Bayou Betrayal Page 14

  “He’s acting very fast on his threats. It’s only my first night.”

  “You had your utilities turned on. Your deed was filed at the courthouse. You ordered furniture delivered. All flashing neon lights to him.”

  “It makes me so mad. He’s trying to scare me off. Well, I’m not leaving.” She crossed her arms over her chest and stomped her foot.

  He avoided Spence and Luc’s grins, sure she’d go ballistic if she caught him laughing at her. But it was hard to resist. “We’re going to process the evidence and see where it leads.” He nodded to Mike. “Go ahead and bag the letter.”

  As Mike moved to do just that, Gary took Monique a few steps away from her vehicle. “Did you get any calls today? Any other types of threats? Anything unusual?”

  “No, my phone service won’t be on until tomorrow. But I didn’t get anything on my cell.”

  “It’s harder to get those numbers.” He glanced over her head to see Mike slipping the letter into a large envelope. “Go ahead and radio for a tow truck to take the Expedition.”

  “You’re taking my truck?”

  “Evidence. He might’ve touched the glass, or the side panel by the tires. We’ll dust everything.”

  “Great. So I’m without a vehicle now?”

  “I’m afraid so. It should only take us a day or two.”

  “First he takes my house, now my truck.” She clenched her hands into tight little fists.

  “Monique, I need you to calm down for a minute and think. Did you have any visitors today, aside from your family?”

  “Delivery people from the furniture store and some people from Spence’s church. Oh, and Parker dropped by earlier with a cheese and cracker tray.”

  Gary froze. “Estimated time between his leaving and your car alarm going off?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. An hour or so, maybe. Why?”

  “Just making sure I have everything down right.”

  “That’s about it.”

  “Okay. I need you and everyone to go back into the house. Mike and I will finish up out here, then come in to take everyone’s statements.”

  She hesitated, looking past him to Mike and his flashing camera.

  “Monique? We have to do our job.”

  “Fine. Do your job.” She spun and marched back toward the porch. Felicia ran after her and CoCo, too, but not before she tossed Gary a disgusted look.

  “What?” Gary looked to Luc.

  Luc and Spence both chuckled.

  “What?”

  “You’ve got a crush on her, don’t you?” Spence asked.

  There that heat came again, spreading across his neck. Good thing it was night out. “Please. I’m just doing my job.”

  Both of the other men laughed.

  “Yeah, that’s what I said, too.” Spence clapped him on the shoulder. “Good luck. She’s a live one.” He headed toward the house.

  “Really. I’m just doing my job.”

  Luc shook his head. “Keep telling yourself that, okay?” He followed the preacher into the house.

  Gary exhaled sharply. If those two could see his feelings so easily, had Monique?

  Please, no.

  How could she be attracted to such an infuriating man?

  Seriously? Gary had all but patted her on her head and sent her on her merry little way, as if she were a child.

  Wait a minute—had she just admitted to herself that she was attracted to him? That stopped her fuming.

  She paused, letting her mind wrap around the realization, waiting for the guilt to come.

  Seconds ticked by. The guilt never came. Matter of fact, only exhilaration filled her after her acknowledgment.

  She was attracted to Gary Anderson, and she didn’t feel guilty about it. Didn’t feel as if she were cheating on Kent.

  What was happening to her?

  Stress, that had to be it. Her mind and emotions were playing tricks on her because of everything that was happening. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

  “Here, have some hot tea.” Felicia put a cup into her hands.

  Monique took a sip, nearly scalding her tongue. She set the cup on the linen place mat she’d carefully picked out today. She loved it. Loved everything about her house and the day she’d spent decorating it.

  No, she wouldn’t allow some faceless man to invade her space. Make her jumpy in her own home. She’d vowed to stick it out, to stand on her own, and that’s exactly what she would do.

  She crossed to the kitchen island and opened the cabinet.

  “What’re you doing, Boo?”

  She plopped the Vermilion parish phone book onto the counter with a thud, grabbed a notepad and pen from beside the phone, and boosted herself onto the bar stool. “I’m going to get numbers for a security system company, a surveillance company and the pound.”

  CoCo smiled. “I get the security system and surveillance, but the pound?”

  “I’m going to adopt a dog.”

  Laughing, CoCo clapped her hands. “Oh, Boo, I’m so glad you’re in our family. You fit right in.”

  “How’s that?” She chewed on the cap of the pen.

  “Because you’re headstrong and stubborn, just like the other women in this family,” Luc said, but winked at his wife.

  “I prefer determined and strong, thank you very much.” CoCo angled her head in that distinct way of hers.

  “We’ll never win, Luc. Just give it up.” Spence moved behind his wife and kissed her temple.

  “Like you want to win at something?” Felicia giggled and then looked at Monique. She sobered immediately. “I’m sorry. We’re joking around at a very stressful time for you.”

  “Nonsense. I’m not scared. This jerk isn’t going to bring my life to a screeching halt. I won’t stand for it.” Not anymore. She’d passed the point where she’d allow her life to be run by anyone else.

  “You go, sistah.” CoCo raised a fist into the air.

  Luc shook his head. “I give up. Too much estrogen in one room for me.” He pointed a finger at Monique. “But regardless of how tough you are, I’m going to camp out on your new sofa tonight.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  CoCo jumped in. “You have to. Otherwise, he’ll bother me all night, worrying about you.”

  Monique chewed her bottom lip.

  “I’ll be gone well before daylight.” Luc grinned and winked before turning to his brother-in-law. “Spence, I’m going into the living room to wait on the deputy.”

  “I’m with you, man.” Spence planted another kiss on Felicia’s temple before following Luc from the kitchen.

  “Seriously, we didn’t mean to make light of everything happening to you.” Felicia fluffed her honey-colored hair.

  “No problem. I refuse to let all of that drag me down. I’m not going to react anymore. I’m going to be proactive. I’m going to take a stand. This jerk wants to mess with me, I’m going to stand up for myself.”

  “Good for you. I understand one hundred percent.” CoCo slipped onto an opposite bar stool. “And we’re behind you one hundred percent.”

  “I’ll call these places first thing in the morning. I’m not gonna play around with this guy.”

  “Be careful, Monique.” Felicia’s face was wreathed in worry. “He’s already tried to kill you by burning down your house.”

  “And he makes threatening phone calls and leaves anonymous letters. The man’s a coward.” Monique finished writing down the numbers and snapped the phone book closed. “I don’t do cowards.”

  The front door slammed. “Monique?”

  Gary. And he didn’t sound very happy with her. She pushed off the stool. “In here. The kitchen.”

  His steps treaded heavily on the polished wooden floor. He entered the kitchen, brandishing a gun in a holster. “This was in your truck. Care to explain why you’re driving around with a concealed weapon?”

  SEVENTEEN

  She felt like a teenager caught sneaking in after curfew.r />
  And she hated the sensation because she had no reason to feel like that. She had every right to have that gun—now more than ever.

  Felicia and CoCo discreetly slipped out of the kitchen.

  Monique crossed her arms and cocked her head. “Because I have a permit to carry it—concealed, by the way.”

  Gary set the gun on the counter. “How’s that? It didn’t come up on the background check.”

  “Because I haven’t committed any crimes, and that’s all those checks report. My husband was a private investigator. I was his assistant. He and I both qualified on the range and got permits.”

  “You pack a Desert Eagle?” Gary’s eyes were wide. But with what? Admiration or intimidation? So many men had a problem with women being crack shots. And she was an ace.

  “Yep. I also have a Beretta and a nine mil in the closet. And before you ask, I have permits for those, too.”

  “Quite an arsenal you have there.”

  “Kent and I enjoyed target shooting. We even won several competitions.” And she proudly had the blue ribbons to prove it.

  Well, she did before the fire consumed them all.

  “I never knew a woman to enjoy firearms.”

  “Well, now you have.” She wished she didn’t sound so snarky, but he brought her defensive hackles to attention.

  “You know I’ll have to ask you to see that permit.”

  “Of course.” She jerked her purse off the counter and flipped through her wallet. Sure he had to ask—he was all about the job again. She thrust the permit toward him.

  He took it, studied it a moment, then handed it back. “Okay.”

  “So, instead of asking me about a weapon I have legally in my possession, why don’t you go out and find this jerk who seems obsessed with harassing me?” She put the permit back in her purse, followed by the holstered gun.

  Hurt marched across his face.

  The deputy Gary had brought with him chose that moment to enter the kitchen. “Excuse me, ma’am. Gary, tow truck’s here.”

  “Have them load up her vehicle and take it to impound.” He spoke to the deputy, but kept his gaze focused on Monique.

  “Um, I came to get the keys.”

  She reached into her purse again and retrieved her key ring. She removed the key to the truck and handed it to the other deputy. “Here.”

  “We’ll let you know when you can pick it up, ma’am.” He turned to Gary. “Want me to head back to the station and fill out the lab forms on the vehicle?”

  “Yeah. Thanks, Mike.”

  He nodded at Gary, then Monique. “G’night, ma’am.”

  If he called her ma’am one more time…

  “Look, I know you’re upset. You have every right to be. But I’m doing my job as best I can. I want to catch this guy just as much as you do.” Gary stood straighter, taller.

  “I’m sure you do. You police officers always do. Looks good on your records.” Why couldn’t she just keep her mouth shut?

  “Have I done something wrong here, Monique? Anybody would ask to see your permit. You know that.”

  And she did.

  She blew the bangs off her forehead. “I’m sorry. I wish I could explain why I’m always snapping at you.” Maybe because she was attracted to him and felt bad because she didn’t feel guilty about that, which triggered the snarkiness.

  “It’s okay. You’re stressed. A lot’s happened over the last couple of weeks.”

  “It feels like months. But I shouldn’t keep biting your head off. I’m really sorry.” She ducked her head. She really was sorry. “And I haven’t even thanked you for the rocker.”

  He lifted her chin with his thumb until she looked in him the eye. “You just did. You’re welcome.”

  Her heart wouldn’t stop doing flips. Her breath came in spurts. Even her head felt dizzy, like she’d just stepped off a roller coaster.

  His gaze remained locked on hers as he slowly bent forward. He tilted his head slightly. She gave a quick intake of breath just before his lips brushed over hers. Not really a kiss. Not really. More like the promise of a kiss to come. A hint.

  One that left her breathless and wanting another.

  He straightened and cleared his throat. “I need to go question the others. Get their, uh, statements.” His normally smooth voice sounded hoarse.

  She nodded, not taking her eyes off his.

  “Well, I’ll, uh, go talk to her. Them. Them in the living room.” He took a step backward, away from her. “And arrange for protection for you starting tomorrow. Luc said he’s staying here tonight?”

  “Yes. Okay.” Her voice sounded too falsetto to her own ears. She cleared her throat. “Yes. Of course.”

  “Monique?”

  “Yes?” Her reply came out almost on top of his saying her name. Her pulse reverberated in her temples.

  “Would you have supper with me tomorrow night? Not to discuss this case, or anything? Just you and me, having supper, together?”

  Her heart did a triple back handspring. “Are you asking me out on a date, Deputy Anderson?”

  “I guess I am.” He grinned. “Are you interested?”

  She couldn’t contain her responding smile. “Sounds like a date to me.”

  “I’ll pick you up around five, then?”

  “Yes.”

  He paused, staring at her. Then grabbed his notebook and pencil from his pocket. “I’m going to talk to them now.”

  “Okay.”

  Turning, he nearly ran smack into the counter. He sidestepped and headed into the living room.

  Alone, Monique’s heartbeat echoed inside her head. Had she just accepted a date from him?

  She smiled. Oh, yeah, she had.

  Even better? She was looking forward to it. Very much.

  Thursday morning dawned clear and crisp over the bayou. Not cold—it never was in Lagniappe—but chilly enough to warrant a jacket. Beautiful weather, beautiful nature, beautiful everything.

  Gary grinned as he drove to the station. He waved at passing townsfolk, smiled at people out walking their dogs before going to work. Luc had called at daylight and said there’d been no further activity at Monique’s house. She was safe and secure. It was a glorious day.

  Then again, maybe his great mood was because he had a date with Monique tonight.

  He pulled into the sheriff’s office parking lot, whistling under his breath, and strode across the lot. He had a busy morning planned, and he’d better get his head out of the clouds and focus on the job at hand. That’s why he’d come in so early.

  With only the night dispatcher still on duty and reading at the front desk, the station was quiet. Gary finished his reports and filed the new ones. He reviewed the lab order for Monique’s truck, impressed at the thoroughness of Mike’s instructions. The man was a good deputy. Might even be a good chief deputy, as much as the thought pained Gary.

  With everything that’d happened in their small little town over the past couple of years, the citizens of Lagniappe deserved the best officer for chief deputy. If that happened to be Mike, so be it. Gary would find other ways to help his mother.

  But Gary had to admit he’d be sorely disappointed if he wasn’t promoted.

  “You ’bout ready to head over to Haynie’s place?”

  The booming voice caused Gary to jump and turn simultaneously.

  Bob stood in the hallway, chuckling. “Didn’t mean to scare ya.”

  So the old codger could laugh. Would wonders never cease? Gary shook his head and strode toward the front door. He told the dispatcher to let Missy and Mike know where he’d be, then headed to the cruiser. On the drive to Kevin Haynie’s house, he told Bob about the break-in report filed by Mr. Haynie last week, handing him a copy of the report.

  Bob grunted as he read. “Sounds like this could be the source of the accelerant, but if it was stolen, then we’re back to square one.”

  “I know.” Still, he refused to be discouraged. They would find this guy. And when t
hey did…

  “Did you get the check back on these characters?”

  “No. They should come in sometime this morning.”

  “Maybe that’ll give us another starting point.”

  “Hope so.” Man, did he ever.

  Bob read off the directions to the Haynie property. Gary eased up to the house, parking the car in front of a manufactured home. With white siding and green trim, the house needed the kudzu cut back and the windows washed, but it was in good condition. Couldn’t be more than five years old at most. Last Gary had heard, the Sanderson family still owned the place and rented it out. He’d check on that.

  A Ford sedan, about three years old, sat alone under the carport. No bikes, ATVs or motorcycles crowded the area.

  The house stood on the opposite side of town from Monique’s new place. The property butted up against the bayou, but then again, most of the land in Lagniappe did. Unlike Patterson’s place, this yard looked well-kept. At least the lawn was mowed. The little porch looked as if the wood had been treated in the fall.

  Gary knocked on the door, pulling his badge.

  “Qui ici?” came the reply from the other side.

  “Deputy Anderson with the Vermilion parish sheriff’s office.”

  The door opened and Gary had to look down to meet the man’s eyes. “I need to speak to Kevin Haynie, please.”

  “I’m Kevin. How can I help you?”

  The man couldn’t be more than five feet and had the slightest frame. Although Gary knew from the break-in report Mr. Haynie was forty-eight, he had boyish features that made him look at least a decade younger.

  “I’m Deputy Anderson—” he flashed his badge “—and I need to follow up on the theft report you filed.”

  “Most certainly. Tout de suite.” He waved Gary and Bob into the living room. “Please, have a seat.”

  The room held a sofa, a love seat and a recliner. Really, too much furniture for the small space, but nice pieces. A coffee table crowded the arrangement even further. The smell of incense burned Gary’s nostrils as he sat on the edge of the sofa. As he had at Niles Patterson’s, Bob stood in the doorway while Mr. Haynie perched in the recliner that seemed too big for his frame.

  Gary pulled out his pen and notebook. “According to the report you filed, Mr. Haynie, twenty-five gallons of biodiesel was stolen from your shed last Wednesday night. Is that correct?”