Fat Tuesday(71)

"No. Because when I catch Burke Basile, I'm going to kill him myself."

His arrogance appalled and angered Doug Pat."You've got your goddamn nerve, coming into my office and announcing that." He yanked open his bottom drawer and took out a bottle of Jack Daniel's. He poured the oily dregs of his forgotten morning coffee into the plastic liner of his trash can, then refilled the cup with whiskey."There's an extra cup around here somewhere."

"No thanks. I don't drink with cops."

"Arrogance and insults." Pat raised his cup to Duvall, fortified himself with a shot of whiskey, poured another, drank it, then addressed himself to the most powerful attorney in the city who had just boldly declared that he was going to kill a cop former cop for kidnapping his wife.

I "How'd Mrs. Duvall become involved with these so-called priests?"

Duvall told him everything he knew about the Jenny's House scam, and admitted to his own detective work earlier that day, which had led him to the flophouse. When Pat heard about the cemetery, he smiled wryly.

"That sounds like Basile. That also explains his motive for doing this."

Shaking his head with remorse, he muttered, "Jesus, he must be crazy."

"No, he isn't crazy," Duvall said."If he were crazy, I might feel sorry for him and kill him quickly. But since he's a devious bastard who knows precisely what he's doing, I'm going to tear out his f*cking heart while it's still beating."

"I advise you to watch yourself, Duvall. Remember where you are."

"I know where I am, and I don't care. Nothing I say will go beyond this desk. You don't want that lame-brained sheriff or the feds in on this any more than I do, because you want to protect the reputation of the N.O.P.D and your friend Basile."

"Who quit. He's no longer affiliated with the department, and therefore, no longer my responsibility."

"No, not officially. But if he's gone this far round the bend so soon after his resignation, people are going to start wondering how come somebody didn't read the signs before he cracked. Why wasn't psychological counseling mandated after he shot Stuart? Why wasn't the head of his division aware of his emotional decline? You see what I'm getting at, Pat? If I don't get to Basile before the authorities do, you'll end up with a pile of shit on your head."

"Stop shouting threats at me, Duvall."

"I'm just telling you like it is."

"If Burke has broken the law, he'll be punished accordingly."

"You're damn right he will be."

Doug wished Burke were here. He would enjoy seeing Pinkie Duvall reduced to a common man's temper tantrum. It sure as hell was gratifying to Doug to see Duvall this unhinged. Mentally, he saluted his friend for bringing it about.

"Killing Basile might not be as easy as you think," he said."Do you realize the kind of individual you're up against? He's got integrity coming out the kazoo. Honor is his middle name."

"Really?" Duvall snorted with contempt."Apparently you don't know him as well as you think you do."

"Maybe not," Pat admitted."I never thought he'd go for broke and do something this dramatic, but he has, which makes the situation even more perilous for you. Basile doesn't expect this to end peaceably.

He won't harm your wife. I'm not afraid for her safety. But I am for yours."

"I'm not scared of this burnout who goes around masquerading as a priest, for chrissake."

"You should be. Basile is smart. A whole lot smarter than me, and maybe even smarter than you, Duvall, although I know you don't believe that's possible. And he's motivated by revenge. That's strong stuff.

You'd be a fool not to fear him."

Duvall glared at him, but he didn't challenge either the insult or the character reference he'd given Basile."Who's this other fellow?"

"The second priest? I don't know."

"Where do I start looking for Basile?"

"I don't know that either. But he won't get far in that van. From the description, it can't be hard to spot."

"The van has been found."

That news startled Pat."Where? Who found it?"

"I had some people looking. It was found two hours ago, abandoned and half-submerged in six feet of water in a bayou between here and Houma."

"Where is it now?"

"You'll never know."

"Duvall, I insist that it be turned over to the authorities as evidence."

"You insist?" he taunted."Forget it, Pat. Even if you insist, the van's history by now."

Pat gaped at Duvall, shaking his head in bafflement."You're as nuts as Burke is. I can't let this unravel any further." He reached for his telephone, but Duvall knocked the receiver from his hand.

Pat shot to his feet and angrily confronted the lawyer."This has already gone too far, Duvall, even for you. You've got to notify the FBI."

"Pinkie Duvall doesn't need the FBI."

"Doesn't need, or doesn't want?" Pat poked Duvall in the chest with his index finger."You don't want the FBI involved because you've got too much to hide. If they started investigating your affairs, they might forget all about the kidnapping of your wife and go after something really big."