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“Where you always have a table,” Patty said warmly. “All of you.”
Cicely smacked the countertop. “Then let’s not waste any more time. I want to hear some jazz.”
Molly walked André and Cardozo to the door. “I didn’t want to ask about Officer McCauley in front of everyone, because Gabe and Xavier are still having a hard time with his death, too. How is his family?”
André’s composure slipped, grief filling his eyes. “About as well as you’d expect. We’ll be making sure they’re taken care of, but thank you for asking.”
Molly swallowed. “He was protecting us. He was a hero. His wife needs to know that.”
“She will,” André promised.
“Thank you,” she said, then forced a smile, hoping to lighten André’s burden. “Especially for not putting us in jail.”
André winced. “Just try not to shoot any more people?” he asked hopefully.
Molly nodded. “I’ll be happy if I never shoot another person ever again.”
“That wasn’t a promise,” Cardozo said darkly.
Molly shrugged. “You want me to lie?”
André sighed. “No. Just... never mind. J.P., you ready to roll?”
“Yeah. Drop me off at the courthouse?” Cardozo asked as they went down the ramp that covered the stairs.
“You are one lucky girl,” Joy observed from behind her when Molly turned from the screen door. “This whole mess could have ended up a helluva lot worse.”
“I know.” Molly looked to the kitchen where Gabe was putting food away. “But it ended up pretty damn well, I think.”
Joy raised her hurricane glass, now completely empty. “Happy birthday.”
Molly laughed. “I forgot all about my birthday. How about we get another piece of cake for the road?”
Joy put her chair into gear. “I like the way you think.”
Mid-City, New Orleans, Louisiana
SUNDAY, JULY 31, 7:00 A.M.
“Gabe.” Molly’s sleepy voice roused him just enough to be annoyed. “Gabe.”
Her little elbow-shove to his stomach woke him up the rest of the way. “What?” he whined, too tired to care that he sounded Harper’s age.
“Your phone. Is ringing. Again. Playing that song from the rat-chef movie.”
“Ratatouille?”
“Whatever. Answer the phone, because that’s the third time it’s rung.”
Reluctantly, he released her. He’d been holding her against him, and she’d been using his biceps as a pillow. She wouldn’t stay here in his house forever, but Harper had cried when Chelsea and Molly had told her that they were going back to their apartment the night before. The child was afraid to return to the place where she’d hidden in the closet, terrified for her life.
Nobody blamed her.
So, they’d stayed, along with the Houston folks, who were leaving after breakfast. Gabe had no idea how long Molly’s little family would need to stay, but to be honest, he was grateful for the company.
He’d actually been hoping for an early-morning round of sex before he got up to make breakfast for everyone. He might still be able to make that happen, especially since Molly was now wide-awake and glaring at him.
“You missed the call.”
