by Emery, Lynn
“My friend, Darlene, has an antique store on Front Street. She’s so happy that she’s ready to fight anybody who says a word against Rae. But it looks like she isn’t the only one.” Nola’s arched eyebrows went even higher.
“She’s pretty special.” Simon wore a faint smile. His anger at Henry’s words was fading. “I’m sorry I had to get into an argument with Mr. Henry. I can understand his bitterness even after all this time, but he was out of line.”
“Well, forget him. Let him stay back in the old days while the rest of us enjoy all the good stuff happening now.” Nola gave him the thumbs-up and left.
Simon sighed. He knew she was right. The present was too wonderful, the future too bright, to let anything or anyone spoil it. He was soon so immersed in his next task – preparing to bid to build low-rent housing for the elderly – that he forgot Henry.
*
Rae never felt so good lugging a weighty bag. The receipts from the dance hall gave her a healthy cash flow. Though the crowds over the last two weeks never matched the opening weekend, she hadn’t expected they would. But the coming summer months looked quite promising. She chatted amiably with the bank teller who handled her deposit.
Leaving the bank, she stopped by several shops to network with other small-business owners. Three black female entrepreneurs had suggested they get together monthly to share ideas and problems. Rae was thrilled for the chance to make new friends. Marcelle had joined them for the first meeting since she was self-employed as a bookkeeper.
As Rae came out of Darlene’s antique shop, she collided with Henry, stomping down the sidewalk.
“Oh excuse me,” she said. Noticing the pinched look on his face, she asked, “You okay?”
“Seems you have a talent for getting in the way,” Henry snarled.
Rae squinted at him. “Good morning to you, too.”
This was closer than she had ever been to the man. Rae studied the expensive white shirt of soft knit cotton and olive green pants. Even in casual dress, Henry Jove looked as though he were on his way to a corporate boardroom. Rae did not feel intimidated in the least by the hostile look stamped on his nut-brown face.
“Young woman, you’ve always been too clever for your own good. That dance hall will only lead to a lot of drunken idiots falling into the bayou.” Henry brushed off his pants as though contact with Rae had soiled them.
“You mean your relatives from out of town are coming in soon?” Rae knew her response was childish, but he had opened the old wound of being an outcast.
“Very funny. You won’t be laughing when folks realize that hole in the wall is costing them tax money.” Henry glared at her.
“What?” Rae put both hands on her hips.
“We’ll need more sheriff deputies to round up the drunks, more ambulances to scrape them off the highway, and more trash collection,” Henry sneered at her.
Rae resisted the urge to slap the superior look from his face. “Get out of my way.”
“You won’t stand between us and industrial development for long, girl. That property should have been sold to Simon.”
“Simon and I have an understanding. And it’s none of your business,” Rae shot back.
“Darcy and Simon had plans for that property that could have meant hundreds of jobs for black people. But you were too selfish and ignorant to see it.” Henry grew more incensed with each passing moment.
“That’s a stretch. Operating a recreational area wouldn’t have meant hundreds of jobs,” Rae said.
“Simon didn’t tell you? That was just for the short-term. Most of the property was eventually going to be part of a new plant.” Henry nodded with satisfaction when Rae looked stunned. “Darcy was going to make it happen.”
Rae recovered. “Darcy? So he lied to Simon. You forget that I know your grandson. Nice try.” She turned to leave.
“I’m not finished, young woman.” Henry blocked her way.
“Look, your first wife preferred other men. Is that my fault? Maybe she was screwing my grandfather. It’s been fifty years, for crying out loud. Get over it!” Rae threw the words at him like well-aimed arrows.
“Shut your dirty mouth, swamp trash!” Henry balled both his fists, his face twisted.
“Grandfather, what is she doing to you?” Toya had crossed the street from a fancy women’s boutique.
“Vincent Dalcour was a lying, no-good–” Henry stumbled back against the wall of the storefront, clutching his left arm.
Rae did not like the ashen cast to his skin. “Take it easy. You look like you need a doctor.”
“Grandfather, come over here.” Toya led him to a wooden bench. She patted Henry’s hand and accused Rae at the same time, “Now see what you’ve done?”
“Mr. Henry, getting worked up over old grudges isn’t good for you at your age.” Rae was concerned. He did not look good at all. “Let’s call a truce. I mean, we both said some nasty things that we shouldn’t have–”
“Speak for yourself,” Henry said. He seemed to be gathering his strength. “I told the truth.”
“Just go away,” Toya put in.
“No problem. By the way, I’ve hired a detective to find out what really happened to my grandfather. I can take the truth. Can you?”
Rae made it a point to stroll away without hurrying. She looked back to see them walking slowly down the street. A few people offered to help. She could hear Henry insisting he was fine. Any concern she’d felt for the stubborn man was gone.
“It’s true what they say. Success is the best revenge.” Rae wore a grim smile as she threw one last glance at the pair.
*
Rae was so busy with the dance hall that she had not thought about the investigation for days. She was inundated with all the details of running a business. Even with able assistance from Garrett, there was still so much she had to do herself. When LaMar called, she felt a flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety. He gave her a few details, but was reluctant to say more until they met. That he suggested her brothers be present was even more intriguing.
The next day they were all sitting in Rae’s living room. LaMar wanted to get right down to business after the introductions had been made.
“LaMar has done a great job so far.” Rae looked at him expectantly. “But he’s playing the part of the mysterious private eye.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Some news should be given in person.” LaMar glanced at them all. “I’ve traced your grandfather to Uruguay, I think.”
“Uruguay?” Andrew blinked at him. “What the hell would he be goin’ there for?”
“Wait a minute now. What do you mean, you think?” Neville asked.
“Is he there now? What does he look like? Is Estelle with him?” Rae shot out the questions. Her mind raced ahead, trying to figure out how she could leave the dance hall and travel to this exotic place.
“Hold up, one at a time. Let me start at the beginning. I found old records that show a couple got passports to travel there and bought passage on a freighter. They were to work off part of the cost.”
Neville frowned. “But why didn’t the authorities know he was wanted?”
“Somehow all this slipped through the cracks. Maybe they never considered they would try to leave the country. Or they could have paid hush money.” LaMar shrugged. “Anyway, nothing indicates they didn’t go on the ship.”
“But nothing to prove they did,” Rae put in. This all seemed too farfetched. She had a feeling something was wrong.
“No, that’s why I said I think that’s where they went.” LaMar looked at Neville, who nodded.
“But, why Uruguay?” Andrew scratched his head. “I mean what would Pawpaw Vincent know about any place farther than Houston?”
“Maybe he paid more attention in school to geography than you did, Andy,” Neville quipped. “Lots of black folks left, goin’ to other countries for better opportunities. Don’t forget what it was like back then for us.”
“Right,” LaMar added. �
�Quite a few Latin American countries had economic booms in the early twentieth century. Uruguay was quite prosperous until the late sixties. Black people left America to settle there and in the Caribbean.”
“Doesn’t feel right,” Rae said.
“That’s what I’m sayin’,” Andrew added. “Somethin’ strange about all this.”
“The other thing is this – they could have gotten off in another country; Brazil, for one. If so, it would take a lot of looking with little chance of finding them.” LaMar sat back and looked at all three.
Neville grunted. “In other words, a lot of money.”
“So we gotta decide if we can afford it and how bad we want to find them.” Rae drummed her fingertips on the arm of the sofa.
Neville shook his head. “Rae, I know you wanna keep your promise to Daddy. But you all ready invested several hundred dollars. You got the dance hall that needs tending.”
“The cash flow so far is good.” Rae reviewed all the options.
Neville frowned. “But you got big expenses, remember?”
“You went over the books with me. We’re pulling in a nice profit.” Rae sat forward. She was ready to debate continuing the search.
Neville rubbed his chin. “I know but…”
“Hey, I paid you back a nice chunk all ready.” Rae tapped his arm.
“It ain’t about that,” Neville replied. “I knew the first few days that I’d be gettin’ my investment back. You don’t have to rush.”
“Trisha slipped up and told me about the second mortgage, Neville. I made her go down and make a big payment on that loan.” Rae wagged a forefinger at him. “Within the next few months, I want it all paid off.”
“Doggone it, that woman can never tell a lie.” Neville looked sheepish.
“Thanks for wanting to help, big brother.” Rae kissed his cheek.
“I told Daddy I’d make sure you both stayed straight. Ain’t had much success with that one.” Neville pointed to Andrew with a wry smile.
“Watch out now.” Andrew gave him a playful swat on the shoulder. “So what we gonna do?”
Rae looked at Neville, then Andrew. “I really want to keep looking. But to be practical, let’s set a time and money limit.”
Neville thought for a few seconds. “Okay, sounds reasonable.”
With guidance from LaMar on the cost and probable timeframe, they decided that he should continue for at least another six weeks. They negotiated a flat fee, which included LaMar taking a trip to Uruguay or whichever South American country seemed most promising.
“We might be close to finding out what happened. I just have a feeling…” LaMar lifted a shoulder. “I can’t explain it.”
“Yeah, just like for some reason it doesn’t feel right that Pawpaw would go away like that. Daddy and Tante Ina said he was crazy about his children.” Rae tried to explain the tinge of uncertainty in her gut. “And he’d played around with other women before Estelle.”
“Don’t forget the money,” Neville said with a somber expression. “The money went with ‘em.”
“Then at least we can put all these questions to rest,” Rae sighed. “Either way, I’d like to know if he’s alive. I want to meet him.”
“And her, too,” Andrew added. “Wouldn’t that be something? To be able to get it straight from the horse’s mouth.” He gazed at his brother and sister.
“The plane couldn’t get me there fast enough,” Rae said. Goosebumps rose on her arms at the thought of it.
*
“Who the hell do you think you are, boy?” Henry yelled at Darcy. “I built Jove Enterprises into a multi-million-dollar operation before you were out of diapers.”
“Grandfather, calm down. You haven’t been feeling well.” Toya hovered next to his chair.
They were in Henry’s spacious den. A golf match played out on the big-screen television in one corner. Cecile waved out the housekeeper and closed the door.
“Henry, if you won’t see Dr. Picard, you should at least get some rest.” Cecile tried to plump a pillow behind his back.
“Get away from me, woman!” Henry threw it onto the floor. “I don’t need you pawing at me all the time.”
Cecile drew back, her face pale. “I just thought–”
“Then don’t think. I end up worse off every time you do,” Henry snarled.
They stared at each other in silence for a few moments.
Darcy cleared his throat. “Pantheon needed an answer, Grandfather. They wouldn’t wait around forever to know exactly what to expect from us.” He spoke in a measured tone.
“Don’t talk to me as if I’m senile.” Henry turned his wrath back on Darcy. “I have to hear what’s going on in my own company second-hand at a damn Chamber of Commerce luncheon.”
“Calm down. I’m sure Darcy knows what he’s doing.” Toya tried to soothe Henry. She glanced at her brother out of the corner of her eye.
“Be quiet, Toya. Darcy, tell me everything.” Henry glowered at him.
“Pantheon was not happy about the change. It was touch and go for a while.” Darcy looked pleased with himself. “But I did my homework. I bought old man Trahan’s property. He died last month. After I found his son in Atlanta, he was happy to sell at a good price.”
“Lloyd Trahan sold his family’s property that easily? I don’t believe it.” Henry fixed Darcy with a discerning gaze. “What else did you throw in besides money?”
Darcy stuck out his chest. “I made a few phone calls, so his industrial pipe company will get some of Pantheon’s contracts.”
“Good thinking,” Henry admitted, grudgingly. “But there’s something else…”
“Yes, er, there will have to be some dredging along Bayou Pigeon,” Darcy said.
Henry sat forward. “Haven’t I told you plainly how I feel about that?”
Darcy lost his confident look at the gathering storm in his grandfather’s eyes. “Studies show it won’t affect the water flow. At least look at the reports, Grandfather.”
Henry was silent while the others seemed to hold their breath. “All right, I’ll take a look.”
Darcy looked relieved. “Great. The deal would certainly fall through without making barge traffic possible. And we need to build a road through a section of our land near Bayou Latte to–”
“What?” Henry’s head jerked up.
“Those woods about seven miles down, between Bayou Latte and Valcour Landing. With the change, we’ll need a road to the back of the plant for delivery from the barges.” Darcy wore a look of confusion at the effect of his words.
“No, no, no, dammit!” Henry rose from the chair, his eyes wide with rage. “T-that’s prime hunting land. I won’t have it disturbed,” he shouted.
Darcy stared at him in shock. “A road in that location is critical. We started two days ago.”
“Then you can just stop.” Henry advanced toward him. “Did you hear me?”
Darcy’s expression hardened. “No.”
“What did you say, boy?” Henry asked in a raspy voice.
“It’s time you really retired. I’m going to take full control of the company and I’ll make the decisions. I’m CEO now.”
Henry raised a clenched fist. “Stay away from that property. I-I’ll have you thrown out of my office! My company–”
Henry swayed in a wide arc, his eyes glassy.
Toya jumped up to grab him on his right-hand side while Darcy moved quickly to his left. Cecile let out a squeal of distress. The left side of Henry’s mouth twisted sideways. He slumped down onto Toya, knocking her to the floor.
“Call an ambulance! Oh, lord, Henry! Henry!” Cecile wailed.
*
Rae leaned against Simon. “I thought he was going to hit me.”
They were sat in his condo, sipping wine.
“Yeah, well, he’s not too happy with me either.” Simon wore a look of sympathy. “I never realized he was still so angry. You’d think it all happened last week.”
“H
enry Jove has taken carrying a grudge to a whole new level, cher. The man is a little scary with this obsession. Estelle must have put some kinda voodoo love spell on my man,” Rae said.
“Let’s forget about him and everyone else. For the first night in weeks I don’t have to share you with a hungry, thirsty crowd.” Simon hugged her to him. “I just want us to concentrate on each other.”
Rae pressed her mouth against his, her tongue tasting his sweetness. “Hmm-mm, you got it,” she mumbled.
She strained against him, relishing the feel of his hands on her breasts. Fire raced through her pelvis. A week had passed since they had made love. In short order, both shed their clothes quickly and lay down on the thick carpet. Simon pulled her on top, astride him in one motion.
Rae felt an urgency; she did not want to go slow. Simon responded with the same intensity. Rae moved up and down fast, her hips pumping as he gripped her waist. He came with a loud cry, his body arched, lifting her high. The sensation of him growing even harder inside her brought the sharp, sweet pain of her orgasm. Rae gasped for air as she gently rolled to lie beside him.
“Whew! That was so good,” she panted, and then sighed as a whisper of chilly air from the vent above washed over them.
“What got into you?” Simon’s chest rose and fell rapidly.
“You,” Rae said with a giggle. She stretched. “Good thing this carpet is so soft.”
“Come here.” Simon grabbed at her.
Rae wiggled away. “No, I wanna cool off first. Then we’ll take another ride.
“Better get my Wheaties,” Simon said with a soft moan.
Simon retrieved a pair of pajamas. Rae put on the shirt and he the pants. They listened to a variety of music on his compact disc player, from hip-hop to Mississippi Delta blues. They were so settled in for a cozy night of intimacy that the ringing of the telephone was a jarring intrusion.
“Ignore it,” Simon mumbled. He rested his head against Rae’s neck as they snuggled on the sofa. The answering machine clicked on, with Simon’s voice prompting the caller to leave a message.
“Simon, Grandfather is very sick. We’re at the hospital and he is in intensive care,” Toya rasped in a tearful voice. “Please come. The doctor said he might not make it. Simon, please,” she sobbed. Then there was a click as she hung up.
