She was halfway through when she heard the wife whispering to the husband. “There’s a live report, Arthur. A spokesperson is talking about...events. He’s warning people to be vigilant and careful, especially at night. To lock up carefully. He is also warning against becoming overly fearful and vigilantes. He believes the killer looks for those whose homes are vulnerable.” The woman fell silent. Despite them wanting to keep talk of horror away from the children, she turned up the sound on her phone.

Katie could hear the press conference.

“Are you concerned that the populace is going to arm itself?” someone from the media shouted.

Then Dan’s voice. “Here’s the thing with turning care and vigilance into panic. The wrong person usually gets hurt. We need to keep an eye out for the unusual, for strangers haunting neighborhoods, and report anything suspicious. The police and the FBI will have a heavy presence in the city and environs. Call the emergency line. We’re prepared for many instances that may be nothing. But better to check it out.”

“Get a guard dog!” someone called.

“Dogs are great, but they’re living beings. They’re not disposable. If you decide you need a big dog, make sure you get one you intend to keep and care for. We don’t need the shelters being overburdened when this is over.”

“Will it be over?” someone else shouted out. “They never caught the Axeman of New Orleans back in 1919. And they never caught the axe murderer at work in Florida.”

“This is the twenty-first century, and we have a lot available now in forensic science that wasn’t around in 1919. We have a large population, and we’re hoping vigilant people will help us every step of the way. There were two terrible events in Florida, and like this, those events shook everyone with their savagery. But we have the FBI and the NOPD and other agencies working on this as well. Every officer and agent in the city has been briefed with all information available. And New Orleans is tough. It has weathered a lot. We have you, those who call New Orleans home, those who come often and those who are visiting. With your help, we will stop this heinous killer. Thank you.”

Katie couldn’t see Dan, but she could imagine him stepping back. She had to admit he had done a good job, not denying any questions but working with them.

“Can we get back to the pirates?” one of the boys asked. “Whatever happened to Jean Lafitte? He was a hero, but he left?”

“He was wounded in the battle in Mexico in 1823. He was trying to take two Spanish merchant ships. Remember, in 1823, there was no internet, and records weren’t as complete as they are today,” Katie said. “But it’s believed he died from injuries received then at dawn on February 5. He was buried at sea.”