“So there, you see?”
“I don’t see anything at all!” Katie exclaimed. “Anita Calabria was also a friend—a dear friend. She never appeared to me.”
“So who does?” he asked quietly.
She had turned up St. Ann, not really paying attention to what she was doing, and then made another turn onto Bourbon Street. They were about to pass the LaLaurie Mansion, one-time home and torture house of Madame LaLaurie and her husband, Doctor LaLaurie. The couple had found infamy by torturing their slaves and performing medical experiments on them. A cook had set fire to the house while chained to a stove, unconcerned with dying if she could only bring an end to the monstrous things going on in the house.
“Rose!” she said, pointing to the house. “Rose, she died as a beautiful young girl. She loves walking down to Royal Street and looking at all the styles at Fifi Mahony’s, a wig shop and hair salon. The wigs are incredibly clever and wonderful. And Rose...”
Her voice trailed. She looked over at Adam Harrison. “My father had this?” she whispered. “He had it, and I have it, and yet...”
“Your parents loved you. They were good people. I don’t have all the answers. I knew your father and mother, and they would have wanted to stay by you, I’m sure. But most of the time, the dead do go on. They were together. I don’t have all the answers. In fact, I see my son, who died when he was a teenager. But... I’m lucky in that. And it wasn’t right away... It took practice, from both of us. I don’t know how any of this works. I just know sometimes it does.”
“So you’re here to solve the murders?”
He smiled and shrugged. “No. I’m a horrible investigator. But I do know how to put the right people together.”
“The right people?” She looked at him warily. He couldn’t mean Dan Oliver. He wasn’t any kind of law enforcement anymore. He was a hack. A private eye!
“I have an agent down here.”
“Ah,” she said, relieved.
“He’s currently trying to connect with the former FDLE agent who worked the case in Orlando, Dan Oliver.”
Katie winced. “Listen—”
“Katie, you know you’re going to be obsessed with this. And...”
He was staring out to the left. They were passing Lafitte’s Bar. She wasn’t sure she was leading her poor mule anywhere. Adam Harrison wasn’t with her for a tour.
“Mr. Harrison, I believe you knew my father. And that you care about what is happening. But I can only take your word you’re who you say you are.”
He reached into his jacket pocket, producing a wallet-size folder with his credentials.
“Okay, let me start over again. Dan Oliver tried his hardest to prove my father’s best friend—a man who lost his best friend, his wife, and his best friend’s wife on the same day—is a horrific killer. Now, I believe whoever is really doing this probably knows about George and delights in seeing him suffer, but while Dan Oliver wants to see no one else but George as the killer, I want nothing to do with the man.”
“Interesting. Where are we now?” Adam inquired.
“Oh!” Katie said. She’d led her mule and the carriage through the Quarter and to Rampart Street. She was heading back to the stables.
Well, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea. It was time to give Sarah a break. Mules were smart creatures, in spite of the fact that the animals, able to handle the Louisiana heat better than horses, were often considered to be their lesser cousins.
She loved Sarah, and Sarah returned the affection.
“I guess I was randomly heading home,” Katie said.
“Ah, yes, you have a house right next to the stables where the carriages and mules are kept by Mr. Monty Trudeau.” She glanced back at him, and he shrugged. “I’m not a great investigator, but I’m a fine director, and I am with the FBI,” he told her. “I’d love to see the stables and where you live.”
“Fine.”
She had to hop out on the street to open the large gates that led into the Trudeau Carriage Company. But as she entered, she saw Monty come out of the office building that sat between the large enclosure where the carriages were kept and the stables.
“Hey!” he greeted her.
Monty was a big man, tall and broad-shouldered and a bit round. He had a thick head of brown hair that matched his full beard. Both were graying and long and a bit shaggy. Monty reminded her of a bear, but a big, lovable, huggable bear.
“Hey!” she called. “I hope it’s okay I brought a visitor. Adam is an old friend of my dad’s. I figured I’d drive back with him and just walk next door to get my car.”
“Sure. Hi, Adam,” Monty called. He studied the man in the carriage. “You were friends with Lou Delaney?” he asked.
“Lou was a great guy,” Adam said. “You knew him?”
“Old family friends,” he said, looking at Katie and smiling. “He came out here after the storm, and he and his cousin went out in a boat to help. I didn’t know him well, but as you said, great guy.”
“Right. And it’s a true pleasure to meet you,” Adam said.
Adam easily swung down from the carriage, a nimble man for his age. Striding toward Monty, he offered his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir. I haven’t had a chance to see Katie now in years, but I knew she was working with you. The reviews for your company are great. I quote, a small and personable carriage-tour business, excellent guides, animals well-tended. And I’ve just experienced the same myself.”
“Well, thank you,” Monty said, beaming. “I think Katie’s knowledge and her warm and winning ways have a lot to do with that. We are small—three carriages, three drivers and me. I have five mules—I’m always watching that my animals are in good health and ready to go. Feel that way about my dogs, too. Mr. Harrison, it’s a pleasure to meet any old friend of Katie’s. Katie, I’ll see to Sarah and the carriage, and you and Mr. Harrison can enjoy some time together.”
“Monty, that’s okay. It’s my job. Adam won’t mind waiting—”
“I insist! Run along. I finished up all my paperwork, and I need something to do.”
Katie was about to assure Monty he was welcome to join the two of them, but she refrained. She didn’t want their strange discussion shared with anyone.
“Lorna and Matt are still on the job?” Monty asked.
“Yes, they’re out there.”
“Then, all is well. Go off. You must have tons to talk about,” Monty said.