“Me! You should see yourself.”
She was surprised when he said, “I say we should shower.”
“I agree!” Kevin said.
“And maybe you should go in and do that quickly,” Brad suggested. “We were thinking about dinner. As in, we were about to leave just before you got here. I mean, if you’d like to join us.”
“Sure. We’d love to join you. Dinner sounds good,” Fin said. “If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not!” Boris said. He looked at Cara. “And maybe we should call Julian and Kenneth?”
Cara shrugged. “If you want—they might be nearby. But let’s not wait forever, huh?” She looked at Fin apologetically. “Sorry. We were talking about dinner before you two came.”
“That’s okay,” Fin said. “I get the hungry thing.”
“We’ll hurry,” Avalon promised.
Lauren let out a bit of a strangled sound; she was laughing, Avalon noticed.
She was laughing...and she was happy for her. In the middle of all of this, she was happy for Avalon.
She approved of Fin Stirling.
“Okay, we’re on this thing,” Fin said. He stood and reached for Avalon’s hand, clearly stating that they were together as he smiled at her.
“I think they were mud wrestling,” Leo said.
Avalon grinned and laughed softly, hurrying behind Fin.
“You two! Shower, and that’s it—we’re all hungry,” Kevin called. “I mean, seriously, you have a room, just remember that for later.”
Inside, Fin looked at her in seriousness. “That was all right, I hope.”
“It was all right with me,” she assured him.
“You get to go first,” he told her.
“I thought that—”
“No, they want us right out.”
“We could still just share water—”
“Maybe you could. I couldn’t.” He grinned.
She had left her room locked; she unlocked the door and left him to follow behind her, then gathered fresh clothing and hurried into the shower.
It was hard not to linger, not to let the hot water wash away her memories of the mansion...and the porn stockpile of Nolan Christy.
She forced herself to bathe quickly, and thoroughly. She didn’t want to take the time to wash her hair, but she couldn’t leave it as it was. Air-drying would be just fine, but she had to wash it.
She was still quick and emerged in a halter dress, clean and fresh, in a matter of minutes.
With a nod, Fin approved of her speed.
He’d been on the phone; he was just ending his call when she emerged.
He took his turn. She smiled, watching him, and marveled at the way events and feelings could change. Maybe they hadn’t changed, but rather they had grown. Nope. She was sure that she had disliked him at first!
When he emerged, he was dressed in a T-shirt and jeans and a jacket. She knew he wore the jacket to cover the gun in wore in a holster attached to his belt.
He looked her up and down and gave her a soft whistle. “Amazing,” he said.
“Sweet.”
He strode to her and took her in his arms. “Amazing...that you’re with me.”
“Oh, that’s really sweet! And hard to believe that you could be amazed by anyone. Hulking FBI guy...life couldn’t have been too bad!”
He smiled at that. “Ah, come on. Tell me that you haven’t backed off sometimes because you knew that someone would never really know you, that you’d be living a lie, and that it would never work because the lying and pretending were just too hard?”
“Hmm. I see the dead. Is that why I’m so amazing?”
He shook his head. “You’re amazing in your existence, in the way you breathe, care for others, and...let’s see, your looks aren’t bad, either. And you do want to be with me.”
She grinned. “Okay, so I don’t even just dislike you anymore. I think you’re somewhat amazing, too. And your looks are kind of okay.”
He kissed her lips, fingers threading through her still wet hair. There was a knock at the door, so he broke away.
It was Lauren. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. That’s a lie—I was sent to disturb you just in case you needed to be disturbed. I mean...it’s real, isn’t it? Avalon, you are an actress...”
“It’s real,” Fin said. “Are we ready to leave? Did anyone reach Kenneth or Julian?”
“Um, not sure,” Lauren said. She smiled at the two of them. “All right then, let’s go on down, huh?”
“Did we pick a place?” Fin asked.
“Yeah, the place that serves Italian, American, Creole, down on Decatur. Touristy, but they have long tables and we’ll all be able to sit together.”
They headed downstairs; the others were waiting in the courtyard and they went out through the gate in the courtyard.
Avalon had made certain to lock the door out to the courtyard.
Boris had nodded at her, and, last out, he’d locked the door from the courtyard to the street.
He fell into step with Avalon.
Fin was just ahead with Lauren.
“How was today?” Boris asked. He waved a hand in the air. “I’m not referring to the teasing the others are giving you. I mean... I am worried, Avalon. I’m worried about you and I’m worried about Lauren. And, I guess, the rest of the women in the reachable area—unless this was a total stranger who somehow wandered onto the island.” He shook his head. “This whole thing... I’ve never believed in such things, but I’m wondering if that damned island isn’t cursed.”
“Boris! It’s not the island. The island is just...earth. Surrounded by water. And I don’t think it’s going to be that much longer that the island is off-limits. I know finishing the movie is important to you.”
“Screw the damned movie. I’m worried about people. I don’t know how much information is out there, but there was an anchorman on the news earlier who was drawing a lot of connections, and complaining that the police and FBI have done nothing to ‘stop a serial killer.’”
“I don’t think that the police or the FBI are even certain yet that there is a serial killer out there,” Avalon said. “They’re investigating.”
“Someone has gotten wind of the investigation,” he said. “I believe there’s a press conference scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
“Is there? I didn’t know.”
“Well, anyway,” Boris said, and sighed. “In all honesty, I’m surprised I haven’t been hauled in by someone. I was the only one staying on the island when Cindy—” He paused, wincing. “When Cindy’s body was set out on that tomb. And, yes, we were all in Houma working on that video, and I was at the Speakeasy. And, yes, I did know Julian Bennet. We didn’t make a big deal out of it because he had to present the idea to two distant cousins that he didn’t know all that well.”
Avalon took his hand and squeezed it. “Boris, we’re going to get through all of this.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you’re with him, and that he’s with us.”
“Life is strange, isn’t it?”
“If it was or wasn’t, I’m glad to have the guy around now.”
Avalon shrugged and then grinned at him. “Nice to have your approval, pops,” she teased.
“That’s right. Good friends will tell you when you’re dating a jerk.”
“Like that horrible—but extremely well-endowed—girl who was dating you that time, thinking that you were a producer and director and you could get her a role in a superhero movie?”
Boris winced. “Yes, yes, all of you warned me!” He shrugged. “We all learn, right?”
Lauren had stopped just ahead of them. “Kevin and Brad hurried ahead to get a table. We’re trying to make a count. Cara and Gary are two, the group of us—you two, me, Terry, Brad and Leo—make another six, and
Fin, so that’s ten...and Cara talked to Kenneth and Julian, but she’s not sure if they’re coming. But if we have a table for ten, if one shows up, we’re perfect, and if they both show up, we can squeeze a bit.”
“Excellent directing!” Boris told her.
She made a face at him.
They continued down the street and cut toward the square on Chartres Street, passing the beautiful Old Ursuline Convent, shops and restaurants.
New Orleans was truly alive at this time of night.
Those in the lead took a left, maneuvering them toward Decatur.
Boris linked arms with Avalon. “They still haven’t told us anything about this cousin who was coming to see about arrangements for Cindy. If nothing else...well, damn. We’re going to see to it that she’s cared for. I believe, maybe because I must believe to excuse my own existence, that there’s more.”
“Oh, I believe that, too,” she told him. “And, yes, we may be sometimes broke and struggling actors and artists, but we will do right by Cindy.”
Kevin headed back toward them as they turned onto Decatur Street.
“Guys, hurry! They have a table, a group our size just paid and left.”
They hurried on. Fin had waited to take up the rear.
Avalon found herself wondering again who had called when she’d been in the shower...and wishing that they had talked about his call rather than being “amazing” for one another.
* * *
She walked in beauty. She moved in beauty, breathed in beauty.
Her scent was a sweetest brush of heaven.
Her flesh, to touch her, to hear the melodic sound of her voice...
But most seductive of all...her eyes.
The beauty, the life, the passion, the vibrancy in those eyes!
The time would come...he wouldn’t have to care with his every word, he wouldn’t have to watch others.
He’d be rid of the man who...
He was annoyed when his fantasy reflection came to a crashing halt.
The man...
Special Agent Finley Stirling.
Fury awoke in him. He wanted the man before him, bound and chained. He wanted to rip the flesh from his face, burn his fingertips...
He forced a smile as he moved through the street. Patience, time.
There would be a way.
She would be his. Those eyes of hers...
He calmed himself with the dream.
The fantasy.
Because he knew, in time, that the fantasy would be real, sweet enough to linger with him through time.
He just needed to touch her.
To feel those eyes on his. Watch them. As they changed, as she became truly his...
Yes, his time would come.
He hurried on through the street, smiling all the while.
Fourteen
At the restaurant there was a fair amount of confusion—good, polite confusion—as they all found seats at the table.
Fin maneuvered and wound up at one end of the table with Avalon to his left and Terry Jenson to his right. Kevin was to Avalon’s left, and Cara Holstein was to Terry’s right.
A waitress came and took their drink order. Fin asked for tea; down the table, Boris noted his choice.
“Always on duty, huh?” he called.
“Always on duty,” Fin agreed.
“Well, I’m not!” Boris said. “I think I’m going with a double of something.”
Cara was studying her phone. “Hmm,” she said.
“Anything wrong?” Fin asked politely.
“Just Julian... He said that he was coming to join us, and now...”
“Is something wrong?” he persisted.
She looked up, staring around the table. “He says that he’s been asked down to the police station.”
“Under arrest?” Lauren asked, looking stunned.
“No, maybe—I don’t know! His text just says, ‘Sorry, not going to make it. Been asked to go to police station!’”
She stared at Fin. “I thought—I thought you were the head of this investigation.”
“I am.” He stood. “I’ll find out what’s going on. Forgive me—I guess I’m going to renege on dinner, too.”
Kevin looked at him. “I’ll be with Avalon and Lauren. I won’t leave them for a second.”
“Maybe I should go with Fin,” Avalon said.
“For what? You’re suddenly a cop?” Lauren asked. “Tell her she needs to stay here with us, Fin—we’ll all stay together. Trust me—I’m a coward. We’ll stick like glue.”
Fin smiled at her. “You won’t leave this restaurant. Not until I’m back.” He turned to Cara. “What about your other cousin, Kenneth?”
“Third cousin, removed cousin, whatever! He texted me that he thought he’d make it, but he wasn’t sure,” Cara said.
“Well, I hope so. I’ll find out what’s going on with Julian,” he promised. “They’re probably just hoping he might have some insight into something.”
Fin looked at Avalon. She was staring at him with a frown of reproach. He probably should have told her that he’d talked to Ryder...and he knew what was going on. He had orchestrated it. But as good an actress as she might be, they were playing for high stakes. These were her friends. It was best that she didn’t know now.
He nodded to them all and headed out of the restaurant.
A patrol car was waiting for him about fifty feet down the block. A uniformed officer was leaning against the wall near the restaurant.
“If they leave—”
“Call it in immediately and follow them,” the officer said solemnly.
Fin nodded. “Thanks.”
He went on to the patrol car. Another officer was in the driver’s seat, and he nodded when Fin got in the car. “Straight to the station, right?”
“Straight to the station. Thanks.”
Ryder was waiting for him when he arrived. “I’ve just had him in there, waiting. He’s not under arrest—have no evidence, so we can’t arrest him. I told him we’re asking for help. We’ve been nice—got him coffee, promised we’d be quick—but I haven’t talked to him. We’ve waited for you.”
“Thanks.”
“We’re going to have to let him go, you know.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
“Just stirring the pot?” Ryder asked.
Fin nodded. “Someone has to react to something.”
“You’re convinced that one of them has been involved in all this?”
“Ryder, Christy Island and the murder in Houma are so close to each other. And Mississippi not all that far away, easy access for any of these people. All the travel could have been done by avoiding toll roads. They all have access to boats. That Jane Doe in Houma... Ryder, I’m sure she was intended to be part of a display at the Speakeasy. One of the employees was there late that night—the guy went out with a shotgun. I think the killers panicked, and if it wasn’t going to be perfect, well, hell, what better place to get rid of your victim than the muck and mess of the ragged areas of the bayou?”
“It could still be...”
“It would have to be someone who knew about the place. Boris, Terry, Lauren and Avalon were involved with a video shoot in the area—that’s where Boris and Julian Bennett met for the first time.”
“So, you think it’s Boris...and Julian working as a team?” Ryder didn’t look convinced.
“Not really. I’m not sure, but I think one of them has something to say that could lead us to what’s going on. Or maybe the most likely is the truth—they are involved. Anyway, let me get in there with him, and then I’ll take him back with me. I’m working on being the nice guy in this thing, as I told you on the phone.”
“Good cop, bad cop. I didn’t think I’d ever be playing that game,” Ryder said wearily.
>
Fin shrugged. “Hey, you’re not the bad cop. You’re just the cop who asked him to come in. And you’re just a sweetie, Ryder. You got him coffee.”
Ryder groaned and rolled his eyes, then he led Fin down the hall, pointing to one door.
Fin knew Ryder would go farther, to the second door; he’d head into another room to observe the exchange.
“Hey, Julian,” Fin said, entering the room.
“Hey! They brought you in here. Thank God. I think. I mean, I swear to you—I have nothing to do with all this sick stuff going on. I heard that they’re connecting this to an unsolved case from Houma. I heard about it, at the time. But they said that she was...so decomposed that they had little to go on. They thought she was a call girl because no one came forward to claim her. Even when Cindy West was...found, I didn’t think... Oh, man. Yes, I know the Speakeasy—love the place... Oh, man. This is so...sick.”
“Julian, is there anything at all that you can think of that might help? You were out there around the time the girl was killed.”
Julian shrugged. “I like the place. The costumes, the girls, the way they dress—and I like the music. Great music.”
“Right. And Boris... When you were an extra in the Pauly’s Pariah video... Boris didn’t know you were a Christy heir?”
Julian laughed. “I didn’t know I was a Christy heir! I know that each one of us—Cara, Kenneth, me—has told you that our folks loathed the old man. Said he was weird...and scary.” He hesitated a minute. “I think that my mom...well, I’m a Christy on my mom’s side, you know... I think that when she was a kid, the old man...”
“Assaulted her? As a child?” Fin said gently.
“She used the term ‘diddled around.’ I’m not sure what happened. I think he scared her, and she was convinced that he was gross and creepy. We just stayed away. There was no reason for me to tell anyone that I was a Christy heir. I didn’t expect that I would be one. And now, it’s cost me rather than having given me anything. The movie—we didn’t charge Boris a lot, we understood that he was working mainly on his own. But he was still paying us. And now...it does seem kind of sick to think of the place becoming a tourist attraction, doesn’t it? But maybe someone will rip it to shreds, tear down the reminders of the past.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t understand any of this.”
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