Polly Iyer - Diana Racine 03 - Backlash Read Online Free PDF Page B

asked.
    “Dunno,” Cash said.
    “If it weren’t for the judge disappearing, it could be gang-related. But the avenger, righting a miscarriage of justice, seems more plausible by the minute. If so, he’s committed murder.”
    “How’s Soulé figure with Chenault?” Cash asked.
    “Dunno, but there’s a connection somewhere. Cash, you and Halloran follow up on Soulé in the morning. Remember, Diana is the only one who’s seen him dead. We’ve no body, and no one’s reported him missing, so tread lightly. Track down gang members. One of them might know something. Beecher, go to the girl’s house to see if anyone had a big enough grudge and the balls to kill Soulé. Cross your fingers we get lucky.”
    “Right, boss,” Cash said. “First thing tomorrow. Until then, you guys enjoy yourselves.”
    “We will, thanks.”
    “Just because you can’t find the body doesn’t mean there isn’t one,” Diana said as they left the building. “If I saw what I saw, and I did, wouldn’t his corpse have turned up by now? And how was Keys involved?”
    “He might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. And remember, if the judge is dead, his body is missing too. So far, my love, we have more questions than answers.”
    “What if you get something of Soulé’s and let me ―”
    “Not until I get a better handle on what we’ve got here.”
    “Come on, Ernie. Finding the lost and missing is what made me the famous kid psychic.”
    Lucier stared at her for a long time. “I’ll think about it.”
    “What’s to think? You get something of Soulé’s; I see if it tells me anything. What could be simpler?”
    “Not simpler. More complicated. I don’t want to put you in the crosshairs.”
    “Then we keep my part a secret. Don’t even tell your team.”
    “Can’t do that. I’ll have to get permission from his mother, the only person listed as family, since there’s no evidence of a crime.”
    “Soulé’s body is evidence. He’s dead. I know he’s dead.”
    As they walked toward their destination in the French Quarter, Lucier put his phone on speaker and dialed. “Sam, when you’re out tomorrow, track down Soulé’s mother and get her permission to obtain an article of clothing from her son’s room.”
    “Woo-hoo. Diana’s gonna ―”
    “And keep this quiet. I don’t want the whole district to know what we’re doing. I’ll tell the rest of the team, but that’s all. I won’t even tell the captain right now. Diana’s cleared for consulting, and that’s what she’s going to do. Consult. Her way.”
    “No one will find out from me,” Beecher said and clicked off.
    “You can’t investigate a death without a body,” Diana said.
    “I know, but I hate to use you.”
    She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, hands on her hips, and faced him. “You’re not using me. Believe me, if I didn’t want to do this, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
    “Okay. First, let’s see if Soulé’s mother gives Sam something for you to work with tomorrow morning. But right now, we’re going to Kitty’s Kabaret for drinks and information. At eight, we have a reservation at The French Table.”
    “Oh, classy tonight, huh, Lieutenant?”
    “Classy dinner with a classy lady.”
    She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips. “You really are coming along nicely.”

Chapter Eight
Kitty’s Kabaret
     
    W alking from the police district in the French Quarter, Lucier and Diana sauntered past a dozen fun shops and eateries almost to the end of Pirates Alley and the entrance to Kitty’s Kabaret. A gorgeous dark-skinned woman with a body to die for greeted them at the door. Diana felt like a child next to the statuesque beauty.
    “Lieutenant, I rather expected you sometime today. You’re looking mighty spiffy, for a cop.”
    “Nice to see you too, Miss Kitty. Love the dress.”
    “This old thing? If you like it, I wore it just for you.” She turned to Diana. “And you must be Diana Racine. My little