Insight

by Jennis Slaughter

  Slowly walking to the church entrance, Reverend Preston watched as the blonde got into her Jeep, turned it on, and headed towards town. Quickly he jogged to his office, and arrived slightly winded. He was gonna have to quit those extra plates of pecan pie.

  “Hey, this is Reverend...yeah, just shut up and listen. There’s a blonde Private Investigator nosing around, asking about Jenny LeBlanc, and she has a list of the missing girls. I want to know who’s been talking, and I want her followed every minute that she’s here. I’ve got a bad feeling about this...yeah well, let him know too. You tell him to do what he has to do. I’ll pray for him later.” Hanging up the phone, he ran his hands through his thinning hair. This was a sweet deal and he wasn’t going to let a little piece of blonde destroy it.

  j

  Waking up with a smile, Rae couldn’t wait to face the day. Her dreams had been filled with her and Del walking through a field of saw grass while holding hands. The feeling that had stayed with her was one of comfort and love.

  Getting dressed, she walked through the house, checking on different wards and things, making sure that everything was just as they should be. Walking into the kitchen, she spied Rori sitting on the porch rail and tapped the window to get his attention, before she started their breakfast. “Hey, would you like some smoked salmon?”

  “As if you need to ask,” he scoffed, jumping off the rail and heading for his door.

  “Be nice Rori, or it won’t be fresh and instead it will be cat food,” Rae joked as she took out a filet and broke it into little pieces.

  “Have I told you how much I love you Raelin?” he purred, jumping onto the counter next to her, rubbing against her arm.

  Placing the dish in his favorite spot, the brunette proceeded to make her breakfast and started some soup for lunch. After the two friends had finished, Rae picked up the plates to start cleaning up.

  “Any news about Del this morning? I know that she wasn’t disturbed during the night, but I know that she’s probably stirring this up by now.”

  “Hmm, not much yet. Still early though, your troublemaker is only getting started. Last I heard she was heading towards the church.”

  Shaking her head, Rae winced. “I wouldn’t want to be her right now. Reverend Preston is most definitely a devil in sheep’s clothing. Please keep an eye out, and let me know if anything unusual happens.”

  “I promised you I would Rae, I intend to keep that promise. I’ve got the equivalent of the pony express set up with the town cats,” he chuckled. “You need to realize that for the most part, Del can probably take care of herself.”

  Turning to look out through the kitchen window to the tree line, Rae was quiet for a few moments. “I would rather not take the chance Rori. This is too important...she is too important to me. Just let me know, all right.” With a pat on his head, the brunette left the room to go check on things.

  j

  Del stared at the road as she watched for the turn off. She’d been checking out local fishing and hunting camps, but the first few she’d come across, had been legitimate camps. She was determined to figure out what had been meant by delivering to the camps but figured if she didn’t find anything at the next few places she’d head back into town.

  Spotting the turn she quickly pulled in and only had to go a few yards before she pulled into a yard with a couple trucks parked. She observed the movement of the men in the yard and knew this wasn’t going to be pretty. Steeling herself mentally, she jumped out of the Jeep, making sure not get too far from it. “Afternoon gentlemen, nice camp you got out here. I’m thinking of getting one myself so I was just out taking a look around.”

  The youngest male, grinned as he caught his first glimpse of the blonde. “Coooh woman! What’s a city girl like you want with a fishin’ camp?” The potbellied older man that was pushing himself up from his rocking chair scowled. “Betcha dis here’s the bitch that Mack warned us about.” Reaching behind his back, he pulled out an Arkansas Toothpick, and used the knife to pick at his fingernails.

  ‘Oh shit, this is not going to end well,’ thought Del as she watched them approach, stopping a few feet from her. “Well, I happen to have grown up in a small town. Sometimes you miss the country. I don’t know why this Mack would want to warn you about me. I’m not out to cause any trouble.”

  Shaking his head, the younger man was still grinning. “That ain’t what he said. He said you’re sticking youse nose where it don’t belong, and he wants you to stop. I just think that I’m gonna have me some fun right here.” He took a step towards the blonde, intent on rubbing his hand through the golden hair.

  Well trained in defending herself, Del instinctively batted his hand away. “Look like I said, I’m not here to cause trouble. I just want to find the girl. That’s all. If you have seen her, just tell me so I can take her back to her mother.”

  “Hey...I was tryin’ to be friendly. You didn’t have to go and hit me.” Without another thought, he backhanded the blonde, which took her to her knees. “Now we’ll have to do this the hard way.”

  The older man started towards the pair. “Youse really shouldn’t have done that cher. Buford don’t like to be told no.”

  Del winced at the taste of blood in her mouth, and lost any patience she’d had. She was going to find the girl, and if that meant dealing with this group of halfwits, then so be it. Reaching back, she punched the inside of the closest thigh, hitting the pressure point just so and sending the man to his own knees as his thigh cramped. She quickly scrambled to her feet, taking up a position to defend herself. She was out numbered, but it’s not like this was a first for her.

  Shaking his head, the pot-bellied man lowered the knife and took a step forward. “Dat dôn matta that youse put Buford down. Youse still gonna bleed.”

  “I’m already bleeding. I wouldn’t get too close with that. I might feel threatened.” Del almost groaned at her own stupidity. ‘Way to provoke him Delaney.’

  “Pic kee toi bitch.” Fuck you bitch. Buford squeaked from the dirt. “Youse gonna go away for a long time.”

  “Tuat t’en grosse bueche Buford. Youse vay-vay too much and Mack will slice out your langue pod nay.” You have a big mouth Buford. You spend time talking and Mack will slice out your tongue partner. The older man warily reached out to help up his friend.

  Del watched closely, keeping track of the knife in the older man’s hands as he helped his friend up. “Just give me the girl, and I’ll leave all y’all alone. I don’t want a fight.”

  “Which fille youse speakin’ of Cher?” The man eased his friend out of reach.

  “Jenny LeBlanc. She’s been missing a week and don’t feed me any bullshit.”

  “Youse is t’es folle cher. Jenny not here...” You’re crazy dear. Pot-bellied man replied.

  Buford groaned and started to stand as the wind began to pick up and clouds gathered to darken the sky. Looking up, he shivered as he felt electricity in the air. As he brought his head back down, he paled and took a step backwards.

  “I just told you not to feed me bullshit. I know you guys have seen her, but to jog your memory; she’d be just a bit taller than me with hazel eyes and auburn hair.” She stepped forward, her face clearly showing her anger. “Now tell me what you know and you might come out of this okay. Cause if one hair on that poor girls head has been touched, so help me, Mack will be the last of your worries.”

  “Step away Delaney...” Raelin’s voice seemed like it surrounded the camp. Turning, the blonde gasped at the sight. The brunette was striding forward, her hands held away from her sides while her hair seemed to float upon the wind. Her entire body appeared to glow, as her eyes were as black as the Louisiana bayou.

  Del forgot about the men she’d just turned her back on and focused on Rae. She watched partly in shock as Rae continued striding towards her, and as terrifying as seeing this side of Rae was, Del found it a little hot too. “Rae? How did you get here?” she questioned in a whisper.

  “Get behi
nd me Del.” Rae’s eyes never left the two men. “C’est un vilain temps. Vous deux pouvez vouloir vous enfuir pendant que vous pouvez.” It’s ugly weather out. You two may want to escape while you can. She brought up one hand and thunder rolled so hard, they felt the tremor in the ground.

  “Now Raelin...youse no gris-gris on us. We no mess wid youse,” Buford stuttered.

  Raising her other hand, the brunette pointed at a cypress tree and it was split by a bolt of lightning. Her eyes had shades of red around the black. “Vous avez fait du mal à mon ami et vous avez apporté mal juju à Leroy. C’est votre dernière chance de partir. C’est votre choix.” You harmed my friend and you brought bad juju to Leroy. This is your last chance to leave. It is your choice.

  Del snapped out of her stupor and stormed to Rae’s side. “What are you doing? I told you to stay away from all this. I can handle myself. Besides, I need them to talk.”

  Rae tightened her jaw, but did not look at the blonde; instead, she maintained eye contact with the two men. “The one that you are looking for is not here.”

  Del let out a frustrated growl, reaching out; she grabbed the older man by the collar, pulling him down so they were eye level. “You are mighty lucky Raelin showed up when she did. Now if I find out you knew anything about Jenny LeBlanc I will personally see to it that you never see the light of day again.” She shoved him back and started storming to her Jeep pausing only to hiss two words to Rae as she passed, “Your house.” Slamming the Jeep’s door, she pulled out of the yard and headed for Rae’s.

  Taking a step forward, Rae didn’t feel any pleasure as the men took three steps back. “Vous shah now...vous non-couillons. If I see you again, I will gris-gris voutre famille. ?Vous comprend.” You leave now...you are no fools. If I see you again, I will curse your family. Do you understand?

  Both men nodded their heads and headed down the road as fast as their feet could take them.

  Rae watched them until they were out of sight before she slowly lowered her arms. She still had a lot of power running through her and with her emotions as they were, she couldn’t reverse it back into the lines. Closing her eyes, she said a prayer to the Mother Earth and to her Goddess for forgiveness and flung the energy into the dirt. Two huge craters appeared on either side of her about four feet wide and a foot deep. The clouds very slowly rolled back as the winds settled down to a gentle breeze. Taking a few deep breaths, she slowly opened her eyes and turned around to walk back the way that she came.

  j

  “Need a lift?” Del asked, leaning against the hood of her Jeep. Once her initial anger had worn off, she’d realized that Rae’s truck hadn’t been anywhere near when she’d pulled away and she’d turned back, feeling guilty that she’d just left Raelin with two dangerous men.

  “No thank you. I would rather walk.” The brunette barely gave the blonde a glance.

  “I’m sorry. I was a jerk, you were just trying to help, and I’m too stubborn and proud to see that. I really didn’t want you getting hurt. Obviously, you can take care of yourself just fine. I’m not used to having someone else help me. I haven’t needed anyone else in a very long time and it scares me.”

  Raelin stopped next to the blonde, but didn’t look at her. “It won’t be a problem again. From now on, if you want help, just ask for it. It won’t be offered again.”

  “Please Raelin, at least let me take you home. I know I screwed up, and I know that sorry isn’t going to cut it for leaving you here like that, but let me do this much.” The adrenaline was starting to leave her system and Del felt drained; her lip was swelling and she could feel the burn where it had split. Even so, the sinking feeling in her chest was worse.

  “Fine, but the only reason is that there is something you need to see.” The brunette went around to the passenger side, got in, buckled up, and waited on the blonde.

  Del sent up a quick prayer and then joined Raelin in the Jeep, starting it up and headed for the house. “I really am sorry Rae,” she whispered as she drove. Getting no response, Del glanced quickly over to the brunette, and found her staring straight ahead. Knowing she’d probably get nothing out of Rae until they got to the house, she concentrated on the drive. She watched the trees pass, the sinking feeling in her chest growing until all she wanted to do was scream in frustration or cry her eyes out. She wasn’t sure which.

  After what seemed like days, they finally pulled into Raelin’s yard, and after parking the Jeep, she quickly jumped out, needing the fresh air after the suffocating tension of the drive.

  Unbuckling her seatbelt, Rae got out of the vehicle and carefully closed the door. “Come with me please.” She led the blonde inside to a back hallway that was through the utility room until she came to a closed door. Slowly, she opened the door and walked inside. They were in a small sitting room with a television and a sofa while there was a smaller room off to the side. Walking in there, Rae motioned to the bed. “Jenny LeBlanc.” With that, she turned and walked out.

  Del stood there with her jaw hanging open for a few moments. Seeing that the girl was alive, but sleeping, she opted for getting some answers. She turned and followed Rae, trying to catch up to the taller woman’s stride. “Rae, wait. I’d at least like an explanation. I know you couldn’t have hurt her, or I’d like to think that way, so could you at least do me the courtesy of explaining how she ended up in your house, very obviously in bad shape?”

  Rae stopped in the middle of the utility room and slowly turned to face the blonde with her hands clinched. “Courtesy...you’re asking for courtesy? I asked you who you were looking for? I offered to help you, but you turned me down. You instead got yourself beat up and it would have been worse if I hadn’t come along. They were planning on raping you.”

  “You think I don’t know that? I’m well aware of what they were planning. Trust me, it’s not like it would have been the first time I’ve been in that situation. I do this sort of thing for a living. Did you ever think for a moment that I might have had a reason for asking you to stay away?”

  Del knew this was going all wrong. She didn’t want to fight, not now that her initial anger had worn off. She needed a moment to clear her head, and Raelin probably did too. “Look, I don’t want to yell and scream with you. Why don’t we take a minute to catch our breaths? I’ll go lock my gun in the Jeep and meet you in the kitchen or something and we can talk about this like adults.”

  Rae looked down at the blonde. “I have one question. Would you stay away if you knew I was being hurt? Wouldn’t you do everything that was in your power to come and help if you could?”

  “Of course!” Del paused a moment, as the implications of that sunk in. “I am such an ass,” Del groaned.

  Staring down at the blonde, Rae could feel her remorse and her guilt, and decided to give her some slack. “Yes...however, you’re my ass. Now go put your gun in the Jeep, and I’ll get the first aid kit for your lip.”

  Del took her time heading out to the Jeep and back, letting the cool evening air clear her head. She popped open the lock box and dropped in her now unclipped holster. She was reluctant to leave it out here but she would respect Rae’s wishes. She looked at the files she had locked in there earlier that day. Deciding to take a chance, she pulled the files out and locked the Jeep back up. After a moment or two more for a few deep breaths, she headed back in, taking the files with her.

  While the blonde was outside, Rae took a moment to walk to her bathroom to get her version of a first aid kit. Inside she had lavender oil, which could be used to help calm someone, but could also be used to speed healing. Comfrey paste that also would speed up the healing, and it would minimize scaring. Carrying the container to the kitchen table, the brunette poured a couple glasses of water and waited.

  A Chapter 8 a

  “Looks like the doctor is in huh?” Del smiled awkwardly as she entered the kitchen, dropping the files on the table as she sat down. “Here let me see the kit and I’ll patch myself up.”

  Smirking,
Raelin handed Del the kit and sat back to see what happened.

  “Bossy little thing, isn’t she?” Rori’s voice drawled in her head.

  Turning her head slightly, Raelin saw him sitting in the kitchen doorway. “She’s used to being on her own,” she thought back.

  “Well, that doesn’t give her an excuse for being rude.” The gray cat came to sit beside his human.

  Del opened the lid of the container and bunched her eyebrows together in confusion. She looked up at Raelin, noticing Rori next to her. “Where’s the peroxide? Oh hello Rori, sorry I don’t have any salmon, but this is kind of a surprise visit.”

  “Ah sorry.” Raelin stood back up and reached into a side cabinet to pull out a brown bottle. “Here you go. Would you like some help?”

  Knowing it would be really awkward to treat a cut on her face without the benefit of a mirror and not recognizing anything in the kit, she decided to swallow her pride. Besides, she’d gotten herself in enough trouble with the brunette by refusing her help. “Yeah, maybe you’d better. I have no idea what half the stuff in that kit is.”

  Rori jumped up on the table and rubbed against the blonde’s shoulder while looking at Rae. “She’s learning.”

  Rae bit her bottom lip as she opened the bottle of peroxide and dribble a bit of the liquid over Del’s lip, catching the excess with a clean cloth. As it started to bubble, she instinctively blew gently against it, even though she knew that there wouldn’t be any pain.

  Del hissed as she felt Rae blowing on her cut and she had to fight down the urge to lean forward the scant inch and a half and kiss her. “Thank you for doing this. I probably don’t deserve it.”

  “Everyone deserves it...they just won’t all get it from me,” the brunette whispered. Copper colored eyes gazed into jade green. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had gotten there too late,” Rae’s voice cracked.