by Lynn Emery
“We’ll be out of the way soon. Then you can bag this,” Chase said to the deputy.
“No rush. We’ve got other items to collect anyway.” The deputy clicked four more pictures from different angles and left.
LaShaun bent forward to read while taking care not to touch or disturb the sheets of note paper. “Hmm, a combination of symbols and words this time. Part of this is a wish spell. The belief is burning it will make your wish come true.”
“Wishing for what?” Chase stood on the opposite end of the round table.
“For success, but I can’t read it all. The rest is destroyed. Maybe the pieces in the ashtray can be analyzed.” LaShaun straightened and examined the kitchen. White and black candles lay on the counter along with a box of matches.
“Sherry and her mama are hiding something. I say haul their asses to the stations and get them to talk.” Det. Anderson scowled at the interior of the house as if offended by it.
“Or make them even less cooperative,” Chase said.
“Sherry said something about Tommy’s murder being linked to Dina’s disappearance. I have to say Det. Anderson could have a point. None of it makes sense. Questioning them at length could be helpful.” LaShaun made a circle of the room as she talked. She tingled at leftover psychic energy in the place. A bitter scent lingered.
“Well, since the mind reader agrees, then I’m even more certain,” Anderson joked.
LaShaun grinned at him. “I have no idea what they’re going to say, but it can’t hurt.”
Det. Anderson turned to Chase since he was chief of criminal investigations. “I’m going to get started.”
“Your case,” Chase said with a curt nod. He faced LaShaun. “Since when did you two become chummy?”
“Det. Anderson seems to have decided I’m not a total nut job. That hardly qualifies as us being best buds.” LaShaun walked away from him.
“MJ says he asked for you, so I suppose you’re his go-to consultant now. Anderson will have a whole new set of voodoo jokes going around the department.” Chase followed closely behind LaShaun. When she spun to confront him, he stopped short.
“So you have another complaint. In addition to dealing with your family, I make you a joke with the rest of law enforcement.”
“That’s not what I said.” Chase broke off when one of two deputies collecting evidence waved to get his attention.
“We’re finished here. Heading out,” the deputy collecting evidence said.
“Got ya. Thanks.” Chase waited until the two deputies left the house.
“Yeah, but that’s pretty much what you meant. You got a problem, then deal with it on your own.” LaShaun crossed her arms.
Chase stared at her as he tapped a fist against one muscled thigh. “Not here, not now.”
“Whenever you’re ready,” LaShaun retorted. They faced each other in silence.
“Uh, is there an issue I need to know about?” MJ spoke from the open door way. When neither spoke, she walked into the compact living room. “Anderson has taken Sherry and Arliss to the station for questioning. You might want to be there to observe, Chase. Patrols will check to make sure the scene isn’t disturbed. The landlord is on her way over to lock up.”
“Great idea. Get going, Chase.”
LaShaun put on her sunglasses and walked away before he could answer. She didn’t look at him as he marched past to his department SUV. MJ walked up to stand beside her. LaShaun studied the outside of the house. Peeling faded yellow paint struggled to project an inviting picture. Despite the pictures and attempts, it all felt wrong. MJ shot a sideways glance at her, but LaShaun spoke first to head off questions.
“Any leads on how this ties in with Dina’s disappearance?”
“Lots of theories, guesswork only. We’re trying to find out more about the girlfriend.” MJ put both hands on her hips. “Maybe Tommy and her were in it together or with a gang. Dina’s father is dealing drugs, flush with cash. Could be they wanted money.”
“Taking his own niece for ransom? Seems kinda heartless.” LaShaun took a step toward the house as if closing the distance would yield clues. Nothing.
“Yeah, well warm family feelings run low in that crowd. Drugs, alcohol, and domestic violence don’t help. Goes back at least a couple of generations from what I hear,” MJ said.
“Ah yes, the blessing and curse of small town gossip. You get the whole story, but probably not the right one.” LaShaun raised an eyebrow.
“In this case we’ve got police calls, court records and the memories of old cops like Sheriff Triche.” MJ smiled at the mention of her former boss and mentor. Sheriff Triche had served Vermilion Parish for over thirty years before retiring.
“Sounds like this girlfriend is a bit of a mystery. Make sure it’s not just small town suspicion of a newcomer though.” LaShaun looked at MJ.
“Yeah. Speaking of family tension—”
“I’ll do more research on the writing. Text me copies of the photos. The spell might give us more clues.” LaShaun smiled at MJ and waved. “Better go pick up Ellie. No telling when Chase will get home.”
“Right. Right. LaShaun, don’t let this case push you and Chase apart. Police work is rough, and in your situation with you both being pulled in… Well, it’s just like a pressure cooker turned up way too high. You know?”
“Doesn’t help, but that’s not the real source of the problem. I’ll call you when I know more about those spells.”
“Okay, and call if you need to talk or anything else. Hey, no judgement here, okay? Just a listening ear.”
“I know. Thanks.” LaShaun gave MJ a pat on the back. Then she got in her SUV and headed off.
****
Glowing red numbers showed it was eleven-thirty that night. LaShaun lay on her side staring at the digital clock display on the nightstand. Chase hadn’t called, but that wasn’t a surprise. He was probably still tied up following the loose threads of the case. Or he was still pissed and just didn’t feel like giving her an update. Either way, his absence bothered LaShaun. Not that he hadn’t called. She’d grown used to the irregular hours and schedule of a law officer, especially the head of a division. As the Chief of Investigations, Chase put in even more hours than the officers under his command at times. No, the lump of unease lodged in LaShaun’s chest had a different source. Not only were things bad between them, but she feared their clashes would only get worse. And she had no idea how to stop the downward slide.
Giving up at last on the effort to doze off, LaShaun admitted that she couldn’t shut off her mind, so she sat on the edge of the bed. The quiet of country living surrounded their home. She’d lived in Los Angeles for almost ten years, and at first, coming back to Beau Chene took adjustment. In the city, lights flashed, glared and pulsated continuously. The absence of noise in comparison still struck her. And the dark… Out from town where she lived, houses sat separated by acres. Each stood in pools of light from lamp posts. Quiet. Too quiet. LaShaun stood. She listened. Then she moved down the hall quickly to the nursery. LaShaun entered the room. Ellie looked peaceful, asleep on her tummy. By contrast, Beau looked alert.
“You can’t sleep either, huh?”
She scratched behind one of Beau’s ears. The dog stood at the window looking out. Then he reared up and planted his paws on the sill. LaShaun felt rather than heard the low growl vibrating beneath his smooth coat. His entire body seemed to generate a steady buzz. Her arms tingled as her third eye opened. She pushed away the interference from anxieties about her marriage.
“Show me what you see, boy. What’s going on?” LaShaun whispered.
Beau didn’t move. And she knew. He wasn’t supposed to, not from Ellie’s side. LaShaun reached out beyond the bright circle from their security lamp outside. Movement. A shadow kept to the shadows cast by trees. A force pushed against a force. She glanced down realizing Beau projected a buffer. No ordinary dog for sure. Reassured he could hold down the house, LaShaun patted his back.
�
�Good job, boy. Stay while I take a look around.”
LaShaun went to her bedroom. She dressed in seconds, including sturdy waterproof boots. She wore insulated undergarments under a soft cotton flannel shirt and jeans. Her jacket had enough pockets to carry necessaries. It had three inner pockets and two deeper outer pockets. She slipped a palm-sized .380 into one pocket. Next, she clipped a leather knife case to the waistband of her jeans. Armed, LaShaun went down the hallway toward the back door. She paused long enough to turn off the alarm system. Then she reset it to give her a few seconds to go out. With one last glance back at the house, she went down the steps. Nothing looked out of place on the back porch. LaShaun followed her instincts around the kitchen, past the den and to the outside walls of the bedrooms. A curtain twitched and Beau’s head appeared in Ellie’s window. Then he withdrew.
LaShaun turned to face the woods. Oak, ash and maple trees she knew well loomed up to the sky. The chilly night air pressed in on her, but she didn’t feel the cold. At least not from the forty-degree temperature. LaShaun set off for the forest at the edge of her neatly clipped yard. She kept out of the light. As she got closer to the thick wooded area, LaShaun drew the knife. A deeper slice of darkness moved to her left. LaShaun went still.
“Since you know we’re here, tiptoeing through the underbrush seems a bit unnecessary,” a husky voice spoke.
“Who are you and what do you want?” LaShaun held her arms out. Her right hand held the gun, the left her knife.
“We never expected our task to be easy. You’re an able opponent. But your husband? He’s not so sure about all of the… hocus pocus I think he calls it. You’re alone.”
Female, LaShaun thought. Trying to mask the telltale identity clue, but definitely female. “Oh, yeah. Well, girlfriend, you need to stop relying on women’s intuition because yours is way off. I’m definitely not alone.”
The speaker gave a short hiss. After a few beats of silence, “I can’t help but notice you’re out here by yourself. Detective Broussard is working late again.”
“If you’re feeling so confident, come closer. Into the light so we can have a nice chat. If you visit at a decent hour I might fix us some coffee and beignets.” LaShaun took two steps to her left. “I’ll shoot your friend if he moves. Even half an inch will earn him a bullet.”
LaShaun’s senses, all five and extras, operated at full power. Two more figures circled around. They moved with skill, making little noise. Only the faintest swish of leaves, of air being displaced gave them away.
“We don’t want to draw any attention. The last thing you need right now is more gossip. Am I right?” The husky voice purred like a cat sure she held the upper hand.
“My gun won’t make much noise. Same for my knife, very sharp. Of course screams of pain might get a little loud.” LaShaun couldn’t tell if any of the figures moved toward the house. Panic punched through her. She had to concentrate.
“To hell with chatting,” a gruff voice called out. A figure shot forward.
LaShaun anticipated the attack. She jumped to her right to avoid a kick. When the figure whirled around, LaShaun sliced up and connected with a torso. Then she parried, sliced again. The man dropped to his knees with a series of shocked gasps. Her silver blade would inflict damage on human and supernatural opponents. With him disabled for the moment, LaShaun slammed her weighed boot into his kneecap. Then she quickly ran into the light. Husky voice didn’t follow.
“C’mon, let’s get properly introduced,” LaShaun shouted.
“Oh we will. Never doubt that we’ll meet again.” The figure seemed to slowly meld into the surrounding darkness as she spoke.
LaShaun started to follow when the security alarm went off. The horn’s blare cut through the night. She spun around with one thought, get to Ellie. Two floodlights connected to the system emitted pulsating strobes. They served as beacons for responding law enforcement or firemen. The noise and flashing lights made the house easy to find in the dark rural countryside. LaShaun reached the house and found the back door still locked. Her mind sharpened, she steadied her hands. Forget the keys. Instead she slapped the numbers pad to gain fast access. LaShaun pulled on the door only to curse in frustration. Seconds later three clicks signaled the locking bars had slid back. She yanked open the door, kicked it aside, and stumbled in.
“Ellie? Beau?”
No sound came to reassure her. The interior lights had gone out, but emergency lamps provided illumination as LaShaun ran. Her boots pounded against the hardwood floors. LaShaun skidded on something wet and almost fell. She stayed on her feet by grabbing the door jamb. Beau made low growling sounds as he bent over what looked like a pile of clothes at first. With enormous will, LaShaun resisted the urge to run to Ellie’s bed. Instead she focused her kinetic energy outward until sweat stung her eyes. Seconds later the lamp flicked on. A bundle lay in Ellie’s bed. Heart hammering, LaShaun held her breath as she pulled away the blanket covered with pink elephants. Ellie still lay on her stomach sleeping.
“Merci le bon dieu,” LaShaun whispered, her voice hoarse with relief.
She continued a prayer of thanksgiving Monmon Odette had taught her years ago. Satisfied that Ellie rested unharmed, LaShaun turned to examine the dog. Beau’s sides heaved from heavy breathing. He lifted his large head. Blood covered his muzzle and matted his sleek fur. Blinking as though he noticed LaShaun for the first time, Beau barked furiously and circled the heap on the floor.
“Okay, boy. We’re okay. Stand down.”
LaShaun glanced around quickly to make sure no one or nothing had followed her into the room at least. She still held her knife out as she turned in a circle. Beau went to Ellie’s bed and took up a defensive stance. He let out low guttural snarls as if warning potential threats. LaShaun stood over the unmoving body. She used one hand to tug it over while her knife hand remained ready to strike. A gurgled gasp made LaShaun step away fast, but it seemed obvious the person couldn’t move. More blood stained the wool rug. Only then did LaShaun register the keening sound of sirens. She still stood staring down at the woman when Chase came into the room, gun drawn.
Chapter 6
One hour later, LaShaun sat at the breakfast table. She held Ellie in her lap. Chase had wrapped a chenille throw from the den around them both. Ellie blinked at the activity around them sleepily. She took turns staring up at her mother, at Beau still covered in blood, and the strange people in her house. Yet she didn’t cry or seem distressed. Instead Ellie rested her head against LaShaun’s breasts, a thumb in her mouth. MJ stood a few feet away talking to a rattled Chase. He kept his voice low, but panic radiated from every gesture.
“Damn it, I should have been here tonight.” Chase looked at LaShaun, then turned away.
“Go check on the guys processing the room, alright. Just go,” MJ said.
She turned her back to LaShaun as she continued talking to Chase quietly. She pulled Chase along until they disappeared. Moments later MJ came back. Another deputy stopped her before she reached LaShaun. Then Sheriff Godchaux arrived. He and MJ approached after a brief exchange.
“Sorry y’all had to go through this, LaShaun. The most important thing is you and the baby are safe, right?” Dave wore a grave expression. He placed a hand on LaShaun’s shoulder. When she nodded, he patted her and then strode off.
“You don’t mind if I…”
“I don’t recognize the woman,” LaShaun cut her off. “Yes, I know you need to ask me questions that can’t wait. I’m okay.”
MJ pulled another chair out and sat next to her. “You counted three people?”
“Yeah, but there could have been four. A woman did most of the talking like she was in charge. I couldn’t see her face. At least one of the other two was a guy. I could tell from his voice and build. The third was…” LaShaun glanced over at Beau. “I need to clean him up. Ellie hasn’t noticed the blood yet, but… I don’t want her to get upset.”
“Beau let me examine him all over without making
a peep, not one growl. He isn’t hurt. It’s all her blood.” MJ gazed at Beau.
“You have a way with animals, almost a psychic connection,” LaShaun murmured, her gaze on the hallway as people came and went from her home.
“They know I’m not scared is all. Nothing magical. We don’t need another psychic running around here tonight,” MJ quipped.
“Is that your opinion, or what Chase says?” LaShaun pulled Ellie closer against her body.
“You love each other like crazy.” MJ leaned forward. “The strain is testing y’all. Every marriage goes through it.”
“Like yours.” LaShaun looked at MJ, divorced for ten years.
“Humph, if I’d been paying attention, I would have seen Gentry wasn’t in it for the long haul. But Chase? No, girl. He’s going to hold on for dear life.”
“He doesn’t say it, but he misses going to all the big family gatherings like he used to. Maybe some of the talk is starting to make sense to him.” LaShaun looked down at Ellie and sighed. “I don’t want him to stay just because of her. What an empty life that would be for all of us.”
“Stop talking like that, LaShaun. Chase is human, sure he is. He’s been dealing with the pressure for almost span class=“Apple-converted-space”> four years of—”
“Being with me and the baggage I bring.” LaShaun swallowed against the bitter lump in her throat.
“No, don’t start down that road,” MJ said sharply. She sat forward. “Look, police officers are more affected by cases involving kids than they let on. Even before we become parents, those investigations are like a kick in the gut with a steel-toe boot. Add to that Chase is worried that a crazy cult is focused on you again, and now Ellie is in the mix. He’s scared for both of you.”
“And I have no idea what to do about it, MJ, or what I can say to him. I can’t stop being who I am. I can’t undo my family history.” LaShaun’s voice trembled with the effort to hold back tears. She took in deep breaths and let them out.