Port City (An Alec Winters Series Book 3)

by Chariss K. Walker

  Vivien had rented the little cottage that sat directly behind a much larger and more ornate home when she first arrived in New Orleans. It was a peaceful setting, but now, she didn’t feel very calm. Someone had once again come after her. She was frightened, even though she didn’t like to admit it. Even to herself.

  According to the previous two assailants, the church was intent on punishing her. She was only doing her job. Problem was, she did it too good. It was the bane of her existence. Dig, dig, dig. She couldn’t help herself. And she couldn’t stop until she found answers.

  Now, she considered why she had let the information about DeLaurent’s lodge slide. Why had she left that alone? Why hadn’t she driven back out to see if anything was amiss? It wasn’t like her.

  Nervously glancing out the window each time she passed it, she saw Bright striding up the walkway as soon as Deters dropped him off. Before he even knocked, she quickly opened the front door.

  “Did you learn anything from the injured man?” she anxiously asked.

  “The most I got out of the bastard is that someone very important and involved with the local abbey wants you dead. They – he or she – I can’t say for sure, blame you for Father Maddox’s death in a roundabout way, and most certainly, for exposing him as a pedophile.”

  “What?” she croaked, stunned by the answer. Her voice was shaky. “Bright, he was killed before I reported anything about him. In fact, his death led to my investigation of his past. I don’t understand why I’d be blamed for his gruesome murder.”

  “Vivien, you know that revenge doesn’t always make sense when examined. It only has to make sense to the one seeking it. There is usually very little logic involved. I suspect the person is a psychopath. Many high-powered individuals are, you know.”

  Weakened by the news, she staggered slightly. Bright found her once again in his arms. The physical contact jolted Vivien. She didn’t know if it was the warmth or security, but she suddenly found herself crying.

  It was the first time she’d allowed herself to feel the enormity of everything since the attack in the alley. She was truly frightened. In spite of the bravado she’d managed to display as she went about her work duties, the anxiety came crashing down on her.

  Uncomfortable with tears, at first, Bright didn’t say anything at all. He simply held her in his arms and patted her back as if she was a frightened child. After a while, he muttered, “It’ll be all right. I swear it will. We won’t let them get you. I won’t let them hurt you.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dissolve in a puddle of tears,” she apologized after she’d regained a bit of composure. However, she didn’t move away. She couldn’t. She couldn’t face the fear alone right then.

  “Vivien, no one would blame you if you packed it in and went back to Birmingham. Your life has been threatened twice now in a very short while. These are powerful people. It’s only natural to want the security of home and family right now.”

  “Is that what you think?” she asked in surprise, moving away to look at him more closely.

  “All I’m saying is that no one would blame you.”

  “Well, I don’t want to go to Birmingham!” she stormed as she angrily pushed away from him. He was treating her as a child and she didn’t like it one bit. She was a professional. “This little cottage has become home. New Orleans has become home. District 8 is home and family. I won’t run away like a scared puppy. However, I will do what I do best. I will dig deeper into Father Maddox’s life and find out everything I can about the man as well as the priest. I will discover why someone here is so very interested in his good name! I’ll find a connection. I swear I will. Don’t you dare worry about me!”

  “Alrighty then!” Bright chuckled. Surprised, but pleased to see her fighting spirit revived. “There’s the spunk I so admire.”

  The comment relieved Vivien even though she knew she had overreacted. She truly wanted his respect. She watched as his worry lines turned upside down. His face took on the handsomeness that she’d noticed several times before. Vivien realized that she liked his face. She wished she could see him smile more often. She almost reached out to give a gentle, affectionate pat, but didn’t.

  “I know I’m a little fragile right now, but all I really need to do is to get to work investigating that aspect of Maddox’s life,” she explained. “I’ll spend every minute on it when we’re not working a new case.”

  “If you need any help, just let me know.”

  “I will, Bright. And, thank you for the encouragement and understanding. I’ll try not to collapse on you again,” she responded.

  “No worries. You can fall into my arms anytime, day or night,” he replied and chuckled heartily as he moved to the door. He walked outside, but turned back again to add, “Just saying.”

  Vivien smiled in response. She didn’t take offense to his remark. It had felt too good to be in his arms. She wondered briefly if that was because she hadn’t been intimate with anyone since her arrival in New Orleans.

  It was a long time to abstain from the very physical act that invigorated and renewed everyone’s spirit. Her celibacy wasn’t from a lack of offers; she simply hadn’t been interested in any of the volunteers. That was on her. Consensual sex was healthy; Vivien knew that. She’d been so busy trying to make a life for herself that she had ignored her own natural desires.

  Then, another thought hit her…maybe it was him…maybe Bright stirred these long forgotten feelings. Maybe he was responsible for these cravings.

  Chapter 12

  Sabrina had spent a great deal of time with Alec and Cassidy at the Carrollton Avenue home. She planned to stay until Alec went to Mobile to service his regular clients. While she had morning coffee with Alec and his mother Cassidy gently mentioned, “Catalina wants to come home.”

  “When did she decide?” Alec asked.

  “She made the decision today, but she’s been thinking about it for a while. After she discovered that Sabrina will move in with us, and now that you’re permanently at home, she wants to be here too.”

  “Of course!” Sabrina softly exclaimed. “Now, that Alec is back, she’ll want to be near him. Believe me, I understand. We’re all drawn to him, like bees to honey.”

  “Yes, but Catalina has a special connection to him. She always feels safer whenever he is around.”

  “It’s because he rescued her. I understand that too, especially after he saved me from DeLaurent and his men.”

  “I’m right here, ladies,” Alec commented. Both women grinned at him.

  “You seem worried about Catalina moving home, Cassidy. Why?” Sabrina asked, turning towards her while she patted Alec’s hand.

  “She’s worried that she won’t be able to tell Vivien Simon ‘no’ when she once again asks to visit with Cat,” Alec advised.

  “What if she drops by again and sees Cat living here? I can’t turn Vivien away after everything she’s done for us, for Sabrina, even for you, Alec. She could’ve easily sent the police out to the lodge while you and Sabrina were there. I can’t even think of that possible outcome if she had. You might be in jail again. However, even with everything Vivien has done, I must protect my daughter. Oh, there is so much to consider!” Cassidy moaned.

  “I don’t think that Vivien is a threat to Cat, Mom. She’s simply amazed by the angel pictures that Cat sketches. She doesn’t want to interrogate her. She only wants to bond with someone having personal experience with their mutual protector,” Alec began before his mother interrupted.

  “But, what if it leads to you, Alec? What if Vivien figures out that you’re that angel? She works for the police now!” Cassidy expressed her real fears.

  “Let it work itself out, Mom. That’s the advice you give others. Take your own council. Allow Sabrina to help you. She’d love to take part in this family transition.” He glanced at Sabrina as she nodded and smiled agreement. “Everything is just the way it’s supposed to be, remember?”

  “Yes, I remembe
r. Stop quoting me,” Cassidy said, but her tone was unconvincing.

  “Look, you’ve always told us and your students that everything is perfect, right Sabrina? Doesn’t she always say that?”

  “It’s true, Cassidy.” Sabrina agreed.

  “Over time, I’ve learned that you were right. It’s either perfect or perfectly fucked, but it’s still perfect.”

  A longer than normal silence followed before Cassidy and Sabrina burst into laughter at his concise, descriptive comment. He chuckled with them. Laughter was a great stress reliever. He knew his mother would be fine now that she’d found a bit of humor in the situation. Soon, Cassidy continued the conversation with less strain all around.

  “I guess I understand it, Alec. The two of you have a very special bond and connection. I explained to Cat that you travel for your job, but she thinks she’ll be fine while you’re away. She’s ready to make the move right now, but I have to prepare a room for her upstairs. She won’t return to her old bedroom. She can’t live in the sunroom either as she did before. Especially, since it’s used for my classes now. Students come and go all day long three times a week. It simply wouldn’t work. Perhaps, she can use the sunroom for her artwork, but even that will have to be scheduled around my classes. She’ll need a real bedroom. I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?”

  “Sure, Mom, perhaps the bedroom on the west side with all the windows would be a good choice for Cat. It has plenty of light for sketching. It won’t stimulate any of her earlier memories.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that room,” Sabrina said. “Can we look at it now?”

  “I have to get going,” Alec said. “Duty calls. You two have fun. I’ll be home later.”

  Chapter 13

  After Alec excused himself, the women went upstairs. At the landing, they turned to the right. Catalina’s old bedroom sat over the sunroom below. Next, they turned left and continued to a door near the end of the hall.

  The room was large, but had limited wall space. The west side wall was filled with floor-to-ceiling windows. The east side held the entry door with built-in bookcases on either side. The north side supported double, closets. A small orange, tufted leather sofa of unusual quality sat in the middle of the south wall. Two end tables with lamps were on either side.

  “It’s a great room, Cassidy, and filled with possibilities. I think Cat will love it. If we remove the sofa, the south end of the room would hold my guest bedroom suite,” Sabrina offered. “It’s a lovely white oak bed with massive square posts and matching nightstands. I never bought the dresser because the guestroom was unused. However, a dresser wouldn’t be necessary if we add shelving to the double closets. You know, for any foldable clothing items. She’ll also need her art supplies and a place to sketch. I like it. What do you think?”

  “I think that Catalina will appreciate something new and different. Thank you, Sabrina. You’ve helped me to see how it will work.”

  “This beautiful sofa could be added to your sitting room, Cassidy. Perhaps a change would be beneficial for you as well…move Buck’s old recliner out…move the sofa in,” Sabrina suggested.

  “I had forgotten about this sofa. It belonged to Grandmother Saguache. Jazibella had very defined taste. She would rather have quality over quantity any day of the week. And yes, a change would be great for me too. You are very perceptive, Sabrina.”

  “The orange color will add pleasure to your room, Cassidy.”

  “Yes, it will. Orange is the color for the sacral chakra and it inspires that emotion. I’m pleased that you remember our lessons from so long ago.”

  “After the condo is listed and I’ve sorted its contents, I’ll arrange delivery of the bedroom furniture. While the muscle is here to unload it, they can reposition the sofa as well.”

  After more discussion about the room, the two women returned to the breakfast room and chatted some more. While having another coffee, Cassidy admitted, “This is going to be easier than I had thought. Alec said it would.”

  “He has unusually clear insight,” Sabrina added. “Colloquial and colorful, too.” She giggled. Finished with the coffee, she prepared to leave by gathering her purse.

  Cassidy worriedly asked, “You’re going to stay here with me even when Alec is in Mobile, aren’t you?”

  “I’d very much like to do that, but as I explained to your son last evening, I have so many little things to attend to at the condo. I have to sort and pack what I want to move here and either sell or donate the rest. It’s a time consuming, tedious list, but it must be done. I’m the only one who can do it. It will be easier to accomplish if I’m on site. Don’t worry, Cassidy, I’ll postpone all of that until Alec leaves for Mobile. By the time he returns, I’ll be moved in here.”

  “We have storage space here, dear. There’s room in the attic for anything you’d like to keep. I hate to see you get rid of your entire life, Sabrina.”

  “I’m not doing that Cassidy. I am moving on to a new life with Alec. I’m joining your family permanently. Many of the items I own are no longer necessary. It feels good to let them go to someone who might need them.”

  “I understand dear. Sometimes, we simply have to let the past go while looking forward to the future.”

  Chapter 14

  The next morning, Vivien was up very early to begin a most thorough investigation of Timothy Lawrence Maddox. The precinct, slow for the time being, allowed her to use the lull well. By late afternoon, she’d learned a great deal.

  Maddox was reared at an orphanage in Chicago. The files were sealed, but she did have the name of the Mother Superior in charge of him. Once known as Sister Mary Catherine, Mother Superior Francis agreed to talk with Vivien by telephone.

  “Timothy Julius Maddox was born in 1965,” Mother Superior began. “Unlike the other infants turned over to the church, he wasn’t eligible for adoption. The birth mother, Rita Maddox, was willing, but she refused to name the father. That prohibited the proper execution of necessary forms. Rather than finding a good home for the baby boy, he spent his entire life groomed for priesthood.” Mother Superior remembered Timothy very well and softly added, “As a small child, he was the darling of the abbey.”

  “He would’ve been adopted had his mother named the father?” Vivien asked, repeating her understanding of what was said.

  “Only if the father had also signed the necessary forms. You see, to name him meant that he had responsibility for the child. For some reason, the mother didn’t want to do that. Whether misplaced loyalty or retaliation, I couldn’t say.”

  “Do you think the father would’ve signed the adoption papers?’ Vivien asked next.

  “I have no way of knowing that. I’m sorry, Miss Simon, I never knew the father’s name. The most I can tell you is that the boy came from a very powerful family. We received large contributions to ensure his proper education, as well as, his privacy. I was never privy to that information. I only know that whoever made those charitable donations wanted to remain anonymous,” the Mother Superior acknowledged.

  “Did Maddox have any visitors during his time with you?”

  “Yes, he had visitors, but those meetings were also kept very secret, almost clandestine. I only arranged the meeting place, but again, the details were not shared with me. Although I had great responsibility regarding Timothy, and more than the other Sisters, it is the same here as in the secular world – women are too sympathetic and susceptible to be entrusted with the matters of men.”

  “Yes, that’s the general consensus found to be true everywhere. I didn’t know nuns experienced it as well.”

  “Now you do. I will say that I got the impression that the young man visiting was related in some way…perhaps a half-brother or cousin and very near the same age as our Timothy,” Sister Francis added softly as if speaking to herself.

  “Thank you, Mother Superior. You have been very helpful,” Vivien said, preparing to end the call.

  “It was a shame that he ended
up in such compromising circumstances, but I wasn’t surprised to learn of it. Timothy’s life was orchestrated by someone else…someone who had more power than sense,” the nun expressed her ire over the situation.

  “You feel strongly about that.”

  “Yes, I do. He should’ve never been ordained as a priest. Although, he was intelligent and well educated, he wasn’t emotionally or physically sound enough for the position. That became evident in his teen years when there were several incidents reported that required severe punishment. I have to admit that the discipline didn’t help. It was his nature. Timothy didn’t have the capacity to love and serve others in Christ-spirit. Often, he was consumed by his own desires and greed. Nonetheless, he was ordained, and at that point, he became the church’s responsibility and problem. I had little contact with him once he entered the priesthood. Still, I’ve attempted to stay apprised of any decisions regarding him. He was transferred more than once and it worried me, but that is all I can say. I’ve already said more than I intended.”

  “Thank you, again, Mother Superior.”

  After the call ended, Vivien tapped a pen against the notepad where she’d been scribbling for several minutes. Thoughts quickly streamed through her mind and began to form a picture.

  Father Maddox had a relative that visited him on more than one occasion. Probably, someone who felt guilty that he had the good life, while Maddox was a ward of the church. Powerful and wealthy – Capable of arranging secret meetings – Able to persuade the church to accept Maddox as a candidate for priesthood – Connected to the abbey. And that someone wanted her dead.

  After everything she had learned about the church, she wasn’t surprised that priesthood could be purchased. You could buy anything with enough money. The next piece of the puzzle – A blood relative. The last thought propelled her into action.

  “Hi Davis,” she greeted warmly when arriving at the Coroner’s office.

  “Vivien!” he exclaimed. “You’re up and about early. I’m surprised to see you after what happened last evening. I thought you might take a few days off.”