He drove to a small grocery store and was ready to check out when he heard a voice behind him, “Attorney Parker! Are you done with your date already?”
He turned around. It was another teller from the bank. “Excuse me?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.
“You probably don’t remember me from the bank. Amy? Rebecca sent me a text this afternoon that you guys were shopping at the mall and then going to dinner! I think that is so cute!”
Devon had to think quick. That bitch just got her friend killed. “I suppose the whole bank knows now, huh?” Devon was smiling, but there was murder in his heart.
Amy answered, “Oh, you probably want this kind of quiet. I get it. I don’t think she told anyone else. She isn’t really friends with anyone but me at the bank. I took this afternoon off too for shopping, and we had talked about meeting up. When I texted her, she answered she couldn’t because she was with you!”
Devon smiled, he had an idea. “Why don’t you leave your car here and come join us for a BBQ? I have plenty of food for all of us!”
Amy looked like she was considering, “No, I think I should just go home and get some work done. I wasted most of today shopping.”
Devon said “Okay.” His mind was racing. He could follow her to her car, but it was so public and daylight. He could follow her home.
Then Amy said, “I hate to ask, but I don’t have a car. It would help if you could drop me home. I think I may have spent my cab fare money here.” She looked sheepish and ashamed she had asked.
Devon sprung on it, “Don’t be silly. My car is right out front.”
She hadn’t even buckled her seat belt, before he shot her with the stun gun. He loaded the needle with more dope and shot her in the arm. This was too easy. Rebecca will have a playmate. How sweet.
Roger, Paul, and Ray’s plane landed, and they took a cab directly to Core’s building. Roger and Paul decided to check into the hotel after dinner and after meeting with everyone. They reached the door and buzzed for entry. Agent Simon Frost’s voice came over the intercom, “We actually saw you coming. Alarm lights are going off everywhere. This place is cool!”
Roger asked, “Are you going to let us in?”
Frost answered, “Oh yeah.”
When they heard the door unlock, they entered the vestibule and climbed up a flight of stairs to the main living area. Roger sat Ellen’s carrier down and opened the door of it for her. Ellen stepped out, looked around, and went back in. Thor pulled his head back and asked, “You brought your cat?”
Paul and Roger just started laughing when they saw them.
Ray looked around like he wondered what he had walked into. “Those were some damn good drugs they gave me.”
Paul choked out, “What the hell are you guys dressed up for?”
Thor scowled, “Roger said to blend in!” Thor told them about the helpful cabby who took them shopping. How he had paid him two hundred dollars, and how Pablo and Nelson were gay, Frost was a “sugahh”, and he was a mid-life crisis dude.
Paul’s jaw dropped as he looked at Roger.
Roger was stunned. His whole team had gone mad. “Haven’t any of you been here before?”
Pablo spoke up, “I haven’t been back since high school.” The rest of them just shook their heads.
Roger walked over to the front window and looked down at the street. He watched several groups of people walk by and turned to ask them, “Have any of you looked outside since you got here?”
They all looked at each other. Thor said, “We haven’t been here that long. We turned the TV on and just waited for you; checked out the building. Why?” Thor was walking towards the window.
Paul had moved over by the window, looked out, and just started laughing. “You guys have been played! Nobody dresses like that!”
Pablo ran over to the window and just started pulling his clothes off screaming, “That bastard!”
Thor and Frost started cracking up.
Nelson looked disappointed and said, “I kind of like how I look.”
Ray sat down on the couch and looked at Roger. “I don’t feel safe anymore.”
Roger told the team to watch the street crowd and relax while he and Paul checked into their hotel. When they wanted to go to dinner, they could call. Roger knew of a crab shack that was essentially a cop bar, so it didn’t matter if they got made or not. He knew Devon and Patterson wouldn’t go there. Roger told Ray he would be bunking here with the guys.
Ray looked around and said, “I want my own room.” Thor gave him the finger.
Roger and Paul made their way to the Marriott and checked in. Roger had to do some serious talking to get Ellen approved, and they insisted he take the staff elevator to his floor. Ellen thought Roger’s pleas for her staying were sweet and sounded very genuine.
After leaving Ellen and their things in their rooms, Roger and Paul met in the lobby and decided to sit in the sidewalk bar until the other guys called. As soon as they walked in, Roger walked straight to the back bar stool and said something to a man at the end of the bar.
Paul walked over and Roger said, “Paul, I would like you to meet John Barry.” Paul’s eyebrows went up. John stood up, shook Paul’s hand, and they all sat down.
John looked at Paul, “Roger says I need to call Ashley. I want you guys to know I was not going to do anything Ashley or I would regret. I did think I needed to follow up for her. I didn’t want her calling anyone else. I have already been to the police station, gave them my name and number, and offered to volunteer for them in exchange for access to records. I wouldn’t have done that if my motives were other than what I said.”
Roger wasn’t convinced but felt some better. “How did you know to come to New Orleans?”
John answered, “Ashley said Paul told her you thought Devon might be here.”
Roger glanced at Paul who shrugged his shoulders.
Paul pushed his phone over, “Do you mind calling her now and giving her a new contact number?” John said sure and dialed Ashley.
John talked for a minute and looked at Paul, “She wants you.” Paul took the phone and walked away. He was in the lobby talking for a while. John looked at Roger, “You may not know this, but Ashley’s mother and my father married when I was new to the Company, and Ashley was a baby. She is my little half-sis. I did not believe for a minute she was committed to this. She just felt helpless and scared.”
Roger took a long silent moment, “As far as I’m concerned none of this happened. You just have the bad luck of vacationing in New Orleans when all hell is going to cut loose.”
John nodded, “Do you need help?”
Roger said, “I honestly don’t know John. What is your relationship to the Company now?”
John looked serious, “Officially I am retired. I garden.”
Roger nodded, “And unofficially?”
John said, “I trust you Roger, I saw what the Director did for you.” Roger was impressed. John just let Roger know that he had access to top level FBI internal bulletins. John took a swig of his bourbon and said, “We have a problem in the Company.” Roger nodded. John’s glance became piercing, “You wouldn’t say anything if you knew, but you have a problem at the Bureau too. I’m OSI now.”
Roger was a little surprised, “I thought Office of Special Investigations was primarily Homeland Security related cases.”
John nodded and said, “That’s what the brochure says.” He smiled.
Paul came back and sat down. He looked at John and said, “I appreciate what you are doing for Ashley. I understand a little what she can be like.”
John laughed, “Oh yes! Did she tell you we have the same parents?”
Paul nodded, “She did.” Just then Roger’s phone rang. It was the rest of the guys ready for dinner. Roger asked John to join them. He could meet the group and get a feel for their case. John said he would like that. He paid the bartender for all of them, and they hailed a cab. Paul told John what the cabby had done to the guys. J
ohn said that was the best laugh he’d had in years. He asked them not to let the guys know he knew.
Roger, Paul, and John arrived at the Crab Shack a few minutes before the rest of the guys. Roger told the waiter they wanted a table for eight, maybe towards the back. When everyone arrived and the introductions were made, the conversation turned to maps, brochures, and cryptic discussions about the case. John stated he had actually lived in New Orleans before Katrina, and it appeared not many things had changed in the Quarter.
Roger had always felt one way to build a team was to allow them ample time to socialize with each other when on a field case. Often that meant combining update meetings with meals. Some of these guys were meeting each other for the first time, and Roger wanted to see how they interacted with each other.
Halfway through a feast of crawfish and crab legs a big guy came to the table and looked at John. John wiped his hands, got up, and introduced everyone to Detective Johnson, Homicide from the local PD. Detective Johnson said, “I gave your contact information to our supervisor, and he seemed to be pretty anxious for your help. He will probably call you tomorrow. He was meeting with the mayor most of the afternoon.”
John said, “Thanks.” The detective walked to the other side of the room to sit with three other officers.
John addressed the table, “I have followed this case in the news, and I know some of the people involved. I offered free homicide help in exchange for access to records. Being I am retired CIA, I think they will let me look at the data. Maybe. Anything I can do to help you guys just let me know.” Roger noticed Thor looked a little skeptical. That was good. Pablo kept looking at the bartender.
Roger asked, “Pablo, something bothering you?”
“No, I just thought that bartender was reading lips. I’m probably wrong. Just ignore me.”
Frost looked at him, “How in the hell can you tell if someone is doing that or not?”
Pablo said, “I do it. You have to concentrate, and it helps to block out some noise. Eyelids lower, you don’t blink, sometimes you cover one ear. He was watching us and kept covering his ear with the bar rag. Usually, you don’t even realize you’re doing it.” Roger looked over. The bartender was gone.
He looked at Paul.
Paul rose from his chair, “I am going to refresh my drink.”
He walked over to the bar and a short little gal popped up from rinsing glasses. “What can I get ya?”
Paul asked, “Where is the bartender that was here a minute ago?”
“I’m the only bartender here.”
Paul became anxious, “There was a guy standing behind the bar one minute ago.”
The gal answered, “Oh, he was fixin’ the drain or something. Do you need a beer?”
Paul left his beer on the bar and sprinted out the front door in time to see an orange utility truck pull out of the parking lot and quickly turn the corner. He couldn’t catch the plate number. He ran back in and asked the gal behind the bar if her manager was there. She pointed toward a door at the end of the hall. Paul simultaneously knocked and pushed open the door to see a waitress straddling an ugly fat man on a chair. They both jumped up.
Paul held up his badge and yelled, “FBI. Did you call for a plumbing repair? There was a man behind your bar. Do you know who that was?” The waitress screamed and slipped out of the room straightening her skirt.
The ugly man stammered, “I didn’t call no plumber. Was I supposed to?”
Paul slammed the door and went back to the table. He told the guys what had happened and Thor raised his beer mug to John, “We almost made it through a friggin’ meal. Welcome to hangin’ around that guy!” as he pointed at Roger. Roger asked Pablo if he could describe the guy to a sketch artist. Pablo said yes. Roger also told everyone to write down the conversations they were having to the best of their memory. This guy might have ‘heard’ it all.
They decided after dinner they would stop by the field office, introduce themselves, and have Pablo sit with the artist. Pablo asked, “Can I call Jeanne and have her come over when we get done?”
Roger said, “Actually she needs to meet with the artist too. Try not to talk about the case until Thor has a chance to interview her.”
Thor looked at Roger, “I might as well do that tonight.” Roger could tell Thor was back on his game.
They paid their tab and were outside waiting for cabs. Ray looked beat. Roger said, “I think you need to rest. We won’t bother you tomorrow either if you need to take it easy.” Ray just nodded.
Frost was going to step off the curb to hail a cab, and John jumped in front of him. “Let me get that, Sugahh.”
Frost gave him a pretend slug to the arm and said, “That is now classified.”
Spicey and Sasha decided to go for a little walk. They turned the store signs over to say “CLOSED” and checked they had their pistols. The locals who knew them nodded or waved. The tourists marveled at how colorful their dresses were. Sasha said, “What we doing hun?” She knew it took an Act of God for Spicey to want to take a walk as far as Burgundy Street, especially in this heat. She knew it probably had something to do with Tourey.
Spicey answered her, “Tourey wants some dirt on a dude who lives down here. I think he owes Tourey some money, and Tourey gunna squeeze ‘em.”
Sasha said, “We best be sneaky so not to look involved.”
Spicey said, “Yes, girlfriend.” They walked up to the wrought iron gate in front of the house. Spicey opened it and started walking to the door.
Sasha grabbed the back of her skirt and asked, “What you gunna say?”
Spicey turned around, “You just watch and try to look stupid.”
Spicey grabbed the big brass knocker on the front door and slammed it four times against the metal plate. The sound was deafening. Sasha was moaning, “Dang, dang.”
In a minute flat, a skinny little woman answered the door and said, “We don’t want none!” She started to close the door on them.
Spicey yelled, “Wait, wait! I was sent here for you!”
The little woman looked at Spicey and all the amulets around her neck and asked, “Who sent you?”
Spicey smiled and crossed herself, “You must first confirm your name to the Spirits. This is too important.”
The skinny woman answered slowly, “I be called Wilma Abrams.”
Spicey reached into her cleavage, thumbed off two hundred dollar bills, and cupped them in her hand. With her other hand she had been making motions over Wilma’s head and chanting. Wilma was spellbound. Spicey dropped her arm and said, “The Spirits sent me to answer some of your prayers Wilma. Look in your pocket there.”
Wilma didn’t take her eyes off Spicey, but she lowered her hand into her apron pocket and felt the money. She quickly pulled it out and started screaming, “Praise the Lord. Oh my Heavenly Father. Praise the LORD!” She hugged Sasha and Spicey. “I have been prayin’ for a miracle. You brought me my miracle!”
Spicey said, “Can we sit inside for a minute? I am pretty warm out here, and I have more to tell you.”
Wilma looked up and down the street. “Come on in. I think we have a quick minute or two here.” They stepped into the cool air of the front parlor. There was a slight spicy aroma in the air, and the marble floors reflected like mirrors.
Sasha noticed the quality of the furnishings and remarked, “Wilma, you certainly have good taste.”
Wilma chuckled, “Oh dear me, this is not my house. I’m just the cleaning lady for Mr. Jacobs.”
Spicey said, “I was told if I found you, to tell you to go immediately to your church and pray. There would be more miracles in your life, soon.”
Sasha asked Wilma, “Where is your church?” Wilma said, “Oh my, it’s about four blocks away, but I haven’t finished cleanin’. Mr. Jacobs is very particular. I’m afraid I can’t leave.” Wilma looked flustered.
Spicey said, “Sasha couldn’t you walk with Wilma to her church? I’ll stay and watch the house for Wilma in cas
e Mr. Jacobs comes home. That way he will know Wilma didn’t just leave her job.”
Wilma looked at Sasha, “Would you do that? Would you go with me?”
Sasha said, “Sure,” and gave Spicey a dirty look.
Then Sasha said to Spicey, “Why don’t you finish Wilma’s cleaning for her?”
Spicey gave Sasha a big smile Sasha knew wasn’t real, “What a grand idea! Then Wilma won’t even have to come back here tonight. She can pray as long as she wants!” Sasha gave Spicey a dirty look again.
Wilma said, “You just lock up when you’re done. Finish wiping this glassware and dust that room over there. But do NOT go upstairs. I finished all that, and no one is allowed in Mr. Jacob’s office up there.” She grabbed Sasha’s hand and pulled her out the door. Sasha looked over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out.
As soon as Sasha and Wilma were through the gate, Spicey locked the front door and quickly walked straight to the back of the house. She found the back door, unlocked it, and saw it was directly across from the servant’s narrow stairwell to the upstairs. Good escape route if she got caught. Out the back door was a tall stone wall courtyard. Shit. She walked outside and found a side gate. It was locked. She studied it. Even fearing for her life she couldn’t straddle those iron spokes on the top. She went back in and found a small ring of keys on a hook by the back door. She tried them all and found the gate key, unlocked it, and went back in. She knew there was no substitute for proper exit planning.
Once she was upstairs she found a locked door she assumed was his office. She squatted on the floor, opened her bag, and brought out a soft leather case she zipped open. Inside were her professional lock picks. She was in the office in less than two minutes. She placed her large handbag on the desk, pulled out a wireless scanner, and began scanning his rolodex. Then she picked the desk drawer and found several small address books, and one little black book with just a few names. She scanned all of them. She relocked the drawer, a much more difficult task, than opening one. Then she started scanning his day planner and a bank statement.
Extreme Heat Warning: A Shallow End Gals Trilogy, Book Two Page 11