Into The Mist: A LaShaun Rousselle Mystery (LaShaun Rousselle Mysteries Book 4)

by Lynn Emery

  “She’s with me.” LaShaun’s voice broke. “Chase, if they’re after her…”

  “You’re fading. I’m on my way.” The sound of his vehicle door slamming shut and his engine gunning drowned out his words.

  “You can’t make it in time. I’ll have to figure out what to do.” LaShaun gripped the wheel. She knew the countryside better than them. At least she hoped so. She might lose them if she drove across an open field.

  “Let them think you haven’t made them yet. Maybe they’ll pass to keep up the ruse. I want that plate number. Please, LaShaun. No warrior woman moves right now.”

  “Okay. Okay.”

  LaShaun took deep breaths. She risked a glance at Ellie. The toddler, now wide awake, blinked back at her and strained forward to look out the window. Beau growled deep in his throat. The Tahoe waited for a red compact car to pass on the two lane highway, then sped around LaShaun’s Forrester as if passing. Tinted windows obscured a clear view of the occupants, but LaShaun made out one figure only. The driver. Then the gray van appeared behind her.

  “LaShaun?” Chase’s voice broke up so she couldn’t hear much of what he said.

  “Texas plate BCF X349,” LaShaun managed to get out, but the connection had gone dead. She pushed down the urge to scream.

  “Mama, mama.”

  Ellie’s sweet voice rattled her even more. LaShaun panted a few times before she could find her voice. “We’re going to be fine, sweetie. Nothing is going to happen.”

  The Tahoe’s tail lights flashed when it stopped, forcing LaShaun to hit the brakes. She jerked the steering wheel to the left and cleared the left rear bumper of the Tahoe by inches. The Forrester bounced as she hit bumps on the unpaved shoulder. Then she aimed the SUV away from the road going southwest. If she kept going, LaShaun knew she’d reconnect with Highway 82, the way home. But she couldn’t go there. Instead she’d take a mile-long detour to the Marchand place. Another ten agonizing minutes. Two blasts of a vehicle horn made her jump and Ellie cry out. Then her engine shut down and died. The SUV rolled about twenty feet before it stopped in the middle of a prairie with high grass. Two circles of light approached from the north, another set from the east. The Tahoe and the gray Dodge van approached like large predators stalking their next meal. LaShaun fought to control her racing thoughts. Weapons. She fumbled to get the locked glove compartment open. Then she grabbed the Smith and Wesson .38 special.

  “Sènyœr, ekoute mon priyèr,” LaShaun murmured. (Lord, hear my prayer)

  She continued in the Creole French Monmon Odette had taught her, a request for both strength and divine protection. Viscous haze streamed in through the air vents, as if the fog outside intended to fill the SUV’s interior. LaShaun’s words stirred the moisture, causing her breath to appear as the air grew cold. Ellie’s voice seemed to echo far away. The need to get Ellie out of the Forrester seized her. LaShaun shuddered as she kicked her door open. She aimed the .38, but saw only the headlights. She swung around, first left then right, desperate to find a target. Then LaShaun turned to open the back door so she could reach Ellie.

  “We’re not going to hurt your girl, Mrs. Broussard. She’s a precious treasure. We’ll protect her until she’s ready to assume her rightful place.” The female voice floated through the fog from several directions.

  LaShaun didn’t answer. Instead she raised her voice, calling on the spirits of warrior angels and saints as Monmon Odette had taught her for dire situations. Laughter rang out around her. The fog swirled in menacing patterns. Grotesque faces, twisted into fierce grimaces, closed in. LaShaun stumbled, feeling as if she’d entered another world. She couldn’t make out anything familiar. Suddenly she couldn’t find the SUV, though it should have been only inches away. Her skin felt clammy as droplets of moisture formed on her hands. A chill took hold until her teeth chattered.

  “Prayer won’t help you. Give us the child and be rewarded,” a male voice shouted, impatient, angry, unlike the female speaker.

  “Go to hell,” LaShaun shouted. Knowing they felt unsure of their chances calmed her, but only a little.

  The female laughed. “Been there and back.”

  “Screw this game. I’m taking the kid and—”

  LaShaun fired at the threat, and a sharp yelp followed. Shuffling noises in the grass to her left made LaShaun wheel sharply and fired twice more. Loud thumps near the headlights signaled at least two people had returned to the van or Tahoe. Maybe both. Sirens cut through the thick atmosphere. Her entire body felt heavy, but LaShaun forced her legs to move. Her entire body shook as her chilled damp clothes clung to her. The gray haze thickened, making her progress even slower. She got to her SUV, heaving in deep breaths. Oily air seemed to fill her lungs.

  “Mama’s here, Ellie.”

  A low keening whine, not human, answered. LaShaun clawed at the handle. When she finally got the door open, she found only an empty car seat and blood. Her screams ricocheted inside the Forrester, amplified by a dense mist that moved like a living thing.

  Chapter 11

  “You left her alone, LaShaun. Why the hell did you leave Ellie alone?” Chase paced as he talked. “You should have been at home. I can’t believe you wouldn’t just back off and let us handle the investigation.”

  “You brought me into this case,” LaShaun replied, her voice shaking.

  MJ grabbed him by one arm and put her face close to his. “Stop it. Now.”

  Chase jerked free of her grasp, but said no more. He walked away from MJ and LaShaun. MJ gazed at LaShaun. She seemed about to speak, but then changed her mind. Instead she left to talk to one of her officers.

  LaShaun sat wrapped in a blanket provided by a deputy. Still she shivered. Cold gripped her down to the bone, into her very soul. Ellie’s gone. Those words banged around in her head like a painful drumbeat. She fought to think her way through a migraine headache brought on by terror and guilt. Nausea surged and she felt light-headed.

  MJ strode around, taking charge to secure the crime scene. Two Louisiana State Police troopers and three Vermilion Parish deputies went about collecting evidence. Det. Anderson pulled up ten minutes later, a blue light flashing on his dashboard. He went to Chase and they talked for a time. Suddenly Chase pushed past him, got into his cruiser and took off. Anderson walked over to LaShaun. MJ joined them.

  “He insisted on going out to look for them,” Anderson said. He rubbed his jaw with one hand. “Let’s see if they contact y’all with a ransom demand.”

  “They’re not after money. They wanted Ellie, and because of me, they got her.” LaShaun’s throat felt raw as she forced out the words.

  “Nothing that happened is your fault,” MJ said with force. She glared a challenge at Anderson, who held up both palms.

  “I agree. If what you say is true, they’ve been waiting for the right opportunity. Short of locking you and your kid up for the duration, you did all you could,” Anderson replied evenly. “But why do they want your daughter?”

  LaShaun fought for control and lost. She sobbed softly. MJ’s hand on her shoulder offered meager comfort. After a few moments, she wiped away tears with a wad of tissues provided by an emergency medical technician. The EMT waited patiently for MJ’s permission to take LaShaun off to be examined by a doctor. Both the sheriff and MJ had insisted, overruling LaShaun’s objections.

  “We’re going to turn Vermilion Parish upside down to get her back, Mrs. Broussard.” Det. Anderson’s voice rumbled.

  When she looked up into his eyes, LaShaun was startled. She’d never paid attention before. Anderson’s eyes were dark blue. The intensity in them, along with the assurance in his tone, helped steady her.

  “Thank you. The writing left at Sherry’s house and found where Tommy Bradford was murdered led us to a cult. They think my daughter has paranormal abilities that can be used for some purpose. What we don’t know.” LaShaun swallowed against a lump of fear in her throat.

  “Who is the we you’re talking about?” Anderson glanc
ed from LaShaun to MJ, who said nothing.

  “A group of colleagues who also have paranormal gifts. We do research and monitor groups who try to use the supernatural to commit crimes or spread chaos.” LaShaun looked up at him. “I know that sounds like a bunch of bull to you.”

  “Look, if the ghost of Marie Laveau popped from behind a bush, I’d take her help right about now. What I believe doesn’t matter. If these folks think that stuff is true, we can track known members where they hang out and rattle some cages until we get answers.” Anderson glanced around as though ready to start the hunt.

  “Which is why I just emailed you notes on what we know about Juridicus so far.” MJ held up her mini-tablet computer in her hand. Then she stuck it back into her Sheriff’s Department jacket.

  “What about…” LaShaun couldn’t bear to finish. She wanted to ask questions, but the possible answers terrified her.

  “We’re pretty sure the blood in your vehicle is from Beau. He put up a fight trying to keep them from taking Ellie. The vet we called took him away. She said he’ll need surgery. Some SOB cut him up real bad.” MJ sat next to LaShaun and put an arm around her shoulder. “You go with Tim here and get checked out.”

  “I feel like I should be doing something. And I’m fine.” LaShaun’s protest sounded feeble even to her own ears.

  “No, you’re not. Make sure you haven’t been injured or even given a drug. You seemed dazed when we got here. You need to be at your best to help us find Ellie, right?” MJ squeezed LaShaun as she spoke.

  LaShaun looked into the night. Floodlights positioned by deputies formed halos of illumination in the fog. “What about Chase?”

  “I’ll talk him down. I can trace him easy with the GPS in his cruiser and reach him by radio,” MJ replied, her voice soft. “Listen, don’t pay attention to anything he said earlier. You know that was shock talking.”

  “Yeah.” LaShaun couldn’t manage to say more. Her gut told her something quite different.

  “He loves you and Ellie so hard. I know this is tearing him up inside. I’ll talk to him. He’ll feel better if he knows you’re okay. Both of you tearing around in circles won’t help us at all. Go with Tim to get examined.” MJ stood and gestured to the EMT.

  “C’mon, ma’am. This is just a precaution. Dr. Daniels is waiting for us at the ER. I’m betting you won’t be there longer than an hour or so. No visible injuries, no bruises that I can see. Your breathing is good.”

  The EMT helped LaShaun into the back of his emergency vehicle as he spoke. A female tech got her to lie down on the stretcher. Despite the circumstances, moments later, LaShaun drifted into oblivion. Her waking nightmare transitioned into a sleeping one as vile creatures clutched at her and Ellie in her dreams.

  ****

  Three hours later, LaShaun sat in a bed of the Vermilion Parish Hospital ER dressed in a hospital gown. Savannah and her cousin Azalei argued. A nurse bustled in to shush them, but they ignored the beleaguered young woman.

  “She’s coming to my house. I already checked her place, made sure the alarm was set. The security lights are working just fine. Since I have keys, I’ll make sure they have food in the house later.” Savannah squinted at Azalei.

  “Family is just what the doctored ordered right now. Tante Shirl and my mama will make sure LaShaun has everything she needs. Tante Shirl has her spare room all ready for you, LaShaun. And you know she’s got a fine house.

  Katie, one of Chase’s three sisters, pulled back the curtain separating LaShaun from other patients in the ER. She wrapped LaShaun in a tight hug. “Oh LaShaun, everything is going to be alright.”

  Adrianna, married to Chase’s older brother, appeared as well. “We drove over here like crazy soon as we heard.”

  “She’s coming home with us, the Rousselles. Especially since you folks seem to think this is all her fault. She needs loving support, not accusations. I heard what your brother said to her. I mean who the hell talks to a grieving mother like that anyway? Yeah, we all know what the Broussards think of us.” Azalei punctuated her pronouncements with a sneer.

  “Now you wait one minute—” Katie’s face went pink as she glared at Azalei.

  “No she didn’t just insult us considering her rap sheet,” Adrianna shot back. “Yeah, baby. I know all about you.” She spat a stream of Spanish that didn’t sound complimentary.

  “Come on y’all. This isn’t helping one bit. Might be better if she came home with me. No drama at my house,” Savannah said. Her response brought on protests from both sides.

  A tall nurse the color of milk chocolate stepped into the enclosure. “Hey, one person stays. Everybody else out. I’m not having this nonsense in my ER. And yes, I’m the HNIC around here tonight. Head Nurse In Charge.”

  “I didn’t start the commotion. Talk to these two.” Azalei sniffed, and pointed to Katie and Adrianna.

  “I don’t care who started it. I’m finishing it right now. Choose who you want to stay, and it better be somebody that can keep quiet,” the nurse clipped as she looked at the three quarreling women.

  At that moment Miss Rose came up. “LaShaun, we need to talk.”

  “Dang, it’s like the Superdome during a Saints game up in here,” the nurse grumbled. “Well, Mrs. Broussard, which one stays?”

  LaShaun swallowed hard and looked into Miss Rose’s smooth brown face. Tears came back at the expression of maternal understanding. She reached out and Miss Rose moved around the nurse to hug LaShaun.

  “Lache pa la patate,” Miss Rose whispered. (Don’t give up)

  “We have a winner. You three, out.” The nurse herded Azalei, Katie and Adrianna like they were troublesome sheep.

  Savannah followed but turned back to LaShaun. “Call me if you need anything. I can find out information on that lawyer.”

  “Okay.” LaShaun gave her a faint smile of gratitude that faltered and melted away quickly. Then the white cotton curtain around the ER bed closed. “Miss Rose, I put Ellie in danger. Chase was right all along. I know his mother has already said as much to him and everyone else.”

  “Where is he?” Miss Rose frowned and sat on the edge of the bed, still holding LaShaun’s hands.

  LaShaun rubbed her forehead. “Somewhere, out looking for Ellie and the people who took her. He won’t answer my calls or texts.”

  “This kinda thing puts a marriage to an awful test. If he loves you, and you love him, then you’ll lean on each other instead of claw each other to pieces. Either way, you were raised to make a way outta no way. We gonna find your baby. But don’t lose your husband along the way.” Miss Rose heaved a deep sigh.

  LaShaun shrugged the blanket from around her shoulders. She felt stiff, but otherwise fine as she stood. “That’s up to Chase, not just me. I can’t live my life apologizing for who and what I am, Miss Rose. But I have to put that aside for now.”

  “Your vows before God and man, and to the child He gave you…”

  “I take our vows seriously, but Ellie has to come first. Let’s go get my child.”

  LaShaun picked up the plastic bags that contained her clothes. Fatigue fell away as she hurriedly dressed. By the time she had on her ankle boots, Miss Rose had informed the nurse they were leaving. The woman talked to the ER doctor, but both agreed LaShaun didn’t need to stay overnight. She had no head wounds and no signs of internal injuries that indicated they should observe her for a period of time. So thirty minutes later, they were in Miss Rose’s steel gray Chevy truck on the highway. Their first stop was LaShaun’s house, so she could pack a few things, which included her laptop. Though she tried not to, LaShaun ended up standing in Ellie’s room crying for a good five minutes. She broke down again when she went to the family room and looked at Beau’s empty dog bed.

  “I lost them both.” LaShaun covered her face with both hands.

  “No, cher. You didn’t do anything wrong. Focus on the real villains.” Miss Rose stood in front of LaShaun. She shoved a box of tissues at her. “Clean up your face,
fix your mind, and let’s get to work.”

  An hour later, they were at Miss Rose’s house in her den. A fire burned bright in the fireplace. Cups of hot chocolate sat on the polished teak cocktail table. Sandwiches on a platter were untouched. Her husband’s paternal attention enfolded LaShaun like a soft cotton quilt of support. The yawing hole in her belly didn’t ease, but minute by minute, she drew strength from the older couple. Pauline and Justine arrived at close to midnight.

  Pauline, dressed in a flowing skirt and suede boots, looked like she hadn’t been roused out of bed in the middle of the night. Her deep red sweater matched the swirling pattern in the skirt perfectly. She stopped tapping the keys of Miss Rose’s laptop to speak.

  “Okay, so we can’t get to LaShaun’s SUV for a minute. Daniel could definitely pick up signs from that,” she said, referring to Daniel’s gift for getting information from objects.

  “I haven’t gotten any messages from beyond,” Pauline put in, speaking like a typical movie medium who talks to spirits.

  “The sheriff’s department will be processing my Forrester for quite some time. But that doesn’t matter.” LaShaun glanced at the three women in turn. “Remote viewers?”

  “Child, please. The TEA has a variety of gifted at our disposal. They’re working as we speak.” Justine’s eyes lit up as she looked at the screen again. “How I love WiFi and technology. We’re blessed with all kinds of resources.”

  “Except they haven’t stopped Legion from snatching children,” LaShaun hissed. She squeezed her eyes shut. “Sorry, I didn’t mean…”

  “It’s okay,” Justine replied softly, her face solemn.

  Pauline leaned forward from her place in a stuffed chair. “LaShaun, we have a group of telepaths working with our data team. They’re trying to establish a connection with the children.”

  “Yes. We managed to collect belongings from all of the children in the last few days. Don’t ask how,” Justine added quickly.