The Blood Eagle in the Big Easy Read Online Free PDF Page A

door as we walked up. She pushed open the door to let us know they were ready to receive guests. Grabbing the door I held it as she stepped back, allowing Gregory to step in.
    The young woman blushed as I caught her eyeing me a little too closely. I couldn’t help but smile in return. “Think we could get a table out front?”
    She chewed her lip as she blushed again. “Are you sure you want to sit out there? Its still a bit cool out.”
    Taking the menu from her outstretched hand I nodded. “I’m sure we’ll be just fine.” I gave Gregory a nasty little look as he chuckled. “We could use the fresh air.”
    “If you will follow me, I’ll show you to your table.” She turned and sashayed through the restaurant and out to the veranda. “Your server will be with you shortly. If there is anything else I can do for you please don’t hesitate to ask.”
    We took our seats allowing some of the weight of the morning to slide off our shoulders for at least a few minutes. Neither of us could help ourselves as we watched the hostess make her way inside. Once she was out of sight I turned my attention to the muddy waters of Lake Pontchartrain. The wind whipped across the surface of the lake making the waves dance and sparkle in the weak morning light. We let the silence fill the void between us as we tried to let the memories of the morning’s events soften. The seagulls cawed and squawked as they dove into the surf hunting for their breakfast.
    Gregory cleared his throat, bringing me back to the here and now as I turned to see a big smile across his face. “So how the hell do you do that?”
    “Do what?”
    “The cute little hostess was all aflutter over you.” He laughed as he found himself much funnier than I had. “Didn’t seem like you really minded either.”
    “Advantage of being single I suppose.” It was a little embarrassing to be called out adn I hated the fact that I was single. “By the way how’s your wife?”
    The smile nearly vanished as he straightened up. “She worries about me of course and with this murder happening on my first official day at work she’s a bit freaked out.”
    “Speaking of that, I hadn’t heard that the local Marshal’s office was getting a new director till now.” Before he could answer a young man sat two glasses of water in front of us delaying our conversation.
    “Morning gentlemen, I’m Ricky and I will be your server today. What can I get you this morning?”
    One of Russell’s house specials was a rarity, even here in New Orleans, and happens to be one of my favorite dishes of all time, Crab Cakes Benedict. Using mostly lump crabmeat for the cakes themselves, they are perfectly fried and tender yet juicy, then topped with two of the most delicate poached eggs covered in a spectacularly rich hollandaise sauce. My mouth was already starting to water just thinking about them. Gregory however was feeling less adventurous and ordered a plain cheese omelet. Ricky left us to put in our order and bring us a couple glasses of iced tea.
    Gregory checked to make sure we were alone before he spoke. “Well for starters “director” isn’t a term we use at the Marshals office.” He puffed out his chest as he straightened his shirt. “I’m the Deputy Marshal for the Eastern District of Louisiana.”  “And I only got in town yesterday.Today was supposed to be my first day on the job.” He tried to laugh it off but there was a bitter angry tone to it. “Hell of a first impression! My first day here and one of my old WITSEC people show up dead and the other missing.”
    “It could be coincidental.” Normally I don’t believe in coincidences and as a rule things tend to happen in a pattern.
    “Neither of us believe that.” Gregory smiled as he drank some coffee. “Helena arrived two days ago when I was still in Glynco.” Gregory sat back in his chair, watching the lake. “No, whoever is responsible waited until I got to New Orleans to do this.”
    “Yeah I