“I’m here with friends. We’re on vacation. If I can tell you anything else, I’d be happy to. If not…I should get back to them.”
“Sure.” He glanced around at his partner. “I’m officially off, Bobby. Think I’ll call it a night. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything. I’m going to go in and watch Big Jim’s next set, have a beer.”
“Sure thing, Lieutenant,” his partner said. He turned, and headed back for the patrol car. “Call me if you need a ride.”
“I can get him home,” Big Jim said.
“Cool.”
The officer walked on. “Miss Crow?” Lieutenant Canady said, indicating that she was free to return to the bar.
“Thanks,” she murmured.
She walked through the courtyard. No one seemed to have noticed everything that had gone on only a few feet away. Then again, what had really happened?
Two men had fought briefly, then disappeared—as if into the mist.
Deanna was back at the table in earnest conversation with Heidi. Lauren headed for her chair.
Neither Big Jim nor Lieutenant Canady followed her. Big Jim went back to his place in the band, and Canady took a seat directly in front of the stage. The band members all acknowledged him with nods, smiles and, in one case, a raised glass.
The lieutenant took a seat, loosened his collar and ordered a drink.
Though he seemed to be watching the band, Lauren was convinced the only reason he had come in was to see if she really was with friends. Or maybe just to keep an eye on her. She didn’t understand why, but she was as unnerved by the him as she had been by everything else.
Deanna leaned across the table and asked, her voice low, “What happened? That guy in the band must be sharp as a tack—I think he called the cops before the guys even made it outside. And when I was going to follow you, he stopped me and gave me this.”
She produced a business card and handed it to Lauren.
“What is it?” Heidi asked.
“It’s for another bed and breakfast,” Lauren murmured. “Montresse House.”
“Think he lives there?” Heidi asked with a giggle. “That would be a different way to pick up women, huh?”
“He wasn’t trying to pick me up,” Deanna said.
“No?” Heidi queried.
“I can tell, and you know it,” Deanna told her.
“Maybe he’s friends with the owner or something, and just hands out cards,” Lauren suggested.
“Yeah. There’s something about him that’s…I don’t know. Trustworthy,” Deanna said.
Lauren fingered the card. “I’ll put it in my wallet.”
“Sure. You never know when we might come back.”
Deanna’s voice sounded strange. As if she was really thinking that she would
“So what happened out there?” Heidi asked again.
“Nothing,” Lauren said. “The two of them yelled at one another, and then the guy from the band, Big Jim, came out and threw a beer at them. They disappeared before the cops showed up.”
“Disappeared?” Deanna said in dismay.
“You can’t be that hung up on this guy yet,” Heidi said. “And you should both take a lesson from this—don’t get involved with strange men.”
They both stared at her.
She let out a sigh. “Let’s go back to the cottage. The mood tonight is definitely blown. Great party we’re having.”
Lauren sat back, caught sight of their waiter and motioned that they needed the check.
He brought it to them, and they quickly handed him cash, then got up and headed for the door. Though his back was to them, Lauren was convinced that the cop was aware of their exit.
“Well, that was a downer,” Heidi said a few minutes later as they walked through the night.
Deanna laid an arm across her shoulders. “Heidi, I’m sorry.”
“No,
“I don’t think so,” Lauren said.
“Then…?”
“Who knows?” Lauren replied.
They turned off Bourbon Street, walking briskly.
