by Lynn Emery
“Good.” Miss Clo still glanced around as though looking for signs.
“At least not right this minute,” LaShaun said. When Miss Clo jumped, she patted her should. “I’m teasing you, cher. Calm down.”
After a few moments LaShaun unlocked the front door, went inside and came back with two glasses. She put the tray on the small round table between their chairs and sat down. Both sipped tea and gazed into the distance deep in thought. The blue skies had gradually been blocked out by a cover a clouds, giving the day a gloomy feel. For at least fifteen minutes neither woman spoke.
“I went to the hospital to see the man they found in the woods,” LaShaun said finally.
“Those two were runnin’ around like wild animals. The talk is all over town. Sounds like the folks Joyelle has been treatin’.” Miss Clo looked at LaShaun.
“Exactly like it. Is that why you came?” LaShaun looked back at her.
“Nope. Patsy showed up at Joyelle’s house last night. Patsy begged her to stay, and Joyelle gave in. She always did have a soft heart. When Joyelle called me I gave her a good talkin’ to about obstructin’ a police investigation.” Miss Clo gave a sharp nod.
“Like you’ve been completely forthcoming with your granddaughter, the acting sheriff?” LaShaun burst out laughing. When Miss Clo glared at her she got control of herself.
“I’ll talk to Myrtle Jean soon enough.” Miss Clo stopped rocking her chair and leaned forward. “The woman is dead, and they say he’s not far from it. They say he’s got some strange infection. What’s he like?”
“Never mind him for now. Tell me about Patsy.” LaShaun drank more tea.
“Humph. Patsy showed up in perfect health, but she wouldn’t tell Joyelle much of anything. She just kept saying she was glad to be home, and talked about how she was so tired. Joyelle says she’s skinny as a matchstick with dark circles under her eyes. Joyelle’s husband wasn’t happy, but they let her stay in the mother-in-law suite they have built on their house.” Miss Clo shook her head. “Something’s wrong, and she’s part of it.”
“So tell me what else happened.” LaShaun drained the last of her sweet tea.
“Joyelle didn’t get much sleep. She called me around five o’clock this morning. I told her to call M.J., and not to give me any argument.” Miss Clo shook her head. “I don’t like none of this one bit.”
LaShaun thought about her last point. “So M.J. went to interview Patsy?”
Miss Clo nodded with a grim expression. “She took two deputies with her. One was that new lady deputy she hired. Seems like a nice enough person. The other was Chief Detective Broussard.” Miss Clo glanced at LaShaun with one raised eyebrow.
“Go on.” LaShaun did not react at his name.
“Patsy got an attitude with M.J.,” Miss Clo said with a frown. “Ungrateful little snip. She wouldn’t say if she knew where her lover boy is hidin’. His wife’s daddy and three brothers are looking for him, so he best stay undercover for a good long time.”
“Tommy Daigle is still missing, and Patsy shows up.” LaShaun rocked her chair back and forth a few times.
“Yeah, he’s probably tryin’ to think of some good story before he shows up to face the music.”
“So what happened? I mean with M.J. and Chase,” LaShaun said.
“Nothin’ really. Patsy hasn’t broken any laws so it’s not like they could haul her down to the station. She said she knew her rights, and they had no reason to hold her. Patsy sashayed out to her little Pontiac Grand Am and drove off.” Miss Clo shook her head again. “M.J. wasn’t too please with Joyelle, but she hadn’t broken any law either. So I came to tell you that’s that. Maybe this thing with Patsy is over.”
“I wonder why she went to Joyelle instead of her family?” LaShaun looked at Miss Clo.
“I get a headache tryin’ to figure out why Patsy does anything.” Miss Clo sighed. “That girl won’t be satisfied until she gets somebody killed.”
LaShaun was about to express her opinion on Patsy’s morals, or lack thereof when the sound of a car stopped her. Two Vermillion Parish sheriff’s cars pulled into her driveway. M.J. parked and got out of the first one. Despite the clouds M.J. wore sunglasses. She removed them and walked up to the edge of the porch. Chase cut his engine and got out of the second cruiser. M.J. stared hard at her grandmother.
“We’re going to have us nice long talk later on, Monmon. Then you can explain why you keep playing detective.”
“I’m not interferin’ in your work, baby. I promise.” Miss Clo put on her sweetest smile. “We’re just havin’ a little visit is all.”
“You told LaShaun about Patsy being at Miss Joyelle’s house I’ll bet. Never mind,” M.J. said cutting off her grandmother’s reply. She stuck her sunglasses into a case hanging from her belt and looked at LaShaun. “We’re going to have a talk with you right now, LaShaun.”
“Yes, ma’am,” LaShaun said promptly.
“Don’t get smart with me. I’m not in the mood,” M.J. shot back. Her dark eyebrows pulled together until she looked less like a pretty woman, and more like an annoyed officer of the law.
“I’m not being smart-alecky, honest. I want to cooperate fully,” LaShaun said with the most sincerity she could muster.
“You could start by not interviewing our suspects,” M.J. snapped back. She stabbed a finger in the air between them. “And don’t think I won’t arrest your butt for interfering with a criminal investigation, and that includes this mess with Patsy.”
“I wasn’t trying to get in the way or anything. I just wondered if I might recognize him cleaned up.” LaShaun blinked at the wrath she felt from M.J. “Okay, I should have told y’all and not gone over there alone.”
“Funny you didn’t think of it before you went,” M.J. said before LaShaun or Miss Clo could speak. “Both of you are going to tell me what the hell is going on, and you’re not gonna leave out even one tiny detail. Otherwise, I’ll charge you both with obstruction of justice and anything else I can think of!”
“Myrtle Jean Arceneaux you wouldn’t dare. Your mama and daddy would have your backside if you did.” Miss Clo frowned at her.
“Mama would be the first to agree with me. Now start talking. Or we go down to the station and make this a formal interrogation. What’s your choice? I’m fine either way.” M.J.’s voice cut at them like a steel blade.
“Of course we’ll cooperate. You don’t have to get all testy.” Miss Clo lost some of her steam under M.J. withering gaze.
“Something has happened, hasn’t it?” LaShaun looked at Chase.
M.J. raised a hand before Chase could reply. “Yeah, you could say a few things have happened. I’ve got a preacher whipping up folks for witch trials like this is the middle ages, strange people wandering around the swamps, a crazy man tearing up the hospital, and three murders. Yeah, you damn sure could say something has happened.”
“Three?” LaShaun honed in on that number.
Chase glanced at the three women then stepped forward. “The state police called us an hour ago. They found Tommy Daigle’s body in Cameron Parish near Grand Lake.”
“You brought in Patsy to find out what she knows about Tommy,” LaShaun said. It wasn’t a question.
“We would if we knew where she was,” M.J. replied. She looked at her grandmother.
Miss Clo shook her head hard. “Don’t give me that evil-eyed stare. I have no idea where she could be.”
When Chase and M.J. looked at LaShaun she started. “Don’t be silly. I’ve never even met the woman. Why in the world would you think--”
“I need help.”
All four of them jumped at the voice that spoke. Patsy stepped from behind the wide gardenia bush on the south end of LaShaun’s long front porch. When Chase spun to face LaShaun his jaw worked for several seconds. He seemed too enraged to form words.
“Damn,” was all LaShaun could manage to get out. “I’m going to jail. Again.” <
*****
Six hours later LaShaun made it back home. Drained of every ounce of energy, she made sure the house was locked up. Then she sank into a tub of suds in her master bathroom. The scent of the honeysuckle and vanilla filled the air. The bath oil created huge bubbles that shimmered with rainbow colors. Steam clouded the wide mirror over the sink. The pale green and ocean blue colors should have combined with the heavenly fragrance should have soothed her. Instead LaShaun reclined against her bath pillow feeling lonesome. No amount of soap could wash that away. She tried closing her eyes, but that didn’t work. Even the soft jazz streaming through the speakers of the small flat screen television made no difference. What she needed most wasn’t anywhere near her house.
Chase. She didn’t expect him to come over. He had his hands full with three murder investigations. Not to mention he was furious with her. As the jets made their best effort to ease her tense muscles, LaShaun tried to think of why he shouldn’t lose trust in her.
“Guess you better get used to being celibate and single, girlfriend,” LaShaun muttered. Giving up her attempt at a Zen moment, she grabbed the TV remote and switched channels.
“This is a KATC news break. Missing Beau Chene resident Patsy Boutin has been located, and the man she reportedly ran off with is dead. Find out how a local psychic is being used by the Sheriff’s Department to unravel the mystery. Details at eleven. “ The pretty young woman the color of caramel candy beamed as if she could see LaShaun and was saying “Gotcha!”
“Good Lord.”
LaShaun hit the remote until she found the jazz music channel again. The bubble bath seemed like a good idea, but she was too keyed up to let work its magic. She stood and let the big fluffy suds slide down her body. The bathroom door swung slowly inward, and she stood still. She looked for any object to use as a weapon and wondered why the alarm hadn’t gone off. Calmly she steadied her breathing for a fight. Chase stood gazing at her with a frown.
“I was about to jump on you,” LaShaun blurted out, relieved and very annoyed. “How’d you get in here, and why didn’t you call first?”
“You gave me a key, and you can jump on me later.”
Chase stood with both hands on his hips. He still wore his duty belt with the gun, handcuffs, and other tools he needed to keep law and order. Even angry he looked deliciously sexy, maybe more so. LaShaun brushed suds from her breasts and down her stomach.
“You’re right to be a little upset with me.” LaShaun looked down at the floor and then at him again.
“A little upset doesn’t quite cover it.” His gaze traveled down her neck but he seemed to check himself, and he looked into her eyes again. “You’ve got more explaining to do.”
“Well at least let me dry off and get dressed before you shine a light on me and make me confess.” She didn’t ask him to leave, and he didn’t move.
As he watched she picked up the flexible handheld shower want attached to the wall, used her foot to turn on the water and rinsed off slowly with warm water while the tub drained. LaShaun also rinsed more bubbles from the sides of the wide tub. She attached the shower wand to the wall again. Chase strode forward and put his arm out for her to grab on and held up the bath towel with his free hand. LaShaun steadied herself by holding onto him.
“Be careful. I don’t want to get you all wet.”
Chase breathed heavily as he looked down at her. “That’s what folks keep telling me about you, to be careful.”
“Are you listening to them?” LaShaun took the oversized blush pink towel, but he continued to hold the other end.
“Not really,” he said huskily.
He carefully took off his clothes, folded them and placed everything, including his duty belt, on the cushioned bench along one wall. He turned back to LaShaun and sighed at the sight of her. LaShaun walked to him.
“I’m not trying to cause trouble for you, cher,” she said between planting kisses on his chest.
Chase let out a shuddering breath. “We’ll talk, but not right now.”
He picked her up, and carried her to the granite surface of the built long vanity. LaShaun squirmed against him, her legs around his waist. With a soft moan Chase put down on the counter and entered her. Soon the steam came from them instead of hot water from the tub. With each caress Chase let go of his anger and tension. He rested his head on her shoulder. They made love hard and fast, crying out in pleasure. They came together and held each other tightly for a few moments before Chase disentangled himself. He walked on unsteady legs to the glass enclosed shower. LaShaun joined him, and they stood under the warm stream for several seconds. She exited; leaving him to finish alone and lather his muscular body.
“I’ll make you some dinner,” LaShaun said as she pulled on her cotton pajama bottoms. When he merely waved in response, LaShaun pulled on the matching T-shirt top and went to the kitchen.
She heated up leftover red beans, steamed three cups of rice and mixed up a pan of cornbread. The beans had sat overnight, so the seasonings would make them even more flavorful. As soft swamp blues played in the background, LaShaun set the table. Soon the kitchen filled with the smell of onion, garlic and the cornbread baking in the oven. LaShaun hummed along with a familiar tune as a local artist, Tray Delacroix, sang about a sweet love affair. Tray alternated between verses in Creole French and English. When the singer cracked a joke about his Louisiana hot sauce LaShaun laughed. Chase slipped his arms around her as she stirred the pot of beans.
“I know just what he means,” he said, his words muffled as he pressed his mouth against LaShaun’s neck.
“Don’t mess with the cook,” LaShaun pretended to try and shake him off.
“Fine. But I’ll tell you this much, I’m spending the night,” Chase said and back away.
LaShaun turned to stare at him. Chase wore a loving smile as he gazed back at her. He was dressed in tan pajama pants and matching muscle T-shirt. “I thought...”
“Yeah, but I’ll feel better being here tonight. I brought a few things.”
“After I the trouble I caused.” LaShaun turned to the large pot again and shook her head. “Those folks are right, your family and friends. You should stay away from me.”
He reached around her and turned down the fire under the pot. He checked on the bread and then grabbed her by the hand. “The food is okay. You come over here.”
“But the bread...”
“Ten minutes left on the timer. I checked.” Chase sat on the sofa in the small family room right off the kitchen. Then he pulled LaShaun onto his lap. “I want to tell you something.”
“We have to be realistic.” She started to say more, but couldn’t make the words come out.
“I’ll talk, you listen.” Chase gently turned her face to his forcing LaShaun to look him in the eyes. “We’re a team. I may get irritated... okay... mad as hell, at you sometimes. But I’m not going anywhere. I want to marry you.”
LaShaun tried to jump from his lap, but he held her firmly with two strong arms. “The last few hours should be enough evidence why that’s a bad plan. I’m always getting into these complicated situations,” she replied.
“More proof you need me to bail you out,” Chase said with a grin.
“Be serious. I don’t want you to suffer because I was born under this cloud. I care about you,” LaShaun finished in a shaking voice.
“I love you, and you love me. Yes? Saying it won’t bring some supernatural disaster down on our heads.” Chase pressed his face against neck.
She brushed his thick dark curls with the tips of her fingers and nodded. “You’re one stubborn Cajun Cowboy.”
He laughed and looked up at her. “Then it’s settled. We’re engaged.”
“What the...”
“I even got the ring,” Chase said and fished around under the seat cushion, finding an emerald green velvet box. He opened it to reveal an oval multicolored ametrine stone set in eighteen karate gold
with round diamonds on either side.
LaShaun finally managed to catch her breath and speak. “This looks just like Monmon Odette’s ring, the one she got from her grandmother.”
“Acting as her attorney, Savannah had strict instructions to give me a package two months after her death. Mrs. Rousselle also included a letter that told me not to tell about it, not until and unless I wanted to spend my life with you. And I do.” Chase slipped it on LaShaun’s right ring finger.
“Monmon Odette showed this to me once when I was a little girl, and then she locked it away.” LaShaun stared at the ring mesmerized by the play of color as the green, gold and pink stone shimmered.
“Now you’re grown up, and going to be a married lady.”
“You have an election coming up. Reverend Fletcher is already plotting against you, and all these murders with me smack in the middle of it all. Oh no.” LaShaun tried to wriggle off his lap.
“Oh yes.” Chase held on tight.
“I can’t let you risk everything...” LaShaun started and stopped when he clamped a hand over her mouth.
“I have no intention of losing the election. I’m going to start speaking out to the people in Vermillion Parish who care about the issues and won’t be fooled by intolerant scare tactics.” Chase lost his serious expression and grinned at her. “You like it? M.J. helped me practice.”
LaShaun blinked at him. “You really have lost your mind.”
“Crazy like a fox. Dave is mostly unknown. The mayor and three aldermen are with me for now. Of course those politicians might jump ship if the winds get to rough. Who knows?” Chase shrugged. “But it doesn’t matter. I have faith in the wonderful people who will come out to vote for justice and common sense. Hey, I’m getting better at speech making on the fly.”
“My past may be held against you, Chase. And more” LaShaun frowned at him, and gazed at her light brown skin against his. Even with his skin tanned from the sun, the difference was evident. “I don’t want you to lose your dream of being Sheriff because of me.”