Page 117 of Highball and Chain

Enzo mouthed, “Tomorrow.”

It killed me to say the words. “Does tomorrow work better for you?”

“What am I supposed to do with your cat until then?” The woman was definitely losing her patience. “Hang on a second. Let me see if I can get a ride home, so you can come here tonight. Don’t hang up.”

“Okay.” My heart beat so fast I feared it’d escape and run off to save Mr. Boogerre without me.

Frowning, Enzo whispered. “I have access to her home address. Have her take him home with her.”

The woman came back on the line. “I’m sorry. I can’t get a ride. Either you meet me at the streetcar stop, or I’m putting him back in the dumpster.”

My sleep and cat deprived mind went into hyperdrive. “I’ll order a rideshare for you here, and another to get you home.”

She hesitated for so long I thought she’d hung up.

“Are you there?” I reached for Enzo to remain upright. “I need your name for the driver.”

“I’m here.” She sighed. “My name is Tara Cole. I’m at the Daquari Shack on Bourbon.”

I met Enzo’s disapproving gaze. “Great. I’m ordering the car now. I’ll meet you at 1405 Delaronde Street in Algiers’s Point.”

Enzo shot into action before I finished giving her Maggie and Gabe’s address.

“I thought you said you were in the Garden District?” She sounded irritated again.

“I am. I was hanging out with some friends, but I was on my way out. My apartment burned down, so I’m house-sitting for a friend until I find another apartment.”

“Great. See you there. Thanks for the rideshare.”

“See you there.” I disconnected and went to find Enzo.

“In here,” he called to me from the man-cave.

Three armed bodyguards glanced at me when I walked into the room.

Enzo said, “Good thinking sending her to the empty house. Do you have a key?”

“Yes, and thanks. I was afraid she’d call it off and hurt my cat.” I pressed my hand to my stomach to stave off a wave of nausea. If anything went wrong, mine and Mr. Boogerre’s lives were on the line.

Enzo motioned between the security team. “One of you need to pose as a ride share driver. One shadows Shanna, and the other two stay out of sight near the house.”

“No, she’ll know they’re security. I have a better idea.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Jack.

“Miss me already?” His sleep graveled voice told me I’d waken him.

“Hey, does your dad still have that light up rideshare sign?”

“Sure does. Why?”

“How’d you like to get a shot at catching the guys who kicked your ass?”

Enzo shook his head and stared at the ceiling. “Bad idea.”

“I’d love it.” Jack sounded more awake by the second.

“Good. Call your poker buddies at the station and have them on standby near Maggie’s place. Make sure they stay out of sight.”

Enzo narrowed his eyes. “We need to question Tara. We can’t do that if she’s in jail.”

---