Between Dusk and Dawn

by Lynn Emery

  “You’re not always in control, Manny,” LaShaun replied. She helped him get a better grip on the cup. When their fingers brushed she felt a stab of fear come from him and pulled away again.

  “You visited Verlena.” Manny’s dark eyes sparkled. “Did she tell you...” his voice trailed off.

  “Everything, your sister told me everything,” LaShaun said quietly.

  Manny flinched as though the words stung him, and then he relaxed again. “We grew up in a crazy world. Nobody looking at us from the outside knew.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “A screwed up family ain’t no excuse for slaughtering people. You don’t have to say it. I could hear you loud and clear.” Manny chuckled softly to himself. “I agree. No excuses.”

  “You can find absolution if you help stop the killing,” LaShaun said in a low tone.

  “Don’t worry. They’re not listening. They don’t really want to know.” Manny jerked his head toward the door. Then his amused expression faded into a grim one. “He’s pissed with you, so be careful. Don’t go a lot of places alone at night for a long time. Stay away from Verlena, at least he doesn’t know you went to visit her yet. See? I can keep secrets from him. Orin doesn’t realize how strong he made me.”

  LaShaun felt another stab of fear, this time her own. “Tell me how to stop him.”

  Manny shook his head. “You killed three of his best pack members. All by your pretty little self. We’re alike, you and me. We understand the value of being underestimated.”

  “That’s how you got close to your victims.” LaShaun fought off the shudder of horror at the way Manny smiled at her.

  “Yes,” he replied softly, hissing the word. He giggled. “And that’s how you played it for good old daddy slash granddaddy. You surprised his ass. I love it.”

  “How can I surprise his ass one last time,” LaShaun said carefully. Manny stopped laughing and grew still.

  Despite the unspeakable deeds of Orin Young, he was still the only family Manny really had left. LaShaun also knew that even in abuse cases, children still loved their parents. The unspoken goal seemed to sober him. He looked through the window to his left for a few seconds then back at her.

  “You’ve got what you need. I know because you’re smart.” Manny’s head dropped until his chin almost touched his chest. For a few seconds he seemed to have dozed off, but then he lifted his head again. “He has one weakness.”

  LaShaun leaned forward when Manny didn’t go on after more silence. “Which is?”

  “Can you believe it? Daddy, dear, Daddy is afraid of eternal damnation. That’s right, the man who has attended mass faithfully all his life while in league with the devil. He’s scared of God. So he wants to live forever, his escape plan you might call it. That’s why he found a rougarou and let it bite him.”

  “Madness,” LaShaun blurted out and shrank back in revulsion. “We both know there is no such thing, not really.”

  “The mind is a powerful thing, and there is a devil; as surely as there are angels and a God.” Manny waved a hand still tethered to the chair. “I’m going to tell you a little secret. Orin thinks you’re grandmother raised you contrary to the Catholic Church. He’s convinced that like him, you only pretended. What he doesn’t know, and what I ain’t gonna tell him, is that you got plenty faith. That’s your weapon.”

  “My weapon,” LaShaun repeated quietly.

  Manny wore a wicked smile. “I let him believe you were just as corrupt as he is. Orin is bigheaded. Thinks he knows it all. Figured he could scare you off easy. But it didn’t work out that way, huh? He doesn’t know them rumors about you and your grandmother are wrong. You never gave in completely to your demons, and especially not now. I felt it that first day, as you got closer on the highway I knew. He’s so defiled he can’t tell.”

  “I see.”

  LaShaun didn’t feel quite as confident. Years before she’d set loose a demon, literally. Was she so free from her past and the things she’d done? People she’d hurt might not believe so. Certainly few in Beau Chene would agree; not to mention Chase’s mother. Now she’d selfishly pulled Chase into the chaos called her life. He had everything on the line for her, professionally and now personally with his family. How many of his friends would stick by him? Her faith in herself was shaky at best; especially late at night when there was no running from the truth.

  “In the Bible God used all kinds of rascals to do good deeds, even holy work,” Manny said.

  His voice jerked LaShaun away from self-examination. “Then I’ll fit right in.”

  “I’d say so,” Manny replied mildly with a twinkle in his eyes and a crooked smile that almost made him seem human.

  LaShaun started at the clank of the heavy security door being slammed down the hall. The sound reminded her where she was. “Can you do some good, too? Even after the things you’ve done?”

  Manny looked away. “He’ll strike out at you, so keep your eyes open day and night. He’s creative when it comes to making people suffer.”

  “Orin enjoys the power.” LaShaun shivered as she remembered the vision Manny shared.

  “I had to let you see how bad it can be,” Manny said, his gaze still directed on some point far away. “You know what has to happen, and you have the tools you need.”

  LaShaun started to put a hand on his arm, but stopped. Instead she placed both palms on the table, pushed back her chair and stood. “You hate him that much?”

  “What I feel is a lot harder than hate,” Manny said in a flat voice.

  “I won’t be used as your murder weapon to punish Orin,” LaShaun repeats.

  Manny looked at her. The mischievous expression returned and made him look boyish. “I know your secrets. You’ll do what’s necessary to protect the ones you love.”

  LaShaun’s temper flared. “Don’t threaten me.”

  “I never did any such thing,” Manny said, a pretend whimper in his voice. His eyes widened giving him a helpless and even beguiling look. The conniving serial killer assumed the act that fooled his victims.

  She lowered her voice to make sure those standing at the window wouldn’t hear; not even the intercom used to monitor visits. “I know your secrets as well.”

  “My life is an open book. The world knows me right down to my DNA.” Manny let out a low chuckle.

  LaShaun turned her back to the observation window and leaned forward. “I did some checking. After her second mental breakdown at age thirteen, Diane was admitted to a group home. What no one knows, not even Verlena, is she had a baby. Orin Young is your father. Diane is your sister, and your mother.”

  Manny put a fist into his mouth and bit down on it for a few seconds, breathing hard. For the first time he looked shocked. “Don’t. I’m a devil spawned from a filthy union. Ethan got drunk and threatened to tell everyone, so me and Orin took care of him.”

  “He didn’t run off.” LaShaun worked hard not to let the revolted shock she felt show on her face.

  “How could you know?”

  “Don’t try to manipulate me, and don’t threaten me,” LaShaun whispered in a tone as sharp as the edge of her silver weapon. She faced the observation window and spoke in a normal volume so they could hear. “Good luck with your court hearing. I’ll tell your grandfather you said, ‘Hello’.”

  Manny’s expression darkened into a predatory scowl. He twisted in the chair until it wobbled. Roosevelt and the guards came through the door in seconds. Manny fought against his restraints and made rasping sounds like several snarling animals.

  “Come out right now,” Dr. Norris said sharply. She pulled LaShaun out into the hallway just as the male nurse injected medicine in Manny’s left arm.

  “Give daddy a special warm hello for me. Tell him I wish I was there to give it to him in person,” Manny screamed.

  Chapter 20

  That night LaShaun combed through old books from the museum library that Pete loaned her. Most had wild legends that came more from the imaginat
ion of the authors than based on facts. Yet the stories her ancestors had written were no less fantastic. The rougarou legends held that the beasts were in league with imps of Satan. In return for physical power, eternal youth and earthly wealth the rougarou had to find more victims. One tale said Catholics who didn’t observe lent would be devoured by a rougarou. But according to the Rousselle-LeGrange journals, anyone already prone to lusts of the flesh in any form was particularly vulnerable.

  After reading for hours LaShaun stood up and stretched, stiff from sitting so long. She went to the informal parlor and put the books on the shelf made of acid free board. When she turned around the portrait of Monmon Odette gazed down at her.

  “I wish Schaffer was right about talking to ghosts. Then you could tell me what to do next.”

  LaShaun jumped when a solid three knocks seemed to answer her. Looking out of the window she saw the rear fender of Miss Clo’s car in her driveway. She was still laughing when she opened the door.

  “Evenin’. Glad somebody’s in a good mood.” Miss Clo raised an eyebrow at her.

  “Good evening to you. Come on in.” LaShaun waved her in and closed the door. They settled in the informal parlor with Miss Clo refusing any refreshments. “So from that frown I take it you’re not here bringing news full of sunshine and daisies.”

  “Joyelle would have come, but one of her daughters had to work late so she’s babysitting the grand babies.” Miss Clo folded her arms on top of the dark brown purse in her lap that matched her sensible shoes. “I came over to say we’re sorry for dragging you into this mess.”

  “Now you don’t have to...”

  “Let me finish, girl,” Miss Clo said in a “Mind your elder’s” tone of voice.

  “Sorry, go on.”

  “Me and Joyelle shouldn’t have brought more trouble your way. And Patsy ain’t exactly the ‘poor lil thing’ we thought either.” Miss Clo’s lips pursed in disapproval.

  “What’s she done now?” LaShaun said. So they finally accepted the general opinion about Patsy.

  “She’s slippin’ around with that married high school coach again. His wife caught ‘em in Coach Taylor’s van. Then Patsy had the nerve to attack the woman. Fought Mrs. Taylor like the alley cat she is.” Miss Clo huffed out a sigh. “I hate to sound like that Reverend Fletcher, but either folks have lost their minds or the devil is extra busy in Beau Chene. Now there are whispers that even I had trouble believing until he bailed her out.”

  LaShaun had a sharp stab like electricity up her arms. She knew the answer but asked anyway. “Who?”

  “Orin Young. More than a few say Patsy and him are way too cozy. Not to mention rumors about him and a nurse at Shady Grove. I mean really! Carryin’ on with Miss Flora Lee steps away.” Miss Clo shook her head.

  “Doing what comes natural to a canine,” LaShaun murmured.

  “S’cuse me?” Miss Clo blinked at her.

  “Never mind, go on. “

  “Anyway, I just want to say we should never have dragged you and your young man into this mess; especially with him running for sheriff. Dave Godchaux is a sly one, dropping hints about family values and old fashion morals. Everybody knows he’s talking about you and Chase,” Miss Clo said with a grimace.

  “Don’t worry, Miss Clo. I would become an issue for Chase no matter what,” LaShaun said. Once again she wondered if Chase would consider distancing himself from her, at least until the election. She covered the ring on her finger as though already thinking of ways to shield him.

  “Forget about helping Patsy. That girl deserves anything that happens to her from now on. Her husband came to his senses. Him and the kids have moved in with his parents, and Savannah Honoré is handling the divorce. The little boy Joyelle was treating is getting better. The storm has passed.”

  “What?” LaShaun looked up at her in confusion.

  “M.J. says Willie Dupuis was the killer they been chasing. Nothing to do with Patsy, and obviously she’s in good health, the little minx. But the good news is the trouble is over, well the killing at least.”

  “They just found two more bodies, Miss Clo,” LaShaun said.

  “According to the news those poor souls been dead several months.” Miss Clo nodded with a solemn expression and made the sign of the Cross. “Willie Dupuis got punished in this life. They say he suffered something terrible in his last hours. No doubt he’s facing eternal judgment in the next life right now.”

  “Yes, no doubt.” LaShaun couldn’t help but feel sympathy for the man, and silently said a prayer for his soul.

  “Thank the Lord it’s over. I don’t know if Patsy was connected to Tommy’s murder. More than likely their crazy idea of fun got them in with a dangerous crowd. She’s going to get hers soon enough. As for Orin Young...” Miss Clo shook her head. “How he got tempted can be explained in one word: lust.”

  LaShaun considered the older woman’s assessment and nodded slowly. When and why Orin became what he was didn’t matter at this point. She guessed he’d turned bad early in his life, maybe even before he married poor Flora Lee. Orin had lust for sure, for sensual pleasure, power, money and eternal youth.

  Miss Clo stood. “Maybe life will get back to normal in Beau Chene, if that Reverend Fletcher doesn’t keep stirrin’ the pot. Oh well, at least we’ve got enough folks with common sense to ignore his ranting and raving.”

  “Yes.” LaShaun did not share Miss Clo’s sense of closure at all. Her expression must have shown it.

  “You okay, baby?” Miss Clo said quietly, a slight frown wiping away her smile.

  LaShaun snapped out of her reverie and smiled as she stood. “Sure, I’m fine. Thanks for coming. By the way how is Miss Joyelle?”

  “She’s much happier, child. The little boy that she was seeing seems to be okay. It took a lot of prayer, but the good Lord smote whatever had him.” Miss Clo laughed out loud. “Listen at me. I’m sounding like Reverend Fletcher, heaven forbid. You take care now.”

  “Bye,” LaShaun said, forcing a light tone into her voice.

  She walked out with Miss Clo and waved goodbye to her one last time as her little car backed out of the driveway. LaShaun stood on the wide porch gazing at the horizon. Nightfall seemed to spread ink blue paint on the sky as the sun slipped out of view. A chilly breeze caused the hanging potted plants to sway. Her woods looked dusty gray as light faded. A faint glow caught her eye, something flickering in shadows of leaves and branches. Could it be? LaShaun stood still and prayed what she’d seen was merely a trick of the fading light and wind. But there it was again, the unmistakable sign that her demon had come back. When she recited the prayer her grandmother had taught her years ago the glow faded. But for how long? She went to the small parlor. Concealed in the one hundred fifty year old desk handed down in her family were the items she’d turned to more than once.

  LaShaun took out the figure of the Virgin Mary, three white candles, a lace table runner and Monmon Odette’s rosary. She created an altar and began to pray. The air became oddly still in the room. A faint acrid scent of something burnt wafted around her, and overpowered the calming fragrance from the melting candle wax. She continued to pray. Wind blew stronger around the house causing the wood to creak. Barely audible, she heard it; the soft voice hovered just beyond the walls and pushed through the closed windows.

  “I only want to help,” it said.

  ***

  After that evening LaShaun dared hope Miss Clo’s confidence that the storm had passed was well founded. There were no more murders. She’d gone into her woods, and to the Rousselle family cemetery without encountering any hint of evil. Even the howling seemed to have stopped. LaShaun hadn’t seen Orin Young, and she preferred to keep it that way. Maybe she’d destroyed the last few members of his evil entourage that night. Whatever the reasons, LaShaun worked hard to be optimistic like Miss Clo. Even so, she’d begun her own novena to Michael the Archangel. With two evil forces at work LaShaun needed major protection for sure.

 
; Chase showed up at her back door at three o’clock in the afternoon on Halloween day. Being a southern gentleman, he rang the doorbell even though he had a key. LaShaun laughed when she pushed aside the short curtain covering the window of the door to see his grin. She unlocked that door and then the screen door as well.

  “I’ve told you to just come on in.” LaShaun kissed him lightly on the end of his nose and then led the way into her kitchen.

  “I know we’ve kind of broken the rule about kissing before the wedding, but I think it’s only right. I don’t want to disrespect your grandmother’s memory. This was her house after all.” Chase perched on one of the counter stools.

  “Kissing?” LaShaun looked at him with her head tilted to one side

  “Okay, okay. I know that sounds a little nuts, but humor me on this one.” Chase walked over where she stood packing up cupcakes and pulled LaShaun to him. “Maybe we should start planning the wedding a little sooner.”

  “Whoa, whoa, slow down, Chief Detective Broussard. I just got the ring a minute ago,” LaShaun said. She tried to make a joke despite the way her heart hammered with anxiety.

  “I want us to start our life together.” Chase brushed a tendril of hair from her cheek.

  “I hope you don’t think we can plan a wedding in the next three weeks. Sharon and Adrianna would have fit. Not that your mother would care,” she mumbled.

  “Do we want to have a wedding with bridesmaids and flower girls?” Chase raised an eyebrow then nodded when LaShaun’s eyes widen in alarm. “That’s what I thought. Me neither. It’s not about the big show for me either. It’s about the vows and making it official that we ain’t just playing around here. C’mon, girl, you know what I’m sayin’.”

  The soft purr of his Cajun accent became stronger as his voice became intimate, soothing away most of her uneasiness. But not all. “I know exactly what you’re saying. But let’s be practical. Concentrate on getting elected, and then we’ll get married.”