by Emery, Lynn
“What are you talking about?” Quentin still paced.
“Singleton, he’s your silent partner. He wants more of a cut or else.” LaShaun picked up her drink again, her lips curving in a slow smile.
“Singleton? But you and I—”
“Singleton,” LaShaun hissed through clenched teeth, “He wants you out of the deal. He’s forced you to give him most of the profit from the last shipment. He’s threatened to expose your activities to the police. He’s arranged it so that all the evidence points to you, and Juan Carlos. He knows all about the operation and can do real damage unless he gets a bigger share.”
“How will I get him to believe me? These people aren’t stupid. They can check these things. They can access all kinds of computer systems.” Quentin frowned in concentration.
“Perfect. It should be easy to arrange it to look as if money has gone into an account for Singleton. To make it seem as if he made those electronic investments with huge amounts of money. Printouts you can give to your friend as proof.” LaShaun spoke in a hard deliberate tone staring at him intently.
“But they’ll…” A vicious smiled curled his lip up at the thought.
“Yes, they will.” LaShaun nodded, her eyes shining with malevolence. “Here’s to international trade partners.” LaShaun handed him a drink. Their glasses clinked as they came together.
*****
“Nice to see you again, Ms. Collins. Bad news,” LaMar said, tucking designer sun glasses into the pocket of his coat. Today he wore an expensive dove grey suit. His hair was neatly cut giving him the look of a young accountant on his way to work.
“How bad?” Sam seemed to hold his breath.After picking her up at home, Sam and Charice met him at a restaurant in Breaux Bridge afraid that having him visit Beau Chene would attract attention. The late afternoon sun slanted across the table set out on a wooden patio overlooking Bayou Vermillion.
“One Beverly Mills, office manager at Batton Chemical, has given the Sheriff a statement that she overheard Paul fighting with Trosclair the night before they found his body. According to her, they were having it out, shouting at each.” LaMar spoke in a crisp manner.
“Oh shit.” Charice bit her lower lip.
“Oh shit is right.” Sam’s face was grim.
“Yes, we certainly have a difficult task ahead of us. However, there is more damning information about young Quentin. But excuse me while I make a quick phone call.” LaMar’s phone had issued a quick musical tone. He read a text message, gave Charice a proper smile and then left.
“Good thing I wasn’t able to get Savannah to come. This would have blown up any chance to convince her that Paul didn’t do it,” Charice said.
“Now I have good news.” LaMar, true to his word, was only gone a few minutes. “Quentin and a— LaShaun Rousselle have been having an affair for some time now. Know her?”
“LaShaun? Have mercy!”
“Seems that they have been using a New Orleans apartment owned by Batton Chemical for their trysts. An unconventional relationship is the most delicate way to describe it.” LaMar sniffed as if offended.
“Like what? Freaky stuff?” Sam sat forward eagerly.
“Calm down or I’m going to pour this ice tea in your lap,” Charice warned.
“LaShaun’s financial status has dramatically improved in the last year. An indication that she has some knowledge of Quentin’s business dealings. One other thing, Quentin has no alibi for the hours leading up to his grandfather’s body being discovered. According to the housekeeper, Louise, she thinks he was home right before Claude Trosclair left that evening to return to his office.”
“Damn, how did you find that out?” Charice’s stared at him in amazement.
“A cousin’s friend’s sister-in-law went to school with her daughter,” LaMar said offhandedly. “The point is, he had motive, opportunity, and means.”
“Yes, but between Paul and Quentin Trosclair who do you think the Sheriff is more likely to arrest?” Sam said.
“I know. However, there is encouraging news of a different sort. I think Singleton should be very concern about his health these days. Word is out that a certain Juan Carlos, not his real name naturally, is quite upset with him. This man is the most powerful drug distributor between Houston and Biloxi with connections to a Colombian cartel. Not someone you want to get upset with you, not at all.”
“But what’s that got to do with all this?” Sam frowned.
“Maybe nothing. However, it may be in our best interest to assist Mr. Singleton in avoiding any serious injury.”
“Huh?” Charice and Sam spoke together, exchanging puzzled looks.
“Leave it to me. I’ll keep you informed. Nice seeing you again, Ms. Collins. Sam.” LaMar dipped his head towards them. He walked purposefully to a white Volvo parked at a curb nearby.
“LaMar’s got a plan.” Sam grinned widely.
“I’m just as bumfuzzled as can be. How is knowing about Singleton getting some drug king pissed off, LaShaun’s strange sex life, and Quentin’s finances going to help get Paul out of this?”
“I don’t know, but LaMar does.”
They watched him go through a ritual of putting on the sunglasses, snapping on his seat belt, and adjusting his rear view mirrors before driving off.
“How the hell did he do that?” Charice shook her head.
“Do what, babe?”
“Go from Rasta home boy to a member of the Black bourgeoisie in three days. And a Volvo for goodness sakes. I bet he even hired a wife and two kids.”
Chapter 16
Paul was wound up. Despite the long hours of traveling, he wasn’t fatigued at all. His mind raced, not with thoughts of the danger of being convicted for a murder he did not commit. But of what Savannah must be thinking now, hearing about his relationship with Trosclair. He closed his eyes picturing her reaction to the news. Surely that would push her into Devin’s arms. Paul thought of them together, Devin touching her body. He pounded the arm rest furiously.
“You all right?” The chubby businessman sitting next to him was startled out of his nap. His watery blue eyes mirrored his alarm.
“I’m sorry. Sure, I’m okay.” Paul made a conscious effort to slow his breathing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re approaching the New Orleans International Airport. We hope you’ve enjoyed your flight with us. Please bring your seats to an upright position, turn off all electronic devices, and fasten your seat belts.” The bland voice of the stewardess droned on with weather information about New Orleans.
“Paul, over here.” Sam waved his arms to get his attention. Wading through the crowds, they grabbed each other in a quick embrace. It was slow going, waiting for the luggage to be unloaded then watching for it to appear bumping along with dozens of others on the conveyor. They didn’t even try to talk about anything. Finally, they were headed for a hotel room Sam had rented in Metairie.
“I figured we needed to buy some time for LaMar to dig up more stuff,” Sam answered when Paul wanted to know why they weren’t going to Beau Chene.
“You could get in trouble, man. Just take me to the Sheriff so I can turn myself in. I don’t want you to take any kind of fall for me.”
“Two days. That’s all we need. Why didn’t you wait another week like I told you anyway?”
“Because I got tired of dodging the Kuwait authorities, then the Saudi authorities. Besides, what difference would it make anyway? I’m the one and only suspect.”
“They only want you for questioningl. Probably why the police weren’t at the airport to arrest you. But the minute you set foot back in Crowley or Beau Chene, you’ll get invited in for a little talk and be charged with murder I’d bet. Man, don’t worry. LaMar has done a helluva job finding out stuff. Such as your cousin Quentin’s been into drug trafficking big time.”
“Unbelievable!”
For the next few hours, Sam gave Paul a full account of everything LaMar had discovered thus far. They were eating take out Chinese f
ood on the small table in the hotel room as Sam finished his story.
“So that’s about it. LaMar has got something else in mind, but he hasn’t told me the specifics. Said it would be better if I didn’t know.”
“Heavy stuff.” Paul had only picked at his shrimp with vegetables. “Have you seen Savannah?” He looked down pushing his food around in circles.
“Uh-uh. Charice has though. She didn’t take it too well, if that’s what you want to know.”
“Who gives a damn anyway.” Paul threw the plastic fork down so hard it bounced to the floor. “She’s got Devin to console her. He’s still in Beau Chene I bet.”
“Yeah but—”
“Which means she’s been with him, too. Don’t lie to me, Sam.” Paul stood over him.
“Maybe once, but—” Sam finished weakly.
“That’s what I thought,” Paul said, his voice heavy with bitterness.
“Calm down. I’m on your side.” Sam held up both hands, palms turned out.
“I’m sorry. I feel like the world is closing in on me. Like I’m trapped in some nightmare and can’t wake up.”
“It’s all right, man. I understand. We’re going to make it through this, I swear.” Sam squeezed his shoulder.
“I need to visit my parents.” Paul turned to him.
“No, Paul. Stay here at least another day. They gotta be watching their house.”
“You sure my father doesn’t know all this.”
“Your mama says he doesn’t. I don’t know how, but they’ve kept him away from the news and newspapers. Of course between his medication and going to the rehab clinic for physical therapy, he stays pretty exhausted.”
“What about my sisters and brothers?”
“You kidding? They insisted on splitting the cost of LaMar’s fee with me. I told them I could afford it, but well you know how family is.”
“I know,” Paul said, a catch in his voice.
“Get some rest, okay? I’ll be back in the morning.”
“Sam.” Paul grabbed his arm. “Thanks.”
They embraced roughly, then Sam left. For three hours, Paul prowled the around the room trying to unwind. He tried turning on the television, listening to the radio, reading. Nothing helped. Looking at the clock, he decided he could wait no longer. They had passed a car rental office a block from the hotel. If he hurried he could just make it before they closed.
*****
“Your delicacies are a hit on the Quality and Bargains Shopping channel, Tante Marie.” Savannah held up another order faxed in that morning. “They want more for what they’re calling the `Gourmet Taste’ segment.”
“That’s good.” Tante Marie continued making up a gift basket.
“Poppy’s carved animals went like hotcakes and they want to feature them in another four months. Getting us on that shopping channel was brilliant, if I do say so myself.”
“Um-hum.”
“We’re posting healthy profits from the shop with the publicity. A couple of tour operators called to tell me that they’ve even had a few requests to put us on their routes.”
“That’s nice.”
“Well don’t get too excited. You’ll get your blood pressure up.” Savannah put down her pencil. “Let’s have it.”
“Have what?” Tante Marie gave her a guileless look.
“You’ve got something on your mind I can tell. You’ve been quiet as a mouse for the last week. Come on, spit it out.”
“You oughta be shame, that’s all. Charice been your friend since you was a baby, and you won’t trust her enough to at least do one little thing she ask.” Tante Marie shook her finger at Savannah, her reticent demeanor disappearing in seconds.
“Oh boy.”
“Don’t `Oh boy’ me, missy. You bein’ hardheaded as your papa.”
“Why is everybody defending him? He lied, it may be he killed his own grandfather because he couldn’t extort money from him, and he’s a fugitive. But I’m the bad guy. What is wrong with this picture?” Savannah threw up both hands.
“I’ll tell you what’s wrong. You so set on him being guilty that you don’t wanna hear no other side.”
“Hey, now.” Leon came in. Noticing the tense silence he put away his backpack. Picking up the list of deliveries, he got the keys from Savannah. “I’m gone.”
“You know I understand how you feel, cher. But I also know you can’t sleep good no more. You ain’t eatin’ hardly nothin’ these days, and you can’t tell me you happy.”
“Okay, I’m miserable. Satisfied? I’ve been called a jezebel, lied to, called a liar, and dumped on generally. This from the man you want me believe in. Well, how could I have been so blind? You are absolutely right, I should give him the benefit of the doubt,” Savannah snapped.
“Good, cher. I’ll call Charice now. She can have that detective fella come by this evening.” Tante Marie pretended not to notice the sarcasm. She snatched up the telephone and began punching the numbers.
“O-ooh, I could—, you—, uhh.” Savannah groaned in exasperation. She stomped back into the office.
*****
“Son, you got no business here. Sam said you was to stay away.” Reba now wore a worried frown after jubilantly welcoming her son with a shower of kisses.
“I couldn’t stay in that hotel room another minute. I had to see how papa is doing.”
“The sheriff been here askin’ for you. They probably watchin’ the house.” Reba wrung her hands.
“I came through the woods out back and down the old path. Nobody saw me. How is he?”
“Pretty good. Lately he’s lost his appetite. But other than that, he’s fine.”
“And he doesn’t know anything about—”
“No, thank the Lord. I been keepin’ him watching them cable channels that don’t have no news programs. He ain’t even missed it.” Reba patted her son’s arm. “Go on in there. He gone be so glad to see you.”
“Hi, papa. You looking better every time I see you.” Paul kissed his forehead.
“Hey, boy. You know you lyin’ to me.” Charles laughed in spite of himself. He sat in his favorite over stuff recliner dressed in a light blue sweat suit. Gunfire came from the television as an old western movie played.
“You something else, looking all sporty.” Paul tugged his father’s sleeve playfully.
“Yep, your mama got me four or five sets of these. At first I told her I wasn’t gone wear ‘em. But shoot, they is some comfortable yeah. See here?” Charles worked his left arm, flexing it out and back.
“That’s great, papa. You’ll be out fishing in no time.”
“I got news for you, me and your brother Sheldon already plannin’ to go after some sac-a-lait at False River. Now, how you gettin’ along? Got what you wanted outta that trip?”
“Yeah, I learned a lot. Kuwait is a testing ground for some of the most innovative technology dealing with chemical clean-up.”
“That so. Ain’t that somethin’. Still didn’t tell me how you doin’.”
“I’m okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Tell me, you think I’m senile?”
“No, of course not. Why—”
“You think I’m stupid?”
“Papa—”
“Well, answer me.”
“No, papa. I don’t think you’re senile or stupid.”
“Then talk to me like you know I got commonsense. Claude Trosclair is dead an’ they think you did it. Now, I ain’t faultin’ your mama or your sisters and brothers. They was tryin’ to protect me thinkin’ I was too sick to take that kinda news. That’s all right. But I’m doin’ a whole lot better, you just got back home, and I want you to tell me ‘bout it.” Charles waited patiently, watching the internal conflict of his son play itself out in his facial expressions.
“Since it’s obvious you know and it hasn’t caused a setback in your recovery, I might as well be truthful. Right?” Paul sighed. “But tell me, how in the
world did you find out?”
“Your Mama forgot about them news updates. Even the cable channels in other cities are carryin’ ‘em . Local news from a New Orleans station is comin’ on that all news channel now. One day she went to answer the phone and left the remote control where I could reach it.”
“Oh, yeah. Damn, I should’ve thought about that.”
“That don’t matter. Tell me what happened.”
Paul began hesitantly, afraid of the effect discussing Claude Trosclair would have on Charles. But Charles listened to his story impassively. Paul described his last meeting with Claude in detail as Charles broke in occasionally to ask pointed questions.
“When I left him he was alive. That was the last time I saw or talked to him.” Paul rubbed his neck.
“Paul, you don’t have to tell me you didn’t kill him. I know all my children. Not one of ‘em could or would intentionally hurt another human bein’ on this earth. ‘Course now, Sheldon might rough a man up bad if he insulted your Mama.”
“Now that’s the truth, Sheldon’s got a temper on him.” Paul chuckled.
“But I know you didn’t kill that man.” Charles still refused to call Claude his father. “If anybody in this family could, it would have been me.” He clenched his right fist.
“Don’t say that to anybody else.” Paul stroked his hand until it relaxed.
“Hey, they done already checked up on me. You can b’lieve that, yeah. They know I been in and out of the hospital. Hell, I been so weak I couldn’t swat a fly. But you in serious trouble.”
“Since you know so much, I guess you must know about the private detective.” Paul raised an eyebrow at him.
“LaMar Zeno. His daddy went to prison for killin’ a man. Got stabbed and died in Angola State Penitentiary. They found out a year later he was tellin’ the truth all along. He hadn’t killed nobody. LaMar been on a mission ever since when it comes to innocent folks bein’ accused. He may be a little— well— strange, but he good. And knowin’ he workin’ for you makes me feel it’s gone be all right.”
“Sam thinks so, too. I hope you’re both right.” Paul clasped hands with his father.
*****
Light from the late evening sun was nothing more than a pale glow brushing the very tops of the trees as Paul moved through the woods behind his parents’ home. The old path he and his siblings had used so frequently was now much over grown with vines. The once bare, dusty lane now covered with a carpet of grass reaching up to his knees. He stood for a moment remembering. To his left past a huge pecan tree was the way to their favorite fishing pond and swimming hole. To his right, the woods had stretched on to become a place for hunting. In the last six years, housing developments had cut into the wild countryside. Still, he found it little changed from his childhood. How they had relished the freedom of summers spent here. He could almost hear the voices of his sisters and their friends squealing in pretend fright as one of the boys found some harmless snake to shake at them. Or the shouts of joy when one of them caught the biggest fish. Feeling his shoe strike against an object, he smiled upon pushing aside weeds to find a child sized canteen. Obviously a new generation had discovered his old playground. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he continued towards the small now paved road that bordered the eastern edge of the woods. Hand in his pocket fingering the keys to the rental car, he emerged from a stand of wild honeysuckle bushes.