I did not care. I was no more.
Chapter Twenty
Amanda Collins
“Tell me about your family. I suppose you all are so proud of Avery.” The woman with the neat updo smiled and walked away. She was the third person to refuse to talk with me about Avery. Jonah lingered nearby, tossing appetizers into his mouth with abandon, and I had no idea where Ed had gotten off to. Jonah and I had enjoyed an afternoon tryst, but it had been brief and really nothing to write home about.
“Not too good at that, are you?”
“It’s weird. I mean, don’t you find it weird? Nobody wants to talk about her. Like we’re in some sort of cult or something.”
“I’ve been in a cult before. Perhaps you should interview me. We can pick up where we left off earlier.”
“No, thanks. I have more time to fill than five minutes, and I have a job to do here. Where is the great Avery Dufresne, anyway?”
He rolled his eyes at me. “I don’t know, but if she doesn’t show up soon, I’m going to have to make other arrangements. I’m not staying in this old place tonight. Not with you seeing ghosts and Ed wanting to steal the bed. I’m an Englishman. We take our ghosts seriously. There’s got to be a decent hotel in this godforsaken town.”
“We’re not going anywhere, Jonah. Look, there she is. Let’s go. Wait, who is that guy? I recognize him. Hey, that’s the detective. The one working on her case.”
“Bloody hell. I should have known she’d take up with someone else.” He acted as if he would like nothing more than to throttle the guy, but he had some nerve being jealous, considering how we’d spent our afternoon.
“No, let’s hang back. She hasn’t noticed us yet, which is strange since you stick out like a sore thumb.”
“I don’t give two stabs what you think. I’m going to see her now.”
I watched him stagger over to her, and I finally figured out who he reminded me of—Captain Jack Sparrow, only with more eyeliner.
Avery’s arms were crossed as she listened to the detective. I almost snickered at her face when she saw Jonah sauntering up. I so wished I had my phone or camera with me. That was the money shot. Soon I felt someone watching me. Looking around, I found about six pairs of eyes on me, suspicious family members watching my every move. I didn’t feel immediately threatened, but I was beginning to agree with Jonah. I didn’t want to stay here any longer than I had to.
Summer approached me and said, “Hi, Amanda. Have you had the chance to speak with Avery yet?”
“No, she’s been pretty busy.” I smiled at her, hoping to soften her up. “Are you sure I can’t have my camera? This is such a lovely place. Do you give tours all the time?”
“No tours. Only family gatherings. Would you like me to give you a quick walk around?”
I glanced at Jonah, who was stupidly hugging up on Avery. She didn’t seem happy to see him. In fact, she was doing her best to put distance between them while the detective watched with some amusement. “No, I’d better stick close to my friend.”
“I know why you’re here, Amanda.”
I spun about and smiled at her again, bigger and brighter. Okay, I’ll play. “Do you?”
“Yes, I do. You want to get some dirt on Avery. You want to ruin her because taking her job is not enough. You want to be her.” She smiled through her perfect teeth and spoke in a pleasant, even voice despite her words.
I kept my face as immobile as possible, but the fierceness of her whisper made me uneasy. She smiled as if she knew a big secret, something she shouldn’t know. “You wear her perfume, her brand of clothing, her shoes, but you can’t seem to get it right. They still won’t give you what you want. You’ve even spent time with her lovers, but that didn’t satisfy you either. You should leave, Amanda, because you can’t have what you’re after. You can never have it.”
How could she know that? Nobody knew! The hair crawled on my arms and the back of my neck.
“You don’t have any right to talk to me like that. How dare you! You don’t know anything about me.” I stepped back in fear. My raised voice drew unwanted attention. A crowd had gathered around us, and I could swear they were smiling at me, staring at me. “You people are crazy!”
To my utter shock, she laughed at me. “Crazy doesn’t begin to describe what we are, Amanda. I suggest you leave. You aren’t welcome here, and I am pretty sure your name wasn’t on the guest list.”
I raised my finger to point it at her, but I had no chance to make my argument.
“We’re leaving this place. I don’t care if I ever see that bitch again!” Jonah shouted. He grabbed my hand and dragged me away, griping the whole time. I didn’t fight him. In fact, I was kind of relieved. Summer and her weird posse watched us leave, and that unnerving smile never left her face. I didn’t even bother to see if Avery witnessed all this.
“What is going on? Turn loose of me, Jonah!” I snatched my hand away.
“I should never have let you talk me into coming down here to the Alabama backwoods. You are going to take me to the airport. Now. Let’s get our things.” We grabbed our stuff and forgot all about Ed. He could find his own way home.
I didn’t argue, and an hour later, I was saying goodbye to Jonah. We promised to keep in touch, but we both knew we were lying. I certainly had no intention of calling him.
I watched the plane take off from Mobile Regional Airport and walked back to my car. I wasn’t going anywhere. There was something happening at Sugar Hill. Something was wrong with that whole damn family, and I was going to get that interview.
I turned the car east and headed back to wait for nightfall. I wouldn’t leave without some answers. I had promised News Quarter a package, and I always delivered.
I pulled over to the side of Jackson Lane and found a spot that would hide my car. I could walk from here without too much trouble as long as I put on my walking shoes. I had an extra camera in the car. I packed my kit in my backpack and sat behind the wheel, listening to the news channel. When it was dark enough, I got out and locked the car behind me. That was kind of dumb. Who would find it out here? I slid the backpack on my shoulder and headed back to Sugar Hill. I’d have to come up behind the pond and go to the house from that direction. I was in good shape. I could do this.
This was going to be my breakout story.
Chapter Twenty-One
Avery Dufresne
Jamie Richards’ presence made the awkward reunion with Jonah much easier. Seeing the two men standing next to one another, I could hardly believe that at one time, I had wanted to be exclusive with Jonah, the spoiled jerk. And now he was here with Amanda? It didn’t take long to get rid of him, and thankfully, the detective had my back.
Just like he did when faced with any obstacle in our relationship, Jonah had run for the hills, unwilling to stand up for himself or us. As he stomped away through the gathering, making a noisy scene, I realized I had absolutely no feelings for him. None whatsoever. And that made me smile.
Jamie raised an eyebrow at me and joked, “I’d ask if you’re okay, but I can tell you’re just fine.”
“Are you staying in Belle Fontaine, Jamie? Why don’t you stay this weekend? We’ve got fireworks tonight, and from what I’m told, a ridiculous buffet of seafood tomorrow. Can you spare the time away?”
“I have to head back before Monday, but I am staying in Mobile at the Hilton. Not too far away. And yes, it has been a long time since I’ve been to a good old-fashioned seafood buffet, but I hate to come empty-handed. Is there something I can do?”
“I don’t know. Can you wrangle crawfish?”
“It’s been a while, but I think I can handle that.”
“Well, I insist you stay with us this weekend. I know for a fact we have an extra room. We have a few here.”
“I don’t want to bump anyone, and you appear to have a houseful. Are you sure?”
“Oh, yes, I’m sure.”
“I would like that.”
“Me too. See you fo
r gumbo and fireworks later, Jamie.”
Jamie’s face relaxed. That felt good. It was nice to make someone happy. I wasn’t used to that.
I went in search of Summer. As usual, she was carrying her pink clipboard with the monogrammed D on the back for all to see. Weren’t we all Dufresnes? Well, most of us.
“Summer, I want to make room for Jamie. Is there any way we can put someone in a hotel?”
“Your coworker and her friends have left, so that is no longer an issue. I’ll ask one of Robin’s girls to clean that room up for the detective. So nice of him to stay. He’s a handsome man, Avery. Been holding out on me, have you?”
“Oh, it’s not like that. He’s helping me with the case. He says they are going to let the guy go, the one who cut me. I think he was hoping I would remember something else, but I just don’t. I wish I could. I remember his breath being hot, but I can’t remember what he said. I just know he threatened me. Is that weird or what?”
“Not at all. These things happen, but I’m sure it will come back to you.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, I am going to wander around. What time are the fireworks?”
“At nine o’clock, but of course the big show is tomorrow night on the actual Fourth. Should I have Handsome go get the detective’s bags from the hotel?”
“Handsome is here?”
“Yes, and he brought you a basket of peaches.”
I smiled at hearing that. “How thoughtful. He was my first friend here. I’ll go speak to him. Is he around?”
“I think he went back home. I asked him to bring the car up for a guest. He should be back soon.”
“Well, how far is the walk?”
“About half a mile in that direction.” She pointed past the pond.
“I can do that! I’ll catch up with him. It’s been a long time since I’ve walked in the woods.”
“You sure? There’s so much to do here, and it’s a hot day, Avery.” She looked surprised at my suggestion.
“What else is new?” I had on my sleeveless summer dress now, and I was glad I had gone up to change.
Seeing that she couldn’t change my mind, she said, “Okay, but come back soon. I need your help with something.”
“What is it?” I was anxious to get going, but I didn’t want to leave her to shoulder a burden by herself. She scribbled on her clipboard and said in a distracted voice, “A lady named Susanna called the house. She wanted to know if you had seen her baby, Minette? Is this some story you were working on? She sounded really desperate.”
“Susanna?”
“Yes, she had a strange accent, and her last name was…it sounded foreign. Now, what was it? Oh, yes—Mandeville. She seems to think you have seen Minette. Oh, no! Avery? Avery? Are you okay?”
I fainted for the first time in my life.
I woke up with a crowd of people around me and Summer patting my cheek. “Get those EMTs over here!”
Suddenly Jamie was there, ready to administer first aid, but I smiled at him and pretended I was all right. “No, I’m okay. Everyone calm down. I’m okay. Just the heat, I think. I’m going inside to cool down. Don’t fuss, Summer.” I pushed her hand away with a smile. “Really, I am okay.” Mitchell helped me inside, and I thanked him as he handed me a bottle of water and insisted I drink it. Once the crowd dissipated, I went up to my room to recover. I was more embarrassed than anything else. What in the world was happening?
I closed the door behind me, collapsed on my settee, kicked off my shoes, and closed my eyes. If I had any intention of taking a nap, that was blown out of the water. Just then, both my television and the tape player powered on by themselves. The screen flickered, and Grandmother Margaret’s face appeared. Slowly I sat up and obediently watched the television screen.
Heaven help me was all I could think.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Susanna Serene Dufresne
I hid behind the lace curtain of my bedroom window and searched the sea of faces that passed by. I had seen him yesterday and the day before that—I was sure of it. His dark hair protruded in big waves out from under his top hat, and he wore a gray suit. He walked with another man, but neither of them spoke. He’d glanced up at me as I pressed the palms of my hands against the window, but he never came up the steps or did more than pause and tilt his hat. Each time I saw him was like another knife shoved in my heart until there was no heart left.
The baby was stretching in odd ways today, and it was difficult to find a comfortable position. I had been forbidden to sit upon any of the velvet cushions in the parlor, for Etienne was quite sure my waters would break and destroy her couches. Etienne had left me alone for a change, as alone as you could be in her busy house in the Ramparts. The bright yellow house stood on the corner of Lively Street and Hopkins Avenue, and it was one of the largest homes in the area. Several girls lived here year-round, waiting for their introductions into society at the next Quadroon Ball, but I was the only Serene present. Despite my current status as an adulteress, I was still treated with respect and deference by the other members of the household, although they refused to socialize with me beyond common courtesy for fear of angering Etienne.
I was rarely alone. At the beginning of my return to her house, Etienne held me up as an example of a woman who had done everything wrong. She mocked me openly and for many months, refused to call me by my proper name, preferring slanderous labels instead. I was quite sure that if I had not been pregnant, she would have done more than verbally abuse me.
But her slander had ceased, and I heard the rumors that floated around the house of busybodies: Etienne was in serious negotiations regarding me. What that could mean, I did not know. Would Chase finally put me away? Would I marry again to someone else on Etienne’s ever-growing list of clients?
I wondered sometimes if my husband knew I remained in Belle Fontaine. Nobody came to call, not even the elder Mr. Dufresne, to see about my welfare or the welfare of my child. Ambrose knew I was here, locked up in a house of women. He knew, and yet he never came.
I scanned the crowd again and glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. Yes, it had been about this time yesterday when he had walked past the house. Maybe he would pass by again today. Where could he be going? Why wouldn’t he stop to see me? He had to know I was here. He was my husband’s cousin! Why had he betrayed me? I leaned forward to see farther down the street, but after a few minutes of peering through the lace, I gave up. I went to lie down on the bed to stretch my back when the door to my room opened.
Sulli stood in the doorway. Her brown eyes scrutinized me, and she closed the door behind her quietly. I could tell by her manner that she wished to keep her visit secret. I hadn’t even seen her come up the street.
“How are you feeling today?” I was surprised she would ask since during my long stay here I had barely seen her. That had not been the case before. I grew up in this house, as far back as I could remember, and she had been part of that upbringing. Never a warm woman or one prone to showing affection openly, there were times when Sulli surprised me with small gifts or thoughtful comments and suggestions. As soon as she bestowed her kindness upon me, I would not see her for quite a while. Etienne did not approve of her spoiling me, as she described it, but that did not dissuade the older woman from doing as she liked. Now here she was again. What was the meaning of this surprise visit? Some sort of test?
“I don’t think I have one more inch of room left in my belly. Chase’s son grows larger each day.” Even as I said the words, I didn’t believe them. I knew I carried a girl. I’d dreamed about her. I had even named her. She was my Minette. I imagined her as a petite little thing with dark hair like mine. I imagined her arms around my neck as she kissed my cheek. I imagined Chase proudly holding her in his arms.
A dream. I knew it was only a dream. Chase would never accept a child he suspected might not be his. Or, more to the point, Chase’s father would never accept a child he suspected might not be his grandchild.
�
�I hope you have the good sense not to say such things to your benefactor. She would not approve of a declaration like that.”
“I don’t care what she thinks. What about you, Sulli? Do you approve?” My familiar friend desperation rose up within me. Then the spark of an idea hit me. Maybe, just maybe, Sulli would be willing to help me. There had to be some way I could persuade her to set me free. If only I could see Chase one more time! “You know this isn’t right! I am a free woman! What can I do to convince you to help me?”
She dragged the wooden chair from its worn spot in front of the window and sat it beside the bed, waving her hand to instruct me to sit and be quiet. As always, she spoke plainly. “Your freedom is not in my power, Susanna. It was contingent upon your marriage to Chase Dufresne, my dear. What happens when he divorces you is anyone’s guess.”
“Divorces me? What do you mean? Chase would never do such a thing!” I knew that wasn’t true. I had wounded him in a way that only someone you loved could wound you. Yes, I had shamed him, but Chase loved me. He must be made to understand what divorce meant for a woman in my position. “You could go to him for me. Plead my case, Sulli! Take a letter to him for me.”
“You have so much to learn about men, Susanna. It would do little good. But from what I understand, you are going to get a lifetime of schooling in the subject of men and their desires.” I felt my skin crawl as she spoke. The baby heard her too and stirred within me.
“I don’t understand. Are you referring to the rumors? Am I to marry again? Some cruel old man?”
She scowled at me and shook her head, and her bright green earrings shook lightly. “No, Susanna Serene. You won’t marry again. Etienne has plans to turn you out after you deliver.”
The Hauntings Of Sugar Hill: The Complete Series Page 18