Jack and Landry were busy over the next couple of weeks, handling a vast checklist of chores necessary to produce a television show. And once again Jack proved his worth as an assistant.
Cate called one afternoon from Galveston and asked if Landry and Jack were free on Friday night. She and her father were coming to New Orleans and wanted to get together at Muriel’s for dinner. On Friday an Uber driver dropped Cate at Landry’s apartment before taking Doc on to his hotel.
From the moment he saw her face, Landry knew something was up. She dodged his questions about why they had come on short notice, instead smiling and saying he’d learn more when the time was right. When he asked how long they were staying, she said she wasn’t sure. Her dad had business here that might take a day or two. What kind of business, he asked, but she held a finger to her lips and shook her head.
They walked to Muriel’s, where Claude ushered them to the Wine Room, a cozy area Landry had reserved that would give them privacy and a quiet place to talk. It surprised Landry that not only was Doc waiting, but there sat another familiar face.
“What are you doing here?” he asked Henri Duchamp, who along with Doc, stood to greet everyone.
“Cate kindly asked me to join you.”
She smiled and said she’d amended the reservation.
Now Landry wondered even more what all the secrecy was about, but it would have to wait until they were ready to reveal things. The waiter took drink orders — two martinis, two wines and a Dr Pepper — while Landry updated Henri on the episode in the works.
“You know you got the ball rolling on the Toulouse Street building,” Landry told his friend. “That lunch at Brennan’s where you told me the history of the LaPiere family was the spark that ignited this story. This one will be a hit, and I’m indebted to you for it.”
Duchamp laughed. “Repaying a debt to me is as simple as a leisurely lunch and a fine bottle of wine.”
“You’re on. Now tell me what’s up. It’s obvious you three are bursting to tell your secret.”
Henri looked at Doc, who looked at Cate and said, “Honey, I think it’s time to let our friends in on the news.”
She smiled, took Landry’s hand and said, “I guess you scared that trustee when you told him about Empyrion’s confession.”
“He didn’t sound too worried to me. He even threatened an injunction —"
“Oh, you scared him all right. He called the Realtor and listed the property again. Guess who owns a building on Toulouse Street?”
He smiled. “Which one is it — Henri or Doc?”
“Dad’s the culprit. The paperwork’s all signed, and I’ve arranged an inspector and appraiser to meet us there tomorrow morning. We close in twenty days.”
Jack asked Doc what his plans were.
“Cate’s in charge of the project of creating a multiple-use building. The first floor — the rooms where the billiard parlor was back before Katrina — will be remodeled and leased for retail or a restaurant. The second floor — the LaPieres’ living area — will be offices, but with the original furnishings and personal items. That floor is historically significant. With some paint, cleaning, scrubbing and repairs, it’ll be a showplace. The lease will require the tenant to allow tours through the rooms. To make it historically accurate, we’ll also reinstall the balcony and stairway in the courtyard.
“Then there’s the attic. I envision it as a shrine to the doomed individuals who were tortured and murdered there. I see visitors walking through it, seeing the hidden rooms, the cells and the shackles, and coming away with feelings of both shame and regret — shame that a woman could do these things and regret for what her victims endured.”
He took a sip of his martini, and Landry said, “I think it’s a terrific idea to let visitors see a different side of New Orleans history, as awful as it was.”
Cate said, “And since Empyrion will no longer own it, we can exhume the bodies, right?”
“No, we can’t.” He paused. “I’m sorry for speaking out of turn. It’s not my building so I have no say in the matter. I promised Empyrion we wouldn’t dig in the courtyard during his lifetime. As we all know, that could be another hundred years or more. It’s your call, and maybe it’s best not to disturb the dead.”
“If that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do,” Doc said. “Cate and I already spoke about that. We need your help on this project.
Landry turned to Henri. “I presume you’re here because you head up the paranormal society, My bet is you’re the historical advisor for the remodeling.”
Cate giggled. Doc smiled too, and Henri said, “You’re right. Doc has asked me to oversee the renovations, create the museums on the second and attic floors, and to make sure the restoration is as historically accurate as possible. But that’s not all. Doc told you there will be offices in the LaPiere living quarters. Those will be mine. The Louisiana Society for the Paranormal is moving. I rented our current space near Jackson Square because of the history, but after what you turned up on Toulouse Street, there’s no place more appropriate for a group studying the paranormal to office.”
“Sounds like you guys have everything figured out. I’m thrilled with your plan. Cate, what’s your role in fixing things up? I’m hoping I’ll see more of you around town for the next few weeks.”
“You bet you will. I’ll be hiring the crews, working with Henri on keeping things authentic, and renting the ground floor space. I hope we don’t get tired of each other after being together so much!”
He laughed and said that wasn’t
