Page 20 (1/2)

"That’s not true! I’ve been focused onto join her at the bar She frowned fiercely at Sullivan

"Well, then, just jump his bones Everybody’s life is better with some hot sex in it," Sullivan told her

"Stop it!"

Hehis lips Malachi slid his suitcase up beside his bar stool "I’ okay here?"

"Right as rain," Sullivan said before she could respond

"Come on up I’ll show you Gus’s room" Abby smiled sweetly at her bartender

"Yep, and don’t worry about anything," Sullivan said "Grant and I will see that the place is locked up tight"

"Thanks," Abby said

Malachi s and followed her up the stairs She flicked on the light as she opened the door to the apartlish We’re all set to "

"Good," Malachi said absently He stepped into the apartlanced around "Nice" He walked in, noted the little coffee nook and ht to the balcony "Do you mind if I look out?" he asked her

"Of course not"

He opened the door and stepped onto the balcony Leaning, he looked to the left She followed hirew up here?" he asked

"Here, and at our family’s house on Chippewa Square," she said "When my parents died--my randmother, of course, when she was still with us"

"It’s hard to lose family," he said, but he didn’t elaborate

A ave his attention to the view "You can see the river froreed "Of course, if they build up anymore, it’ll block the view"

"It’s pretty," he said "And made sense for old pirates"

"And maybe new pirates?"

He turned and looked at her "You’re worried that this place is so used But because a woonslayer has anything to do hat’s going on"

"What about Gus?" she asked

He was thoughtful for a o over the ME’s records for Gus I believe he did die of a heart attack--but the heart attack ht on when he accosted soain With your blessing, Will Chan will set up a caet down there by anyseen Does that make you feel better?"

"Yes, thank you" She hesitated "How did you wind up on this case? You said you’re not an agent, that you’re a consultant"

He shrugged "I was recently part of a high-profile case in Virginia Then Jackson Crow, Logan Raintree and a man named Adam Harrison--you probably know he started the whole Krewe of Hunters branch--came to see me I told you, this is on a trial basis And" He paused, lowering his head, s alone since I left New Orleans because I got tired telling felloorkers that I’m not a psychic Most people want to lock you ahen you tell the because of a ghost--and therefore you don’t tell the because he’d studied the work I’d done After I got to spend tiht at home As if I’d found my people, so to speak Jackson senton, and I let hiroups, which is why the others have joined us"

"I’lad," she said "Did you leave New Orleans because you lost your partner--David Caswell?"

He looked back out at the night

"No I left New Orleans when h her eyes When she was gone, I couldn’t stay anymore"

"I’ tio on That’s life--and death So, showput away And rab a couple of hours’ sleep, because during those few hours in between shifts when this place is e to want a private tour If you’re up to it? Maybe old Blue will let himself be knohen it’s just you and me"