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“As soon as I have an escape plan and more coverage for this place. If you’ll excuse me, I have to make some calls.” He pushed away from the table and headed toward the back door.
“Be careful, Burke,” Cicely called.
He threw a grin over his shoulder, making him look years younger. Still old, Xavier allowed, but younger than before. “Yes, ma’am. Thank you for breakfast, by the way. It was a real treat.”
The door closed behind him and, for a moment, there was silence.
Then Carlos and Manny joined them at the table. “This sucks donkey balls,” Carlos muttered, then winced. “Sorry, Mrs. M, Miss Willa Mae.”
“It’s all right,” Cicely said resignedly. “I’ve heard much worse.”
“And I’ve heard much worse than that,” Willa Mae added, then smacked the table, making them all jump. “Enough of this worrying. Everyone come into the living room with me. Xavier, Carlos, and Manny, I want you to move the furniture back. I want as large a space as possible.”
“Why?” Manny asked warily.
Xavier nearly snickered at the look of fear on his face.
“Because we are going to do tai chi. It’s calming, meditative, and will work out some of this muscle stiffness that’s making me cranky.”
Carlos grinned. “I like it.”
“Suck-up,” Manny muttered.
Willa Mae arched one eyebrow. “What happened to being nice to old ladies? I mean, I could play country music and make you line dance, if you really want me to.”
Manny cringed. “Tai chi is fine.”
“I thought so. Come along. Move.”
They moved. And, after their first tai chi lesson, Xavier did feel a little better.
He was still scared as hell, but he was able to breathe. His mother looked calmer, too. He kissed his mother’s best friend on the cheek. “Thank you, ma’am.”
Willa Mae patted his face. “Nothing to thank. I know you’re scared. I know your mama’s scared. I’m scared, too. But we need to stay calm and centered so that we can think if something goes wrong.”
“More wrong, you mean.” Because something was going to go more wrong. He knew it.
“Fine. More wrong. Now.” She clapped her hands once. “Fix the furniture. This is Burke’s house and we’re going to keep it nice. When we’re done with that, I’m making a list of chores. We will be good guests.”
Cicely bit back a smile. “You’re right, Willa Mae.”
Willa Mae nodded smugly. “I usually am.”
Central Business District, New Orleans, Louisiana
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 8:45 A.M.
“Gabe.” Patty’s voice was tense. “Stop pacing, or I’ll tie your feet together.”
“Sorry.” Gabe dropped into one of the hotel room chairs at the small dinette table, surprised it had taken Patty as long as it had to yell at him. He’d been pacing for at least twenty minutes.
He felt like a trapped animal. Patty had watched him pace while Molly had been glued to her computer screen.
Val, the other PI, had gone to the courthouse. Arraignments were supposed to start soon.
They were stuck here until Burke’s night security guard brought them Kevlar.
How is this my life?
