"You mean? Like, I've heard people wrestle alligators?" Gina was apprehensive. "I don't want to even get close to that. Goodness, wrestling alligators is definitely not on my list of fun things to do!"
Didi laughed. "Honey, you don't get a chance to wrestle alligators. You don't even get to see one unless you've got the patience of Job or a broken leg, or your dog's gotten loose."
Flora laughed at the look on Gina's face at the implication of an alligator eating someone's dog.
"You said it, Didi, so you're going to have to explain it. I'm not."
"I just meant, alligators don't come out of hiding unless:" She counted things off on her fingers. "One, it's night. Two, they're really starved. Or three, unless the odds are at least ninety percent in their favor. They like your dogs and other pets because they're easy to get. And don't look so distressed, that's just the way they're made. They even eat their own young."
"Eeuw," Elle made a face. "I knew all that, and it still hurts to hear it."
Hannah's librarian genes surfaced. "I hear those big tails of theirs are their most lethal weapons, even worse than those awful teeth."
"That's right. Surprise is a weapon too. If they can sneak up on something drinking at the edge of the water, they can move quickly and grab it. If the alligator is beg enough they'll attack a dog or even a person. If the prey is walking through the water or swimming in the shallows, they can hit it with that tail, grab it with those teeth, drag it down and drown it. Then they can eat it at their leisure."
"So," Gina pressed. "If someone told you he wrestles alligators, he's just bragging. Right?"
Didi smiled, "Let's just say he's probably more of an actor than a fighter."
The next hour was taken up looking out the windows and taking brief looks at different sites. The alligator farm at the edge of the swamp was the last stop on their tour.
"We're here in time to see the feeding," the driver announced, looking at his watch. "If you want to get out and see the show, we'll wait and see the feeding before we head back."
As people started getting up, he added, "Oh, and if they ask if you want to view the feeding from that little bridge you can see from here. Don't."
Everyone got out, being careful of their footing and Hannah looked up at the little bridge over part of the shallow water. All of them looked with fascination at the alligators they could see beneath the middle of the bridge in the deeper water. There were a few small ones and some frighteningly big ones.
"No way you'd get me up there," Hannah whispered to Gina.
As they looked around for a place to watch, a few people did go up to look at the feeding from the little bridge. An attendant circled around and went up to the middle of the bridge which was the highest part over the water. He had a basket and held pieces of chicken and fish in the air for the alligators to jump up and get. A couple of children on the bridge laughed when they got splashed.
A clown dressed up like a woman in a loud dress and a red wig sidled up quietly to the group on the bridge. Just when people realized she was there, she threw up her gloved hands and dropped what looked like a baby into the water. The whole crowd gasped in horror.
To the rescue came a swarthy man in a boxer shorts bathing suit with stripes as loud as the lady clown's dress. Everyone watched as he strode through the scaled monsters to grab the doll, swung a baseball bat at the largest of the gators and quickly waded out holding the baby doll complete with a diaper in Mardi Gras colors.
The crowd applauded and the hero took a bow. Gina stared, lips parted as she watched.
"I wonder if they give an award for this?" Gina laughed when the man took several bows, enjoying the cheers and applause. She lowered her voice and Hannah leaned closer to listen. "And I do believe that's my admirer in that wild bathing suit."
"Oh, it is. It sure is. He didn't see us though, and the driver's waving to us. Let's go, quick before he does see us."
In the tour bus it didn't take long to get settled and make room for two more people the driver said would be riding back with them.
"There's always plenty of room," Didi explained. "So if Jean sees someone he knows or that just needs a ride, he takes them along."
Flora nodded. "Good for Jean."
"Is it far back to your house?" Gina asked as they left the alligator farm behind them and were looking out the bus windows.
"No, not far."
The driver didn't tell them anything about what they were passing on the way back. Hannah noticed the little bus had no speaking system so he could not have been heard anyway. She enjoyed just looking as Didi and Flora explained or told them about some of the larger landmarks and some of the worst destruction they saw on their way.
"We're coming into my parish now," Didi said. She put her hand on the driver's shoulder. "Jean, don't forget to stop and pick my friends up after the next tour."
"I remember," he promised without looking around. He smiled and nodded again later as they got off the bus.
All of them looked around, trying not to stare at the widespread devastation, Flora fighting back tears.
"It's only a couple of blocks," Didi said to the others.
"Yes, I remember." Flora took her hand, looking at some of the storm damage as they walked in the street.
Finally, they stood in front of what was left of the Martine house. Flora recognized it. But there was only about two-thirds of it left and part of it sat at a crazy angle. There was a garage big enough for four cars with a car sitting inside. But the roof had fallen in on it and made it impossible to get the car out. A beam went through the roof and rested in the back seat, the trunk was sprung and gaping.
"We're saving a lot on gas." Didi broke the spell of grim silence and Gina laughed. Flora simply hugged her.
"Come on in if your insurance is paid up. Not that it seems to matter anymore." Didi led the way.
Inside, the place looked surprisingly normal except for some things stacked and stored on the wide stairway.
"We can't go up there anymore." Didi explained.
"But, all those lovely antiques?" Flora's eyes begged her to explain.
"Some are gone, some of the smaller pieces. Some of the large ones we've sold. We have some still upstairs which are there and were not hurt. We're leaving them there right now. It's just that we can't trust the construction, so we live downstairs only for now. Most of our favorite things that have been in the family so long are stored and some are still up there and are all right, thank goodness."
She gestured then, "Come in the kitchen and we'll get comfortable."
The kitchen was large and beautiful. Most of the appliances were functioning and there was a new cappuccino machine with fresh coffee made. They sat around the large mahogany table admiring the tile and the way the rest of the house must have looked before being sat on and squashed by Katrina.
"Well, at least I know you have the essentials and you will make it all right until you have to make arrangements to leave."
Didi nodded. "Sometimes you just have to remind yourself you're fortunate to be alive and be thankful for what you do still have."
Flora's eyes went to a picture on the bulletin board near the door. "Is that a picture of the dog you told me about?"
Didi looked up at the picture. "Yes, that's Jake The elderly woman who owned him, her name was Mrs. Jacobs and her children came and took her to Tennessee where they live. That was just before the storms came, fortunately. It was all very rushed. Evidently she couldn't take the dog with her and we didn't know what his name was, so we just called him Jake and he stayed here. He was a dear."
"Was?"
"Yes, he disappeared as a lot of other animals and pets did, and we've not been able to find him. But he may come back, who knows?"
Flora nodded, knowing that they may have drowned and alligators must have eaten a lot of them.
"I know what you're thinking," Didi said. "You never know. Did you say you're going to the parade tomorrow? Celebrate Fat Tuesday?
"
All of them nodded, looking pleasant again.
"Well, look for Jake, will you? That's the only picture I have or I'd send it with you."
"Is there someone trying to round up the homeless animals?" Flora asked.
"Yes. The Louisiana SPCA, but if you see him, just call me on my cell and I'll come get him or hunt him up if he won't come to you. I think he would, though. Especially if you call him Jake."
"We will." Flora changed the subject. "Did you make these beignets?"
"Yes, with a little help. They sell boxes of the mix and it's just really a matter of getting the temperature right."
"You're still planning on moving to Tennessee?" Flora dusted more sugar on her beignets.
"Yes. We'll be near my aunt and some of our cousins. And I like the place we have picked out. As it happens, everything will come together at the same time about our place here, including disposing of the antiques, the ones we want to dispose of. The people handling our antiques, what's covered by insurance, and some other things you asked about, they will all be taken care of about the same time. So it's all working out all right for us."
"So you'll be living in Tennessee when this is all wrapped up." She looked at Didi, "Do you think you will ever come back? Or is it too soon to decide?"
"No, I don't think so. My mama always used to say we are all prisoners of our own times, and she's right. By the time everything that needs to be done is done here, my family and I will be too old for another big move."
Didi nodded. "We will live out our days in Tennessee with our family there and memories of our home here."
There were sudden tears in Didi's eyes and Flora went to put her arms around her. "I love you, here or Tennessee, or Asia Minor."
Flora glanced up at the clock which didn't quite cover a crack just above it.
Didi looked too. "I guess we'd better go out and watch for the bus. Jean wouldn't forget us on purpose but sometimes there are so many, I wonder if Jean knows who all is in the bus." She laughed as they got up. "If he sees us waiting, he can't forget us."
"Thank you for having us, Didi," Hannah said. "I'm glad you're getting along well with your plans."
"Thank you," Didi smiled. "It's really not so bad. You're welcome to stay over if you like, but we'd better get out and flag down your ride if you want to get back to your hotel."
"Yes, let's not miss our colorful ride," Elle got up smiling too. "I enjoyed just riding in it as much as the tour." She went to Didi to give her a hug. "Thank you, we've really enjoyed our visit. We'll be thinking about you, enjoy your new home in Tennessee."
As they went out they could see the tour bus turning into the street. It was moving rather slowly, either looking for them or maybe fully loaded as Didi said.
"Keep safe, and let me know if there's anything I can do. And send me your new Tennessee address." Flora hugged Didi. "And we'll keep an eye out for Jake, too."
"If you see a black dog that looks like him just clap your hands and yell, "Jake" and he'll probably come right to you." Didi waved from the porch as they walked away. "Be sure to call me on my cell if you see him."
Flora, Elle, Gina and Hannah stood on the curb as the bus stopped but the driver got up and stood in the door shaking his head. "Ladies, I got some people in the neighborhood. I go and let them off, then I circle back and pick you up, non?"
Flora spoke for all of them. "Yes, fine. We'll be right here." She stepped back then said over her shoulder, "I'll go tell Didi what's going on."
Elle followed and Hannah started to follow but turned. Someone was standing beside Gina. It was one of the people Jean let off the bus. She was close enough to hear their conversation.
"Hey! You! You live around here?"
Gina gasped at the actor-alligator wrestler-would-be suitor. When he stepped forward she stepped back, too surprised to speak.
"You wary? Don't be afraid, I take care of you," he flashed his good teeth in a wide grin. "You going on this tour bus today? You been there already? You see me at the alligator farm?"
"Y-yes," Gina found her tongue. "We got a ride to come visit a friend of ours here in this parish. We stopped off and he, Jean, is going to take us back to the vieux carre." She paused, "You live around here?"
As she spoke, Gina glanced back toward Didi's house and was glad to see Hannah had stopped several feet away.
"No, I just cut through here. Walk to where I go, from here where Jean let me off. Can't go farther without paying," he grinned.
He edged a little closer, looking hopeful. "I know where you stay. The motel on Bourbon. Maybe we go out tonight and see the parade tomorrow? You and me?"
He cast a questioning look at Hannah who still stood looking back at them. Hannah frowned when she recognized him.
"Oh! No, no. I'm sorry." Gina fished for excuses to keep from hurting his feelings or worse, some sort of unpleasant confrontation. She eyed a tattoo on his wrist, her lips feeling dry. "I'm not even sure we're going to the parade!"
"I know the quarter, the best places to watch on St. Charles, too. My name Jack," his grin broadened. "You be safe with me."
Hannah stepped forward and called to Gina, her expression concerned. She stopped again, still watching the man.
Jack saw her stop and his face lost it's grin. He glared at Hannah. The angry man was only a few inches taller than Gina but stout and tough looking, and he looked so angry Gina simply stared. Hannah realized she was holding her breath.
Then without another word, Jack turned and walked quickly away, down to the street beyond the one the tour bus had taken. He walked across yards, patios too, not looking back.
Something flapped at his side as he stomped angrily away. Gina stood frozen, standing there staring after him.
"Goodness!" Hannah came to Gina's side, looking after him.
"I'm glad he got mad if that's what it took to take him away from here. You look a little shaken up. Did he threaten you? Are you all right?"
"Yes, I just didn't want to hurt his feelings or worse, make him mad." She shook her head. "Maybe things are a lot more casual here, especially at Mardi Gras time."
"But he's still a stranger, and a pushy one, too. He's only about an eyelash away from being a stalker the way he shows up everywhere." Hannah started walking, taking Gina with her, her hand on Gina's arm.
Flora met them at Didi's door.
Gina told her about the man who had followed them. "Then when I looked back he'd just disappeared," she added, looking at Didi.
Didi nodded. "Yes. I saw him. He probably just cut through a yard, Most of us sort of travel as the crow flies with the streets and transportation the way it is now. Or should I say, lack of transportation."
"What was that he had hanging on his belt, Didi? Did you see it? It looked like it might be part of a Mardi Gras costume or something. Or, you know, for his so-called alligator wrestling?"
"No," Didi laughed. "Nothing that interesting. That was probably for his day job as they say in show business. It's a sugar cane knife." She made chopping gestures with her hand. "To harvest the canes."
"Oh, I see. Well it looked dangerous to me."
"I'm sure it would be, if used as a weapon." She looked at Gina with sympathy. "I know it's scary, being stalked by a perfect stranger. But," she shook her head. "I don't think it's anything to worry about. You probably won't see him again." Her smile at Gina was reassuring. "There's probably a two to one ratio of women to men who are looking for a date on Fat Tuesday. He must be particular and is looking for a pretty one like Gina." She smiled at Gina. "He has good taste."
The others laughed and started talking again about the week long party and its famous and infamous incidents they had heard about.
Didi entertained them with more things that hadn't made the papers or were so exaggerated when they did, it was hard to recognize them. They enjoyed sitting on what was left of the side porch until the tour bus came back for them.
This time, Hannah realized the red spots o
n the bus had little black legs and round dot eyes. "Why, they're chiggers, that's it, they must be chiggers! Or at least somebody's idea of chiggers." She chortled, "Wait till I tell Tim about this!"
Chapter 17
At the coroner's office in Maryvale, Clint looked with sorrow at the pretty young face beneath him as he carefully picked the slivers out of the shaved area on the top of her head. Another young life cut short and it was up to him and Cas Larkin now to figure out how and why as well.
He worked in silence until he saw Mavis standing in the door looking apologetic. Mavis was a junior in high school and worked for him part time. He'd not have known she was there if he hadn't looked up.
"What is it, Mavis?" He kept working, in spite of Mavis looking uncomfortable about it. She shifted her weight and took a breath, then obviously wished she hadn't. She put her hand over her nose and mouth.
Clint laughed. "Mavis just tell me what you need to, whatever it is, and you can get the heck out of here."
"Yes, sir. I didn't want to interrupt you, but I did offer to," she hastily added.
Clint stopped, waiting for an explanation.
"Sheriff Larkin called, but he said not to bother you, that he'd call you later, or you could call him. I just thought you ought to know."
"Yes. You were right about that. Thank you, Mavis."
Mavis left and Clint went on cleaning out the bruised place on the young drowning victim before he returned Cas's call.
Back in the office he looked up at the clock and waved at Mavis who was leaving for the day. The phone rang as he picked it up to dial.
"Yeah? Nag, nag, nag!" He grinned into the phone.
"How did you know it was me?" Cas Larkin asked in surprise.
"Just guessed. Mavis told me you called. It took nerve for her to tell me, since I was working at the time. I'll tell you, Cas, I'm going to have to find her a course to take in when to interrupt and when to just fill out one of the call forms. How complicated can that be?"
The Mardi Gras Murder Page 10