Daniel sped through Grand Bayou village much faster than he normally would. He had a long way to go and didn’t have time to worry about the speed limit within the village confines. He flipped on his GPS chart plotting instrumentation, which provided him a clear image of all the canals, bays, and bayous in his immediate area. He needed to continue for approximately a mile due south on Grand Bayou Canal. Then he would veer off onto the similarly large Socola Canal and head southwest until he hit Bay Sansbois. After crossing Bay Sansbois, he would cut through the narrower Bayou Dulac and then to Bay Batiste. Working in the coastal marshes for the past ten years had taught him the importance of using caution through the canals and bays. A boater could easily damage his vessel on underwater obstructions such as oil and gas pipelines, submerged dams, abandoned shrimp nets, sunken vessels, oyster beds, derelict pilings, and a sundry of other dangerous objects. Running into one of these could bust, crack, or split the hull of his boat, as well as permanently damage a propeller blade or entangle it in the prop. He needed to move swiftly, but he also needed to avoid an untimely collision.
On a normal day, Daniel would be concerned about colliding with other boaters. Seeing around one canal into another was difficult, because of the marsh grass and shrubbery that lined the shore. Boaters frequently experienced near misses as they rounded the curves. Recently a man and his wife had been killed when another boat slammed into theirs as it emerged from an intersecting canal. Daniel didn’t think he would have a problem with other boaters today, but he would keep an eye out just in case.
Once out of the village, he pushed the throttle further forward. The two powerful engines roared in obedience and rapidly propelled the boat through the water. He made sure to stay near the center of the canal. If he strayed too far to either side, he could easily get trapped in the thick marsh mud. He didn’t need to get any mud sucked up into the cooling line of his engine. This would prevent the water from circulating around the engines and the motors could overheat.
Daniel double-checked his marine radio to make sure it was set on the channel that Claude had radioed on. Though he couldn’t hear anything over the engines, he would eventually stop for a moment to see if he could make contact. He thought possibly the closer got to Claude’s location, the better the chance he would be able to clearly hear him and respond.
After a few minutes, he veered to the right into Socola Canal. The canal was two miles long, and wider than Grand Bayou. A few forgotten crab trap floats bobbed on the surface, but nothing else moved in the normally heavily traveled canal. On both sides grew flats of marsh grass, which extended far into the distance. Every now and then a side canal branched off leading to some indeterminable destination. A few large skeletons of cypress tree stood frozen in death off to the right, but it would not be long before time claimed even these remnants. As he observed the marsh habitat, he failed to notice the boat trailing him approximately a quarter mile behind.
Sixteen
Sheriff Holet sat in the wheelhouse of the shrimp boat he had boarded, and waited for Trahan to pass by. After some time passed, and he didn’t see him, he began to question whether he would return his way. If Trahan decided to head north on Grand Bayou Canal, he could take any of the numerous dredged canals branching off to the west. Depending on Trahan’s destination, those canals could take much longer to travel. Holet didn’t think Trahan was familiar with these canals, so he stayed put, gambling he would retrace his route
From his position, Holet could observe whether Trahan really was rescuing somebody. If so, he would be able to see the extra persons in the boat, and they would head back toward Happy Jack Marina. After what seemed like a long wait, Holet finally heard Trahan’s engines, and saw his boat go by. Holet lowered himself in the wheelhouse and peered over the wheel. No one else rode in the boat with Trahan, not even the teacher. Trahan didn’t look his direction, so the Sheriff felt confident he hadn’t been seen. If Trahan really was rescuing a mother and her two children, he should have been able to see them. He wondered what happened to Trahan’s teacher friend, but didn’t have time to investigate it. Trahan sped along rapidly. Holet needed to get in his boat and trail Trahan wherever he was going. He would look for the opportunity to deal with this problem once and for all.
As Holet pulled out of the side canal, he could see that Trahan was not turning back toward Happy Jack Marina. He headed south on Grand Bayou Canal. Holet allowed him some lead-time, and then followed. Several minutes passed, and Trahan took Socola Canal heading west. As he followed Trahan, the current situation seemed reminiscent of an earlier time. Holet found it hard to suppress thoughts from that fateful night James Trahan was murdered.
He remembered that after they rolled James Trahan into the boat tied up in the net, they set off for one of the deeper areas of Bay Batiste. Lauzon’s camp was located at the mouth of where Bayou Dulac opened up into Bay Batiste. Bayou Dulac was a short, but wide natural canal that connected Bay Sansbois to Bay Batiste. The distance had not been far to travel that night. However, even with a bright moon, they had trouble finding their way in the vast bay. They planned to tie the anchors to Trahan, and then drop him alongside a sunken shrimp boat. The only way to locate the submerged vessel was to find a white mast that still protruded out of the water. By dumping Trahan next to the boat, they would avoid a shrimper or oysterman inadvertently snagging on the body.
After nearly two hours of searching in the darkness, they finally found the sunken boat. They dropped anchor and shut off the motor. As they set about tying the two heavy anchors to Trahan, he began to talk to him through the netting. He shared with them that his physical death was only the beginning of a new spiritual life. He also told them he forgave them for their actions. Holet and the other deputy worked as quickly as possible. Trahan’s words seared Holet’s conscience, but fear kept him from doing what was right. Fear of the consequences, for him and his family, if he didn’t follow through on Lauzon’s orders. As they grabbed Trahan’s body, they could hear him praying to God. Instead of pleading, they heard him giving God thanks for the many blessings he had been granted in life. He was praying for his wife and child when the two deputies dumped him overboard. He floated momentarily until they dropped the two anchors in the water behind him. He immediately sank to the bottom and to his death. Holet looked at the other deputy, took a deep breath, and pulled up the boat’s anchor. In the years that passed, the other deputy died, and now only he carried the awful secret of James Trahan’s death.
As he pursued the younger Trahan, a mixture of conflicted emotions battled within him. Fear, anger and uncertainty churned inside, but fear remained the most powerful. As much as he wanted to think of himself as a different person now, he was essentially the same. Nearly forty years later, fear still mastered him. It compelled him on to actions that under normal circumstances were unfathomable. He had become a slave to fear, and fear acted as a cruel and demanding master.
Seventeen
Rachel noticed the changing weather after Daniel pulled away from the dock. The breeze had picked up and the clouds increasingly filled the sky. She knew they needed to act quickly to evacuate. She went back in and found Adele caring for her son, holding his head up and giving him a sip of water. Michelle stood at the foot of the bed watching her mother.
After Adele finished, Rachel asked to speak with her in the next room. Rachel explained they needed to quickly gather some food and clothing, and then depart for Port Sulphur. The boat was not big, which would limit what they could carry. For the next forty-five minutes, Rachel and Adele set about gathering essential items. They also secured the house as well as they could to weather the approaching hurricane.
Once they placed in the boat those supplies they needed, they began to prepare Andre and Michelle. They suited Michelle up with a small life preserver. Then they went to Andre’s room, and Adele bent down to help her son sit up. As Andre attempted to sit upright, he gasped in sudden pain. Adele quickly lowered him back down on the bed.
“My stomach, mama! It hurt bad,” he nearly wept in pain.
“Oh, sha! Ahm so sorry. We’ve got to go because de hurricane is coming.”
“I know mama. But it hurts.”
“Ah know it does, baby. Let’s try again. Dis time we’ll go slow, and Ms. Rachel will help lift you.”
Rachel moved to the other side of Andre’s bed, and they put their arms around his back. They gently lifted him, but Andre continued to experience sharp pains. They would not be able to continue, so they gently laid him back down on the bed. Rachel began to think about his diagnosis. She knew a person with stomach flu experienced nausea, vomiting, fever, and cramps, but she thought it unusual he experienced such sharp abdominal pain when trying to sit up. Stomach cramps shouldn’t cause the intense pain that Andre was experiencing, she thought.
She asked Adele if Andre experienced any pain when she touched his abdomen. She didn’t know. She told Andre she was going to put a little pressure with her hand on his stomach. When she did so, Andre groaned pitifully. Adele quickly pulled her hand back, apologizing to her son, and looked to Rachel for an answer. Rachel motioned to go in the next room.
“Adele, I don’t know for sure, but Andre’s symptoms are similar to appendicitis. I know the doctor said he had stomach flu, but he shouldn’t have such sharp and intense pain when he is barely touched like that.”
“You tink appendicitis?”
“I don’t know for sure, and I hate to second guess a doctor, but it sure seems like a possibility. I’m concerned that if we try to move him, his appendix could rupture. If it ruptures while we are moving him to the boat or during the trip, it could be very dangerous for him.”
“What do you tink we should do?”
“I think maybe we should try to call 911 again and see if we can get help.”
Adele agreed, so Rachel dialed 911 and spoke with the emergency dispatcher. The dispatcher took down their information and stated that all emergency help was tied up. She said that a Sheriff’s patrol boat was reported to be in their area, and she would see if it could be contacted. She also stated she would contact the Coast Guard to find out if any helicopters were available. She placed Rachel on hold. When the dispatcher came back on the line, she said the Sheriff’s patrol boat did not respond. She also stated that the two Coast Guard helicopters were still dealing with the offshore helicopter crash. The dispatcher told them to remain near the telephone, but to go ahead and make preparations if they absolutely had no other choice but to evacuate on their own.
Rachel hung up the telephone with renewed apprehension. She explained the situation to Adele, and suggested they make final preparations and then grab something to eat. They removed Michelle’s life preserver and explained to her and Andre that they were going to have to wait a little longer for help to come. Adele turned on the TV to check the weather. The hurricane track still showed it churning in a westerly direction, while the forecaster continued to warn residents to evacuate. Rachel and Adele’s concern grew, but they tried to remain calm around the children.
Eighteen
Daniel cleared Socola Canal and jetted out into Bay Sansbois. The bay was large, rounded, and shallow, about two miles wide and a few feet deep. It was a popular location for oystering, crabbing, and shrimping. Long white shafts of PVC pipe poked up out of the water to mark oyster beds. Sometimes cane poles or tree branches were used. Crab traps were normally scattered about the bay, identified by the round white floats that bobbed about. Many of the crabbers had already hauled in their traps so they wouldn’t lose them during the storm. Though the bay was only a few feet deep in most places, when the wind kicked up the waves could wreak havoc on a small boat. During windy days, smaller boats would have to take side canals to reach their destination.
Daniel had progressed only a third of the way across the bay when he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye to his rear. He turned his head and was surprised to see another boat, similar in size to his, quickly gaining ground. When he looked back again a couple of minutes later, it had closed much of the gap. He could see the markings indicating it was the Sheriff’s patrol boat. Whoever operated the boat must have seen him turn to look, because the flashing blue light came on, as well as a siren. Daniel slowed his boat, frustrated in the delay, and confused as to why the law would be following him.
As the patrol boat pulled closer, Daniel could see the lone occupant was the Sheriff. Daniel wondered how the Sheriff could have known where he was going. He must have been following him after he left Rachel’s apartment. Daniel immediately felt uneasy about the situation, but the Sheriff represented the law and he was obliged to obey. Maybe he could quickly explain the situation, and the Sheriff would either agree to help or would let him continue on alone.
Daniel idled the engines and the Sheriff pulled up alongside. His face looked serious.
“Sheriff.” Daniel nodded. “Is everything alright?”
“No, Mr. Trahan. We’ve got a problem. I need you to throw me your tie down rope. An issue has arisen.”
“That serious, Sheriff?”
“That’s right. Your tie down rope.”
Daniel shut his engine off, went forward, and tossed the rope to the Sheriff. Sheriff Holet took the rope and tied it to his boat. Daniel stood by the sidewall waiting for the Sheriff to speak. He was shocked when the Sheriff pointed his 9mm directly at his chest. Confusion clouded Daniel’s mind. He didn’t understand what he had done and why it required a pistol to be pointed at him.
“Sheriff. What…what’s going on?”
“I want you to very slowly step out of your boat and into mine.”
“What? What for?” Daniel responded.
“Don’t make me ask you again!” the Sheriff growled, clearly meaning what he said.
Seeing no other alternative, Daniel stepped out of his boat and into the Sheriff’s. The Sheriff took a step back as he did so.
“Now untie your rope and toss it back into your boat.”
“Sheriff, I haven’t even let the anchor down. If I untie, my boat will drift away. It will be lost in the hurricane.”
“That’s right.”
Daniel now perceived the true danger of his situation. This wasn’t official police business. This was personal. His life might be on the line. Why would the Sheriff be so concerned about him?
He did as he was told and his boat began to slowly drift away.
“Face the front, get on your knees, and place your hands behind your head,” the Sheriff ordered.
Daniel complied, and the Sheriff stepped forward putting handcuffs on one wrist. He jerked Daniel’s arm behind his back and then the other, handcuffing the two wrists together.
“Now, lie on the floor,” the Sheriff commanded, giving Daniel a push forward.
Daniel fell forward face down on the floor of the boat. He couldn’t believe what had transpired in the last few minutes. His head spun with confusion. The Sheriff started the engines and Daniel felt the boat pick up speed. He thought they were still heading in his original direction, but he couldn’t be sure. As they sliced through the water, Daniel heard the Sheriff’s marine radio crackle to life. It sounded like someone requesting the Sheriff’s help, but the Sheriff ignored the call.
After about ten minutes of travel and a few turns, Daniel felt the Sheriff power down the engines. The patrol boat settled down into the water, as the Sheriff guided it toward something Daniel couldn’t see. In a few moments, Daniel felt the boat bump something solid on one of its sides. The Sheriff cut the engines, and tied the boat off front and back. He reached down and pulled Daniel up from the floor by his arms. Daniel observed that they had docked at an abandoned fishing camp. The wooden structure must have been nice in its heyday. It was unusually large for a fish camp with evident care put into its construction. Now, however, the roof had partially collapsed, the windows were busted, holes could be seen in the outer walls, and the dock was half rotted aw
ay. Time, weather, and vandals had taken their toll.
As he looked around, Daniel noticed the camp was located at the end of a long bayou and overlooked a large bay. Daniel couldn’t remember having been to this location before, but he guessed it must be located at the western end of Bayou Dulac. The large bay before him must be Bay Batiste, if he correctly figured the direction the Sheriff had taken. He knew somewhere in that vast watery expanse, Claude LeBlanc was struggling to stay alive.
“Sheriff, I don’t know what is going on or what I have done, but you need to know there is a man named Claude LeBlanc who sent a distress call. The Coast Guard was not able to send help, so I was heading out to help him. Every minute of delay means less chance he will make it home safely alive.”
“I don’t think he’s your greatest concern right now. Now step out of the boat!”
“What do you…”
“Shut up and get out of the boat!”
With the Sheriff holding him by one of his cuffed arms, Daniel stepped out of the boat on to the timeworn dock. The Sheriff nudged him down the dock toward the entrance of the old camp.
“Why are we here Sheriff? What have I done?”
“Don’t act stupid, Trahan. We both know why you’re here. You just couldn’t leave things alone.”
Daniel was even more confused. Did the Sheriff have some personal issue with him doing the study of the marsh? It just didn’t make sense.
They entered the fish camp. The front door was missing and gaping holes perforated the wooden floor. Daniel could see the mud and marsh grass several feet below. The interior had several rooms, but no furnishings. It smelled dank and musty. Thick pilings protruded up through the floor to the ceiling.
The Sheriff released Daniel’s arm. “Now turn around slowly Trahan.”
Daniel did so and once again found the 9mm pointed at his chest. With his other hand, the sheriff began reaching for something in his pocket.
Murder in the Marsh Page 7
