They were alone in the bar; employees and management were gone. Police photographers were still in the kitchen, but other agents and officers were out on the street finishing up with the large number of witnesses to the evening’s events.

“You...you always knew you wanted to be Krewe?” Dan asked him.

“Long story, but yes,” Andre said. “I’ve had so-called imaginary friends since I was a child. So far, it’s an amazing group. Never easy. But you don’t go into any of this if you’re looking for easy, right?”

“Right,” Dan murmured.

Andre stood then and gave them both a card. “That’s my cell, on me at all times, and obviously I shadow Axel, but if you can’t reach him or need anything...call.”

They thanked him and stood as well.

“We can go home?” Katie asked him. “Oh! Dan, did you want to go to the hospital, too? See what Axel can get out of... Neil Browne? Once he stops screaming,” she added softly.

Dan did want to help interrogate Browne. But he also didn’t. He didn’t want Katie anywhere alone. Not that night. Not until it was over. Really over.

And while Jennie might be dead and Neil Browne might be in custody, it was far from over. And he knew that already from the words the man had spoken in the kitchen as he’d waved his gun around.

“No. I’m good. Axel is there for the Feds, and Ryder is there for NOPD.”

“You two look exceptionally nice,” Andre complimented them, taking in their outfits.

“Thank you, but no more fine dining for me tonight,” Katie said. She pulled a face, looking at Dan. “Pizza to-go on the way home?” she asked.

He nodded, glad that after the trauma, she wanted pizza.

Dan gave Andre his hand. “Thank you.”

“Glad to meet you both. Sorry for the circumstances,” Andre said, indicating the front of the bar. It was time for them all to leave.

A crowd had gathered. They made their way through it, trying to blend in, just as Neil Browne had done earlier at the bar. They got a pizza and then did their best to get through to Dan’s car.

“You’re going to be a hero,” Dan told Katie. “Heroine, sorry. Fiercely defending herself and others...with gumbo.”

“New Orleans is famous for gumbo, you know,” she told him as they got into the car. “I’m actually starting to feel really bad about it. Dan, I did scald him. I mean, it was there. The pot was there, and I had to do something.”

“Katie, you defended yourself and others.”

“But what if... His burns have to be pretty severe. And he knows more, Dan. Yes, I believe he and Jennie killed my parents. And I feel torn. I never thought I was vicious, and I wanted justice...not revenge.”