Sweet Mystery

by Emery, Lynn

  “You better be,” Simon said with a wink. He stepped back from her. “I don’t want to stop progress at the hottest place to party outside of New Orleans.” Simon spoke in a normal tone.

  “Mais yeah, cher. It’s a bayou kinda thang.” Marcelle snapped her fingers and bounced to the beat of music coming from the FM radio station playing over the sound system.

  “Things are going great, Simon. Better than I ever dreamed.” Rae’s spirits soared.

  The dance hall had become a popular watering hole for young professionals in nearby Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Rae also catered to those wanting family entertainment by having outdoor celebrations with activities for the kids. She had thrown herself into participating in campaigns to curb teen use of alcohol and to encourage responsible adult drinking. The result was a growing core of loyal customers, who spread the word about her Friday night Swamp Groove Jams. On Saturdays, she usually had some popular band that kept the dancing and listening crowd shouting for more.

  “This place looks better and better. I like how you got that old buffet set up. Where did you find it?” Simon said.

  “Tante Ina got it for me at her friend’s house. It was falling to pieces, but it’s a classic. So, since Mr. Calvin is doing some finishing touches around here, he said he’d fix it up.” Rae smiled. “He did a beautiful job.”

  “Sure did. Hey, when is he going to be through?” Marcelle put in. “Can’t have much work left to do.”

  “There isn’t. But he said it wouldn’t keep the place from opening.” Rae sat on the edge of the desk. “He’s working on the other half of the restaurant.”

  “I thought that was gonna be a bigger office.” Marcelle looked around the room that was no bigger than a small bedroom. “We need extra space.”

  “We need space that can bring in money,” Rae retorted. “I want to start paying Neville back. He went out on a limb for me.”

  Simon smiled at her, and brushed a wisp of dark hair from her forehead. “I’m sure he’s willing to be patient for his baby sister.”

  “But I’m not. Neville, bless him, overcame some real reservations. I’m going to see that he and Trisha get every penny.”

  “I’m sure you will, cher.” Marcelle beamed at her.

  “So am I.” Simon stared at her with a warm glow in his eyes. “Well, I gotta get going. I’ll see you later, sweet thing.”

  “Bye babe.” Rae pressed his large hand to her cheek.

  “Bye Marcelle,” Simon said with a wave on his way out.

  “Bye, now.” Marcelle sat with a smirk, staring at Rae for several minutes.

  “What?” Rae went back to sit behind her desk. “Why are you gawking at me with that silly look on your face?”

  Marcelle snickered. “You in charge, girl. Go ahead and show us how it’s done.” “All right, you.” Rae tried to suppress a cat-like smile of satisfaction that broke through anyway.

  “My man got a serious-to-the-bone Love Jones.” Marcelle snapped her fingers twice. “Now deal with that, Miss Toya.”

  Rae could not resist, “Suck swamp mud, hussy.” She giggled with the glee of a teenager.

  The two friends laughed hysterically until the tears flowed. Tales of youthful adventure flew back and forth for hours as they enjoyed the day and their companionship. After lunch, they sat out on the porch of the dance hall, each with a glass of iced tea.

  “How did I ever get along without you, and all this?” Rae gazed out over the vibrant mix of bright colors. Lush growth, encouraged by heat and moisture, crowded along the highway and at the edge of the cut lawn surrounding the dance hall.

  “You had a great musical career going, for one thing.”

  “Deep down I knew something was missing.” Rae rested her head back against the wooden rocking chair. “Still, I never would have thought it was here.”

  Marcelle gently rocked back and forth. “Strange cause I never thought of living anywhere else.”

  “Well, you never had the trouble I had. Not that I didn’t help it along myself.” Rae wore a half-smile.

  “My family ain’t exactly on the Creole social register. Lord, but you and Mr. Lucien did keep things hopping ‘round here.” Marcelle chuckled. “Did I mention how glad I am you’re home?” She patted Rae’s arm.

  “Yeah, but once more won’t hurt.” Rae sighed.

  “Looks like Raenette Dalcour is on her way to being a leading town citizen,” Marcelle said with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

  Rae gave an exaggerated shiver. “Please, let’s not take it too far. You make me sound like I’m going to join Miss Cecile’s society club.”

  “You know what I mean. The old days of hard times and people lookin’ down on us are over.” Marcelle hummed a Creole lullaby.

  “It would be almost perfect except for dead folk turning up where you least expect them to.” Rae wore a slight frown.

  A cloud floated across the sun, dimming the bright sunshine. She wondered if such a brutal act of violence close by was a sign of trouble to come.

  “I’ll bet it’s a deer or cow, something like that. Even if those bones are human, I’ll bet it is some drug smuggler – nobody from around here.” Marcelle did not stir from her relaxed pose.

  Rae squinted into the distance at the fluffy white cloud now floating on its way. Sun rays washed the landscape again with radiance.

  “I suppose you’re right. Yes, life is good.”

  *

  “Good afternoon.” Simon stood awkwardly in Rae’s back doorway. “I can come back if you want.” He gazed at the three sets of eyes examining him.

  Rae sat with LaMar, Tante Ina, and Andrew in her kitchen at home. LaMar was about to give them his latest report when Simon arrived. Rae and Simon had become so comfortable with each other that he was now used to walking around the back.

  Rae shot an anxious glance over her shoulder. “No, come on in.”

  Andrew and Tante Ina wore closed expressions while LaMar looked curious at the change in atmosphere this newcomer brought. Though her family had met Simon at the dance hall, this was the first time any of them had been in such close contact with him. Andrew had treated him with guarded, stiff courtesy in public. Rae had no time to caution her relatives to be polite.

  “I’m a little early. I could go take care of a few errands,” Simon said in a low voice.

  “Stop fidgeting.” Rae planted a firm kiss on his cheek. “Simon, that’s LaMar Zeno. He’s the private investigator I told you about. You know my sweet Tante Ina and Andrew.”

  “Nice to meet you, Andrew, Miss Ina.” Simon shook hands with the two men and nodded to Tante Ina.

  “Sit right here.” Rae pulled out a chair at the table. She then perched on a kitchen stool next to Simon while giving her aunt and brother a ‘you better behave’ look.

  “How’s your pawpaw and monmon, Simon?” Tante Ina nodded to him.

  “They’re fine, thank you,” he replied.

  “Tell Olivia I said hello. I’m gonna try and be at the Women’s Auxiliary meeting next Tuesday.” Tante Ina flashed a smile. “That Liv always comes up with the best ideas for the taste fair.”

  Andrew seemed to take her cue. “Big time party when the dance hall opened, eh? You been all right?”

  Simon nodded at him. “Fine, just fine.”

  “LaMar was about to tell us some news.” Rae looked at Tante Ina and Andrew. “I didn’t tell y’all Simon helped me. He got some information from Mr. Joe that gave LaMar good clues on where to look.”

  “That a fact? Thank ya, man.” Andrew broke into his familiar, charming smile.

  Tante Ina hopped up. “Here, son, have some cola. I brought teacakes, too.” She ignored protests from Rae that she should not move. “Pooh, I’m right here at the ice box.”

  The tension gripping Rae’s neck began to ease. Of all people, she’d been afraid that Tante Ina would have trouble accepting Simon. Yet she now realized her error. Both Tante Ina and Andrew were the most open, warm peop
le she knew. They were willing to get to know Simon; not reject him because his name was St. Cyr. The ultimate proof was Tante Ina fussing over them all, serving food.

  Simon, babe, you’re in.

  “Now we fixed up.” Tante Ina checked to make sure everyone was served at least one teacake and their beverage of choice. “LaMar, sugar, tell us what you done found out.”

  LaMar took a deep breath. “What I’ve discovered so far isn’t promising or good news.”

  Tante Ina leaned forward with both plump arms resting on her table. “You mean it’s all true? Salleau prie (doggonit)!”

  “You found them?” Rae strained forward. Her heart thumped at the thought that she might meet the two legends of Belle Rose.

  “Well, I’m pretty sure they bought tickets for that freighter. I found out that Estelle had an uncle in New Orleans. Her family goes back to the late eighteenth century in Creole society.” LaMar unzipped a black, leather portfolio. Inside was a light green legal pad, filled with notes in his neat handwriting.

  Tante Ina made a rude noise to show what she thought of Estelle’s family. “Yeah, Estelle and her whole family was something else. The Fazandes looked down on everybody, even the Joves.”

  “Well, this Uncle Alphonse is the one who probably helped her get passports. He wasn’t much older than them and he was considered really eccentric. I can’t find anyone connected to the ship who might know a way to prove they got on. So I went on the assumption that since they were never found, they must have made the trip.” LaMar flipped a page of the notepad.

  “But why leave the country?” Andrew scratched his head.

  “The freighter went to South America. There were countries there that offered more opportunities to people of color. But here’s the kicker – they could have gone to one of the Caribbean Islands, too.” LaMar looked at him and nodded slowly.

  Tante Ina waved a hand. “This is gettin’ crazier by the day.”

  Rae blinked at him. “Don’t tell me the ship made stops at the islands?”

  LaMar turned to her. “You got it. They stopped at Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Jamaica; then went on down the coast of South America, ending up in Bolivia.”

  “So he did run off with Estelle.” Andrew sat back in his chair. “That old rascal.”

  “He wasn’t old when he did it, Andy,” Rae said. Still, she understood what he meant. She, too, had grown up with the image of an older man, like the grandfathers they knew in other families.

  “It looks that way.” LaMar looked at his notes again. “And they would have needed more than a few dollars to do it. I hate to say this but…”

  “Yeah, I’m thinkin’ exactly what everybody in town was thinkin’ back then.” Andrew folded his arms across his chest. He looked at Tante Ina and Rae. “An’ they didn’t know as much as we do now.”

  “Looks like they had it right all along,” Tante Ina said in a small voice. “Even though I suspected it, deep down I always hoped it wasn’t true. Mama never said a word, but she was so bitter.”

  “Of course, you won’t know for sure unless you find out exactly where they went,” Simon put in cautiously. “I mean, they should get a chance to tell their side.”

  “What are they gonna say? Love made it right?” Andrew made a grunting sound to show what he thought of that statement.

  “I’m just saying that, although it’s a long shot, there could be another explanation.” Simon shrugged. “You never know.”

  Tante Ina patted his hand. “Thanks, cher. But I gotta agree with Andrew. Rae, quit throwin’ good money after bad. Looks like we got our answer.”

  “Simon is right. I, at least, want to hear what they have to say.” Rae’s full mouth was set in a determined line.

  “Sugar, you done what Lucien asked. He wanted you to find out the truth. Now I know this ain’t what he would have wanted to hear. Shoot, he probably wouldn’t have believed it. But you can’t spend all your money,” Tante Ina said.

  “But–”

  “Tante Ina is right, Rae. We got to think about the dance hall now. Let’s at least build that up for this family.” Andrew looked at her.

  Simon took Rae’s hand. “LaMar, what do you think?”

  “Well…” LaMar rubbed his chin for several seconds. “I have to be honest; this little mystery has led me down more than a few intriguing paths. But I have to agree with Miss Ina and Andrew. The logical thing to do, based on circumstantial evidence, would be to end the investigation.”

  “I hear a ‘but’ in your voice.” Rae sat forward. “Come on, LaMar, spill it.”

  “Maybe I’m imagining things, but it’s all too… neat, I guess is the word.” LaMar pushed his notes aside. “Look, two lovers in a fit of passion plan their getaway. They steal money and dash off one hot summer night.”

  “You could write one of them romance books, cher.” Tante Ina grinned at him.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” LaMar chuckled. “Anyway, they get to New Orleans, get on board a ship and, poof, they’re gone forever. The trail is clear up to a certain point. Why didn’t more people see them? It was in the newspapers at the time.”

  “They were careful. Maybe they had friends helping them along the way,” Rae put in.

  “And not one of them talked? No neighbors noticed anything?” LaMar shook his head. “Somebody always talks in my experience. Even career criminals slip and tell somebody.”

  Simon wore a slight frown of concentration as he digested his words. “Yeah, I see what you mean. Another thing, there was a reward offered of five hundred dollars for information.”

  “You right,” Tante Ina put in. “I remember that now. But none of the tips they got turned out to be worth much.”

  “Papa Joe said it was mostly folks who didn’t really know anything, but were just after the money,” Simon said.

  “Mais, yeah. Five hundred dollars could get you a car and down payment on a house back then,” Tante Ina added.

  “But didn’t Mr. Henry’s daddy withdraw that reward only a month later, or so?” Andrew gazed around the table.

  “What?” LaMar’s head jerked up.

  “Daddy always said that’s one thing that made him real suspicious. If you lose ten thousand dollars, why would you offer a reward and then cancel it?” Andrew lifted a shoulder. “Course I hear the old man was stingy.”

  “Not only that, he wouldn’t have given two pennies for Estelle,” Tante Ina retorted. “For all her fine family, old man Jove and especially Henry’s mama didn’t think much of her.”

  “Papa Joe said they weren’t happy with Mr. Henry’s choice of wife at all,” Simon put in.

  “Then that could be the explanation.” Andrew looked at everyone. “Right?”

  Several seconds ticked by as they all pondered the tangle of facts. LaMar had done a great job of tracing what seemed an invisible trail. There was no conclusive answer to all the questions. Yet everything they knew pointed to a likely explanation.

  Rae slumped in her chair. “Yes. It could.”

  “Babe, it’s up to you. How badly do you want to find out the whole story?” Simon put an arm around her chair.

  Tante Ina sighed. “Yeah, cher. I gotta admit that it sure is interestin’ to find all this out after wonderin’ about it for the last fifty years. But the only mystery left is where they went and what happened to ‘em since then.”

  “True. Do we wanna find a man who maybe doesn’t wanna hear from us?” Andrew asked.

  “Daddy wanted me to find out the whole truth. Seems to me we right back where we started.” Rae tapped the table top with her forefinger. “I want to keep searching, LaMar.”

  “Tell you what, I’ve got to go down to St. George’s on another case. It’s just a short hop to Trinidad from there. So the entire cost won’t be charged to you,” LaMar said.

  “Thanks, LaMar. Anything else you need to do, do it.” Rae said.

  “I’ll check with you before proceeding in any way that will exceed my daily rate.” LaMar
zipped his portfolio and stood up. “I’ll send you an itemized list of expenses for my trip. Y’all have a good evening.”

  “Sounds good.” Rae walked him to the back door.

  “Well, that’s that. We’re gonna go after the facts.” Andrew smiled. “I feel like I’m in one of those mystery movies on the late, late show.”

  Tante Ina did not share his humor. “I got a bad feelin’. My grandmama used to say watch out when you get a shiver up your spine on a hot day. Somethin’ bad gonna happen.” She looked grim.

  “Aw, come on now.” Andrew pinched his great-aunt’s plump cheek. “Just cause they found somebody’s bones and Pawpaw Vincent might be a thief, no need to get superstitious.”

  “Is that your idea of lifting our spirits, Andy?” Rae teased.

  Andrew’s wide, boyish smile beamed. “Look, business is great and it’s a beautiful Wednesday evening. Y’all gotta quit lookin’ for reasons to have a long face.”

  Tante Ina gave his ear a pull. “You and your happy face can take me on home, Andrew Paul Dalcour. Let’s leave these lovebirds alone.” She rose from her chair.

  “Y’all don’t have to rush off,” Simon protested with a blush.

  “That’s right. Stay and chat a while,” Rae added.

  “No, my club is meetin’ this evenin’ at six-thirty over to Bea’s house. Goodness, it’s almost five. Come on here, Andrew.” Tante Marie gave Rae a hasty peck on her check. “Bye y’all. I got finger sandwiches to fix.”

  “I’ll get you home in plenty of time, Tante.” Andrew followed her out of the door with his long-legged stride.

  “If you thinkin’ ‘bout speedin’, think again. Wonder you ain’t wrapped your fool self around some tree…” Tante Ina’s strong voice trailed off.

  As they walked down the side of the building, their voices could be heard in a good-natured argument.

  Simon put an arm around Rae’s neck. “Satisfied with your decision?”

  “Truth is I’m beginning to wonder if I want to know the whole story. It could be worse than any of us imagined.” She leaned on him for emotional as well as physical support.

  It was disturbing to think that her grandfather was not at all the man Lucien kept alive in memory. Her father had been insistent that his children listen to happy stories about the ‘big, handsome man.’ Yet Lucien had only been seven years old when Vincent disappeared. A child’s idealized image of the father he adored could be far from the reality.