“Well, at least you didn’t suggest voodoo.”
“I wouldn’t. I live in this city. I know a lot of people who own shops and practice voodoo. They’re good people. They wouldn’t hack you to death because in their minds, they’d be hacked to death in a manner three times worse.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I got friends who practice, too. I mean, in Florida, I had tons of friends who practiced Santeria. They kept chickens, ate chickens, used chicken-feet talismans. But they wouldn’t have hurt a human being in any way, shape or form. And dead goats years ago might have nothing at all to do with this.”
“But the number six...”
“Six-six-six is a sign of the devil, but we’re talking just six. I’m sure that there are other meanings, but you can find meanings in anything if you want. According to the Bible, God made man on the sixth day. That could be taken in a good or bad way!”
“Excuse me!” a voice interrupted.
Katie looked up startled, certain the waiter wouldn’t have addressed them so.
She was so startled that she stood, rattling the glassware and dishes on their table.
It was Jeremy. He looked fierce, but then he looked at Dan, who was standing as well.
“Ah, you’re here!” Jeremy Delaney said.
Her father’s cousin had been only thirty when Katie’s parents had been killed, but he had been determined that Katie wasn’t going to foster care or anywhere else—she was his cousin’s child. He had been wonderful; he had done his best to ease the past, to make sure she was doing well in school, to encourage her involvement in activities. He was, at forty-two now, a tall and attractive man with sandy hair and hazel eyes, a well-structured, clean-shaven face, and a lean but solid build.
“You’re that FDLE officer,” Jeremy said. He didn’t seem displeased, but he didn’t wait for an answer. He turned back to Katie, and his distress was suddenly evident in his tone. “Katie, I have been calling you and calling you.”
“What?” she asked.
“I’ve been calling you.”
“I’m... Wow, I’m sorry. I didn’t see that you had called. I’ve...” She was going to say that she had been incredibly busy, but she knew that was no excuse.
Of course he would have been calling her.
And of course she should have called him.
“I have no excuse. I’m so sorry!” she said.
Their waiter stood a bit away from the table, refills for their iced tea in his hands.
“Please!” Dan said. “We’re at a table for four. Will you join us?”
“I...”
Jeremy paused, realizing he might be making a scene. He winced and sat.
“Katie Delaney!” he said firmly.
“I know!” she said sheepishly. “I can’t apologize enough, Jeremy.”
He turned then to look at Dan curiously. “I thought you were from Florida.”
“My mother’s family was from Florida. My dad’s family were longtime New Orleans people. I’m sorry to say that most are gone now, but I have a home here. I moved here six years ago.”
“Ah,” Jeremy said, looking as if that explained nothing at all.
“Are you meeting people? How did you find me?” Katie asked.
He pointed at his phone. “Family locator app,” he said briefly. “Remember? We share our locations? But you two are together. Here.”
“Yeah,” Dan said. It seemed like he didn’t really want to get into it with Jeremy.
“He isn’t after George anymore. He believes me about the other couple on the boat,” Katie said.
“Ah.” And still, Jeremy looked confused.
“I did sketches of them for the police and the FBI,” Katie offered.
“So...are you a NOLA cop now?” Jeremy asked Dan.
Dan shook his head. “Private investigator, but at the moment, I’m a consultant with the FBI.”
Jeremy nodded and looked at Katie again. “Maybe you should come home with me until this all blows over. I know that you’re right next to the carriage company, but this is serious. You know it’s serious.”
“Jeremy, I’m safe. I’m good,” she promised. “Come on, you’ve seen the dogs. Those guys would take a man down, even a big man.”
Jeremy didn’t appear to be pleased. “I just want you...safe.”
“We all want Katie safe,” Dan said.
“Should I take you home?” Jeremy asked.
Their main courses arrived. Katie gave him a half smile and arched a brow. “Um, we were going to eat this stuff we’ve ordered.”
“And, Jeremy, please join us. What would you like?” Dan asked.
Jeremy let out a sigh. “Thank you, but I have a business meeting down the street. Katie, I have just been so worried!”
“And I can’t apologize enough,” Katie said. “I was wrong and careless and selfish. And I am truly, truly sorry.”
“Please, keep in touch. I want to hear from you at least once a day,” Jeremy said, rising. He stopped, looking down at Dan.
“You’re watching over her?” he asked.
“I am,” Dan confirmed.
Jeremy dipped down, kissing Katie on the cheek. “Once a day!” he said firmly.
“I swear!” she promised.
He looked at Dan. “You were the enemy,” he said quietly. “Now I’m counting on you.”
He turned and walked out of the restaurant.
For a moment, Katie and Dan were both silent.
“I’m so...ashamed!” she said. “He was—is—the best. He saw to it that I had counseling. He has always been so caring. I was horrible! How did I not think to let him know right away that I was doing okay?”
“We all get caught up,” Dan said, glancing at his watch. “Have some fish, and I’ll take some shrimp. And don’t worry, I’ll ask you every day if you’ve called him.”
Katie grinned. “Thanks.”
Antoine’s was legendary for its sauces—they were delicious. But as they shared food, Katie grinned, thinking they might have asked for the dishes to be shared in the kitchen. Sauce was falling on the white tablecloth.
She met Dan’s gaze. He grinned. “Hey, don’t worry. They really do wash these things every night.”
The food was excellent. They discussed it, other restaurants, the last Mardi Gras, shops and places they loved...and then Katie found herself pausing.
“Mardi Gras was supposed to be low-key in
