of her features for a long moment then exhaled, adopting that familiar mien of caring ‘uncle’ and a gentler rationale.
“Charlotte, your daddy would be so proud of who you’ve become. He took the same high ground . . . and look how that ended for him. I don’t need another martyr. I need someone strong beside me, making the hard choices, holding to the realistic truths that will keep all the populace in New Orleans safe.” When she didn’t immediately argue, he smiled. “I know diplomacy goes against the grain for you. For me, too. But we pick our battles, Lottie, and this one isn’t it. Help me put a lid on things before the press makes all of us over into Brady’s mold.”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing by doing nothing with what we know?”
A patronizing nod of agreement. “You’re right, of course. But the high road isn’t always the best road for all concerned. A dead man can’t present evidence at trial. Carmen Blutafino is not going to escape justice. There will always be a Blutafino and those like him to provoke us and try to pervert our loyalties. The stronger we stand together for the laws we can enforce, the more difficult we make it for criminals to succeed. Let’s put this scandal behind us and move forward to that better New Orleans we want to make together.”
Cee Cee asked for clarification. “What would you like me to do, sir?”
“Talk with your team so we’re all on board, then I’ll make a statement to the press to end this unfortunate event. Warren Brady made mistakes that weighed upon him so greatly he took his own life rather than further disgrace the office he loved and the family he protected. He’ll be buried quietly, and we will move on.”
“Yes, sir. Is there anything else, sir?”
“No, Detective.” Byron Atcliff’s strong features relaxed into a fond smile. “I appreciate your candor and your cooperation in this matter. You deserve to be seated on this side of the desk in that future we’ll build together.”
Had Brady once given him the same speech?
Cee Cee breezed past Babineau where he loitered outside the door. He hustled after her, holding tight to his questions.
After they’d climbed into her partner’s beat-up vehicle, she buckled in and blurted out, “Shit! Shit, shit, shit! He wants us to make it go away.”
Babs started the noisy engine then turned toward her, voice a calm whisper in comparison to knocking valves and the banging pulse between her temples. “And what do you want?”
“Close it down.”
“Ceece—”
“Just drive.”
– – –
After the detective marched from his office, Atcliff stared at the closed door then drew out his private cell to make the call he’d been avoiding. A silky voice answered. He got right to the point.
“Thank you for tidying up that unfortunate problem.”
“Of course. It was to all our benefit. His usefulness was at an end, so his was inevitable. And it gave me the opportunity to test certain loyalties.”
Just as he had. Atcliff’s chest tightened with provoking sentiment, hoping he hadn’t miscalculated. A quick, hard breath dispelled it. “It’s time we escalate the situation while they’re vulnerable.”
A low chuckle, that misleading purr before the flash of sharp teeth. “Vulnerable is not a word I’d use as long as they have their attack dogs on the leash.”
“The Terriots are your kind, your problem. Deal with them as you see fit.”
“Oh, I will. Time to put our asset to work bringing them to heel. Then we’ll do a clean sweep of that rabble on the docks and the city will be ours.”
“And Savoie?”
“I’ll see to him. We have unfinished business that’s long overdue.”
“And his wife?” Atcliff hoped no weakness betrayed him.
“Don’t worry. She’s as valuable to us as she is to you. She carries our future.”
– – –
Cee Cee met with their team to relay the order to wrap things up in a neat bow for the city and the press and to release the scene, a command earning surprise but no questions. BAU, Business as Usual. The call to Dovion she expected would be harder, but the ME offered no rebuttal. She was too tired and frustrated to concern herself with his quick capitulation.
Then back to Atcliff to confirm things on her end. Case closed by Officer in Charge. Manner of Death, gunshot wound, self-inflicted. Warren Brady had gone out with a bang and a whimper.
Babineau remained a silent support at her side until they left the scene.
“Where to?”
She slumped in the passenger