He’d been in such a hurry to get back to New Orleans he hadn’t even considered returning for his computer or primary weapon. Black’s call had him riding into town like the proverbial shining knight about to rescue the damsel in distress.
What a joke.
The so-called damsel in distress had given him the old heave-ho without so much as a by-your-leave. Not to mention his shiny armor was already starting to rust in the humidity.
Shrugging off the self-pity threatening to take hold, LD walked to the small writing desk that now occupied the space where his beloved GI Joe collection was once displayed. If he wasn’t going to sleep, and he knew he wouldn’t for some time, then he might as well do something useful. He needed some items from D.C., so he’d make a list and call Rob with it in the morning. With any luck, Rob could bring the items to New Orleans.
Grasping the drawer handle, he tugged. It didn’t budge. It was beyond his comprehension why his mother bought this old stuff that stuck when the humidity got high.
One more pull and if it didn’t open he’d go to bed.
Bracing one hand against the edge of the desk, he yanked. The drawer came free, as if it had never been jammed. Clearing the bottom edge, the drawer swung down and connected with his knee.
With a curse, he dropped the drawer and watched its contents spill across the carpet.
* * * * *
The clock hit the floor, but the blaring alarm kept repeating itself. In the predawn glow, Marie pulled the phone off the stand. “Loo,” she mumbled.
Repeating herself, she waited for a response. All she got was a dial tone. The ringing continued. Cursing, she tossed down the receiver and stumbled across the room toward her purse. “Hello.”
“Good morning, Marie. Did you sleep well?”
She was awake now and right back in the middle of reality. Black’s voice seemed to reach through the phone and grab her around the throat. “What do you want?”
“Obviously, you’re not up for chitchat this morning. That’s fine, we can get right down to business.”
“Yes, let’s get this over with.”
“Have you found my merchandise?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll be at The Court of Two Sisters today at one. Don’t be late and please bring my goods. Ask for Mr. Jenkins when you arrive.”
“But…”
“Yes.”
“Is that a good place to meet? With Mardi Gras, it’ll be crowded.”
A low chuckle crossed the airwaves. “I forget you are not accustomed to this type of work. Well, here’s a lesson for you, Marie. The best place to hide is in the middle of a crowd.”
After she hung up, Marie flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Lord, her pulse was racing like she’d just sprinted a quarter mile. Sleep was impossible now, but that was fine. Tonight, this would all be over and she’d finally be able to rest.
All she needed to do was return Black’s goods to him without any complications. And there was only one possible complication she could come up with—LD Carmouche. Last night, he’d said he was going to become her personal shadow and she knew he’d make good on his threat.
In one swift move, Marie was off the bed and running to the bathroom. She needed to dress, get to the store to pick up Black’s merchandise, and then hide from LD until after the meeting.
That shouldn’t be too hard.
“Mr. Jenkins, please.” Marie told the hostess before they snaked their way through the crowded restaurant. She glanced at the other diners and wondered how the rest of the world could be so normal when her world was so off-kilter. Didn’t these people realize what was happening at the table next to them?
“Ms. Bernard, what a pleasure it is to meet you.”
Marie looked at the extended hand of the man who’d tried to kidnap her. If he’d succeeded, would she still be alive?
“My pleasure, Mr. Jenkins.” She watched, detached from herself as she placed her hand in his and only breathed again after he released it. Then her heart lurched into her throat when he walked behind her.
“Please, have a seat.”
She took the chair he offered without taking her eyes off him. As she watched him return to his chair, she deposited the package she carried on the floor beside her.
“I took the liberty of ordering us a nice Chardonnay.” He poured her a glass. “I do hope it pleases you?”
Marie watched the golden liquid flow into her glass. “Yes. That’s fine.”
“I also ordered for us.” The statement was finished as a bowl of seafood gumbo was placed in front of her and another in front of him. “Eat. Nothing is worse than cold gumbo.”
It took a concerted effort not to toss the package at him and run. After a few sips, Marie put her spoon down. There was no way she could eat with her stomach churning. She was dining with a monster.
“The weather has been remarkably pleasant for this time of year, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes, very pleasant.”
“There seems to be a good crowd for Mardi Gras. I assume this is good for the local businesses.”
“Yes, very good for business.” Marie was screaming on the inside. If this inane conversation kept up much longer, she was sure she would start screaming on the outside. So she smiled more brightly, clinched her fist more tightly, answered asinine questions with equally asinine answers and watched as Black ate his lunch.
The dinner plates were taken away and replaced with cups of steaming black, chicory coffee. Finally, something she could stomach.
The hot liquid scalded her tongue, the roof of her mouth and her throat, but it brought her back to life.
Reaching down beside the chair, she retrieved the gift bag and placed it in front of him. “I have a present for you.”
“Why, thank you.” With great flourish, Black reached in and pulled out a gold jeweler’s box. He placed the box on the table and removed the lid. With a slight nod of the head, he closed the top then returned the item to the gift bag. “Thank you so much for bringing this to me.”
It took every ounce of restraint she had not to get up and dance around the table. Her family was safe. She could sleep again. She could eat again, all because this nightmare was almost over.
“But this is only about one-quarter of what is owed me.”
A cold draft caused Marie to shiver, or maybe it was the hard look in the man’s eyes. When she reached for the wine this time, it was cool against her suddenly dry mouth. Terror coursed through her body at the thought of what he might do if he didn’t get what he wanted. “I assure you, that’s all I found at the store.”
“I’m sure you’re telling the truth.”
“You are?” Thank God. What a relief. Maybe this would work out after all.
“Considering what’s at stake, I’m sure you wouldn’t risk making me angry.”
Images of Tammie and Timothy flashed through Marie’s mind. “No, I wouldn’t.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. That’s why you’re going to retrieve the rest of my merchandise for me.”
“I can’t.” The words came out louder and sharper than she’d meant them to. Her mind raced, trying to think where the “items” could be found. Panic hit her when she realized where they were. A couple of deep breaths brought her emotions back under control. “You have to understand, the other pieces of furniture are no longer in my possession.”
“That is your problem, Miss Bernard.”
“I can’t just waltz into people’s homes. How do you expect me to find the—“ Marie gestured toward the gift bag that sat between them. “You know, without drawing attention?”
Black dabbed the corner of his mouth with the linen napkin then folded it and placed it with meticulous care on the table. “Miss Bernard, how you perform the task I’ve given you is of no consequence to me. What is important is that you retrieve the merchandise without drawing attention to me.” Black pushed his chair back and stood. “You have one week.”
Marie watched his back disappear through the crowd while she drained her wineglass and refilled it.
One week.
Seven days.
One hundred sixty-eight hours.
She didn’t have enough time to get drunk, Marie thought as she drained the last of the wine from her glass again.
* * * * *
“I’ll meet you at the Royal Court, tomorrow at seven.”
LD leaned against the doorframe to Marie’s office and listened to the conversation. He should turn around and leave, or at least step away from the room, but at the moment he wasn’t feeling charitable. He’d spent the better part of the day attempting to track down a woman who was determined to stay one step ahead.
“No, Howard. I’m not trying to steal away your customers.”
Howard? Is this the mystery man behind the rock she was wearing in Boston? The same ring that had been missing from her finger last night. And today.
Not that he was wondering about the fiancé, but it sure would help him remember that she was taken if she’d wear the damned ring. If she were his, he’d make sure she never took the thing off. Of course, none of this mattered because he wasn’t about to marry her or anyone else. He’d decided that the summer his mother separated from his father and had taken all the kids to Gran’s house.
“See you then. Bye.”
Bye? Is that how one hung up after talking with one’s significant other?
“So, who’s Howard?”
The portable phone in Marie’s hand clattered to the desk then skidded off, landing with a thump on the floor. The look that crossed Marie’s face for one split second was that of pure terror. Then it was gone.
Did his presence frighten her or had he only startled her?
“Howard?”
“The person you were just talking to.”
“Oh, him.”
“Yes, him.” His voice was sharper and harder than he’d intended, but he’d started the day early. Now it was five in the evening and he still hadn’t eaten breakfast. He would have eaten, but instead he’d spent his time changing a flat tire. He was still trying to figure out how she’d known he’d have a flat. By the time he’d reached Marie’s house, she was already gone and his day had gone steadily downhill since. Now, to top off a not-so-perfect day, he was listening to her make a date with another man.
For nine hours straight, he’d tracked her across the city from one location to another, always one step behind. The closest he’d come to catching her was at The Court of Two Sisters restaurant. He’d missed her and the man she’d been with by five measly minutes. This was extremely irritating for a man trained to track and follow people without being detected. To top it all off, she was now looking at him like he had four eyes. “Well?”
“Howard.” Marie laughed a short brittle sound. “He’s just a friend.”
“Who you just happen to be going out on a date with?”
“Yes, what does it matter to you?”
LD rubbed the back of his neck. Maybe Marie’s fiancé didn’t care if she saw someone else. They might have one of those open relationships that seemed to be the in thing these days. He couldn’t picture her in an open relationship, but what did he know? “Not that it matters to me who you’re seeing, but I wouldn’t think your fiancé would like it.”
“Who?”
“Your fiancé.”
Now she was looking at him as if he had eight eyes. “You think I’m engaged?”
“Yes.”
“What ever gave you such an idea?”
“The ring you were wearing in Boston. It was huge, flashy and very noticeable. I just thought…I mean I assumed… You’re not engaged?”
“No.”
The news, that she wasn’t engaged, hit him like a solid punch to the gut. LD took a deep breath then exhaled slowly. Moving to a vacant chair, he sat. Instead of thinking about why he needed to sit down, he mulled over this new information. Her reaction in Boston made more sense, but the distance she was keeping from him now didn’t. “It was a rational assumption considering the ring you were wearing.”
Marie laughed. Not a little snicker, but a full-bellied, slap-your-knee laugh that did nothing for his ego. “Oh, this is good. Mr. Super Detective didn’t know I wasn’t engaged.”
“It’s not funny.”
Marie wiped the tears from her eyes. It was obvious from LD’s stance and temper he’d come into the room wound tighter than she was. Now, after learning she wasn’t engaged, he appeared to implode. It was time to change the conversation. “How has your day gone?”
LD leaned forward, bracing his elbows on knees. “How do you think?” The words were harsh and loaded with sarcasm.
“I don’t know? Why don’t you tell me.”
“Okay, but first you tell me how you knew I was going to have a flat?”
Marie shrugged. “I can’t explain it. I just knew.”
“Like you knew Black wasn’t dead.”
Marie retrieved the phone from the floor, then placed it in its base. Shuffling papers on her desk, she collected her thoughts. She needed to get LD off her back and out of town. Better yet, out of the country. “I’ve been wrong before.”
LD’s gaze locked with hers and she fought the temptation to look away. “I don’t think you’re often wrong.”
“Well, this time I am wrong. Okay. So why don’t you just pack your bags and go back to Boston. Go back to where you came from.”
“Funny, you weren’t wrong about the nail in my tire. Came out of the house this morning and needed to change the right front tire. The same tire you warned me about last night. Any idea how that happened?”
Marie ground her teeth together as she attempted to control her temper. “Are you accusing me of damaging your tire?”
“Maybe I am.”
“How dare you. I’ve done nothing…”
“Nothing but avoid me all day. Always one step ahead. Why Marie? Why are you running from me? What are you hiding from me?”
“I’m not hiding anything from you.”
“Now you’re lying.”
“That’s it.” Marie stood shoving her chair back. The chair hit the credenza behind her with enough force to rattle the Russian tea set displayed on top. “Out! And don’t come back.”
LD stood, shut the office door and walked back toward her slowly, deliberately closing the space between them. His face was unreadable, but anger radiated from every pore in his body. When he was close enough, he cupped her cheek with his palm and gently stroked his thumb over her lips. She shivered, despite her attempt not to. “Tell me what you are involved in, Marie. We can fix it. I can fix it. Please. Before it’s too late.”
Marie fought the urge to fall under his spell. The temptation was so overwhelming her knees faltered and she was glad the credenza was supporting her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Even to her, the words sounded weak and unconvincing.
LD’s hand dropped to his side as he took a step back. For several seconds she sensed his hurt, betrayal and loss. It was like standing in the middle of a tornado, emotions slammed into her from all sides. Then there was nothing. LD closed off his feelings, leaving her in a cold barren wasteland. Marie bit the inside of her bottom lip to keep it from trembling.
LD opened his mouth then closed it before turning and walking out the door. Stumbling to the desk chair, she dropped into it. Never before had she felt another’s pain as if it were her own. Tears blurred her vision as she remembered the hurt LD felt. Anguish she’d inflicted.
But those feelings, as bad as they were, were better than the nothingness she’d felt before he walked out. Whatever had started between them, she’d just killed. He’d offered his help, his trust, and she’d thrown them both back in his face, along with any chance at a future with him—the man of her dreams.
It wouldn’t work, she told herself. He was a cop. And during the last forty-eight hours, she’d become a criminal.
Chapter Six
Diamond
Retrieval: Day 1
“I don’t like this. I don’t like this at all.”
Black looked up at the man standing beside the table. “Good morning. Have a seat. After you’ve been served, we’ll talk.”
“I don’t think this is smart,” the man complained as he pulled out a chair.
“Are you questioning my judgment?”
Despite the coolness of the brisk February morning, a bead of sweat rolled down the side of the man’s face. “No.”
“Good.” Once the beignets and café au lait were delivered, Black continued. “I wanted to let you know everything is under control.”
“How can you say that? LD is back in town. He appeared last night, like an apparition, during the Governor’s pre-campaign fundraiser.”
“I know.”
“You do?”
“I dangled the carrot and he came.”
“You’re the reason he changed his plans?”
“Yes.”
“Are you insane? This has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Black carefully placed his coffee cup back on the table before leaning forward. “I brought him to town because it’s better to have him playing our game, than us playing his.”
“I hadn’t thought about that.”
Of course not. “Don’t worry, I’m here.”
“Okay. Now, what do you need me to do?”
The man across from him sat up like a puppy eager to please its master. It disgusted him. “Nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll contact you if I need anything.” And I hope you hold your breath waiting. “I’ve given Miss Bernard one week to recover the merchandise.”
“Do you believe she can locate all the items so quickly?”
“I’m confident she can. She’s the dependable type.”
“But what if she decides to go to the police or worse—LD?”
“I’ve given her reason not to. Don’t concern yourself.” Black folded his napkin and placed it on the table, then inspected his black trousers for powdered sugar spots. Standing, he brushed a nonexistent fleck away. “I’ll contact you within the week.”
Bayou Treasure Page 6