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  “Might spook them,” I said.

  “I don’t think so. I get the impression they want to talk. About Kristi. About Tony. I’ve already told them about the ketamine and the concerns there as far as Kirk drugging himself.”

  “What did they say to that?”

  “Nothing. But I think the wheels are turning.”

  Ray nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”

  And that’s how it went down.

  “Look who I found wandering around in the lobby,” Nicole said as we walked up.

  Robert and Kevin looked more than a little surprised. Or was it discomfort I saw? Like they had been caught doing something wrong.

  “Mind if we join you?” I said. They didn’t respond so I continued, extending a hand toward Robert. “I know we got off on the wrong foot the other day, but Nicole tells me you guys are cool.” Robert shook my hand. “And her judgment is always right on.”

  “We are cool,” Kevin said. He didn’t sound very convincing.

  Ray shook with them and we settled in chairs flanking them.

  The waitress appeared. Good timing. Gave the brothers time to sort out their thoughts and hopefully get comfortable with our unexpected intrusion. We ordered drinks.

  “I really am sorry about your sister,” I said. “Must be tough dealing with that.”

  Robert still carried a dose of suspicion and discomfort on his face, but said, “Worse thing I’ve ever had to endure.” He looked at his brother. “Kevin, too.” Kevin nodded.

  “We were just talking about her,” Nicole said. “I was telling them that we weren’t really on opposite sides here.”

  “We aren’t,” Ray said.

  “That’s what Nicole said,” Robert responded. “But we are. On some level.”

  That was progress. Sounded like he was at least considering the possibility that we weren’t Satan’s spawn.

  “I think you guys might be able to help us,” Ray said.

  “Help you do what?”

  “I’m sure Nicole told you that we agree with you. All things point to Kirk Ford. But there are things that don’t feel right. Like why would Kirk drug himself.”

  “Yeah, she told us that bump was found in both of them,” Robert said. “’Course, he might just like it. Took it himself for the high.”

  Ray nodded. “That’s possible. But from what I’ve learned about him, that would seem out of character. Everyone who knows him says he doesn’t use crazy drugs. Just marijuana. And all agree he’s actually a normal guy.” Ray shrugged. “But I don’t really know him. Fact is, we just met him. I don’t know whether those impressions are correct or not.”

  Robert looked at him but said nothing.

  Ray leaned forward, shoulders hunched; he looked around, as if getting ready to share a secret. He was good.

  “We aren’t from here,” he said. “You guys are. And I’m sure you know everyone who’s anyone here in the Quarter. I was hoping you might be able to help us find the source of the ketamine. Or bump, as you say.”

  “We aren’t dealers,” Kevin said. “What makes you think we’d know anything about that?”

  Ray smiled. “I know who your uncle is.” Robert started to say something, but Ray raised a hand. “I know he has his fingers in a lot of things. So, I can appreciate your reluctance to even talk with us.”

  Again, the brothers stared at him, neither offering a response.

  “I know that you guys are well known around here. Know all the players. So, I thought maybe you’d know where we could look.”

  Robert hesitated. I could almost see the wheels turning. I knew Tony treated them like crap. Didn’t care much for them. Probably pissed them off regularly. And here was Ray offering them a chance to play hero. Maybe even poke Uncle Tony in the eye.

  “Maybe,” Robert said. He looked at Kevin. “We do know a couple of guys that are rumored to sell stuff.”

  “Then there you go,” Ray said.

  “But I’m not sure we’ll be telling you.”

  “Tony? I get it.” Ray shrugged, hesitated, then said, “I see no reason he has to know about this conversation. Not now. Not ever.”

  “I don’t think we should tell you shit,” Kevin said.

  Robert nudged his brother’s leg. “Let me handle this.”

  Kevin scowled.

  Robert glanced around as if making sure no eavesdroppers were around, then leaned forward. “All I want is for whoever killed Kristi to pay for it. I think it’s the movie star.” He sighed. “But if it ain’t, I don’t want the real killer to walk away because he goes down for it.”

  “That’s all we want,” I said.

  Robert stared at his shoes for a beat. “Okay. There’s this guy. His name’s Ragman. He deals all sorts of stuff.”

  “Robert?” Kevin said. “Maybe you shouldn’t be talking about this.”

  “Look, if he sold this stuff to Kristi, or that actor dude, I want his hide on a wall.”

  “He said he didn’t,” Kevin said. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “You’ve talked with this Ragman?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” Robert said. “This morning. He said he didn’t sell that stuff and didn’t sell Kristi anything for sure.”

  “I get the impression you might not believe him,” I said.

  “I do. And I don’t. With him you just never know.”

  “Where might we find him?” I asked.

  Robert hesitated.

  “I meant what I said,” Ray jumped in. “No one will ever know what’s said here.”

  “He works an alley over off Decatur,” Robert said. “Sells mostly to tourists. And his regulars, of course.”

  I nodded. “We’ll look into it.”

  “You can’t say anything about me and Kevin.”

  “Of course not.” I caught his gaze. “We aren’t here to turn your world upside down. We’re trying to solve a puzzle.”

  “What about your uncle?” Ray asked.

  “What about him?” Kevin said.

  “I understand he’s a guy who takes care of his own problems. Doesn’t wait for others to intervene, so to speak.”

  Robert’s eyes narrowed. “We ain’t talking about him. You want to know about his business, go ask him.”

  No other answer needed. But then the answer walked into the bar.

  Tony Guidry.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  AS SOON AS Tony disconnected Reuben, he rolled out of bed and called Johnny Hebert, telling him to swing by, pick him up. He needed to get over to the Monteleone. Then he jumped in the shower for a quick rinse and dressed.

  “What about you?” he asked Melissa. “You want to stay for a while?”

  “Depends. Will you be able to come back?”

  “Not till after my dinner deal. Probably eleven.”

  “That’s fine. I have my laptop and a few briefs to work on.”

  He kissed her cheek. “I’ll have Johnny pick up something at NOLA’s for you.”

  “Hmm. Trying to ply me with food, I see.” She laughed.

  “There’s wine here for that.”

  “Go take care of your nephews. I’ll be here when you get back.”

  Fifteen minutes later, he walked into the Monteleone and turned toward the bar. He left Johnny with the car and ran into Reuben just inside.

  “They’re that way.” Reuben jerked his head toward the area beyond the Carousel Bar.

  Tony moved that way, but what he saw wasn’t what he expected. There were Robert and Kevin and the chick, all right. But, also, Ray and Jake Longly. What the fuck? That changed the game. How to handle this? Definitely not go off on Robert and Kevin. Not in public. In front of the blond, okay, but not with Ray Longly as a witness. Might set off too many alarms. Like Tony just might have something to hide. Better to play it casual. Friendly. Low key. Turn on the charm. He was good at that. Then after he gracefully extracted Robert and Kevin, he could tell them what was what.

  “You wait here,” Tony said. “Stay out of sigh
t.”

  Reuben nodded.

  Showtime.

  “How’s it going?” Tony asked as he approached the group. Everyone looked up. Robert’s and Kevin’s expressions said it all. Riddled with surprise, and fear. At least they had the good sense to keep their mouths shut.

  “Mr. Guidry,” Jake said. “Want to join us?”

  “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You’re not.”

  Tony nodded and took the remaining empty chair.

  “Buy you a drink?” Ray asked.

  “That would be nice.” He laughed. “That’s why we’re here after all.”

  Their waitress appeared. Tony ordered a Cajun martini.

  “I have a dinner meeting down the street in a little while,” Tony said, answering the question he saw in Ray’s eyes. “Always good to have a drink before one of those.”

  Ray nodded. “Must be a business thing.”

  “You got that right.”

  “I don’t think you’ve met Nicole,” Jake said. “Nicole, this is Mr. Guidry.”

  Tony leaned forward and shook her hand across the low coffee table. “Tony. Please.”

  Nicole smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Trust me, the pleasure is all mine.” He had seen her in the courtroom. And just outside after the bail hearing. From a distance. Up close, she was breathtaking. Her hand was soft, yet her shake firm. He liked that. Not to mention the way she looked into his eyes as they shook.

  “We were just chatting with your nephews,” Jake said.

  Tony reluctantly let go of Nicole’s hand and yanked his gaze away. “About what?”

  “Mostly football. And where the best restaurants are.”

  Tony nodded, eyeing his nephews. “They know them all.”

  “They suggested a visit to K-Paul’s.”

  “Can’t go wrong there. A Big Easy classic.”

  Tony’s martini arrived. He took a sip.

  “Of course, Paul’s no longer with us, but his restaurant hasn’t missed a beat as far as I can tell.”

  “We’ll check it out,” Ray said.

  “Let me know when you want to go and I’ll call them. Get you a good table.”

  “That’s very kind,” Ray said.

  Tony waved a hand, indicating it was nothing. Truth was he could get the best table at any restaurant in the Quarter on a moment’s notice. A perk he had used many times. He looked around. “Where’s Mr. Ford?”

  “I think he’s resting and cleaning up,” Nicole said. “The shoot today was pretty strenuous, I understand.”

  “Moviemaking,” Tony said. “I don’t really understand how it all works. Seems there are a lot of moving parts.”

  “Speaking parts, too,” Nicole said.

  Her smile seemed relaxed. Was she flirting with him? Of course she was. Women always did. Like moths, they wanted to be close to the flame. Even after a couple of rounds with Melissa, he felt the heat rise inside.

  “I don’t see how they remember their lines,” Tony said. “I’m afraid I wasn’t very good at memorization when I was at school.”

  She laughed. Her gaze never leaving him. Her hand going to her lapel. Definitely flirting. An interesting turn of events.

  “Most actors have the same problem,” she said. “But they have script girls there. To help them when they get stuck.”

  “I could use a script girl,” Tony said. “I tend to ramble too much.” He raised his glass. “Especially after a couple of these.”

  That got a laugh from everyone. Good. Charm always worked.

  Tony turned to Ray. “Did you talk with Ford about sitting down with me?”

  “His schedule’s pretty tight. But we’ll find a time.”

  “Maybe an evening at K-Paul’s?”

  “Maybe.”

  He examined Ray. His research on him left no doubt that this was a guy you couldn’t push around. But buy? Maybe. Anyone could be bought.

  Tony drained his glass. “Thanks for the drink. I owe you one.” Ray shrugged.

  Tony stood. “We better get going.” He looked at his nephews. “You guys coming?”

  “To dinner?” Robert asked.

  “Absolutely. You two are going to be part of this deal.” He looked at Ray. “A couple of investors. Want to open a new club. Robert and Kevin will likely have to run it.”

  “Here in the Quarter?” Ray asked.

  “Yeah. Over near one of my existing clubs. The Belly Up. At least that’s these guys’ plan. We’ll see.” He looked at Robert and Kevin. “Let’s get going.” He caught Nicole’s gaze again, and smiled. “Nice meeting you.”

  Tony led his nephews through the bar, picking up Reuben along the way, and out onto the street. They climbed in the limo and Johnny spun from the curb.

  “Want to tell me what the fuck that was all about?” Tony asked.

  “Nothing. We ran into her on the street, and she asked us to join her.”

  “How convenient. What did she ask you?”

  “Nothing.”

  “And the Longly duo? They didn’t ask any questions either?”

  Robert stared at him. “Like we said. Football. Restaurants. Small talk.”

  “My name come up?” When Robert hesitated, Tony instantly knew the answer to that question. “How? What?”

  “That Nicole chick was very sympathetic,” Kevin said. “She said she knew about our parents and how you took care of us and Kristi. How you must trust us if you let us work for you.” He shook his head. “Don’t seem that way to me right now.”

  “Do I trust you guys? Why should I? You two manage to make a mess of just about everything you touch.”

  “We do our best for you, Uncle Tony,” Robert said. “We always have.”

  Tony waved a dismissive hand. “Really? My business never came up? No questions about what I do?”

  “No,” Robert said. “We wouldn’t’ve said nothing anyway. We ain’t stupid.”

  They were lying. Tony saw it on their faces and felt it in his bones. About what he wasn’t sure, but their little chat had not been solely about fluff. He glanced at his Rolex. He didn’t have time for this shit right now.

  “You two get back over to the Belly Up. Do your fucking jobs.”

  “You going to take us there?”

  “Jesus. It isn’t that far. The walk will do you good. Maybe you can think of some way not to fuck everything up.”

  Tony turned and spoke to Johnny. “Pull over here.”

  He did. Robert and Kevin climbed out.

  “Now, where’s that fucking meeting?” Tony asked.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  ROBERT SENSED HIS brother’s tension. They walked a few blocks in silence before Robert asked, “What do you think?”

  “About what?”

  “About what they said. About someone else being the killer?”

  “I don’t think much of it.”

  “Not sure I do either, but what if it is someone else? I mean the fact that Kirk Ford was fucked up, too, does make you think.”

  Kevin said nothing and they covered another block.

  Robert went on. “And another thing—what about Owen?”

  Kevin stopped and stared at him. “What are you saying?”

  “You know how crazy he was about her.”

  “Which is why he wouldn’t do nothing to her.”

  “I don’t think so either, but hear me out. He knew, hell everyone knew, he and Kristi would end up together. Even after the breakup, didn’t you think that would all blow over and they’d be back together?”

  Kevin nodded. “Sure.”

  “I bet Owen did, too. But then this guy comes along. An actor. A pretty boy. He might see that as a real threat.”

  “So what? He gives Kristi a bumped joint? They get fucked up and he breaks in the room and kills her? How?”

  “Owen’s pretty good with tools.”

  Kevin walked a few steps away, before turning and walking back to where Robert stood. “Listen to you
rself. Are you insane? Even if he did all that, why would he kill Kristi? Not Ford?”

  “I don’t know.” Robert looked up the street. Not really focusing on anything. “But I think we should at least talk to him.”

  “Why?”

  “For one thing, we haven’t since all this happened. We should have but we haven’t.”

  “I agree with that. But I don’t think for a minute he had anything to do with this.”

  “I don’t either. But let’s go see him. See where his head’s at.”

  “Now?”

  “Why not? They’ll be closing up about now. Good time for a chat.” Kevin sighed. “I guess.”

  “Only take ten, fifteen minutes to walk over. Let’s go.”

  “Uncle Tony wants us at the bar.”

  “Fuck him.”

  “Ooh, big man,” Kevin said.

  “I think it’s about time we went away. Away from him. Away from here.”

  “And go where? Do what?”

  “Biloxi. You know Aunt Clara said we could come over and stay with her anytime we wanted. Said she could get us work.”

  Aunt Clara. Their mother’s sister. No love lost between her and Tony.

  “You think Tony’s fingers don’t reach into Mississippi?”

  Robert shrugged. “What I think is he wouldn’t be all that sad if we took off.”

  Kevin had no comeback for that. Probably because he knew it was true.

  When they reached Vaughn’s Motor Works, Carl Vaughn was in the office, closing out the register and the books.

  “Is Owen still here?” Robert asked.

  “I was wondering when you guys might come by.”

  “Haven’t felt much like it,” Robert said. “Not that we weren’t worried about Owen, just that we’re tired of talking about and thinking about Kristi.”

  Carl nodded. “We all are. I’m truly sorry for the both of you. Owen, too.”

  “He doing okay?”

  Carl shrugged. “Doesn’t say much. Seems to be diving into his work. I think that’s because, like you, he don’t want to think or talk about it.”

  “You think he’d want to see us?”

  “I think he’d like that.” He jerked his head toward the back. “He’s out there. Putting stuff away for the night.”

  That’s where they found him.

  “How’s it going, Owen?” Robert asked.