Mellow Yellow, Dead Red

by Sylvia Rochester

  Susan made several passes through downtown Hammond without spotting Edward’s car. She was about to give up searching when she spied him pulling out of a bank’s parking lot. Had Achille contacted him? Had Edward withdrawn money to pay him? If so, where would they meet? They would want some place private, and her best guess would be an obscure motel room.

  She kept a two-car distance behind him, even though he wasn’t familiar with her rental. She didn’t want to take the chance that he’d recognize her. Near the city limits, Edward slowed and turned into the Sunset Motel. To say it was an undesirable-looking establishment was to give the place a compliment.

  Keeping her promise to Wesley, she had no intention of getting involved. She parked on the street where she could have a good view. Didn’t Edward know that once he paid money, Achille would be back for more? The only way to end this would be to let Wesley arrest the guy, and hopefully the court would send him away forever.

  Wesley needed to get here now. She picked up her cell phone and punched in his name. There was no answer. Then her heart all but jumped up in her chest as she recognized Wesley’s unit, the Crown Victoria. After a closer look, she noticed two men at either end of the motel. “My gosh, he’s here,” she mumbled.

  Wesley was about to give up waiting for Cormier to come out when another car pulled into the parking lot. He couldn’t believe his eyes when Edward climbed out holding a briefcase. Cormier must have called him, since he wasn’t getting anywhere with Kara. Like an animal being stalked, Edward slunk forward, his eyes wide and scanning the room numbers.

  Wesley motioned for Reggie to stay put. Before Edward could reach a door, Wesley grabbed him. “Move,” he said in a low growl and hustled him around the side of the motel. “Stay here. We’ve got this.”

  “How did you—”

  “Later. No time now.” As Wesley hurried back to his position, a door opened, and Cormier exited his room. One glance at Wesley, and Cormier made a dash for his car and managed to get in before Wesley could reach him. Cormier spun the car around backwards but not before Wesley grabbed hold of the side mirror. “Stop, police,” Wesley shouted, his shoes scraping across the concrete.

  Tires squealed as Cormier accelerated forward. Wesley lost his grip and hit the pavement. Scrambling to his feet, he drew his gun, but Reggie was way ahead of him. One shot blew out the front tire, and the car careened into a light pole.

  Wesley jumped him in a flash. Yanking open the door, he grabbed Cormier by the collar and jerked him from behind the wheel. “Game over,” he said, pinning him to the concrete.

  “I didn’t do nothing,” Cormier shouted as Wesley cuffed him.

  “So why’d you run?”

  “That bitch turned me in, didn’t she?”

  Reggie came to Wesley’s aid and helped lift Cormier to his feet.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wesley said. “It seems this is just your unlucky day. We don’t get many strangers in Palmetto. When we do, I always run their plates. Imagine my surprise when I found you were wanted on a murder charge. You would have had a better chance hiding in a big city.” He manhandled Cormier toward the Crown Victoria, opened the back door, and secured his prisoner.

  With Cormier locked in the backseat, Wesley motioned Reggie away from the vehicle.

  “Who was that other guy?” Reggie asked, pointing toward Edward’s location.

  “Edward, Kara’s husband. I’ll make sure he stays out of sight until we leave. That way, Cormier might buy my explanation.” Wesley raised his voice loud enough that Cormier could hear. “Good shot, Reg. Keep an eye on our boy. I gotta make a call before we head back.”

  Wesley held the phone to his ear as if talking to someone and walked around the side of the motel.

  “I saw what happened,” Edward said.

  “Yeah, and you almost blew it for us.” Wesley eyed the briefcase. “Money?”

  Edward nodded. “He said he’d kill Kara.”

  “Well, he’s not going to get that chance. I want you to stay out of sight until we’re gone. Let Cormier wonder whether you ever showed up or not.”

  “How’d you find out about him?” Edward asked.

  “It’s a long story. If Kara hadn’t come to Susan and told her everything—”

  “She told Susan?”

  “Best thing that ever happened, especially now that he’s in custody. The three of you should be a lot closer from now on. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about Cormier. He’s going away for a long time, and I’ll do what I can to make sure he doesn’t involve you or Kara.”

  Edward wiped the perspiration from his brow. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Just stay out of sight until we leave.”

  “I will, but can you hurry? I don’t know how much longer I can stand that dumpster.”

  Wesley walked back to his unit and slid behind the wheel. He took a quick glance at his prisoner. “The deputies on the bayou will be glad to hear you’re in custody. Say, Reg, would you mind calling the wrecker to impound Cormier’s car? I can’t wait to get this one processed.”

  Wesley and Reggie returned to headquarters, booked Cormier on Resisting Arrest, and placed a hold on him for the murder warrant. Only then did Wesley call Susan and give her the good news.

  “I can’t believe Edward was going to meet him. I hate to think what might have happened if you hadn’t been there.”

  “Edward was only thinking of Kara. He was willing to do anything to protect his wife, and she was willing to do the same for him. If you ever doubted their love for each other, you can put that to rest.”

  “You’re absolutely right. I can’t wait to call them.”

  “You might want to give Edward time to get home and tell Kara the news. We’re still on for tonight, right?”

  “Yes. Now I have two things to tell you.”

  After notifying Lafourche Parish of the arrest, Wesley and Reggie borrowed an interrogation room and discussed the Hasting’s case. Wesley also told him about Susan’s accident.

  “You think the killer is the same guy that ran Susan off the road?”

  “Could be. He definitely wouldn’t want her to place him near the scene of the murder.”

  Reggie pushed the copies of the evidence photos away from him and stretched back in his chair. “I don’t think I’ve seen anything that gruesome in all my years on the force.”

  “Yeah, it’s bad.” Wesley thought about his past case involving Lorraine Thigpen. It was just as bad. “Even small towns have their demons.”

  “Where do we go from here?” Reggie asked.

  “We keep looking.” Wesley closed the file. “I don’t plan to let up on this case, but I also have a cold case I’ve been working for several years. Recently, additional evidence turned up, and I have a feeling there’s more out there. It wasn’t too far from where we found Nina’s remains. Would you be willing to work with me on that case? It’d have to be on our off time.”

  “Sure.”

  “Then there’s something you should know, and I’ll understand if you want to change your mind. It’s about Susan. She has this thing where she sees things.” He paused and studied Reggie’s face. It told him nothing. I must remember never to play poker with this guy. “Guess there’s no other way to say it—she’s psychic.” He waited for Reggie’s response.

  “So?”

  “You’re okay with that?”

  “Huh, you should have known my grandma. She knew about things long before they happened. Why should I think she was the only one with that ability? What’d Susan see?”

  “It’s kind of confusing, seems it always is. I have a feeling she’s going to insist that I take her into the woods to see if she can make sense of it all. She’s not clear whether her recent vision relates to the Hasting’s case or my cold case, or something entirely different, but you can bet it’s important. She’s helped me on several cases, and I’ve learned to trust her intuition.”

  “When do you want to go?
”

  “If I’m reading her right, she’ll want to go tomorrow. One last favor—don’t mention this to the chief. He doesn’t believe in all this hocus-pocus stuff, and he definitely wouldn’t condone Susan’s involvement.”

  Chapter 12

  Susan had the table set by the time Wesley arrived.

  “You hungry? I brought Chinese,” Wesley said, when Susan opened the door.

  “Starved.”

  “How’s your new partner working out?” Susan asked as they served their plates. “Iced tea okay?”

  Wesley nodded, having taken a bite of an egg roll. “I couldn’t have asked for a better man. Reggie Satterfield is a real trooper. He’s mature and dependable, and I’d trust him with my life.”

  “That’s good to hear.”

  After dishing up some fried rice and Moo Goo Gai Pan, Susan took a swallow of her tea. She decided this was as good a time as any to confess. “You didn’t tell me that Cormier tried to escape and you grabbed hold of the side mirror. When he gunned the car, you hit the pavement hard. Good thing your partner shot out his tire.”

  “Only one way you could know all that.”

  “Yes, I was there.”

  “Where?”

  “Parked on the street. Kara couldn’t reach Edward so I offered to see if I could find him. When I saw him turn into the motel, I pulled over. Since I had followed Edward from a bank, I figured he might be meeting with Cormier, so I tried to call you. I know now why you had turned off your phone. After I saw you, I couldn’t very well leave. I had to see what would happen.”

  A scowl crossed Wesley’s face. “How is it you always wind up in the middle of things? Don’t you know how dangerous that could have been?”

  “I’m sorry,” Susan said, looking at him with pleading eyes. “I had no idea it would turn out the way it did.”

  “Now that I think about it, I did see a dark SUV when I pulled out of the motel. I didn’t think much of it as I didn’t see anyone behind the wheel.”

  “I had ducked down.”

  “Good thing. No telling what I would have done to you. You’re always worrying about me on the job, but it seems you’ve got that backwards.”

  “It won’t happen again. I promise. Forgive me?”

  He stood up and pulled her to him. “If I had a nickel for every time you promised.... Don’t I always? Look, this thing with Cormier is over, so let’s put it behind us. I have enough to worry about. Okay, what’s the second thing you have to tell?”

  “Let’s go in the living room. We’ll be more comfortable in there.” Susan picked up their plates and put them in the sink. “I’ll do them later.” They both took a seat on the sofa.

  “I had another vision last night,” Susan said, lying back against his shoulder. She described in detail the Indian with the broken bottle, the shadowy figure beside the cabin, and waking to the smell of honeysuckle. Then she sat up and faced him. “You have to take me into the woods. I’m sure the Indian is the key to solving Nina’s murder, and who knows what else?”

  “A shadowy figure, huh? Nothing like throwing another unknown into the puzzle. Big? Little? Male? Female?”

  “It was too dark. I really can’t say.”

  “Did you really smell honeysuckle?”

  “Without a doubt.”

  “That doesn’t make sense. It blooms in summer, not in the fall. And what makes you think you could find that particular place? So much of the woods look alike.”

  “I know I can. The scene is engraved in my mind.”

  “I don’t know, honey. Your assailant could still be somewhere in those woods. I’d definitely need backup.”

  “Can’t you get your new partner to go with us?”

  Wesley chuckled. “I’m way ahead of you. I figured you must have seen something, and that was why you wanted to talk with me. So I decided to level with Reggie about you and your psychic abilities.”

  “What was his response?”

  “He said his grandma had the same kind of gift; that she could see before things happened.” Wesley scratched his head. “Maybe I’m the only sane one around here.”

  Susan slipped her hands around his neck and kissed his cheek. “I knew I could count on you.”

  “The only reason I’m agreeing to this is because if I don’t, you and A. K. will play detectives again. I can’t have that. I wonder how Reggie will react if you go into one of your trances. Bet it’ll freak him out.”

  “Who’s to say his grandma didn’t do the same thing?”

  Wesley shrugged. “We didn’t go into details about that.”

  “Well, you could suggest splitting up to cover more ground. Not too far apart, say within earshot of each other. That way, it’ll give me a chance to test my theory—to see if the arrowhead is a conduit to the Indian. But with or without the Indian’s appearance, I’m certain I can find the spot and point out where I saw the figure.”

  Wesley smiled and pulled her to him. “Okay, enough about that. It’ll keep till tomorrow. I just want to feel you close to me. Holding you makes my troubles go away.”

  Susan snuggled in his arms as his lips met hers. She felt the same way when he held her—like nothing else mattered. His embrace was better than any medicine. She was content to lie back in his arms...so content, she fell asleep.

  “Hey, sleepy head, it’s late. I need to go. We have to roll out early in the morning.”

  “I can’t believe I fell asleep.”

  “You were sound asleep and snoring.”

  “Was I?”

  “Like a buzz saw.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Wesley laughed out loud. “I’m kidding, but you went out like a light. That tells me you need sleep.”

  “I won’t argue with that.” She walked him to the front door. “What time will you pick me up?”

  “Seven o’clock.”

  He gave her one last kiss before he left, and she locked the door behind him.

  Susan was up and dressed early. Over a bowl of cereal, she thought about their upcoming adventure. For Wesley’s sake, she hoped they would find something to help with his case. Even if they didn’t, she would have spent the day with him, and that was a reward in itself.

  Following a knock on the door, Susan glanced at the kitchen clock—seven o’clock—right on time. She took a quick look through the peep-hole. Susan opened the door. “Give me a minute to fasten this fanny pack, and I’ll be ready to go.”

  “Is that necessary?”

  “I don’t want the arrowhead to touch my body. It seems that’s when things start to happen.”

  “Good idea. I’d hate to have an Indian join us in the front seat.” Wesley’s dimple sank deeper into his cheek.

  “If he did, you wouldn’t know he was there.”

  After Susan locked the apartment door, she slipped the key into her pocket.

  Wesley took her hand and together they walked to his Tundra. An ATV was strapped down in the back.

  “I hope I don’t regret this,” he said.

  “I’m convinced we’re doing the right thing.” She pulled the seatbelt across her. “I know these harnesses are necessary, but they make cuddling next to impossible.” Before buckling up, she leaned over and kissed him on his cheek.

  “Hmm,” he said, “your hair smells like strawberries.”

  “I didn’t think about that. I know not to wear perfume as it can attract critters, but I didn’t think about my shampoo.”

  “I doubt it’ll cause you any problems.”

  Susan settled back in her seat, but instead of watching the passing scenery, she kept her eyes trained on Wesley. She never grew tired of looking at him. Seemed he grew more handsome with each passing year. Signs of aging always seemed to make men look even better, sort of debonair. The same never worked in a woman’s favor.

  A few strands of gray had begun to pepper Wesley’s thick, sandy hair, mostly around the temples. And the corners of his eyes had added a few more wrinkles, what she liked to
call happy lines because they crinkled when he laughed. One thing that hadn’t changed was his physical build. He remained fit and muscular.

  “You ever consider wearing a cowboy hat?” Susan asked.

  “Can’t say that I have. What brought that on?”

  “I was just musing. If you dyed your hair black, you could pass for the famous Marlboro Man.”

  “Oh, no, I never want to go down the road he traveled. You know he died of lung cancer.”

  Susan sighed. “You do have a way of spoiling things. So, where did you tell your new partner to meet us?”

  “At the Burger Shack. I told him to park in the back. We don’t want to block any customers. What you bet he’s already there.”

  Sure enough, Reggie had already unloaded his ATV and was standing next to it when they arrived. He lumbered toward them. “Let me help you with your ramps,” he said to Wesley.

  After the men put the ramps in place, Wesley backed his ATV out of the truck. While Wesley slid the ramps back into the truck bed, Reggie walked over to Susan and introduced himself.

  “Hi, I’m Reggie. Wesley’s told me all about you. What he failed to mention was how beautiful you are.”

  “Thank you. I can see we’re going to get along just fine.”

  “I’m gone two minutes, and already you’re hitting on my girl,” Wesley said.

  “I was just paying the lady a compliment. I believe my old lady would agree with me.”

  Susan found it hard to believe that Reggie and Wesley were the same age. Reggie’s demeanor, while polite, made him seem old fashioned, like a father figure. Maybe the denim overalls and rubber boots played into that image. Regardless, she took an immediate liking to him. His soft voice and gentle mannerism scored high in her book.

  “Okay, you two, time to hit the woods,” Wesley said. “I’ll lead. Think you can keep up, old man?”

  Reggie laughed. “I’ll clean my front wheels on your exhaust pipe.”