BO AND NORA TAKE NEW ORLEANS

It was close to six o'clock and Nora was working in her office alone when she heard a noise coming from the outer office.

NORA: Hello? Is anyone there?
She went back to work but then caught the shadow of someone behind the glass door.
NORA: I know someone is out there. Identify yourself or I'm calling 911.
A small boy peeked around the door. He couldn't have been more than 9 years old.
NORA: Hi there. Who are you?
The boy stood there holding on to the door like it was a life preserver.
NORA: You can come in. I won't bite. I'm Nora Buchanan. Are you going to tell me your name or make me guess?
BOY: Zachary.
NORA: Is there something I can do for you, Zachary?
ZACHARY: Can you get my daddy out of jail?
Nora got up from behind the desk and walked closer to Zachary.
NORA: I'm going to need a little more information. Can you let go of that door and come sit here on the couch with me?
The boy walked slowly over to the couch.
ZACK: My friend told me you help people.
NORA: Sometimes. Who is your friend?
ZACK: River. He said you could tell the police and they would let my daddy go.
NORA: I see. Well, River and his father Reverend Carpenter are friends of mine. Where did you meet River?
ZACK: At the shelter. That's where we live ever since the police came and took daddy away.
NORA: Your family?
ZACK: My sister Lizabeth is six and Kari is 4. We don't have nobody else. They're going to split us up and put us in foster homes unless daddy gets out of
jail soon. Will you help me like River said?
Nora looked into his huge blue eyes. She touched his disheveled brown hair. He reminded her of pictures she'd seen of Bo when he was a little boy.
NORA: I can't promise anything, Zack, but I can see what's going on.
Zack smiled for the first time since entering her office.

Nora took Zack to St James where Andrew confirmed what Zack had said. The only reason the kids were still at the shelter was because Child Protective
Services could not find a place for them immediately.
ANDREW: The father's name is Jacob Collier. He was arrested two days ago on suspicion of helping to smuggle diamonds from South Africa through the
port of New Orleans for delivery to mob connections here. Nora, if you met Jacob, you'd never believe he was capable of this. His kids mean everything to
him.
NORA: How did he get involved in the first place?
ANDREW: Jacob said a man approached him at the New Orleans bus terminal and offered to buy the family dinner. The kids were hungry and Jacob had
no money so he accepted. He realized right off he'd made a huge mistake when the man began asking if he'd like to make some easy money by making a
delivery to Llanview. Jacob tried to be cool, so the kids wouldn't be alarmed. He got out of the situation as soon as he could, but apparently he was under
surveillance by federal agents the whole time.

NORA: Zack, you stay with Reverend Carpenter. I'll go talk to your father.

At the jail Nora found out Jacob Collier was being held on probable cause. A customs agent in New Orleans reported he saw a known jewel thief pass off
a bag of what was believed to be uncut diamonds to Jacob. Jacob was searched when he and the kids got off the bus in Llanview. All that was found was a
bag of jelly beans, but police believed he'd stashed the real jewels elsewhere. At the end of the conversation, Nora was determined to help Jacob and his
children. And the first people she need to see were Hank and Bo. She found them both at the water cooler.

NORA: You two-- come with me, please.
Hank and Bo looked at each other like two kids who knew they were in trouble. Nora lead them into a conference room and closed the door.

NORA: Take a seat, gentlemen. This won't take long. You-- (she pointed at Hank) I want a probable cause hearing for Jacob Collier ASAP tomorrow.
And you-- (looking at Bo) did your guys or the feds have a search warrant to search him or his luggage? Did you find any diamonds?

HANK: What's it to you, Nora?
NORA: I'm his lawyer.
BO: (laughing) What? He can't afford you-- unless he really is a jewel smuggler!
He and Hank grinned at each other like it was all a game.
NORA: Not funny.
The grins vanished from Hank and Bo's faces.
NORA: I want the case file in 30 minutes, Bo. If you or your justice department buds can't produce the evidence, how can you even hold him as an
accessory?
BO: Nora, you don't know this guy. Why have you taken up his cause?
NORA: Because I know who really smuggled the diamonds from South Africa through New Orleans and made it look like they were on Jacob when he got
on the bus.
HANK: Who?
NORA: Larry "The Lizard" LaRue.
Bo and Hank burst out laughing.
BO: Larry the what?
HANK: The Lizard?! Nora, you crack me up!
Nora wasn't smiling.
NORA: I suggest you boys do your homework. Larry "The Lizard" LaRue acts like a two-bit thug but is well-known in international jewel smuggling circles
as a smooth operator. He has upteen priors. This is his standard M.O. He gets the diamonds out of South Africa then finds an unsuspecting mule to
transport them or act as a decoy. After the dirty work is done, Larry slithers out of the picture. "The Lizard"-- get it, guys? See you at the hearing tomorrow
Hank. And I want that file in 25 minutes, Bo. The clock is ticking.
She walked out of the room leaving Hank and Bo not knowing what hit them.
HANK: Who was that?!
Bo just looked at him with a silly grin on his face.

The next morning, Jacob Collier was released from jail, but he was not out from under suspicion. He was reunited with his children and Andrew found work
for him around the parish. Nora was energized in a way she hadn't been in a long, long time. Finally, she was in the position to do something good as a
defense attorney. She was going to find Larry "The Lizard" and clear Jacob's name completely. She made arrangements to fly to New Orleans that very
afternoon.

Later that day, Bo charged into Hank's office.
BO: What does she think she's doing?
HANK: Who?
BO: You know who. Nora! I just went to talk to Jacob Collier and he said she'd gone to New Orleans to look for that Lizard guy.
HANK: What?!
BO: She's a lawyer, not a cop. When is she going to get that distinction?
They looked at each other-- both knowing the answer.
BO: Well, I guess that means I'm on the next plane to New Orleans.
HANK: (smiling) Well, just remember Voodoo happens.
BO: Very funny.
HANK: You thought so last night.
BO: That's before Nora put herself in danger.
HANK: Yeah, I know. Let me know if you need anything.

In New Orleans, Nora started with her only clue. A matchbook Jacob said belonged to Larry "The Lizard." It was from Marie Lavally's House of Voodoo
on (where else) Bourbon Street. The place looked right out of a movie-- small, dark and overflowing with tarot cards and crystals. It smelled of incense.
The shelves were lined with jars of dried herbs and animal parts and books on black magic. Nora thought about picking up a voodoo doll for use on
Lindsay but, work first-- play later. An older woman emerged from behind a curtain of beads. Nora identified herself and asked if she knew LaRue. The
woman seemed startled and scared. She said she had no information to give her. Nora gave the woman her card with her hotel written on the back and then
she left-- reluctantly. As she walked down the narrow sidewalk, a young woman appeared and pulled her into a doorway.
YOUNG WOMAN: He hangs out at the Cafe Chartres on Rue Royal.
And then she was gone.

Nora headed for Cafe Chartres. It was still early, but the place was dark and smoke-filled. She took a booth in the corner and waited-- looking for anyone
fitting LaRue's description. She overheard conversations-- some in French, others with the distinct Creole sound of New Orleans. She sipped club soda
after club soda. Just as she was about to give up, a man walked in. Nora caught her breath. She quickly put on her sunglasses even though it was dark
inside. It was Bo. She sank lower into the seat as she watched him question the bartender. She got a scarf out of her purse and tied it around her head at the
back of the neck. She gazed at him. He looked so handsome under the amber lights. That thrill when he walked into a room had never gone away. She was
lost in the moment when she saw him look directly at her in the mirror behind the bar. She put her hand over her face but it was too late. He came over to
her table.

BO: Nora, fancy meeting you here. On vacation?
NORA: Yeah, yeah, I am.
BO: Been to the Aquarium yet? I've heard the riverboat tour is nice too.
NORA: Cut the sarcasm. You know why I'm here.
BO: And you know why I'm here-- to stop you.
NORA: Oh really?
BO: Really.
NORA: Planning to lock me in the dungeon?
BO: I could. You ARE interfering with police business.
NORA: Well the police weren't doing their business so I thought it was fair game.
Bo smiled in spite of himself.
BO: Nora, I did my homework as you so subtly suggested. Larry LaRue is no one you want to be messing around with. Please go home.
NORA: Not until I clear Jacob Collier.
BO: Why?
NORA: Because of Dorian. Because of Brian Harris. Finally, I have a client I can believe in.
Bo nodded. He understood, but still disagreed.

BO: It's late. Let me walk you back to your hotel.
NORA: Okay. I guess if he was coming here, he'd be here by now.
They walked through the French Quarter and couldn't help but be taken in by the ambiance-- the brick streets, the sidewalk cafes and fern-lined balconies.
Every doorway seemed to have the sound of jazz or blues coming from it. Their conversation was easy and relaxed. They made each other laugh. Then they
got to the Hotel Monteleone.

NORA: Here we are.
BO: Man, you travel in style. The P. D only pays for the Motel 6!
NORA: I'm paying for this myself, Commissioner.
BO: Got it. Now, you're leaving tomorrow morning, right?
NORA: Oh, yeah.. uh, you won't have to worry about me interfering with police business.
BO: Good. Thanks.

As Bo walked to his hotel, he kept thinking about Nora. What an extraordinary woman she was-- going to all this trouble for a guy she didn't know and
who certainly could never pay her. Back at her hotel, Nora was thinking about Bo. No one had ever thrilled her in heart, mind, body and soul as he had. Bo
was one of a kind. How she wished he was in this big huge bed with her now.

The next morning, Nora found a note shoved under her door. It said, "Go to Jackson Square at 10 am where the artists work. I'll find you." Nora dressed
as fast as she could and ran out the door. At the square she saw one artist doing characatures. Another was painting the Cafe du Monde in watercolors.
Others were sketching in charcoal. Then she heard a voice behind her.
ARTIST: Go back to the beginning.
NORA: What?
The man continued painting an oil on canvas view of Jackson Square with the river in the background.
ARTIST: Go back to the beginning to find the key to who you're looking for.
NORA: That's a beautiful painting. How much do you want for it?
ARTIST: How much is a custom work worth to you, Madame?
NORA: How about a couple hundred?.
ARTIST: Sold. Keep in mind, it's a "custom" work just for you.
Nora paid him and walked back to the hotel. What was he trying to tell her? She was lost in thought when she opened the door to her room and tripped.
The room had been totally trashed. Her briefcase and laptop were gone.

NORA: Bo? Uh, hi, this is Nora.
BO: Why are you still here?
NORA: Never mind that. My hotel room has been ransacked. Can you come over?
BO: Be there in five minutes.

When Bo arrived Nora was sitting on the edge of the bed. He grabbed her and held her.
NORA: I'm scared.
BO: I know. I'm just glad you weren't here when it happened.
NORA: What were they looking for?
BO: Maybe nothing. They may have been just trying to scare you.
NORA: They succeeded.
BO: What's this? (he pointed to the painting)
Nora told him about the artist.
NORA: I just know he was trying to tell me something.
BO: Tell me Jacob's story from the beginning. Maybe it will jog your memory.
They went over it point by point.
BO: So the customs agent is the one eyewitness that connects Jacob to Larry "The Lizard?" and the diamonds?
Nora got a strange look on her face.
NORA: Bo! The artist said this was a "custom" painting!
BO: I say we make a visit to this customs agent.
They both jumped up and raced each other out the door.
The Port of New Orleans was an intimidating place. The warehouses seemed to go on for miles. It was the kind of place a person could get lost in and never
be found.
BO: Something is definitely fishy here.
Nora hit him on the shoulder, and laughed.
At the customs office, they found out the agent they were looking for was on sick leave. Coincidentally, his leave started the day after Jacob's arrest. It
seems he sustained a back injury from looking through suitcases. But Bo and Nora were not discouraged. They'd just have to track him down at home.
After dinner, they walked back to the hotel.
BO: You hardly talked during dinner. Something on your mind?
NORA: I don't know quite how to ask you this.
BO: Just ask.
NORA: Would you stay with me? After what happened this morning, you know.. It's just that this city.. it's like there are ghosts around every corner.
Bo smiled softly..
BO: Of course I'll stay with you. This city gives me the creeps... all those mausoleums!
NORA: Thanks.
Later on their separate sides of the bed they talked late into the night. Bo finally fell asleep, but Nora couldn't. She started going through the phone book
looking for the customs agent's name. There was one address that stuck out-- 6666 Bourbon Street. It was the same address as Marie Lavally's House of
Voodoo. It wasn't uncommon for shopkeepers to live above their stores in New Orleans-- especially in the French Quarter. It was 3 am. She got dressed
and slipped out the door without Bo hearing a thing. When she got to Bourbon street, it was quiet except for a few musicians still packing up from the night's
gig. The lights were on above Marie Lavally's. She walked up the stairs at the end of the street and went over several gates to get to the balcony by the
lighted window. When she leaned around the window and peeked in, she let out a gasp. Two men were sitting at a table spread with a black cloth. On the
cloth were at least 10 large diamonds and numerous smaller ones. The men were looking at them through gemologists' eyepieces. Nora leaned in to get a
better look and a gloved hand came down over her mouth. She smelled something funny and then-- passed out.

At the hotel, Bo woke up and immediately realized Nora wasn't there. No matter how big the bed, he always knew if she was there. He looked at the clock.
It was 4 am. He instantly had a bad feeling. It was just that connection they had. He didn't like it-- he felt in his bones something was wrong.
BO: Nora! Nora-- are you here?
He got up and checked the bathroom. Then he saw the open phone book. "Red, why do you do this to me?" he thought.
What was she looking for? The customs agent's address, of course, but what did she find? What address caught her eye? He went down the page over and
over and then he remembered what Hank had said, "VooDoo happens." There it was-- Marie Lavally's House of VooDoo. He was out the door seconds
later. Fog hung over the city as dawn broke. There was a time when it would have seemed beautiful and serene. That was when he and Nora were together.
Somehow, back then, the glass was always half full instead of half empty. He would die if anything happened to her. For all her brain power, Nora
sometimes was too fearless for her own good. He both loved that quality in her, and worried about her because of it. They were divorced, but the bond
between them would never be broken-- not in his heart. Not ever.

Nora had a blinding headache as she came to. Chloroform.
MAN: Hey, there little lady. How we are? Want to tell us what you was doing on the balcony there?
NORA: I'm a tourist. I drank too many Hurricanes last night. I got drunk and lost my friends. I was just trying to find my way back to the hotel, that's all.
MAN: Nice try. But somehow I think you a little more interested in these lovely little things heah.
Nora was silent.
MAN: As a matter o fact, you been asking a few too many questions about some friends o mine. Want to tell us why, lady lawya?
NORA: Just trying to help a man falsely accused of smuggling, that's all. You have your diamonds. Can't you leave Jacob Collier out of it? He has a family.
MAN: Yes he do. But unfortunately, he know too much. And now you know too much.

Bo got to the shop. From the street he could see the shadows behind the curtains. He checked his gun and looked for the best entrance. He called the New
Orleans police and then did a little bargaining with God. Just let Nora be okay. Within ten minutes, the police had the place surrounded. Two officers
positioned themselves on the balcony. Bo went up the back stairs with two other officers. They rammed the door and went in. Shots were fired. He saw
Nora and threw himself on top of her. It was over in less than 30 seconds. When the smoke cleared both men were wounded. Nora was okay, but held on
to Bo and wouldn' t let go.

NORA: I'm sooo stupid. What was I thinking?
BO: Red, if I knew what you were thinking all the time, I'd bottle it. As a matter of fact, they'd probably sell it downstairs with a name like Mystery Elixer.
He kissed her and held her tighter.
As it turned out, one of the men was, indeed, Larry "The Lizard" LaRue-- real name-- Lawrence Lizzario, international jewel thief. The other was the
customs agent who had been in on the scam all along. LaRue got the diamonds to the customs agent and he either planted them on a mule or fingered a
decoy to police while the Lizard skipped out with the bag of jewels. When Jacob wouldn't go along, he became the unsuspecting decoy.

Bo and Nora headed back to the hotel.
BO: I'm bushed. I need some sleep before going back to Llanview. How about you?
NORA: Absolutely. And, Bo, I'm sorry I left this morning without telling you. Forgive me?
BO: On one condition.
NORA: What's that?
BO: (with eyes twinkling) Well, I don't know quite how to ask you this-- but would you stay with me?
NORA: Scared, Buchanan?
BO: Yeah. All those mausoleums-- they creep me out.
Nora moved around in front of him so that she was walking backwards holding his hands.
NORA: Well, I could hold you real tight.
BO: Can we get under the covers?
NORA: I thought you didn't like me playing "undercover."
BO: Uh, well, there are exceptions. As Commissioner I can go undercover anytime I want. But with you I think I might prefer no covers at all.
He twirls her around and they giggle as they run for the elevator.

They spent the day in bed talking about time lost, eating pizza and doing other "fun" things.
BO: Why does it take something like this to bring people together?
NORA: Maybe it's just stubborn people like us.
BO: You're probably right about that.
NORA: You know, I've been thinking about the mausoleums. They're really not so creepy. Some are magnificent works of art.
BO: And your point is?
She rolled over on top of him caressing his chest.

NORA: Just think about it. These people long ago designed angelic sculptures and had words carved in stone to memorialize their families for generations to
come-- linking the past to the present and to the future.
BO: I'm not much of an artist. So how do I show you I'll love you for eternity and beyond?
NORA: (kissing him) Haven't you ever heard of "performance art," Buchanan?