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"I just wanted to let you know I’ at the next autopsy," she said

"I hope the local guy, Dr Tierney, likes you better than he seemed to like hter "Not to worry Adaic We’re officially invited in Jackson and Angela will be down at the local station, giving a heads-up on e believe, based on e’ve seen and learned fro for a would-be pirate," Malachi said quietly, "who likes to take the ring finger of the left hand as a souvenir AndI, uh, have a finger to give you"

"What?"

"Gus was onto so I think the killer lost one of his trophies in the tunnel, and Gus found it before he had any idea of as going on It ht be why he asked Abby to come down here"

"You found it where?"

"In one of his drawers I need to get it to you"

"I’ll run by for it," she said "Maybe pirates liked to make necklaces out of the bones of people they killed? I’ll researchover for Dirk thisas head pirate on the Black Swan to keep an eye on that ship And Dirk"

"The guy really does seeather he can be a very good actor--as a pirate, at least"

"Excellent plan And I’ve heard Jackson gets along ith the local police"

"He has his ways Not that he has a lot to say yet They’re probably looking for a white male, with or without a companion," Kat said "Someone who knows the river"

"And has a boat or a ship, or access to one," Malachi added

"Big river," Kat said

"Yes, it is Keep me posted"

"Back at ya"

Malachi checked his watch Ti the day In fact, he could s from nearby, not fro all the while about the clues they had--his thoughts disrupted now and then by another that intruded Abby

He was glad he was going to spend the day with her

Abby selected two coffee cups and two small plates from the overhead kitchen cabinet They actually had tiels, and Malachi spread crea okay?" he asked her

She glanced at hi as he stood in the tiny kitchen area of the apartment Fresh from the shower, his hair was dark and slick His hazel eyes were set somberly upon her and seein to understand She wondered about his past--the wife he’d lost--and she suddenly wanted to know everything about hi about your grandfather--wishing I’d known hireat"

"I can tell," he said softly

She put one of the cups of coffee in front of hi to co me that he was old and lived a full life?"

"Does so been old make you miss them any less?" he asked

"No"

"It does, however, help if you know that someone did lead a full life And it should also help if you know just what you meant to him--that you were the most important person in his life That’s what life is all about The grief res"

"What about you?" she asked She was pushing it, she thought, but her curiosity was beginning to consume her "How did you cope? What happened to your wife?"

"Cancer One day she was fine and then, within a year, she was dead"

"I’m sorry"

"I appreciate that And time has helped, as they say"

"Soyou coped"

"I didn’t, not really New Orleans was her ho there, loved the music, the food, the architecture You name it, I loved it But when she diedI quit the police force and the city I left I can’t bear to go back, even though I loved her fainia, moved into my old family home, and" His voice trailed off as he looked toward the s and the river

"And?"