by Robin Caroll
He smiled crookedly. “Merci for the vote of confidence.” He squeezed her hands. “See, we’re both suspects because of appearances, not because of guilt.”
She let him go and crossed her arms over her chest. “So, what do we do now?”
It took every ounce of self-control not to pull CoCo back into his arms and hold her. Comfort for him, or her? He couldn’t tell, didn’t really want to analyze it right now. All he wanted was to feel the close connection with her again.
Lord, help me to open myself up to her.
“Luc?” Her tone matched the questioning look in her eyes.
Time to bite the bullet. “I really am sorry for stepping over the line in the diner.” He ran a hand over his wet hair. Why was it so hard to speak his heart? “I want to keep working together to find out who killed my grandfather.”
Her almond-shaped eyes widened. The green flecks practically blazed.
Better think fast. Luc touched her hand but didn’t hold it. “We’re both suspects, but we’re both innocent. You know how things can get twisted. I think we stand a better chance of clearing our names if we keep working together.”
He could almost see her mind whirring behind her eyes. A wide range of emotions stomped across her face—shock, disbelief and hesitation. He could understand each one of them. Two years ago, he’d caused all those feelings to surface in her. Remorse nearly strangled him. Lord, forgive me for the pain I caused her. Forgive me for not staying to witness to her, to bring her into Your fold. Help me to do Your will this time.
“I don’t know, Luc… I’m not sure this, uh, partnership is working.” Confusion clouded her words.
This time, he did take hold of her hand. “Just think about it. We know this area and the people here as well as Bubba. We’ve lived here all our lives.” He gripped her hand tighter, but she made no move to pull away. That was a good sign, right? “You know most people don’t want to get involved in things, especially a murder. Between you and me, we have enough of a relationship with them to get them to open up.”
She didn’t respond. At least not verbally. But her eyes danced. He might have a chance to apologize for the past and maybe get a chance at a future. His pulse did a little tap-dance. Until the main hurdle between them slammed against his heart—her not being a Christian. He hardened his dream. No, they could work together to prove their innocence, but that was the extent of what their relationship could be. Still, he did owe her an apology for his past behavior.
God, in Your time, show me the way to apologize. Lord, please strengthen my resolve. I’ve always loved her, but I can’t let myself be unequally yoked. You can help me lead her to You this time. Please, Lord, I want her to belong to You, even if she never loves me again.
“I suppose we could keep working together, just until the killer is found.” Her voice lacked hope and enthusiasm. “That’s it, Luc.”
He’d take what he could get. Small steps. “Great.” He released her hand. “Bubba said he’d let me know what Williams said, after he’d had a chance to speak with him tomorrow. I’ll be sure and let you know.”
“I’m going to call Dwayne myself tomorrow. See if he tells me something different than what he tells the sheriff.”
“Good idea. We can compare notes.” And maybe find the truth.
“Should I call you after I talk to Dwayne?”
And miss seeing her, even if she was off-limits to him? Then again, maybe he could reach her this time. God was, after all, still on the throne. “How about we meet at my place? We can go over everything we both know and see what we can come up with, and Felicia would love to see you.”
“Okay.” Her voice held a lilt of uncertainty.
He smiled, then planted a quick kiss against the crown of her head. Too bad he remembered all the times he’d done the same thing and she’d snaked an arm around his waist. Luc pulled back and rushed to the stairs. “I’ll see you at the house around noon, yes?”
She nodded.
His heart thudded as he headed home. He spared a glance in his rearview mirror—CoCo stood on the porch, her stare following the taillights. An empty feeling filled him.
CoCo blew her bangs off her forehead and hauled in a deep breath before she climbed out of the Jeep. The morning sun blistered above, turning the previous day’s moisture to steam. Heat hung in the air as thick as the fog over the bayou. She quickened her steps toward Dwayne Williams’s office.
The flash of cool air hit her as soon as she entered the plush office, and she breathed a thankful sigh. The receptionist glanced up, her plastic smile already in place. “Good morning, Ms. LeBlanc. Did you have an appointment with Mr. Williams?”
“No, I was hoping he could fit me in.”
“Have a seat, and I’ll buzz him. He’s already behind schedule this morning.” She motioned CoCo toward the leather settee with one hand and lifted the phone receiver with the other.
CoCo studied the two pieces of art hanging on the walls. One, a photograph of New Orleans at night. Her stomach knotted. New Orleans, the city of her birth, where she’d lived happily with her parents until they’d died in a car accident. CoCo blinked and swallowed back her grief.
“He’ll be with you shortly, Ms. LeBlanc.”
CoCo nodded as she moved closer to the picture. She didn’t miss the city as much as she missed her parents.
“CoCo, good morning.”
She turned and accepted Dwayne’s handshake. “I was wondering if I could have a few minutes.”
“Certainly.” He waved toward the hall. His steps thudded behind her as she made her way to the conference room.
“Please, sit down.” He shut the door and half sat/half leaned against the table. “What can I do for you?”
She dropped into a chair and studied him. His tie sat neatly against his throat, his hair laid smooth against his head—no sign of distress. Maybe the sheriff hadn’t spoken to him yet. This could be awkward. She cleared her throat. “I heard you had a personal vendetta against Beau Trahan.”
The smile slid from his face, and he lowered himself into the chair catty-corner to hers. “The sheriff sure is one busy man. So, he called you, did he?”
“No, I haven’t talked to him, but that doesn’t matter. I just need to know if I’ve made a mistake in hiring you.”
“Of course not!” Dwayne straightened his shoulders. “Let’s just say I had some strong suspicions and wanted the truth.”
Me, too. “The truth about what?”
He leaned back in the chair. “Remember I told you I came home for family issues?”
She nodded.
“My sister died of a drug overdose.”
Sympathy welled inside her. “I’m so sorry.” She laid a hand over his steepled ones. “What happened?”
He swallowed. “She quit her job at the casino, without a good reason. Went to work as a waitress at a local bar.” Humiliation cloaked his features. “She began using drugs.”
“I’m so sorry.” Lord, I don’t know what to say.
His gaze rested on her.
“Then…why would you think Beau was linked to her death? I mean, if she died of a drug overdose…”
“I have reason to believe Beau was the reason she quit.”
“Oh.” What could she say to that? Her heart raced. All sensible words escaped her. The tragedy of it all sat heavily in her chest. “Did you talk to Beau about your sister?”
He let out a snort. “I tried. Of course he denied the truth, but I knew better.” His eyes hardened. “I could see it.”
“You wrote him threatening letters?”
Shame popped into his eyes. “I’m not proud of my actions, but I was so upset, so outraged that he could get away with…well, I didn’t use the best judgment.”
“Did he reply?”
“At first, he didn’t bother. Then, as I kept calling and writing, he threatened to have me arrested.”
“For what?”
“Harassment. He said if I told anyone my theo
ry, he’d sue me for slander, too.” Dwayne shook his head. “His tone said he feared the truth being exposed.”
CoCo considered his statement. From what she knew of Beau Trahan, how others saw him meant everything to him. Two of the reasons he’d been against her and Luc being together proved that. She, of course, was from the wrong side of the tracks, and her grandmother was the voodoo priestess of the parish.
“Dwayne, why would Beau get her to quit? That doesn’t sound like him at all.”
He leaned forward, as if to share a secret. “You know, at first I couldn’t understand it myself. After we managed to get her belongings, I found her diary.”
Now this was getting juicy.
“She wrote about being romantically involved with a man. She never wrote his name, always used a name in all caps like a code—SAM—but wrote his family would be mortified if they ever found out. That’s why the relationship had to be kept secret. She met him through the casino.”
CoCo sat back. “Are you implying the man, this SAM was Beau Trahan?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it sure looks funny.”
Nothing made sense.
“She was only twenty-one years old. What if someone found out about them? He’d do anything to protect his upstanding name, right?”
He had a point. She mulled the scenario over. “So, he would encourage her to quit to protect his reputation?”
“Exactly.”
If Beau was involved with her, what did that mean? She didn’t know Beau well enough to consider the possibilities, and she was past making assumptions. But Luc would have some ideas. CoCo glanced at her watch—she had less than ten minutes to meet Luc. She pushed to her feet. “I don’t know what to say, other than I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Do you still want me to represent you?” He stood.
“That depends. What did the sheriff say?”
“That he’d look into the situation.” His eyes blinked with honesty. “Now I’m a suspect in Beau’s murder, so I understand if you don’t want to keep me on.”
Chances were he was just as innocent as she and Luc. “No, I think I’ll keep you.” She smiled. “I hope the sheriff finds the truth about what happened to your sister. I’ll be praying for you.”
His smile reached his eyes. “Merci. I appreciate it.”
CoCo moved to the door.
“I received notice that Beau’s will is being read after his funeral Saturday. Once we know who owns your property, we can contact their attorney.”
“Who” would probably be Luc. Since they’d called a truce, would he drop the eviction? What if Beau had left it to his brother? Justin would evict them just as Beau had intended. Unless…her grandmother did say he’d had a crush on her.
“I’ll let you know as soon as the court notifies me.”
“Merci. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.” She slipped from the conference room, wiggled her fingers in a wave at the receptionist, then rushed to her Jeep.
She cranked the engine and flipped the air conditioner on high. How, exactly, was she going to tell Luc his grandfather may have been romantically involved with a woman so young, not to mention he might have had a hand in her death?
Dear God, what should I do? Luc’s had so much pain inflicted on him and his family. He doesn’t need more grief. Yet, I have to tell him the truth. We agreed to work together. CoCo let out a heavy sigh. Just show me what You want me to do, God. I’ll follow Your lead.
Her cell phone chirped, startling her. CoCo dug in her purse until she found it. “Hello.”
“Where are you?”
CoCo’s heart skittered at his voice, his tone…everything. She laughed. “I’m on my way now. Be there in less than fifteen minutes.”
“Good. I was scared you’d stand me up.”
The urge to retort “like you did me at the altar” felt strong, but she bit her tongue. Maybe she needed to let go of the past, once and for all. “Nope. I’ll see you soon.”
Flipping the phone shut, CoCo waited for the traffic to clear so she could merge onto the street. She would forgive and forget. She would move on. She would be able to handle being around Luc again.
If only her heart would listen to her pep talk and not thud as if it had a mind of its own.
THIRTEEN
Focus, he had to focus. Luc stood leaning against the rail of the veranda as CoCo rushed toward him. Her curls looked springier than normal, falling around her shoulders like long, black spirals. The green in her eyes glimmered.
She smiled as she stepped onto the porch. “I talked with Dwayne.”
All business, that was his CoCo. His? Whoa! She wasn’t his anything anymore. He’d better control his emotions before he totally scared her off. “Want to come inside?”
Her gaze darted to the swing and she gripped her bottom lip between her teeth. “Why don’t we sit out here? I’d rather not be overheard when we discuss this.”
Uh-oh. He nodded and let her take a seat on the swing while he plopped into the adjacent chair. “What’d you find out?” He steeled himself for whatever she had to say.
“Well…” She hesitated, concern blinking in her eyes.
His stomach knotted. “Just tell me.”
“Let me start at the beginning.” She twisted her hands together in her lap and relayed all she’d learned that morning.
Luc had opened his mouth to voice his thoughts, when the disgusting implication slammed against his chest. Bayou life was complicated if nothing else.
“You think my grandfather was involved with this woman? He was old enough to be her grandfather.” Disgust, or something akin to it, wrestled against logic.
“I didn’t say that.” CoCo shook her head slightly. “I’m just saying…isn’t it possible that could have happened? Beau Trahan wouldn’t have wanted such a thing to get out—it would have killed his reputation.”
“No.” He shoved to his feet and leaned over the railing, letting his mind wrap around the plausibility. “No, Grandfather wouldn’t have done such a thing. He wouldn’t have gotten involved with a woman so young.” However, Grandfather did like trophy-type women. “He was too savvy for such a thing.”
“You’re sure?” Her voice was soft, but the accusation sat in her tone.
Could Grandfather have been involved with a woman the family didn’t know about? A woman so young? Luc had never kept up with his grandfather’s comings and goings, never felt there was a reason to do so. If anyone would know about Grandfather’s social life, it would be his brother. He’d have to ask Uncle Justin. In the meantime….
“Luc, is it possible?”
He raked a hand over his face and turned to stare at her. “Anything’s possible, but it’s highly unlikely.” He focused on her face, hoping she could read the honesty in his eyes. “Come on, CoCo, you knew Grandfather. If they were involved, and he asked her to quit, he’d have helped get a new job for her.”
“Unless he didn’t want anyone to connect them.” She moved to stand beside him at the rail. “Didn’t reputation mean everything to your grandfather, Luc? Everything?”
She was right—he knew it all too well, had it drilled into his head since he could walk. The Trahan name is gold, boy, gold. Don’t smear our good name. The lectures replayed in his mind, his grandfather’s stern voice tormenting him from the grave.
“Luc?”
He jerked out of his reverie and sighed. “I suppose it could have happened. But Grandfather would have said something to someone, if only to brag about having such a young girlfriend. I’ll ask Uncle Justin. Maybe I can get a glance at Grandfather’s checkbook register that Bubba has. If he was seeing her and she was hurting for money, he would have helped her.”
“Do you think Justin will tell you?”
“Why wouldn’t he?” Luc peered into the depths of CoCo’s eyes. Compassion and concern stared back at him. His heart thumped. No, he couldn’t allow himself to get caught up in her again. She might have changed, but not in the really
important ways.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, her hair flipping over her shoulder. Just enough to remind him of how it felt to dig his fingers into the silky thickness.
He steadied himself against the onslaught of memories. He’d sure been down memory lane a lot lately—Dad, Grandfather and CoCo. Lord, what am I missing here? What are You trying to tell me?
“I just think, maybe, Justin might not be as forthcoming as you’d hope.”
“Why not? He’s been a rock throughout this whole ordeal.” Another memory rammed his mind—his uncle holding him in his arms and crying with him, Justin’s sobs loud and unabashed. “Just like he was when Dad died.”
Her mouth tightened into a straight line.
Way to go, Luc, ol’ boy. Size thirteen in the big, fat mouth. He laid his hand over hers atop the railing. “I didn’t mean to imply anything other than Uncle Justin is the glue that holds this family together. ”As he said the words, he knew they were true but he’d never realized it before. Why hadn’t he seen it wasn’t Grandfather who kept the bonds tight, but Uncle Justin?
CoCo smiled. “I know.” She slipped her hand out from under his and crossed her arms over her chest. “He just rubbed me wrong the day we found the gun.”
“He was only trying to defend me.”
“I know.” She pinched her lips closed tight, as if afraid she’d say more.
He wanted to hear her opinion—her full opinion—but Felicia chose that moment to bump her wheelchair against the threshold. “CoCo!”
All smiles, CoCo turned and yanked open the screen door. “Felicia.” She leaned over and hugged Luc’s sister as soon as the wheelchair cleared the way. “I’ve missed you, Boo.”
He cleared his throat. “CoCo, would you like a glass of lemonade or iced tea?”
Felicia turned to him, her blue eyes shooting icicles through his chest. “Luc Trahan, where have your manners gone? She’s been here in this heat, and you’re just now offering her a cold drink?” She rolled her eyes at CoCo’s bemused smile. “You go on and fetch us a drink.” Her mumbling continued under her breath.
