They fell silent for a few minutes while Mitchell negotiated the heavy traffic in the Quarter. As they drove by the liquor stores and souvenir shops on the lower end of Decatur, Evangeline could tell something was on his mind. He was still watching her out of the corner of his eye.
Okay, spit it out, she said.
He suddenly looked uneasy. How long are we going to ignore the elephant in the backseat?
She pretended not to know what he meant. What elephant?
I dont want to end up like that dead cop. Thats what she said her husband told those guys that night, right?
I guess.
Mitchell turned and dropped his chin, as if he were peering at her over the top of invisible glasses. You guess?
All right, yeah, thats supposedly what Courtland said.
So lets talk about it, Mitchell said impatiently. Because I know damn well youre thinking about it.
Evangeline closed her eyes as she let her head fall against the back of the seat. It was a relief to finally say it. What if he was talking about Johnny?
You know thats a long shot, right?
Why?
Why? He ticked off the reasons on one hand.
One, Johnnys not the only cop whos been killed in this city. Two, we dont even know that he was talking about an NOPD cop. Three, theres not a shred of evidence that connects Johnny to Sonny Betts or Paul Courtland.
That we know of.
Four four, he insisted when she tried to talk over him. Johnnys death was a random act of violence. Tragic and senseless, but thats all it was. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I dont believe that.
I know you dont, but it happens, Evie. New Orleans is a dangerous place. We dont call tourists walking ATM machines for nothing.
He eased his way around a stalled car, and from Evangelines perspective, they seemed to squeeze by with only a hair to spare.
George Mason was the lead on Johnnys case. Hes a determined guy. If there was something to find, he would have found it.
Not if the crime scene was swept before he got there, she said.
Well, hell. Why didnt I think of that?
She responded with an irritated glower.
Mitchell sighed. Okay, humor me, here. Swept by who? Elvis? He shook his head. Do you hear what youre saying? Do you know how you sound?
She knew exactly how she sounded, but she wasnt backing down. This had been eating at her for months. You were the one who brought it up.
I was hoping if we talked it through, youd get how ridiculous this all sounds. If you keep going on like this His mouth tightened.
What?
He hesitated. Okay, I didnt want to get into this, but maybe it needs to be said. You want to know why some of the other cops have a hard time looking you in the eye these days? Why theyre not so crazy to work with you anymore?
Uh, because theyre a bunch of macho asstards?
He ignored that. Its because ever since the shooting, youve made it clear you think something about the investigation wasnt kosher. Youve been letting some none-too-subtle insinuations slip out about a cover-up. Hell, for all I know, you think Im in on it, too. Whatever it is.
You know I dont think that.
The Gods honest truth? I dont know what to think anymore. I dont have the slightest idea where your head is these days. Kathy said youd called the house at least a dozen times last week looking for Nathan.
Thats an exaggeration. I called twice.
Nathan Mallet had worked cases with Johnny in the year before his death. They werent officially partners, but Nathan would know better than anyone if Johnny had been involved in something dangerous.
But the shooting had shaken him up. Hed been a mess at the funeral and afterward he wouldnt return Evangelines phone calls. Now it seemed hed dropped off the face of the earth. His wife, Kathy, claimed she hadnt seen him in weeks.
I just dont understand why he wont talk to me, Evangeline said.
No big mystery there. From what I hear, hes down in New Iberia working on one of his old mans shrimp boats. I talked to his sister not too long ago, and she said the last time she saw him, he looked terrible. She thinks he may be on dope. Crystal meth, most likely. That shit is everywhere these days.
And you dont find that kind of behavior at all suspect? He hasnt been the same since Johnny died, and you know it.
You try losing a partner and see how it affects you.
He and Johnny werent partners.
Neither are we, Mitchell said. Not officially anyway. But Id hate like hell for something to happen to you. Even if you do exasperate the crap out of me at times.
Thanks, she said dryly. What I cant get over is how Nathan left. He didnt even resign. He just dropped out of sight.
Like thats unusual around here. Were the Big Easy, remember?
She shrugged.
Besides, Nathans always been a flake. Comes from being raised by a drunk. His old man was always half-stoned, even at work. Im not surprised Nathan has some of the same reliability issues. They say addiction runs in families, dont they?
Yeah, thats what they say.
Evangeline decided to let the matter drop, but she still had her own theory regarding Nathan Mallet.
His behavior sounded to her like the manifestation of a guilty conscience. Why else would he go to such pains to avoid her?
I wish youd just let this go, Mitchell grumbled.
I will. Just as soon as I find some answers.
And if you dont find the kind of answers you want? His worry for her seemed to settle in all the deep grooves and crevices of his careworn face. You think Johnny would want you obsessing about his death like this?
Evangeline didnt answer.
Hell, no, he wouldnt. Hed want you to get right back out there and build a life without him.
She drew a breath and said quietly, If the situation were reversed, hed be doing the same thing I am.
You sure about that? The Johnny Theroux I knew would make sure his kid was his main priority.
You think Im neglecting J.D.? Her voice sounded more hurt than she wanted it to.
I never said that. But one of these days, that boy is going to need a daddy, Evie.
She stared at him in outrage. I cant believe you just said that.
His shrug was anything but apologetic. Call me old-fashioned, but I happen to think a boy needs a male role model. And no offense, but youre not
Not what? she demanded. Getting any younger?
He grinned. I was going to say, youre not taking care of yourself. Look at you. Youre as skinny as a fence rail.
So? Im also as healthy as a horse.
Physically, maybe, he muttered.
I heard that.
His grin broadened. Itd do you good to get out more. Have some fun, is all Im sayin. His tone turned sly. A blind man could see that Tony Vincents got a thing for you. Would it kill you to throw the man a bone? Maybe have dinner with him or something?
What are you, his pimp?
Mitchell chuckled. You could do a lot worse.
I dont even know why Im having this conversation with you. Its ridiculous. We should be talking to Sonny Betts right now.
Thats going to be tricky. The feds consider him their territory.
Evangeline shrugged. Hes a person of interest in a homicide investigation. Hes our territory now.
Okay, but if were taking a ride out there today, I need some fortification first. How about lunch? Im in the mood for catfish. Lets go to Dessies.
Mitchell let her out in front of the restaurant while he drove around the block to find a parking place.
As Evangeline stood in the shade of the colonnade, she spotted a dark gray sedan in the traffic on Decatur. She wondered for a moment if it was the same gray car theyd seen at the crime scene that morning, if they were being tailed by the feds.
But when Mitchell came whistling around the corner, she decided not to mention it to him. Hed probably think she was starting to obsess about that, too.
Hey, he said. Give me a day or two and Ill see if I can find out where Nathan is staying. The old ladys pretty tight with his sister.
Evangeline smiled gratefully, her previous irritation evaporating. I owe you one.
Damn straight you do. Which is why Im gonna let you buy me lunch today.
Gee, thanks.
As they walked up to the restaurant, she turned and glanced at the street. The gray car was nowhere in sight.
Seven
The high brick wall that surrounded Sonny Bettss sprawling stucco mansion was all but hidden by twenty-foot-tall crepe myrtle trees that also concealed surveillance cameras. The wind was blowing off the lake, and as Mitchell pulled the car up to the scrolled iron gates, the scent of oleander drifted through the open window.
A guard with a clipboard came over to the car and leaned down so that he could see into the window. He was tall and swarthy with the forearms and neck of a former linebacker.
Can I help you folks?
Mitchell and Evangeline hauled out their IDs. Im Detective Hebert and this is my partner, Detective Theroux. We need to talk to Betts.
Is he expecting you?
Just tell him were here, Mitchell said. Hell want to see us. Unless, of course, theres a reason he wouldnt want to cooperate with a homicide investigation.
The man smirked. Homicide, eh? Who died?
Open the gate, asshole. Or else the first call I make will be to the Times-Picayune. Ive got a buddy over there whos just itching to put your boss back on the front page. Unless he likes the publicity, nosy reporters poking through his trash and all that, hell talk to us.
With an angry glare, the guard lifted the cell phone to his ear and walked away from the car. A moment later, the gates slid open and Mitchell drove through.
Nice bluff, Evangeline said as they pulled up to the house.
Mitchell shot her a glance. What bluff? My buddy writes the obituaries at the Times-Picayune. Like I said, hes just itching to do a real nice write-up on Sonny Boy.
Betts was out by the pool watching a blonde in a turquoise bikini swim laps. When he saw Mitchell and Evangeline, he walked over to the edge and waited for the young woman to hitch herself out of the water. Then he wrapped a fluffy white towel around her shoulders and gave her a pat on the ass.
As she sauntered toward the pool house, she gave Evangeline a sideways scrutiny, sizing her up with one disdainful glance.
Betts was dressed in white trousers, sandals and a dark blue shirt left unbuttoned to expose a smooth, muscular chest. He was just shy of middle age, with brown hair, brown eyes and a mouth that tilted at the corners in a perpetual sneer. A silver medallion hung from a chain around his neck and glistened in the sun as he turned and watched their approach.