Susan Andersen - Be My Baby

Juliet Rose Astor Lowell paused in the shade of the

Goddam, sonofabitchin bureaucrat! Beau punched the accelerator to the floor

Seconds or hours latershe couldnt tell whichshe heard a fist

Josie Lee checked her lipstick, then tilted her tiny compact

What are you, friggin nuts? The plan was to freak

Well, that sure as hell hadnt gone the way hed

Luke was more than ready to go home by the

How could you be so foolish? Morning sun slanted through

Paralyzed, Juliet stared down at the water in horror. Grungy

Roll where? Im not going anywhere with you. Her spine

Mr. Lowell is on line two.

Beau herded people away from the parking lot and into

Juliets emotions were all over the map, and she desperately

Juliet felt as if shed unleashed something as elemental as

Celeste sat in her wing-backed chair, outwardly placid. She sipped

The pounding on Roxannes door awakened her. Focusing bleary eyes

Juliet was already feeling mortified by how quickly shed succumbed

Juliet was sleeping soundly when the beeping started. It was

The Garden Crown was ablaze with lights and packed with

Rage burned through Beaus veins. Sure as hell, it was

Beau leaned in the office door. Afternoon, ladies.

For the third day in a row, Beau sat planted

Beau was riding the crest of a piss-poor attitude when

Celeste completed her toilette and leaned forward to regard herself

Luke found Josie Lee standing with her sisters. Anabel leaned

Juliet stared down the barrel of Celestes gun, and could

It was red beans and rice night at Beau and

J uliet Rose Astor Lowell paused in the shade of the marble columns outside the Eighth District Police Station and discreetly blotted her forehead with the back of her wrist. Drawing in a deep breath, she softly expelled it. Lord, it was hot. And so humid. Just the short walk from the air-conditioned limo left her feeling limp. She peeled a clinging yard of voile away from her thighs and gave her dress a delicate shake to promote air circulation. Shed been in New Orleans less than an hour, and already things were entirely different than shed envisioned when she left Boston.

But that was mostly due to this unscheduled stop. She had thought to have the tiniest bit more freedom down here; it seemed a small enough thing to wish for. After all, she was away from Grandmothers rigid constraints, in a city whose name was synonymous with enjoyment, and whose inhabitants certainly had no preconceived expectations of her as an Astor Lowell. And it wasnt as if shed planned a wild spree of dancing naked across tabletops, for heavens sakeshed simply wanted to loosen the ever-present restraints a bit. Just enough to take a really deep breath.

But even that was to be denied her. Once again Father had arranged matters without bothering to consult her, dropping this little bombshell as a fait accompli over the limo phone. Crown Hotels had received a letter protesting the opening of the New Orleans Garden Crown. Hed read it to her over the phone, and if it had struck her as more an ardent treatise against the bastardization of a historic landmark than a threat, that simply didnt signify. Father wanted police protection for her, so here she was, all choice removed from her control. She pulled open the door and entered the building.

Her ears were still attuned to the crisp accents of New England, so the slow, soft drawls of the officers manning the counter sounded almost foreign. As she turned away from the desk and followed their directions to the captains office, she inconspicuouslybut avidlyobserved everything around her. Shed never been in a police station before, and it felt both exotic and full of energy.

The man who rose from behind his desk when she tapped on his door was neither. He had the prosperous, well-fed look of a politicianFathers kind of person; exactly the sort she was accustomed to dealing with. The mans brown hair was expensively barbered, his ruddy cheeks shone from a close shave, and his suit was cleverly cut to minimize the appearance of a middle that had begun to spread. Police work must pay better than shed thought.

Captain Pfeffer? Im

Ms. Juliet Lowell, he overrode her enthusiastically. His voice, at least, was exotic, dripping elongated, honeyed vowels. He rounded the desk and extended a smooth, manicured hand.

Astor Lowell . She swallowed the impulse to correct him, though the desire to do so was automatic after years of conditioning at Grandmothers knee. Smiling politely, she shook his hand.

Please, he said, patting her hand avuncularly as he led her into the office. Do cmon in and have a seat. Your fawtha and I had a long talk, and Ive been expectin you.

Yes, I know. Juliet sat. Though it was most likely futile, she insisted quietly, Father was a bit precipitous, I fear. Theres truly no need for me to monopolize the services of an officer whose time could be better employed elsewhere.

Nonsense. Sergeant Dupree is happy to be of assistance. Dont you worry your pretty littlewell. He cleared his throat, undoubtedly seeing something in her expression that warned him he was heading down an unpopular avenue. The New Awleens Police Department is always happy to assist a pretty lady, he substituted heartily, which was not a great improvement in Juliets opinion. We believe in assigning the best to the best. I was personally handpicked by the commissionah himself to be acting captain when Captain Taylor left on an extended vacation. And I in turn have handpicked the detective best suited to be your escort.

Juliets polite smile froze, and her brows drew together. Detective? Oh, butI thought you said he was a sergeant. This just kept getting worse and worse. Bad enough to usurp the services of an officer; now she had visions of taking a detective away from a murder investigation.

There is no official rank of detective in the NOPD. Most of em hold the rank of Police Officer III or Sergeant. He waved the distinction aside. I must say were all verra excited that Crown Hotels has decided to grace our fair city with one of their fine establishments. Why, society has hardly talked of anythin else.

Somehow she doubted that, but she was proud of the Garden Crown. Shed waited years to be in charge of one from conception to start-up, and the New Orleans hotel was her baby. Yes, were also quite excited, she agreed.

As well you should be. And you neednt be concerned for your safety while you go about your business, because were heah to see to it that you arent left alone and unprotected for a single moment.

Thats exactly what Juliet was afraid of.

I understand yall have quite a roster of excitin pre-opening events planned, the captain continued.

Yes, we do. Juliet briefly summarized the upcoming social schedule. When she finished, Pfeffer looked at her so expectantly that she said with automatic courtesy, You and your wife must join us for one.

Why thank you, Ms. Lowell, I know shed like that. Shes a Collier, you know. From the Savannah Colliers.