way a stripper did a pole, with sinuous moves and beckoning smiles that encouraged tips. While acres of flawless midnight skin flashed beneath close-shorn peroxided hair, logo-emblazoned tank top, and shorty shorts, piercing dark eyes and muscle-packed arms warned against unwanted attention. With a quick buff of the bar top, she placed a paper coaster in front of Cee Cee, topping it with a glass of seltzer water.
“Cop?”
“How’chu know?”
A flash of strong teeth. “I read folks. My superpower.”
“What kind of writing on the wall did you get from Leo Pomarelli the other night when he was at the bar?”
An uncharitable snort. “Same story every damned time. His lucky night. Big score. Meetin’ people, makin’ money, goin’ places.” She made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t wanna be dissing on the dead, but dat boy weren’t goin’ nowhere but a forever after in Holt.”
Cee Cee nodded at her reference to a pauper’s burial in New Orleans’ Potter’s Field.
“Hey, Glo! How ’bout annuder Dixie!”
Heading to the end of the bar, Gloria started making small talk and refreshing drinks but eventually drifted back to continue. “Doan know who he were on the phone with. Musta been bad news cuz I had to tell him more dan once to take it down.”
“Did you overhear anything that stood out?”
Brows lowered thoughtfully. “Bebés. He were talkin’ ’bout bebés. Were askin’ when dey’d be movin’ dem up north cuz he found da one dey’d been looking for and were gonna get paid plenty.”
“Those were his words? ‘The one they’d been looking for?’ Think carefully. This is important.”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. Jus’ like dat.”
The rest played out in a colorful retelling. On the first call, he’d ranted and made threats, on the next, he was all confident swagger. That’s when he asked for the room.
“Do you know who Warren Brady is?”
“He one a yours. I seed ’im that night. He come up to da bar, had Jack ’n water. I gots busy and when I comes back, jus his drink be dare.”
So, it could have been Brady. But still no proof. Cee Cee eyed the layout of the room, mentally placing each participant, moving them about with a sweeping glance. Something was missing.
“Anyone else who may have seen something?”
“Maybe Val. Val Harmon. She ’posed to be here an hour ago. Jus’ din show. Dat girl, she never not come in.”
When asked for her address, Glo hesitated. With a practiced smile Cee Cee assured, “I’m sure it’s nothing. I want to check with her in case she has some information.”
Whatever information Valerie Harmon might have had went to the morgue with her. And Cee Cee followed.
– – –
“You got a TOD, Dev?”
Chief Medical Examiner Devlin Devion glanced up at his pseudo-goddaughter, taking the offered cup of coffee with a grateful smile. Using his free hand, he gestured to photos from the scene and the naked female on his table. Cee Cee wondered if she’d ever stop taking that sight personally. She hoped not.
“Neighbors heard the shot and called it in.”
Cee Cee held her game face as he relayed the time. The significance didn’t escape her. About fifteen minutes after DeShawn Collette walked into the 5th District to meet with her.
“Any other physical trauma?”
He shook his head. “Single tap to the forehead probably the second she opened the door. Clean and professional.”
“Anyone go inside?”
“No. Just one and done. Follow-up canvas is in the works, but our shooter didn’t want to be seen, so don’t get your hopes up.” He studied her furrowed expression. “Part of an ongoing?”
“She is now.” Someone was covering their tracks. Cee Cee needed to move fast to protect DeShawn Collette and Gloria Joublanc. “Thanks, Dev. Keep me posted.”
He wouldn’t be dismissed that easily, moving their convo from professional to personal. “When did you last have a meal and catch a few hours, Lottie?”
“Just had lunch at home.” She smiled, brushing off his concern. “I’m fine. You know me, on the scent.”
“Mmm. Yes, I do. How’s Savoie?”
How would I know? Cee Cee managed a tight fib. “Fine. Working on some stuff of his own.”
A nod to her belly. “You take care of that little one. I’m looking forward to becoming an honorary uncle.”
She grinned, the T-rail of tension in her shoulders relaxing. “Looking forward to an experienced babysitter
– – –
So, Leo had told a mysterious someone on the phone that he’d found “the one.” The one what? He could’ve meant anything, but a sick feeling in Cee Cee’s gut tied it to her case of murdered mothers and missing