“Yeah, but now the police want to talk to me again,” Nonie said. “Maybe they think I had something to do with Anna Mae’s death. How else would I have known to go into the backyard and find that lump of concrete? I can’t exactly tell them y’all told me.”
“No,” Guy said. “But you already gave them a plausible explanation. It’ll hold water. No worries, Nonie my little bologna.”
“Why do you think she was buried like that?” Helen asked. “You know, upside down?”
“I have no idea,” Nonie said. “I can only guess that whoever meant to bury her didn’t want to bother digging a six-foot-long hole. So they tried making it round and deep, hoping that would work. From the looks of it, they dropped her in the hole, discovered it wasn’t deep enough, then folded up her legs and feet and covered them over with concrete. They or he probably thought no one would notice.”
“What a dumb ass,” Guy said.
“What’s got me is the ring they found,” Nonie said. “I know I’ve seen it somewhere, I just can’t remember where.”
“Sure you can remember,” Guy said. “I’ve seen that ring, too. Think back. The mayor’s funeral. Who was wearing a ring like that? I don’t know their names, but there were two guys wearing rings identical to the one found in the dirt where they buried Anna Mae.”
Nonie gasped. “Clarence and Stefren Fontenot! The mayor’s sons. You’re right. They were both wearing L.S.U. class rings.”
Guy nodded. “You got it.”
“Oh, my God,” Nonie said. “You think one of them killed Anna Mae?”
“It sort of makes sense, don’t you think? Their mom was made to look like a laughingstock at her own husband’s funeral. They could have done it for family honor. Sure, I can see them doing it. Getting rid of the woman who’d soon be prancing all around town like she owned the world. Their mother wouldn’t have been able to deal with that, and they were mama’s boys that’s for sure.”
“We’ve got to let the sheriff know,” Nonie said. “At least it’ll help him know where to start searching for Anna Mae’s killer.”
“Just know that the more you get involved, dear, the more difficult things will be for you,” Helen said. “They’re going to want to know how you know. Seems a little convenient. You find the ring and just happen to remember that the Fontenot boys wore the same type of ring.”
“It might be convenient,” Nonie said, “but it’s the truth. I saw those boys and their rings at the funeral. That’s not going to implicate me in any kind of way.”
“I would stay out of it if I were you,” Guy said. “Let them do their investigation, and things will unfold on their own. You’ve done enough. With Tiana’s help you found the ring. You should leave it at that.”
“Not only that,” Helen said, scooting to the edge of the backseat so she was closer to Nonie. “If word gets out that you were the one who pointed them out to the police, one brother might go down for the murder, but the other one might come after you.”
“Oh, I seriously doubt that,” Nonie said. “Anyway, for all we know, both of them could be involved in the murder.”
“We won’t know for sure until the police check it out,” Guy said.
“Yeah, but they might not know to check the Fontenot boys out first unless somebody says something. There are a lot of people in Louisiana who wear L.S.U. class rings. How’ll they know where to start looking unless I give them a clue?”
“But how many people from Clay Point have that kind of ring?” Helen said. “It shouldn’t take them long to figure it out.”
“There were a lot of people at the funeral,” Nonie said. “Most of Clay Point and quite a few from out of town.”
“The sheriff’s not stupid,” Guy said. “I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon enough.”
Nonie swiped a hand over her face. “No, I’ve got to tell them what I know. For Anna Mae’s sake as well as Tiana’s. She’s been hanging around for so long, waiting for some kind of restitution to be paid for her loved ones.”
“Yeah, but this one doesn’t belong to her,” Guy said. “It might help make things right enough for her to want to go to the light, but it’s not worth you getting into trouble over.”
Nonie shook her head. “It just wouldn’t be right. Tiana owned that clue. She’s the one who saw it and made me go look for it. I owe it to her.”
Guy leaned over to Nonie until he was nearly nose to nose with her. “I’m telling you to stay out of it. You’ve done enough already.”
Nonie tsked. “You know it would be the right thing for me to do, Guy Philip.” She suddenly picked up an odd vibration from Guy that made her chuckle. “You just don’t want me to be around Nate Lopez anymore than I have to. That’s it, isn’t it?”
Guy chuffed. “Like I’ve got a problem with that dude.”
“You’ve always had a problem with Nate because he asks me out on dates. You don’t like him.”
“Here we go again,” Helen said to Guy. “You’re sticking your nose in that girl’s business, telling her who she can and can’t date? What’s wrong with you, son?”
Guy sat back, then shrugged. “Go ahead and tell them,” he said to Nonie. “You’re going to do what you want to anyway. Don’t listen to me. I’m just a guy that’s been hanging around you since high school. What do I know? Just don’t come crying to me if things turn upside down on you, Nonie Marie.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
When Nonie went back into the backyard, thankful that the rain had stopped, she was surprised to see the coroner doing a quick exam of Anna Mae’s body. She’d been so busy talking with Guy and Helen that she hadn’t even seen him arrive. He gave a proclamation of death, then the paramedics loaded her onto a stretcher, keeping the blanket Nate had covered her with draped over her body.
Nonie walked over to Fezzo, leaned close to him and whispered, “I think I know who that ring belongs to. You know, the ring they found earlier in the dirt.”
Fezzo looked at her in surprise. “You gonna tell ’em?”
“I have to.”
“But—”
“Nonie? Mr. Broussard?” Sheriff Buchanan interrupted. He walked over to them with Nate in tow. “I hate to inconvenience the two of you, but would you mind coming down to the station and giving a statement on what you found and saw here?”
“No problem,” Fezzo said. “We’ll be there.”
“Sure,” Nonie said when Buchanan looked over at her. “Uh . . . Nate, do you mind if I speak with you for a moment?” If she was going to let the cat out of the back about the ring, she wanted to test it out on someone more approachable than the sheriff.
“Sure,” Nate said, and followed her as she walked away from the sheriff and Fezzo.
When they reached the privacy fence, Nate asked, “What’s up?”
“That ring that the sheriff found in the dirt. I saw two of them just like it at the funeral home the other day. Clarence and Stefren Fontenot, the mayor’s sons, were wearing identical rings. I have a feeling if you talk to both of them, you’ll find that one of them has a missing ring.”
Nate arched a brow. “Are you sure the rings were exactly the same?”
“Positive.”
Nate studied her for a moment, then said, “Thanks for the tip. Gives us something to work with right away. Narrows the playing field. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.”
After a long, awkward pause, Nate finally said, “By the way, you know Festival International is a couple of weekends from now in Lafayette. Different music from musicians around the world will be playing there.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard it advertised on TV. Sounds like it’ll be a cool event.”
“Would you like to go with me?” Nate said, a hopeful look in his eyes.
Guy suddenly appeared right beside Nonie, causing her to start.
“Are you okay?” Nate asked.
“Uh . . . yeah, “Nonie said. “Thought I saw a bee buzzing around, that’s all.”
“Oh.” Nate looked about. “If there was one, it’s gone now.”
“Good,” Nonie said, playing along. “I’m allergic to bees.” She didn’t know why she added that last caveat because it had been a bold-faced lie.
“Anyway,” Nate said. “Would you like to go?”
Nonie turned to Nate, purposely taking Guy out of her line of sight. “I’d love to.”
Nate’s grin spread from ear to ear. “Great. I’ll give you a call as the date gets closer, and we can talk in more detail. You know, what time I’ll pick you up. Stuff like that.”
“Sounds great.”
They stood in awkward silence again, and Nonie could feel Guy seething behind her.
“Well,” she said, “I guess Fezzo and I will go on down to the station and give our statements.”
“Sure thing,” Nate said. “Good to get that out of the way.” He gave her a little nod, then walked back to Buchanan and Fezzo.
Nonie turned toward the fence so no one could see her and faced Guy, who was sulking now. He suddenly blipped out of sight, and Nonie felt a twinge of guilt. She could have been less blatant about accepting Nate’s date offer in front of Guy.
As she mulled over her predicament with her dead boyfriend, Sheriff Buchanan walked up to her and said. “Nate tells me y’all are coming to the station now. I’ll head that way myself. I’ve got a couple of detectives from Lafayette on their way over to Clay Point now. They’ll be taking your statements.”
Nonie swallowed hard. Detectives? No one had mentioned giving statements to any detectives. She’d figured they would be talking to Nate or Buchanan. Now she’d have to start from the beginning and retell her story to two strangers. The news thrilled her about as much as a dentist telling her she needed a root canal.
“If y’all will follow me out, I’d appreciate it,” Buchanan continued. “I’m going to have Nate wrap the house and yard with police tape to keep everyone out for now.”
Nonie and Fezzo followed Buchanan out of the side gate and left Nate to his duties. When Fezzo and Nonie were locked away in the Acura, Nonie noticed that Helen and Guy had decided to hitch a ride, as well. They both sat in the backseat. Helen smiling. Guy frowning with his arms crossed over his chest.
“How did you know about dat ring?” Fezzo asked Nonie as she backed out of the driveway.
“Someone told me.”
“Dat someone was Guy?”
“No. Someone else.” Nonie said. She filled Fezzo in on the story about discovering Tiana at the plantation and that Tiana was the one who had chased the men out of the house with a skillet. She also told him that Tiana had led her to the ring.
Fezzo chuckled. “You bes’ be glad it was just dem men she chased out dat house. Most of de time I suspect dem ghosts take to you because you can see them, but if you not careful, you can wind up being chased out just like dem men in you crew.”
“I’m careful, Uncle Fezzo.”
“Why her you think? How come dis Tiana ghost was the one who told you? Guy didn’t see it?”
“I don’t think he did. But Tiana had a reason to keep a close eye on things.” Nonie told Fezzo about how Tiana and her family had been murdered over a hundred years ago and that all Tiana ever wanted was revenge for their deaths. To her, snitching out the murderer for Anna Mae was just as good as snitching out her own.
After hearing her story, Fezzo nodded. “I can understand dat. If dat was me, I’d be looking to tear up some hide if somebody hurt my family. Tiana’s problem, poor thing, is dat probably all dem men dat hurt her and her family are dead by now.”
“That’s what I told her. But at least she feels a part of having justice served with Anna Mae, and that was good enough for her.”
Fezzo nodded, then glanced over at Nonie. “You a good girl, you know dat? Helping even dead people like dat. You like you grandma. You got a big heart. ” He smiled. “Just protect that big heart. Protect my Nonie because you family loves you very much, and I don’t want nothing to happen to you.”
“I love you, too, Uncle Fezzo.”
Just then Nonie’s phone rang. She dug it out of her back pocket and answered it. It was Jack Nagan.
“How goes it?” Nonie asked him. “I’m driving so we’ve got to make this fast.”
“Can we all meet at your house later?” Jack asked. “Like around six or so. If you can get hold of Buggy and let her know I’d appreciate it. I’ll give Tatman and Shaundelle a call. I’ve got the evidence ready from the two locations we investigated.”
“Anything good?” Nonie asked.
“Really good. I’ve already met with the producers so I’ll be showing up with checks in hand.”
Nonie grinned. “Six will be great. I’m sure it won’t be a problem with Buggy either.”
“Great. See you later.”
Nonie hung up the phone and slipped it back into her pocket.
“Must be good news de way you smiling like dat,” Fezzo said.
“Really good,” Nonie said. “Looks like we got a hit on the two houses we did. That was one of the investigators who was with us that night. He went over all the equipment we used and found some good evidence.”
“Mah, I’m glad you got a hit,” Fezzo said. “Just make sure, mon petite, if you keep doing dat ghost hunting that you don’t wind up getting hit by dem ghosts.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
That night, before Jack and the rest of the Boo Krewe showed up at her apartment, Nonie had made sure to stop off at Roy’s Grocery and load up on beer and snacks. She was putting potato chips in a serving platter along with dip when she heard someone whisper loudly, “Boo!”
Nonie whirled about, chips flying across the floor. Guy was standing across from her with a mischievous grin on his face.
“How many times have I told you not to do that, Guy Philip!” Nonie said, bending down to pick up the scattered chips from the floor. “I’ve got people coming over. What are you doing here? Why don’t you go play with Helen?”
“We have been playing,” Guy whined. “I wanted to spend some time with you before Jack Sprat and the gang showed up.”
“His name’s not Jack Sprat and you know it,” Nonie said. “And what’s got you so cheerful all of a sudden. The last time I saw you, you were pouting in the backseat of my Acura.”
“Yeah, well I got over that,” Guy said with a twinkle in his eye.
Nonie tossed some chips into the trash and dusted her hands together. “Why isn’t that comforting to me?”
“Paranoid?”
“Yep. With good reason.”
“Why are you being so pissy?”
“I told you. I’m expecting the crew, and I don’t want you all up in my face when they get here.” Nonie heard a clinking sound behind her, and she turned on her heels and saw Helen placing drinking glasses side by side on the kitchen counter. She still wore her pink housedress and slippers.
“What are you doing here, Ms. Helen?”
“Oh, this is the big meeting, isn’t it? Don’t you find out tonight whether we’re going to be on television or not?”
“Yes, supposedly so.”
“Well, there you have it. No way was I going to miss hearing the news.”
“I can’t have the two of you hanging out here while the meeting is going on,” Nonie said.
“It’s too distracting for me. It’s hard for me to pay attention to the living while the dead are blabbering in my ear.”
“Oh, my dear, I promise I won’t say a word,” Helen assured her. She clasped her hands together. “You won’t hear a peep out of me. All I want to do is find out if I’ll be on television. Well, my house anyway. I’m really hoping it happens. That might convince my son to leave the house as it is.”
“I understand your predicament, Helen, but I can’t help what your son does. Yes, we should find out tonight whether your home will be on television or not, but you have to remember if it’s going to be on TV you’ll need to be over there so the film crew can pick up more evide
nce. It won’t do any good if you’re following Guy around and the crew isn’t able to collect anything paranormal from your house.”
“Oh, I’ll be there, not to worry. And, Guy, maybe you can come to my house, too. Since you can move things around, we can give them a really good show,” Helen said, her eyes bright.
“No, no, none of that,” Nonie said. “We don’t need anything over the top. Just you, Helen, and Captain will do perfectly fine. Guy will wind up causing more trouble than anyone’s prepared for.”
“That’s not fair,” Guy said. “I wouldn’t cause any trouble.”
“Right, and the tooth fairy collects dust bunnies,” Nonie said.
“Huh? The tooth fairy doesn’t collect dust.”
“My point exactly,” Nonie said. “She doesn’t collect dust and you can’t not cause trouble.”
“But I want to help her,” Guy insisted. “Helen helped us at Clara’s, and she taught me to blip. I need to return the favor.”
“What do you mean she taught you to blip? What the heck is that?”
“You know, blip. In one place one minute, somewhere else in the next. I don’t have to worry about walking or hitching a ride anywhere. Now all I have to do is blip myself to wherever I want to go.”
“Great,” Nonie said, shaking her head. “That’s so comforting. But no on going to Helen’s and making things move. I can’t afford the chance that things will get screwed up.”
“I won’t screw anything up!” Guy insisted.
Nonie batted a hand at him. “Whatever. I don’t even know why I’m wasting my breath with you. You’re going to do whatever you want to anyway. Just don’t cause such a big hoorah that you’ll cause one of the investigators to stroke out.”
“Well, if they’re investigating for ghosts they should be ready for anything, right?” Guy asked. “Why should I have to tone anything down? If I move a piece of furniture around or toss a picture off the wall, they should love it. It’s more evidence.”
Just then, Nonie heard the front door open. She’d forgotten to lock it. Someone called out, “Anybody home?” It was Buggy.
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