Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

have to let down his defenses .”
    “Compton couldn’t have wanted to transmit to you, yet he did.”
    Was Compton so arrogant he ’d passed his evil to her on purpose? “Maybe he forced the image into my mind to observe my reaction. No law officer in the word would or could act on an image or vision , nor would a judge or jury accept them as fact. M y so-called nightmare? I’d have the courtroom in stitches.”
    Lucier swirled linguine onto his fork. “I’m going to try to talk to Dione Compton. She and her sister are close. If she ’s convinced something’s happened to Maia, she might talk.”
    “Don’t bet the farm. She’s more afraid of Silas than she is of harm to her sister. Or … ”
    “Or what?”
    “Or maybe it’s Selene she’s afraid of.” Diana sipped her iced tea. “Something about that woman gets under my skin .”
    “She was the perfect hostess.”
    “Yeah, to you. She ignored me.”
    “So she’s a man’s woman . Lots of women are.”
    Diana kept her silence. Lucier was right. What man wouldn’t respond to a woman who threw her lean, shapely body at him like Selene did to Lucier. If she said anything, he’d call her jealous again . She almost laughed. These were devious people, and they brought out the worst in Lucier and her. Jealousy, suspicion, subterfuge. If they were playing Compton’s game, they were sure learning fast.
    “Besides,” Lucier continued, “Compton lassoed you as soon as you got through the door.”
    “I think they followed a divide and conquer agenda.”
    “ They won’t the next time. When you’re not reading one of them , I’ ll be right by your side.”
    * * * * *
    G etting through to Dione Compton was like tracking down the President of the United States on his Blackberry. Lucier convinced the operator at Compton International that he was an old friend from Tulane in town for the day and wanted to surprise Dione . S he took the call.
    “ Very sneaky, Lieutenant . ” Dione said when Lucier identified himself .
    “ Sorry, I didn’t think it was a good idea to leave my name .”
    “ That depends . What can I do for you?”
    “I’d like to talk to you about your sister.”
    A beat of silence. “M aia is in the Middle East taking care of a problem for the company. ”
    “I don’t believe she is, and I don’t believe you think so either.”
    “I really have to go, Lieutenant. I shouldn’t be talking to you. If you think Maia is in trouble you need to speak to my father.”
    “You know that’s exactly who I shouldn’t speak to, Ms. Compton. M aia’s life could be in danger.”
    A long er silence. Lucier thought she hung up .
    “ Café du Monde , nine-thirty tomorrow morning. ”
    The line went dead .
    * * * * *
    L ucier strolled through Jackson Square, teeming with tourists even at the early hour. He arrived at the Café du Monde before the arranged time , took a chair outside, and ordered coffee and a beignet. After dusting off some of the powdered sugar and sinking his teeth into the doughy confection, he spotted Dione Compton striding toward the café. She was a little shorter than her sister and possessed the same good looks ― long blonde hair, lovely figure. The man following her never let his eyes wander from his prey. Lucier tossed a bill on the table, sprang up, and headed in her direction to ward off any obviously planned contact.
    He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “Why, Ms. Compton , how nice to see you again.” W ithout changing expression, he said sotto voce, “You’re being followed . S ay hello and go inside the restaurant as if nothing unusual happened. D on’t turn around. I’ll be in touch.”
    “Nice to s ee you, too, Lieutenant … Lucier, isn’t it?”
    “Yes.” He tipped his head. “Time to go to work. Bye now.”
    “Goodbye,” Dione said, and went inside without missing a beat.
    Lucier clicked a mental photo of Dione Compton’s shadow. Six feet, thinning hair, average looks, medium build, off-the-rack suit ― nothing to set him apart from hundreds of others. Unfortunately, there was nothing average looking about Lucier. His mixed-blood skin, hazel eyes , and light brown hair left an image easily remembered. T he Shadow returned the same scrutiny as he passed.
    Damn . The last thing he wanted was to get Dione Compton in trouble. Best to go on the offense. When he got back to the station , he called Silas Compton.
    Lucier’s name must have been on a list of acceptable callers because the