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“Just tell me what happened that day,” Val said from behind clenched teeth.
“Fine. Aaron followed Ivan to the café in Freret. Aaron didn’t know about the drug business. He thought he was going to an actual café to confront Ivan. Aaron was furious because—in his mind—Ivan had caused him to lose everything, and now his son was dying. He was desperate. He burst into the café and confronted Ivan. I was there. So was Dewey Talley. And Rico Nova. Rico was next in line for the throne, after Dewey. And I didn’t know it at the time, but Sylvi was at the window and saw the whole thing go down. Aaron screamed at Ivan, that he’d betrayed him. That he was killing his son. Ivan kind of shrugged. Then... Aaron pulled a knife from his pocket and he stabbed Ivan.” She swallowed hard. “Gutted him.”
She stopped for a moment and studied Val, something like pity flickering in her eyes. But the pity disappeared and Sandra’s eyes went back to being cold. “I tried to help Ivan, but he was already dead. I screamed for Dewey to help me, but Dewey said that Ivan deserved it. And... when the shock passed, I had to agree. That was a really shitty thing for Ivan to have done. Dewey was impressed with Aaron and figured that Aaron would know all of Ivan’s rich clients. That their drug business could go on. So Dewey offered Aaron a partnership and Aaron said yes, partly because he wanted the money and partly because he wanted what had been Ivan’s. Which included me, I think, but I was okay with that once I’d found out what Ivan had done. There was, of course, the issue of Ivan’s body. So Rico Nova dragged him out while Aaron got in the shower and washed off Ivan’s blood.” She paused again. “I saw Sylvi running away. Dewey didn’t see her and... well, she was Ivan’s sister. I liked her. I didn’t want her to die, too. But I also didn’t want her to tell.”
“You convinced her not to,” Val said, her tone numb.
“Yeah. I told her that if she told, the same thing would happen to her—and her parents. Dewey wasn’t a kind man. Except for one person, I can’t think of anyone he was nice to.”
“Aaron?” Reuben asked.
“Well, yeah. Dewey was nice enough to Aaron, but they were equals. Business partners. I’m talking about Jace. Dewey was always so nice to Jace. Kid can’t read or write. Not sure what’s wrong with him, but he’s not the brightest bulb in the chandelier.”
Not true, Kaj thought defensively. Jace was smart. He now saw what Val had seen right away—an abused kid who just needed some kindness.
“I thought I’d convinced Sylvi not to tell, but Rico’s trial was coming up and Sylvi was going to tell anyway. That wasn’t the only time, either. Her conscience gnaws on her from time to time and she feels this need to tell the truth.” Sandra gave Val a look of contempt. “Mostly because of you. You didn’t make any secret of how you felt about her after Ivan died. But if she told, Dewey and Aaron would kill your whole family and... I grew to like them.”
Val was dangerously pale. “You visit my mother. You take her flowers.”
“Yep. I stop by Sylvi’s first. Just a little reminder that she should stay quiet. Then I spend an hour or two with your mother. She’s lonely, you know.”
Val flinched. “She thinks you really like her.”
“I really do. She’s a nice lady, nicer than my own mother. And she makes amazing cinnamon buns.”
Val clenched her jaw. “And your visits are in no way a threat?”
“Well, more like another reminder to Sylvi of what she has to lose. But I’m not getting out of here for a while, so I won’t be able to continue my Saturday morning coffee klatch with Mrs.K.”
Val was trembling now, her whole body shaking. “What about Rico Nova? Why did he admit to killing Van?”
“Because he’s got a family, too,” Sandra said with no shame at all. “Dewey threatened to kill all five of Rico’s kids. So Rico said he did it. I imagine with Dewey being dead, you’ll be hearing from Rico’s attorney real soon, Mr.Hogan.”
“How can I know any of this is true?” Val asked, sounding so damn lost.
Sandra smiled cuttingly. “Ask your sister what she saw.” She looked at her attorney. “I’d like to speak with you privately and then return to my cell. And Mr.Hogan? I’ve got a lot more information. This is only the tip of the iceberg, so I’m hoping you’ll help me drastically shorten my stay with the state of Louisiana.”
“We’ll see,” Reuben said brusquely, then helped Val to her feet. Even from the observation room, Kaj could see that his boss’s touch was gentle. Bracing himself, Kaj went to the door into the hall and waited for Reuben to exit with Val.
She stumbled into Kaj’s arms, and her body began to shake with silent sobs. She’d held herself together magnificently and he was proud of her, but his heart was breaking with hers.
Reuben turned off the volume of the interview room speakers to give Sandra and her attorney privacy. “The room next door is empty. I don’t think Miss Sorensen would appreciate it if Sandra heard her cry.”
“Thank you, Reuben,” Kaj said, his own voice rough.
“You’re welcome, J.P. Take good care of her.”
Kaj hesitated, then blurted out, “Kaj. Spelled K-a-j but pronounced like ‘pie.’ That’s what my friends call me.”
Reuben smiled, but it was somber. “You’re welcome, Kaj.”
Kaj helped Val into the empty room, closed the door, then collapsed into one of the chairs, pulling her into his lap as she cried. He didn’t whisper platitudes. Didn’t tell her it would be all right. He just stroked her hair and let her grieve.
Finally, the storm subsided and she took little shuddering breaths. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Messing up your expensive suit.”
