The Devil's Orchard

by Ali Vali

  If anyone could deliver what he wanted it was Shelby, but he doubted she’d do so willingly. After all, like Brent had said, Shelby had fucked Muriel Casey, only she’d done so voluntarily. Whatever she’d given Annabel from her time in that house was totally useless. Not one lead had turned up anything and or advanced them one inch.

  To him it meant either Shelby had been made, or she was one of many peace officers on Casey’s payroll. Either of those scenarios helped him. Shelby Phillips was the key, and he was going to exploit it until he closed this case.

  An hour had elapsed by the time Brent knocked and entered with Fiona in tow. “I hope I’m not taking you from anything, Detective,” he said, and pointed to the chair across from him. “Agent, wait outside.” The long hesitation from Brent forced him to glare at him to get his feet to move.

  “I was having dinner with my mother, but she understands the job’s important,” Fiona said after Brent slammed the door. “What can I do for you?”

  “First, I need to be able to trust you. Can I do that?”

  “I’m completely serious about my oath, sir.”

  “Thanks for saying so, but realize the penalty for lying will be steep. There’s too much at stake for anyone to cut a friend any slack.”

  “No friendship is worth that.”

  “How about if I’m talking about Shelby Phillips?” He flipped to the right page in one of the files he’d stacked on the table so she’d realize he knew everything about her. “I believe her father was your pope on the police force and the reason you made detective grade so quickly.”

  “That’s true,” Fiona said, but didn’t seem as enthusiastic as before. “What’s Shelby got to do with this?”

  “Don’t you feel that your friend is uncommonly close to the people she’s supposedly paid to watch?” He lowered his voice and leaned forward. “I don’t know who I can trust here, but I need someone to watch the watchers. For me, it’s better to go outside for a job this important, and you’re a perfect candidate.”

  “You want me to spy on Shelby?”

  “Not every aspect of her life, but I want to know about any contact she has with Casey or anyone associated with Casey.” He pushed a phone toward her. “Use that if you need to call me.”

  “Are you expecting to catch Shelby in something illegal?” Fiona asked, but picked up the phone. “She’s not like that.”

  “What was the purpose of all those visits to Casey’s house?”

  “She didn’t say, but I figured she was there to try to talk to Casey about what she knew about her parents.”

  “You don’t lie well, Detective,” he said, as if he already had all the answers. “If you can’t or won’t do what I’m asking, then at least swear you won’t mention this to Agent Phillips.”

  “If you need this, I’ll do it.” Fiona dropped the phone in her blazer pocket and glanced down at the file he’d referred to. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

  “I won’t forget this.” He came close to bouncing in his seat over how easy it’d been to snare her. “And remember, this is about Casey more than anything else.”

  “When we’re done I hope you tell her I had a part in destroying her life and family, like she’s done to so many people throughout her miserable existence.”

  “I’ll be happy to.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The next week, Hayden’s baseball team finished their season on the road, winning their division championship in Baton Rouge. The kids had been thrilled, not only with their trophy and achievement, but with the fact they’d taken the title at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium. With that accomplishment both children were now free for the summer, and despite everything, Cain decided to take a week for a trip north.

  Remi offered the use of their plane and to work with Muriel while they were away. Cain had decided to take more guards than were probably necessary, but they were at the endgame. To finish this was something she could almost taste.

  “Mook, be sure to pack all the shotguns and the sweepers. Jerry’s been overseeing construction for me, but it doesn’t hurt to play it safe,” she said, mentioning Jerry Rath, the husband of Emma’s lifelong friend Maddie.

  They’d left the son of Giovanni Bracato Junior with Jerry and Maddie during their last visit, transforming Giovanni III to Jeremiah Cain Rath. From Emma’s telephone conversations with Maddie, JC, as they called him, was a happy and healthy ten-month-old who loved riding the fields with his daddy. No one involved would ever reveal that secret to the world, but her heart did go out to Big Gino’s wife. Hopefully one day she’d find peace, but she’d been her husband’s biggest fan and supporter, so she should have known that one day she would have to answer for a life lived so poorly.

  “Lou’s already gone through both places twice, but you know how anal he is. By the time we arrive he’ll have swept for every kind of bug, including the kind that crawls.”

  “A habit you thankfully share.” Cain laughed. Hayden’s guard had been assigned to him for years, and she was confident they’d be together for years to come. Mook was young, but he loved Hayden like a little brother. Anyone with an idea to hurt her son would figure out the handsome face and beautiful blond hair didn’t mean Mook didn’t have a hair-trigger finger and very little forgiveness in his soul. Mook would kill without hesitation.

  “You bet,” Mook said, and casually saluted her. “Anything else you want me to take?”

  “Emma made a list, so check with her.”

  She walked to the pool house to see Merrick, who was now walking well with a cane. That morning she’d asked Merrick for a favor and loved the appreciation and relief that transformed her expression. Someone like Merrick would die without something to do, so it was time to start easing her back into a few responsibilities. When Merrick was almost back, she’d resume her duties at Emma’s side, with the addition of someone like Dino.

  “You ready to go?”

  Merrick had her guns strapped on and wore a light jacket. Her cane had been a gift from Cain, and Merrick had gotten a kick from the handle that was a small replica of the gun she preferred. To see her getting stronger every day answered every prayer Cain had said from the day she’d been shot. She didn’t pray often but had done so gladly for Merrick.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to take anyone else? You’re not insulting me if you do. My aim might be off.”

  “I doubt that, so let’s move. If I don’t drive every so often, I’m going to forget how.”

  They took off and stopped at the Columns Hotel on St. Charles Avenue. Their lounge usually spilled out to the large front porch of the historically registered establishment, and Sept waited for them at a table farthest away from the street. They’d been friends long enough to know how dangerous it would be for her to chance a seat out in the open and close to such a busy street.

  “Vacation, huh?” Sept asked when they joined her.

  Two glasses already sat on the table and Sept didn’t appear that thirsty. Fiona came through the front door, probably from the bathrooms. The new detective’s attitude got under Cain’s skin, and she couldn’t believe Sept was able to work with this overly opinionated hothead.

  “If you keep up this company, I might take a permanent vacation from you.”

  “For now I’m stuck training her, so don’t take my job out on me.” Sept motioned to Fiona to hold up. “Can I talk to you alone for a second?”

  They entered and sat in the Victorian Lounge close enough to each other to have a quiet, private conversation. Merrick was in her line of sight, and Cain laughed when Fiona sat close to her so she could watch them as well.

  “What’s wrong with your partner besides Shelby’s parents and their tragic demise? A little more attitude and I might have a harassment complaint.”

  “She got picked for the joint task force we formed with the FBI. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Sept spoke in a whisper, only breaking away when the waitress brought them a menu and a refill for Sept. “You k
now I’ll never break the law for you, but this time I want to warn you about this group. This talk would’ve gone smoother, but Fiona’s not letting me out of her sight, especially if she thinks I’m coming to see you.”

  “We’ve known each other long enough to both realize someone with a badge is always after me. This bitch will have to go some to get anything on me.”

  “I know you’ve met Ronald Chapman, and that’s who’s hijacked the task force. Fiona’s thrilled because they’ve been given the green light to skirt some of the rules as long as it brings results. This guy wants you bad, and he’s stacked the group with cops and agents who want that too. If Fiona gets her way, I’ll go down with you because of our friendship.”

  “Stop talking,” she said, putting her hand on Sept’s knee. “I don’t want you to sacrifice anything that’ll hurt your career.”

  “I’m not, but you’ve got to know that the game isn’t fair this time around. Be careful doing business because they’re gunning for you and Ronald’s an asshole. I haven’t really met him, but if Fiona’s waxing this poetic about him and what he wants to do, I can guarantee he’s got something against you.”

  “Thanks. I won’t forget this, and I’ll owe you a few in the future.”

  “Anything on what’s happening on the street?”

  “My contacts say the locations hit did belong to Gracelia Luis. Rumor is she killed her brother Rodolfo and took his business. Her problem is Rodolfo’s crew fractured after his murder and went in three directions. Some stayed with her, some stayed with Carlos Luis, and the last small group went to Hector.”

  Sept appeared amazed. “How in the hell did you figure all that out?”

  “I use cash instead of the shiny gold badge and intimidation. Well, police intimidation, anyway,” she joked. “I don’t know who, but Hector’s the one with the biggest plans for expansion. He came by again and tried to strike a deal with me. The word no might’ve finally gotten through his head.”

  “So you think it’s Delarosa?”

  “I haven’t gotten that far yet. If it was Hector, no one on the street is going to talk.”

  “How about Carlos Luis?”

  “I don’t think so, but I still have feelers out, so I’ll let you know if something comes up. Thanks for the warning on the other end of this.” Cain paid for Sept’s drink and walked her out. “Take care of yourself and keep your head down. Your mother would miss you if something happened to you.” She slapped Sept on the back.

  “You too, since for whatever reason my mother loves you too.” Sept shook her hand and stopped at the table where Fiona and Merrick waited.

  Fiona had her hand over her glass, and her ring caught Cain’s attention. The gold band resembled the one she’d given Hayden recently. “Can I see that?” She pointed to her hand.

  “Some other time.” Fiona closed her hand into a fist. “If we’re done, Sept, I’ll see you later.” She headed across the street with her hand in her pocket, as if to not give her a glimpse into any part of her life.

  “Forget about all this for a while and enjoy the time away with your family,” Sept said, her eye on the retreating Fiona. “Don’t let it slip your mind to call if anything new happens. Let me help you by doing my job. Too many people are watching you for you to try to go after someone.”

  “I’ll make it easy on you and be good.”

  “That you’re good is never in question, Derby. It’s why everyone in the FBI has perpetual heartburn.”

  “You follow your own advice and take some time off. Instead of constantly trying to find me doing something illegal, spend some time looking for a woman to keep you warm at night.” She helped Merrick down the stairs and saw the guy from Remi and Dallas’s recent home tour. He sat in his car a half a block away and tried not to seem like he was there in a surveillance capacity.

  “Who are we leaving behind that can do some research for us? Someone we can trust implicitly.”

  “If you want, Katlin and I can stay behind.” Merrick stared at the man she pointed out. “What do you want?”

  “So many things, it’s hard to list them all.”

  *

  Jerome sat staring at Pablo as the man gave Gracelia an update on the search for Gustavo. For a complete idiot, Gustavo had managed to disappear and no one had spotted him. What surprised him most was that Gustavo hadn’t called for help. Like his mother, Gustavo wanted so many things, but it was always up to someone else to get it done.

  “When more men get here, we look more,” Pablo said, his eyes on him. Pablo shifted in his seat as if he were nervous. “One man missing.”

  “We have a lot of people missing, and until they sift through the fires we might still not know exactly who’s dead. Not that we should stroll into the police station and ask if everyone working in our lab has been identified.” He swirled the wine in his glass and concentrated on not spilling any. It was how he thought of his life now. It’d become a whirlwind he had no control over and was on the brink of spilling over in a mess he’d never be able to clean up.

  “Be quiet for once and listen,” Gracelia said, exasperated. “Who is missing?”

  “Andre Reyes, Señora.” Pablo stood up and seemed ready to leave.

  If he wasn’t so pissed he would’ve found this humorous. Pablo acted as if he was stuck in the middle of two angry parents. He couldn’t please both so he had to choose. “Do you think he’s with Gustavo?” he asked.

  “He leave the night Gustavo leave, so sí.”

  “Like the señora said, we have some men arriving in the next few days. When they get here we’ll start looking again. For now we’ll lay low and try not to be a good target for whoever wants all of us dead. Tell Chico to get up here and watch the door.” How Casey made this look so easy was a mystery he wondered about every day. “Go,” he said, when Pablo stood there like a dead tree stump.

  He waited until Pablo left before he faced Gracelia, and her disgusted expression was the excuse he needed to follow him out. Pablo had wisely waited and followed him to the elevator. The hotel he’d picked was in Metairie instead of New Orleans, in an effort to keep from anyone accidentally spotting Gracelia or anyone with them. The place was on the lake and presented another challenge since a large number of Hispanics in the middle of a conservative, Republican, white-bread town was memorable. Hotel staff with good memories was the last thing he wanted.

  “Call Delarosa and tell him as soon as possible,” he said to Pablo when the doors closed. “We might not get the deal we want, but we need to cut out before things get worse.”

  “You think Señor Delarosa do all this? One man kill at house here is my cousin. His mama and papi raise me when my papi kill working for Señor Rodolfo. Mi mami run away, so I alone.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jerome said because the story made him think of his parents. The worry, the stress of not knowing had to be a toll. “I really don’t think Hector did this.”

  “Who you think?”

  “Gracelia thinks I’m crazy, and she doesn’t want to hear it, but I think it was Cain Casey. All this was payback.” They walked out and headed to the top of the levee that surrounded Lake Pontchartrain. It was hot and humid, but it was freeing to be out of the room and away from Gracelia’s crazy ranting.

  “Señora Gracelia’s son and Señor Rodolfo do bad things to Casey. I not know but the men say this. Juan and Señor Rodolfo gone now, so why Casey care?”

  “She’s got what’s called a long memory. What Juan did was something Casey isn’t going to forget or forgive. You’re right, though. Juan’s gone and we need to get that message across to Casey.” He took out his pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket, a new habit he’d taken up to help with his coke cravings. Smoking relaxed him, but when he’d been confined to small spaces in his previous job, it’d been impossible to enjoy a cigarette. “Go ahead and call me once you make contact.”

  “Gracias, señor, for trusting me. I do a good job for you.”

  He glanced back as
Pablo left, and his mood improved. If only he could find a few more like this guy, he could get more done about fixing what was wrong with everything about Gracelia and her family business. The fix was near for him anyway, and in that second he decided to take Pablo with him.

  “You want to see me?” Chico said, and his sudden appearance startled Jerome.

  “I wanted you to watch Gracelia, but now that you’re here, let’s go over the last talk you had with Gustavo. Before he ran, what exactly did he say?”

  “You think I did something to him? Who the shit is this guy, and why you care?” Chico asked, instantly combative. “You say watch him, and we do. No matter that all he wants to do is stupid shit.”

  “Just tell me what he said. I could give a crap about him, but Gracelia, your boss, is worried he’s out doing shit that isn’t going to be good for any of us.” Every step was as much effort as climbing Everest.

  Chico repeated the story hesitantly, but it sounded more like a translation delay than concern or covering something up. So it’d been his disrespect in front of the others that had made Gustavo run—interesting. He’d figured it was because he and Gracelia were going to keep him from his plans.

  “I told Pablo we’re going to continue the search once the men arrive.”

  “What we do now?”

  “Stick with Gracelia, but keep in mind what happened to Eduardo. Let me know if she wants anything strange.” Jerome crushed his smoke, picked up the butt, and stuck it in his pocket. Getting caught was always a possibility, but it wasn’t going to be because of his carelessness. “You think you can handle that?”

  “Yes, but I want better job when you can.”

  “Sure. Go sit outside Gracelia’s room and call me if anything happens.”