by Robin Caroll
“Probably does. You know how cults are.” Marcel said. “But it looks like the ones who got out and made complaints were ignored. No action was ever taken.”
Beau looked up. “Nothing?”
Marcel scratched his head. “No. And—get this. According to our database, Will Youngblood doesn’t exist.”
“What?”
Marcel shook his head. “No birth certificate, no driver’s license…no house or vehicle deed of any kind. Nothing. Nada. Nil. He doesn’t exist.”
Beau read back over the reports. “Every single account lists the name of the leader of Cretum Deus as one Will Youngblood. Yet, not a single charge—or even a full investigation—has ever been made.”
Marcel cocked his head. “Maybe we should try for a warrant.”
“On what grounds? Right now, we know everything connects, but at the moment, there’s nothing concrete linking the cult to any crime.”
“Well, then, just another thing we need to ask Mr. Youngblood when we meet him, wouldn’t you say? I’ve got the address. We can always pay a visit. Who knows? We might get lucky and have them talk to us.”
Beau unlocked his drawer with his gun. “Why don’t you go update the Captain right quick and I’ll meet you at the car?”
Marcel sprinted toward Captain Istre’s office. Beau holstered his gun and grabbed his keys. He slipped his notebook in his pocket and grabbed his cell. He noticed he had a voice mail, and a missed call from Addy. He quickly played the message as he headed to the car. The uncertainty and controlled fear of Addy’s voice nearly stopped him cold.
He got behind the wheel and dialed Addy’s number.
“Hey, Beau.”
“Are you okay?” His heart pounded, feeling as if it would rattle his ribcage.
“I’m fine. Daddy’s with me and we’re okay. A member of our security was able to get the music turned off remotely without having to touch it. We thought you might need it for evidence or something, so we didn’t want to touch anything.”
“No, don’t touch it.”
“Also, we have a location on the remote…wait—” Rustling sounded over the phone before Addy came back clear. “Let me have you talk to our guy. His name is Hixson Albertson.”
Before Beau could say anything, a guy’s voice came over the phone. “Sir, I don’t know if you’re up on cyber matters or not—”
“I’m not.”
“Okay. Well, I was able to trace the location of where the remote signal is coming from. I have the address where the person who turned the music on is.”
Marcel opened the passenger’s door and slipped inside.
“So, it’s not there at the hotel?”
“No, sir. The physical address is in the warehouse district.”
Well then, Addy was safe. “Okay. Put Ms. Fountaine back on the phone, please. And thank you.”
“Yes, sir.”
Only a moment passed before Addy’s voice soothed his frazzled nerves. “Beau?”
“Look, it doesn’t sound like you’re in any physical danger at the moment, but stay with your dad, okay? Marcel and I have a lead we need to follow, then we’ll go by and check out the remote location Hixson came up with and look around. I should be at the hotel in an hour at the latest. Just stay with your dad to keep you both safe.”
“Okay.”
“Text the address that Hixson has. I’ll call you if I’m going to be later than an hour. Again, stay with your dad.”
“I will. Be careful, Beau.”
“You, too, Addy.”
He ended the call and filled Marcel in as he started the cruiser’s engine. “We’ll run by there after we finish talking to the cult.”
Marcel rattled off the address for the cult, and Beau steered the car in that direction. “It’s about time we get some answers. I hope somebody there remembers the boys.”
Nodding, Marcel clicked his seatbelt. “Well, since James and George have only been dead for twenty or so years, there should be at least somebody who remembers them. And you know how the cults usually are—telling the stories down the generations. Hopefully we’ll have some answers.”
Beau made another turn. “Yeah. Like if anybody there is William’s descendants and maybe doing all these copycat killings.” His cell phone sounded the message tone. “Check the address and see how far it is from where we’ll be. I don’t think it’ll be too far out of our way, since I’m guessing whomever is doing this is linked to the hotel.”
Marcel made a snorting sound as he opened the message. “No, it won’t be out of our way at all.”
“Good.”
“It’s the cult’s address.”
Beau slammed on the brakes. “Now you can call and see about that warrant.”
— Dimitri
“I don’t know where Solomon is.” Zoey paced the restaurant around the workers setting everything up.
Dimitri gently rocked the infant carrier Sam slept in with his foot before turning to Zoey. “Tell me again what happened.” He gently eased her onto one of the bar’s stools.
“When I left here earlier, I called Solomon and told him he could stay with you. He was grateful and said he would pack his clothes and toiletries and never go back to his family’s home.” She stood, gripping the edge of the bar. “He was supposed to pick me up promptly at four, and we were going to drop Sam off at the sitter’s, then come here. When he didn’t show at four, I tried calling him, but it went to voice mail. I left a message.” Tears filled her eyes.
Dimitri rested his hands on hers. “Take it easy. Just tell me.”
She let out a breath. “Four thirty came and he still hadn’t shown or returned my call. I thought maybe our wires got crossed, so I headed to the babysitter’s, only she wasn’t there. I banged on the door, but no answer. I didn’t have Addy’s number and knew I needed to get here, so I brought Sam.”
“It’s okay. He’s sleeping. When Addy gets here, I’m sure she’ll be more than relieved to watch him.”
Her bottom lip quivered and she nodded. “I hoped Solomon would be here, but clearly he isn’t, and it’s five forty-five and his show starts at seven.”
“Plenty of time, Zoey. Over an hour. Maybe he stopped for something. Maybe he had car trouble and didn’t have reception. Just calm down. He’ll probably be here soon and you’ll feel silly for being so worried over nothing.”
She nodded. “I do need to make sure all the pieces are marked correctly, description and price.”
“Then go do that. Sam’s sleeping fine. I’ll have one of the waitresses keep an eye on him while I finish up in the kitchen. Addy will probably be here early anyway, so it’ll all be okay.”
She squeezed his hand, then turned and moved toward one of the bigger paintings.
Dimitri watched her for a moment, staring at the painting that had already creeped him out. It wasn’t the actual image painted, but the feeling it evoked. A crooked cross tilted on a hill in the distance against a raging thunderstorm. It made him feel lonely. Destitute. Hopeless. He couldn’t imagine anyone buying such a painting, but what did he know? Some of the ugliest paintings he’d ever seen were famous and worth millions.
He waved Holly over. The young waitress worked in his church’s nursery and loved kids. He nodded at the sleeping toddler. “Have you met Sam?”
She grinned. “I have. He’s a sweetheart.”
“Would you mind keeping an eye on him while you fold the napkins? I need to finish up in the kitchen and his mommy is checking on the paintings placement. Her babysitter flaked and Addy had volunteered to watch him, so we’re hoping she can and will.”
“If you don’t need me to walk trays of food around, I’m happy to watch Sam.”
Dimitri smiled. “We might take you up on that.”
“Sure. Let me grab the napkins for now.”
“Thanks.” Dimitri headed to the kitchen, his mind wandering as the enticing spices filled his senses. He checked the Cajun crawfish bread on the front tray that one of the kitch
en workers was cutting and stabbing with the fleur de lis topped toothpicks, even as his thoughts tumbled over one another.
What was Solomon thinking? Had Zoey pushing him to leave his family cult been too much for him? Had he changed his mind about leaving and was too scared to tell her?
He turned to watch Yvette make patties for the creole scallop cakes that were always a crowd pleaser. She would gently fry them so they’d be nice and warm to serve on the first round of guest at straight up seven, just as scheduled. Dimitri didn’t worry too much as long as his sous chef was on the job.
Poor Zoey. She had come so far to have her heart broken by someone who couldn’t escape the clutches of his family and wasn’t enough of a man to tell her. Or maybe something happened to him on the way. They’d find out soon enough.
Dimitri nodded at the young worker smiling up at him over the prep counter for the crawfish beignets. The young man was working the dough just right. The bowl for the accompanying Cajun dipping sauce set off to the side. Yvette would oversee the mixing before it was put on trays to go out into the restaurant.
He made his way out of the kitchen, stopping at the bar to make sure there was plenty of sparkling grape juice ready to be poured in the glasses. Three bartenders were shining the champagne flutes with the Darkwater Inn logo etched into the glass.
The wait staff all looked sharp in their black tuxedos and white gloves. Dimitri checked his watch—six twenty. Everything on his end was ready. He looked over the space. Maybe Solomon had slipped in and was with Zoey.
He rounded the corner and literally ran into Zoey. She had an older man of about fifty with her. “Dimitri!” No mistaking the desperation in her voice. “This is Solomon’s brother, Moses. He came to get me because Solomon’s had an accident and we need to go.” She made her way to where she’d left her son.
“What kind of accident?” Dimitri stared at Solomon’s brother. He was medium-height, muscled, with squinty eyes. He didn’t look intimidating, but Dimitri didn’t trust anyone when it came to the cult.
The older man cleared his throat. “Solomon was preparing for his show tonight, anxious to get here. He was in an accident. He’s unconscious.”
“We have to go, Dimitri. Now.” The worry lined every delicate feature of hers as she kept moving.
But Dimitri wasn’t just going to follow blindly. “What hospital was he taken to?”
Moses frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know.” He shook his head again. “I can’t think very clearly right now. I need to get to my brother.”
“Where’s Sam? I need to take him and go. Moses is going to give me a ride.” She looked over to the counter where Sam still slept in his rocker. Holly sat in front of him, folding napkins. She startled as Zoey moved around her.
“I can watch Sam, Ms. Zoey.” Holly stood, glancing back to Dimitri.
Moses spoke up. “It will be fine. We have people who can look after the child. He should be with his mother.” However, he looked less like a concerned brother and more like a freakish cult member to Dimitri.
“Why don’t I drive you to the hospital, Zoey? Sam can stay with Holly and once you see about Solomon, I can bring you back whenever you want.”
But Zoey shook her head. “I need someone here to oversee the show. Explain why Solomon isn’t here. Explain why I’m not here in case my boss from the gallery drops by.” She leaned closer to Dimitri and whispered. “We need the sales now more than ever. You know why.” She straightened and grabbed the handle of Sam’s carrier. “Please, Dimitri. I’ll call you as soon as I know how Solomon is.”
“Let me keep Sam here at least. You need to focus on Solomon, not have to worry about Sam.”
Moses took the handle of the carrier from Zoey’s hand. “We will help her with her son.” He put his other hand under her elbow. “Come along, we need to get to Solomon.”
Zoey began to move with Solomon’s brother.
“Wait. I’ll go with you.” Dimitri snapped for his restaurant manager, Betti, and quickly filled her in on the situation as they walked toward the door.
“All the pieces are priced. Just collect that amount and I’ll send out receipts.” Zoey let herself be hurried by Moses.
“Call me if you have any questions. Fill Adelaide in on everything as well.” Dimitri would text her from the car so she could contact Beauregard and have the police check out Moses’s claim of Solomon’s accident.
Because everything about this felt very wrong.
20
— Addy
“Come on, Daddy.” Addy’s heels clicked on the marble floor as she headed into the restaurant through the backway. A nice crowd had formed outside the restaurant in the lobby, so at least they’d have a good turnout.
“You go ahead, honey. I’ll catch up.”
She stop and spun, taking in the paleness of his face. “Are you okay?” She moved to take him by the arm.
“I’m fine. Just a little dizzy. The medication makes me a little loopy sometimes. And nauseated.”
“You probably didn’t eat dinner either, did you?”
He slowly shook his head.
She wanted to snap at him, but the look on his face told her that he regretted taking pain medication on an empty stomach. “Once we get into the restaurant, you are to eat as many of the hors d’oeuvres as you can.”
“Yes, mother hen.” He flashed her a weak smile.
“I’m serious, Dad. I can’t have you collapsing because you didn’t eat.”
He nodded. “I will. You go ahead and do your job. I’ll be right behind you. I just need a little fresh air.”
Beau’s warning to stay together reverberated in her mind. “Why don’t I walk you outside for a minute? I could use a breath of fresh air myself.”
“Addybear, stop. This is your job, and I know you have things to do. I just need a little nip of the cooler fresh air to clear my head and ease my nausea. I won’t be more than five minutes, then I’ll come right into the restaurant.”
It was her job, but this was her father. The only family she had. “Don’t be silly. Dimitri will have everything under control. I could use a little fresh air, too.” She linked her arm through his and headed toward the side exit of the hotel.
As they stepped into the cool March night, Addy felt her father pull in a long breath before he moved from her to lean against the building.
“Daddy?”
He held up a hand. “Just queasy, honey. Give me a second.”
She turned away to give him a little privacy in case the nausea wouldn’t be denied. The courtyard was on the other side of the hotel and she could hear the familiar strands of Zydeco music. Not the jazz tune, for which she was grateful.
She glanced along the alley and noticed a car’s headlights. No one was supposed to park in the alley. She started to take a step in that direction when she saw Zoey and Dimitri slip into the back seat, followed by a man holding Sam in his carrier who got behind the wheel. The back door stayed open for a moment, then she caught a glimpse of Dimitri’s head as he reached for the door and pulled it shut. The car sped away before Addy could move.
What in the world?
“Addy.” Her father sounded weaker.
She turned and rushed back to his side.
“I just can’t shake this upset stomach and dizziness, honey. I think I need to go back to my room and lie down.”
“Of course.” All the action of the last few days must have taken more of a toll on her father than she’d thought. On top of that, taking strong pain medication and not eating…well, no wonder he didn’t feel well. “Let me take you back to your room.” She helped him to the door.
“I can make it myself. I’m just sorry I’ve delayed you this long. Your party should be starting.”
“It’s okay. You’re more important. I’ll get you to your room, then I’ll go check on the event.” She opened the door.
He shook her off. “I’m fine. You go. If I get to feeling better, I’ll come down. I’ll ju
st eat some of that fruit you keep having sent up.”
“Eat the bananas. The potassium is good for you, and it’ll stick to your stomach. If you feel better, come down. I know Dimitri made some awesome food for tonight.”
He leaned over and kissed her temple. “I will, honey. And I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She put her hand on his cheek. “You just go take care of you.”
She watched him make it to the elevator before she turned and headed to the restaurant. Now to find out what had happened with Dimitri and Zoey leaving so mysteriously.
Less than three minutes after entering the restaurant, the manager, Betti, rushed up to Addy. “Ms. Fountaine, I’m so glad you’re here. We’re about to open the doors, but Mr. Pampalon and Ms. Naure had to leave.”
“I saw that. What’s going on?”
“The artist, Mr. Youngblood, was in an auto accident and is unconscious at the hospital. Ms. Naure and Mr. Pampalon left with Mr. Youngblood’s brother to go to the hospital.”
“Which hospital?”
“I don’t know, ma’am.”
Holly, one of the regular waitresses came up to them. “It’s really weird, Ms. Fountaine.” She shook her head.
“What?” A very unsettling feeling grew in her stomach.
“Little Sam was sleeping in his carrier. I know him from church since I work in the nursery. Mr. Pampalon asked me to keep an eye on Sam while his mom checked on everything. I offered to watch Sam tonight if you weren’t able to.”
She nodded, trying to keep up. Zoey’s babysitter probably backed out at the last minute again. Of course she would watch that sweet boy.
“When the artist’s brother—I heard him say his name was Moses—said they should take Sam, Zoey agreed. Moses couldn’t even tell them what hospital his brother was in. Mr. Pampalon tried to get her to leave Sam here with him and me and you, but Moses was really pushing her to take him. Eventually, she agreed and they started to leave.”
Betti picked up the story again. “Mr. Pampalon didn’t want her and Sam going off with that man alone, so he said he was going with them. He told me to tell you what was going on.”
