by Erin Wade
Penny and Beau entered the club as Java followed Kat off the elevator. The four met at the hostess stand. “We need to talk somewhere private,” Penny shivered with excitement. “We’ve got him, Java.”
“I must go,” Kat caught Java’s arm. “Will you fill me in later tonight?”
“Of course,” Java agreed. “We’ll be in the balcony watching you.”
The three entered the elevator as Kat disappeared through the door leading to her dressing room.
As she always did when she wanted complete privacy, Java turned off the elevator. They gathered around the table and put their heads together. “Okay, Penny, what do we have?” Java asked.
“A DNA goldmine,” Penny enthused. “There is blood from all four of the Valentine’s Day victims and the insides of the overalls are covered in Latour’s semen. The son-of-a-bitch really got off on crushing the skulls of others.”
“I’m waiting for the search warrants for Latour’s home and the shed out back,” Beau informed them. “As soon as Penny called me, I started the process.”
“Let’s be sure we do everything by the book,” Java exhaled. “We don’t want to return this monster to the streets on a technicality.”
“My forensic evidence is as tight as a virgin’s—’
“Uh, Penny!” Java interrupted.
“Kat’s right, you are a girl scout,” Penny laughed.
“You weren’t in that meeting,” Java furrowed her brow.
“One doesn’t have to be in a meeting,” Penny smirked, “she talks about you all the time.”
“Really?” Java beamed.
“I didn’t say it was complimentary,” Penny added.
“Oh, of course not,” Java mumbled. “I didn’t think it would be.”
“What’s Latour’s status?” Java turned her attention to Beau.
“He’s in a private holding cell,” Beau replied. “We aren’t going to delouse him until tomorrow just before we interrogate him. I want him to be as miserable as possible.”
Beau’s phone rang. “Braxton,” he barked. “That’s great. I’ll pick it up first thing in the morning.
“We’ll have our search warrants at seven in the morning,” Beau informed them as he disconnected the call.
“Great!” Java couldn’t hide her excitement. “Penny can your team meet Beau’s at the Latour home at eight in the morning?”
“We’ll be there with bells on.” Penny exclaimed.
They turned their attention to the band as it started playing Kat’s introduction. As the sensuous brunette sang the blues, everything else in Java’s world faded away.
##
Chris bid their last customer goodnight, locked the front door of Java’s Place and turned to face her team. “I can tell by the self-satisfied attitude of you three that something good is going down.”
“Is the back door locked?” Kat asked.
“I locked it myself,” Java answered. “Penny, since you have confirmed our suspicions why don’t you take the lead?”
“The overalls Java and Barbie took from the Latour home were covered with the blood of all four of the Valentine’s Day victims,” Penny informed the team. “Budro Latour’s semen covered the inside of the overalls. We have a search warrant and will do a thorough search of the Latour home in the morning. According to his daughter there are more clothes covered in blood buried in the back yard of the home. Hopefully we can connect Latour to all the crimes.”
“Penny and Beau will take point on this and their teams will clear the Latour home at eight in the morning,” Java explained. “It’s best we keep a low profile, so we’ll show up here for work as usual.
“As soon as Penny confirms there are more bloody clothes associated with the other murders Beau will interrogate Latour. We’ll watch from the observation room.
“I think we’ve solved this case folks.”
“I certainly hope so,” Kat expressed everyone’s thoughts. “This case has given me the jeebies from the very beginning.”
“If you’re scared, I could drive you home,” Java grinned mischievously.
“I might be more scared of you,” Kat shot back.
The sultry look Java gave her made Kat step back.
CHAPTER 18
The search teams uncovered bloody clothes from the three previous murders and Penny was able to provide a match to the blood samples taken from the scenes. The District Attorney’s office wasted no time filing seventeen cases of homicide against Budro Latour.
Kally and her brother Raymond gave statements that their father often returned home covered in blood and buried his clothes in the back yard the next day. Marra Latour claimed no knowledge of her husband’s murderous activities.
Latour swore he was innocent and claimed the law enforcement agencies were framing him to get the public pressure off themselves.
Java’s team met with FBI Director Karen Pierce in the agency’s review room. “It looks like you four will be up for all kinds of honors,” Karen informed them. “Great job ladies. You make me proud.
“We have been over two months with no carnage. No families have been slaughtered and no women’s heads have popped up anywhere. I’m beginning to think Latour may have been responsible for both crimes.”
“I don’t think so,” Java commented. “The MO is too different. The women targeted were prostitutes. The families slaughtered were of mixed heritage. Two completely different reasons for murder.”
“Why don’t you just take the win, Java?” Karen grimaced. “There are plenty of other cases your team can work on.”
“We could use a few days off,” Barbie chimed in. “This case has been nerve-racking for all of us. I’d like to check out Harrah’s. This is my first assignment in New Orleans. I’d like to see the fun side of the city. You could show me around, Java.”
“Why don’t we all go to Harrah’s tonight?” Java suggested. “I’ll make dinner reservations and we can try our luck at the seven card stud tables or Texas Hold’em or whatever your game might be.”
“I’ve heard they have purple felt on their tables,” Barbie laughed.
“You heard right,” Java joined in her merriment. “You’re going to love Harrah’s, Barbie.”
“I don’t know much about poker,” Barbie glanced at Java. “Maybe you can teach me.”
“They have a quick-study gaming school you can go to, Barbie,” Kat informed her nonchalantly. “Takes about thirty minutes to become a pro.”
“Why don’t you join us Karen?” Java suggested.
“I think I will. It sounds like a fun evening,” Karen agreed.
“Are you going Kat?” Java asked. “Or do you have to get home?”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Kat smirked. “Besides I’d just be home alone tonight.”
“Five of us for dinner at seven. Does that sound okay?” Java asked. “We’ll meet in front of Ruth’s Chris Steak House.”
Everyone nodded. Life was good in The Big Easy.
##
Java folded. The last card had been dealt and she couldn’t beat what was showing on the table. As usual Kat’s poker face revealed nothing about her hand. Java wished the woman had a tell—anything that would help her know what was going on in the brunette’s mind. Kat had a pair of aces showing but Java had no idea what her hold cards were, and the bid had reached five-hundred dollars by the time it got to Kat. Four players were still in the game including Kat and Lindy Rochelle who had taken a loser’s place in the game.
Kat fidgeted with her stack of casino chips as if trying to decide to stay or fold. “Call and raise a thousand.” Kat slowly slid her stack of poker chips to the center of the table. She gazed into Lindy’s eyes and smiled slightly.
Lindy ran her fingertips over her chin. A tell, Java thought. Now let’s see what it means.
“Umm, you look dangerous,” one of the players said as he tossed in his cards. “I’m out.”
“I call,” the other man grinned passing the bi
d to Lindy.
“I’ll see your thousand and raise you a thousand.” Lindy cocked her eyebrow at Kat and slid in her chips.
“Call!” Kat covered the bid.
The third player tossed in his cards.
“Fold,” he muttered.
“Show me what you’ve got?” Kat challenged Lindy.
Lindy grinned triumphantly as she flipped over a full house—three kings and two sevens.
Kat inhaled deeply and Java realized she was holding her own breath. “You win . . . second place,” Kat cooed as she turned over two more aces. “Four of a kind.”
The onlookers who had gathered around the table applauded and whooped as Kat pulled in the pot and turned to Java. “Would you cash it in for me? I’m going to grab us a table in the Voodoo Lounge. I want to watch the new singer in town.”
Lindy walked around the table and started toward Kat.
Java curled her lip at Lindy. “Don’t even think about following her.”
Lindy held up her hands in front of her and backed away. “She’s not your woman,” she hissed.
“She’s married,” Java barked. “She’s off the market. You need to stay away from her.”
“She wouldn’t be the first married woman I’ve taken to bed,” Lindy bragged.
“She’d be the last,” Java threatened. “I promise you that.”
##
Java cashed in Kat’s winnings and walked to the Voodoo Lounge. She smiled when she realized the brunette was watching her. She ducked her head and conjured her best blush as she pulled out her chair and sat down beside Kat. “Penny for your thoughts!”
“Umm, my thoughts would only get us both into trouble,” Kat cooed.
“When it comes to you,” Java grinned, “I’m always looking for trouble and it is after midnight.”
“Tonight?” Kat whispered. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Now?” Java asked.
“No, not right now. I truly do want to hear their new singer,” Kat explained. “I hear she is my new competition.
“You have no competition, Kat.”
Kat reached under the table and took Java’s hand pulling it into her lap.
The band began playing and a very attractive redhead walked onto the stage. She was good. Not as good as Kat, but acceptable. A few years of experience and she’d be very good.
As the performer sang Kat toyed with Java’s hand, playing with her fingers and drawing circles in her palm.
“You’re killing me,” Java whispered in Kat’s ear letting her lips touch the brunette.
The band finished their set and the lounge goers applauded appreciatively for the singer.
“What did you think of her?” Java asked motioning for their check.
“Not bad,” Kat shrugged.
“But nothing to worry about,” Java added.
“Umm, honestly I was too busy thinking about you and your strong hands and long fingers. And the scent of you as you leaned in to whisper in my ear.”
“We’re out of here!” Java tried to stop the tremor that passed through her body. “You’re not going to deck me in the lobby, are you?”
“No darling,” Kat murmured. “I have other plans for you.”
Java tried to control her excitement as she paid their tab and led Kat to the front of the casino.
“There you are,” Karen had Chris and Barbie in tow. “We’ve looked all over for you.”
“We were just leaving,” Java replied. “Kat has a wicked headache.”
“She’ll just have to live with it,” Karen scowled. “We have another family slaughtered in San Antonio. It happened yesterday. The authorities there just realized the MO is the same as The Bashers. Beau and Penny have been notified. Both are tied up on that bombing this morning. The four of you must handle this.”
“Noooo,” Java almost cried. “There’s nothing we can do tonight.”
Karen looked at her watch. “If you leave now you can be in San Antonio before noon.”
“We can catch a plane at nine in the morning and be there by noon too.” Java argued trying to overcome the ache in the pit of her stomach.
Karen’s eyes moved from Kat to Java and back. “Ok, but make sure you get there before noon. I don’t want the locals screwing up the scene. If it is The Basher, then how does Latour figure into all of this?”
“Good question,” Java huffed. “Barbie, you arrange for our flight and a rent car. Let’s meet at the restaurant at eight and all ride to the airport together.
“Chris you contact the SA authorities and have them email you everything they have: crime scene photos, pics of the bodies, and the break-in point. You know the routine.”
“Got it boss,” the two chorused.
“I’ll take you home, Kat,” Java said. “Take something for your headache. We all need to be hitting on all cylinders tomorrow otherwise the press conference we held to announce the arrest of Latour is just going to be egg on our face.”
As everyone went their separate ways Karen caught Java’s arm and pulled her aside. “Java, you and Kat,” she said. “You know the agencies rules.”
“Yes Karen,” Java sighed. “I know them all too well.”
“Be certain you adhere to them,” Karen insisted.
“I will,” Java mumbled. “I’ll report in tomorrow as soon as we have assessed the situation.”
Java sprinted through the casino to catch up with Kat.
“What did Karen want?” the brunette asked.
“She cautioned me about getting involved with you,” Java shrugged.
“So, you’re taking me home?” Kat pouted.
“Yeah,” Java grinned. “My home!”
CHAPTER 19
Java had been motionless during most of the flight. Kat had fallen asleep on her left shoulder shortly after Java opened the San Antonio murder file on her computer. To avoid waking the brunette beauty Java had been careful to move only her right hand in scrolling through the report. She knew Kat was exhausted.
She closed her laptop, turned her head and kissed the top of Kat’s head loving the fragrance of Kat’s hair. She wanted to bury her face in that soft dark hair and whisper her love in Kat’s ear. Instead she leaned her head back and fell asleep.
##
Wheels touching the runway woke Java from her short nap. Kat jerked, opened her eyes and looked around.
“We’ve landed,” Java murmured. “Did you get any rest?”
“Umm, yes, I did,” Kat snuggled into Java’s side. “But I should pull the seat arm down between us before Chis and Barbie see how I’m glued to your side.”
As the pilot turned off the fasten seatbelts sign Java pulled their luggage and forensic kit from the overhead bin and stood back to let Kat move into the isle. She checked three rows back to make certain Barbie and Chris were behind them.
They waited until they were in the rental car to begin discussing the case. “Did anyone notice anything different about this case?” Java asked as she pulled onto the interstate.
“The family’s name was Rogers,” Chris noted. “This is the first time the killer has murdered a baby. The report says a six-month old was clutched in the mother’s arms. I’m guessing he crushed her skull then the baby’s.”
“The husband was black and the wife white,” Barbie added. “The other two children were eight and two. I hate to say this Java, but the MO is the same: crushed skulls, total debauchery and all the bodies placed in one bed.”
“Rogers was a teacher at the local middle school,” Chris added. “Well respected and very active in the community.”
“Latour must be working with another person,” Chris suggested. “That’s the only answer. There’s no doubt in my mind he committed the Valentine murders so he must have a partner.”
##
They checked in with the local authorities and requested any fingerprints, DNA and blood tests be sent to Penny immediately.
A local detective named Trilton Joe White accompanied the
m to the scene. “I’ve been on the force fourteen years,” Trilton Joe commented. “I’ve never seen anything like this.
“I can’t believe the agency sent a bunch of women to investigate this.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Java demanded.
“Uh . . . er . . . I just meant this is horrific. Ladies shouldn’t handle anything this gruesome.”
“We’ve handled worse,” Java smirked.
“I’m glad it’s your case and not mine,” Trilton Joe muttered. “It would take one sick son-of-a-bitch to butcher a family like that.”
“Yeah,” Java grunted.
Kat walked to the front door of the house. “Is this locked?”
“Yes ma’am” Trilton Joe dug into his pocket and produced a set of keys. “These fit the front door and the back door, but the killer broke in through that window on the front of the house. He pointed to a window whose screen was leaning against the house.
“Did they check this for fingerprints?” Java asked as she pulled on a pair of latex gloves.
“Doesn’t look like it,” Kat scowled. “There’s no dust or anything to indicate it was printed. Can you get your forensic people back out here?”
“I’ll try,” Trilton Joe frowned. “I doubt it.”
“Pop the trunk, Java so I can get the forensic kit,” Kat instructed. “I’ll take care of this myself.”
The others watched as Kat brushed the fine white powder around the dark screen frame.
“We can go inside,” Trilton Joe said. “She doesn’t need our help.”
“No, but we do need you to validate everything we find that your forensic people may have missed.” Java noted.
“Um, yeah,” Trilton Joe nodded, “I read that the fellow you’ve charged with the murders is swearing y’all are railroading him.”
“Don’t they all?” Java puffed.
“I’ve got three good prints,” Kat declared dropping the fingerprint lifting tabs into the clear bags and filling in the required information. “Detective White, if you’d be so kind as to validate my findings?”
White signed the tag on the bag and handed it back to Kat. “Should I take the screen to our lab?”
“Probably not a bad idea,” Java raised a brow. “I just sent you photos of where the screen was when we arrived. Your forensic folks will want that too.”
