He let out a long sigh. “Oh, Katie, I’ve wanted to, but I wanted a life, and I wanted you to have a life. I’ve seen you work. You’re great. People love you. I’ve seen you with your friends, laughing with the mime, having dinner with the other girl. I knew you were okay. And I had to... I had to really start over. I changed my name. It’s Calhoun. George Calhoun. I’ve been working as a PA on one of the B movies being shot here. We’re just finishing up...over in the Irish Channel. But...oh, Katie. I’m scared. No one I’m working with knows about my past. But when I heard about the murders... Oh, God. They’ll be after me again. Do you think...do you think that I’m being set up?”

Dan was watching her. George was speaking loudly and excitedly then, but her phone wasn’t on Speaker; she couldn’t tell if Dan was hearing his words or not.

“Tell him we need to meet with him.”

She stared at him, covering the mouthpiece on her phone.

“Dan! He won’t see you!”

“Then, have him come to your house.”

“What?”

“Tell him to come to your house. Otherwise, tell him we’ll—you’ll—come to his.”

She winced. But she wanted to prove George innocent. She believed him.

“George, could I come to your place?”

“I’m still working, just finishing up.”

“That’s fine. Where do you live?”

George gave Katie his address.

“What time would you be home?” Katie asked.

“An hour? Two hours. Ten o’clock, maybe.”

She repeated his address and agreed to the time. She hung up.

Dan nodded. She realized that he was just standing there listening.

“What is it?” she asked him.

“Do you hear that?”

“Music. There’s always music. We’re barely to Royal Street. We’re hearing all the music from Bourbon Street.”

He shook his head. “It’s not just any music,” he said. “It’s jazz. It really has begun.”

“New Orleans is jazz,” she muttered weakly.

“Right. But with some Aerosmith thrown in. Anyway...let’s get dinner.”

“Okay, wherever—”

“Antoine’s!” he said. “We’re not far. 713 St. Louis.”

“Antoine’s is a bit fancy...”

“Adam is buying us dinner.”

“Taxpayer money?”

“No, his money. He’s a wealthy man. And he’s told me I’m not to force PI pizza on you. I’m starving. Let’s go for it tonight, huh?”

She nodded, wishing she could shake her feelings of unease. But he caught her hand and led the way, and soon they were seated, and she realized just how often lately she had forgotten about eating. The delicious aromas that permeated the restaurant reminded her that she was very hungry, too.

And that everyone, no matter how involved, needed to breathe in the middle of chaos.