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“The cruise?” they said in unison.
“Yes. The one with Agatha’s friends. We got a last-minute cabin, and we’re going to hopefully make friends.”
“The cruise is for ninety days, Code. Are you sure you want to do this?” asked Gaspar.
“We won’t stay the ninety days. I’m hoping we’ll know something before it gets that far. Agatha was right. Al is sixty-five, and Maureen is eighty-one. I mean, she looks great for her age, but Al looks like he could still do foot patrol in Atlanta. I think this is going to be interesting.”
“Does Maureen have money?” asked Nine.
“Let’s be clear. Everyone at Maison Soleil has money. It costs fifteen grand per month to live there. Medical, food, everything is included, but that shit is expensive! We’re talking a hundred and eighty thousand for one year. Think about that. You could buy a million-dollar home and probably pay cash for it. You wouldn’t have the close neighbors and social circle, but still, it’s better than fifteen grand a month.”
“Fifteen grand? Who the fuck has that kind of money to stay in a retirement village?”
“I think that’s what we need to find out,” said Code. “All of these people have great pensions and retirement plans. They’ve been good with their money or their spouse’s money and have invested well. That only leaves the entire place open for scams. If everyone is a millionaire, then everyone is at risk.”
“But cops? I mean, I know they make shit for money, but I hate to think that two ex-cops are doing this.”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” said Nine. “Let’s figure this out and get some data before we jump down their throats. And believe me, I will jump down their damn throats. What I don’t understand yet is how they would be connected to the psychic if she was right about the predictions and how that would lead to deaths, theft, scams, or anything else.”
“Well, there’s only one way we’re gonna figure this shit out,” said Gaspar. “Let’s get a move on.”
Both men turned to see their wives approaching with large suitcases. It should have been a simple overnight bag, not a massive suitcase that they would use for a week-long trip.
“Uh, babe,” smirked Nine. “We’re only going to be gone one night.”
“I want to be prepared for whatever comes our way,” smiled Erin. “Besides, Alexandra and I are hoping you’ll actually take us to a nice dinner.”
“Right. A nice dinner,” muttered Nine. Gaspar smiled at his friend.
“Let’s go, brother. Add the suit to the go bag. This shit just got strange.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Angel, Gabriel, and Noah walked across Jackson Square to the table where the woman was seated. She had her leg propped up on a small folding stool, her bicycle and carrier behind her. She wore a hard boot cast on her lower leg, the scrapes and bruises along her arms and face still visible. In spite of the broken leg, she’d been able to push the pedals with her boot, still making it to her usual spot. There was an umbrella covering the table, offering her and her clients shade.
Of course, at the moment, she had no clients at all. Not even someone who was mildly interested.
“Hello, Ms. Serena Goodling?” asked Angel.
“That’s me. Look, if you’re cops, I’ve already given my statement on what happened to that poor woman.”
“We’re not cops,” said Gabriel. “We’re investigators. Since you don’t have anyone here right now, how about you give us a few minutes.”
“Time is money, gentlemen. If you want to sit in the chair, you’ll need to pay for a thirty-minute session.” Angel looked at her fee board and tossed a fifty on the table. It was Noah who took the seat across from her, just staring, to make her uncomfortable.
At first, she just stared back at him as if unsure what to do. Then she touched the top of his hand and pulled back as if scalded by the touch. Noah said nothing, simply staring at the woman.
“Wh-what are you?” she asked. He tilted his head.
“Shouldn’t you know what I am?”
“I’m a psychic. I see what could happen in someone’s future, not other stuff,” she exclaimed.
“Fine. What’s my future?” he asked.
“Long. Abnormally, inhumanly long. What are you?” she asked again.
“Just a man,” said Noah. “What happened with Gladys?” She hesitated a few moments, staring at the men, looking from one to the other and then back to Noah.
