by Erin Wade
Ah, of course, the lovely Katrina Lace has caught Lindy’s eye. Java thought watching Kat sit down across from Lindy.
The two women chatted, Kat motioned the sommelier to their table and Lindy ordered wine. Java clinched her teeth when Kat led Lindy to the dancefloor. I hate it when she dances with others, Java thought. She tamped down the urge to run downstairs and cut in on the dance. She knew Kat was only extracting information from the brown-haired woman.
Java raised a brow when Jody Schooley entered with Déjà vu LeBlanc. She wondered what the black beauty was doing in the company of a low life like Jody. Although Jody was with Déjà, he couldn’t keep his eyes off Kat.
Kat and Lindy returned to the table and shared a glass of wine. The band announced they would take a fifteen-minute break and return with the lovely Kat Lace. The dinner crowd applauded, and Lindy beamed as if Kat belonged to her.
Penny and Beau arrived together and were taken to Java’s table. Kat soon joined them. Everyone was anxious to hear what the medical examiner had discovered.
“This killer is now toying with us,” Penny hissed. “The semen at the scene was bull semen. That means he or she intentionally planted it to mess with us.”
“Damn,” Java cursed under her breath. “Did you find anything Penny?”
“A hair was wrapped around one of the doll’s buttons,” Penny answered. “It didn’t have enough root to pull DNA from it and everything else is so iffy about hair analysis, the only thing it is good for is checking for drugs.”
“I thought forensics could match a hair to someone and prove they were at the scene of a crime,” Barbie said.
“No! Cases are being overturned right and left where the convictions were based on hair analysis,” Penny frowned. “Thirty-five people have been put to death based on hair analysis only to have DNA prove they were innocent. It’s not an exact science.”
“So, we’re right back where we started,” Kat declared.
“Not quite,” Penny said. “I can give you an overall description of your killer and it is one killer. Based on the bloody footprints and length of the stride between steps, I’d judge our killer to be around five-feet-nine inches weighing about a hundred-ninety pounds.”
“A man then?” Beau guessed.
“Not necessarily,” Penny shrugged, “could be a tall woman about the size of Déjà vu LeBlanc.”
“Surely you’re not suggesting that Déjà is our—”
“No,” Penny interrupted Java. “I’m just saying it could be a woman her size or a man her size.”
“That’s really not much help, Penny,” Kat vocalized what the others were thinking.
“It’s all I’ve got,” Penny threw up her hands.
“When will the tox screens be back?” Java asked.
“Friday, maybe we’ll find the family was drugged,” Penny grimaced. “That would tell us why no one ever puts up a fight.”
The band returned to the stage and played the music that was known as Kat Lace’s introduction. “I’ve gotta go,” Kat glanced at Java who stood to follow her.
“Aren’t you going to watch me from up here,” Kat asked as the private elevator opened and they stepped inside closing the doors on the rest of the world.
“Seriously,” Java wrinkled her nose, “why would I sit up here when I have a table right next to the stage where I can see the perspiration in your cleavage.”
“You are such a—” Java’s soft kiss cut off Kat’s name calling. “bad little girl.”
“Just for you Kat. No one else has ever gotten into my head like you have.”
“Wipe off my lipstick,” Kat murmured as the elevator door opened
Java dragged her hand across her lips removing Kat’s red lipstick along with her own. She followed the singer to the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Java leaned into the microphone. “You demanded her, and we brought her back for your listening enjoyment. Java’s Place is pleased to present the south’s favorite blues singer Ms. Kat Lace.”
The applause was deafening as Java offered her hand to assist Kat onto the stage. Kat could work a crowd like no one Java had ever seen. She kicked off with “Come Rain or Come Shine” then alternated between torch songs and singing the blues. She wrapped up her set with “That Old Black Magic Called Love.” She left the stage to a standing ovation.
Java caught her hand as she stepped from the stage.
“Don’t,” Kat whispered pulling away from the blonde and smiling brilliantly at Lindy Rochelle.
CHAPTER 12
Chris locked the door behind their last customer and kicked off her shoes. “Geez what a night. I had no idea this place packed in the customers the way it does.”
Barbie agreed with her as she rang up the daily sales report. “I don’t know why Java works for the—”
“Fun of it,” Kat said loudly as she led Lindy toward the door.
“Oh,” Barbie gasped. “I thought all our customers were gone.”
“All but one,” Kat smiled at Lindy. “We’ll chat tomorrow.”
Lindy nodded and bid them goodnight as Kat collapsed into the nearest chair. “Where’s Java?” She asked.
“In her office,” Chris answered as Kat stood. “She’s not alone.”
Kat shot Chris a scathing look. “Why am I not surprised?”
Everyone turned toward Java’s office as the door opened and she walked out with Déjà.
“Anytime tomorrow is good for me sweet cheeks,” Déjà cooed. “Just give me a couple hours’ notice so I can be ready for you.”
“I will,” Java promised. “Thank you for coming tonight. I hope you enjoyed it.”
“Oh, I did,” Déjà rolled her eyes, winked at Java, and walked out the door Barbie was holding open.
“I need to talk to you,” Kat snarled as she followed Java back into the office and closed the door.
Java sat on the edge of her desk and smiled sweetly at Kat. “Hard night?”
“Yeah,” Kat raised eyebrows that drove Java crazy.
“You know how that affects me,” Java grinned mischievously catching Kat’s hands and pulling her between her knees. “Why do you do that to me? You know how I love your eyebrows.”
“Mm-hmm,” Kat murmured as she leaned in for a kiss.
The sound of the door opening behind her sent Kat into action. She stepped back pulling Java forward and slamming her onto the floor.
Java began cursing loudly, “Son-of a- I think you broke my ribs.”
“You really should think twice before grabbing me. Next time I won’t be so nice,” Kat threatened. She shoved past Barbie and Chris as she charged from the room.
“Are you alright, Boss?” Barbie knelt beside Java.
“I will be,” Java gasped, “as soon as I catch my breath.”
“Let me help you up,” Barbie volunteered.
“Just let me stay here for a minute,” Java mumbled. “Until the pain recedes.”
Java moaned loudly as she rolled over on her side and pushed herself into a sitting position. “I’ve got this,” she warded off offers of help. “Just let me take my time.”
“We’ve locked up everything,” Chris reported, “and here’s the bank deposit. Do you want me to put it in the safe?”
“Please,” Java caught the edge of the desk and pulled herself to her feet. “I don’t want to carry that much cash after midnight on Bourbon Street.”
“Good call,” Chris agreed as she dialed the safe combination and tossed the bank bag into it. “Most of the business was on credit cards but there’s still several thousand dollars cash in there.”
“Come on, Boss,” Barbie took Java’s hand. “I’ll drive you home and put some ice on your ribs.”
“I’m okay to drive,” Java assured her, “but it will be safer if we all walk to our cars together. I just want to get home and lay down.”
CHAPTER13
The next morning Java parked her car behind the club hoping to grab a few minutes alone
with a cup of coffee before employees arrived.
Penny pulled into the parking lot as Java unlocked the door.
“We need to talk,” Penny shook her head as she followed the blonde into the club.
“This can’t be good if you’re making house calls,” Java surmised. “What’s up, Penny?”
“I got a partial off the button your team found,” Penny informed her. “I have a pretty good match to a woman who floats into and out of the system. Arrests for petty thefts that sort of thing. Nothing like murder, but you should follow up on it.”
Java held out her hand and Penny placed a sheet of paper in it. “What’s her name?”
“Kallan Latour. She goes by Kally. I had Beau send you her file. It should be on your computer by now.”
“First things first,” Java grinned. “I’m making a fresh pot of coffee. Want some?”
“Do fish swim?” Penny quipped.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Java laughed pouring water into the large Keurig.
Java studied the information Penny had handed her as the coffee maker made gurgling, gasping sounds.
“She’s a big girl. Over six feet,” Java noted. “There’s no date of birth in the file.”
“She’s either eighteen or thirty,” Penny shrugged. “It depends on who you talk to.”
“She’s a, um—”
“Half breed,” Penny finished her sentence.
“That isn’t acceptable language,” Java reminded her.
“What do we call them?” Penny wrinkled her forehead.
“Mixed parentage, Creole, um . . .” Java struggled to find a socially acceptable word to describe someone with white and black parents.
“Anyway,” Penny grumped. “Her father is white, and her mother is black. Budro Latour or Bubba is what he goes by. A real piece of work. Beats his wife and kids weekly. Stays drunk 365 days a year and has served time for car theft and assault with a deadly weapon.”
“The girl’s fingerprint is on the button?” Java clarified. “The old man sounds more like a killer.”
“As I said, it’s a partial but it’s a close match to hers.”
“Um, Penny you know Kat’s of mixed heritage, don’t you?”
“I figured as much,” Penny nodded. “She’s got the best of all worlds. Those glorious eyebrows and thick dark hair, nice white teeth, creamy skin and the cutest dimples I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t mind—”
“You do know she’s married,” Java reminded her.
“That’s your problem, baby. I’ve seen the way you look at her.” Penny followed Java into her office and took a seat across from the blonde as she turned on her computer and opened Kally Latour’s file.
“She works for Déjà vu,” Java jerked as she realized Déjà might be in danger. “I think I’ll pay her a visit.”
##
Chris and Barbie walked in together and the restaurant manager followed them. Java gave the manager a few instructions then opened the safe and handed Chris the deposit from the night before. “Do you mind taking this to the bank?”
“I’ll do that first thing,” Chris said.
“Barbie you and I are going to pay someone a visit. You want to tag along Penny?”
“No, I’m up to my waist in dead bodies. Besides you don’t want to look like the local authorities storming Déjà’s. You’ll end up a voodoo doll.”
Java laughed, “We’ll just be old friends visiting.”
##
“Thanks for taking me along,” Barbie beamed as she fastened her seatbelt. “I’ve been dying to watch you in action.”
Java chuckled. “I’m afraid you will be very disappointed. I’m just going to visit with Déjà. Ask how her business is going and tease her about scamming the tourists.”
“But all the time, you’ll be watching, won’t you?” Barbie noted. “Looking for anything unusual or out of place.”
“Maybe,” Java laughed. “I think you give me more credit than I deserve.”
Déjà vu was reading a tourist’s palm when they arrived. Kally Latour led them to the parlor. “Can I get you something to drink?” the girl looked down at her feet as she spoke.
“What do you have?” Java engaged her in conversation.
“Sodas, coffee, tea.” Kally mumbled.
“Is the coffee fresh?” Java asked.
“No ma’am, but I can make it fresh for you,” Kally raised her eyes to Java’s.
Java tried to hide her reaction to the way Kally’s face looked. The girl had obviously been recently beaten. Her lip was split, and her right eye was black and swelled shut. Java was certain the girl was missing teeth, but she never opened her mouth or smiled enough for anyone to see.
“Why don’t I help you?” Java motioned for Barbie to check out the room.
Kally led the way to the kitchen, dragging one foot as she walked.
“Do you need to see a doctor?” Java asked casually.
“Oh, no ma’am. Pa would kill me if I wasted money on a doctor.”
“I’m concerned you might lose your eye,” Java lied. “It looks awful. Can you see out of it?”
“No ma’am, but I can see just fine with the other one and this one will be okay next week. This ain’t the first time Pa blacked my eye.”
“Is your leg okay?” Java inquired gently.
“Yes ma’am. I’ve got a club foot. Pa says I ain’t good for much.” The girl’s hands shook as she filled the Mr. Coffee with water.
Java took the water from her hands and placed it on the cabinet. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll make the coffee? I like my coffee stronger than most people anyway.”
“Miss Déjà vu won’t like that.”
“Déjà and I are old friends,” Java reassured her. “She knows I like to make my own coffee.”
“She won’t like me sittin’ down. She likes me to be working.”
“Do you like coffee?” Java asked.
“Oh, yes ma’am. I surely do.”
“Then I’d like you to have coffee with me.” Java pulled two cups from the cabinet and filled them. “Do you want anything in your coffee?”
“Just black, ma’am.”
“How old are you Kally,” Java made conversation as she placed the cups on the small kitchen table and took the chair next to Kally.
“Eighteen. How old are you?” Kally asked
“Fair enough,” Java laughed. “I’m thirty-six.”
“You own Java’s Place, don’t you?” Kally sneaked a peak at the pretty blonde over the rim of her coffee cup.
“Mmhmm. My parents left it to me. They founded the club when I was small and named it after me.”
“Did they name you Java?” The incredulous expression on the girl’s face indicated her disbelief that anyone would name a child Java.
“No, Jaquelyn,” Java laughed. “They started calling me Java because I loved coffee even as a baby. Honestly, I prefer Java to Jaquelyn or Jackie.”
“I like Java,” Kally said shyly. “It fits you.”
“Then I’m glad my parents nicknamed me Java. Kally, who did this to you?” Java gently touched the tips of her fingers to the girls swollen cheek. “Did your daddy do this to you?”
Tears ran down Kally’s cheeks as she nodded.
“Why?” Java whispered.
“Cause’ I asked him why he was gettin’ home just before sunup. He slapped me then punched me with his fists. He was covered in blood. Please don’t tell him I told. He’ll kill me.”
“When did this happen?” Java asked.
“Um, Valentine morning,” Kally recalled. “I remember because he . . . he had sex with me and said, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’.”
Java fought the urge to find Budro Latour and choke the life from him. “Kally can you show me the clothes your daddy had on when he came home?”
Kally shrank back from Java and her good eye darted around the room as if looking for a place to hide. “I can’t do that Miss Java. He’d beat me to death.”
>
“Is he home now?”
“No ma’am. He works at the shipyard. He’s there today.”
“It would mean a lot to me, Kally,” Java urged, “if you’d take me to your house and give me those clothes.”
Kally’s face contorted into a hundred emotions as she tried to decide what to do. “Can we go right now? Before he comes home early or something.”
“Sure, I’ll tell Déjà you’re going to help me with something. She’ll be okay with it.”
Java informed Déjà that she was taking Kally to the doctor and the three walked to Java’s car. Barbie slipped into the backseat as they always did when someone else was in the vehicle. Never let anyone sit behind you was an unspoken rule.
“We don’t live in a very good part of town,” Kally apologized as they drove past rusted vehicles and old washing machines. The ragged rear seat of a car was home to a mongrel with a litter of puppies. It looked more like a dumping ground than a residential area.
“That’s my house,” Kally pointed to a clapboard house that had long ago lost all its paint. Broken windows and a screen door hanging by one hinge completed the look of dilapidation. Old tin cans and other garbage were scattered over the yard.
“My folks ain’t much for cleanliness,” Kally lamented.
“We’re just fine,” Java assured her. “Is anyone home?”
“No ma’am. My brother is in school and Mama works at the drycleaners.”
Kally pushed open the knob-less front door and led the way into the house. Java had to control her urge to step back from the stench in the shack. Barbie had no such self-control and stepped back outside to breath.
“They’re in here in his bedroom,” Kally led the way to an even filthier and more repugnant room at the far side of the house.
Java’s eyes watered as the putrid odor filled her sinuses with an odor she knew she’d never forget.
“There,” Kally pointed to a pair of overalls and a white wife-beater shirt covered in dried blood. Java cursed herself for not bringing a plastic bag along.
