Murdered by Superstition

by Dianne Harman

  “I think there must be some sort of connection between the voodoo dolls and Nicole’s murder. What better place is there to look for that connection than in New Orleans?”

  CHAPTER 6

  While Liz had been talking, Maddie had finished her hamburger and had pushed her basket away from her. “Liz, Judy, I’ll tell you what I know. Nicole told me once that she and her sister were estranged, and that they were as different as night and day. She said her sister was really into voodoo, thus the name change. Since voodoo dolls were involved, perhaps she had something to do with it.”

  “I heard that she changed her name to Marie Leveau. That certainly is a strange thing to do, and with the voodoo dolls Nicole had received, I would think she would have to be a person of interest,” Judy said, “although that would seem almost too coincidental.”

  “Yes, if you ask me, it does seem pretty convenient, but then again, you just never know what happens in families. Since they hadn’t had much of a relationship, why would her sister do something like that now?” Maddie picked up her milkshake and drank the rest of it through the straw. There was a loud noise when she reached the bottom of the tall glass.

  “My thoughts exactly,” Liz said. “However, my husband spent many years as a criminal defense attorney, and if he was here I’m sure he would say that there is always the possibility that’s what Nicole’s sister would want you to think, that it was too convenient, and so you’d dismiss her.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that,” Maddie said. “I suppose in some convoluted way, in makes sense. Liz, a few minutes ago you said the word one, when you asked about her sister. Is there a two?”

  “Yes, I was wondering if she was seeing anyone, say a male friend? Would you happen to know anything about her social life?”

  “Yes, she was seeing a man named Cody Evans. She started seeing him a couple of months ago. She laughed when she told me how they’d met. Nicole loved dogs and had taken her standard poodle, Saint, named for the New Orleans Saints, to a dog park near her home. She said that her dog had gone over to a man and literally pushed the man over to where Nicole was standing. She told me it was like Saint knew she and the man were meant for each other.”

  “You’re kidding. That would be something to see,” Liz said laughing.

  “Nicole and Cody got to talking after it happened, one thing led to another, and soon they were meeting at the dog park regularly. Coffees were next, and then dinner dates. Although she never said so, I had the impression they were getting very serious. She had a photograph of him on a cabinet in her office. I hadn’t even thought about him until now. I wonder if he knows.”

  “I have no idea,” Liz said. “I’d call him, but it would seem pretty strange getting a call from me, a total stranger. I hate to ask you to do this, but if you could call him, and use the pretext that Nicole had often spoken of him, you could find out if he knows about her death. What concerns me is that I’m sure Seth wouldn’t think to find out if she was seeing anyone.”

  “Don’t you think Cody would have heard about it from someone or the media?” Maddie asked.

  “He might have, and you could use that as the reason for your call. Tell him you were sure he’d heard and just wanted to tell him how sorry you are, because you knew he was important to Nicole.”

  “Yes, I can do that. Nicole mentioned once that he was a stockbroker, one of the few in Red Cedar, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find him.”

  “Maddie, I have another favor to ask,” Liz said.

  “What’s that?”

  “I’d like you to tell me how he sounds when you speak with him.”

  “What do you mean, how he sounds?”

  “Well, I guess what I’m asking you to do is find out if he sounds sincerely devastated or phony devastated. Could you also ask him if he has any idea who would have a reason or want to kill Nicole? When you’re finished, mention that a private investigator got in touch with you at the bank this morning, and tell him that she would like to talk to him. Say that you just wanted him to be aware a woman by the name of Liz Lucas would be calling him. I’ll need you to give me his phone number. I’m leaving town in the morning, so I’ll have to call him late this afternoon. Can you do all that for me?” Liz asked.

  Maddie was quiet for several moments, then she said, “Yes, I can do that. It’s the least I can do if it helps find whoever killed Nicole. Why don’t you give me your phone number, and I’ll call you as soon as I talk to Cody?” She looked at Liz and Judy in turn. “I have to tell you that I’m dreading the call. I’ve never done anything like this before.”

  “Think of it as doing something for Nicole,” Liz said earnestly. “If she cared about Cody as much as you think she did, I’m sure she would appreciate your calling him. I’d do it, but since I don’t know him, I think an introduction by you would be helpful. Thanks for agreeing to do this.”

  She was interrupted by the appearance of Gertie at their table. “Well, ladies, how were the eats? Good as usual?”

  Gertie cocked her head in Liz’s direction. “Move over.” She sat down next to Liz and said, “When ya’ goin’ to New Orleans?”

  “How did you know I was going?” Liz asked.

  “Sweetheart, tol’ ya’ before. Not much I don’t know about the goins’ on in this town. While yer’ down there see if ya’ can get some info on those voodoo dolls. Had a woman in here a coupla’ days ago, and she had one of ‘em layin’ on the table here. Gotta’ tell ya’, it gave me the creeps. Really a weird lookin’ thing. Like to hear what ya’ find out.”

  “Gertie,” Liz asked, “did you know the woman who had the doll?”

  “Naw, can’t say as I did. Ain’t never seen her before. Pretty lookin’ thing though.”

  “Gertie, this could be important. When was she in here?”

  Gertie put her elbows on the table, interlaced her hands, and put her chin on them. “Give me a minute. Need to have me a think ‘bout it.” She was quiet for several long moments, obviously searching her memory. “Okay, I got it now. Was yesterday. Got so many people in here lately with all these bus people, hard to remember, but I’m sure of it.”

  She nodded and smiled, looking pleased with herself. “I remember ‘cuz I was thinkin’ it was lucky she got a table ‘cuz a coupla’ minutes later a big bus full of people came in, hungry as could be. All of ‘em had heard ‘bout my hamburgers and milkshakes. Darn near ran outta’ food. Gonna’ have to start buyin’ more of the makins’ for burgers, tell ya’ that.”

  “Gertie, what did she look like? I don’t know why, but I think it may be important.”

  “Girl, yer’ gonna’ love me, altho’ I know ya’ already do. I can do ya’ one better than a description. Jes’ ‘membered I took a photo of all them bus people sittin’ in their booths, and realized I’d gotten a pic of that woman, too. Didn’t have the right angle on the camera, so I took another one. Thought I might use it fer advertisin’, not that I need to advertise, the way this place has become gangbusters. I’m purty sure I got a good pic of her. I’ll get my camera. Back in a sec.”

  They watched as the octogenarian institution toddled off to the hostess stand which had several drawers in it. She reached into one and pulled her cell phone from it. A moment later she sat back down in their booth.

  “Might take me a coupla’ minutes to find it,” she said as she scrolled through her photos. “Been takin’ a lot of ‘em lately. Ain’t sure what I’m gonna’ do with ‘em, but if I ever do decide to expand this joint, might wanna’ show ‘em to a banker or money man. Actually, Liz, jes’ might talk to Roger. Way he’s got clients comin’ and goin’ all day, figured he’s probably rich as Midas ‘bout now.”

  “Don’t think so,” Liz said with a laugh. “Or if he is, I don’t know about it.”

  “Yep, here ‘tis. Knew I probably had one of her. She was sittin’ in that booth over there,” Gertie said, pointing her finger towards a booth and putting her phone on the table, so the three of them could look at t
he image on the screen. “Tol’ ya’ she was a looker.”

  On the screen of Gertie’s cell phone was the picture of a very attractive woman. The woman had long blond hair pulled back from her face with a barrette clasp. Her complexion was flawless, and her eyes were a deep blue. She wore little makeup and had on a blue sweater that matched her eyes. Large round diamond studs were prominent on each earlobe.

  She appeared to be lost in thought, with a wistful smile on her face. Liz could see why Gertie thought it would make a good photo for an advertisement. She could just imagine the headline above the photo would run something like, “Gertie’s Diner – Good For The Stomach, Good For The Soul.”

  Gertie had been standing several feet away from the table when she took the photograph, and the photo clearly showed a voodoo doll lying on the table in front of the woman. It looked very much like the doll Liz and Judy had found at the scene of the murder. Liz didn’t want Gertie and Maddie to know that she had the voodoo doll that had been found next to Nicole’s body.

  “Gertie, would you mind emailing that photo to me? I have no idea what I’ll do with it, but it might come in handy.”

  “No problem, Doll. I’m sending it right now.” She tapped the phone with ease. It was a top-of-the-line model for an old lady, and Liz was impressed by Gertie’s technical expertise. “You oughta’ have it now. Check yer phone. Hey, while we’re at it, lemme’ get a pic of the three of you. Good-lookin’ as you all are, might use that pic in some advertisin’.” Gertie waved her hands around to set the shot up. “Judy, Liz, you get on either side of Maddie. Yeah, that’s good. Say cheese,” she said as she snapped the photo.

  “Gertie, send that one to me, too, if you would. I’m not advertising anything, but I don’t have too many photos with Judy and me in them.”

  When Gertie was finished Liz took her phone out of her purse and saw that both photos had been sent to her. “Thanks, Gertie. When I’m down in New Orleans, I’ll see if I can find out anything about the voodoo doll in this photo.”

  “Well, have a good time for me, and eat a coupla’ of them pralines fer ol’ Gertie. Ain’t never been there, but it’s one of them things I wanna’ do before the bucket gets me. Ya’ know what I mean?”

  “I do, but I think you mean it’s on your bucket list.”

  “Yeah, whatever. Have a good time and tell that handsome hunk of yers’ I said hi. Speakin’ of which, when’s he gonna’ be back from the city?” Gertie looked around the dining room, making sure everything was under control, before turning her attention back to Liz.

  “He’ll be back in a couple of days, and become your best customer once again,” Liz said with a laugh. Roger rented his business office from Gertie, and it was conveniently located next to Gertie’s Diner.

  When she was gone, Liz turned back to Maddie and said, “Thanks again for taking the time to meet with me. I’ll look forward to your call later today.” She turned to Judy and said, “Understand you’re treating for lunch, thanks.” Judy took several bills out of her purse and put them on the check Gertie had left on the table.

  Maddie glanced at them and said, “Thanks for paying for my lunch, Judy, but at least let me add a little to the tip.” She opened her purse, and as she did so, a tape recorder fell out of it.

  “Recording our conversation?” Liz asked in a teasing voice, only half-joking.

  “No, I read something recently about how if you wrote down or dictated the events of the day, you became much more organized. I think it works. I’ve been dictating pretty much everything I’ve done for the last couple of months, and I’m finding I’m not only more organized, I really am getting a lot more ticked off my to-do list.”

  “Good for you. We can all use a little help in that area. Anyway, put your money away. Judy left more than enough money on the table including a generous tip for Gertie,” Liz said as the three of them stood up and left the booth. Moments later one of the young busboys had cleaned the table, eager bus tour people had been seated, and were primed and ready to order the diner specialty – Gertie’s Famous Hamburger and Chocolate Milkshake.

  On their way back to the lodge, Judy asked, “What did you think of Maddie?”

  “About what I expected. Didn’t seem like she was too close to Nicole, but she knew things about her which I’d expect. Why do you ask?”

  “I think you missed it,” Judy said, “but I would swear when Gertie said she’d like to take a picture of the three of us, Maddie didn’t want to, but didn’t know how to get out of it.”

  Liz thought nothing of it. “I didn’t have that sense, Judy. I think your imagination may have been in overdrive. I do have a favor to ask of you, though.”

  “Sure, what is it?”

  “I’d like to take a little drive out to Madame Dika’s. She’s into tarot cards and things like that. Maybe she knows something about voodoo dolls.”

  “At this point, I’m just along for the ride. She sounds interesting.”

  “She is, but keep your purse next to you, and don’t listen to her when she says she can tell things about you by feeling your jewelry when its in her hands,” Liz said, hurrying towards the car.

  “Do I sense there’s a bit of a dishonest nature in Madame Dika?”

  “That might be the understatement of the year. It won’t take long.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Liz pulled over to the curb on the street in front of the Madame Dika’s purple house and turned the engine off. When she saw the parked car in the driveway, she assumed Madame Dika was conducting a tarot card reading.

  Judy had also noticed it and said, “Looks like she has a client. Should we come back?”

  “No. She usually leaves a note on the door that says to come in, and she’ll be with you when her reading is completed.”

  Just as Liz expected, they found the note on the front door, entered the house, and settled down to wait for the session to be over. After a few minutes, Judy got up and walked over to the bookcases that lined the walls, looking at the different books that dealt with all kinds of extra sensory perception. Madame Dika’s library spanned the whole genre, with everything from angels to love potion spells.

  Judy looked at Liz and raised her eyebrows. “Interesting,” she said.

  A few moments later the door to Madame Dika’s tarot card reading room opened and Seth Williams, the chief of police, walked out. He did a double take when he recognized Liz and Judy. All Liz could think about was how involved he’d been in Madame Dika’s readings when his deputy, Leroy, had been murdered.

  “Liz, surprised to see ya’ here. Didn’t think ya’ believed in this stuff,” Seth said nervously.

  Liz’s greeting was cool. “I might say the same, Seth. I thought you’d gotten your fill of tarot card readings after Leroy’s murder,” she responded.

  “Well, that was then, and this is now. Madame Dika always knows what’s in the cards for me,” he said laughing, shuffling his feet. “Get it? What’s in the cards? Anyway, I wanted to find out how that raise for me was lookin’. She said she’s pretty sure I’m gonna’ get it.”

  “Well, I suppose in that case, congratulations are in order. Congratulations.”

  Just then Madame Dika walked into the room and saw Liz. Her expression was not one of welcome. Seth looked at both women and must have decided it was time for him to leave. “Better get back to the station. Got a lotta’ work I gotta’ get done if I’m gonna’ get that raise. Nice seein’ you ladies,” he said with a fake smile on his face as he walked out the door.

  Madame Dika addressed Liz with distaste. “Ms. Lucas, what are you doing here? Don’t you think you’ve done enough to upset my life? You were responsible for ruining it, and the reason I had to leave town. I’m starting over, but I don’t want anything to do with you.” Madame Dika crossed her arms over her ample chest, her jet-black hair falling to her shoulders from beneath the red scarf she wore in a turban style.

  Liz stood up. “I won’t keep you long, Madame Dika. I’d just lik
e to know if you have any knowledge of voodoo. Do you?”

  “And what if I did? Why would I tell you? I don’t owe you anything after everything you’ve done to me.” Madame Dika took a step backwards.

  “That’s true, but since you’re outside the city limits of Red Cedar, I believe you’re doing business under the jurisdiction of the county. I know the sheriff well. Might be interesting to give him a call and see if you have all the necessary permits you’re supposed to have. If your business was closed down, that fresh start might be a little difficult for you.”

  Madame Dika’s eyes flashed with hatred as she regarded Liz. “I know many things about all sorts of strange and occult things. Voodoo is very popular in the New Orleans area, in Louisiana. They use spells for good and bad things. They also make dolls they call voodoo dolls, as well as something called gris-gris. That’s when physical things are used, like a strand of hair or a cutting from a fingernail or toenail. It can be for evil or to bring luck. The gris-gris is usually put in a pouch, and the person has to keep it on their body for it to work.”

  “Can voodoo be used to kill someone?” Judy asked.

  “I don’t know. I don’t practice it,” Madame Dika said. She shifted her gaze so she could look out the window. Another car had pulled up outside. The sound of a car door being shut was followed by approaching footsteps. “I see that my next appointment is here. You’ll have to leave,” she said, walking over to the door and holding it open while she smiled at her client who was entering the room.

  “Thank you, Madame Dika,” Liz said as she and Judy walked out the door.

  Madame Dika ignored her as she ushered her client into her house.

  “She’s a real piece of work. Is she always that friendly?” Judy asked sarcastically after they’d gotten back in Liz’s minivan.