Big Easy Bonanza

assistant? And now it turns out
Mimi
was on
his
assistant’s shaggin’ wagon?”
    But, appearances to the contrary, that wasn’t Freddie’s idea at all. In fact his response was downright puzzling. “Miss Mimi? No way. Not happening. Funny you’d think that. I never thought about it even once. They were always sitting in the corner, talking kind of low.”
    I was getting impatient. “Hellllooo! And what did
that
tell you?”
    “No, there’d be these big fat sparks flyin’ between them.”
    “Uh, Freddie? Sparks flyin’ ? You feel okay?”
    “No, you don’t get it. They were always fighting.”
    I sang him a little song. “‘You always hurt the one you love….’”
    “It wasn’t like that. She treated him like…a kid.”
    Oh. Well, why was that so hard? I gave him a big fat kiss on the cheek. “Diva thanks you, my baby. Come see me at the Palace, I’ll buy you a drink. And don’t forget that big ol’ ring.”
    So Erickson’s wife had a relationship with Geo. Now
that
was worth pursuing. By all accounts, Miss Mimi was the second nicest lady in New Orleans (after Miss Diva her ownself), so I was sure she’d give me a big ol’ welcome. I got in my ancient Jaguar (found online and bought for a pittance ) and drove to the Ericksons’ elegant Garden District home.
    The first thing I noticed was this: Any welcome here would have to be big, to match the house. It had to be the Dupuy family mansion. At any rate, it was definitely a mansion, with practically a city block’s worth of land around it, enclosed by a fine old wrought iron fence. They didn’t call this the Garden District for nothing.
    The house itself was what they call Greek Revival style, the most notable feature of which, in this town, is two regal balconies, one atop the other (if that doesn’t sound too naughty). I expected a maid in a starched uniform and cute little hat, but I was pretty sure the person who answered the door was Miss Mimi herself—unless the maid had a thing for Chanel suits.
    Because that’s what Mimi was wearing, my baby! A pink Chanel suit, pantyhose, and heels at 11 a.m., not a highlighted hair out of place. She looked like somebody about to go to a business meeting, but something told me she was the type that always looked like that.
    “Mrs. Erickson?” I said.
    “Mimi,” she answered. “Just Mimi, please. What can I do for you?” Well, that was quick. Two seconds and we’re BFFs. I could see why Freddie liked her. But I also noted a faint whiff of Maker’s Mark. It’s soooo easy to be nice with Mama’s Little Helper. I pulled out the picture, which put an unsightly frown on the lovely puss. “Mimi, I’m a P.I. looking for a young man named Geo. I understand he might be an acquaintance of yours.”
    She laughed, but the frown stayed. “Acquaintance? That’s no acquaintance. That’s George. AKA my deadbeat gutterpunk little brother. What’s he done now?”
    “Actually, we’re a little worried about him, darlin’. His girl friend says he’s gone missing.”
    “Girl friend? George couldn’t possibly have a girl friend! He smells too bad. Look, I haven’t seen him in a while either—ever since my husband fired him. Sure, he could be missing, but no one in the Dupuy family would know if he was. Or care. He’s been dead to Mother and Daddy after the first fifty thousand they ‘lent’ him. Daddy’s so mad about that he’s spent the last five years trying to bust the trust Pa-Père set up for him. To no avail, I might add. Tell you what, Miss…”
    “Delish.”
    “Tell you what, Miss Delish. Wait another year or so, till George’s twenty-eighth birthday, and you’ll find George, all right. He’ll be strolling into the offices of the family lawyers to sign the papers that will make him a very rich young man. Temporarily.”
    “Why only temporarily, darlin’?”
    “Because George could go through
any
amount of money before you can say Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann.”
    The law firm, I presumed. “Well. I don’t mean to pry, my baby, but it
is
kind of my job…”
    “Believe me, I have no secrets about Baby Brother.”
    “You were seen arguing with him.”
    This time when she laughed, the notes were high and tinny.” Ha! Recently or when he was in junior high? We’ve always argued; we’re siblings.”
    “Recently. At the Tavern of Memories. I was wondering what you were upset about.”
    She smirked. “You seem like a smart professional. What would be your