by Ali Vali
“Thanks, and if he gives up the Teacher, I’ll do whatever’s necessary to at least save his life. This is about saving more lives and nothing to do with politics.” Sept watched Gretchen leave, taking Allison with her. It was time to go back and take another look at where Bonnie had died, but she had time to see Keegan before they did. “Hey,” she said to Nathan after he got off the phone. “You want to meet me at the precinct in an hour?”
“That was Gavin’s office,” Nathan said, holding up his cell. “From the mug-shot photos, they’ve identified Bonnie Matherne as our victim. Royce is sending someone to pick up the boyfriend.”
“Good. Maybe he has some clue about what happened last night.”
“You need a ride somewhere?” Nathan asked, and she shook her head. “Give Keegan a friendly kiss for me then, and I’ll see you later. She still looked freaked this morning, so it’s good you’re stopping by.”
“Thanks, man, and keep your eyes open.”
She waited for Nathan to go out the back of the building, where they’d parked before she went out the front. She had a hunch. Nicole Voles sat in the waiting area, appearing as out of place as a porn star in a convent, but Sept knew she’d still be there. If the surroundings bothered her, Sept couldn’t tell as Nicole uncrossed her legs and stood.
“Detective.” Nicole held her hand out again. “I hope you have a few minutes to spare.”
“My apologies for not calling you back before,” she said, wrenching her hand from Nicole when it didn’t seem she was ready to let go. “It’s been a hectic few days.”
“Sounds like it from the news.” Nicole reached to touch the bandage on her forehead, but Sept cocked her head away. “Sorry. It looks painful with the big bruise.”
“I’ve got to be tougher than that to get my job done. What can I do for you?”
Nicole glanced at the door and smiled. “How about I make all my demands over a cup of coffee? I noticed a place next door.”
Sept hadn’t planned this, but maybe it was the best way to get rid of Nicole and the project she wanted nothing to do with. Sept followed her, not saying a word until they both ordered coffee and sat. “It’s your two bucks,” she said when the waitress brought their cups.
“I’m sure the chief has explained the book I’m working on, so I’d like to interview you about the Perlis case. I understand the trial is pending, but you can still brag about how you caught someone who could’ve been at this for years.”
Nicole was a beautiful woman who spoke in a way that sounded like you were the center of her world and she was sharing a deep, fascinating secret with you. She was apparently used to getting her way because she knew how to flatter. If you were in the market to spend time with a beautiful woman, she would be hard to turn down.
“We don’t know each other at all, and I’m not familiar with your previous experiences, but I’m not the bragging kind.” Sept smiled as Nicole’s flirty façade slipped just enough for her to notice. “I also just left a meeting where the defense attorney said you were helping them, so I don’t see us talking too much, even if I wanted to beat my chest.”
“I think Gretchen exaggerated my involvement,” Nicole said slowly, as if trying to recover.
“I’ve known Gretchen since college. The only things she exaggerates are her golf scores, so I wish you luck with the book.”
“Without any input from you, don’t be upset when I’m done.”
“Crime novels aren’t my thing,” she said, being totally honest. “I don’t want to relax by reading something that centers on what I do all day. And I can’t stop you from writing your opinions. I seldom give interviews, but I won’t mind a few to set the record straight if you wander off the path paved with facts.”
“What do you enjoy reading?” Nicole asked.
“A good historical novel is more than just an escape. I like learning new things about interesting people.” She glanced down at her watch. “If I can do anything else for you, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“I realize you don’t want to do an interview, but could I ask a favor that might help us both?”
“I’ll try. What is it?”
“My father is coming to town in a few days and would like to see the first crime scene,” Nicole said, tapping her nails against the white ceramic cup. The noise was irritating, but Sept didn’t plan to stay much longer. “Would you walk us through it?”
“Wouldn’t he rather go on a riverboat dinner cruise?”
“He’s an FBI agent, not a tourist. I’m sure Chief Jernigan can accommodate me, if you’re not available.”
“Are you interested in the first scene or in the first ritual scene?” Maybe if she did this, Nicole would forget about the rest.
“The first two are more like practice runs, in my opinion, so the one in New Orleans East. That’s what he’s interested in.”
“It’s an active scene now, but I’ll see what I can do.” She removed a ten from her wallet even though Nicole protested. “I’ll call you once I arrange it.”
“Thank you. You might find we can help, if you’re not so rigid about the rules.”
She laughed. “It’s the rules that keep us from chaos, Ms. Voles.”
“Or they bind us from achieving true greatness.”
“In writing or in life?” Sept asked, uncharacteristically disliking the woman.
“In all things, Detective. I’ll wait for your call.”
“The sooner you’re in my rearview mirror, the better,” she said once Nicole had slithered away in what she assumed was supposed to be a sexy gait. “The sooner the better.”
Chapter Eleven
“Did you enjoy yourself?” Brandi Parrish asked Erica Median as Erica unpacked her bag. After Sept had taken Erica to the Red Door months before, Brandi had noticed how Erica had blossomed in a safe environment. Granted, Erica was still working as a prostitute, but under Brandi’s watchful eye, eventually she’d have a new life away from this. “Looks like you got some sun.”
“I had a blast, even if it was a working vacation. Lauren was really sweet, and all she wanted was not to show up at her class reunion alone. It’s the first time I ever had to talk someone into having sex with me, considering that’s what she was paying for.”
“Then you did a good thing, and you’re a miracle worker.” Brandi laughed and lay back in Erica’s bed. “Lauren Goldberg makes a date every couple of months, and no one’s been able to get her pants off. She books dinner and conversation, but nothing else. She must’ve really liked you.”
“I was with my asshole boyfriend for about a year, and he was never as nice to me in all that time as she was in the last week.” Erica opened her makeup bag and took out a necklace beaded with pearls and other stones. “She got me this because I told her I liked it.”
“Did you not like it?” she asked, hearing what sounded like sadness in Erica’s voice. “That was sweet.”
“I love it, actually, but I felt funny taking her money. That’s never happened to me before.”
“She didn’t mind handing the money over, but it might be more than that, so don’t worry that it was wrong.” Brandi patted the spot next to her and put her arm around Erica when she joined her.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means she’s already called for another date and asked if she could phone you directly.” That was the first step in losing Erica, but the kid deserved some happiness. “I told her it was up to you to make whatever arrangements with her you want.”
“Really? You don’t mind?” Erica asked, squeezing her middle.
“You have a home with me for as long as you need one, and no matter what, you can always come back if whatever you find out there doesn’t work out.”
“You don’t think this is a lot crazy?” Erica asked and laughed.
“Crazy is not taking the chance to be happy, so call her and set up your own damn dates,” she said, pinching Erica’s cheek. “And I’ll be happy for you no matter
what.”
“Thanks.” Erica finished unpacking and catching up on the latest gossip. “So, what happened while I was gone?”
“Do you have time to show someone the ropes?” Brandi followed Erica out and smiled when she headed to the kitchen. Her young friend made a lot of money as an escort, but she never lost that innocent air that made her so popular. “She reminds me a lot of you.”
“What, a loser who a cop took pity on?” The pile Erica had taken out of the refrigerator was the ingredients for her favorite sandwich, and something she made Brandi often.
“Cut the bullshit,” she said as she took the twisty tie off a loaf of bread. “You simply didn’t know all your options back then, and you should thank God Sept isn’t some opinionated asshole. So now it’s time to pay that back.”
“What’s the new girl’s name?”
“Lee Cenac, and she’s related to me. At least that’s what her mother claims. If she’s telling the truth, Lee and I are third cousins. Supposedly she has experience, but so far she reminds me of a nervous little Chihuahua.”
“Man, she and her mother must have a very understanding relationship. Mine’s a piece of shit, and I’m still not telling her what I do.”
“Her mom’s also in the business and probably figured if her kid is going to make money at this, she might as well shoot high. After I left southern Mississippi a million years ago, I never looked back. She could be my cousin or she could be lying, but she’s a sweet kid.” She took a sip of the beer Erica handed her and laughed. “Now if only we can get her over that shivering, nervous thing she’s got going.”
“I’m sure she’s not that bad,” Erica said, laughing. She threw a piece of pickle at Brandi and stuck her tongue out at her. “Did you send her on any dates yet?”
“A couple, and she did okay, but she still seems hesitant. I thought if you talked to her she might have a better time of it. Kind of what Tameka did for you,” she said, and Erica shivered, not really having gotten over her friend’s death.
“I’ll talk to her, no problem.” Erica slid a plate toward her and sat. “You need anything else?”
“Not a thing except this,” she said and took a bite of her sandwich.
“Have you heard from Sept? I read the news online. She’s got her hands full.”
“I think you’re right, so be careful. For some reason these assholes always go for what they think is the easiest target.”
“You taught me well, so don’t worry so much.” Erica wiped her mouth and reached into her pocket. “And before I forget, I got you something.” She took a freshwater pearl bracelet out of the silk bag and swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I saw it on one of our stops and thought you’d like it.”
“Thank you,” she said and had to take a deep breath to bury her emotions. It had been so long since she’d allowed anyone so close to her. “I’m going to really miss you.”
“I’m not going anywhere, no matter what. I love you, and you’re going to have to accept that.”
“I love you too,” she said and noticed Lee Cenac hovering outside the door. “Come here and meet Erica.”
Erica started on another sandwich, and Lee sat next to her. “Let me feed you. Then we’ll go up and talk.”
“Brandi told me about you.”
“Hopefully not everything.” Erica winked, and Lee laughed. “We’re neighbors, so it’ll be good to get to know each other.”
“I have a date later,” Lee said.
“No problem. I’ll help you get ready.” Erica moved closer, put her arm around Lee’s shoulder, and kissed her cheek. “It’s easier when you have a friend.”
* * *
“We’ve got nothing from Perlis or from either scene,” Nathan said three days later as they met with the task force. “We didn’t find any useable prints or Nicholas Newton, aka Crazy Nick.”
“If it’s the Crazy Nick I’m thinking about, let’s pray he’s not so high he doesn’t know who he is, much less who hired him to pick Bonnie up,” Joel said. “The guy we busted a few years ago was a major tweaker.”
“Hopefully he has some clue about who hired him, because I doubt he could’ve pulled off that murder if he was high as hell,” Sept said, studying the pictures on the board. “These are a lot of steps to follow and get right even if you’re sober.”
“See something?” Alain asked.
“Not yet, but something’s off.” Sept kept staring, moving slowly but not stopping at any one thing.
“Something’s off?” Ronnie Bachlet, Alain’s partner asked and laughed briefly. “You mean aside from the dead woman with her heart ripped out?”
“You know what I mean.” She smiled and slapped him on the back. “It’s not Perlis, but in a way it is.”
“Heads up, everyone,” Lourdes Garcia said, coming in out of breath. “We got another call.” She placed a phone in the center of the table and pressed the intercom button. “Go ahead and cue it up.”
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
“You need to go to the Governor Nichols Wharf,” a mechanical voice said before they stopped to hum, or that’s what Sept guessed they were doing. “The work, it’s not done.”
“I’m sorry. What work?” the EMS operator asked, suddenly sounding interested. “Is someone in danger?”
“Someone has been set free. Tell the warrior I’m waiting.”
“That’s it?” Sept asked, and Lourdes nodded.
“The chief sent the info over and ordered us not to broadcast it. That should keep everyone out until we get there,” Lourdes said, handing over a transcript of the call. “You want to head out?”
“Yes, but let’s start with a small group. Okay, everyone. We’re going in, but Nathan and I’ll clear the scene.” Nathan got up, but the others didn’t appear to be behind that course of action.
“You, Nathan, and I will clear the scene, so forget about bitching. That’s the way it’s going to be,” Gustave said.
“I don’t have time to argue with you. Call George and have him meet us there. It’ll be nice to get in before a hundred people walk through my scene.”
They all left together, and her team set up along the wharf, but they had no way of knowing exactly where the caller was talking about. The Port of New Orleans was a major operation, and the Governor Nichols Wharf was one of the largest on the Mississippi River. Gustave got the operations manager to let them in to walk around with someone familiar with the layout.
“I’m not sure what your caller’s talking about, but if we got a dead body somewhere, someone would’ve noticed by now,” the older man wearing an orange hard hat with flames on it said. “I think they were fucking with you.”
“Are there any empty areas right now?” Gustave asked.
They were walking together about ten feet apart to make sure they didn’t miss anything. “And what’s the most secluded spot in here?” Sept asked. If there was a dark place anywhere, no telling what was waiting for them.
“Not really,” the guy said, rubbing his jaw. “With all the rebuilding and stuff, we’ve been going hard.”
“How about shifts? You guys go twenty-four-seven?” she asked.
“Pretty much, so I doubt anyone would have time to do anything and not be seen.” He lifted the hard hat and scratched the top of his head. “Not to mention, security is a real bear to get through.”
“Are you sure there isn’t one spot that’s not real busy? Even if you’re working around the clock, you can’t be all over this place every single day. Has any cargo been sitting for a couple of days waiting to go out?” she asked, stopping at the office to check the main manifest.
“We’ve got about five shipments that fit that description.” He didn’t seem to mind when they followed him up the stairs to the elevated offices.
The view of the cavernous space was pretty good, but unless it was right below them, she doubted anyone would see anything happening behind the stacks of cargo filling the space. An army of forklifts
in constant motion moved around stacking and removing other pallets of cargo.
“At night, do you have this level of activity?” she asked as she tried to study every inch she could see from here.
“The night crew is half this, so no. We run at night, though, since the river never closes, and we have to be here to unload.” He pointed to a board with ships they were waiting on.
Sept’s phone rang, and she slid it from her pocket. “Sept,” Royce said. “George is here.”
She hung up and dialed her uncle. “George, don’t make a big deal of it, but start taking pictures of anyone standing around watching, and don’t forget the rocks along the levee. We haven’t found anything yet, so hang tight.”
That’s where Perlis had hidden on the night she’d taken Keegan to the river to talk. Later that night, he’d killed a jogger and left him on the bench she’d shared with Keegan to show her how close he could get without her catching him.
“You got it,” George said.
“Here you go,” the manager said, handing over the list she’d asked for.
“Can you show us where these are?” Gustave asked, and the man nodded. “And can someone have something shipped and picked up here?”
“Like I said, security is a bitch about stuff like that. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s possible. It has to be something really big, though, since we mostly deal with shipments that will be going out to distribution centers across the country.”
“Where’s this one?” she asked, pointing to the one at the bottom of the page.
“What is it?” Gustave was peering over her shoulder.
“A shipment for Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church on Baronne. They were vandalized during the storm,” she said.
The manager nodded and punched the order into his computer. “They were doing some repairs as well, so we kept the statues they were gifted from Rome until they’re ready for them. They’re in the back in the next section of the building. My boss told them we’d hold them as long as they need.”
Nathan called outside and reported where they were going. The building was separated by only a ceiling-to-floor, twenty-foot divider, and two of the five shipments that had sat for a while were off to the left. There wasn’t as much activity here, but still some, so she figured at night with a smaller crew, this section would be dead.
