“Don’t worry. You’re done cooking for tonight. And for future reference, I won’t ever send anything back unless you feed me liver.” Sept put Mike’s leash back on and opened the door for them.

  “Why? How do you like liver prepared?”

  “I wouldn’t send it back because you cooked it wrong. I’d send it back with a note asking what the hell you were thinking, because I hate liver, in case you’ve forgotten.” She shivered for better effect and Keegan laughed. “You can make me sleep on the couch if you want, but don’t ask me to eat liver.”

  “Noted, Seven, and we have a problem.” Keegan held Sept’s hand and walked close to her. “Good night, everyone, and thank you for a great night,” Keegan told the staff as they made it to the back door.

  “What’s the problem?” Mike was pulling on the leash like he wanted to lead, and Sept let him, to see where he’d take her. The trip ended in the garden, where he stopped to mark a tree.

  “I’m in the coupe, and you’ll have a hard enough time squeezing in there, even without Mike.” When Keegan said Mike’s name, he came to her and sat so his head was under her hand. “You up for another walk?”

  “Sure. That might be good for him, since he’s used to it.”

  The night was cool but Keegan unbuttoned her top. “Think about how many years Robin must have done that. She couldn’t know some crazy person was waiting for her. That’s the thing that hits me the most when I read about stuff like that or watch it on the news.”

  “What’s that? We can compare notes.” The neighborhood was quiet as they strolled to St. Charles Avenue, and Sept was happy to see that a lot of the houses not only had life inside, but some Christmas decorations.

  “When someone decides to cross the line and start killing people, we’re the ones who have to change our lives.” Keegan sounded disgusted as she leaned into Sept. “We’re the prisoners even though we’re following the law.”

  “That’s why I love doing what I do. What you’re saying is true, but it’s up to me to make you forget about things like that.”

  “You said you’d tell me what’s going on with this guy you’re chasing.”

  Sept gave enough details so that Keegan could visualize what they were up against, but not enough to make her sick. She finally told her about the autopsy she’d been to that day and what they’d found. The note still didn’t make any sense, but now something on the edges of her brain was starting to take shape. Nothing solid yet, but it would eventually come to her and she’d feel like an idiot for not thinking of it before.

  “He put a religious symbol inside her chest?” Keegan asked as she grasped Sept’s waist tighter. “Isn’t that taking your faith to an extreme?”

  “I’m sure God is used to people doing things in His name, but this guy isn’t interested in the run-of-the-mill religion. He’s into something called Santeria, and from what my Tulane professor tells me, he’s calling the dead.”

  “I don’t mean to change the subject, but what does Brandi Parrish have to do with all this, and why do you keep going to see her?”

  A few joggers were on the wide median of St. Charles, and most of them waved at Sept and Keegan.

  “Tameka was the first girl he carved up as what he assumed was a sacrifice, and she was one of Brandi’s employees.”

  “You’re such a diplomat, honey.”

  “Well, technically Tameka was her employee,” Sept said, and kissed the side of Keegan’s forehead. “When we found her she still had her ID on her, and I recognized the address. I didn’t know the second girl we found, but from her clothes I could guess what she did for a living. I went to see Brandi today because of the old saying.”

  “Go ahead and tell me, because I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “The whole ‘it takes one to know one’ concept. Frieda didn’t work for her, but Brandi knew who she was.”

  When they were in front of Keegan’s house, Mike stopped walking and sat next to Sept. He barked once and shook his head. “I think he’s asking you for a coffee break,” Keegan said as she took his leash off. “So he’s targeting prostitutes.”

  “If it were that simple I could probably give Vice a good description of what to look for and be done with it, but it’s not. I don’t think he’s targeting any one person or profession. He’s not a sexual sadist or a calculating killer. I think opportunity motivates him.” After visiting three shrubs Mike came back and barked again, so Sept put his lead back on.

  “But he took so much time with some of his victims, including Donovan, that it doesn’t make sense to me that he’s an opportunist.”

  Sept took them the back way so she could grab her bag. “His victims are what I meant. He doesn’t strike me as the classic hunter most serial killers are, but he obviously watched us that night at the levee. That’s why I’m serious about you being careful.”

  “I will. I don’t want to be a sacrifice for anything.” The house was quiet and Jacqueline’s car wasn’t there, so Keegan didn’t shout for her. “Did you find out what tragic thing happened in his life that would make him call the dead in such a unique way?”

  “What do you mean?” Once the door was closed, Sept let Mike off his lead and watched him as he went on a quick smelling tour around the kitchen.

  “You don’t think he’s trying to reach George Washington, do you? If he’s come up with this elaborate calling plan, he must want to talk to someone he lost that didn’t sit well with him.”

  “Why do you think something tragic happened to him? The guy could just be nuts.”

  “I’m not saying he isn’t, but if something happened to someone like Jacqueline, I might want to talk to her again, even if she was dead. Trust me, I’d draw the line at cutting people up to do it, but it would be tempting.” Keegan put her arms around her. “If you had the chance, wouldn’t you want to talk to Noel and Sophie again?”

  Sept’s phone rang, and even though she didn’t recognize the number on the screen she answered. “Savoie.”

  “Sept, I hate to bother you, but I thought of something and didn’t catch you and Keegan before you left,” Al said.

  “What’s that, Al?” Sept asked so Keegan would know who she was talking to.

  “No one stood out walking or driving by the restaurant, but someone did walk by twice in the last couple of months. He didn’t make much conversation, but he was friendly enough.”

  “Anyone I know?”

  “You know him well enough to be related to him. It was your brother-in-law, Damien. When I first saw him, it took me a minute to place him, but it was him. Poor guy looked lost, but you said to call if I thought of anything, and that’s all I’ve come up with.”

  “Thanks, Al, that helps. One other thing, were you working the next night?”

  “I was tired as hell from being on the early shift, but I was there. I didn’t want to disappoint Keegan and the others.”

  “You didn’t happen to see Damien that night, did you?” Sept tried her best to keep her voice calm.

  “No.”

  “Thanks again, then, and remember to call me no matter how trivial anything you think of might seem.”

  The word “fuck” exploded in her head at what Al had said. When she’d seen Damien in front of Estella’s, she’d thought he was simply restless and wandering around, but placing him near Blanchard’s showed more of a pattern. Perhaps Damien wasn’t just trying to work out his grief on his own. The implications made her want to throw up.

  “What’s wrong?” Keegan asked when Sept let her phone drop on the counter. “You’re white as rice. What’s the matter?” she asked again when Sept didn’t answer.

  All of sudden the note they’d found in Frieda’s chest made perfect sense. I want a second chance. Of course Damien wanted a second chance, so he could evacuate Noel and Sophie before the storm surge killed them. I will serve until you see how worthy I am. He would keep killing until he got that chance. I want back what was stolen from me. After months of thinking about it, that’s what he’d come to believe. His wife and child had been stolen from him, and no matter how many more people had to die, he was determined to get them back.

  “Sept, honey, you’re scaring me. What’s wrong?” Keegan put her hands on Sept’s face as if to get her to focus.

  “Sometimes what you seek is right in front of you, but you want more than anything to be as blind as Robin Burns so you don’t have to see it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “About nothing I want to prove, but I think I know who did this.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “You can’t be serious,” Keegan said, followed by a laugh that was more nerves than humor. “Sept, your sister was married to this guy. I might not know him, but if Noel was anything like the rest of you, she’d never share her life with someone who’s capable of the things you told me.”

  “If this was July of this year, I’d say you were right. He couldn’t possibly have dreamed this up, but this isn’t July. Damien talked Noel into staying put and it killed her. That fact changed him into someone I don’t recognize and don’t really want to get to know.” Sept took the chance that Keegan and Jacqueline kept their vodka in the freezer and opened it in search of a bottle. She poured herself a small glass, but Keegan took it out of her hand and shook her head.

  “That was the answer when you didn’t want to let anyone in, sweetheart, but those days are over. If you need a crutch I might fit better.” Keegan pressed herself to Sept’s side and lifted Sept’s arm over her shoulder.

  “I already have a mother,” Sept said, and closed her eyes at how harsh that sounded.

  “Trust me, I’m not applying for that job. But, like Damien, you didn’t talk to her or anyone else, did you?”

  “What was I supposed to say? That I missed my sister, that when she died I lost something of myself that I’ll never get back? I could sit with some shrink every week and cough up all my feelings, but for what?”

  Keegan let her go and stepped slightly away. “If you want to drown yourself and any feelings that might actually help you get past what happened, go ahead. I can’t force you to talk, and I sure as hell can’t force you not to kill off another slew of brain cells with Grey Goose. But you can do it somewhere else, because I refuse to watch.”

  The urge to leave gripped Sept around the throat so tight that she came close to walking out the door. “I don’t need to drink. It just helps sometimes to numb the stuff I’m tired of thinking about and can’t do anything about.”

  “That’s not numbing anything, and you’ll never truly get over missing someone who was that important to you.”

  “Gee, thanks,” Sept said with a laugh. “I feel so much better now.”

  “I didn’t tell you that to make you feel worse, Seven. What happened to Noel and Sophie unfortunately can’t ever be undone, but you can honor what they meant to you by learning to be happy again.” Keegan came back when Sept opened her arms. “Do you think if things had been different and you had been lost in the storm, Noel would’ve made Sophie stop finding things to be happy about because you were gone?”

  Sept kissed her forehead. “Does this mean you’re applying to be my shrink?”

  “I’m applying for the ‘something to be happy about’ job. Please don’t think I’m trivializing what happened to your family, but I want you to trust me by letting some of that anger and sadness out.” Keegan lifted her arm and made a muscle. “I’m tougher than I look, believe me. I can handle it.”

  “I’m sure you can, since we got through our first fight in less than ten minutes.”

  “You showing up at my restaurant and accusing me of murder was our first fight, sunshine.”

  Sept put the glass in the sink without drinking any of the vodka and took Keegan’s hand to lead her to the sofa. “That wasn’t a fight. It was more like you ranting at me and me not kissing you to get you to pipe down.”

  “For a cop, you sure have a faulty memory.”

  They laughed, but as soon as they sat down, Sept sighed about what had upset her in the first place.

  “Unfortunately, my memory is too good sometimes, and some of the things that didn’t make sense before now fit perfectly in a scenario I don’t want to contemplate.”

  “You don’t really think Damien could’ve done this, right?” Keegan took her top off and leaned back against Sept’s chest in only her undershirt. “How about in exchange for cooking lessons you give me detective lessons?”

  “I don’t have any proof, but think about this.” She explained what Julio had said about calling the dead, the fact that no evidence was left at any crime scene except the bodies and decorations, and that when they worked together, she and Damien had answered a call to the store where Estella’s books were stolen. “It’s not a slam dunk, but the first thing my father taught me was that there was no such thing as ghosts.”

  “What does that mean?” Keegan asked as she massaged the back of Sept’s neck.

  “That’s what hasn’t clicked for me until now. When we’re called out on a case, the killer usually leaves something behind. Not necessarily fingerprints or DNA, but something like a footprint or other clue.” Sept thought through all the crime scenes, and the closest to a tip-off was the impressions in the blood next to Donovan’s body.

  “You haven’t found that at any of these murder scenes?”

  “I have a plain footprint at Tameka’s scene, and knee prints in blood at Donovan’s. That’s it, and who better to cover up a murder than a cop?” Mike joined them on the couch and, when Keegan started petting him, plopped against Sept’s other side. “I’ve never thought of committing anything close to murder, but if I did, I’d know exactly how to get by with it.”

  “What kind of cop is Damien?”

  “He never wanted off the streets, but he would’ve made a good detective. Some guys love the streets so much they have a hard time sitting and waiting for the next job to come along, so they stay in the patrol car.”

  Keegan stopped Mike’s rub-down and sat up. “What kind of father and husband was he?”

  “Noel wasn’t a complainer, but if he’d been anything other than what he portrayed she would’ve said something. She never did, so to me he was excellent at both jobs. Why?”

  “I just don’t think a good father stabs people through the heart because his wife and child died in a flood. It doesn’t make sense, but I’m sure you have a job to do.”

  “I do, but right now I’m interested in going to bed.” Sept stood up and pulled Keegan to her feet. “Go on up. I’ll be right behind you.”

  “Do you want anything?”

  “I’m just going to let Mike out one last time. I’ll be in time to tuck you in.” Once Keegan was up the stairs Sept did let the dog out, but she also called her older brother Gustave. After briefly summarizing what she’d been talking about with Keegan, she asked, “Can you and Jacques take turns tonight keeping an eye on him?”

  “I don’t have a problem doing that, Sept, but there’s no way this is true.”

  “No one wants that to be true more than me, but I can’t let family blind me. If I wake up tomorrow to another girl with her guts spilled out on the floor, I don’t deserve to wear this badge.”

  “Okay, but tomorrow morning I want a meeting with you and Dad so you can tell me everything that brought you to this conclusion. Pinning someone, no matter if we know them or not, isn’t like you.”

  “I’m not accusing him of anything, and I’m sure as hell not going to take the easy out on this, Gustave. I just want to be sure.”

  “That’s good enough for me. We’ll keep him under surveillance tonight, then I’ll call François and Joel to pick it up in the morning. Get some sleep. Dad told us how hard you’re working this.”

  Mike followed her up the stairs and to Keegan’s room. He started sniffing all the furniture in the room again as she undressed and headed for the bathroom. When she came out he was lying on the blanket Keegan had put down for him, his eyes already closed.

  “Everything okay?” Keegan asked.

  “Not yet, but I’m working on it,” Sept said as she pressed up to Keegan’s back and kissed her neck. “Good night and thank you for not kicking me out for being such a butthead.”

  “And have you go running off to Brandi Parrish? Not on your life, Seven.” Keegan laughed. “I might not kick you out, but making you change places with Mike might be a possibility.”

  “I’ll try to remember that.”

  Chapter Thirty

  The next morning when Sept opened her eyes, Keegan was already awake and practically lying on top of her, so Sept caressed the soft skin of her back. “This’ll give me something to think about later today when I have to meet with my father and tell him my theory.”

  “Meeting with your dad is a great idea, no matter what you’re thinking about.” Keegan laid her head on Sept’s chest and fanned her hand over her breast.

  “Why do you think so?”

  “You’re tenacious if nothing else, honey, and until you prove Damien didn’t do it, you won’t be happy.” Keegan propped herself on her elbows, put her hands on the sides of Sept’s head, and pulled her hair slightly. “Am I right?”

  “I do want to be wrong this one time. Right now I’d rather think about other things.” Sept rolled them over so she could better touch Keegan down the length of her body.

  “Have I told you how sexy I’ve come to think white hair is?”

  “Lucky for me I happen to have some,” Sept said before she took Keegan’s nipple into her mouth. “That’s how I feel about the color red.”

  She took her time making her way down Keegan’s body. This time Keegan didn’t stop her as she came to rest between her legs and spread her sex open. “You okay?” she looked up and asked.

  “I will be in a minute, unless you stop. Then there’ll be a lot of pinching going on.”

  Sept moaned when she lowered her mouth, but not as loudly as Keegan. It took only a few passes of her tongue to make Keegan’s hips start to move. She kept her mouth in place as Keegan grabbed her hands and interlocked their fingers. When Keegan pressed down, almost breaking her fingers, Sept sucked her in and didn’t let go as Keegan rode out the orgasm.