gotten back to me, but his attorney approved an interview. She wants the world to see Alex for what he is.”

  “That he’s crazy, you mean?” Brian shook his head, and from the set of his mouth she could tell he was getting angry. “You know my take on that. Everyone always has an excuse for their behavior, and that excuse is their reason for why they shouldn’t be punished for their actions.” He balled up his fists. “Give credit where it’s due, baby. Your Detective Savoie did a good job. This guy needed to be taken off the streets, and she did that.”

  “The first book I write from the police perspective will be about you, Daddy. You’re the only one in the profession I respect enough to spend the time researching.” She leaned back and winked at him. “For now, gore and blood sell, so I’m not messing with a winning combination.”

  “They’re forcing me to take some time off, so I’m thinking of going away with your mother for a week or so,” Brian poured himself another drink and sat back down. “That wasn’t in my plans, but the clueless people in Washington want to see how the twelve-year-old they sent to eventually replace me works under pressure.”

  “You could come here,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

  “You’re working, so I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Until I figure out how to really start this book, I’ve got time. I could also use your input. I’d actually appreciate it if you came.”

  “I’d enjoy that, but you know how your mother is.”

  “I’m sure between the two of us we can figure out something for her to do.” She held her glass up and winked. “Please, Daddy. It’s been way too long.”

  “You’re sure that’s a good idea?” he asked, and she nodded. “I’ll make arrangements and let you know. Think about what I said, and shift your attention to Savoie.”

  “We’ll talk about it when you get here.” This was the first time he’d ever tried to convince her to change anything she was working on, so the detective must have impressed him.

  “We’ll do that, but you know I’m right.” He finished his second drink and loosened his tie. “Have you connected with anyone socially?”

  “Just a quick thing on the way here, but I’ve found someone new and interesting here in town.” She smiled, thinking of Keegan Blanchard and her curves. “She put me off, but I don’t quit that easily.”

  “I can’t wait to hear all the details, and if you’re good, there will be details.”

  She’d worried about coming out to her father, but he seemed to enjoy hearing about all her conquests, something she’d never share with her mother. The relationship she had with each parent was as different as she could manage, and if she had to sacrifice one, her mother would always win that contest. Her father was not only her mentor, but the kind of partner she knew she’d never find, so she’d continue to have her fun and entertain him with each woman she bedded.

  “Trust me. I’ll have plenty to share before you arrive.”

  The screen went blank, and a rush of energy running through her made her antsy. She needed to work, but that could wait.

  “If I can’t tell him about Keegan, then there has to be something else.” She had to search extensively but eventually found what she needed and made a quick
call to set up an appointment. “Thanks for the idea, Daddy.”

  * * *

  Nathan stood as close as he could to the hot fire that was quickly spreading, but he still couldn’t see any sign of Sept. Doors to the other rooms were opening as guys ran to their cars, probably wanting to leave before an official inquiry made their names public.

  “Sept,” he yelled again but got no response. If she was standing in front of the door when the explosion happened, he didn’t want to be the one to find her, since she probably hadn’t survived.

  He was sweating and couldn’t move. The ringing cell phone in his pocket finally made him focus. “Why the hell isn’t Sept answering?” Royce asked.

  He didn’t have time to sugarcoat it, so he told Royce what had happened and that he was still looking for her. “Forget the warrant, and get some guys over here to help me search.” He started to walk to the side of the building where part of the brick outer wall had collapsed and the roof was on fire. “This can’t be happening,” he said, forgetting he was still holding the phone.

  “Be careful and hang on. I’m on my way.” That was all Royce said. Their boss wasn’t a soft guy, but he cared about Sept and her entire family.

  Nathan kept moving to the side of the building to get closer and almost started crying when he saw the arm sticking out of the pile of splintered wood and brick. “Sept,” he yelled, not caring about anything but getting her out of there.

  Some of the wood was smoldering, so he wrapped his jacket around his hands and started throwing the lumber off Sept. Her eyes were closed, and her face was covered in blood, but she was still breathing. It probably wasn’t a good idea to move her, but he didn’t trust that the rest of the wall wouldn’t give way under the intense heat.

  “I need an ambulance, officer down,” he yelled into the radio as soon as Sept was clear of any danger.

  “We’ve got a few on the way,” the dispatcher told him, so he went back to Sept. The last thing he wanted to do was call Keegan, but she’d never forgive him if too much time passed and something else happened. He dialed the restaurant and asked for her.