Bayou Heat (15 page)

Rob exited the streetcar and grabbed Eris’ arm. “Maybe
that’s the whole problem with this investigation—no one is being rational about
it. If they were, this killer might have been caught already. Instead, everyone
seems to wait for you to perform your magic.”

The instant the words were out of his mouth he knew he’d made
a major mistake. He felt her stiffen as she backed away from his grasp. “If I
remember correctly, you were assigned to protect me,
not
to investigate
this case. Maybe Nate will take over for you now that he’s in town, I’m sure
you have more important things to do than hang with some loon 24/7.”

He watched as she turned and made her way to a streetcar
that would take them from the river to the cemeteries. Following her, he paid
their tolls and took a seat beside her on the small wooden bench. The trolley pulled
away with a jerky movement until it smoothed out into a gentle rocking motion.
He was tempted to break their silence by asking exactly where they were headed
but was certain Eris wasn’t in the mood for conversation, thanks to his mouth.

Rob watched the nighttime scene pass by as they gently
swayed from side to side. The dim lights and warm breeze created a dreamy
atmosphere, which surprised him because he never thought of the streetcars as
romantic. They were simply a method of transportation to him. For years they’d
provided his only means of commuting about town and not once had he ever seen
them in any other light until tonight and this ride with Eris. Rob shook his
head and rubbed his temple in an attempt to clear the ridiculous thoughts
running through it.

The trolley slowed and Eris nudged him with her elbow. He
took the hint to exit the car at the next stop. Apprehension filled him as the
streetcar pulled away and they stood alone on a dimly lit corner in a
not-so-good section of town. “I’m calling for backup before we take another
step.”

Lightning lit up the sky followed by an immediate clap of
thunder that seemed to shake the very ground they stood on.

“We don’t have time to wait.”

Rob felt the first raindrop on his arm as he pulled the cell
phone from his pocket and speed-dialed LD’s number. He continued to talk as he
followed Eris deeper into the run-down neighborhood. He gave LD their latest
location and disconnected as Eris darted across a darkened corner. He was
having a difficult time keeping an eye on their surroundings and her. The
farther they traveled, the more focused on the aura she became, tuning out the
rest of the world. He stayed close enough to maneuver her around trashcans and
street poles while keeping one eye and both ears on the lookout for danger. He
was so intent on keeping them safe that he almost ran over her when she
suddenly stopped.

“We aren’t going in there.” Rob surveyed the crumbling
six-foot wall in front of them that bordered the cemetery.

“What other choice do we have?” Eris continued to search the
area for an easy entry point.

“If our guy went in, then he had to come out. We can circle
the wall and find the exit point.”

“What about the evidence that might be inside?”

“We can come back tomorrow in the daylight and look for it.”

“By then the rain will have washed away the trail and we’ll
be left searching the entire cemetery.”

“It’s barely sprinkled. With any luck the rain will bypass
us altogether.” The rain picked that moment to increase, proving him wrong.

“We’re wasting time, boost me to the top then I’ll help you
up.”

“I’m not helping you climb that wall, Eris. Cemeteries are
home to ninety percent of the city’s lowlife after dark. I’m not going to be a
willing partner in this.”

Eris gave him a look that would have made most men choose
wrestling a gator over tangling with her. He glared back at her and watched as
she squared her shoulders, took a few steps back and ran for the wall. In a
seemingly single fluid move, she vaulted to the top of the wall and, before he
could utter a word, disappeared into the darkness.

“Eris. Eris, answer me dammit!” Rob refused to think about
what fate she could have met on the other side as he stepped back and ran for
the wall. His hands connected with the top edge as he searched with his feet
for a toehold. He cursed his slick-soled shoes as he fell back to the ground in
a not-so-graceful dismount. Increasing the distance between him and the wall,
he ran for it again, knowing he’d have to pull himself over the top with his
upper body.

Rob landed in the soft dirt of the cemetery grounds
silently. He crouched there in the shadows as his eyes adjusted to the almost
total darkness. Light from the streetlamps didn’t carry far beyond the wall and
the moon was absolutely no help now that clouds were moving in. He turned at
the sound of some creature scurrying off to his left and retrieved his gun. He
wasn’t sure what made the noise, but he knew it wasn’t Eris.

He refused to acknowledge the claustrophobic feeling that
seemed to be wrapping its way around him. The tightness in his chest and sweaty
palms were due to the weather and not some unnatural fear.

He carefully surveyed his surroundings from left to right
and caught sight of a dark shape moving steadily away from him. He stood and
started toward the form only to stumble and land on his knees when he stepped
in a hole. He regained his footing and continued his pursuit, managing to get
close enough to identify the person as Eris but not close enough to make
physical contact with her.

He called to her a couple of times as loudly as he dared,
but she didn’t respond. She appeared to be in one of her trancelike states and
oblivious to everything else around her. Rob tried to close the distance between
them but the now-steady rain made it almost impossible to see. He stumbled
along behind her, ignoring the pain and scratches to his legs and hands as they
connected with unseen objects.

He couldn’t help but wonder how she navigated the night so
smoothly. She never stumbled or bumped into any hidden items, it was as if she
had some unnatural night vision.

Eris knelt down beside what appeared to be a large tomb as
he closed the distance between them. He watched her perfectly still form and
wondered if maybe she’d stopped because she hurt herself. “Eris, you okay?”

“I found something. It looks to be material from a party
dress.”

“Look at me. Just
look
at me! Thanks to you, this
outfit is totally ruined, even my favorite pair of heels.” Carmen grabbed a
towel and began to dry her hair. Her brother always interfered in her life.

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be. I’m tired of you butting in where you don’t
belong. You have no right to do that!”

“I worry about you and it’s my job to keep you safe.”

Carmen wrapped the towel around her hair turban-style before
looking up. “I suppose…but you
have
to learn when to back off.”

“So do you.”

Carmen looked into the mirror. “At least the earrings
survived.”

The phone started to ring as she removed the jewelry and
crossed to the jewelry armoire in her bedroom.

“I have to answer that.”

Reverently, she placed the earrings in the box as the phone
continued to ring. She hated the phone because it always took him away—and
without him she was nothing.

“Carmen.”

“Go. Go answer the damn thing.”

* * * * *

Rob draped another blanket across Eris’ lap. “Nate’s here. I’m
having him drive you home. It looks like a long night for me. Are you okay with
that?”

When she finally turned to him, her expression was void of
all emotion.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Eris blinked a couple of times. “I’m fine, just cold and
totally exhausted. I want to go home.”

“Give me five minutes and you’ll be on your way.” Rob closed
the vehicle’s door and turned to Nate, dropping the keys in the man’s hand. “I
need you to keep a close eye on her, make sure she warms up and gets some rest.
Watch her, she’s devious and not above sneaking out when your back is turned.”

“She’ll be safe with me.” Nate palmed the keys and looked
him in the eyes. “You aren’t questioning my skills, are you?”

“Physically, she’s most likely safer with you than me, it’s
her emotional state I’m worried about. She doesn’t know when to back off.”

Rob caught a flash of white teeth in the darkness. “Don’t
worry for a second, I’ll provide her with whatever support she needs.”

Rob ground his teeth as he watched the pair drive away. He
was amazed at how much it bothered him to see her leave with another man. It
bothered him even more how much he wanted to be the one tending to her. He’d
stopped taking care of others after his mother died and had no desire to start
that again. Personal attachments weren’t a part of his agenda, he reminded
himself as he turned to join LD.

Even though the street was closed to the public, Rob was
forced to weave his way between patrol cars, personal vehicles and large trucks
that carried huge spotlights, which were just now starting to light up the
area. Soon it would be brighter than high noon.

LD noticed his approach and detached himself from the group,
meeting him halfway. “Is Eris okay?”

Rob rubbed a hand across his face. God, suddenly he was
beyond exhausted himself. “I sent her home with Nate. I’m sure after a warm
bath, dry clothes and some sleep, she’ll be fine.”

Rob could tell LD wasn’t convinced all was well, but he
didn’t say a word as he turned and greeted Detective Olson.

* * * * *

Eris watched Nate from her corner of the couch as she sipped
the cocoa he’d made for her. She’d emptied her hot water tank and still felt
chilled to the bone. Nate had protectively wrapped her in a blanket then warmed
the drink, and now he appeared totally lost in sketching a picture. Barefoot,
shirt hanging loose, hair ruffled and glasses perched on the end of his nose,
he gave the appearance of being the typical absent-minded artist. She had the
feeling it was all appearance.

The silence stretched out, not uncomfortably but tense
because there was a question that needed to be asked. “Why’d you do it?”

Nate continued with his work. “Do what?”

“Taunt Rob by implying you’d take care of all of my needs.”

This time he
did
stop drawing and smiled. “Oh…that.”

“Yeah, that. It wasn’t very nice and you know it, especially
since you know perfectly well there’s nothing between us.”

“You’re wrong, darlin’, there
is
something between
us. It might only be friendship but there is something, so I wasn’t lying about
taking care of you.”

Eris rolled her eyes. “All I’m saying is you didn’t have to
make him think you meant it in a romantic way.”

Nate pulled off his glasses and studied her for several long
seconds. “Oh hell. Tell me you aren’t starting to fall for that pretty boy.
God, women flock to him like bees to honey and I promise you he’s had his fair
share of them.”

“I’m not dumb, Nate, I’ve seen how women look at him when
we’re out and I never took him for a saint.”

“But you’re falling for him anyway?”

Eris didn’t answer because her only answer would have upset
Nate even more.

“He’s going to break your heart. I can call LD and tell him
you’re requesting I take over your protection. LD’s a good guy, he’ll
understand.”

Eris placed her cup on the coffee table then stood. “Thanks
for the offer, but I like things the way they are. I’m tired, good night.”

She closed her bedroom door behind her before crawling into
bed and pulling the covers to her chin. There was a very good chance Nate was
right, she’d end up with a broken heart when all was said and done. If she was
smart, she’d take Nate up on his offer, but no one ever accused her of being
levelheaded.

Not to mention, her goal here was to find Orbit’s killer and
she was positive that to do that, she needed Rob. She’d allowed herself to get
distracted and off course since he had entered the picture. Starting tomorrow,
Rob was going to see exactly how focused and forceful this loon could be.

* * * * *

Eris flipped through the stack of mail as she sipped her
coffee. Bills went into one shoebox, important-looking papers into another
while credit card applications and other junk mail went through the shredder.
It’d been two weeks since she last went through the mail at Orbit’s home
office. The task was as depressing as the last time she’d done it. Today she
came prepared with comfort food in the form of café au lait and beignets.

Nate wasn’t thrilled about leaving the apartment, but she
hadn’t given him any real choice. It was either they make the trip to Orbit’s
place or listen to her complain for the rest of the day. Voices drifted to her
from the other room as she finished banding all the important papers together
before dropping them into her tote bag.

She pulled the last powdered-sugar confection out of its
brown bag as she moved over to Orbit’s desk. The few times she’d been here
since Orbit’s death, she’d grabbed what she needed and run out of the room.
Orbit’s aura was so strong here it nearly crushed Eris every time she entered
the room.

Time had helped heal Eris to an extent, so today she was
able to block out most of Orbit’s spirit. What did leak through her barriers
scraped along her nerve endings like fingernails down a chalkboard, making her
jittery. Or maybe it was the six beignets and two extra-large coffees she’d
consumed this morning, Eris considered as she sucked the white powder off her
forefinger.

The reason for her restless feeling really didn’t matter at
the moment anyway and it was the last thing she needed to be worrying about.
For now she needed to focus on the desk in front of her and the evidence it
could contain. She started Orbit’s laptop as she settled into the chair,
determined to uncover some scrap of information that could help them.

* * * * *

Rob stood in the doorway to the study of Orbit’s house and had
to admit he was pleasantly surprised. There wasn’t a tarot card or gazing ball
in sight. In fact, the room was decorated in a style that was comfortable yet
efficient. The appeal of the room was totally overshadowed by the woman seated
at the desk. He figured that more than twelve hours away from her would have
diminished the impact she had on him. He almost laughed out loud at the
absurdity of that.

She turned her face away from him and he knew she was wiping
away tears. In the last couple of days he’d come to realize that she knew
exactly where he was at all times. She seemed to be able to zero in on his
location just as he could peg her moods with one glance and not a word spoken
between them. Right now she was hurting and that was twisting him inside out.

The mantle clock chimed one as he stepped into the room.
“Lunch is here. Why don’t you take a break?” He placed the food on the coffee
table and began to unpack the brown paper bag.

Eris didn’t say a word as she moved to sit next to him. He
handed her a quarter of the muffuletta sandwich. Rob picked up a piece and
settled back to eat. He wasn’t very hungry, but Eris needed to eat and he knew
she wouldn’t if he left her alone.

“Orbit’s house is very nice.”

Eris looked around the room as if it’d been awhile since she
last noticed it. “She loved this place from the moment she first saw it. I
remember telling her she was crazy to buy it, the place was a total disaster.”

“I’m surprised a woman her age bought a fixer-upper.”

Eris snorted as she reached for another quarter of sandwich.
“More like a tear-downer, but she was determined to restore the place. It took
her five years of blood, sweat and a king’s ransom, but she did it.”

“She did a wonderful job. It’s the focal point of the neighborhood.”

“Not only did the house turn out terrific, but she loved
being on the edge of the French Quarter. It allowed her to walk to work most
evenings, which she enjoyed doing.”

They fell into a more comfortable silence as they both
finished their meals. Rob noticed the tension leaving Eris as she relaxed
against the couch. “I’m surprised the new owner would allow you free access to
the house.”

Eris gave a slight shrug of the shoulders as she started
picking up the trash. “They don’t mind.”

Rob sat up straighter. “You did get the owner’s permission
to be here, didn’t you?”

She looked at him with the saddest eyes he’d ever seen. “I
didn’t have to.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m the owner.”

He watched as Eris scanned the room and wrapped her arms
around herself. “I take it Orbit didn’t have any family.”

“Her husband was killed in Vietnam and she never remarried.
They never managed to have any children. I just don’t know what to do with this
place.”

“Right now you don’t have to do a damn thing about the
house. You’ll know what to do when the time is right.”

“I hope so.” Eris took a shuddered breath. “I came here
today to look for information that might help us. I’ve gone through the mail,
there was nothing there of importance except bills. I was searching her
website, checking the bulletin-board postings and e-mails, but they’re too
personal. Would you mind taking care of that?”

“No problem. Can I load software to the laptop so I can run
some specialized searches?”

“Do whatever you need. I’m going to search for Orbit’s day
planner. It wasn’t on her when she was found, so I’m hoping it’s here.”

Rob watched Eris walk from the room. Last night changed her.
He wasn’t sure why or how, but it had. He didn’t need any special powers to
know she was more determined than ever to finish this task, even if it meant
asking him for help.

* * * * *

“Wasn’t there a receipt found for Mannies Truck and Tow
Center in the college boy’s truck?”

The sound of Eris’ voice pulled him away from the computer
screen he’d been staring at. Long evening shadows danced outside the window. No
wonder his back and neck were stiff, they’d been at this for hours. “Yes. The
truck was taken from the truck stop that night while the kid was waiting on his
supplier. Why?”

“I finally found Orbit’s day planner and there was a receipt
in there from Mannies.”

“Lots of people in this area use Mannies or end up there at
some point in their life.”

Eris waved the small scrap of paper in the air as she
crossed the room. “But it’s for an oil change.”

“She had her oil changed, nothing out of the ordinary
there.”

“For Orbit it is. She used a mechanic over in Slidell, swore
by the person and wouldn’t let anyone else touch her car.”

“Maybe she changed her opinion of the man and his tools.”

If it wasn’t for her slight pause and the bright pink flush
that engulfed her face, Rob would have sworn she’d missed his underlying
meaning.

“Her mechanic was a woman and Orbit
didn’t
change her
mind. I think we should check out Mannies.”

Rob leaned back in his chair and watched as the warm evening
sunlight danced off her face. Today her hair was neon pink and she wore a
fitted t-shirt embossed with the words
Drop the chocolate and no one gets
hurt
. There was a sliver of tanned skin showing between the bottom of her
shirt and top of her jeans. All he had to do was walk down Bourbon Street and
he’d see a lot more female flesh but none played havoc with his libido like
this woman’s did. “I’m not sure a receipt for an oil change constitutes a wild
goose chase.”

“How about a receipt dated two days before her murder?”

“Well, now that’s a detail we shouldn’t overlook.”

Eris cocked one hip and smiled. “The facts are for you. Me?
I’m running on pure instinct.”

“You know it’s going to take evidence to convict the
person.”

Eris placed the receipt in his hand. “I know, but that would
be Olson and Tarrington’s department, not mine.”

Rob pulled an empty envelope from the desk drawer, labeled
it “pertinent information” then slipped the piece of paper inside. After
sealing the envelope, he placed it into his briefcase for safekeeping. He
didn’t hold a lot of hope this lead would pan out, but he wasn’t about to
mishandle evidence, no matter how insignificant he thought it might be.