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“Yes. She was devastated, as you can imagine. She also found out that Ivan wasn’t killed because he was in the wrong place, wrong time.”
“He was there because he was selling the drugs, not just using them.”
“Yes, but he died because he did a shitty thing to Aaron Gates and Aaron killed him.”
“Poor Val. That woman—Sandra—she told her all of this?”
“Yes. Sylvi verified it. She saw her brother murdered.”
“My God. All this dredged up those memories for Sylvi, too. No wonder she cried herself to sleep last night.”
Kaj lifted a brow. “How do you know that?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I was doing rounds and checking on Elijah. I heard her. I figured she was upset because her store got shot up.” He started the engine. “Any other bombshells?”
“Only that one.”
“Then I’ll get us back to your place.”
The Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 10:00 A.M.
“Finally,” Bobby grumbled as the tiny woman emerged from the bakery into the alley behind it, her arms laden with bags bearing the bakery’s logo as she got behind the wheel of her minivan. She appeared to be going on a delivery run, which was perfect for their needs. Bobby fixed duct tape to his jeans to restrain her. “She took forever.”
“She took twenty minutes,” Ed corrected. “Which is not forever, unless you’re a toddler.”
“Enough,” Corey snapped, and they quieted. “We need to be focused. Everyone ready?”
They’d taken two boats out of the bayou, leaving one at a boat launch on Lake Salvador, and then the three of them had taken the remaining boat to a second launch closer to the city, where they’d stolen a car. Having an escape route from two different boat launches seemed prudent, given that they’d almost certainly be running from the police once they’d finished their task.
They parked their stolen car across the narrow alley, forcing the bakery van to come to a stop.
“Go, Bobby,” Corey said, his gun drawn. Just in case.
Ed was behind the wheel of their stolen car. He’d follow until they were a block from Cardozo’s house. Then he’d park the car and join them in the bakery van. If things went south, he was to grab the Cardozo kid and haul ass to the car. Corey and Bobby would meet him at the first boat launch if they could. If not, Ed was to take the first boat and head to camp. Corey and Bobby would find a way to get to the second boat and meet him.
Bobby had forced his way into the bakery van’s passenger seat before the woman had time to become impatient. Corey followed a few moments behind, pushing his way into the van’s back seat. Hands clenched on the steering wheel, the baker glared over her shoulder at him.
“You,” she hissed.
Bobby sat in the front passenger seat, his Glock shoved into the woman’s side. He held up a small pistol. “Little tiger was armed. Luckily mine is bigger.”
“Let’s go, lady,” Corey ordered.
Her lips trembled, then firmed. “No.”
“Fine. We’ll do this without you.” Corey leveled his gun at her head. “One more chance.”
She lifted her chin. “I won’t help you hurt them.”
“Then you’ll die.”
She swallowed hard. “Then I die.”
“Well, fuck, Corey. I like her.” Bobby was grinning. “I’ll tie her up and shove her into the footwell. She’s so tiny, she’ll fit. Cover me.” He grabbed her by the collar, covered her mouth with one of his big hands, then dragged her across the console.
Corey looked behind them. No one was in the alley, but one of the store owners would eventually come out of their store and wonder what the fuss was. “Hurry.”
