Deadly Countdown

by Margaret Daley

“Why Pierre? He can’t be the stalker. He’s seventy and…”—the laughter in his eyes teased her—“…never mind. If anyone knows what’s going on in town, it’s him.” Pierre owned the general store and spent most of his time there, talking to everyone. But the best part was he was a great listener.

  “Right. A stalker can be any age, but I don’t think he’s the one, or I wouldn’t be talking to him about your situation. He and Papere are best friends. When I was growing up, I used to think I had two grandfathers. I’m going to have him keep an ear out. Also, I’m giving him a list of the gifts you received. He might see a buying pattern we can’t.”

  “I never thought of that.” Allie looked over her shoulder at David’s Folly and glimpsed Bo watching them leave.

  “I’ll walk you to the marina office.”

  “You don’t have to. I’m fine here.” She gestured at the people around now that they were heading for the restaurant/harbormaster’s office.

  His lips thinned. “I could argue that. Remember yesterday? The note? But I’m going in that same direction.”

  “Are you telling me no place is totally safe?”

  He put his hand at the small of her back. “I’m asking you to be aware of your surroundings. Don’t take anything for granted. Don’t assume a person isn’t a suspect unless he’s been ruled out.”

  “Is that what you have to do on your job?” She stopped before entering the office.

  “I’ve become…cynical in the short time I’ve been a police officer. I’ve seen what people can do to others that would turn your stomach.”

  She reached up to smooth his frown lines away. “You’re not the same person who left Port David four years ago.”

  “No, but you seem to be.”

  “Then why are you a police officer?”

  “Because I’m good at it, and someone has to protect people. Otherwise chaos would rule.”

  “If only people would live by the Lord’s example. That would solve all the problems.”

  His expression darkened, and his frown returned twofold. “I can’t afford to have a Pollyanna outlook on life. I’ve even questioned the existence of God.”

  “You have? You believed before you went to Dallas.”

  “And I told you, I have changed.”

  The man before her wasn’t the same person she’d been best friends with. Or at least he didn’t think he was. She’d seen glimpses of the boy he was when they first met and formed a bond because both their mothers had abandoned them. “My aunt tells me change can be good, so it doesn’t make any difference to me. You’re my friend no matter what.”

  Remy smiled, cupping her face in his hand, inches from her. His nearness charged the air around her, making her acutely aware of him. Her lips tingled, his thumbs near them. A crazy thought popped into her mind.

  Will he kiss me?

  Remy dropped his arms to the side. “I feel the same way about you, and this friend needs to talk to Sheriff Guice now, or I’ll have to wait to pull your Jeep out of the ditch.”

  Before going inside to meet with Captain DuBois, Allie slanted a look at Remy strolling toward the restaurant next to the harbormaster’s office. His slight limp reminded her of his near death a few months ago. She’d already lost Landry in a freak boating accident when he went fishing in the bayou. She didn’t want to lose Remy too. She wished he had a safer job, but even when he’d lived here, he’d been a sheriff’s deputy. One of the reasons she’d been drawn to Landry was his safe, boring career as an accountant. Yet he was the one who had died.

  She shook thoughts of her deceased husband from her mind. If nothing else, she’d learned the Lord was in control, not her. She just knew she didn’t want to ever feel that kind of gut-wrenching loss again. Two in her life were enough.

  Inside, she found the captain waiting at her desk, and he gave her the information she needed to draw up a lease for an additional slip. “I’ll have this to you after lunch.”

  As Captain DuBois left, she jotted down some notes on a piece of paper, glanced at her watch and decided she would have some time after meeting the Lawsons to work on the new lease.

  When she emerged from her office, she nearly collided with Adrien. “Sorry.”

  He chuckled. “You’re always in a hurry. That’s a good thing. If the marina slips are all full and the condos rented, the company is doing well.”

  “It’s taken a few years, but Paul’s advertising efforts are paying off.”

  “I saw you talking to Remy. I hope he’ll stop in here. He always does when he’s home.”

  “Yes. In fact, he plans to after talking to Sheriff Guice.”

  “He’s in town?” Adrien fell into step beside her. “Is he here about your wreck last night?”

  “How did you know about it?”

  “Celeste told me this morning when I saw her at the marina café. She assured me you were all right, or I would have been paying you a visit.”

  Adrien had been a good friend almost as long as Landry and Remy had been. Landry’s younger cousin by a year had begun hanging out with them when Landry and Remy let him. “I’m sore from the seatbelt and airbag but nothing else.”

  Stopping at the exit, he faced her, a scowl darkening his features. “What happened?”

  “I fell asleep at the wheel. Thankfully, I was the only one involved in the wreck. I’ll tell you about it later. I have an appointment with Mr. and Mrs. Lawson from New Orleans at the condos”—she glanced at her watch—“in ten minutes.” She smiled and opened the door. “They’re looking at one of the luxury condos. Wish me luck.”

  “I don’t need to. You’ll cinch the deal. You’re one of Paul’s best hires, right behind me when Tom Broussard retired.” His grin widened.

  Allie headed out of the building, feeling much better after talking to Adrien. In the past few years, he had been her biggest cheerleader beside her aunt.

  * * *

  At the back table in the café, Remy rose at the same time as Pierre Fontana. “I know this is your busy time. Thanks for talking to me.”

  Pierre, a short, bald-headed man, grinned. “I’m glad you came here. Allie is special to me. I’ll let you know if I hear anything. I wish I could help you with that list of gifts she received. The only thing I have is that most of the PCV pipe brought in the last six months was for the marina or condos, which doesn’t really narrow anything down since over half the men in town work for the Sundowner Corporation in one capacity or another.”

  “I was hoping the glitter could be tracked.”

  “Not everything comes through the store. A lot of people direct order online.”

  “Too bad. It would have made this job easier.”

  “I know a few of the teachers use it in art projects, and Mattie does in some of her clothing designs she sells.”

  Remy shook the older man’s hand and started toward the exit. He stopped halfway when he saw Allie come inside with Bo. Obviously, all his warnings this morning hadn’t stopped her from going to lunch with the man. She said she hadn’t changed. He should have realized she would do what she wanted no matter what. If anything happened to Allie, he—

  “Remy,” Allie said and waved toward him. “I didn’t think you’d still be here.”

  “I’m leaving to take care of your Jeep. I’ll be back after that to take you home. Can you leave work early today?” He hoped Allie would take the hint and cut this lunch with Bo short.

  “I can.” She glanced at Bo. “I still have a few things to complete for a couple of new leases, so Bo, this will have to be a quick lunch.”

  “Did something happen to your car?” Bo asked, pulling out a chair for Allie.

  As fast as gossip flew around this town, Remy couldn’t believe Bo hadn’t heard about what happened to Allie the night before. If so, what kind of game was he playing? The urge to stay and join them was strong, but he did need to get the car out of the ditch and then come back to take her home. He scanned the crowded restaurant. Allie should be safe, but he sti
ll had to make it clear she needed to leave the investigating to him.

  “See you two.” Remy cut in before he headed toward the exit, peering back once to witness Bo leaning close to Allie with the biggest smile on his face.

  That man was not her type. Surely she knew that. If not, he’d warn her as any friend would. He stepped outside and headed to his SUV, rounding the hood of his car. When he turned on the engine, a light came on to indicate the tire pressure was low. Before he left Dallas, he’d had his SUV checked, including the tires. After climbing from the car, he began to circle it examining the tires on the driver side first. When he moved around the back, he stooped to inspect the right rear one. Flat.

  * * *

  Allie finished the last of her chef salad and washed it down with a long sip of sweet iced tea. Lunch had progressed nicely with Bo asking her out to dinner, which she’d politely declined. “I’m glad I have a short day. I’m tired.”

  “But you left the party early. You usually stay until the end. Is something wrong? You never answered about your Jeep.” Bo took a bite of his shrimp po’ boy sandwich while his attention remained fixed on her face.

  “I had a wreck on my way home last night.”

  He chewed his sandwich, his gaze dropping away from her, but not before she caught his eyes blinking several times. Instead of saying anything, Bo ate the last bite of his sandwich, signaling the waitress.

  “Are you all right?” She asked him the question she thought he would have asked her.

  He swallowed hard. “I just remembered I have to get the rods ready for the fishing trip tomorrow. I promised Captain DuBois I would.” When the waitress stopped at the table, he continued in a strained voice, “I need the check please.”

  “Bo, what’s wrong? You have all afternoon to see to the fishing equipment.” Although she hadn’t intended to prolong their lunch, now she wanted to. “I’m fine, but I’m worried you aren’t.” Did you slip something into my drink?

  The question was on the tip of her tongue when Bo shot to his feet. He tossed down two tens and said, “This should take care of the bill.”

  Before she could open her mouth, Bo was hurrying to the exit.

  Allie stood, intending to follow him and get to the bottom of what had upset him. Then she remembered Captain DuBois wouldn’t be at the boat this afternoon, and there was no way she would confront Bo alone with her suspicions. She would have Remy talk to him. When she emerged from the marina café, she glanced at David’s Folly. She didn’t see Bo. He would have had to run to get to the boat and inside the cabin.

  Maybe something else was going on. She hoped so, because Bo had always been nice to her, even in his tenacity to date her—nothing like Jules Gauthier. Whether he was her stalker or not, Remy would deal with it. Allie started for the Sundowner’s headquarters, but the hairs on her nape rose. Why did she feel as if this wasn’t a typical Saturday on the job?

  Chapter Five

  Remy walked into the Sundowner’s headquarters and strode toward Allie’s office, the corridors deserted. He was late because he had to stop at Anthony Chauvin’s garage to have his tire repaired since he’d picked up a nail somewhere. After that, he’d hurried home to get his grandfather, and they’d hauled Allie’s Jeep from the ditch. It was drivable. Papere had headed home in her car while Remy had come back to town for Allie.

  As he approached her office, he heard her talking to a man. He quickened his step. When he entered, Paul stood next to her desk, leaning toward Allie, who was seated. Remy couldn’t hear what Paul was saying to her, but her body screamed exhaustion from the dullness in her eyes and the slump of her shoulders. Good thing she was going home early.

  She saw Remy. Although she grinned at him, the furrows between her eyebrows remained. “Hi, Remy. I’m ready to go.” Then she shifted her attention to Paul. “Thanks for bringing me the key.”

  “Anytime.” Paul nodded toward Remy and left the office.

  After Paul turned the corner at the end of the hall, Remy moved further into Allie’s office. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have a stalker.” She withdrew her purse from the bottom desk drawer.

  “No, with Paul.”

  “He asked me out again. I told him no. I keep telling him I’m not ready since Landry’s death.”

  “Is he sexually harassing you? Putting pressure on you as his employee?”

  “No. In fact, he’s up front about it. I’ve never felt my job was at stake.”

  “How many men have asked you out since Landry died? Your aunt told me some.”

  Allie rose. “Besides Paul and Bo, Anthony Chauvin and Jules Gauthier.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “You didn’t think to tell me that?”

  “They aren’t secret admirers. They’ve been open about wanting to go out with me.”

  “That doesn’t exclude them. Did you go on a date with any of them?”

  “Except to lunch with Bo today, which I don’t consider a date, no. They can’t fill the void Landry left in my life.”

  Could he? He wanted to ask her that, but they weren’t the same people—well, at least he wasn’t.

  “Actually at the end of lunch, Bo acted strangely. When I mentioned I was in a wreck last night, Bo all but shut down after that. Within minutes, he left the restaurant. Right before that, he asked why I went home early from the party because I usually stay to the end. I like to make sure new guests are enjoying themselves. Do you think Bo is my stalker?”

  “Why didn’t you call me right away when you thought that?” He worked to contain his frustration. Allie still didn’t see the danger she could be in.

  “You told me you were getting my Jeep and then coming to pick me up. I have no proof about Bo, so what could you do right then?”

  “Talk to him. Where was he going?”

  “To David’s Folly to work on the fishing equipment, or at least, that was what he said as he practically ran out of the restaurant.”

  “Let’s go. I’m taking you home then coming back to find Bo.” Remy ground his teeth together then moved to the side to let Allie step into the hallway.

  “Why don’t you go now? He won’t do anything to me with you around. That way you won’t have to drive back into town. Remember you and your grandfather are coming to dinner tonight.”

  “How do you know what Bo is going to do? Port David isn’t the same place it was when we were children. Its population has doubled, and with that, more problems may occur. Sheriff Guice only reconfirmed that this morning. His department is understaffed and overworked.”

  “Please, Remy, just take me home. I don’t want to hear it right now,” she said in a strained voice, and when she turned toward him, her expression displayed the exhaustion he’d seen before when she overextended herself. “Let’s have a normal evening then see Bo tomorrow evening. They have a charter during the day.”

  He grasped her arm and tugged her to him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. Then who would listen to my problems?” He quirked one corner of his mouth, hoping to coax a genuine smile from her.

  Her frown lines faded. “That’s how I feel about you. You were late. Did you have problems towing my Jeep out of the ditch?”

  “No problems. Papere drove it back to your place. I had a nail in my tire and went to Anthony’s Garage to have it patched. That’s all.”

  He’d parked near the door to the building, and five minutes later, he pulled out of the lot.

  “It’ll be nice to be home and have the next two days off.” Allie relaxed against the seat.

  “I’m with you on that.” He sliced his gaze toward her for a second. “But first I need to talk to Bo. Take a nap. I won’t be gone long, then we can enjoy a nice dinner.”

  “And for a few hours put this stalking behind us.” She rolled her head to the side to look at him. “Bo has been very open about wanting to date me, especially lately. He asked me out to dinner at lunch.”

  Remy’
s hand tightened about the steering wheel. “What did you say?”

  “No.”

  “How did he take it?”

  “He seemed all right, but he told me he was going to keep asking me until he wears me down. He said it as a joke, but maybe there was more to it. That’s why his reaction at the end was so strange. If he is my stalker, he possibly didn’t think I would drive home and have a wreck.”

  “So what was he thinking?”

  Allie shrugged. “I don’t know. There are things that don’t make sense. He was near me all evening at the party. Maybe he was going to come to my rescue and offer to drive me home. He did ask to escort me to my car. Bo often does things without thinking about his actions or consequences.”

  “And that can get a person into trouble.”

  “Do you think the stalker, Bo or whoever, had anything to do with you having a nail in your tire?”

  Remy turned onto the road that led to their homes near the bayou. “Maybe, but it isn’t the first time I’ve picked up a nail in a tire. Why do you think it’s the stalker?”

  “Because we’ve been together quite a bit since you’ve been home? Most people know we’ve been friends forever, that we aren’t dating.”

  “True, but I’ve known best friends to marry. An officer in Dallas married his best friend. They’re going on ten years now. Papere thinks we would be perfect for each other.” When he glanced at her, a flush suffused her face.

  “What are you saying?”

  “Nothing. Just telling you anything is possible. It’s a big commitment, and a lot of people aren’t ready for that.” Why was he even talking about marriage? In Dallas, he went out with various women, but he had no desire to be tied down. His job was time consuming. Maybe it was because he had been off these past few months on medical leave. Too much time on his hands. Things would change when he went back to work.

  “That’s my point, exactly. I married once and lost him. I don’t want to go through that again.”

  Remy pulled up to Allie’s aunt’s Creole country house on the bayou, built on stilts. There were many times as children that he, Allie, and Landry had played on the front and rear galleries. Or they would explore the swampy land nearby in a skiff Landry’s grandpa had given him. Lots of memories stirred in his mind. But those carefree days were gone.