Only By Moonlight (29 page)

“Yeah,” Harry broke in again. “You’ll
probably have your pick of any room you want.”

“Inspect the kitchen, dear.” Marion struggled
to keep her smile as she nudged him to leave. “Make sure Mrs.
Dautrieve put everything away, and prepped for breakfast in the
morning.”

“Ella always has that kitchen spotless,”
Harry replied.

Marion glared at him. “Just go. I mean, it’s
best to double check.”

“Fine, fine.” Harry left.

Marion faced LaShaun and Chase. “We can
finalize the arrangements when you come back. I opened the patio
doors for you.”

“We won’t be long.” LaShaun tugged Chase
toward the parlor.

Chase gazed around the foyer as though seeing
it for the first time. “Right.”

“So what do you think?” LaShaun said. “I
agree with Marion. Guests can spread out here even with the band
playing in this room.”

“Uh-huh. What’s this about the house?” Chase
brought LaShaun up short as she attempted to continue on their
tour.

LaShaun closed the double oak doors to the
parlor. “James Schaffer...”

“That bonehead again,” Chase blurted out.

“His research learned the original plantation
stretched for seventy acres or more. The woods where Greg and the
others were found hanging used to be part of the Metier family
land.” LaShaun studied his expression closely. She felt no tingle,
and no sign that a vision might appear.

“Most of this parish was owned by some old
family at one time or another. Hell, the Trosclair mob owned a big
chunk,” Chase replied.

“Yeah, well there were two murders in this
house over a hundred years ago. There are rumors that owners were
into the occult.” LaShaun stared hard for any sign of a change.

“How many folks around here believe in
spirits and bad mojos? Only every generation for over three hundred
years. Longer if you count the Indians. All I see is a lot of fancy
what-nots and a few too many lace doilies for my taste.” Chase
faced LaShaun. “Wait a minute. It’s no coincidence you came here
that first time with Katie and Adrianna. Am I right?”

LaShaun sighed. “Miss Rose showed me an old
newspaper story about one of the murders. Katie suggested I
consider Sweet Olive as a local honeymoon spot. When I found out
this used to be the Metier Mansion, I took the opportunity to get a
feel for the place.”

“So now you’ve been here twice. Are you
saying there’s something to Schaffer’s story other than a grab for
ratings? Chase stood with his long legs apart.

“Well I did see... well experienced is more
accurate....” LaShaun was about to go on when a scream sliced
through the calm night air. She strode to the garden doors and
opened them.

Chase went around LaShaun to go outside. He
walked down wide brick steps to the patio. “What the hell?”

LaShaun joined him in the cool night air to
scan the landscaped grounds... “I don’t see anybody on the nearest
gazebo.”

Harry rushed out to the patio. “Did you hear
that?”

Marion pushed him aside. “There are a lot of
wild animals out here. Nothing but a cat feeling romantic.”

“That didn’t sound like a cat to me,” Harry
said. He started to say more but another scream cut him off, not as
loud but unmistakable.

LaShaun pointed to the nearest cottage. Light
could be seen beyond the curtains. “Coming from there.”

“The Watermans,” Harry said, his eyes
wide.

“I’ll go take a look,” LaShaun said and took
off.

“LaShaun,” Chase called out. When she didn’t
stop he spun around. “You two stay here.”

“Okay, we...” Harry started.

When a third scream rang out Chase didn’t
wait to hear the rest. His long legs pumped in an effort to catch
up to LaShaun. She hurdled toward the cottage. The cute postcard
exterior contrasted with the grunts and screams that came from
within. LaShaun tried, but couldn’t see anything but shadows
through the window curtains.

“Don’t. Stop!”

A woman’s shaky voice filtered through the
walls. Seconds later LaShaun heard cautious footfalls on the grass
behind her. LaShaun turned around to face Chase. He crouched low
and pulled LaShaun down with him.

“What did I tell you about running into
trouble,” Chase rasped. He heaved in a breath and let it out.

“There’s a woman inside. I think she’s in
trouble. I think we should...”

In a flash he strode to the cottage porch, up
the steps. Chase stood to the side of the door and shouted,
“Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s department. Throw any weapons out the
door.”

“I, uh, I mean I don’t...” A deep male voice
stammered. “I’m not armed, not exactly.”

“Throw out the damn ‘not exactly’ weapon and
get your ass out here,” Chase snarled.

Seconds later the door opened slowly. A
couple of odd looking objects hit the door facing and landed close
to Chase’s feet. He glanced down and then up again. “Now walk out
backwards with your hands up. Ma’am, are you okay? Say something if
you can.”

“I’m fine,” came a weak reply. “Please don’t
hurt Teddy.”

Moments later a paunchy middle-aged man
backed out onto the porch wearing only a black leather thong and a
mask. LaShaun blinked hard at him. Chase cuffed him to the porch
railing.

“That’s Ted Waterman. Oh my God, is he hurt?”
Harry started across the lawn.

“Stop right there,” Chase ordered. He stepped
inside the cottage still holding his gun.

“Please keep him safe,” LaShaun whispered as
five tense minutes ticked by. She relaxed a little when she heard
muffled voices.

“Uh, LaShaun come in here, please,” Chase
yelled.

LaShaun sprang past the cuffed man to Chase’s
aid. She froze at the sight before her. A tall thin redhead lay
stretched on the bed, her hands tied to the bed posts. She wore a
blood red bustier. She looked scared out of her mind, but not
because of the man outside. The woman pressed her knees together as
she stared at Chase. When she saw LaShaun the woman started to
shake.

“Please, take our money. We have plenty.
Don’t throw us in the swamp to be eaten by alligators.” The redhead
started bawling.

“Ma’am, he’s a deputy sheriff. We’re not
criminals,” LaShaun shot back. When the woman continued to cry, she
felt bad. “It’s okay. You’re safe is what I meant. Calm down.”

Chase holstered his Glock. “You talk to her.
I’ll deal with Teddy.”

LaShaun loosened the knots on what turned out
to be red satin wrist straps that matched the woman’s bustier.
“Let’s get you free from these. Are you here of your own free
will?”

The redhead pulled her hands from the straps.
She gasped a few times, blinking rapidly. Suddenly her expression
turned into a frown of fury. “Teddy is my fiancé. Of course I’m
here of my own free will. What the hell is wrong with you people in
this backwoods place? Invading our privacy like a horde of
terrorists or something.”

“Sorry, but we heard screaming and...”

“We’re in a honeymoon cottage for God’s sake.
You’re surprised to hear moans and screams?” the woman shouted.
“I’m going to sue everybody in this damn hicksville town.”

Chapter 17

Two hours later things had calmed down
considerably at the Sweet Olive Bed and Breakfast. Inside the
cottage, Chase wound up his interview with Mr. Ted Waterman. Then
he took on the infuriated future Mrs. Waterman. Mrs. Saunders
promised them the moon and stars to make up for the intrusion,
including a free future stay with meals included. Gina, the
redhead, huffed and puffed until she got two free stays. She seemed
somewhat placated after that. Harry served generous helpings of
fine brandy to the shaken groom-to-be.

“Ma’am, I need to get a statement. But let me
say I do apologize,” Chase said to Gina. “We’re investigating
several murders in the area, and I wanted to make sure you were
safe.”

Gina glanced at LaShaun. “Is she a deputy,
too?”

“No.” Chase stepped over to LaShaun and
whispered, “I think I might have more cooperation on my own.”

“Yeah, I know,” LaShaun mumbled back. She
could tell Gina’s taste for rough men hadn’t been satisfied yet.
“Be careful you don’t end up tied to that big fancy bed.”

Chase blushed pink. “Cut it out.”

With a shrug, LaShaun walked out, but not
before glancing back at Gina. The woman’s eyes glittered with
excitement as Chase approached her again. LaShaun joined Marion and
Ted on the porch. Dressed in a robe and slacks, Ted took another
gulp from the brandy glass he held.

“Look, uh, I realize we’re in the Bible belt.
So if we’ve broken any laws... I’m a prominent business man with a
family. So I don’t want to make a fuss, never mind what Gina says.”
Ted looked at Harry for understanding.

Marion raised an eyebrow. “You checked in as
Mr. and Mrs.”

“Well, ah, my divorce isn’t final. I mean,
it’s in the works.” Ted drained the glass and held it out to Harry,
who filled it again.

“I can fix that door in a few minutes so you
folks can get some rest,” Harry said quickly before his wife could
probe more. “Come on and help me get some tools.” The two men
left.

“Humph, you know what that that means. The
current Mrs. Waterman doesn’t know about the divorce, and she
probably thinks he’s on a business trip. Men.” Marion scowled at
the retreating pair.

“I’m just happy Ted doesn’t want to raise a
big stink. Busting in on S & M games between consenting adults
isn’t exactly good campaign publicity,” LaShaun said.

Chase came out of the cottage just as Harry
and Ted returned. Ted carried a basket of goodies from the kitchen
that included a bottle of their best wine. The two men seemed to be
in a good mood, both laughing. Harry gave Chase a wink and then
went to work on the cottage door. LaShaun, Marion, and Chase went
back to the main house.

“Why don’t you two relax here for a while?
All of our nerves are shot. I’ve got some peach brandy to settle us
down.” Marion left without waiting for an answer.

“This has been one hell of a night.” LaShaun
yawned.

“That’s one way to describe it. At least I
didn’t shoot those idiots,” Chase retorted. He sat down on the sofa
next to her.

LaShaun laughed. “No wonder they wanted the
cottage way out back.”

Marion returned with a tray of crystal
snifters full of brandy the color of dark amber. “Here we go. I
think we’ve all earned more than a few of these.”

“Thanks.” LaShaun took a sip. “Wow, that’s
good stuff.”

“My secret recipe, but I’ll tell you the
basic ingredient. The brandy is made from peaches grown right here
in Louisiana.”

“I usually take beer, but I gotta admit it
taste okay.” Chase finished off his glass.

“Whoa, Deputy Broussard,” LaShaun said.
“You’re driving, remember?”

“This tastes more like punch than a real
drink. Hit me again,” Chase winked at her.

LaShaun shook her head. “At this rate we’ll
end up spending the night so you can sleep off that ‘punch’.”

“Excellent idea! You can have Suite 3A and
sample a room in preparation for your honeymoon stay.” Marion
jumped up as though the decision was made.

“All that runnin’ around has made me kind of
tired,” Chase said. He drained his glass again and yawned.

“That alcohol your chugging is making you
sleepy,” LaShaun said. She turned to Marion. “Obviously we haven’t
had time to discuss the wedding or reception tonight, so...”

“Deputy Broussard will soon be elected
sheriff. With all the crime I doubt he’ll be able to get away for
an extended trip,” Marion replied. She continued down a hallway.
“I’m going lay out fresh towels. I even have some wonderful bath
salts you two can use to calm your nerves.”

“But wait...” LaShaun started.

“After all the ruckus of tonight, we can all
use a peaceful rest. That’s for sure,” Marion went on. She
disappeared muttering to herself about other details.

“Here, have some more. I think this stuff is
a love potion or something. I want another glass myself with a
slice of LaShaun to go with it.” Chase poured brandy into LaShaun’s
snifter. He rubbed LaShaun’s thigh.

“Marion or Harry will walk in.”

“The sight of leather and all this talk of
honeymooning has me sweating. I’m not talking about the temperature
either.” Chase cupped one of LaShaun’s breasts. He brushed her lips
with his and smiled.

“Chase, I...”LaShaun shivered as she gazed
into his eyes. She wanted to know exactly who was talking to her.
Before she could go on Harry entered the parlor.

“Damn fortunate I got those two settled down
and in a good mood. The Watermans, well Ted and Gina, actually
bought my story.” Harry heaved a sigh as he fell into an
overstuffed chair.

“Exactly what did you tell them?” Chase still
had a hand on LaShaun’s thigh.

“Well, er...” Harry turned bright pink. “I
kinda implied that we set up that scene for a little bit of local
color. You know, to enhance their, ahem, experience.”

“And they believed you?” LaShaun blurted
out.

“Generous servings of champagne helped,”
Harry said. He lowered his voice. “Don’t mention this to Marion.
She’ll say this place will become a magnet for the bondage
crowd.”

“I won’t talk.” Chase saluted Harry with his
snifter.

“Thank you, sir.” Harry popped out of his
chair. He went to an antique bar in the corner of the parlor.
“Believe I’ll join you two with a glass of fine red wine.”

Harry and Chase chattered about sports, cars,
and more sports. LaShaun took Chase’s hand, but let the men have
fun. She savored the familiar warmth of Chase’s voice, and the
normalcy of his behavior. Maybe her fears had gotten the best of
her. Certainly no trace of the awful events of this house seemed to
stoke the power of Abiku.