by Lynn Emery
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Practical.” Chase nuzzled her neck.
“You know it makes sense,” LaShaun insisted.
Chase sighed, gave her another peck on the forehead and sat down again. “Yes, it does. At least Dave and Reverend Fletcher don’t have any ammo to shoot at me. We pretty much figure Willie killed those people. There’s evidence he knew at least two of the victims, including the woman with him.”
“That’s good,” LaShaun said faintly.
“And even better, there is no ‘supernatural force luring victims to the misty Louisiana bayou each night to meet a bloody end’. James Schaffer knows how to ham it up.” Chase gave a snort of contempt. “Luckily he didn’t find a source to make a connection to Manny. Matter of fact I think him and the ghost busting crew of his packed it up and went home. Goodbye and don’t come back.”
“Speaking of Manny, I went to see him one more time. Don’t get mad,” LaShaun added quickly when Chase’s dark eyebrows bunched together. “You had your hands full, and I didn’t want an argument.”
“We agreed, no secrets, LaShaun.” Chase crossed his arms and stared at her steadily.
“I’m not keeping it a secret, right? It’s just the timing of when I’m telling you.” LaShaun tried to smile, but it faded when Chase didn’t look appeased.
“Keep talking,” he clipped.
“Don’t ask me how, but Manny knew I’d talked to Verlena. Dr. Norris said after the first visit he actually seemed to be more stable. His outburst might have been some kind of emotional pressure release, and he talked more in therapy. So she agreed to a second visit. About the same time I called to ask permission, Manny asked to see me again.”
“Serial killers are master manipulators and figuring out what buttons to push. Manny is one guy you don’t want in your head,” Chase said darkly.
“He’s not,” LaShaun protested. “Besides, I don’t think there’s any reason to see him again.”
“Orin Young’s solid reputation is history since talk about him and Patsy got around. This nurse he’s been romancing heard about it, and she got pissed. So she’s trash talking about him like crazy. Trust me, Orin has more on his plate than being mad at you,” Chase said.
“You could be right.” LaShaun stared through the window to the dense woods at the edge of her property.
“LaShaun, don’t keep things from me, and don’t try that timing argument either. It won’t fly. Now what else? Cause I know there’s more.” Chase gazed at her, the lover and fiancé replaced by the seasoned cop.
LaShaun took a deep breath and gave him a full account of her battle the night with barely human opponents. She hastened to assure him she’d been well armed when the color drained out of his face. “I had three weapons; and the fourth one was knowing exactly what I was up against.”
Chase pulled a hand over his face. “Saints in Heaven, given me strength. What the hell were you thinkin’, girl?”
“They started it,” LaShaun glared at him defiantly. “I didn’t go looking for a fight a pack of rougarous, but I sure knew how to finish it.”
“You didn’t tell me because...” Chase spread both arms out as though waiting for a really big and excellent defense.
LaShaun cleared her throat. “You would have tried to stop me, and I needed to fight them my way. And I wanted you to be able to honestly say you weren’t involved.”
“Don’t do this kind of crap, LaShaun,” Chase snapped. Then he closed his eyes for a few moments. “We stand together no matter what. Your fight is my fight.”
“Okay, let’s talk about trust. I mean your trust in me,” she added with force when opened his mouth to speak. When he didn’t interrupt, LaShaun went on. “I know you’re not totally convinced about a lot of supernatural folk tales. But you have to admit that there is something beyond what see around us every day. We good Catholics believe in angels and demons. The church still does exorcisms.”
“I haven’t studied the subject. Too many human evil doers runnin’ around these days,” Chase retorted. Still his frown relaxed as he leaned against the counter, as though willing to at least listen.
“I was born into the Rousselle family, with a long history of extra sensory experiences. My grandmother had the gift of sight and a rare ability to bend people to her will, under the right conditions. I have a gift, though it doesn’t always feel that way,” LaShaun added with a grimace. “But my point is I’ve got experience with these strange events, and like it or not this stuff seems to follow me. I’ll do everything I can to keep you fully informed. Sometimes I need to act first, and talk to you later. But I’m not trying to hide anything from you.”
“LaShaun...” Chase shook his head slowly.
“You’re the law enforcement expert, and you can’t tell me everything about your cases. I know it’s not because you don’t trust me, or because we’re not a team. The supernatural is my territory. Trust me. Please.” LaShaun walked close to him, pulled his folded arms loose and wrapped them around her body.
Chase rested his forehead against hers. “You’re right. Trust goes both ways. I just want you to be safe.”
“My big strong man,” LaShaun said quietly, a gentle tease in her voice.
“Okay, okay, I’m a throw back. It’s what guys do. We protect the people we love. It’s genetic or something.” Chase smiled as he spoke.
“I promise not to run around picking fights with demons, werewolves and other things that go bump in the night. How’s that?” LaShaun snuggled even closer to his body.
“I feel so much better,” Chase murmured. He kissed her long and passionately, his hands rubbing her back.
When they stopped he started to speak, but LaShaun put a forefinger on his lips. “No, we’re going to be late for your niece’s birthday party as it is.”
Chase let out a mock groan of frustration when LaShaun pulled free. “Another hour and a half won’t matter.”
“Put on your coat and grab that box. I didn’t spend hours making pecan candy and baking cupcakes so we can walk in late after everyone is too stuffed to eat them.”
“Alright, but you owe me big time,” Chase said pointing at her.
“I always pay my debts, Mister,” she tossed back.
Ten minutes later they were on the highway travelling to Chase’s parents’ home. Since Jessi’s birthday was on Halloween, every year since she’d turned five the family threw a birthday party with costumes. Over the years it had become quite a production, a social event not to be missed. LaShaun wasn’t scared of ghosts and goblins. She feared facing more of the Broussard extended family and long time friends.
“Drive carefully so the cupcakes won’t get all messy. I hope the candy isn’t too brittle and ends up in pieces. Maybe I should check to make sure it’s wrapped well.” LaShaun twisted in her seat to check on the treats she’d made.
“I’m sure the food will be fine, and you look beautiful. Those jeans don’t make your butt look big, and your hair looks great.” Chase nodded. “That should cover all your nervous questions.”
LaShaun laughed and slapped his arm. “Look who’s psychic now.”
They rode on through the velvet darkness that existed in rural Louisiana. There were no bright street lights to pierce the veil of night. Chase positioned her hand on his thigh, and then went back to driving and humming a song. LaShaun felt a flood of warmth. No matter what his family might say or do, at least she had him by her side.
Chapter 21
They arrived at four thirty, and Jessi’s party was in full swing. In harvest style, pumpkins, hay bales and festive golden, dark green and orange streamers were wrapped around the porch posts. A few friendly smiling “ghosts” made of sheets bobbed on strings. A scarecrow sat in one of the rocking chairs. As Chase pulled into the crowded driveway they could hear squeals of delight from children and a few adults.
“See? Just good old Cajun country fun,” Chase said and rubbed his hands together. “Us grown-ups have as much of a good time as the kids.�
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“You really do enjoy being with your family,” LaShaun replied, a little prick of guilt and sadness going through her.
“We have our moments, and don’t you worry. My mother will behave. She hates scenes.” Chase put an arm around LaShaun.
“How encouraging,” LaShaun said.
“We have to know what we’re facing as a team, right?” Chase kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll bet the grown folks are hoping you’ll bring that legendary Rousselle family magic to the party.”
“I plan to disappoint them for sure. Nothing but small talk and serving goodies to the children, that’s all I plan for tonight.”
“Well at least I know you’re up for fighting off any kind of supernatural hobgoblin that decides to show up. I hope your brought you silver knife, garlic and some of that special dust you ghost busters use.” Chase laughed as he opened the driver side door and got out.
“I’m prepared, and so are you,” LaShaun tossed back. She slid across the seat after him and brushed back her hair. Before she could finish explaining the front door flew open. Seconds later they were surrounded by a group of kids, led by one of Chase’s nephews, Bruce Broussard, III.
“Here he is,” Bruce announced. At fourteen he had yet to reach his growth spurt. “Hey, Uncle Chase. We’re glad to see you two. Now we can hear some real stories, not that baby stuff Aunt Elaine has been telling the little kids.”
“Yeah, we wanna hear about that serial killer they were talkin’ about on Ghost Team USA. Is it true he made sausage out of his victims and put ‘em in gumbo?” One lanky pre-teen made ghostly noises and guffawed with the rest of the boys.
“Hey guys, no talk of killing or other stuff that will scare your little brothers and sisters.” Chase ruffled Bruce’s auburn hair with a laugh then grabbed the container of pralines. “Where are you manners? Say good evening to Miss LaShaun.”
“Evenin’, ma’am,” Bruce replied and nodded to her. His greeting was accompanied by a chorus of boyish voices shouting hello.
“Hello,” LaShaun replied with a smile.
“Right, no scaring the babies,” another boy with curly black hair replied and gave a snort. “My little brother will be up all night shaking in his jammies and swearing monsters are in his closet.”
“Shoot, the kids won’t be the only ones. My mama had the creeps for days after we watched old zombie movies,” another kid said. “I’d knock on stuff and she’d jump three feet in the air.”
“Shame on you, T-Ray,” Chase said, barely able to conceal his grin.
The boys surrounded Chase and LaShaun like a group of lively jumping beans as they walked up the front steps and into the house. Decorations made the entrance just as inviting. Children dressed like popular cartoon characters played games and bounced around. There were at least three versions of Snow White, one Princess Jasmine and a tiny mermaid. The smaller boys were the usual variety of superheroes. One child dressed as a skeleton enjoyed creeping up behind other kids and dropping rubber spiders on their shoulders. He was rewarded with exuberant screams of fear, mostly in good fun.
“Hi you two.” Adrianna waved at from across the large family, and other adults waved as well.
“Don’t drop the cupcakes,” LaShaun said as they managed to navigate the room full of kids going full blast to reach the group.
Chase smiled at them. “Hello everybody, this is LaShaun. Honey, these are my cousins Vanessa, Chuck, Bubba...”
“Don’t start that, man. Hello, LaShaun. My name is Phil,” the pudgy man said with a grin for LaShaun and a mock scowl at Chase.
“Nice to meet you,” LaShaun said, and glanced at Chase.
“Family joke. Philip has a MBA no less, but he likes to be thought of as a good old country boy. Ahem, he has political aspirations,” Chase said in a loud whisper as though telling her a secret.
“But we call him ‘Bubba’ so everyone will forget he’s one of them educated, big city fellas,” a second male cousin added with a grin and stuck out his hand. “I’m the real thing, Ray Grenier.”
LaShaun shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Give me those cupcakes. LaShaun and I will take these delightful treats to the kitchen. Hmm, I’m thinking one of those will get lost on the way,” Adrianna said with a laugh.
“Couldn’t we put them on the table?” LaShaun wasn’t eager to face Queen Elizabeth despite her attempts to make amends since the brunch.
“No room. Don’t worry though. At the rate food is disappearing your hard work won’t be wasted. We rarely have leftovers.” Adrianna held the handle of the large square container and looped the other arm through LaShaun’s. “Come on. Might as well face The Queen early and get it over with.”
“Is that how you coped?” LaShaun said with a laugh.
“Living miles away in Alexandria helps, a lot.” Adrianna leaned closer as they got to the long hallway leading to the kitchen. “I learned one trick fairly fast though when we lived here. If I invited my family over for dinner along with the in-laws, Queen Bee would always find some other pressing engagement.”
“Didn’t she ever catch on?” LaShaun warmed to the fun. She would be sure to sit next to Adrianna at family gatherings.
“Nah. Then when we had the kids she sucked it up. One thing about her, she loves her grand kids,” Adrianna replied.
“Wonder if she’ll break that rule when we have a child,” LaShaun murmured. She wondered if having bi-racial grandchildren would be more than Mrs. Broussard could take.
Despite the noise Adrianna picked up on her comment like she had special sensors. “Mr. Bruce might be easy going, but he won’t stand for her going that far.” Then Adrianna stopped in her tracks to stare at LaShaun.
“What is it?”
“Are you and Chase going to make another announcement soon? A little Chase running around, huh?” Adrianna launched into a string of Spanish.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” LaShaun put in quickly. “No, we definitely do not have any such announcement to make.”
Adrianna pouted. “Ahn, too bad. I would love to see you give Miss Queen Bee another shock before the wedding.”
“You’re terrible, and I kinda like it,” LaShaun said and they both giggled.
They walked into the kitchen chatting about candy recipes and getting husbands to do the cooking. Chase’s father was the only man present. He greeted LaShaun with genuine warmth. The other women smiled a lot and made small talk, but LaShaun could tell they weren’t entirely comfortable with her. Much to her relief, Adrianna stayed close. The topics of discussion remained light, but finally they couldn’t say anything more about the weather or how delicious Mrs. Broussard’s Swedish meatballs tasted. After twenty-five minutes, Adrianna rescued them all with a suggestion that she show LaShaun all the games set up. Once they went out LaShaun let go of a deep breath.
“Whew, thanks for coming up with a reason to leave,” LaShaun whispered as they went out to the large patio.
“No hay problema, mi amigo,” Adrianna replied with good humor. “They’re not too bad really, just trying to adjust to a brave new world. You know?”
“I’ll take your word for it,” LaShaun retorted. “I’m not one to talk recipes, housecleaning and whatever else they discuss.”
“You did good,” Adrianna said, and patted her on the hand. “Now let’s have fun with the kids.”
Beyond the paved patio orange and yellow paper lanterns were strung on poles and in the branches of two small trees. After playing several games, Chase’s youngest sister Sharon organized kids and adults to play Black Cat Treasure Hunt.
“Okay,” Sharon called out loudly until the kids settled down. “This is how it works. There are little kitty cats hidden all around with clues on them. Solve the clues to find Jean Lafitte’s gold! Here is the first clue to get you started.”
Bruce stepped forward and dropped his voice low to sound mysterious as he read the first clue. When he shouted “Go!” the crowd of kids scattered like mice looking
for cheese. Two or three adults helped the younger kids, having and had fun as the children. LaShaun stood with Sharon and the others watching the chase.
“Jean Lafitte’s treasure?” Chase said to Sharon laughing.
“I found an old trunk and filled it with those candies packaged in gold foil to look like coins, and threw in some trinkets and toys. The kids can divide up the loot, and take it home.” Sharon took a bow. “Yes, I’m a genius.”
Jessi ran up to them pulling her mother, Elaine, with her. “Thanks for the best party yet!”
“You’re welcome, sweetie,” Sharon said and swept out an arm. “I must share the credit.”
“Thank you for coming, Miss LaShaun. The kids wanted me to ask something.” Jessi nodded at her.
“Sure.” LaShaun grinned at her.
“Do you feel any spirits roaming tonight, like some that might show up at my party?” Jessi looked at her with eagerness, clearly hoping for an apparition to make her party the talk of the town.
“Jessi,” Chase said and rolled his eyes. The other adults leaned forward as though they wanted to know as well.
LaShaun affected a serious expression, closed her eyes for a few seconds and then opened them. “I sense spirits of fun, family love and friendship. Now go on before someone else gets that treasure.”
“Aw, couldn’t you stir up at least one ghost for us?” Jessi’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
“Sorry, I think there’s too much happiness around here. Ghosts like gloomy places,” LaShaun joked and pinched her rosy cheek.
“Get on out there and hunt for gold, girl,” her Uncle Bruce said with a chuckle.
“Hey, I found one!” a childish voice full of triumph squealed.
“Oh no you don’t! It’s my party, and I get the treasure!” Jessi shouted in protest and dashed off across the backyard.
The adults stood around jokingly taking bets on who would find the treasure first. Then they all exchanged memories of their childhood fun at Halloween and other parties. LaShaun began to feel at ease, even though Chase’s mother made sure to keep her distance. The other older women kept her company. They didn’t seem as eager to get to know LaShaun better either. Fifteen minutes later two exhausted adult staggered back with their four and five year olds.