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The things a man would do to escape the ire of a betrayed wife. Unfortunately, a lot of things.
Lamont should know. That was how he’d gotten into this mess in the first place.
“We’re square. It’ll be like those photos never existed.”
“Good enough.”
He stayed at the window after Hodges ended the call and considered his next steps. With both Eckert and Stockman gone, he needed to find someone else to get rid of the Morrow kid. Or do it myself.
That was an option. For now, he needed to know more about the lady PI who’d been hired by Gabe Hebert.
Margaret Sutton. He’d already googled her and read the circumstances around the killing of her brother-in-law. Jackass was right—it did sound like her cop friends had minimized her role to self-defense.
It did indicate that she was willing to kill, though. He wouldn’t underestimate her, especially if she’d been the one to keep Cornell Eckert from following Xavier Morrow into the city. At least he knew where they’d be.
Sutton worked for Burke Broussard, who was, unfortunately, unbribable. He’d left the force rather than get involved in anything dirty.
Lamont had always wondered why Broussard’s boss had allowed him to simply walk away. There was a story there and one day he’d find out what happened. Today, though, he was more interested in Broussard’s staff. If it had been Sutton’s truck today, it meant that she was one step ahead of where she should be.
He’d include her in the next hit.
He would have left the lady PI to Jackass, but Jackass’s plans had been blown apart today, too. Whoever had killed Paul Lott had been arrested in the Quarter that afternoon. It had been all over the news.
“At least no one can connect that shitshow to me,” he murmured.
It had been a long day. He needed to get home. It was unlikely, but Eckert might be held without bail. If that happened, Lamont would have to find a replacement in the notebook he kept in his home safe.
He sighed. Joelle would be at home. She’d want to talk about Ashley, whom he’d had transferred to a colleague’s office. Ashley had been devastated because the move had been a demotion. He’d had to promise to make it up to her. He’d already sent her an emerald necklace as an apology.
He had an identical necklace in his pocket for Joelle. She’d force him to view whatever surveillance footage she’d taken, and he’d do so. He’d even pretend to be sorry. He’d cry and give her the necklace. She’d pretend to forgive him and then take the necklace.
And they’d go on as if nothing had happened, leaving Lamont to focus on his real problems.
If the judge granted Eckert bail tomorrow, he’d likely be free before lunch, and if he was still willing, Lamont would put him back on Xavier Morrow. Eckert might even insist on it. Hit men were often weird that way. They had an interesting code of ethics and a real sense of pride in their work. If Eckert refused, he’d find someone else. He had a whole list of possibilities, after all.
With a last look at the throngs of people crowding the streets of the Quarter, he turned to clean off his desk, dialing James as he walked. “I’ll be down in five minutes to head for home.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 6:30 P.M.
Molly flipped the whiteboard after they’d cleaned it, revealing a bulletin board with their schedules and menus from various takeout restaurants attached with thumbtacks. Then she and Gabe took their seats, Gabe taking her hand and holding on tight. He darted a concerned glance at Xavier before clearing his expression. Molly knew that he was worried about Xavier, too, which was miles away from how he’d felt about the young man that morning.
The silence was broken by Willa Mae. “Does Xavier need a lawyer?”
Burke shook his head. “I don’t think so. As long as he doesn’t volunteer any information.”
Cicely turned to her friend. “If things go wrong, will you represent him?”
“You know I will.” Willa Mae held out one hand. “Smallest you’ve got.”
Cicely dug into her purse, producing a dollar bill. “Thank you.”
Willa Mae took the money and hugged Cicely to her. “He’s your son and you’re my best friend. Plus, he’s kind of grown on me after all these years.”
“And I mow your yard,” Xavier said, his smile falling a little flat. The young man was scared and, while Molly hated to see it, she certainly understood it.
