Ava Mae sat down catty-corner from him. “Thank you.”
“I still think she looks like a Mardi Gras float. And Mardi Gras is over.” Lally brought over a serving platter of pancakes and bacon before joining them at the table.
“That’s enough now.” Augustine held the platter for Ava Mae. She helped herself as he asked, “Where are you headed? You must be going somewhere special to be fixed up like that.”
She reached for the syrup. “Just meeting a new friend for lunch.” Before he could ask anything else, she changed the subject. “What are you doing today?”
He passed the platter to Lally. “I’m helping the police investigate some missing tourists.”
“I read about that,” Lally said. “It was in a real tiny section of the paper, in the back pages. You can always tell when the tourism board wants to keep something on the down low.”
He nodded. “I’m sure they do. They’ve had six tourists go missing in the last three days. It’s practically an epidemic.”
“Probably some folks still sleeping off Mardi Gras.” Her head came up sharply. “Unless you think it’s vampires again.”
“Not a chance. I thought it might be the aftereffects of Mardi Gras also, but Detective Grantham said it’s too many.” He grabbed another piece of bacon. “Hey, that reminds me, you know his grandmother, Jewelia?”
Lally’s face brightened into a smile. “Queen Jewelia? I sure do. Me and her go way back.”
“That’s what she said, too.”
She turned so that her brown eyes pierced straight into Ava Mae. “Now there’s a woman with some power.”
Ava Mae refused to be intimidated. “What’s that supposed to mean? And what kind of a name is Queen Jewelia anyway?”
“Queen Jewelia’s one of the most revered voodoo mambos in this town.”
Augustine sipped his coffee, his gaze filled with a strange curiosity. Ava Mae was dying to know what was going on in his head. She sniffed. “Most revered? Why?”
Lally lifted her chin slightly. “Because she’s a good woman who uses her gifts to do good things.”
Augustine nodded. “Unlike some of the other voodoo practitioners in town.” He held a hand up. “Not that I know much about any of that. We fae tend to keep our distance from anything related to voodoo, just like they keep their distance from us.”
Ava Mae stuck her fork into some eggs. “Why’s that?”
He sat back. “We have our magic, they have theirs. It’s just our way to keep to ourselves.” He stared at her for a long moment. “Maybe because of what happened with the witches all those years ago.”
“You mean when that witch fell in love with a fae man and he broke her heart so she cursed the city? The reason vampires can daywalk if they’re within parish boundaries.” She’d read through everything of Harlow’s she could find, including some journal entries she’d found on the computer in a file called Recipes.
He nodded, his mouth quirking up in a half smile. “Yes, exactly that.”
She crossed her arms. “What? You look surprised that I remembered. It’s not like the vampires were here that long ago.”
“Not surprised. Happy you’re learning. Or maybe retaining is a better word.” He tossed his napkin on his empty plate. “I have to go in a few minutes. Grantham’s got a lead on one of the missing tourists. I’ll see you ladies for dinner, though.” He glanced at Ava Mae. “Enjoy your lunch with your friend.”
She kept her eyes on him. “I will, thank you.” Something was odd with Augustine but she couldn’t tell if that was just because they had slept together and she hadn’t acknowledged it or for some other reason. If only she could remember last night. Add to that the quiet, almost passive attitude Harlow had suddenly adopted and things seemed… off. Harlow being silent would have pleased Ava Mae if not for the seething undertone that poured off Harlow like a dark fog.
Something was going on. She pushed her chair back and stood. “I think I’ll head out early myself, maybe wander around the Quarter a little before my lunch date.”
Lally picked up the plates and took them to the sink. “Sounds good to me. I got gardening to do anyway.”
Ava Mae didn’t wait for Augustine to answer. She darted up the steps to her room for her purse and keys. Whatever weirdness she was feeling would all be swept away soon enough. Rufus Ogun would see to that.
Chapter Seven
Lally stared after Ava Mae. “I’m glad she’s going out.” She shook her head. “I don’t like being alone in the house with that creature.”
“I know.” Augustine got up and kissed her cheek. “She’ll be gone as soon as I can make it happen.”
Lally leaned against the sink. “What are you going to do about this lunch date of hers?”
“I’m meeting with my lieutenants this morning. Call me when she leaves the house and I’ll have Cy track her again.” Ava Mae might be expecting Augustine to follow her and Ogun definitely knew his face. With Cy’s mimicking abilities, he was the best one to tail her. “Once he confirms she’s headed to Ogun’s, I’ll take care of it.”
Lally nodded. “Good. I want my girl back.”
“Me, too. See you later.” He headed out to the Thrun, his head full of the day that lay before him as he drove to the Pelcrum. Once inside the underground headquarters, he entered the war room. Everyone was there but Beatrice, the late Guardian’s pregnant widow, and Dulcinea, who was helping take care of her.
“Sydra, Fenton, Cy.” He greeted his team as he took his place at the table.
Fenton pushed a piece of paper toward him. “Grantham sent this by messenger this morning, along with a few other things. I sent a few things back I thought might be helpful, but you need to go see him as soon as you’re done here.”
Augustine read the note. “I will, thank you.” He looked up at his waiting lieutenants. “Cy, I need you to follow Ava Mae again today. Lally’s going to call me when Ava Mae leaves the house to meet with Ogun. Keep your distance and don’t use any of the same forms you did yesterday. All I need to know is if they head to his house. If that happens, you call me and I’ll take care of it.”
Cy nodded. “What do you think he’s going to do to her?”
“If he’s smart, not much and they won’t even leave the restaurant they’re meeting at.” Augustine scratched one of his horns. “I’m hoping he’s just working a scam on her. He had to have seen the money she was spending when she was out shopping. He’s probably going to sell her some bogus spell or candle or tonic or something and then when it doesn’t work, tell her she didn’t believe hard enough.”
Sydra tapped her fingers on the table. “And if it’s not a scam and he does plan on taking her back to his place to work some actual voodoo?”
Augustine’s jaw tightened. “Then Ogun’s going to have a very bad day.”
The doors to the war room opened and Dulcinea and Beatrice came in. Dulce gave a nod. “Sorry we’re late.”
Beatrice was showing fairly well. She lifted her hand in greeting.
Augustine stood. “Beatrice, I didn’t expect you. I take it your morning sickness is behind you?”
Beatrice waved her hand back and forth, but Dulcinea answered. “She’s pretty much over it but her voice is completely gone. Khell was only part wysper but enough that the baby is affecting her. Otherwise, she’s good.”
“Happy to hear that,” Augustine said. “You’re here so I assume you want to get back to work?”
Beatrice nodded.
Augustine hesitated. Beatrice could take care of herself for the most part, but not being able to communicate meant she’d have to be paired up. “Let me think about it.” He gestured for them to take their places, then went on with the meeting. “As you know, a large number of tourists have gone missing.” He held up the piece of paper Fenton had given him. “Latest tally is six. Detective Grantham has asked me to meet him at the station as soon as I’m done here, because unfortunately one of the missing includes Senator Pellimento’s son.”
&nbs
p; Fenton interjected, “She already doesn’t like othernaturals. Her son going missing could tip things against us in a way you can’t imagine.”
Augustine nodded. “Which is why I’ve told the NOPD we’ll help them with this issue. Consider this missing tourists business a fae concern until it’s solved.”
Beatrice held up a hand and frowned, then quickly scribbled something on the tablet she’d brought and held it out to Dulcinea. She read it, then looked at Augustine. “Bea wants to know if you think an othernatural is responsible for the missing tourists.”
“I have no reason to think so right now, although one of the missing tourists was seen talking to Zara Vincent at the farmer’s market.”
Dulcinea snorted. “I’ve talked to her there, too. I get tinctures from her. She’s nothing like Giselle.”
He shrugged. “I’d agree, but if being Guardian has taught me anything it’s that nothing is guaranteed.”
The group nodded. Sydra spoke up. “You want us to ask around? See what we can find out?”
“Anything you can do would be a help. The police are questioning relatives and the like but so far, there’s not been much useful information turned up.”
Cy made a face. “Have they checked security cams?”
“That’s being done but there’s a lot of footage to go through.”
Cy crossed his arms and frowned. “Harlow could get it done.”
The room fell silent.
Slowly, Augustine nodded. “Yes, she could. Which brings me to my next topic. As you all know, Harlow has been, for lack of a better term, possessed by the spirit of her dead twin, Ava Mae.” He held a hand up. “I know you’re going to have questions, but I don’t have answers. Not many anyway. What I can tell you is that while Ava Mae seems to have taken over, Harlow is still in there. And until I tell you otherwise, I want you to treat her like you normally would. Like you have no idea Ava Mae even exists. Cy’s been working with me on this and hopefully we’ll have Harlow back soon.”
Lines furrowed Dulcinea’s forehead. “I’m really sorry to hear that. If there’s anything we can do, you know we’ll do it.”
“I know. Thank you.” He looked around at the others, seeing concern and wishing he could do more to reassure them. “Beatrice, as far as putting you back to work—”
Fenton straightened. “If I may?”
Augustine raised his brows. “Go ahead.”
Fenton tugged at his jacket. “I’m sure Augustine would rather you not be in the field if you can’t communicate, but if you’re willing, I could use some help here. Detective Grantham has delivered copies of all the files they’ve collected on the missing tourists. I’ve been combing through them for anything that might offer a clue, but…” He sighed. “It’s an enormous amount of work.”
She nodded eagerly, holding her hands out.
Fenton smiled. “Thank you. I don’t mind telling you I’m a little relieved I won’t be tackling the job by myself.”
Augustine kept his smile to himself, but he was grateful to Fenton for helping out like that. Beatrice could be useful but out of harm’s way. It was a perfect solution. “I’m headed to the police department. Cy, you’re on call as soon as I hear from Lally, and Beatrice is here with Fenton. Sydra and Dulcinea, I want you two on patrol together in the Quarter. That’s where all the tourists that have gone missing have been staying so there could be a connection. Let yourself be seen. Go armed up. Take pictures with the tourists if they want them. I want a visible fae presence there.”
Dulcinea rolled her eyes and started to say something.
He cut her off with a look. “I can answer your question without you even asking it. Yes, you have to be nice to the tourists. Report back on anything or anyone you think is out of place or unusual. Feel free to swing by Belle’s and see if Renny has any info we could use.” The gator shifter was Dulcinea’s on-again, off-again beau and a bartender at the Quarter’s oldest othernatural bar. If anyone had his ear to the ground, it was Renny. Augustine stood. “All right, we’ve all got our jobs. Let’s get out there and get them done.”
He took off for the police station. When he arrived, a handful of reporters were milling about in the lobby.
One of them pointed at him. “Hey, you’re the fae Guardian, right?”
Augustine stopped short. It wasn’t often humans knew his position. “Yes. What can I do for you?”
“Why are you here? Are you helping the police find the missing tourists? How are the fae involved in this?” An LMD got shoved in his face, most likely to record his answers. “Is this a fae crime? Are the police not doing enough?”
Damn it. He hadn’t anticipated this. “As Guardian of the city, it’s my job to protect all of its citizens, so I’m here to offer whatever help I can to the very capable officers of the New Orleans Police Department.”
More questions got lobbed at him, but he ignored them and shoved through the group to make his way toward Grantham’s office. Even as he left the reporters behind, the questions kept coming. He knocked on Grantham’s door before entering. “This a good time?”
Grantham looked up from a file. “Robelais. Thanks for coming. Yeah, it’s a fine time, come in. Shut the door behind you.”
Augustine did as he was asked and took a seat across from Grantham’s desk. “I didn’t know there’d be reporters here.”
Grantham grimaced. “Parasites. These disappearances might have stayed quiet if not for Robbie Pellimento.” He turned the file around. “There he is in all his glory.”
The picture clipped to the file was of a handsome twenty-something with perfect teeth, an aura of money and a kind of know-it-all gleam in his eye. “Looks like a fancy college boy.”
“Which is pretty much what he is.” Grantham dropped the file flat on the desk and sat back. “And we still have no leads. His mother—”
“The infamous Senator Pellimento.”
“Yes. She arrived late last night. As you know, she’s not exactly othernatural friendly. She’s brought in a group of recovery specialists to help search for her son. If this doesn’t end well—”
Augustine frowned. “Recovery specialists?”
“Mercs, if I had to guess. Soldiers for hire. She’s supposed to be calling me with a time and location to meet them. She’s requested the Guardian’s presence, so I’m hoping you’ll go with me. Some positive fae interaction with her could be a good thing.”
“And it could be a really bad decision.” Augustine’s stress notched up a level. “Hired soldiers make things a whole lot more serious. But at this point, there’s no othernatural link that we know about so Pellimento can pound sand for all I care. This is still a human issue. I know I said I’d help you, and I will, but I’m not interested in meeting with her goons.”
“I’m not, either, but Pellimento’s let it be known that if we don’t play ball, she’s going to lock the city down. No one in or out until her son is found. If that happens, the mayor isn’t going to be happy with either one of us.”
Augustine frowned. “Sturka.”
“I feel you, but…” Grantham tapped the file on his desk. “You need to be here.” He sat back. “Besides that, it’s an election year. Pellimento is already riding a wave of anti-othernatural sentiment that’s been building since the covenant was broken and humans suddenly discovered we’re not alone in this world.”
“I get it. I need to be some kind of fae example.” That was so not his wheelhouse.
“That and Pellimento doesn’t need any more ammunition. In fact, I was hoping—” A knock on the door interrupted Grantham. “Come in.”
A young woman stuck her head in. “Sorry to interrupt. We found Pellimento’s hotel. He was staying at the Sonesta, using the alias Bobbie Palomino.”
Augustine laughed softly. “Probably didn’t want Mommy to find him while he was getting his party on in the Big Easy.”
The woman continued. “Tech put together a vid of the last time he left the hotel. They tracked him as far a
s they could by camera. I sent the important part to your tablet.” She tipped her head at Augustine, but kept her eyes on the detective. “Good thing you brought him in.”
“Thank you, Sasha. I’ll pull it up now.”
She crossed her arms and leaned against the door. Grantham brought the tablet to life, then tapped the screen a few times until a holoscreen opened above it. The video played.
Robbie Pellimento stumbled through the Quarter, clearly intoxicated, if his movements were any indication. He wandered into an open space.
Augustine edged closer. “That’s Jackson Square.”
“It sure is,” Grantham said.
Robbie ducked beneath a familiar white pavilion. Augustine held his tongue until a little more of the video played out. It skipped ahead to a different location. The time stamp showed it was several hours later. Robbie left his hotel and got into a cab. The cab drove out of range and the feed went blank.
Augustine sat back. “She’s finally done it.”
Grantham turned the tablet off. “Who’s done what?”
“That pavilion belongs to Giselle Vincent. That’s her fortune-telling stand in Jackson Square. She’s finally gotten herself into a mess she can’t get out of.”
Sasha shook her head. “We talked to a few of the other vendors in the square. They said Giselle doesn’t work there anymore since her father died.”
“If that was true, why is her pavilion still there?” Augustine shook his head. “It’s more likely the vendors are scared of her. She’s probably threatened them to keep them quiet.”
Grantham tapped his desk. “You should know the NOPD consider the witches othernaturals since they fall under fae rule and I have no doubts the senator will also.” He looked at Sasha. “Any luck tracing the cab?”
“We have a call in to the dispatcher now to check the driver’s records.”
Augustine shifted in his chair. “The cab was headed out of the Quarter.”
Grantham turned his attention back to Augustine. “You think Pellimento was going to Giselle’s house?”
“Not if the cab was leaving the Quarter. She lives there. Her father’s house is in the Garden District, but to my knowledge she’s not living there yet. Although I’m sure she will be soon.” Augustine thought for a moment. “Her sister, Zara, lives in the Garden District, too, but this has Giselle’s stink all over it.”
Garden of Dreams and Desires Page 8