by Emery, Lynn
“Don’t be such an idiot!” Deputy Tullier took a step toward him.
Lee put a hand to the big man’s chest. “All right, enough of that. Look, I know you don’t want Ty Rance’s foot on your neck. You want a way out. We can help you.”
“That good cop, bad cop routine is so old it’s on crutches.” Denny slumped in his chair with a sullen, defiant expression. “Shove it.”
“You little—” Sheriff Boudreaux began, but stopped when Lee raised a hand.
Lee leaned down until his face was a few inches from Denny’s. “I’ll get to the point. They’ve got enough to put you in jail. But they’re willing to cut a deal.”
“If I turn informant, right? Like I said, shove it,”
Denny broke in before he could continue. He wore a stubborn frown.
“This isn’t an invitation to a party you can refuse,” Lee shot back. “You’ll be tossed in jail and Ty’Rance will think you talked.”
“I hear the guy is paranoid as hell,” one of the other officers said mildly.
“Yep,” the other man said.
“Killed two guys by the time he was fifteen. Served juvenile time for one. Never could prove he did the other dude,” Deputy Tullier added.
Denny licked dry tips. “Y’all need to work on this act. I’m not buyin’ it.” His voice wavered in spite of what he said.
“With Ty’Rance as a ‘friend,’ you don’t need us as enemies. I could have let them take you down right along with him, Denny.” Lee stared at him.
“I can’t believe this shit.” Denny closed his eyes.
“Think!” Lee yelled. “They’ve traced the stolen supplies to you. But they want more than a petty theft conviction. They want Ty’Rance off the streets,” Lee said.
“So the little fish get ground up so they can catch the big fish,” Denny said bitterly. “Like you care what happens to me.”
“I could have gone along and let them get you on drug trafficking. Minimum sentencing for conspiracy applies; life without parole.” Lee had to punch through to him with grim facts. “Who’s going to take care of your grandmother, Denny?”
Denny covered his face with one hand. “Aw, damn!”
“Either way you were going to be arrested, but our way, you could get probation. Take the chance to be there for her.” Lee stood back again.
“I need time to think. Give me a day or two.” Denny rubbed his eyes with both fists.
“No, you make a decision before you walk out of here. Either get with the plan or go to jail,” Sheriff Boudreaux said.
Denny looked up at Lee. “Did you tell them I stole stuff from the clinic? Is that how they found out?” Before Lee could answer, Deputy Tullier spoke up. “We suspected you long before that.”
“Thanks, but I’m going to be straight with him,” Lee said. “You were one of several strong suspects. I helped narrow it down. I don’t want to see you in prison for the rest of your life, Denny.”
They stared at each other for several minutes. The other men waited without intruding on the silent communication between them. Denny heaved a deep sigh. “All right. I don’t have a choice anyway,” he said. “No, but maybe after this is over you’ll have better choices for your life,” Lee said.
“Yeah, right.” Denny looked away from him.
Lee knew full well how the young man felt. Denny had only bad experiences behind him. That kind of childhood made it hard to expect anything good. Lee had gone down that lonely, bumpy road for too long. Yet for a brief time he had not been alone. He thought of Andrea as the others took over talking to Denny.
***
“So you’ve gotten all settled in, I see,” Charlene said with a smile. She glanced around Andrea’s apartment.
Andrea gazed at her for a second or two. She could read Charlene like a book. “Go on; tell me how the decor could be improved.”
“It looks just fine. I love that sofa and chair.” Charlene looked distracted even though her smile remained.
“Thank you,” Andrea replied, surprised. “What’s wrong?”
“Does anything have to be wrong for me to visit you?” Charlene twisted the strap of her leather-trimmed straw summer purse.
“You talked to Gran.” Andrea gazed at her. “Now you know I know.”
“She had no right to tell you,” Charlene blurted out, frowning angrily. “Louis drank a bit, but really you know how Mama can be. Stray an inch from the path of righteousness and …” She lifted a shoulder. “You get that from her, being judgmental, I mean.”
Andrea ignored the dig. “You should have told me about Daddy years ago, Charlene. Daddy did more than ‘drink a bit.’ Tell me the truth for once. I can take it.”
“It wasn’t all that bad,” Charlene protested. She sighed. “Louis was under a lot of stress.”
“He died because he was driving drunk,” Andrea said. The words rang out cold and sharp. Charlene winced. “Isn’t that right?”
Charlene covered her face with both hands. When she took them down, her expression was pinched. She seemed to have aged in an instant. “It wasn’t all his fault,” she said. Her voice was so low Andrea leaned forward.
“Someone got him drunk?” Andrea said.
“Yes.” Charlene clasped her hands together in one tight ball.
“Who?” Andrea sat very still and waited for an answer. She could hear the ticking of a crystal clock on the bookshelf across the room. “Charlene?”
“I did.” Charlene closed her eyes. “At least, I might as well have. I pushed him to it. He found out about…” “That I wasn’t his child,” Andrea said. Her mother’s response stunned her.
Charlene shook her head. “No, he’d suspected that all along. But it didn’t matter. He loved you just the same. In fact, he didn’t want to know for sure. I think he convinced himself after a while that you really were his daughter. Louis was like that. So different, even as a little boy.”
“I don’t understand.” Andrea stared at her mother.
“He was so intense. Sometimes he’d get quiet for days at a time. Just wouldn’t talk.” Charlene pressed her lips together as though in pain.
“What happened between you? You weren’t even with him that night.”
“No, not in the car. Before that, though.” Charlene took a deep breath and let it out. “Louis found out I’d started seeing John again.”
“Oh, my God!” Andrea murmured. She gazed at her mother with a grimace that mirrored the abhorrence she felt. “How could you do that to him?”
“Let me finish before you pass judgment, Andrea!” Charlene said, her voice loud and commanding. “My marriage to Louis was a disaster. He needed to control everything about me. My hair, my clothes, everything. He insisted on approving anything I bought. If he thought it wasn’t appropriate, he’d make my life miserable until I took it back. Three times I refused. Just got fed up and said no. You know what he did?”
Andrea felt a chill at the look on Charlene’s face. “What?”
“I came home one day and he’d ripped two blouses, a
dress and a pantsuit to shreds with a straight razor.” Charlene hugged herself. “He left them in a pile on the floor right by the closet. ‘There’s your slut clothes,’ he said.”
What Charlene described was typical of the accounts she’d heard from emotionally and physically abused women.
“Did he ever hit you?” she whispered.
“No, never. But sometimes I’d wish he had. After years of listening to Mama about my behavior, I tried to make it work. Everyone said how lucky I was to have such a kind and steady husband. And they all talked about how good he was with you.”
“So you turned to John Mandeville again,” Andrea said in a strained voice, trying to comprehend.
“I was so lonely. I hated being in that house with him.” Charlene looked at Andrea. “A lot of people might not believe this, but John can be a sweet, thoughtful man.”
“Was Daddy anything like I remember him?” Andrea asked. Every memory seemed to be bu
ilt on lies and secrets.
“Yes, baby.” Charlene put an arm around her and hugged her close. “Louis loved making you toys and taking you fishing. I really think those were the only times he was truly happy.”
Andrea hugged her mother back. “Why did you let me put all the blame on you?” she asked, her voice shaking with emotion.
“Because I was guilty in a way. I didn’t try to understand Louis.” Charlene spoke in a wise, serious voice very unlike her usual self. “Looking back, I can see that I used Louis. I married him because it made life easier for me.”
“I’m sorry, Mother,” Andrea said quietly.
Charlene’s eyes filled with tears. She brushed her fingers through Andrea’s dark curls. “That’s all right, sweetie pie.”
Andrea had never felt this close to Charlene. A barrier had been broken down between them. Terrible as it was, Andrea was not devastated by the truth. Charlene pulled back. She took a tissue from her purse and dabbed at her eyes.
“Whew! I haven’t been this emotional since Oprah did that show on people reunited with their lost puppies or something.”
“Oh, Charlene!” Andrea sniffed and laughed at the same time.
“It’s true. Those talk shows are tearjerkers.” Charlene breathed in and out, and then smoothed down the white cotton shirt she wore. “Am I too wrinkled?”
Andrea gazed at her with affection. “You’re absolutely beautiful,” she said.
Charlene blushed with pleasure. “Well, I suppose you want to hear more about Louis. What would you like to know?”
“As much as possible. Let’s pull all the skeletons out of the closet.”
With the worst secret now revealed, Charlene was a veritable fountain of information. Andrea Listened for hours, interrupting only a few times to ask questions.
***
“Hi. I’m back,” Andrea called out as she entered the clinic.
“Hi,” Troylyn answered from the reception room. She was now at ease in her duties at the clinic. “Everything’s going fine.”
“We even handled three patients without help,” Lisa piped up. The two student nurses grinned with pride.
“Wonderful. Keep up the good work,” Andrea called back. With a wave to Terri, she headed for her office.
As she walked down the hall, every nerve ending was on edge. She had to be prepared to meet Denny or Lee. Two days had passed and no word from Lee. There was only a cryptic message on her voice mail at home. She listened to his voice for any hint of how things were going. All he said was that everything was going as planned and that they should not talk at the clinic. He’d call her later. Their exchanges, the few times they met, were no more than brief greetings. She tried to solve the puzzle of what it all meant. Thoughts of Lee, Denny, and the gang never left. They were like constant background noise. It was driving her nuts.
“Now for an even bigger challenge, concentrate on work,” she muttered as she took off her jacket.
“Hey, Miss Andrea,” Denny said.
Andrea looked up sharply. He shuffled his feet as though he wanted to run at the slightest provocation. “Hi, Denny.”
“Uh, looks like you’re really busy.” Denny stared at her. “I don’t mean to bother you. I was just saying hello.”
It was obvious he wanted to talk. Andrea remembered Lee’s warning. Yet she could not turn him away. He looked lost and forlorn.
“As a matter of fact, I could use a break. How about getting us both a Coke?” Andrea got change out of her desk and handed it to him.
Seconds later Denny came back with two cups and napkins along with the soft drinks.
Andrea nodded to him to sit down. She poured the cola in her cup and took a drink. “Thanks. I needed that.” She grinned at him.
Denny smiled, but it faded quickly. “Uh, so how are things going with you?”
“Good.” Andrea was quiet for a moment. “And you?” “Okay, I guess. Folks back of the bayou always sayin’ how much better the clinic is since you took over.”
Andrea pictured the poor community where he lived. The gang had its roots there, from what Lee had told her. “I’m glad they’re pleased.”
“Yeah, yeah. They say the clinic is being run right for the first time since it opened.” Denny toyed with the cup in his hands. “Guess it means a lot to them.”
“I think we’ve done a lot to help people. That includes you, Denny. Your work supports us so we can spend more time with the patients.”
“Nah, not me.” Denny shifted in his chair. “Half the time I was fooling around.” He would not meet her gaze.
“Yeah, I had to get your attention a few times.” Andrea lifted a shoulder.
“More than a few,” Denny said.
“But you’ve done a good job overall. I know changing old habits is hard, but you’ve come a long way.” “That means a lot to me,” he said in a quiet voice. “I’m used to hearing how much trouble I am. They’re right, too. I’m always messing up no matter how hard I try. But I really liked working here, Miss Andrea. I want you to know that.” Denny blinked rapidly and cleared his throat.
A lump rose in her throat. She wanted to tell him it would be okay. “I like working with you, too, Denny. But you talk like you’re going somewhere.”
“No, I, uh, just wanted to say…” Denny stood.
“You’re a good person, Miss Andrea. I’ll always try to do right by you. I gotta go.”
Denny hurried off and closed the door behind him before Andrea could reply. She debated whether to follow him, but decided it was best not to. Minutes later there was a knock on the door.
Andrea composed herself, half-expecting Denny to come in and pour out a confession. “Come in.”
Lee walked in instead. His dark eyebrows were drawn together. “I was looking for Denny and saw him come out of here. Anything you need to tell me?”
“He didn’t say anything directly. But I had the feeling he was telling me goodbye. God, I wish I could do something!” Andrea stood and paced in front of the window.
“I’m going to protect him, Andrea,” Lee said fiercely. “I promise you.”
“He’s on the edge, Lee. I can feel it. I’m afraid he’s going to do something desperate.”
Andrea turned to him, searching for the reassurance that could only be found in his arms. Lee had already crossed the few feet between them. He wrapped her in his strong embrace and she leaned against him, drawing on his strength. The scent of spice and mint on his skin was a balm to her frayed nerves. Andrea took a deep breath and put her arms around him. Her hands caressed the solid muscles of his back.
“Listen to me, baby,” Lee whispered as he lifted her face to his. “I know he’s under pressure. Sure, he’s pissed about working with the cops, but he wants to get Ty’Rance off his back.”
“What if…” Andrea trembled with desire when he pressed a finger to her lips. She snuggled against him. “Don’t drive yourself crazy thinking about it.” Lee
stared into her eyes. “I need you to trust me,” he whispered.
Andrea felt the power of his request. It went deeper than Denny or the investigation. Her response was a kiss, long and deep. She parted his lips gently with her tongue. Lee moaned, letting her take control. The need to touch and taste him roared inside Andrea like a fire. She moaned as a powerful mixture of pleasure and hunger hit her. Lee summoned the control to pull away first, his breathing hard.
“I better leave. The next few hours are critical,” he said.
“Yes.” Andrea clung to him for a moment longer, then let go.
“Andrea, I… There’s so much I want to say about how we met and … everything.” Lee stroked her thick locks with his fingertips. “About me and my life.”
“I know.” She closed her eyes and savored the sensuous delight of his touch.
“I love you so much,” he whispered. His voice shook with emotion.
“You just said the one thing I most wanted to hear.”
He brushed his bps acros
s her forehead and backed up. “I’ll call you when it’s safe to. You might not see us for a while.”
She felt cold as he moved away from her and walked toward the door. “Sure, I’ll think of something to tell the staff.”
“’Bye, baby. Please don’t worry.” And then he was gone.
He was gone much too soon. Andrea hugged herself, trying to recapture the exquisite warmth of his body. She would follow his instructions to carry on at the clinic as usual. But she couldn’t obey his appeal not to worry.
The sound of her doorbell woke Andrea from a fitful sleep. She glanced at the digital clock next to her bed. The numbers glowed in red. It was two in the morning. Her heart thumped as she got out of bed and put on her robe. Andrea tiptoed to the front door and peered through the peephole. Lee stood outside. She unlocked the door quickly and yanked it open.
Chapter 22
“I’ve been driving around for hours. I just wanted to see you,” he said. “Are you okay?”
“Sure.” Andrea stared at his haggard expression. “What’s wrong?” she said.
Lee came in and waited until she closed the door. “His grandmother called the sheriff’s office and reported him missing.”
“You think he’s run away?”
“That’s one possibility,” Lee said grimly.
The tone of his voice gave her goose bumps. “Then we’ve got to look for him.” Andrea headed for her bedroom, but Lee grabbed her arm.
“Forget it, Andrea. You’re not getting mixed up in this. Especially not now.”
“Don’t order me around! You got him into this mess!” Andrea shouted.
Lee let go of her. “You’re right,” he said quietly. He wiped a shaky hand over his face. “So it’s up to me to get him out of it.”
Andrea’s heart broke at the anguish in his tone. “Don’t listen to me, Lee. My nerves are so shot; I don’t know what I’m saying.” She hugged him and let his head rest on her shoulder.
“I never should have asked him to inform on Ty’Rance.”
“Denny set this all in motion by stealing for the gang. There were no good choices for him after that. You know that.”
Lee straightened and stepped back. “I’m going to find him.” His anguished expression gave way to one of determination.
