PI On A Hot Tin Roof

compose herself in front of the camera. Only Adele and Lucy seemed genuinely happy.
    Something’s wrong with this picture,
Talba thought.
Big surprise.
    She was a little nonplussed herself. She liked Kristin. The last thing she’d wish on her was Buddy Champagne and his coming downfall. The upside, though, was that the bride-elect had time to find out before the wedding who her fiancé really was.
    If Jane Storey moved fast enough.
    Lucy was playing the part of reporter. “Kristin, are you surprised?”
    “Surprised? Hey, I thought I was going to have to tackle him.”
    “Daddy, did you really think a great person like Kristin was actually going to say yes?”
    “Young lady, go to your room. Next question.”
    “Tell us the story of how you met.”
    “She found me drunk in a gutter and saved me from three approaching muggers.”
    “No, really.”
    “We met in court,” Kristin said. “Where else?”
    “And was it love at first sight?”
    “For me it was,” Buddy said. “The minute she set foot in my courtroom, I thought, ‘Buddy Champagne, you’re going to stop your tepee-creepin’ and marry that li’l ol’ gal.’”
    “Oh, Buddy, come on. You gave me such a hard time!”
    “Well, that was just to get your attention. Hey, ya know what I hear? Sirens. And y’all know what that means.” It meant the parade was approaching. “Y’all go on and enjoy the parade now. And thank you all for being here on such a memorable occasion.”
    Memorable was right, Talba thought. She was pretty sure nobody there was ever likely to forget it. She checked out the family again. LaGarde was at the bar, reaching for something amber that wasn’t beer. I’d drink heavily, too, she thought. Suzanne was leaning on Royce, who was whispering to her. She was as pale as shrimp meat.
    Warren LaGarde drained his glass and walked out the door, his young wife scurrying to catch up. Whether they were going out to see the parade or making a hasty exit, Talba didn’t know. But she was betting on the latter.

Chapter 9
    Lundi Gras dawned cloudy and threatening, and by the time Talba got to the Champagnes’, the rain was so heavy she got soaked running in from her car. “Look at you!” Adele said. “I’ll get you one of Suzanne’s sweat suits.” And she headed upstairs. The house was a shambles from the night before and Lucy and Buddy were in the kitchen with Kristin, who was wearing sweats herself, evidently intending not to go to work that morning.
    “Thought I’d stay home and help clean up,” she explained. “We’ll just have cereal this morning so you don’t have to cook. Oh, and Adele says, after seven days straight, she’s giving you the afternoon off.”
    “Well, I appreciate it. I’ve been working so hard I feel like I’ve been in a wreck.”
    “I’ll bet you do.” Buddy was wearing jeans himself. He must be calling in court that day. “You’re a drowned rat,” he said. “You can’t work like that.”
    She was surprised he’d noticed. “Miss Adele’s getting me some clothes. That was beautiful last night, Your Honor. Congratulations.”
    “Can you believe this ol’ gal’s really gon’ marry me?”
    Lucy sidled up to Kristin and put an arm around her. “She wouldn’t leave me alone with Suzanne, would you, Kristin?”
    Kristin nuzzled her head as if she were a pet.
    “Hey, Sandra, Darryl’s really handsome,” Lucy said. “Was he married to a white woman? I mean, before?”
    “Lucy!” Kristin was horrified.
    Lucy flared. “It’s a reasonable question.”
    “It’s okay, Luce. You mean the blonde hair? No, Raisa’s just a freak. Pretty freak, though.”
    Buddy said, “Prettiest little freak I ever saw in my life.”
    “She’s really a great little kid,” Lucy said. “I taught her how to work the camcorder and she went crazy with it. Smart as anything.”
    “You bring out the best in her,” Talba said, and meant it. She’d never seen Raisa take to anyone the way she had to Lucy.
    Adele came back with the sweats. “I’ve got to get Lucy to school. Did Kristin tell you? Half day’s enough for today—and Mardi Gras off, of course.” Talba hadn’t even considered coming in the next day. Mardi Gras in New Orleans was like Christmas anywhere else—business as usual was cancelled. “Clear off the tables, will you? And get a load in the dishwasher.”
    Talba went to the downstairs powder room to change, and came out like a powerhouse. Today she had a concrete, manageable