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Xavier had to smile at his best friend. “No. But thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Louise,” Carlos said, his grin strained.
Xavier discreetly flipped him the bird. Then dialed Gabriel Hebert’s restaurant.
“Le Petit Choux,” a woman answered. “How can I help you?”
It wasn’t the same person who’d talked to his mother. She’d used the speaker the first few times. That woman had sounded younger, twangier. This woman sounded like she meant business, and not in a good way.
Xavier licked his lips, his mouth suddenly dry as a desert. “Hi. I’m trying to reach Gabriel Hebert. Is he in?”
The woman huffed. “Who are you?”
Xavier was afraid to give his name. “A friend of his father’s.” Complete silence met his ears. Xavier had to check to see if they were still connected, but they were. “Um, hello? Ma’am?”
Suddenly the background noise increased. People and cars. The woman had taken the call outside. “You sound a little young to have been a friend of Rocky Hebert.”
“I was,” Xavier insisted. “Please, it’s important. Life and death, even.”
Another tense few moments filled with horns and traffic. “What’s your name, kid?”
Xavier swallowed. “How do I know you’re really a friend of Gabe’s?”
She laughed, but it didn’t sound too nice. “How do I know you’re really a friend of Rocky’s? Look, kid, you called us. Trust me or don’t. I really don’t care.”
But she did. He could hear it in her voice. “My name is Xavier. Mr. Hebert can reach me at this number. Thank you. Goodbye.” He ended the call and met Carlos’s probing gaze. “She sounded like a cop.”
Carlos closed his eyes. “Then let’s hope she’s a good one.”
