That Old Black Magic Read Online Free PDF

too much to ask. I work fourteen-hour days, and I need a morning to sleep in every once in a while. You know, this will be your business someday, son. You have to start shouldering the responsibility.”
    â€œThanks, Dad, but who says I even want it? I don’t want to be a butcher, making sandwiches for the rest of my life. You’re always yelling at me about the way I make the muffs or restock the shelves or mop the floors. I never satisfy you.”
    Mike shot his son an angry look and then turned back to making the sandwiches.
    P iper sat at one of the smaller tables finishing her muffuletta when a man wearing a porkpie hat and carrying a musical-instrument case came walking into the sandwich store. She watched as he slowly went up to the counter.
    â€œYou got a muff for me today, Mike?” he asked.
    The counterman glanced up. His face was gray and tired, and he didn’t look happy to see this particular customer.
    â€œYeah, Cecil,” he answered wearily. “Hold on a minute, man.”
    Moments later Mike handed the wrapped sandwich over the counter. “How you doing out there today, Cecil?” he asked.
    â€œNot so good, Mike. The tourists ain’t feelin’ my music, I guess.”
    â€œAh, well. If you ask me, you should try another location, Ceece. Shake it up some. I’ve told you before, you’d do better somewhere else.”
    The musician picked up the sandwich and turned toward the front door. As he passed by her, Piper caught a whiff of bourbon and heard him muttering under his breath.

Chapter 10
    V ery early tomorrow morning, the first victim would start his day like so many others before it. He’d get out of bed, stumble to the bathroom, wash, shave, and brush his teeth. He’d pull on his trousers and button his shirt, unaware that he was doing these things for the last time. Then he’d leave his home and go to his business on Royal Street, having no idea of what would be waiting for him there.
    With so much riding on the week to come, it was hard not to give in to nerves. The initial part of the carefully thought-out plan would begin in a few short hours. It took one slick customer to act calm, cool, and collected right now.
    The needed equipment was already packed and ready to go. It was essential that things were taken care of quickly, accurately, and obviously enough so that everyone would come to the right conclusions.
    In a little while, it would be necessary to get into position and wait, just as the sun rose. For everyone else it would be just another brand-new day in the Big Easy, full of promise.
    For one poor slob, it would be his last.

Chapter 11
    A fter lunch Piper strolled leisurely through the French Quarter. She noticed the people walking along with her. Young, old, black, white, some dressed in sports clothes, others in crisp business attire. Some hurried, most sauntered, yet Piper sensed an air of excitement—or was it the anticipation of delights and pleasures to come?
    They were all in New Orleans, a place like none other in America. A city whose residents treasured their food, their music, their architecture, and their ability to live in the moment. Founded by the French, conquered by the Spanish, then taken back under French rule before being sold to the Americans, New Orleans had survived slavery, the Civil War, yellow-fever epidemics, and ferocious hurricanes resulting in the deaths of hundreds, the displacement of thousands more, and the destruction of huge swaths of the city. People who lived in the Big Easy well understood the fragility of life. Piper understood that fragility, too.
    She stopped in a candy shop, watching as molten toffee was expertly dolloped onto parchment and fresh pralines were scooped onto a marble slab. Candy makers poured warm batches of caramel and hand-decorated chocolate frogs and alligators. Piper watched for a while, purchased a box of pralines, and traveled on her way again.
    As she left the