by Lynn Emery
“I’m okay,” LaShaun said and smiled at him.
Adolescent peer pressure was alive and well. With an embarrassed grin, he gave a slight nod and joined his friends. After a brief exchange with them his face turned bright red. LaShaun laughed and was about to start the engine when she saw a woman pointing to her. Two men, one carrying a compact video camera came her way. Although she always avoided reporters LaShaun decided that she should wait for these two. Actually her extra sense decided for her. She watched them approach. One man was stocky. He looked no older than LaShaun, but he already had an old man’s beer belly. He carried the camera. The other man appeared to be in his late forties. Lots gray mixed in with his reddish brown hair. He wore a cap, dark blue denim pants and a plaid long-sleeved shirt. He grinned at her as he got closer.
“This is great!” the man called out as his long legs closed the space between them. His younger companion huffed with exertion to keep up. “A happy coincidence, but then we know that everything happens for a reason. There is some invisible clockwork that sets in motion events that are meant to be. Ms. LaShaun Rousselle, am I right? I’m James Schaffer. You might know me from my show, Ghost Team USA. This is Adam Moore, a member of the team.” He stuck out his hand and seemed pleased when LaShaun accepted it.
“You won’t get any kind of read from touching me, Mr. Shaffer,” LaShaun said quietly and let go of his hand. She looked at the second man. “You do not have permission to take my picture or tape me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Moore and Schaffer exchanged a brief glance.
“You’re a legend in Beau Chene; in fact your whole family has quite a reputation. I’m not surprised you can mask parts of your aura.” Schaffer studied LaShaun as though looking for a sign anyway.
“I’m not masking anything,” LaShaun said mildly.
“You’re just naturally immune to others who have clairvoyant ability then?” Schaffer scanned LaShaun’s CRV as though committing every detail to memory.
“Nope, don’t have to mask or be immune. You guys aren’t psychics,” LaShaun said.
Schaffer’s smile slipped a notch, but he recovered. “We’re investigating a series of unusual events here in Cajun Country. An interview with you would be a great addition to our research. We hope to...”
“Let me save us both some time. No, thank you.” LaShaun broke in to head off a long-winded attempt to flatter her into talking. She didn’t need to be clairvoyant to know this guy loved the sound of his own voice.
Schaffer didn’t bat an eye at the rebuff. He lost the ingratiating grin and grew serious. “There are a lot of wild rumors. We would respect your desire for privacy if you want to speak off the record. I promise we’ll present a fair and balanced account of the remarkable series of events that have occurred here. This is a golden opportunity for you to get your side of the story told to a wide audience.”
“Is that right?” LaShaun turned toward him and rested a hand on the steering wheel.
“Absolutely. I’m sure you know some residents claim you have a part in these unusual phenomena. Things like people seeming to be possessed, doing things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. And two badly mangled victims were recently found on your property, one of them dead.”
Schaffer leaned his tall frame forward as though he didn’t want to miss a word of her response. Both men stared at her intently. The younger man blinked and looked away when LaShaun raised an eyebrow at him.
“They weren’t on my property for one thing. And I haven’t heard anyone talking about possession. You better do more research. So far you’ve got a bunch of gossip and not much else,” LaShaun said, and waved a hand at them as though slightly bored.
“The facts are solid, Miss Rousselle. Two murders, a victim who is badly mauled, and all this in the hometown of the Blood River Ripper. Some say Manny Young isn’t done with Vermillion Parish.”
James Schaffer pulled up to his full height. He had to be six feet four if he was an inch. With his serious air and deep voice, the man seemed made for dramatic performances. LaShaun squinted at him for a few moments. She made a note to do her own research on Schaffer. His partner seemed less inclined to press LaShaun. Adam Moore cleared his throat and took a step back.
“I know what the rest of the town knows. Maybe the mayor can tell you more. Sheriff Arceneaux keeps him informed.” LaShaun eyed Moore when he tried to film her on the sly. She concentrated on his hands until she saw him flinch. Moore stared at his hand and then at LaShaun, eyes wide.
“Uh, hey Jim, the mayor’s a public figure. We could film him.” Moore moved a few feet farther away.
“Matter of fact there’s Mayor Savoie now.” LaShaun nodded in the direction of city hall several blocks away. A group of people crowded around the mayor. “Aren’t those other reporters getting a statement from him?”
“I say we check it out. Maybe there’s some new developments,” Moore said with a jerk of his thumb, the camera balanced on his shoulder. “We promised an update during a break on tonight’s show.”
Schaffer glanced in the direction of the mayor and then back at LaShaun. “Please reconsider. I’m sure we can be of help to each other. Someone with your abilities could become quite famous.”
“No, thanks. I’ll leave stardom to you.” LaShaun started her engine.
Schaffer called out something else, but LaShaun ignored him as she drove off. When she pulled up to stop sign she saw the two men heading toward the square in front of city hall. Sure they weren’t observing her, LaShaun drove down Parish Road to the hospital. Just to be even more cautious, LaShaun parked in the lot behind the extended wing of the hospital. Since it was farther away from the entrance, only a few cars were scattered around the available spaces. She locked the CRV and entered through a side entrance. LaShaun paused. Even if she knew the man’s name she wouldn’t have asked which way to his room. But she didn’t need directions.
LaShaun walked into the first floor lobby of the modest three story hospital. Despite being in a small town, Vermillion Hospital had a reputation for excellent care. Contributions from two local wealthy families helped buy state of the art medical equipment. An agreement with Tulane Medical School meant top residents and their instructors were on staff as well. As a result patients came from all over the parish for treatment. LaShaun took care to blend in with the few people who were walking around. She pretended to study the list of departments on a large wall sign. In reality she narrowed her focus on the image of the man from the photos Chase had shown her. She felt a tug inside, like an invisible cord pulling her toward the elevators. A bell announced one had just arrived. Three people stepped out when the doors opened, one woman crying. LaShaun ignored the strong emotion of shock and grief to keep her focus.
Once on the elevator she had a moment of indecision. No clear signal gave her a clue which floor to choose. A man hurried in just as the doors started to shut causing them to pull back.
“Third floor, ma’am, thanks. Got to go up and visit my brother.” The tall man wore jeans and fancy cowboy boots. In the typical southern way he started a conversation as though they knew each other. “Least they moved him out of ICU and into a room.”
LaShaun gasped at the sharp jab she felt. She hit the button to take them to the third floor. “Sure.”
“You okay?” The man glanced at her nervously. “Visiting family, huh? I’m sure they gone be fine. Good care in this place.”
“Thanks, I’m okay.” LaShaun swallowed hard and forced a brief smile.
“Don’t you worry. These nurses keep a sharp eye on all them fancy monitors and such. My sister-in-law wouldn’t have Kent in here if the care wasn’t tops. Don’t wanna get on the wrong side of that little woman. No, lordy.” The big man gave a gruff laugh.
Moments later another bell announced they had arrived, The doors slid open. LaShaun stood looking at the opposite wall for a few seconds then blinked when she realized the man was waiting for her to go first.
“Thank you,” she murmu
red and smiled at him again.
The man nodded and strode down one of the four hallways. LaShaun lingered for a few seconds, and then followed him. The tug on her mid-section told her she should go that way as well. The tall man’s heavy footsteps echoed in the silence. He turned down a hall branching off to rooms three hundred-six through three hundred fifteen. A nurse stood in front of a wheeled cart reading the computer screen and entering information. When she looked up and said hello, LaShaun replied with another forced smile. Soon she would have to pick a room or her presence would look odd. If anyone asked she wouldn’t be able to give them a name of who she was visiting. When she walked by room three hundred thirteen the skin on her arms tingled, and the sensation in her stomach felt like a light punch.
LaShaun looked down the hall to her left and right. The nurse had been joined by one of the nursing assistants. They were too busy talking to each other to notice her. No one else was around, so she pushed open the door and went into the room. The man’s left leg was elevated on a foam wedge. He had gauze wrapped around on wrist. His breathing was raspy and loud. As LaShaun took a few steps closer he grimaced. He moved his head and lips as though trying to speak, but his eyes remained closed. She went still until he seemed to settle down again. Suddenly being in the room with this stranger didn’t seem like such a great idea. The sensations of danger, dread and horror hit LaShaun like a body blow from a wrestler.
“Damn,” she blurted out and staggered back half a step.
She grabbed the back of the single chair in the room to steady herself, took in a few deep breaths and let them out. When she looked at the man again he stared back at her. His dark brown eyes were glassy, but he seemed alert. His lips moved for a few seconds, but no sound came out. Then he looked at the bed table. A plastic pitcher sat on it along with a small cup with a straw. He looked back at LaShaun.
“Water?” was all she managed to get out.
When he nodded she took a cautious step forward. Feeling nothing she kept going until she got to the table. She poured water into the cup. After a second of hesitation she went to the bed and held the cup close to his mouth. He got the straw between his lips and with effort sucked on it. His throat worked. Seconds later he turned his head slightly to let go of the straw. He resumed staring at LaShaun.
“Can you help me?”
“I’m not a nurse,” LaShaun replied.
“I know,” he rasped, and then stopped to rest, panting for a few seconds. “Can you help? Please. Please.”
LaShaun offered him more water. He took the straw into his mouth once more, drank and rested between three sips. His eyes closed and opened again. Dark circles under his eyes looked like bruises. She glanced up at the dry erase board. The name of his nurse, Crystal, was listed along with the schedule of how often his vital signs would be checked. When the door swished open LaShaun jumped.
“Didn’t mean to scare you, hon. I’m just checking to make sure our patient is okay.” The short plump redhead bustled about. She activated a blood pressure monitor attached to his arm, and then wrote down the last reading. Next she stuck a thermometer in his mouth.
“You a family member or friend?” The nurse smiled at LaShaun.
“Yes, ma’am.” LaShaun nodded. She looked at the man who stared at her.
“Which one, baby?” The woman prodded.
“What? Oh, sorry, uh, family friend. I decided to see how he’s doing.” LaShaun rubbed her hands together. She fidgeted with the strap of her cross body bag.
“That’s nice.”
The nurse turned her back to check his pulse, and then she carefully touched the bandage wrapped around his leg. When the man let out a groan she stopped. She checked the IV tubes and adjusted the sheets. Then she turned to face LaShaun again.
“I can’t stay long, I just wanted to pop in for a minute,” LaShaun said to head off more questions.
“No problem. You live close by?” The redhead looked at her patient. A slight frown pulled her arched red eyebrows together.
“I’m a good ways off, so like I said I won’t wear him out with a long visit,” LaShaun replied.
“Stay,” the man whispered hoarsely without taking his gaze from LaShaun. “Talk.”
“Well, let me know if you, uh, need anything.” The nurse looked from the man to LaShaun as she walked to the door again.
“Thank you so much.” LaShaun smiled at the woman, trying not to look impatient for her to leave. Once the door whisked shut she walked to the bed again.
“Tell me what you mean,” LaShaun said.
His lips moved, but she couldn’t make out what he was saying. LaShaun leaned over and tried to understand, but the words sounded garbled. The man seemed to strain with the effort to be heard. He stopped trying for a few moments then looked at her. He wore a frightened and frustrated expression. His mouth opened, and LaShaun moved closer.
“Don’t want to live like this. Help me.” Quick as lightening he reached out and gripped LaShaun’s left arm.
She fought down panic as the heat from his breath hit her in the face. “I have to know more.”
The man seemed to lose his burst of strength. He let go and his eyes glazed over as he looked past LaShaun. “God have mercy on me.”
“You’ll be alright. The medical care here is...” LaShaun’s voice froze in her throat at the wild look in his eyes.
Without warning the man sat up, pushed her away and shouted. “Get out now. I can’t control it.”
LaShaun backed away until she bumped against the wall. The man’s expression seemed to melt and change, his skin moved like the rubber of a mask. He face became elongated as she watched. His eyes grew brighter as he glared at LaShaun. When he tried to sit up, thick cloth restraints jerked him back. LaShaun felt smothered by a flood of hostility beating against her entire body. Air seemed sucked from the room. One restraint strap broke, and he lunged across the bed at her. Frustrated that three other straps held, he knocked aside the table. LaShaun stared at him in fascination for a few seconds. She shoved the chair between them when he lunged again. The nurse rushed in with a male orderly.
“What in the world?” The nurse took one look at the man and gasped. She spun around and yelled down the hallway. “Code blue! Restraints off.”
Two male medical aides hurried into the room. They went past the nurse, and paused to take in the situation. One of them stood with his arms out by his sides as though to show he was no threat. His bicep muscles bulged, and LaShaun judged he could use as much force as necessary. Only LaShaun knew the two men weren’t facing a totally human force.
“Okay, man. Remember me? Joe. I brought you breakfast this morning, and helped you get cleaned up. Everything gonna be alright.” Joe nodded slowly. When the other aide moved sideways the man grunted and glared at him with wild eyes.
“Lord have mercy,” the nurse whispered.
“Don’t let him bite you,” LaShaun blurted out. She shrank back when the wild man looked at her.
“Believe me, lady, that’s something we don’t intend to happen,” Norman whispered back to her. He wrapped a towel around his right forearm.
“Come on, now, calm down. What do you need?” Joe spoke in a calm even voice. The man blinked back at him, but didn’t move.
“Get him tied down again, and I’ll give him some Ativan.” The nurse circled to get closer to the IV tubes still attached to the patient’s left arm.
“May God give you peace, and may he free you from the evil that binds you,” LaShaun whispered.
She repeated the short prayer three more times as the man struggled against the thick straps. After several minutes his movements slowed until he slumped back against the pillow. Tears rolled down his face. He shook his head slowly, let out a long breath then looked at her again. His expression of sadness and hopelessness brought LaShaun close to tears as well. His eyes glazed over, and his lips parted. The man’s bottomless despair engulfed her like a plastic bag over her nose and mouth. She backed out of the
room fighting to catch her breath. When she stumbled out into hallway and leaned against a wall, staff and patients who had gathered stared at her. The lone hospital security guard finally arrived. As he ran toward the room he barked information into a cell phone.
“Get some deputies over here fast, man.” The guard stuffed the phone in his pocket, and went into the room.
The crowd lost interest in LaShaun for a moment. She took advantage of that small window of distraction and walked quickly toward the elevators still heaving in gulps of air. As she waited LaShaun could hear the nurse describing her to the security guard, so she dashed to the stairs instead. Minutes later LaShaun was in the lobby, out through a side entrance and in the parking lot. Avoiding the exit to the main street, LaShaun chose a side parking lot exit. She took a series of small streets to drive home. By the time she got to Rousselle Lane the feeling of suffocation had completely stopped. But her hands shook badly. She gripped the steering wheel and gasped when she saw the figure of an elderly woman sitting on her porch, in Monmon Odette’s favorite spot. The Chevy Traverse sitting in the driveway reassured her. With a long shuddering sigh of relief, LaShaun parked the CRV and got out. Miss Clo waited for her wearing a grave expression.
“Something wrong is loose in these parts, baby. Something that I don’t like to think about.”
“You have the most unusual way of greeting me, Miss Clo.” LaShaun wiped perspiration on her brow and sat down. Miss Clo sat again.
“Sorry to bring more trouble to your doorstep, child. If your grandmother was alive...” Miss Clo rocked back and forth.
“Monmon Odette’s spirit is with me always,” LaShaun said softly.
“Oh my Lord.” Miss Clo made the sign of the cross. “Please tell me she’s not here now.”
Chapter 8
“Relax, I didn’t mean she’s lurking,” LaShaun replied wearily.