Fat Tuesday(27)

Burke leaned forward slightly."Ms. Bouchereaux, as a former partner, do you know anything about Duvall's sideline businesses?"

"I assume you're referring specifically to drug dealing." "So you're aware of it?"

"Of course, but I couldn't prove it, any more than you can. He's incredibly shrewd. Pinkie and I only discussed business relating to the club we held in common. He didn't pry into my other interests, and I didn't pry into his."

"You see my dilemma?" Burke said."District Attorney Littrell won't touch Duvall without hard evidence, and there's not a chance in hell that he's going to make a mistake and give us any room to maneuver."

"What has all this got to do with me?"

"I was hoping that you'd be willing to cooperate with the Narcotics Division. Help us out, maybe work out an arrangement."

"Like no more raids for a while if I help you catch Pinkie Duvall?"

"Something like that."

She gazed at him unflinchingly while still fiddling with the strand of pearls."You're in no position to be making deals on behalf of the Narcotics Division. You no longer work for the police department."

Caught, there was no point in denying it. Expelling his breath, Burke sat back, appraising her with heightened respect."It was worth a try.

I'm sorry."

"I thought it was very strange for a policeman to come calling before noon. While you were waiting to see me, I placed a call."

"I turned in my badge this morning."

"Why?"

"I'm going after the bastard on my own."

Her eyes narrowed slightly."How intriguing. A personal vendetta."

"I suppose you could call it that."

"No doubt because of Stuart's death. I followed the story."

He nodded, but didn't elaborate."I knew the partnership between you and Duvall had gone sour, and figured there would still be some animosity. Even so, I took a chance by coming here. If something unfortunate were to happen to him, I'm trusting you to forget that I was here."

"You have my word on it, Mr. Basile."

"Thank you."

"How can I assist?"

"You're willing? Even though I tried to trick you?"

"Let's just say that I appreciate passion in all its forms."

Returning her smile, Burke sat forward eagerly."Where does Duvall keep his records? Not for his law practice. His personal records." "Here," she said, tapping her temple."There won't be any records of what you need to know, either written or on computer disks."

"-You're certain?"

"As certain as I can be. This is no small undertaking you've chosen for yourself. After the incident with my girl, I tried to think of a way to repay Pinkie. Blackmail. Embezzlement. I even considered killing him."

She laughed musically."I guess I'm trusting you with secrets, too, Mr. Basile."

"You have my word that I'll never recall this conversation to anyone else, either."

Her smile gradually faded."I never got my revenge. I devised a dozen schemes, but abandoned them all because they left me too vulnerable."

"You see, that's the beauty of this," Burke told her."I've got nothing to lose. Absolutely nothing." Looking deeply into his eyes, she said softly, "You may surprise yourself."

"I don't think so."

"I hope you're wrong." A moment passed before she stood up and crossed the room to a cabinet where glasses and liquor were stored."You're determined to have your vengeance?"

"Whatever the cost."

"It might be more costly than you think. From here on, trust no one."

"Including you?"

He meant it teasingly, but she responded seriously."Including me.

Pinkie keeps his former clients indebted to him. When they fall behind on their payments, he lets them work off their fees. Since he deals with criminals of all types, I can't stress to you enough how deadly he can be."

"I'm aware of the danger."

Burke had resolved last night that he was going for broke. He didn't care if he lived or died, as long as he took Duvall and Bardo with him.

Nevertheless, he would be a fool to dismiss the madam's advice.

She poured two shots of bourbon and brought one to him, which he accepted and thanked her for, even though he'd declined a drink earlier. Thoughtfully, she sipped from her tumbler. She tapped her fingernail against the crystal as she held it to her lips."There might be a way, Mr. Basile. Pinkie's one Achilles' heel is his Remy."

Burke tossed back his shot. The whiskey stung his throat, his eyes.

He coughed."What's a remy?"

"I don't think I need remind you that this makes the third episode this semester."

"No, Sister Beatrice. I'm all too aware of my sister's infractions."

She smoothed her skirt, an unconscious gesture of contrition held over from her days at the academy."I agree that Flarra's behavior is unacceptable."

"Not only are we responsible for our girls' educations," the nun continued, "but for their spiritual harmony and emotional stability.