by Ali Vali
“Finish dinner and I’ll be right back.” Cain rubbed Emma’s hand between hers, then stood. She waved off Lou and Muriel as she strode toward an agitated-appearing woman, who stood at the door. “Are you here for the crab cakes?”
“Cut the shit, Cain. You know exactly why I’m here,” Shelby said in a harsh whisper. “I want you to come in for questioning.”
“If it’s about the crab cakes I’ll be happy to, but I’d rather finish dinner first.” People were seated near the door waiting for tables so their chatter was loud enough to cover Cain’s conversation. “But if it’s about something else, then you’re going to have to fill me in since I’m sure you think I did it, and I’m sure I know nothing about it.”
“Cain, your food’s getting cold,” Muriel said as she walked up. “And, Agent Philips, unless you have a warrant handy, then I suggest you scuttle back to your little cocoon outside.”
“So your client knows nothing about…never mind.” She pulled her hair back in apparent frustration. “I’m going to central lockup on Tulane Avenue, and if I find one thing tying you to tonight, pack your toothbrush in the morning, because I’m taking you in, Cain. As for you, this is what you really want?” She looked at Muriel. “If it is, then I don’t know what to think of you anymore. And I’m not sure I’ll spend any time worrying about it. Cain, expect me in the morning.”
“I’ll have coffee and biscuits ready,” she responded, laughing when Shelby came close to saying something else but instead chose to storm out.
“Stop antagonizing the help,” Muriel said.
“I’m just trying to figure out if she’s more pissed at me or at you.”
“Are you going to tell me what she’s so upset about or do I have to guess?”
Cain put her arm around Muriel’s shoulders and started back to the table. “What am I always telling you about time and place, cousin? The time right now is for crab cakes. When we get home I’ll tell you a bedtime story.”
“Everything all right?” Remi asked.
“What were we saying about fame? Or should I say notoriety?” Cain cocked her head in the direction of the door. “Something obviously happened tonight, and for some reason I’m the first person they blame.”
“A Girl Scout like you? Hard to believe,” Remi said as they all laughed.
Cain picked up her fork and took a bite of her crab cakes. She hoped whatever they’d served Kyle that night before shipping him off to hell was something he halfway enjoyed. Because if Father Andrew was right, he’d be up to his neck in pig shit for the whole of eternity, a fantasy that would let her sleep better at night.
*
“You have nothing?” Shelby asked Martin after leaving the French Quarter and arriving at the jail.
“If you want to call the remodel job on the transport van and Kyle’s new hairdo nothing, then I’m sure I can’t talk you out of it. But if you’re talking having someone in custody, then you’re on the money. We have nothing.”
A member of the FBI’s forensic team walked up with a rifle in his hand. “We found this across the street on the roof, ma’am. We started there since it was the only logical spot after we figured the trajectory of the shot.”
“Take it in and find out what tree the stock came from by morning,” Annabel said. She’d left her house in jeans and a sweatshirt after Shelby’s call. “Shit,” she said, after taking a look under the sheet covering Kyle. “I didn’t agree with what he did, but he deserved better than this.”
“I hate to say this,” Shelby said, squatting down next to Annabel, “but for once I have to agree with Anthony. This has Cain written all over it, and we need to find the connection that leads back to her. No one but a handful of people knew we were transporting tonight, and one of them had to have talked. Find that link and we finally find our way to a warrant with the name Casey on it.”
“Make your list then, and keep me in the loop. If Casey is involved she went too far this time. Kyle wasn’t on the right side of the law, but he was our responsibility until the process had run its course. I don’t like being made a fool of.”
“If it’s there, we’ll find it.”
Chapter Sixteen
“If you check around, Mr. Luis, you won’t find anyone who can help you deal with problems better than me.” Anthony Curtis had forgone the dark suit for a pair of khakis and a black leather jacket. He’d made it into the Luis suite at the Piquant, but Rodolfo still appeared wary.
“Tell me how a member of the FBI can help me except maybe try and bring me down.” Rodolfo flicked his cigar in the direction of the ashtray but missed. The fat ash that landed on the light-colored carpet didn’t seem to concern him, though, like a man used to others cleaning up after him. “And please don’t try to deny who your employer is. One of my associates in the city pointed you out.”
“I’m not going to deny that the FBI was my employer, but not anymore. I was dismissed recently, so I’m looking for something new to keep my interest. You and your nephew came to mind when I figured we have a common problem.”
“Sounds interesting. Let’s hear it.”
Rodolfo crossed his legs and started puffing on his cigar again, so Anthony felt comfortable enough to sit down. Behind Rodolfo’s head was a perfect view of the city’s night skyline. “Derby Cain Casey.”
“That’s it?” Rodolfo laughed. “I met Ms. Casey on my last trip. She’s rather abrupt in her conversation, but I doubt she’s a problem to me.”
“Really?” He mirrored Rodolfo’s relaxed pose by crossing his legs. “Your business hasn’t suffered any setbacks recently?” Rodolfo flinched and tried to hide his reaction, but Anthony saw it. His fish had taken the bait, so he stood up and shrugged. “Sorry I bothered you. I must have you confused with someone else.”
Rodolfo shrugged as well. “You have to see it from where I’m sitting, Mr. Curtis. If I admit to having a business problem, as it were, then if you’re just on temporary leave I might have a problem when you decide to return to work. A man like me stays in business by making sure of his moves before he makes them.”
“I agree you have no reason to trust me, but you also would be a fool to turn me down. I’m no longer with the Bureau because of that bitch, so if the only way to bring her down is by working on the other side of the law, I’m willing to take my chances.”
“Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.” As soon as Rodolfo finished speaking, one of his men stepped up and stood behind Anthony, ready to escort him out of the room. “If I do agree to your offer, there’s one thing you should keep in mind.”
“What’s that?” Anthony could see himself starting to reel in slowly because he knew the hook was now in place.
“If I’m disappointed in your job performance, I’ll handle things differently than your previous employers. I’m not a man who tolerates disappointment well.”
“Understood.” Standing in the hall, Anthony felt his confidence crack a little, but he knew he could work around it. He was doing this to prove a point, and because he wasn’t about to spend his leave in his apartment sulking until Annabel felt he was ready to come back. When Cain was out of the picture and Rodolfo was sharing her fate, he’d give Annabel her wish and transfer somewhere else, but so would she when he proved just how incompetent she was.
“We’re going to use him, right?” Juan asked, coming into the room when he heard the front door close.
“What we’re going to do, or at least what you’re going to do, is everything I tell you to. I haven’t been thrilled with your behavior lately, so unless you’re ready to let me know what’s on your mind that’s made you lose your control, consider yourself on a short leash.” Juan was dressed as if he was going out for the evening. “If you choose to disobey me, then take what I told Curtis to heart. I won’t allow you to bring this family down for whatever it’ll take to satisfy you.”
“Papa, I may be many things, but I’ll never turn against you or disappoint you. You have my word on that.”
“If you’re so loyal, tell me what’s bothering you.”
Juan stared at him for awhile without saying anything, just rocking in place. He reminded Rodolfo of when he was a little boy thinking of the best way to put something so Rodolfo wouldn’t get angry.
“The last time we were here…” Juan said, sitting next to Rodolfo on the sofa so he could keep his eyes on his shoes. He told Rodolfo of his attempts to talk to Emma and how she’d laughed and humiliated him. The more he spoke the more venomous his tone became, and Rodolfo could easily read between the lines.
Juan had found something he wanted, and for once in the privileged life Rodolfo had given him, he couldn’t have it. The realization was making Juan crazy, and crazy men were dangerous, in Rodolfo’s opinion.
“You’re my son, no matter who fathered you,” he said, putting his hand behind Juan’s neck, “and I love you. But get that woman out of your head. Cain Casey may be a woman, but she’s a viper I’d rather leave alone. If you do anything to Emma, Cain won’t stop coming until she’s destroyed all of us. You bring that down on us, and you won’t have to worry about her. I’ll take care of you myself, no matter how much I love you.”
“You’d take her side over mine?” Juan tried pulling away from Rodolfo but couldn’t break his grasp.
“If you see it that way, we’re going to have a problem. If you respect nothing, then you’ll live your life without honor. In this case you have to respect Emma Casey’s wishes and her commitments to someone else. So promise me you’ll do that.” Juan tried to pull away from him again. “I said promise me.”
“I promise, Papa.”
Rodolfo let him go and did nothing as Juan bolted from the room, followed by the men assigned to him. When they came back, he’d have to talk with the men guarding his nephew. He hoped he wasn’t too late, because when a man made a promise he looked you in the eye. Juan had said the words, but they had no truth in them.
“No matter how hard I tried, I guess I couldn’t knock your father’s influence out of you. He was the same type of man when it came to women, and look what happened to him.” Rodolfo spoke aloud as he gazed out at the city. “Even from the grave he has more of a hold over you than I do.”
The glow of his cigar reflected in the glass, and he considered his next move since he hadn’t been able to contact anyone in the Bracato organization. His business was important, but the smartest first move he could make was to contact Cain. They would never be friends, but he could prevent her from becoming an enemy.
*
“What are you still doing up, sweet pea?” Cain asked Hannah when they got home and she found Carmen holding her in the den.
“I miss you and Mama,” Hannah said as she did her best to wriggle away from Carmen.
“We missed you too, but it’s way past your bedtime,” Emma said, not sounding amused as she scooped Hannah up before she got to Cain. “Time for bed, and you,” she pointed at Cain, “don’t start without me.”
“What would be the fun in that?” Cain kissed Hannah’s forehead and headed to Jarvis’s study. To give everyone more privacy and room, Jarvis had given Cain the use of the whole house while he took an extended vacation in Florida. Carmen followed Muriel into the study and poured them a drink without being asked. “Carmen, is Merrick in?”
“She’s waiting in the pool house for you, but I called for her when I heard the car pull up,” Carmen said, pouring the last glass and putting it next to the empty seat in front of the desk. “Will you need anything else?”
“No, thank you, Carmen, and good night.”
“Want to fill me in on what’s going on?” Muriel asked. “If Shelby’s coming back in the morning, I’d like to be prepared.”
“And I want you to be, but let’s wait for Merrick.”
A moment later Merrick asked, “Did you enjoy your evening?”
“Had dinner, enjoyed the company, and got shaken down by the feds…you know, a typical night in the life of Cain Casey,” she said, laughing. “If I had to put on my guessing cap, I’d say Shelby’s visit tonight means you were successful.”
“You can be sure the past has been put to rest.” Merrick lifted her glass in a toast. “Here’s to the future.”
“Don’t knock the past, my friend, and don’t give the future so much credit.” Cain lifted her glass and drank anyway. “The past is known, but the future can sometimes be troublesome.”
“I’m tired of troublesome myself,” Emma said from the door. “I’m in the mood for slow and easy.” She sat on Cain’s lap and kissed the side of her head. “Merrick, you didn’t tell me you were taking the night off.”
“Merrick wasn’t slacking, lass. She was paying our friend a visit.”
“I swept the room before you got here so you can tell her if you want to,” Merrick said.
“Friend?” Muriel asked.
“A bit of unfinished federal business,” Cain said. “Merrick took care of it, and I feel better that it’s a subject we’ll never have to discuss again.”
“You can’t be serious?” Muriel said. “If that’s true, the surveillance we’ve seen up to now will seem minor. They’ll be relentless, Cain.”
“What did you want me to do, ignore it?”
“You could’ve waited until it was done. Something arranged from the inside would’ve have been easier to cover. We have enough to worry about, and after a call I got today you can add some more.”
“I talked to the bastard today, and he gloated about being cut loose. It was only a matter of time before he worked the system and they let him go. His first planned visit was with Emma to pay her back for what he viewed as her betrayal. And when it comes to Emma and assholes with a grudge, I’m not willing to gamble at all.” The statement earned her a kiss from her partner. “The feds might have been that generous but I’m not.”
“You’re crazy, but a genius,” Muriel said.
“No one is dumb enough to visit a condemned man, right?” Cain laughed. “The thing about playing within the parameters others put up for you is they aren’t as challenging as the feds think they are. They think I’m stupid, and I’m okay with that.”
“Sure you are, because you have the freedom to be your smart, cute self,” Emma said. “What call, Muriel?”
“T-Boy called and the Luis family is back in town. I would imagine that the recent blows to their business here, and the wrench you threw into their operations to the east, needed a hands-on approach.”
“Merrick, don’t lose sight of Emma, and pass the word to Mook that I need more guys on the kids.”
“You got it, boss.” Merrick stood and nodded. “See you in the morning.”
Muriel said good night as well and headed up to her suite.
“I want you to swear you’ll tell me if that asshole comes within twenty feet of you,” Cain said once they were alone.
“I think he got the message I wasn’t interested, honey.”
Cain shook her head. “Guys like Juan never get that message until two seconds before death takes them from the severe beating that kills them. If he comes near you, I want you to call me no matter what. I’m serious. I’m not taking any chances with you.”
“I’ll tell you, but I think Merrick’s going to beat me to it. If Lou’s with me, I’ll call you from the bank while I’m drawing out his bail for shooting the little bastard.”
“Just remember that Juan isn’t someone I want to second-guess.”
“I was being serious too. You’ve built a fortress around us, so I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“I’ll make that true no matter what.”
Chapter Seventeen
The car stopped in front of Galatoire’s, but Remi studied the street in both directions before she opened the back door for Dallas. A few tourists were still walking around and the ever-present van was parked a block away, but otherwise, it was quiet.
“Ready?” Dallas asked from behind her.
“Sorry, old habit.” Remi took he
r hand to help her in. On the seat lay a bouquet of Chinese orchids.
Dallas picked up the flowers and closed her eyes as she smelled them appreciatively. “How did you know these are my favorite?”
“I cruised the Internet this afternoon and found your official Web site. All it took was a call to the president of your fan club. She told me your favorite color, food, and sexual position, as well as your favorite flowers. I’m not going to press you as to how she came by her information.” Remi smiled.
“If I have an official Web site, it’s news to me, and if I did, I sure as hell wouldn’t share that much.”
“The woman did sound like someone with way too much time on her hands. To reward her, I did tell her that since I’m a fan too I’d do some research and get back to her if anything was off base.”
“I hope you’re not the kind to kiss and tell.” Dallas laid the orchids across her lap and smiled. “Thank you for these. It’s been awhile since anyone’s given me flowers.”
“Is it all right that I did?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“If you were with me, I’d mind if someone else went to the trouble. I don’t want to do that to someone else. Despite my reputation, that isn’t my style.” Remi thought of Bob and what part he played in Dallas’s life.
“There’s no one,” Dallas answered, taking Remi’s hand. They rode the rest of the way to Dallas’s home in silence. When they had to stop a block from her door because of the nightly barricades the police put up so Bourbon Street could become a pedestrian street, Simon got out and walked ahead of them.
“Does Simon always go everywhere with you?”
“Because of our business it’s necessary, I’m afraid.” Remi had about a hundred feet to come up with an explanation that wouldn’t send Dallas screaming away from her. Dallas had to realize the risks involved with entering a relationship with her, if they decided that’s what they both wanted.