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“I’ve never been the kind of dog Russo is. He’s the one you need to check. I couldn’t count the women I’ve seen him with since he’s been dating Dee.” Skip sounded hurt. “Besides, how do you know she wouldn’t break my heart?”

“Dee is no heartbreaker.” Thinking of the possible consequences, Chelsea sobered.

“She’s my best friend and I love her, Skip. Dee has been in my life through good and bad times.

Nothing would make me happier than seeing you two together, but your proclivity for skirt chasing makes me very leery, my dear brother.”

She listened to the testimony of a “changed man”, and issued a final warning. “Okay, I’ll let her know how you feel, but remember, if you hurt her, she won’t have to douse your ass with hot grits. I will.”

* * * *

Chelsea was mindful of her position, even on weekends. She chose outfits that exposed just enough skin to make her feel and look sexual. Her sleek black top revealed only a hint of the rose embossed cups of her camisole. She added sensible shoes with a black handkerchief skirt that swayed seductively when she danced. Turning before the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door, she smiled. “Perfect. Add a nice jacket and I could waltz this baby into the courtroom.”

She had dried and set her hair before dressing, which gave her shoulder length tresses just the right amount of curl. Using makeup in measured quantities and flattering hues, she highlighted her cheekbones and colored her lips.

Her body tingled when she thought of Isaac. You’re in for it this weekend, my sweet baby. She locked her front door and strutted out to her car for the short drive to Mama Rose’s.

Skip was sitting at a table in the corner when she arrived. Scanning the crowd, she easily identified tourists and spotted a lot of familiar faces. Rose’s Seafood Restaurant was a favorite with both.

“I might have known.” She hugged her brother’s shoulders. “Wrist deep in a seafood platter.”

“Heck yeah.” Skip licked his fingers. “I was starving. You know Mom left for Morgan City on Wednesday. The only meals Dad and I have had were here at Mama Rose’s.”

The restaurant’s inviting aroma always whetted her appetite. “I didn’t have lunch, so I’m a little hungry, but I could really use a stiff drink.”

“I timed your arrival almost to the second. Your drink is on the way.”

“Thanks. I hope you made it a double. I’ve has one hellacious week.”

He held out his hand just as she was about to sit. “Before you get comfortable, you’d better see Mama Rose.” He nodded in the direction of the bar. “She’s been waiting for you to get here.”

“What’s going on?”

“She seems pretty pissed off, but she wouldn’t tell me why. Said it was a legal matter.”

Chelsea saw her grandmother across the room, standing toe to toe with a balding man in a black suit who towered over Mama Rose’s five-foot frame. Noise drowned out the conversation, but Chelsea read lips very well. She smiled in admiration of the slight, though intimidating posture of Rose Marie Batiste, an icon in her day, and still a formidable force.

“Hi, Mama Rose. What’s going on?” Chelsea looked from her grandmother’s still

striking good looks to the red-faced man who was apparently getting a good old-fashioned tongue-lashing.

“I’m glad you’re here.” Mama Rose turned on her heels. “How long have I been in

business?”

“Ah . . .for as long as I can remember. Why?”

“That’s right, and I’ve never had problems with the board of health or any other damn board. My place is well above minimum standards, so tell these dickheads to get the hell out of my kitchen before I—”

“It’s okay.” Chelsea stepped between her grandmother and the man who reached for his pocket when she approached. “Chelsea Constantine. I’m with the DA’s office. Want to tell me what’s going on?”

He pulled out his badge and huffed in annoyance. “Doing our jobs, just like you do at the DA’s office. We’re health inspectors and we’re . . .” He looked past Chelsea. “Inspecting.”

“See!” Mama Rose yelled. “I told you he’s a smart-ass. You get out before I chop your slack-jawed butt into crocodile bites. You can’t come in here and take over my place. This is not an inspection. You’re snooping, you little bald piece of shit!”

Chelsea took her grandmother’s arm. “I’m really hungry, Mama Rose. I’ll take care of this if you’ll have someone fix me a mini version of that succulent seafood platter I saw in front of Skip.” She braved her grandmother’s stares and waited until she was out of hearing range before turning back to the man whose face was now the color of a fire engine.

“Ditch the smart remarks and tell me what’s going on.”

“I don’t think that’s—”

“Look!” She interrupted a little too loudly. Smiling at the customers who stopped to stare, she lowered her voice, but kept the threatening inflection. “Tell me something, or I’ll make a few phone calls and see who has more clout, the board of health or the district attorney.”

Without answering, he waved his hands to two other men who looked his way. “I’m

satisfied. Let’s go.”

“Oh, no. No.” Chelsea blocked his exit. “You don’t get out of here until you answer my question.”

He waved his accomplices close and shoved a card in Chelsea’s hand. “If you insist on being nosy, you need to talk to my boss. Here’s his card.”

There was no need to look at the card. Her knowledge of the city’s political inner workings was something she wrestled with each day she walked into her office or the courtroom.

She knew the city had made certain promises in order to entice deep pockets to the Central Business District. Unfortunately, the small business owners were paying the price. Established businesses in prime locations in the CBD were being driven out to make way for a high-rise hotel or new chain restaurant. It disturbed her greatly that much of the city remained in rubble, and that no one had bothered to rebuild decent, affordable housing for those restaurant and hotel workers to live.

“Your boss may not know this since he skipped across a few states to get to Louisiana, but my grandmother is an institution in this city. Everyone knows and loves her. Tell him he’s likely to have a few very large feet up his ass if he pesters her again. Mine included.”

The three men stared. Chelsea was accustomed to questions regarding her grandmother’s ethnicity. When asked directly, Mama Rose’s usual response was, “Ain’t your damn business.”

Chelsea clearly heard the man’s response to his companions as they walked away. “Her grandmother?”

She caught them at the door. “Yes, Rose Marie Batiste is my grandmother, and this

restaurant is above reproach. Take that back to your boss, and stay the hell out of here.”

He stared and she echoed her grandmother’s depiction. “Dickhead.”

Stunned that anyone would dare tamper with a New Orleans’ institution, she glanced around the old building that had always been a part of her life. It was better maintained than most in the area, before and after the hurricane. Regardless of the condition, every structure in the inner city was outrageously expensive. Even rebuilt homes in struggling neighborhoods were expensive to purchase or rent. New lending regulations added to situation. She knew many people in the service industry who drove great distances to their jobs for lack of affordable housing. Chelsea shook her head. Her world had changed greatly. Unfortunately, most of the changes are rotten enough to gag a gnat.

Seeing Mama Rose’s face in the window of the large door that led to the kitchen, she beckoned and smiled. She wanted to keep her grandmother calm.

“What the hell was that about?” Mama Rose arched her eyebrows in anger. “Did I piss somebody off or what?”

“I don’t want to see the day that you don’t piss off someone, but don’t worry about it.

I’ve got his card and I’ll check it out. Obviously, I can’t do anything until Monday. You should be okay for now.”

“If they come in here again, I’ll—”

“You’ll call me before you get yourself arrested. You know they can close you down, with or without cause. You’ve seen it happen to others. Mr. Regilore never did get his business back in gear after the city shut him down. Everybody in our family ate there for breakfast, including you. There was nothing wrong with that establishment, out front or behind the counter.

”

“I don’t have to stand around and let…” She grabbed Chelsea’s raised hand. “And quit interrupting me!”

“I will if you calm down.” She leaned forward and rested her head on her grandmother’s shoulders. “You’ve been a crusader for human rights, a politician, and a fine businesswoman for as long as I can remember. You’ve paid your dues. You also insisted I go to law school, so stay calm and wait for me to tell you if there’s reason to worry.”

“Fine.” She let go of Chelsea’s hand. “Your food is on the way.” She turned quickly, her hands anchored on her hips and a slight grin on her face. “Is that big stud of yours in town?”

Chelsea smiled. “He should be in town soon. I’m sure he’ll come here when he arrives unless they have early curfew.”

“Watch out for your mama and daddy. Neither one of them are pleased with your choice in men. Your mama is too proper to admit that women have needs, and your daddy will always see you as his little girl.”

“And you?”

“I know he’s just a plaything. Every woman should have one.” She smiled broadly.

“Your folks are thinking marriage for you, and that’s fine, but I think it’s okay to have a little fun first, if that’s what you want. Just watch where you’re headed. If you do get serious, you need to remind him that those fine legs of his won’t hold out forever. He’s making good money now, but he’d better have an exit plan. This family has enough down-and-out jocks who can’t pay for his meals but are always hungry. I’m taking care of two or three already. If they get any more dependent on me, I’ll have to claim them when I file my tax returns.”

Chelsea threw her head back in laughter. “You’re a pickle, Mama Rose. Still tart enough to make people pucker.” She folded her arms around her grandmother. “I love you. Now don’t go getting all worked up over this thing with the health inspector. I’ll look into it on Monday. I don’t think they’ll bother you before then.” She kissed Mama Rose’s cheek. “I’ll be over there with Skip if you need me.”

Chelsea shook her head in amazement. Not at her grandmother’s knack for speaking her mind, but at Mama Rose’s uncanny ability to measure most situations just right. Her cousin, Chloe, had ignored advice from Mama Rose, married a basketball player with an excellent contract and helped him spend more money than he made. In addition to chasing every woman who passed by, a knee injury shortly before his contract expired had knocked him down to the gutter. While Chloe worked to support their three children, he spent most of his time on a stool at Mama Rose’s, reliving his past greatness, and expecting free meals. Chelsea was not planning a future with Isaac, but she also knew he was thrifty, and not likely to end up on a street corner. In some ways she was glad they started their relationship with boundaries. It did worry her that maybe her heart had exceeded all limits.

* * * *

“What was that all about?” Skip asked when she joined him at the table.

“Board of health pissed her off.”

“The what of who? With everything that’s going on in this city, why the hell would they mess with Mama Rose? This restaurant is known for high standards.”

“What about the old building that houses this restaurant? This place has withstood hurricanes and floods, and it’s been in our family for three generations. Mama Rose owns it outright. If someone wants the land for a hotel or high rise, they have to come up with some reason to make her leave.”

Skip stopped eating. “And you think they can do that?”

“I won’t say they can’t. Even if they don’t close her down, they can make it hard for her operate. They’ve done it before. I’ll look into it first thing Monday morning.”

“Think you can help? Should we call someone? We can’t just let some asshole close this restaurant.”

“I know I can help. I just don’t know to what extent.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Mama Rose. “I do wish she’d stop being so volatile. That just makes it worse.”

Skip chuckled. “Must have another grandmother in mind. Ours would explode if she tried to hold her tongue.” His expression switched to one of concern. “What’s new with you? How’s that big case coming?”

“Trial date’s been set already, if you can believe that.” It dawned on her that her brother had never shown a grain of interest in her career. “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. It’s in the news a lot.” He tried to change the subject. “I need to take care of some business early in the morning. Mind if I crash at your place tonight?”

She squared her shoulders. “Elwin George Constantine, don’t give me that.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“The hell you don’t. I know you better than anyone else does. We don’t bullshit each other, remember?”

He looked into her eyes. “David Porter just left.”

“Running his big mouth as usual.” She knew David would never be able to keep the

situation to himself. She had hoped he would not see any members of her immediate family until she could fully evaluate the level of danger that she now faced.

“His heart matches his mouth. He cares what happens to you. You’re putting yourself in danger by prosecuting that boy. He’s a college hero.”

“He’s a filthy animal who viciously attacked a woman, dragged her into the park where you and I used to play, and when she fought back, he beat her beyond recognition. She’s in a coma from which she is not expected to emerge. Don’t give me yet another sanctimonious, good kid, hero line of bull. He’s anything but.”

“Take a step off your soapbox for a second. He’s from a prominent family. He’s a great athlete and scholar. She’s a nobody with a reputation that stinks.”

It was the one argument she did not want to hear again. “And of course that gives him the right to treat her like a punching bag.”

“I didn’t say that. I just know this isn’t your average case. David said he has to practically force you to let him walk you out in the evenings. He’s worried about you, and now, so am I.”