by Ali Vali
She and Keegan laughed as Melinda shook her head. “That remark translates to, thank you for understanding my children and what makes them happy. Growing up as an only child, I loved the attention but wanted to give my girls someone they could always count on,” Melinda said, smiling.
“If I get my way, we’ll all grow old together, if only to have a built-in babysitter,” Sept said, and Keegan squeezed her shoulder.
“You’ll work on that right off, right?” Della asked with her hands pressed together. “I want to enjoy babies before I can’t remember my name or how I’m related to all of you.”
“We’ll do our best, Gran, but I want to be an official Savoie before this one gets me pregnant.” Keegan’s comment kind of surprised Sept. They’d never really talked about that subject, even after she’d proposed.
“Are you sure you don’t want them to be Blanchards, in case they’re born with a spoon in their hands?” she asked, not knowing if this was the best time to ask.
“Everyone in our family is going to have the same name, baby, so Keegan Savoie has a nice ring to it.”
“How about Blanchard-Savoie? If we sign like that, I get free dessert for life.”
“Don’t do anything to get rid of this one, baby,” Melinda said as she and Della stood. “Let’s finish so we can eat and plan when Jacqueline gets here.”
“It shouldn’t take too long.” Sept put her empty glass down. “Joel’s getting off in fifteen, and he promised to stop by and pick her up. I wanted to make sure she was okay.”
“You’re not playing matchmaker, are you?” Keegan asked but kissed her anyway.
“I might’ve mentioned that Joel likes girly girls,” she said, repeating a line Jacqueline had told her at the first Sunday brunch Keegan had brought her to. It had been the encouragement she’d needed to kiss Keegan for the first time. “I wasn’t kidding about how much I love Jacqueline, and it’s time she was cherished instead of being treated so disrespectfully.”
“My mom’s right.” Keegan pressed her lips to hers and passionately expressed how she felt. “You’re a keeper.”
“The only thing I am is lucky, and if you kiss me like that again, you’re going to be in big trouble,” she said and moaned when Keegan took her up on her challenge. “So before we start all this, what do you want out of a wedding?”
“I’ll give you my honest answer if you tell me what you want,” Keegan said, and Sept shook her head.
“Nope. I asked you first, but if you need a hint as to what’s in my head, I’d never really thought about any kind of wedding.” She ran her hand up Keegan’s leg, enjoying the feel of her skin. The weather was still cool, but Keegan had chosen a long skirt with a slit on the side that gave her plenty of access. “I’ve really sucked at relationships, so I doubted anyone would put up with me for long. That’s why weddings weren’t ever on my radar.”
“Baby.” Keegan framed her face with her palms and smiled. Sept smiled as well, knowing she’d never get tired of looking at Keegan because she was incredibly beautiful on the outside, and loving her because she was just as beautiful on the inside. “Are you really sure about this? I’m not exactly unhappy with the way things are.”
“You should’ve let me finish. My mother always told me it’d only take the right woman to change my mind, and my sister told me it would only take a blink of an eye to fall in love.”
Keegan nodded and kissed her forehead. “So did it change your mind about a wedding as well?”
“It did, so hopefully you don’t mind me standing in front of a really big crowd so I can tell the world how I feel about you.” She moved Keegan closer and bit her gently on the side of her neck. “I also want them to know you’re mine.”
“That’s a given, honey, plus I get to put a ring on your finger, which beats a tattoo on your forehead that reads Property of Keegan,” Keegan said, and she laughed. “And I’m glad you said ‘crowd.’ It might be a lot of people we may not know well, but Mom and Gran would be crushed if we say ‘intimate affair.’”
“I promise to do my share, but the hospitality-talented people are on your side of the family.”
“You got that right, babe, and whoever’s not on the invitation list for this thing will be pissed,” Jacqueline said, sticking her head between theirs. “I started thinking about it on the way home and started a list on the plane. I also got Joel to promise to shoot you if you complain about any of it.”
“Hey, guys,” Joel said, coming out and handing Jacqueline a glass. Sept’s brother, like every one of her siblings, had taken after Sebastian’s side in height and hair color, though his still held a good bit of the dark color Sept had started with. “I’ll go if I’m in the way of all this frou-frou.”
“Stay and commiserate with this one once we get going, but don’t say the word ‘frou-frou’ in front of Della, or she’ll stab you with a paring knife.”
“Are you sure? I wasn’t invited.”
“Gran and Mom always cook like the entire city’s coming over, babe, so take a seat,” Jacqueline said as Keegan touched the chair next to them with her foot.
“It’ll be good to have a normal night,” Joel said, and Sept groaned. “What? It’s been crazy lately.”
“You just had to say it, didn’t you?” Sept asked, and Keegan pulled her hair.
“Believe me, I checked before we got here, and it’s a quiet night. Nothing but the normal stuff that neither of us has to deal with.” Joel opened his hand, and when Jacqueline took it, stuck his tongue out at her. “And if y’all are planning the wedding, can Nathan and I plan your bachelor party?”
“If I hear the words ‘strippers’ or ‘red door,’ you’ll both be bruised in the wedding photos,” Keegan said.
“You’re no fun,” Joel said, and Jacqueline laughed.
“She’s plenty fun,” Sept said, and Keegan kissed her cheek. “So we’ll have to stick to drinking and steaks at Mackey’s place.”
“Of course our cousin is known for his love of strippers, so that’s not making me feel better,” Keegan said.
“Turn your phones off and come eat,” Della said, prompting her to stand, still holding Keegan.
Carla was helping put things on the table when they went inside and Keegan walked up and hugged her. The move seemed to make Melinda happy. “Thanks for all your help with Sept,” Keegan said to Carla as Jacqueline hugged her as well.
“I was glad to do it,” Carla said as everyone sat down.
“To family and the people we love.” Della raised her glass.
“Very true.” She tapped her glass to Della’s. “And you didn’t have to open the good stuff. I agreed to the big shindig.”
“You’re a smart woman, so be glad you went so willingly and I didn’t have to rough you up.” Della pinched her cheek and took her plate. “Now wrap up all this stuff at work so we can do this right.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m working on it, and thanks for doing this. My brother’s right that it’s nice to forget everything over good food and wine with people you love.”
“You’re a good egg, Detective, and you’re always welcome at my table.”
“Thanks, Della.”
“How about you call me Gran and get it over with.”
“Gran, let’s eat before my phone rings and I’m back in the doghouse calling you Mrs. Blanchard.”
* * *
“You look great,” Erica said to Lee as she finished applying her mascara. “Who do you have on tap tonight?”
“Someone at the JW,” Lee said, making one more swipe before capping the tube. “They had some crazy explosion at the Hilton, so I’m glad I’m not headed there with the million cops probably walking around. I don’t have a name, but it’s probably some convention-goer looking for someone new that ain’t his wife.”
“True, but never use the word ‘ain’t’ with a date.”
“Brandi already told me, and I’m trying to get better.” Lee stood and put on the silver cocktail dress Erica had lent h
er. “Fits okay?” She studied herself in the mirror.
“Like it was made for you. Go have fun, and if we finish at the same time, let’s meet down in the bar for a drink and ride back together.”
“Now that’s a date I’d love to keep. I should be done by midnight, so I’ll meet you there.”
“See you then, and be careful.”
Lee took the car service Brandi had arranged and checked her face one more time before going inside. “I have an envelope waiting for me from Mr. Smith,” she told the guy behind the front desk. He handed it over as if expecting her and smiled.
“This just came down. There’s been a change in plans. Mr. Smith’s running late and is interested in dinner as well. The car’s waiting outside to take you to the restaurant.”
She held the envelope that didn’t feel as if it had a key in it and hesitated. Brandi had lectured her enough about doing anything that wasn’t in the plan and questioning it, but dinner would cut down on spending time trying not to gag while some fat guy who didn’t know anything about fucking touched her until he got off.
“Thanks,” she said, and stepped away to open it. It just said where to meet the car, so she headed out past the valet station to the street. The Lexus was where the note said it would be, and she headed to the passenger side. “Hey,” she said, turning her head to close the door and jerking at the stinging sensation in her shoulder.
It was the last thing she remembered as her vision dimmed, then went black.
Hunter reached over and buckled Lee in, not wanting to be pulled over for anything. “Hey, yourself,” but Lee was out with her head against the window. “Let’s hope you’re worth the money.”
The date had been expensive, but it was in honor of Tameka Bishop, even though the order of the killings was off. “But if Savoie’s the best, then she deserves someone like you.”
The drive didn’t take long, and Hunter put on the hood and mask before getting out. After a few nights of surveillance, Hunter saw that the neighborhood was still fairly empty, most of the rebuilding happening a mile away.
This was where Alex had gone wrong and had never recovered. But that mistake wouldn’t be repeated tonight. Hunter dragged Lee to the yard and placed her where the stakes were already driven in. The drug that had knocked Lee out wouldn’t last until the end, so the ball gag was necessary.
Hunter returned with the supply bag and the leather gloves that lessened the chances any cuts would leave DNA behind. “I might have to go back to New Orleans East to hear your fear.” Hunter brought Lee around with smelling salts and smiled at the wide-eyed, horrified expression. “The first time was rather intoxicating.”
Lee’s movements were so similar to Bonnie’s that Hunter stopped and watched. “I know you don’t see this as an honor, but you’re an important part of my game, and you’re one more pawn I plan to use to win.”
The blue and amber candles came out, and the light they provided with the faint streetlight gave the area an almost romantic feel. This time the circle of salt was larger to fit the pears, grapes, and three pigeons from the city-park traps that Hunter had set in a secluded spot.
Lee moved her head from side to side as the knife sliced into her wrist. “This time I can leave the number that should make the most impact.” Hunter put a three on Lee’s right foot and a seven on her left, followed by the shepherd’s crook on the bottom of them. “Tonight it’s time to leave Perlis’s playbook for something more interesting.”
The bottle of anisette replaced the rum Perlis had used, but that would have to wait. The statue of St. Norbert went to the right of Lee’s head, and the prayers to the orisha Ochosi were complete. “Are you ready?” Hunter asked, and Lee shook her head again, the pitiful moaning stymied by the gag growing louder. “Eventually I’ll meet you in hell, but not tonight.”
That was all that was left to be said as the knife went into the lower side of Lee’s abdomen, and Hunter cut toward the right. It was amazing to see the tears running down Lee’s cheeks and hear her heavy breathing. The disembowelment hadn’t killed her or knocked her out like with Bonnie, and she stared up at Hunter as if not believing what had happened.
“Let go.” Hunter reversed the direction of the knife and sliced up until it hit the ribs. Lee’s eyes finally closed when Hunter reached up and ripped her heart out and added it to the circle of salt. Once the bottle was empty after pouring it on all the sacrifices, Hunter took a moment to enjoy the kill dedicated to the one god that would not only understand but appreciate what had happened. Hunter also thought the god would appreciate the work it had taken to make it possible.
“I’ll keep going if only to show you how poor an opponent you are,” Hunter said, thinking of Sept.
A sound from the street stopped any other insightful words, and in the silence, the conversation carried easily to the back.
“This is a fucking nice car, bro.” Whoever had said it sounded young. “And the fucking keys are in it.”
“Chill, man,” another young man said. “Who the fuck left it here?”
“What the fuck do I care. We can cruise for the night. This fucker was stupid enough to leave the keys, so they deserve it.”
Hunter moved to the side of the yard and walked to the front to see the driveway. The two Hispanic-appearing teenagers already had the door open, seeming to have made up their minds. It would help with the disposal of the car but wasn’t exactly part of the plan. Whatever happened next had to be a snap decision.
“What would be found first?” Hunter whispered, deciding to return to the supply bag. Now it depended on how fast the potential car thieves were. They were still talking it over, so Hunter opened fire, walking toward the car and killing the closest guy, then wounding the other one by the driver’s side. How long he lived depended on how fast the cops got there.
“Take deep breaths, and pray to the gods they hear your pleas to live.”
The young man looked up and held up one hand, the other pressed to the wound in his chest. “Please don’t kill me.” The words came out in a harsh whisper.
“The only way you die is if help doesn’t respond fast enough. Remember to pray, and let’s see what this adds to the game.”
Hunter put the gun back in the bag and walked the three blocks up to retrieve the other crappy car Nick had found. That one obviously wasn’t an enticing target, as it sat in a driveway Nick said would be safe, the keys under the front mat.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?” the operator asked after about twenty rings.
“Two bodies.” Hunter gave the address, having memorized it. “One’s still alive, but you have to hurry.”
“Do you know who’s responsible?”
“It was me, and I left you a short window to talk to the one alive. Sept Savoie will want to know, so call her.”
Hunter hung up and headed back downtown. “Let’s see where you get with a witness.”
Chapter Fourteen
The dinner had gone well, and Della was entertaining Sept and Joel with funny stories of Keegan and Jacqueline when they were young. It was the type of night Sept had been craving, if only to forget about her case for a little while and remember what was most important in her life now, aside from her family. Keegan was her life, but her family was becoming as important to her as her own.
“Gran.” Keegan and Jacqueline both lengthened the name, as if outraged with Della’s selection.
“Sleep with one eye open, lady,” Sept said but kissed Della’s cheek. Della lost her smile when Sept’s phone rang. “Sorry, but it’s my boss, so I can’t not answer it.”
“You drive me totally insane with that thing,” Della said, but Sept smiled and moved away a bit.
“Sept, we got another one, but this one might get us somewhere,” Royce said and explained the circumstances. “Get there, and I’ll have John’s guys lock down the scene. Since the caller mentioned your name, the emergency operator knew not to broadcast it, so it should stay fairly quiet there for a
little while anyway.”
“You got it,” Sept said, writing the address down and cursing when she recognized it. “That’s where Perlis took Erica.”
“Are you sure?” Royce asked, releasing a long breath.
“I know this case like it’s my religion. I’m sure. I’ll call Nathan and let you know what I find.” She phoned Nathan, waking him up, but he promised to stop by for Julio and meet her at the scene. A call to the 9-1-1 operator came next, but another mechanical voice with no discernable background noise didn’t help her at all. “I’m sorry, everyone, but I’ve got to go.”
“Take my car, and I’ll go home with Jacqueline,” Keegan said, putting her arms around her waist. “Call me if you’re going to be real late.”
“Go to bed, sweetheart.” She kissed Keegan’s forehead and held her tighter. “I’ll be a while, believe me. Thanks for a wonderful evening, Gran,” she said to Della, and the new name earned her a smile and maybe a little forgiveness. “You too, Melinda, and you both have to believe that I’d much rather stay, but if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to work.”
She pushed the seat back as far as it would go and thought about the different ways to reach the neighborhood Erica had escaped from that wouldn’t take out Keegan’s suspension. The killer wouldn’t leave by a main thoroughfare, and if they liked the danger of taunting the police and her, maybe they were still around. The back of the area had a park piled higher with debris and other trash than the surviving trees, but that wasn’t unusual. Any open area not well patrolled had become a dumping ground for anyone busy gutting their house and not wanting to wait for the trash collectors.
After they finished with the scene, she’d send some people to walk the grounds to see if anything relating to this incident had been dumped along with the ton of Sheetrock and warped doors. Some of the places she drove by showed signs of repair, but she didn’t see any FEMA trailers or signs of life, so witnesses wouldn’t be possible here either.