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“Only three people said they’d call us,” Xavier said. “We gave two of them Molly’s burner number...” He trailed off, wincing. “And we gave the third one Burke’s burner number.”
Molly smiled. “Exactly what I would have done.” She gave Burke a pointed glance. “And what you would have done, too.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Burke grumbled. “Next time give me some warning. I could have given you fresh burners. But...” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It was good thinking. Thank you. And I’m sorry I shouted, Cicely.”
“Apology accepted,” Cicely said. “We called nearly every veterinarian in New Orleans and all the surrounding neighborhoods. I suppose all we have to do now is wait.”
“And check Xavier’s UPS box in Baton Rouge,” Willa Mae said. “At one point, you, Burke, thought Lott or one of the others might have sent a booby-trapped package to that box, hoping to track Xavier. I think any investigation into what Paul Lott did or did not know has to include that box.”
“You’re right,” Burke said. “I let that ball drop. I’ll drive out to Baton Rouge tomorrow morning, first thing. Xavier, you said you had the key?”
Xavier started to get up. “Yeah. I can get it for you now.”
Burke waved him to sit back down. “In the morning is soon enough. I’ll open your box, but if there are any packages larger than the box holds, you might have to retrieve them personally or sign something that says I can. We’ll see what’s there first before I make any requests of the clerk who works there. Best to keep it low-key for now. Molly, can you recap?”
Molly scrolled back through the notes on her tablet. “Tyson Whitley, who killed Xavier’s intruder, and George Haslet, a.k.a. Meth Guy, were both called from the same phone, both hours before Whitley killed a John Doe and Haslet was killed for his car. This was a separate number than the one Mule used to contact Tobin. Antoine is checking connections. Both doctors at Nadia’s practice are dead. Paul Lott may have been spying on Rocky and might have given Mule a heads-up on Xavier’s whereabouts. Antoine is checking.”
“Antoine is busy,” Antoine muttered.
“You love it,” Molly said, and Antoine flashed her a smile. “The female victim from this morning—who gave a fake name and posed as Nadia Hall’s sister—has been identified by the ADA, but if it has been recorded somewhere, it’s behind the same wall as Eckert’s case files, which even André can’t access. Which could mean that a high-profile person or persons are involved. Or the Feds,” she added. “André said they were on the case, too. Also, Xavier et al. called New Orleans veterinarians seeking the owner of Madame Fluffy. And...” She paused dramatically. “Burke apologized for losing his temper.”
Burke sneered, but it was followed by a rueful smile. “That is true. And tomorrow I go to Baton Rouge to check Xavier’s box.” He closed the recliner and stretched his arms toward the ceiling. “Time for bed. Molly, you’re in with Chelsea and Harper in my room. It’ll be a squeeze for all three of you in the bed, but I expect you won’t want Harper that far out of your sight anyway.”
“You expect correctly,” Molly said, a shudder shaking her.
“Antoine? You staying or going?” Burke asked.
“Staying,” Antoine said, not looking up from his laptops. “I’ll be up most of the night. I’ll crash on the couch if I need to catch a nap. Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Gabe,” Burke said, “I’ve got two inflatable mattresses that I can set up in my office. I snore, so if that bothers you, there’s an extra twin bed in the room Xavier, Carlos, and Manny are sharing.”
“I got dibs on the bottom bunk,” Carlos said defensively.
Xavier rolled his eyes. “He’ll break the damn ladder to the top bunk, Carlos. You’re shorter. And younger. You should climb, not him.”
Gabe laughed. “Thank you, Xavier, even though I think you just called me old. It’s okay, Carlos. I won’t steal your spot. Burke, I can sleep through snoring, but I’m too wired to sleep for a while. Molly and I just woke up a few hours ago.” He rose and offered a hand to Cicely first, then Willa Mae, then to Molly. “Good night, everyone. Molly, coffee?”
She smiled up at him. “That sounds good.”
“Antoine, you want some?” Gabe asked.
“Please.” Antoine glanced up hopefully. “And anything you can cook. I’m starving.”
“So am I,” Carlos said.
“Me, too,” Manny said.
Gabe laughed again. “I guess I’m cooking a midnight snack. Let me check what’s in the fridge.”
