Much more sober, she walked through the station, heading back toward Remy’s office. There were only a couple of people working and they looked up and waved. She lifted a hand as she went through to the homicide bull pen. Remy didn’t appear to be in his office. She glanced at her watch. She was a little late. Had he left her? Forgot? That wasn’t his style.

Her mouth felt dry and her heart beat too fast. The other pushed at her, wanting her freedom. Bijou was too new in the ways of leopard to know what to do to settle her down. She took several deep breaths and prayed Remy would hurry up.

A woman came around the corner, both hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She smiled at Bijou. “Remy asked me to tell you he stepped out for a couple of minutes. He’ll be right back. He’s just down the street at the gallery. I’m Angelina, the computer nerd.”

Bijou smiled at her, relief flooding. Remy wouldn’t be gone long, and he’d know what to do. “I’m Bijou Breaux.”

“Remy’s woman,” Angelina said. “You’ve made him very happy.”

Bijou liked Angelina immediately. “I hope so. He certainly makes me happy.”

“Would you like a cup of coffee while you wait?” Angelina asked.

“That would be lovely,” Bijou said.

She wandered around the room, looking at the desks and computers, marveling at how the men and women working there solved murders and various other crimes. Her path took her nearly straight to the murder board. She tried not to look, but it was impossible not to stare at the horrendous pictures of a man brutally murdered.

“You shouldn’t look at that,” Angelina said. “It will give you nightmares.”

“It’s like the train wreck you can’t stop watching, isn’t it?” Bijou asked as she took the coffee. Her gaze went back to the board. “It’s almost mesmerizing. Who could do such things to another human being?”

“Sadly, Bijou, working here, I’ve learned human beings can be very cruel to one another. I stopped being shocked many years ago—until this killer came along.”

Bijou studied the altar. It was so bizarre. “Is that really a bowl of blood and a human hand? His heart? This looks like something from a horror movie, not real life . . .” She trailed off, peering closer.

Her breath rushed out of her lungs. Her hands went numb. The coffee mug crashed to the floor. “Angelina,” she said without turning around. “Where did you say Remy went?”

“To the gallery. Are you all right?”

“No. No, I’m not all right. Call everyone. Call them right now and send them to the gallery.” She ripped her phone from her purse and took off running, hitting the only other number she had on speed dial besides Remy.