Me, neither.
So, there had to be someone else there.
Thats what Im assuming. Especially since there are no weapons.
So, someone went to the house with weapons, gave them to James Garcia, who murdered his family and committed suicide, and then took the weapons away? Quinn asked cynically.
Thats how it seems. Hubert sighed deeply. But, as I told you, Im the medical examiner. Youre the investigator.
Has Larue been here yet?
Hes due anytime.
Quinn felt a chill seep slowly into him. There was obviously something not right about the situation; Larue had known that immediately and that was why hed called Quinn.
Are you waiting for him? Hubert asked.
No. Theres not much point. Im sure hes working on backgrounds, but I dont think this is about drugs, or a family feud or anything...
Ordinary?
Quinn felt his brow furrow as he studied the bodies, then glanced back at Hubert. Odd. You see a macabre game of Clue. I saw a strange painting this morningor a copy of itthat this brings to mind.
Oh, Hubert said. Yeah. The Henry Sebastian Hubert. Ghosts in the Mind.
You know the painting? Quinn asked.
Of course.
Of course?
Believe it or not, I do enjoy art, Hubert said. But thats not why I know that particular painting.
You are a descendant? Quinn said.
Sure am, Hubert said, grimacing.
But...
I dont know how many greats I am. The man was as bohemian as his friends. He had a wife he left in London. She had a child. That child had a childyou know how it goes. Anyway, my grandfather came to Minnesota and thats where I lived until I came here. But, yes, Im a descendant. And Im sure of my facts because my mother was something of a family historian.
Now thats a bizarre coincidence!
Whats really bizarre is that you saw the paintingor a copy of it. Hubert was talented but became obscure. I guess theres been a revival of interest in his work, especially that piece. It has a long tangled history.
I heard some of it, and tangled is an understatement, Quinn said. Did you know theres a copya gicléeat a shop on Royal Street?
Interesting. Ill have to go by and see it. But right now I have a lot of work to do. Is there anything else I can tell you?
Quinn shook his head slowly. No, not now, thanks, Doc. Ill see Larue later and find out what hes learned so we can decide how were going to pursue this.
Hubert nodded grimly. Get this bastardwhether he killed the family, which is the most likely, or forced Garcia to kill them. Hes evil. Totally, heinously evil. Get him.
Quinn left, stripping off his gown and mask. But as he hurried down to the street and his car, he found his mind twitching in different directions.
A game of Clue.
A painting of domestic bliss that wasnt.
And someonesomethingevil and alive in the city he loved.
Chapter Three
NATASHA, ALSO REFERRED to as Mistress LaBelle, was a renowned voodoo priestess in the Quarter. Danni had known her as long as she could rememberand loved her like a wonderful, eccentric aunt for every one of those years.
These days she realized that Natasha had more than just an understanding of people. Natashas faith was strong. She knew that spirits traveled in the worldand everything wasnt plainly visible for the eye to see.
But Natasha also lived in the real world. Her shop was filled with wonders. The scent of incense flowed throughout; there were handcrafted masks on display, along with other artwork, jewelry and all kinds of gris-gris, since Mistress LaBelle catered to tourists, as well as the devout of her flock.
Natasha had a trusted wingmanJeziah, who was at the counter when Danni entered the shop. He looked up when the door opened. As a few tourists clustered in a corner, choosing a mask, Jeziah smiled at her.
Jeziah was often quiet and stoic but he saw everything that went on around him. Danni knew that he gave his total loyalty to Natasha; Jez, she thought, could have done anything in life. He was intelligent and compassionate. He was also striking, his skin a beautiful dark shade and his eyes a brilliant green. Jeziah moved fluidly and with purpose and seemed able to converse on any subject. He was a good friend to have.
Shes waiting for you, Jez told her before shed come even two feet into the store.
Youre kidding me, Danni said.
Jez shrugged. Do I ever kid? She had a dream about you.
Oh?
Shes waiting.
Danni could quiz him, but she knew he wouldnt say any more, so she merely thanked him and walked out to the courtyard.
There were many beautiful courtyards in the Quarter. Danni particularly loved Natashas. Plants grew everywhere, adorned with wind chimes and dream catchers. She kept candles burning by her wrought-iron table, since she gave readings there, usually at night. She was pricey when tourists came calling, but a session with Mistress LaBelle was considered a coup.
Natasha didnt rise when she saw Danni arrive. She beckoned her to the table where she sat, a burning sconce on either side.
Danni took the seat opposite her. Natasha had set out two cups of tea.
Wheres Wolf? she asked.
With Billie and Bo Ray, Danni said, shaking her head. How do you know when Im coming?
Natasha met her eyes. She was beautiful in a grand way, with nearly perfect bone structure and an ageless face. Tonight she wore a red-and-orange turban that complemented her orange robe and dark mahogany skin.
The air tells me, child. The air...you can feel the crackle when somethings up in the city. She paused. Ive also seen the news. There was a massacre today.
Danni nodded. I dont know much about it yet.
But Quinn was there, at the site.
Yes. Thats why Im here. He thought you might want to come to my place around seven. Well have a meal and talk about it. We
Drink your tea, Natasha interrupted.
Pardon?
Drink your tea.
Natasha was renowned for her palm reading, her insightful reading of tarot cardsand tea leaves.
Danni shouldnt have been surprised by Natashas insistence. One way or another, she could read any situation.
Drink up. I have to see what there is to see.
This isnt like the situation we had with the bust last year, Danni said Theres no object that we know of associated with any of this. Quinn was called in by Larue. It may not have anything to do with me.
Theres going to be an object. We just dont know what it is yet. So drink up.
Danni sighed but dutifully drank the tea. When shed finished, Natasha took her cup and studied the leaves. She shook her head and made a tsking sound; before Danni could groan or ask what shed seen, she leaned back in her chair, eyes closed.
Then her lids opened, but her eyes were rolled back and only the whites were visible. Danni was about to spring to her feet, about to call for Jez. But before she could, Natasha started speaking. So much darkness! I see that the day is dark, there are clouds, and there is no rain, and then there is rainthunder and lightning! Death spewed from the earth, darkness covered much of the globe. In the shadows, in the corners, in the most stygian places...evil was born. There was one who knew, and he guided the other, and there was a bright stain of blood against the darkness...and its coming here. Its coming to New Orleans.
Then her lids opened, but her eyes were rolled back and only the whites were visible. Danni was about to spring to her feet, about to call for Jez. But before she could, Natasha started speaking. So much darkness! I see that the day is dark, there are clouds, and there is no rain, and then there is rainthunder and lightning! Death spewed from the earth, darkness covered much of the globe. In the shadows, in the corners, in the most stygian places...evil was born. There was one who knew, and he guided the other, and there was a bright stain of blood against the darkness...and its coming here. Its coming to New Orleans.
Natashas head fell forward. Danni did spring to her feet then, rushing around to touch her friend. Natasha lifted her head and stared at Danni.
Are you all right? Danni asked urgently. Ive neverIve never seen you do anything like that! Whats going on? Do you know what you said?
Natasha patted Dannis hand where it lay on her shoulder. Im fine...and yes, I saw...I heard my voice. This has happened to me a few times....
You might need a doctor, Natasha
Im fine, Danni. Sit, please.
Danni took her seat again, studying Natasha worriedly. Her skin had grown a little ashen, but she appeared to be in control.
What did that mean?
It means that something very, very bad is in the city. Its a good thing Quinns back. Wed have to send for him if he wasnt, Natasha said.
But...what is it?
I dont really know. I just saw the sky, and it looked as if thered been a great storm, and then there was a great storm...but when the rain went away, the sky was still dark.
Okay...well check the weather? Danni said hopefully.
Natasha gave her a disapproving frown. Something is coming, she repeated. And I dont think its another storm, another Katrina. Storms are real. They kill, ruin, devastate, but we know them. Theyre forces of nature and they can be understood. This is different.
Did you see anything else? Danni asked.
Natasha was silent for a minute.
Natasha!
Natasha nodded. I saw...you.
* * *
Quinn was eager to get back to The Cheshire Cat and Danni when he left the morgue, but before hed gone very far, his phone rang. He answered on his hands-free unit. It was Larue.
Where are you? Larue asked.
Heading back to the French Quarter. Hubert said you were due at autopsy, Quinn replied.
Yeah, well, theres been another situation.
Quinns grip tightened on the wheel.
Five already dead and there was another situation?
He had to clear his throat before he could speak. How many? he croaked.
Nobodys dead. This is different. Can you get to the station?
None dead. He let out a sigh of relief.
Uh, sure.
Twenty minutes later he arrived at the station. Larue was there to meet him at the reception desk.
What took you? he demanded irritably.
Uh, let me see? This area is filled with one-way streets, constructionoh, and we block off a few of our one-way streets now and then to accommodate fairs, wine tastings and musicians? Oh, yeah, and then there are the tourists who wander into the street. I always try to avoid hitting them.
Larue wasnt amused. My office. Come on.
Quinn followed Larue down a hallway to his office. As usual, a few of those whod overpartied were being booked, some still grinning sloppily, some sobering up far too quickly and realizing the trouble theyd gotten themselves into. There was one kid, wearing a college football jersey, Quinn was sure he recognized.
Up-and-coming quarterback, he said quietly as they walked. What did the kid do?
Thought one of the horses being ridden by a mounted patrol officer was making fun of him, Larue said.
And?
He punched the horse.
Horse okay?
Yeah, the kid will be, too. His parents are coming down.
They went into Larues office. A man in uniform was sitting in front of Larues desk, his head in his hands. He glanced up when Quinn and Larue entered the room.
The cop was about forty and appeared to be in generally good health. Except that he looked haggard and drawn, as if he hadnt slept for a week straight and had faced every demon in hell. Quinn thought he seemed familiar. He also looked as if hed been in a fight; there were scuff marks on his clothing and a bruise under his eye that promised to become a massive shiner.
Larue sat on the corner of his desk. Quinn, this is Officer Dan Petty. Dans been with the force for fifteen years. Hes received medals for his extraordinary valor in times of stress. He was here for the aftermath of Katrina and the summer of storms. Dan, Michael Quinn. You two mightve met years ago. Quinn was with the force for a while.
Dan Petty nodded at the introduction. He started to get up to meet Quinn, then fell back into the chair. As he watched Quinn, a certain expression came into his eyesa spark of hope.
Yeah, I remember you! he said. Youre that football hero who died and then became a cop!
I was a cop, and now Im a private investigator, Quinn responded.
But you really died, huh?
I was resuscitated.
Yeah, but still... To Petty, it was clearly a good thing. He might have been clinging to the hope that Quinn knew the secrets of the universe.
Dan, do you want to tell Quinn what happened? Larue suggested.
There was something there...something in the evidence lockup. Something that wasnt right, Petty said. He swallowed. Hed probably tried to explain himself a few times now and hadnt done well.
Petty grimaced. It was coming at me... It was...well, you know how the fog sets over Lake Ponchartrain and its so damned misty you cant see anything but shapes? The room was filled with the stuff...gray, with black shadows. It...it touched me. The gunk touched me and it was jerking me around and...I couldnt stop it! I couldnt stop itI couldnt control my own muscles, my own bodyit was in me, do you understand? The damned gunk was in me. I started picking up confiscated knives and guns and then...
Then? Quinn encouraged.
I screamed. I was so damned scared and...then I felt that things were on me...trying to kill me.
His fellow officers, at that point. Larue spoke in a low voice.
They got me out eventually, Petty said, looking at Larue. Im sorry. I hope those guys know...
They know, Larue reassured him. He turned back to Quinn. The other officers corroborate what Officer Petty just said. They swear there was some kind of fog in the evidence lockup.
Quinn nodded. So, did any of them stay behind?
There are men there now, three of them. The fog dissipated.
You saw it, too? Quinn asked.
Dont know what it was, but I saw it, yes.
All right. Ill talk to these guys, see what they have to say, Quinn said. He patted Officer Petty on the knee. Something bizarre happened in there. No need to feel like a crazy man. Ill take a look and see if I can figure out what went on.
Youre not just, uh, patronizing me, are you? Petty asked.
I dont patronize anyone, Quinn told him. Did you hear voices? Did you hear anyone speaking? Could you see anything in the fog?