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“Wait a minute.” She jumped to her feet and blocked the agent’s path.
“I’ve been nearly kidnapped; I’ve been chased and shot at. I’m coming in now to provide information when I have other things to do. The least you can do is tell me what’s going on.”
Mitch grinned to himself. He wanted to know, too, but leave it to Cath to get right to the point.
“DiMartino is a person of interest in a case we’re investigating.” Ladner rubbed a finger down one side of his mustache. “We had him arrested for white-collar crime.”
“Paul?” She gawked. “Did he embezzle from VIP Tours?”
“Possibly.” Ladner stroked down the other side of his mustache. “The judge posted as high a bond as possible for the crime, but someone with deep pockets bailed him out. We’ve had him under surveillance, and he’s due in court this morning.”
The federal agent lifted his phone to his ear and identified himself. While he listened, his mouth thinned and his face reddened. “What do you mean?” he said into his phone. “Drugged?”
Ladner glanced at them and lowered his voice. “Go ahead.” He listened a while longer before disconnecting, his expression grim. “Unfortunately, the surveillance on DiMartino was intercepted and incapacitated. He did not appear in court this morning either. As of noon today, DiMartino’s a fugitive. We’ve posted a reward with the FBI.”
Mitch pulled a business card. “I’d like to bring my bail recovery company in on this if possible.”
“Who would that be?” Agent Ladner pocketed his phone.
“Big Easy Bounty Hunters.”
“By all means. DiMartino needs to be off the streets. Remember what I said, Ms. Hurley. Keep out of sight.” Ladner looked at Mitch. “I’ll get you the contact numbers to call for the reward.”
Both law officers told them to wait and left the lobby.
“I can take you home when we leave.” Mitch pushed the garbage bag into a trash bin. “You can give me your office keys, and I’ll go down there and see if your brother left anything.”
She refilled her coffee cup. “I haven’t changed my mind about wanting to go.”
“The DEA guy thought you should lie low.”
“He’s not the one desperate to connect with his brother. Besides, when have I ever listened to someone?”
“I’m not sure.” Mitch suppressed a smile. “Maybe ten or twenty years ago?”
A secretary returned with the information from Ladner and Mitch’s vest. “Since we’re going straight to the Quarter, let me call my brothers now.”
* * *
Lot Full signs stood sentry at every open-air parking lot near Cath’s office. “Why don’t you drop me? I can walk from here.”
“No way.” Mitch braked behind a tour bus and closed the vents against the incoming exhaust. “There’ll be space in a garage.”
“I need to hurry.” She clutched her good-luck charm in her go-to worry action. “What if someone else finds Les first?”
“You mean like Paul?”
“You heard the fed guy. Paul blew off his court appearance. He’s a fugitive now. He’ll be desperate.” Cath twisted the handle of her purse. “What did your brother say when you called and told him about the reward?”
“Kurt’s calling the numbers the DEA gave him.”
They finally found space in a garage off Rampart and racewalked through the French Quarter. Lots of tourists always walked through Jackson Square, but today the Mardi Gras visitors stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the cathedral. “This is terrible. We need to go around.”
“We’re in a hurry. Just stick with me.” Mitch clasped her hand and plunged into the crowd.
Cath scanned the faces she could see. A lot of tourists had bought decorated masks to get in the spirit. Paul could be here wearing a Carnival mask instead of a ski mask. Wait a minute. Was that leather jacket him? Her heart jumped into her throat.
She stumbled over the slight incline down to St. Peter Street, yanking on Mitch’s hand. He spun, frowning. “Sorry. I was looking around.”