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“So he doesn’t love you, check.”
“When his punishment was read in court, it took three guards to haul him away. And as they did, he kept screaming about how he would rip me apart.” A pause. “If you had left me in that corridor, I would be dead right now. Make no mistake about it. So…” A cough. “You said I could thank you later. Consider this moment my thanks.”
Interesting. “You always pay your debts so fast, counselor?”
“No. Sometimes it takes me a while to catch up and understand things. But I do catch up. Always.”
“Good to know.”
“I’m assuming you already know the body found in Slater Wade’s home was that of a prison guard from McKinley?”
“I believe Campbell mentioned that fact once or twice. He’s a chatty one, that detective.”
“That particular guard was in the room when Avalon and I were talking to Everett Thomas the first time.”
Beau nodded.
“He had phone records that tied to Slater Wade. He was the connection between Slater and Everett. So it does look like Everett might have given the order for Slater to attack Avalon at her home.”
He could buy that. But pieces were still missing. “Who the hell killed the guard? And torched Slater’s rental house?”
“Thought maybe you would know. Or at least have a few ideas that you wanted to share with the class.”
“If I knew, he’d be dead.”
Douglas winced. “Take a tip from a new, semi-friend. Don’t tell shit like that to the DA.”
“Colton Ross is on my list.”
Douglas’s forehead wrinkled. “Because he had you arrested?”
“Because he used to work for the New Orleans Fire Department around the time Avalon was caught in a Garden District blaze. Because I found him poking around in her bedroom hours ago. And because he had my ass arrested, yes.”
“Any other names you want me to run? People I should be checking out?”
“Since your detectives seem busy focusing on me and not on other possible killers…yeah, here’s something to explore.” Like he was going to turn away help from the DA? Not happening. Then again, he’d never thought the DA would offer to help. “Your guy Campbell knows one hell of a lot about fire.”
His eyes widened. “You’re suggesting a detective is involved.”
Beau shrugged. He figured the DA could connect the dots. He’d said what he’d said, after all.
“Fantastic.” Douglas sounded like it was anything but fantastic.
“My team found a few other potential victims of the arsonist.”
“You have a team now?” A nod. “Sure. Why not?”
“I’ll send the intel to your office. We can make progress faster together.”
“Damn straight, we can.” Douglas extended his hand to Beau. “Sorry about the time I tried to get you locked away for murder.”
“I was innocent.” He stared at the hand. “Don’t do it again.”
“How about I only promise to lock you away for murder if you’re guilty?”
“Sure. But don’t forget, self-defense isn’t murder.” He took the hand. “Am I right, counselor?”
Silence. Then, “You are one hard-to-figure-out sonofabitch.”
