Big Easy (Cowboy Craze)

by Sable Hunter

  “Who needs to be found in order to testify.”

  Jewel watched her mother work. “Exactly.”

  “Well, he’ll turn up.”

  She was about to ask her mother if she was prophesying or just hoping when the doorbell rang. “I’ll see who it is.”

  “It’s Benjen and Daniel. I invited them over for breakfast last night.”

  Nodding at her mother’s explanation, she went to let them in. As she opened the door, she found Daniel standing at the railing, looking down at Benjen who was holding her Palm Reader sign. “Yea, I guess I need to throw that away.”

  “Why would you do that?” Daniel asked. “It’s evidence, isn’t it?”

  “Yea. Evidence.” She held the screen. “Come on in, guys.” Stepping back, she allowed Easy’s brothers to enter ahead of her. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  “Think of what?” Benjen asked, propping the sign at the top of the stairs.

  “The camera would’ve recorded whoever made those threats. I was so focused on the night of the murder I didn’t think to look at the day Easy was arrested.”

  “Well, let’s go look.” Daniel followed Jewel with Benjen not far behind.

  “What’s going on?” Sam asked when he saw his brothers trailing Jewel to the computer.

  “She thinks she might have footage of whoever left those threats,” Benjen told his brother and Hazel.

  Soon, everyone was gathered around as Jewel searched to find the right date and time.

  “Well, look at that,” Hazel mused as they saw the figure of a man doing the dirty work. First, he hung the snake and the mouse. A little while later, he wrote on the windshield. Lastly, he wrote on the Palm Reader sign. Each time, his lips could be seen mumbling some unknown words. Whatever paint he was using was held in a tin can, but he used his fingers instead of a brush.

  “Who in the world is that?” Benjen asked, leaning forward for a better view.

  “That’s Porter Hill, the mayor,” Jewel muttered. “Everett’s brother.”

  Sam grabbed the phone. “Zane has got to hear this.”

  “Wade will want a copy of it, for sure,” Jewel stood to find a thumb drive to record the surveillance footage.

  “Wow, surely this is enough to free Easy.” Daniel looked from one face to another with hope in his eyes.

  “The evidentiary hearing has been approved.” Hearing Sam on the phone with Zane, Jewel lowered her voice as she slipped the thumb drive into the proper slot and hit the command to download. “I really don’t see how the charges can stand against him after everything that’s come to light.” She just wished Truman Lawson would be there to testify about the crooked cops’ attempt to pin a murder on an innocent man.

  …After breakfast, Daniel and Sam set out to meet with Zane to give him the new evidence they’d found while Benjen stayed behind.

  “I hope Zane can get them in to visit Easy. I’m worried about him.” Jewel found it hard to concentrate on cleaning the kitchen. “I can’t stop thinking how those people tried to kill him.”

  “Yea, I’d love to have them at my mercy for just five minutes,” Benjen growled the words, his hands tightening into fists.

  “I wish you could. I’d help you,” Jewel muttered.

  “I think a lot of wrongs are about to be righted,” Hazel said softly. “And speaking of, Jewel, my lawyer is coming to pick me up for lunch. He has some information for me.”

  “Pick you up?” Jewel asked. “Do all lawyers take their clients to lunch?”

  “Only the pretty clients,” Hazel assured her.

  Hearing their conversation veer to something besides his brother, Benjen stood and headed for the door. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go out and wash your car. Since we’ve sent in that video, there’s no use for it not to be clean.”

  “Thanks, Benjen.” Jewel gave him a hug. “I appreciate you.”

  “No problem. I have a hard time being still,” he told her as he headed out the door.

  Once they were alone, Jewel turned to her mom. “What are you meeting your lawyer for?” She knew it might not be her business, but that didn’t stop her from asking.

  “He’s bringing me the list of people who were hurt by the scam.”

  “I don’t understand. What are you going to do? Write them each a letter of apology?” Jewel didn’t mean to sound flippant, but she couldn’t believe the vibe she was picking up from her mother. Without waiting for an answer, she repeated what her antennae was picking up. “You’re going to send them money.”

  Hazel twisted her mouth and raised her eyebrows. “Yep.”

  “That would take millions…and millions! You don’t have that kind of money. Do you?”

  Shrugging, Hazel studied her fingernails. “I’ve been busy in Florida.”

  “What? Playing the lottery?”

  “No. I’ve been inventing stuff.”

  “Using magic?”

  This question seemed to offend Hazel. “No, dear. I do have a brain. A pretty good one, if I do say so myself.”

  “So, what did you invent?”

  Hazel hurried over to stand next to her daughter. “Well, two things, actually.” She seemed very excited. “You know when you go to eat at a fast food restaurant, and you order French fries that come in those little cardboard sleeves?”

  “Yea…”

  “Well, the big problem that everybody faces…is that there’s nowhere to put the ketchup!”

  “Yea. So?”

  “I created a new sleeve that has a little packet in the front that holds the ketchup. And…I got it patented. And I sold the design to the biggest restaurant supply distributor!”

  “Wow!” Jewel was impressed. “And that’s worth money?”

  “Are you serious?” She put her hands on her hips. “It’s worth mega money. And it’s not the only thing I invented.”

  “What else?”

  “You know how students highlight important information in their textbooks. But when they sell them used, the next person has to just go along with the highlights.”

  “Okay.” Jewel was trying to follow along. “And you invented a highlighter with ink that fades over time?” She just said the first thing that came to her mind.

  “Yes! Great minds think alike!”

  “And that’s worth money?”

  “What I can get from both of them should be enough to pay back everyone who was hurt by those people who I allowed to use my name. I know there’s some things I can’t fix, but I’m going to do the best I can.”

  Jewel felt like she might cry. She’d thoroughly underestimated her mother. “And all this time, I just thought you were down in Florida hiding and going to wiccan swap meets.”

  “Well, you could’ve come to see me, or you could’ve tuned in psychically.” She sounded a bit hurt. “If you’d been interested. That’s what I did to you.”

  “You did?” Jewel stood up to hug her mother. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve had more confidence in you.”

  “I apologize too. I shouldn’t have left you here all alone.”

  “I guess I did some growing up while you were gone,” Jewel admitted with a sigh.

  “Well, we’re together now.” Hazel stepped back to wipe her eyes. “I have to go back to Florida to tie up some loose ends, but I think I’ll be moving back soon.”

  “Good.” Jewel choked down a sob. “Cotton missed you.”

  “Cotton?” Hazel laughed. “I bet he did, that see-through rascal.”

  “He and Easy bonded. They’ve been playing chess.”

  “Well, I’m not surprised. He used to play hide my underwear. I’d find my panties in the strangest of places.”

  “What? I told Easy I thought Cotton had a crush on you!” She was about to tease her mother further when the front door opened and Benjen stuck his head inside.

  “Hey, there’s a guy here to see you, Jewel. He just walked up from the dock.”

  “Has to be a friend, baby,” Hazel told her. “O
r he couldn’t have crossed the line of red brick dust.”

  “Okay.” Hurrying to the front, she was shocked and relieved to see Truman Lawson climbing the steps to her house. “Oh, my God. I’m glad to see you, Deputy. Benjen, this is the man who saved Easy’s life last night. Deputy Truman Lawson meet Benjamin Blackhawk.”

  The men shook hands. “Good to know you,” Benjen said. “I appreciate what you did so much.”

  “Come inside, please.” Jewel held the door for him.

  “Thanks.” Truman entered the living room and removed his hat, looking markedly uncomfortable. “It was just pure luck that I walked up when I did to be able to stop them. If I hadn’t seen a light shining in his cell, I wouldn’t have bothered to check on him. After I interrupted their plan, I’m sure the place is pretty much on lockdown.”

  His assessment made Jewel tremble. “Sam and Daniel, Easy’s other brothers, went into town to meet with Zane. They were all hoping to see Easy this morning. Do you think he’s still in danger, Truman?”

  Before he could answer, Benjen interrupted them. “Deputy, if it’s okay with you, I want to call Zane and tell him you’re here. Wade Prescott might want to come and talk to you.”

  “Yea, sure. Go ahead.” Truman glanced around, then pointed to a dining table chair. “Could I sit?”

  “Oh, God, yea. Sorry.” Jewel gestured for him to take a seat.

  “Could I get you something to drink, Officer?” Hazel stood under the big beam separating the kitchen from the rest of the living area.

  “Water would be good. My mouth’s pretty dry.” He took off his hat and eased himself into the chair. “I’d like to think they wouldn’t take any more chances. I’m sure the ones who aren’t involved, like me, will be on the alert for something else to happen.”

  While Hazel brought him a glass of water, Jewel moved to join him at the table. “Wade Prescott, the FBI agent, tried to find you this morning. He said you didn’t go into work and you weren’t at home.”

  Truman chuckled. “I didn’t think it would be smart to hang around.” He pointed over his shoulder. “I’m sure if you were to look closely, there’s a bulls eye painted on my back.” He took a sip of water, let out a long breath, then continued speaking, “I took my parents to a cousin’s place up in Baton Rouge, then I came straight here.” Lifting the glass again, he drained the contents, then wiped his mouth with a slightly trembling hand.

  “I’m sure your instincts are good,” Jewel said. “There was at least a half-dozen uniformed lawmen here the night Easy was arrested. How would you know who you could trust?”

  “I know this took me by surprise,” Truman muttered. “So, not everyone knew it was a set-up. The ones who are guilty will be keeping a low profile.”

  Benjen rejoined them about that time. “Zane said Wade will be here ASAP.”

  “Okay. No problem. I’ll wait.” Truman shifted in his seat. “You know, those idiots last night had no idea I was near, but it’s just crazy how they blurted all that out in front of your brother.”

  “They were planning on killing him,” Hazel added as she took the deputy’s glass to refill.

  “Yea, I guess you’re right,” he told her, glancing at the older woman with obvious appreciation in his eyes. “I’m just having a hard time wrapping my head around how they thought they could get away with it.”

  Hazel scoffed. “Those Hill boys are part of a network of corruption that fans out in all directions. Like Garth Brook’s song says, they’ve got friends in low places to do their dirty work, but they’ve also got friends in the capital building and sitting high on judicial benches.”

  Truman nodded, not really surprised by her assessment. “Yea, I guess you’re right. I mean I knew some of the guys were taking kickbacks, but I never suspected anyone could be involved in something so vile as sex trafficking, not to mention murder.” Looking at Jewel, he narrowed his eyes. “I’ve been trying to remember if I saw anything in the past that I might’ve discounted at the time.”

  “Wrack your brain, please. I know Wade has been part of a multi-state task force investigating human trafficking. He was already looking at what might’ve happened to those two women who went missing in Lafayette.”

  “Their bodies were never found,” Truman murmured. “They might not even be dead.”

  “Oh, they’re dead, all right. I saw their spirits trailing after Willie Mae Hill.”

  “You what?” The deputy grimaced. “Damn, this stuff gives me the willies.” He glanced around the room. “Are there any ghosts here with us now?”

  “There’s one next door,” Hazel told him with a giggle. “I can call him over if you’d like.”

  “No thanks.” Truman shook his head in disbelief at his situation. “So, why were their spirits hanging with Everett’s wife? Did she kill them?”

  “No, but she was wearing what belonged to them. Everett – or whoever killed them – took their jewelry as a trophy.”

  “Christ.” He dry-scrubbed his face. “The world is a crazy place. People getting murdered and other people talking with the dead.”

  “Hey, don’t equate the two,” Hazel fussed. “Murder is a sacrilege, a tragedy. What we do is a gift!”

  “Maybe so. Sorry.” He pointed at Jewel. “I know what she did for my mother. And I know my dad has a mountain of respect for you. I’m sorry if I’m coming across as disrespectful, but this is just so far out of my wheelhouse that I have trouble processing the information.”

  Benjen held up his hand, much like he was asking permission to speak. “I don’t claim to understand everything these two women do. But as the son of a shaman and as someone who aspires to achieve that distinction himself, I do know the spirit world is real. I feel like my father is almost near enough to touch sometimes.”

  Jewel didn’t interrupt him, but after seeing the look on Benjen’s face as he spoke, she knew he needed to know about Yuma’s appearing to Easy.

  “For years, after my father died, we’d see a ghost light on the mountain. We didn’t know what it was, we didn’t even try to figure out what it was, honestly. In the last few months, the light appeared to me several times. I’d been doing some soul searching, finding my roots, if you will. Apple asked me if I thought the light could be my dad. I didn’t think much about what she suggested…until the day Apple’s vehicle was swept away in a flashflood. That light came and led me to where she was – just in time to save her.”

  Truman looked spooked. “You know, I told you I went to the cell because I saw a light shining. When I got there, the fluorescents weren’t turned on. In fact, Easy didn’t know what I was talking about. He was battling those guys in the dark.”

  Hazel rubbed her arms. “Wow. I just got chill bumps.”

  With tears in her eyes, Jewel could barely speak, “Hearing you say that just makes me believe everything will be okay. When you testify to what you heard last night and I provide his alibi – the judge won’t be able to do anything but set him free.”

  A few minutes later, Wade arrived to hear everything Truman Lawson had to say. After Jewel introduced them, he sat down to take the deputy’s statement. Once it was done, the agent thanked him and closed his folder to face Jewel and Benjen. “I reviewed the surveillance footage you sent me, that’s just one more nail in their coffin. Frankly, I think we have enough to ask for the charges on Easy to be dropped. I just want you to realize that the DA is not going to roll over on this. He’s going to fight us tooth and nail, especially concerning your role in the alibi.”

  “Why?” Hazel asked, not liking the idea of anyone mistreating her little girl.

  Wade grimaced. “Alibis furnished by significant others are always viewed with suspicion. People in love will lie for each other.”

  “What I’m telling isn’t a lie. Plus, what the camera recorded backs up what I’m saying.” Jewel felt frantic to help Easy.

  “I know. I know.” The FBI agent touched her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m just playing devil’s advocate
. Your testimony, along with Deputy Lawson’s, should be enough for the judge to rule in our favor.” He pointed to Truman. “I also think we’re building a good case against the Hills for the murders of not only Marion Cole, but also Julie Davis.”

  “I also think there’s a connection to the woman who was run over near Laurel Plantation. Dana Norman,” Jewel added.

  “There may be some connection, but the circumstances are just so different. She wasn’t murdered, her death was an accident.” Wade paused to consider the idea. “Several things just aren’t adding up with these deaths being part of a sex trafficking ring. Weren’t these women worth more alive than dead?” He shook his head. “I don’t know. Forgive me for saying so, but some of this feels a little like…sport to me.”

  “I know what you mean,” Truman added his two cents, “I’ve been around the sheriff many times and I just don’t get that vibe from him. What I can tell you is that he’s recently come into a shitload of money.”

  “How?” Wade asked, sitting up straighter, all ears to what he was being told.

  “He sold some land south of here to a company in China. They’re planning on putting in a big methanol plant. I’ve seen him around town with those dudes from Shanghai. I swear, he did everything but lick their…” Truman bowed his head and blushed a bit. “Sorry, ladies.”

  “That’s interesting and not what I was expecting,” Wade said. “The only problem is that in my initial investigation of his assets, I don’t see any of that reflected. He must be handling the transaction under some type of LLC.”

  Since their conversation was focusing more on the big picture and less on Easy, Jewel rose to speak to her mother who was waiting by the front door for her lawyer to arrive. “How long will you be gone?” she asked.

  “A couple of hours, I guess. He’s helping me hire a team to analyze each case and decide what damages are due.”

  Jewel reached out to soothe a lock of her mother’s dark hair. “This is in addition to the court-ordered judgements you’ve already made to the people who sued you?”

  “Yes.”

  Her answer was simple and her face so serene, Jewel could tell she was doing this as much for herself as for anyone else. “I’m glad. I just hope people realize one day that none of this was your fault.”