Big Easy (Cowboy Craze)

by Sable Hunter

  Hazel gave her daughter a quick hug. “I’m not after personal redemption. What I do want is for my child to be given the respect she deserves.”

  “Oh, Mom. I’m okay.” She’d be more than okay if this thing with Easy would just be over.

  The sound of a car approaching drew their attention. “There he is. I’ll just go out and meet him,” Hazel said, holding her shoulder bag close. “Goodbye, gentlemen,” she called out. “Benjen, you won’t leave Jewel, will you?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m here until the morning.”

  Wade and Truman stood, along with Benjen, as Hazel left and Jewel relocked the door.

  “I think that’s my cue to leave also,” the FBI agent declared. “Deputy Lawson, do you need transportation? I can drop you somewhere.”

  “No. My boat is at the dock and my car is about a half mile down the bayou. I’m good.” He patted his hip. “And I’m armed.”

  “Very well.” Wade turned to speak to Benjen and Jewel. “I’ll see you two later also.”

  “Thanks.” Benjen shook Wade’s hand. “Hopefully, this will all be over soon.”

  Jewel felt optimistic as she showed the FBI agent and Truman Lawson to the door. “Thank you both, for everything.”

  They were just about to make their exit when the phone rang. “I’ll get it.” Benjen moved to find the receiver.

  “Hold up,” Jewel told the men. “I think that’s Zane. He might have information.”

  Sure enough, Benjen announced as he held out the phone to Wade, “It’s Zane. He has news.”

  Truman widened his eyes and muttered, “Can you imagine being married to her and trying to hide something?”

  Wade chuckled as he walked over to take the phone. The rest of them waited, albeit impatiently, to find out what was going on. After a moment, the agent glanced at Jewel. “Is this a speaker phone?”

  “Oh, yea. I think so.” Jewel hurried over to where the base sat on the kitchen counter. “I haven’t used it before, but…I think it’s just a matter of pushing a button.” She pushed said button and turned to Wade with a hopeful expression. “Try it.”

  “Can they hear me?” Zane’s voice sounded loud and clear.

  “Sure can. Go ahead,” Wade told him.

  “Since Wade was out of cell phone range, per his instructions, the FBI lab just contacted me concerning what forensic evidence they discovered on the knife Wren found at the murder scene.”

  They heard him laugh in what sounded like amazement.

  “I’m continually baffled by what science and technology is able to do.”

  Jewel felt so anxious, she felt herself trembling. She wanted to yell for Zane to just spit it out already!

  Wade, sensing Jewel’s frustration, coaxed the lawyer to get to the point. “And…what did they find?”

  “The lab was able to match the DNA of two tiny slivers of wood embedded in the bolster between the blade and the shank to the pecan limbs used to violate Marion Cole and Julie Davis.”

  “What?” Benjen asked in jubilation. “That’s incredible! I didn’t know they could do that.”

  Wade shrugged. “Forensic botany is a thing and the FBI has access to some cutting-edge equipment. Every living thing has unique DNA, so it was just a matter of matching the two together.”

  “Obviously, this is a good thing. Wade, do we have all of our ducks in a row for the DA?”

  “I believe so, Zane. I have Deputy Lawson’s statement and him lined up to testify.”

  “Great. All right. I’ll see you at the courthouse. I wouldn’t be surprised if the prosecutor dropped the charges today. There’s a good possibility there’ll be no need for the evidentiary hearing.”

  Benjen chimed in before Zane could hang up. “I just hope the DA is aboveboard. What would we do if he’s part of the problem?”

  They could all hear Zane chuckle on the other end of the line. “This case is getting some attention. A lot of eyes are going to be watching what’s going on. One of those happens to be a good friend of mine – the Attorney General of Louisiana.”

  “Thank you, Zane. Thank you all.” With a squeal of happiness, Jewel gave the three men near her a hug, then took off for the kitchen.

  “What are you doing?” Benjen asked as he started for the door to see the other two men out.

  “I’m about to cook a celebratory dinner and you’re all invited.” Her eyes were bright as diamonds. “And the guest of honor will be Easy Blackhawk!”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Easy sat on the narrow bunk, his senses alert to any movement in the cell block. After being jumped and almost killed the night before, he refused to let his guard down for a moment. No matter what happened, the nightmare of the last couple of days would be with him forever. Even after hearing from Zane, he was afraid to get his hopes up that this ordeal might soon be over. He knew his lawyer hoped to call for an evidentiary hearing for the next day. Easy knew he should be thankful, but the thought of spending one more night in this place made him crazy. What would he do if he was somehow convicted of this crime? Easy didn’t think he’d know how to survive.

  Suddenly, the sound of footsteps jerked him to attention. Someone was coming. Holding his breath, his eyes froze on the gap between the last two bars where whoever was approaching would appear. The first face he saw was his jailer, the young deputy on duty.

  The second was Zane. Smiling.

  “Come on, Blackhawk. You’re out of here.”

  Easy sat still for a few more seconds, making sure he’d heard right.

  “I met with the DA. After reviewing the evidence, all charges have been dropped.”

  “Oh, thank God,” Easy muttered softly as he heard the cell door unlock. So weak with relief, he didn’t get up right away. It felt like all the strength had drained from his muscles. “Are you sure?” He looked up at Zane, needing to hear it again from his lawyer’s lips.

  “I’m sure.” He slapped Easy on the shoulder. “I’ll tell you the details in the car.”

  “Here’s your stuff.” The deputy handed Easy his clothes. “You can change in the bathroom down the hall.”

  Taking them gladly, Easy happened to think about his phone. “Hey, where’s my cell?”

  The deputy shrugged. “Don’t have a clue. Those clothes, your boots, and your belt was all that was in the pasteboard box with your name on it.”

  “Figures. Hell.” Easy hated to lose the phone, but compared to the relief of being released – he could deal.

  “I’ll wait right here,” Zane told him as he positioned himself outside the restroom door, almost like a guard.

  Easy appreciated him. “Thanks. I’ll hurry.”

  Once the door was shut, Easy leaned against the inside of the door, taking deep breaths. “I’m going home.” There – where no one could see, he wiped dampness from his cheeks. “All right – enough of that.”

  Hastily he dressed, not even taking time to think, he just allowed one feeling after another to wash over him. Relief. Disbelief. Thankfulness. Vulnerability – which made him angry.

  Easy didn’t like to feel vulnerable.

  But over and above those feelings, was an anxiousness to see his family.

  And Jewel.

  Jewel Baptiste. Who would have ever thought there was someone in the world like her – for him? Even after all the turmoil of this experience, he hadn’t forgotten for one second that she’d told him she loved him. Yes, he experienced some qualms over whether or not she meant it in the way he wanted her to mean it. Now that he was a free man, however, he felt the whole world opening up to him. Easy suddenly felt that anything was possible. His heart soared with the idea of spending time with her. Telling her how he felt. Telling her how she’d changed everything for him.

  Knock! Knock!

  “Hey, you ready in there?”

  Zane’s voice brought him back to the present. He’d been standing there in a daze, the orange prison jumpsuit in his hand. “Yea. Coming.”

  Turning
the knob, he stepped into the hall, then handed the deputy the prison issue garment. “Thanks for the hospitality.” The man didn’t respond, he merely gestured for Zane and Easy to move on toward the front.

  “Just head on to the parking lot,” Zane told him. “I’ve got all the paperwork completed.”

  “Music to my ears,” Easy muttered as he shouldered his way through the crowded front office of the country sheriff’s department. The room was full of what looked to be college students, all wearing their school jerseys. “Frat party gone wrong?” he mumbled to Zane.

  “Looks like it.” Zane held the door for him to step out into the sunshine. As he did, a hulking form seemed to block out the light as Sheriff Otis Hill moved in front of him. For a split second, Easy’s heart jumped in his chest. He wasn’t afraid of the man, but he understood well how power can be abused.

  “Leaving so soon, Mr. Blackhawk?”

  “If you’d excuse us, Sheriff, my client and I are late for an appointment,” Zane said as he moved between them. As Easy sidestepped, staying silent, he was well aware of the look of hatred in the lawman’s eyes.

  Once they were in Zane’s rented sedan, Easy let out a long breath. “How does a man like that stay in office?”

  Zane cranked the engine, put the vehicle into gear, and backed out of the parking lot. “Sheriffs are elected, accountable to no one but the people. On the whole, the general populace is oblivious to what goes on in their government. A recall election is the only way to get a man like Hill out of office – unless he’s indicted for a crime. I’m inclined to say that’s how this fellow’s future will play out.”

  “So, the focus is off me as the killer and on the sheriff’s brother?”

  “Right. At this point, the FBI is building their case. They have the knife found at the crime scene where Marion Cole was murdered. It wasn’t the murder weapon, but it was the knife that cut the pecan branch used to torture her. There were also tiny remnants jammed in the knife bolster connecting it to the death of Julie Davis. Everett’s sick modus operandi will be one of the main things that take him down.”

  “God, that’s horrific.” Easy watched out the window as the scenery passed by. “Did Deputy Lawson come forward?”

  “He did. In fact, he showed up at Jewel’s this morning. Wade met him there and took his statement. He’ll cooperate in the federal case to take the Hill brothers down. He’s agreed to testify about what he learned about Marion Cole’s necklace being planted at your house. Of course, the clencher in all this was the camera you installed at Jewel’s. Once she remembered that, everything started falling into place. The footage not only showed when you arrived at her house and left, it also showed Mayor Hill leaving threatening messages for her to find.”

  This was news to Easy. “Jewel received threats? What kind of threats?”

  “Oh, your typical back-off warnings. Mind your own business. Die Palm Reader. Hanging a dead snake with a dead mouse in its mouth from her doorjamb.”

  “Normal? Fuck.” Easy shook his head. “She doesn’t deserve this crap.” He worried in silence for a moment. “So, is she safe now?”

  Zane thought for a bit as he headed out of town. “I’d say yes. The Hill brothers are under scrutiny at this point. All three of them. Frankly, I don’t really know what to expect. I don’t know if they’ll fight this or tuck tail and run. What they won’t do is nothing.”

  “I’ll keep a close eye on her. Maybe she should come to work with me for a few days, hang out in the office. While I can’t be with her every minute, there’s always one of the men coming in and out.”

  “I thought you might head back to Texas after this fiasco.”

  Zane’s comment seemed to take Easy by surprise. Leaving hadn’t even crossed his mind. “I appreciate my brothers coming over to see me through this unfortunate experience, but I’m not ready to go home. Not yet. I want to see this thing through for Philip.” He also didn’t want to leave Jewel. Easy needed to explore this thing with her, find out exactly what she meant when she’d said she loved him.

  “I hear you.” Zane loosened his tie, undoing the top button of his shirt. “Now that the focus is off you and on the Hills, I’ll be heading home pretty quick.” He gave Easy a grin. “Don’t like to be away from Presley for too long.”

  This made Easy smile. “I understand. Your wife’s a special lady.”

  “That she is,” he agreed. “Your girl is pretty special too. I can’t tell you how much she worried about you and how thrilled she was at every positive step we made in exonerating you.” He chuckled. “She and her mother did a spell to bring evidence to light to save you.”

  “I’m sure it worked too. Jewel is amazing.” And then what Zane said hit him. “Wait. Witch Hazel is here or was this some long-distance crafting?”

  Zane laughed. “Oh, Hazel is here. In all her glory.”

  “What’s she like?” Easy asked with curiosity.

  “I’m not sure what you expected, but she’s almost as pretty as her daughter. And feisty.”

  “Dang, I wasn’t expecting her to return.” Talk about putting a cramp in his plans for a sexy reunion. “So, my brothers and Hazel are with Jewel?”

  “Yea, Hazel is staying with Jewel and your brothers are at your house. Although, Sam slept on the couch last night and Benjen has been keeping them company today.”

  “Huh. Good.” Easy nodded his head in thought. “I’m glad my brothers have had a chance to get to know her.” As they turned on to Gentilly Road, Easy felt a bit odd. “You know, it’s weird. I feel like this ordeal lasted so much longer than it did.”

  “Not uncommon. I’ve heard people say that time tends to almost stand still when you’re incarcerated. It’s the sense of being trapped. Your freedom of choice taken away. The inability to walk away from the circumstances.”

  Easy shivered. “Can you imagine life in prison?” He shook his head. “We went up to Angola to the rodeo and I saw those men who were doing serious time. Putting their life on the line in those dangerous rodeo events was a pleasurable break from the monotony of their days behind bars.” He laughed wryly. “Seems like forever ago, but it was just last weekend.”

  “Yea. Just think, that’s what the Hill brothers have in store because Wade Prescott is on their scent now. He’ll be as relentless as one of those dogs used to track down escaped prisoners. I don’t envy them.”

  “They deserve whatever they get. Do you think they’re involved in some human trafficking ring? I know Jewel suspected that to be true.”

  “Wade’s looking into that. Jewel told him she thinks those missing women from Lafayette fell victim to Everett Hill like Julie Davis and Marion Cole did.”

  “She told me she saw their spirits trailing Everett Hill’s wife – who was wearing their jewelry.” After Easy made his comment, he couldn’t help but laugh. “You know, I just said that with a straight face. Wow, my life has changed. Did you know I’ve been playing chess with a ghost named Cotton? A man who drowned years ago in the bayou trying to save these little kids who’d fallen in.”

  “Sounds like a good guy.” Zane glanced at Easy. “Hey, I don’t question these things. Remember, I grew up in these parts. I have a good Catholic aunt who makes wangas for her quilting club.”

  “What’s a wanga?”

  “Same as a gris-gris, a mojo bag, or a mancuto. I think what you call it is just based on where you’re from.”

  “Jewel makes those.”

  Zane leaned back against the headrest, reminiscing. “I remember her telling me that when you make a wanga or a gris-gris, or whatever you want to call it, you speak your request to the bag and state it’s intention, then you literally breathe life into it by breathing onto the bag. She always said that these wangas are essentially a spirit you’ve created by building a body for it as a vessel. The herbs, stones, or charms that go within the bag are the organs. The bag itself that holds the organs functions as a body and as skin. The oil you anoint it with serves as the blood, but
also as food. The breath you blow on it functions as the literal breath of the spirit. And the intentions of the person who creates are the thoughts that move this spiritual/astral body to do your bidding.”

  “Fascinating,” muttered Easy. “Makes me wish I’d listened to my dad when he wanted to teach us boys about his beliefs. The only one who really took the time to hear was Benjen. The rest of us were too busy…” His voice dropped. “Or we were too focused on separating ourselves from our Apache heritage.” He shook his head sadly. “For a time, I think we wanted to be white so badly, we pushed against our father’s way of life.”

  “I know none of you feel that way now.” He glanced over at Easy. “I can relate to a degree. Have you met my twin, Kane?”

  “The sheriff of Kerr County. Right?”

  “Yea, that’s right.”

  “I met him at a BBQ at Highlands Ranch. He’s a good friend of the McCoys.”

  “Right. Well, we both rebelled against our father. He wanted nothing more than for us to stay in Louisiana and share the helm of the empire he built here. We didn’t want that – we wanted to make our own way in the world. Looking back, I think we went to an extreme. I’m not saying we didn’t make the right choice in our careers. Plus, we’d never met Presley or Lilibet if we hadn’t moved to the Hill Country.” He paused, tapping the steering wheel with his thumb. “Still, I think we could’ve handled our bout for independence with a little bit more finesse. Lord knows, my father’s range of power sure came in handy in your case. As the son of Robert Lee Saucier, doors were open to me and ears were keen to hear.”

  Easy chuckled. “I for one, am very glad that you were able to play the family card.” As he said this, Zane pulled up into Jewel’s drive. When he saw his brothers and Jewel waiting for him, he grinned. “You called and told them we were coming.”

  “Guilty.”

  From the instant he stepped from the sedan, Easy was surrounded by his brothers. They huddled and hugged, clapping him on the back, telling him how relieved they were for him to be free.