Mississippi Blues

by D'Ann Lindun

  “Helping to send Jace straight back to Angola.” Summer’s voice rose. She took a breath when Lilah and Glory looked her way. “Trey has always believed my brother killed Soloman. He came back here to prove it.”

  “That might’ve been true before, Summer, but it isn’t now. I trust Trey to help.” Lindy bit her lip. How to convince Summer, Trey was on the up and up?

  “If you truly love my brother, then go to him and tell him to run before it’s too late,” Summer insisted. “Trey betrayed him before, he’ll do it again. If Trey knows where Jace is, he’ll be arrested and returned to prison before the sun goes down.”

  Lindy bit back an angry reply. It wouldn’t do Jace any good for her to fight with Summer. Trey probably wouldn’t appreciate her interference either. Still she said, “There’s one more thing. I love your brother with my whole heart. And my brother loves you the same way. If you feel half of what I feel for Jace, then you’ll try to give Trey another chance. Jace has.”

  “What would you like me do to your hair?” Summer avoided her gaze.

  “Dye it a couple shades darker than yours.” Lindy thought of how Jace had said he liked her blonde. She probably had just messed up things worse between Summer and Trey, but at least she’d tried to help.

  As Summer applied the pre-color to Lindy’s hair, she asked, “When is your mother’s funeral? And where?”

  “Wednesday at St. Francis Chapel,” Lindy answered. “It would mean a lot to Trey if you could come.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Summer was unwilling to make a commitment. Her mind was on what Lindy had just told her. It had taken a lot of guts for her to come here and voice her opinion. But she couldn’t be right. Trey wouldn’t just throw away five years of conviction and help Jace now. Would he?

  About an hour later, Summer guided Lindy back to the main area, ignoring Lilah and Glory’s stares, and held up a medium blonde dye. “How’s this one?”

  “A little lighter, please.” Lindy touched one end of her damp hair. “My real color is pretty light. Not quite as pale as yours, but light. Mother always loved my hair.”

  “Okay, how about Butterblonde?” Summer suggested. “It’ll flatter your complexion.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Acting as if she were concentrating on the job at hand, Summer didn’t talk for a while. Glory and Lilah were busy with their own clients, not paying her any attention. Finally she said, “You had the most beautiful hair when you were a little girl.”

  “I always wanted yours.” Lindy looked into her lap.

  Summer chuckled. “We looked like sisters.”

  “We were close enough,” Lindy said.

  Her good feelings disappeared and Summer snapped her lips together.

  About the same time, both the other two clients left.

  “We’re going to get a sandwich at the Dairy Queen,” Lilah said, “do you want us to pick up something for you?”

  “A turkey on wheat, no mayo for both of us,” Summer said, “and thanks.”

  “We’ll be back in a bit,” Glory said as they went through the door.

  After a minute, Lindy asked, “How’s your mama? Is she any better?”

  “Some, not much.” Summer sighed. “She still won’t go outside. I keep hoping, but no luck yet.”

  “She will sometime.” Lindy met Summer’s eyes in the mirror. “Does she know about Mother?”

  “No,” Summer admitted. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to tell her. You never know how she’ll react to things.”

  “What about Jace? Will you let her know he’s okay?”

  “Of course,” Summer said. “That’ll make her happy.”

  “And me? What about that? What will your mama think of the way Jace and I feel about each other?” Lindy’s soft brown eyes followed her in the mirror. Hope filled them.

  Summer smiled a little. “I think my mama knows how you feel. I think she’s known her whole life.”

  Lindy laughed, a twinkly sound. “Yes, I believe you’re right.”

  “Can I ask you something?” Summer asked. “How did you know loving Jace was the right thing to do? Surely the Chief wouldn’t be too pleased. He might turn his back on you if he finds out.”

  “I don’t care. Jace is the most important thing.” Lindy’s voice and gaze never wavered.

  “Does he love you, too?”

  Lindy looked to her lap. “He hasn’t said so. It doesn’t matter. I love him enough for both of us.”

  “You’re willing to give up your entire family for a man who isn’t sure he loves you in return?” By turns, amazement and shame filled Summer. Amazement that this girl-child was willing to walk away from everything she’d ever known for love. Shame that she didn’t have the same conviction.

  “He’s the one.”

  Not sure what to say about that, Summer said, “Time to wash this out.”

  Surprisingly, she was enjoying Lindy’s company. She’d always been fond of the younger girl. After she rinsed the extra color out and steered Lindy back to her seat, Summer turned her away from the mirror. Retrieving her scissors from the drawer, she expertly cut Lindy’s hair. Then she dried it. Summer spun her around toward the mirror. “Ready?”

  Lindy didn’t speak as she faced her reflection. Her eyes widened and she lifted a hand to touch her pale blonde hair. Tears filled her eyes and she blinked furiously. “It’s awesome.”

  “I think so, too.” Summer lifted her hair and dropped it a few times. The horrible black had been replaced by a sunny blonde, the dead ends gone, a shoulder-length blunt cut now in place that showed off her angled jaw and big eyes to their best advantage.

  “Thank you, Summer. Thanks so much.” Lindy stood up and hugged her. “Don’t forget what I said.”

  Summer nodded. “Take care of my brother and give him my love.” She escorted Lindy to the door and watched her drive away.

  In a heartbeat, Glory and Lilah were through the door. Glory was all over Summer. “What was that all about? When did the princess come home? Where’s Jace? Did he kidnap her?”

  “I don’t know,” Summer evaded. “But she’s been with Jace, and no, he didn’t make her go. He’s safe for now.”

  “Where were they?” Glory dug sandwiches out of a sack.

  For some reason, Summer didn’t want to answer. She took the sandwich and turned away. “I don’t know. She didn’t say, only that he’s safely hidden. Another thing she wanted me to know was that Trey has had a change of heart. He no longer thinks Jace killed Soloman.”

  “What?” Glory’s mouth fell open. “Why not? And who does he suspect?”

  Summer sat at her station and unwrapped her meal. She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  “I wonder if Jace gave him a lead?” Lilah took her meal to her workstation and sat. “Maybe Jace knew something that Trey’s checking on while Jace stays out of sight.”

  Glory placed her uneaten sandwich on the desk. “Like what? If Jace knew something, wouldn’t he have said so a long time ago?”

  “No one was listening back then,” Summer said. “Now they are.”

  • • •

  After two straight hours, Jody came out of the interrogation room.

  Trey met him at the door. “Did she say anything more?” He held his breath. Maybe Carlene confessed and exonerated Jace.

  “Nothing. She swears she didn’t kill Soloman, but she’s got no alibi.”

  “Do you still think she did it?” Trey asked.

  “Yeah,” Jody said with a deep sigh. “I do. The DA will charge her in the morning, after he sees all the evidence.”

  Trey moved toward the door. “I need to find the Chief and talk to him. He needs to hear this and start things in motion to exonerate Jace. Summer needs to know, too.”

 
“Don’t forget to tell Jace,” Jody called. “And Lindy.”

  Trey waved, but didn’t slow down. The person he had to talk to first was Summer.

  • • •

  Summer swept the floor, singing along with the radio. Lilah had gone to help her Aunt Etta prepare for Emily’s funeral. Glory had left early, saying she didn’t feel well. Nearly six, the day had passed in a blur since Lindy had been there. All afternoon, Summer had played their conversation over in her head.

  Still marveling that such a young girl knew her own mind so well, Summer wished she were as strong. If she admitted how she felt about Trey, that she’d loved him always, her mama might never speak to her again. Although, apparently Jace would. Searching deep in her heart Summer knew she’d forgiven Trey a long time ago for the part he played in sending Jace to prison. He hadn’t committed the crime. He had been honor-bound to tell the jury what he’d seen.

  What she still had a hard time with was that he was so sure Jace had killed Soloman. There had never been a moment’s doubt, and that’s what hurt. Why had Trey had so little faith in his friend? When Jace cried out that he was innocent, why hadn’t Trey at least listened? Maybe, just maybe, if he had Jace would’ve had a plausible explanation. No one had slowed down long enough to find out if he had really only touched Soloman to find out if he were breathing or not.

  The bell over the front door chimed and Summer looked up, startled.

  Trey walked through and their eyes met, but neither spoke for a long moment.

  “Hi,” he said.

  “Hi.” She gripped the broom with both hands. “If you’re here to tell me Jace is all right, I already know. Lindy came by earlier and let me know.” Summer swiped at a spot on the floor with the broom. “So you can go.”

  He grabbed the broom handle. “Don’t you want to know the rest?”

  Their eyes met and held. “I can’t think of much more I’d want to know. Unless you’re here to tell me you’ve already informed the Chief where Jace is and he’s been arrested.” She tugged on the broom, but he held fast.

  “Will you let go of this and listen for a minute?” He pried the broom from her and leaned it in the corner. Motioning to her chair he said, “Sit down.”

  Seeing he wasn’t going to leave until she did as he asked, she obeyed. “What is it?”

  “I have so much to say to you. I don’t even know where to begin.” He took a deep breath. “Jace didn’t kill Soloman.”

  She stared at him without reacting for a moment. Then she doubled up her fist and slugged him in the belly. He didn’t flinch. “What do you expect me to do, Trey? Fall down weeping because the great Trey Bouché proclaims my brother’s innocence? You’re a little too late.”

  “I’m telling you I was wrong. It was confirmed today, but I’ve known it for a while now. The problem is there was no way to prove he didn’t do it until now.” His dark eyes bored into hers.

  “What happened now?” she asked warily.

  “Jody found the person who killed Soloman.” He didn’t pad the words or try to sugarcoat them.

  “Who?” Summer couldn’t breathe. Her chest felt too tight to draw a breath. “Why?”

  “The picture you found? It was taken at Mugs-n-Jugs. My mother and yours and also Buford and Leroy went there the night we graduated. My mother found out the Chief was having an affair with Carlene Carter. Mother was furious and she went to blow off some steam. Soloman was there, too. He hooked up with your mother and raped her. But she wasn’t his first victim.”

  “What do you mean?” She wished she would’ve sat when he told her to.

  “He did the exact thing to Carlene a few nights previously.” Trey took her hands. “She went back and killed him when the Chief didn’t listen to her.”

  As the implications of his words sank in, Summer began to cry. “Oh, God.”

  “I know.” Trey took her in his arms and kissed her hair. “I’m so sorry.”

  She pulled back and looked into his face. “Are you sorry for what you did to Jace, too?”

  “I did what I thought was right at the time.”

  “That’s not an answer,” she accused.

  “It’s not the answer you want,” he corrected. “Yes, I regret what happened. I’m sorry Jace lost five years of his life, but I can’t tell you I was wrong for testifying that I saw him standing over Soloman’s body with bloody hands.”

  Summer looked down. Not exactly what she’d been hoping for, but somehow, it was enough. “I’ve been wrong, too.”

  He lifted her chin. “For what?”

  “For wanting you to lie for Jace.” Years of anger evaporated with her words. Summer felt like she’d just wiped the slate clean. “That was wrong.”

  “He’s your brother. You had no choice but to stand up for him.” His gravelly voice raised goose bumps on her arms.

  “Yes, but you are … ” She couldn’t continue.

  “What am I, Summer? Say it.” His hands went to her arms; he lifted her to her feet and his mouth moved within a hairbreadth from hers. “Just tell me.”

  Lindy’s courage flashed in Summer’s head. “You’re the man I’ve always wanted,” she blurted. “Forever, it seems.”

  “That’s good,” he breathed across her lips, “because you’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted, too.” They both smiled at the way his words came out.

  His mouth slanted across hers and she lost all thoughts.

  Leading him into the supply closet, she reached around him to lock the door. “We’ve wasted so much time,” she whispered as he bent to claim her mouth again.

  “No more.” His kiss was hot and sweet and demanding.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Emily’s funeral was scheduled for ten A.M.

  Late at night, the Chief had come in and locked himself in his bedroom. Trey had tried to talk to him, to get him to discuss the developments with Carlene and Jace, but the Chief had not responded. Etta had left food for him at his door, but he hadn’t touched it. Because he told them to go away and leave him alone, they knew he was alive.

  There hadn’t been any promises made between Trey and Summer, but the future looked good.

  Lindy joined him in the kitchen. “Hi.”

  “How are you?” He searched her face for grief. Like him, Lindy missed their mother but knew she wasn’t suffering now. “Your hair looks nice.”

  She touched a strand of her blonde hair. “Thanks. Yeah, I’m okay.” She poured a cup of coffee and sat across from him.

  “Does Jace know how lucky he is to have you?” Trey asked.

  She grinned. “He’d better.”

  “It won’t be easy to have a life with him,” Trey warned. No matter how grown up she had become, Lindy was still his little sister and he felt compelled to try and help her.

  “Do you think I don’t know that? If you think getting around MiLann is going to be a piece of chocolate cake then you’re living in dreamland,” Lindy said.

  “I know.” He sipped his coffee trying to think of a way to phrase his next bit of news. Finally, he bit the bullet. “I have some things to tell you.”

  “Like?” She frowned at him.

  “Jody caught Soloman’s killer.” He leaned back and smiled. “And it looks like we have a sister. Someone close to you.”

  For the next hour, he filled her in on all that had happened.

  A big smile broke across her face. She leaped up and danced around on her toes. “This means Jace can go free?”

  He nodded. “There’ll be a lot of red tape, but yeah, he should be exonerated.”

  “What does the Chief have to say about all this?” Lindy slowed for a moment. “Has he admitted he made a mistake in arresting Jace?”

  “He doesn’t know. He won’t come out of his room. We’ll talk
to him after the service.” Trey got up and hugged her. “But see, miracles do happen.”

  • • •

  Summer stood toward the rear of the church as Preacher Finn eulogized Emily Devereaux Bouché. He spoke of her childhood in Louisiana, her marriage to Samuel Bouché, and the two children she loved so well, Trey and Lindy. Summer wiped away tears as the preacher talked about Emily’s love of her family. Summer knew he spoke the truth. Emily had once been like a second mother to her.

  Her gaze strayed to the flower-draped coffin. The casket was closed, for which Summer was grateful. Florists in three counties must’ve sold out for this service. Blooms of every description stood like sentinels at the front of the church. A cool breeze on her arm made her shiver. She rubbed her arms as her gaze went to the Chief, Lindy, and Trey seated together, heads bowed. There were no other family members, but Etta sat with them. Summer’s heart ached for Trey. He looked so forlorn. Behind the Chief, Juliet’s police force and many other city officials took two pews. Several policemen from other surrounding towns were also in attendance. They filled the rows on the other side of the aisle.

  Jody stood almost directly behind Trey. Ida Barnes, the Chief’s longtime secretary, at his back. Summer glanced around. She recognized nearly everyone. Lilah had come with her and they were seated together. But when Summer had asked Glory if she planned to attend she’d said no, someone had to keep the shop running. Oddly, Buford Krebbs must’ve had the same train of thought because his wife, Viola, stood without him two rows up from Summer, sandwiched between her friends.

  As the service concluded, the family followed the casket out of the church. The Chief marched like a tin soldier, no apparent emotions on his face, his movements jerky. Etta trailed behind him, wiping her nose with a lace handkerchief. Lindy and Trey walked out next, holding hands. Lindy’s eyes were bloodshot and her face puffy, but she looked like a lady, her newly blonde hair secured in a sedate twist, her dark gray dress, although figure hugging, was age appropriate.

  But it was Trey who took Summer’s breath. His features were strained, but he seemed composed. Wearing a dark suit with a dress shirt and tie, he was handsome enough to make her knees weak. As he drew near, he must’ve felt her gaze upon him because he glanced up and their eyes met for a second. A tiny smile played at the corner of his mouth for just an instant, then it was gone. She nodded at him. It was enough that he knew she was here for him. Summer closed her eyes and said a quick prayer for the family.