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“If she isn’t?”
“I’ll ask her attorney to explain the value of cooperation. If she’ll agree, we’ll do this at two p.m. I’m trusting you, J.P. Don’t make this a circus.”
“I won’t. There have been some lingering issues between Miss Sorensen and her younger sister around the circumstances of their brother’s death. Miss Sorensen is hoping to get information from Sandra Springfield that will enable her to heal a family rift.”
Reuben’s eyes softened with compassion. “I’ve seen a lot of suffering in this job, but regrets for broken relationships left unmended is one of the saddest. Anything else?”
“Did Noni Feldman know that Bella recorded the call?”
“She does now,” Reuben said. “She was displeased, to say the least. Have you spoken with Miss Butler since she came to your house last night?”
“Yes. She called me this morning, at our agreed-upon time. She’s okay.”
“Good. Look, I don’t mean to rush you, but I have a meeting in five minutes.”
“That was all I had. I’ll see you at two.”
Kaj ended the call and went downstairs, where a group had converged around his dining room table. Elijah was doing schoolwork and Val was at his side on her own laptop. Czar had taken his chosen place at Elijah’s feet. Antoine had his three laptops arranged in front of him, and Jace sat with Phin, a blueprint between them. With three of Burke’s people at the table, Jace’s hands were uncuffed. Kaj wondered when he’d feel safe eliminating the cuffs entirely.
Val patted the chair beside her. “You want some coffee?”
Kaj sat beside her. “I sure wouldn’t say no.”
“I’ll get it for you, Dad.” Elijah bounced into the kitchen, looking happier than he had in a long time.
“Thank you.” Kaj wrapped Elijah in a hug after the coffee mug was on the table. He tickled his ribs, needing to hear him laugh. Elijah giggled before pushing him away.
“No fair,” he protested. “No tickling.”
“Sorry, not sorry.” Kaj ruffled his hair, then turned to Val. “Two o’clock,” he murmured. “You’ll get a few minutes with Sandra Springfield.”
She tensed, then nodded resolutely. “Thank you.”
Jace’s eyes widened and both Antoine and Phin immediately shifted their attention to her.
Elijah’s gaze darted from Kaj’s face to Val’s. “Why are you going to see her? She was taking drugs. Maybe selling them, too. Why are you going to see her, Val?”
She hesitated, choosing her words. “Turns out she’s an old friend of my brother’s.”
Elijah opened his mouth in surprise, then closed it. Kaj could pinpoint the moment that his son figured out the significance of Val’s brother being associated with Aaron’s girlfriend.
“The one who died,” Elijah murmured. “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Yes. The last time I saw him was on Thanksgiving that year. He was gone by Christmas. I just want to know how he was, those last few weeks of his life. Like, was he happy?”
It was a very sanitized version of the events, and Kaj was grateful that she hadn’t told Elijah the entire truth. His son knew far too much about this sordid mess as it was.
Elijah eyes were wide behind his glasses. “I hope he was.”
She swallowed hard. “Me too.”
The Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 11:15 A.M.
Noni stepped into a private conference room at the station to take the call buzzing on her burner phone. “Thank you,” she breathed. “I’m glad you called me back. Are you at work yet?”
“No,” Allyson said. “I’m getting ready to leave. Why?”
