by Erin Wade
Overcoming the urge to puke and the aversion to touching the fetid clothes, Java pulled on a pair of gloves, shook a pillow from a frayed pillowcase and stuffed the bloody clothes into it.
##
“I’ll take you back to Déjà’s,” Java said as they pulled away from the house. “It would be best if you don’t tell your father we took his clothes.”
“He’ll never miss them,” Kally shrugged. “He’d just bury them like he does all the clothes he messes up.”
“Have you seen other clothes like these?” Java asked.
“Yeah, many times.”
“Do you recall the dates or anything that would help you remember a date?” Java hid her excitement. She was certain Budro Latour was The Basher.
“No ma’am,” Kally shook her head. “Not right at the moment.”
“It’s okay Kally,” Java patted her hand. “You’ve been a tremendous help to me.”
Java pulled her vehicle into a parking place in front of the local emergency clinic. “Humor me Kally. I’ll feel better if you let a doctor check your eye.”
Kally nodded reluctantly.
CHAPTER 14
After the doctor treated Kally’s eye Java and Barbie drove her back to Déjà’s shop. The priestess was gone but Kally had a key. “If anyone asks,” Java advised, “Déjà insisted on you seeing the doctor.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Barbie asked as Java sped away from the curb.
“Yep,” Java grinned pushing the call button on her steering wheel. “I’m calling Penny right now.”
“Penny, Java here. Are you in your lab?
“I am,” Penny responded.
“Barbie and I are on our way to you. We have something that’s going to make you very happy.”
“I could use some good news,” Penny coughed. “Actually, what I really need is a day off.”
“Barbie this should break this case wide open,” Java said as she disconnected the call with Penny.
“Good,” Barbie breathed. “We need to stop these mindless murders.”
“We also need to get a handle on the heads,” Java reminded her. “Four heads with no bodies and no leads.”
“At least we know who the victims are,” Barbie added. “My guess is that the women were targeted because they were prostitutes. Just like the families were targeted because they were mixed race.
“Is Kat’s husband white?” Barbie blurted out.
“What difference does that make?” Java scowled.
“I was just thinking Kat’s got several ethnic groups in her bloodline. If her husband is white The Basher might set his sights on her. She is beautiful and very visible.”
Java’s frown deepened. She hadn’t considered that Kat might be a target. “I don’t think so. She has no children. The Basher seems to be targeting families with children.”
Beau was getting out of his car as Java pulled onto the parking lot. “Penny called me,” he said as Java got out of the car. “She said you sounded excited.”
“I am,” Java beamed. “Come on, I don’t want to tell this story but once.” She retrieved the bundle from the trunk of her car and headed for Penny’s lab.
Penny and Beau listened as Java and Barbie related the events of the morning. “We haven’t broken the chain of evidence and I’m now turning it over to you,” Java said.
“And I’m forwarding the video I took of Kally leading Java to the clothes and Java securing them.” Barbie pushed the button and sent the recorded evidence to Penny.
“I’ll make this my priority,” Penny promised carrying the clothes to a sterile metal table.
“How long before we’ll know something?” Java inquired.
“Around five this afternoon,” Penny estimated. “I want to be absolutely certain before Beau gets an arrest warrant. This is a big deal. We can’t afford any mistakes.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“I could sure go for a burger and fries,” Barbie said as they walked back to the car.
“That does sound good,” Java agreed. “Drive through or sit down?”
“Sit down. You can get a good cup of coffee and we can relax a little. It’s been a busy morning.”
##
The waitress placed their drinks in front of them and took their orders.
“How long have you and Kat worked together?” Barbie asked as she tore the paper from her straw.
“Almost ten years,” Java shrugged. “She’s one of the best in the business.”
“Yeah, the two of you are legends,” Barbie grinned. “I heard about you in the Academy. You received the Director’s Leadership Award and all the Top Achievers awards in firearms, physical fitness and academics. You swept all the awards. The next year Kat followed in your footsteps.”
“That was a long time ago,” Java brushed off the praise. “A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. I loved the Academy and I love being an FBI agent.”
“It’s your life, isn’t it?” Barbie insisted.
“Yeah, it is,” Java agreed.
“But you’re willing to risk it all for Kat Lace!” Barbie’s blunt statement shocked Java.
“I . . . Kat and I have handled some tough cases together. I admire her abilities. We have a lot of history.”
“Are you in love with her?” Barbie pushed.
“You do know I’m your superior?” Java tried to change the subject. “My personal feelings don’t matter as long as I do my job and manage this team, so it gets results. I’m sure you checked our case clearance record before you requested your transfer to join us.”
“One hundred percent,” Barbie beamed. “Pretty impressive.”
“Why did you join our team, Barbie?”
“I want to learn from you,” Barbie confessed. “I want to be the best so who better to learn from than the best.
“This morning for instance, I saw that girl had a black eye, but it never occurred to me to convert that into a tell all against her father. How did you know to go down that rabbit hole?”
“It made sense,” Java explained. “We knew Kally’s fingerprint was on the button Kat found at the murder scene. It stood to reason that the girl was somehow connected to the crime. Since she had a club foot that made walking difficult, I didn’t suspect her, but I did suspect someone in her household. When she told us about her abusive father, I thought he might be our killer. We already knew he had a record for assault. I just put two and two together. Let’s hope I’m right.”
“My gut tells me you are,” Barbie laughed.
“That too,” Java grinned. “Always go with your instincts.”
They stopped talking as the server placed their food on the table.
“You must know I have a girl crush on you,” Barbie blurted out.
“You know the agency’s rules about fraternizing,” Java wrinkled her brow.
“I’d be discreet,” Barbie insisted. “No strings. Kat’s married. She’ll never be in a relationship with you, even though she does tease you and string you along.”
“Barbie, I’m very flattered,” Java searched for words, “but I don’t make a habit of sleeping with the members of my team.”
“But—”
“No, Barbie. It’s not going to happen.” Java scowled. “I don’t want to have this discussion again.”
“But—”
“That’s an order,” Java growled.
CHAPTER 15
The late afternoon lunch business was in full swing when Java and Barbie returned to the club. Kat was dining with Lindy Rochelle and Jody Schooley was at a corner table with a pretty bleached blonde.
Java glared at Lindy then strolled to Jody’s table. “You slumming today Jody, or trying to impress this pretty young thing?”
“Yes, to both questions,” Jody snarled careful to stay seated.
“Umm, well, we appreciate your business,” Java grinned. “Sorry about the other night. You understand?”
“Sure,” Jody rela
xed. “I was way out of line. Too much alcohol.”
Java nodded and walked away.
“She’s not at all what I expected,” Jody’s friend said. “She’s beautiful.”
“Don’t be fooled by her looks,” Jody grunted. “She’s meaner than a rattlesnake and twice as dangerous.”
“Story on the street is she took care of the gang robbing the businesses in the Quarter.” The girl related.
“Yeah, she did,” Jody puffed.
“Did they all go to jail?”
“No!” Jody whispered. “They all went to the cemetery.”
“What do you mean?”
Blondes really are dumb, Jody thought. “All four of them were dead by the time the police arrived. I don’t know how Java managed to do it, but it looked like they had a shootout among themselves.”
“Whoa,” the blonde watched Java walking across the room greeting customers. “She really is something!”
##
Java took the private elevator to the balcony and sat down at her usual table. She was anxious to hear from Penny. She hoped they had caught the bastard who had murdered so many in her state. Someone brought her a salad and coffee and she realized she was hungry.
“There you are my beautiful white girl,” Déjà strutted across the upstairs dining room and joined Java. Her eyes followed Java’s gaze to Kat. “You sittin’ up here mooning over something you can’t have, sugar?”
“I guess,” Java chuckled.
“Why don’t you look at other women,” Déjà motioned to herself. “There are plenty of women in Orleans that’d treat you right, baby girl.”
Java laughed out loud. “What’s that quote from Emily Dickenson, Déjà? The heart wants what it wants – or else it does not care.”
“I don’t know who wrote that,” Déjà shrugged, “but it’s the damn truth.”
“Did you come up here to discuss my love life or lack thereof,” Java sipped her coffee, “or do you need something?”
“Yeah, I need to talk to you about Kally. Her daddy will beat the hell out of her tonight if he finds out you took her to the doctor.”
“Can’t you do something?” Java teased. “You know stick a pin in the crotch of his doll or twist off its head.”
“You know it don’t work that way, sweetness. Can’t you arrest him for something and hold him until her eye clears up?” Déjà tossed back. “I’d rather save my magic for someone more important and I’m sure there is some kind of arrest warrant out for his sorry ass.”
“Why didn’t I think of that?” Java laughed dialing Beau’s number.
“Beau, are there any outstanding warrants on Budro Latour?” She waited while Beau ran a check.
“Two,” Beau chirped. “You want me to have him picked up?”
“Yes, pick him up on one and hold him as long as you can. If we must release him before we want to, let him go then pick him up on the other warrant. I’d like to hold him at least a week.”
“Consider it done,” Beau replied.
“Happy now?” Java grinned at Déjà.
“Very. Déjà loves beautiful, powerful women,” the black beauty smiled.
Déjà looked down at Kat and Lindy. “Why is she with that woman?”
“Don’t ask me,” Java shrugged. “I’ve asked myself that question a dozen times in the last two hours.”
“It’s your restaurant,” Déjà reasoned, “Why don’t you throw Lindy out? Send her packing to her own place across the street.”
“Oh, Déjà if I threw out everyone who’s enamored of Kat Lace, I’d have very few customers.”
“She doesn’t like me,” Déjà stated flatly. “It’s because my breasts are much larger than hers.”
Java laughed. “Really?”
“And you haven’t even noticed, have you?” Déjà scoffed. “You only look at her.”
“Heads up. She’s headed this way,” Java beamed.
“You just compare us, baby. You’ll see Déjà has a lot more to offer you.”
“Mm-hmm,” Java laughed.
The elevator door opened, and Kat glided into the room.
“Miss LeBlanc,” Kat cocked a brow, “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“I didn’t expect you to care,” Déjà countered. “I’m having dinner with this gorgeous hunk of woman. In case you want to know my intentions, they are wantonly wicked.”
“Humph,” Kat walked around Déjà and stood by Java placing her hand on the blonde’s shoulder. “I was planning on dining with you after my set.”
Déjà shoved her chair back from the table and stood. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me,” she hissed at Kat.
“Oh, I heard you, Miss LeBlanc,” Kat faked a smile. “I just ignored you.”
“Kat!” Java cautioned her partner. “The last thing I need in here is a cat fight.”
“Sometimes, I hate you, Java,” Kat stormed.
“You heard Java,” Déjà continued standing with her hands on her hips and her breast thrust out farther than ever, “she wants you to leave.”
“I didn’t say—” Java started but jumped between Kat and Déjà as the brunette stepped toward the priestess.
“I do need to talk to Kat,” Java said. “Please Déjà have dinner on the house. I’ll have Barbie show you to a table.”
“Miss LeBlanc,” Kat drawled. “You should make an appointment with Dr. James Jonda. He’s New Orleans’ most accomplished plastic surgeon. He can bring your breasts into the same zip code as your chest.”
Déjà lunged at Kat but Java caught her. “Don’t even think about hand-to-hand combat with Kat,” Java warned. “You wouldn’t stand a chance. Come on. I’ll escort you to your table.” She moved the ebony beauty to the elevator and closed the doors.
“How can you be so weak where she’s concerned?” Déjà railed at Java. “You eat out of her hand and she barely gives you the time of day.”
“Déjà she took a bullet for me last year. If not for her I’d be dead.” Java clinched her teeth. “I owe her.” She didn’t add I’m desperately in love with her.
Java seated Déjà at her favorite table, ordered her an expensive bottle of wine and told the waiter to put her tab on the house. She wondered why Kat was in such a foul mood. No doubt about it, Kat Lace was a complicated lady.
CHAPTER 16
Java grabbed a wine opener and the club’s best bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac and pushed the button that would take her to either heaven or hell depending on Kat’s mood. When she reached the balcony, she turned off the elevator to assure no one would disturb them.
Kat was seated in the chair vacated by Déjà. Java opened the bottle of wine, poured it into their glasses and sat down across from her.
Kat held up her glass for a toast. “To us,” she whispered, “and solving this horrific case.”
Java smirked and lightly tapped her glass against Kat’s.
“You do know you were rude to Déjà?” Java asked.
“Why was she dining with you?” Kat huffed. “I always have dinner with you.”
“Which usually ends with me in the fetal position on the floor,” Java pointed out.
“You didn’t answer my question, darling,” Kat leaned across the table. “What was she saying to you?”
“She asked me to arrest Budro Latour,” Java answered. “She was afraid he would beat his daughter when he discovered she had gone to the clinic because of the beating he gave her Valentine’s Day.”
“Oh, I feel a little foolish,” Kat shrugged. “Perhaps I jumped to conclusions. Did you have him arrested?”
“Yes, Beau took care of it.”
“Catch me up on today,” Kat said holding out her glass for more wine. “What did you find out at Déjà’s?”
Java related the information about the bloody clothes and the beaten girl. “I’m waiting to hear from Penny now to find out if the blood on Latour’s clothes matches any of the victims.”
“The girl must really hate he
r father to turn him in like that,” Kat mused.
“Kat, he rapes her.” Java muttered. “She told me he had sex with her as if it was an everyday occurrence—no big deal. God only knows how long that’s been going on. If I wouldn’t go to jail, I’d slit his throat myself.”
“And I’d help you,” Kat declared.
“What’s going on with Lindy?” Java asked.
“I’m not sure. I don’t think she knows anything about who knifed Pender.” Kat placed her hand on top of Java’s. “Are you going to be here for my show tonight?”
“Have I ever missed one?” Java grinned. “Someone has to keep the lovesick fools off you.”
“So, anyone attracted to me is a lovesick fool?” Kat purred.
Java’s phone rang flashing Beau’s name on the screen. She pushed the speaker button so Kat could listen.
“Hey, Beau! I have you on the speaker so Kat can hear too.”
“We’ve got him in custody,” Beau exclaimed. “Why don’t you come over now? You can watch us interrogate him.”
Java glanced up at Kat and was secretly delighted that the other agent’s face registered disappointment as Kat looked away from her.
“Let him stew until morning,” Java suggested. “I’d like to have Kat there when you talk to him. She’s our best profiler. She’ll pick up on things you and I might miss.
“She’ll be singing in about an hour. Why don’t you come over for dinner?”
“Good idea,” Beau beamed. “Letting Latour stew and having dinner at your place. I’ll be there in twenty.”
“Thank you,” Kat muttered. “I like you here when I sing.”
“Kat why can’t we—”
“Don’t Java,” Kat whispered. “I need to get ready for my performance.”
“You have time for one more glass of wine,” Java picked up the bottle desperately trying to extend her time with the woman who determined her happiness.
“One more,” Kat smiled slowly.
CHAPTER 17
Java rode the elevator with Kat fighting the urge to reach out and touch her. “I love your eyebrows,” she blurted.
“I know,” a throaty laugh from Kat made Java’s knees weak.
