Bayou Justice (17 page)

“I'll follow up on this as soon as I can.” Bubba pushed back his chair. “Is there anything else? If not, I need to get home.”

Luc scrambled to beat CoCo to her feet. She won. He shook Bubba's hand. “Let me know as soon as you have anything.”

“As much as I can.” The sheriff nodded at CoCo. “You, too.”

CoCo stared through the windshield at the setting sun. Purplish-orange hues streaked the Louisiana sky.

“Are you hungry?” Luc's voice interrupted her observations.

She turned her head and looked at him. “Kinda. Why?”

“You didn't eat much for lunch. I thought we might grab something.”

She arched a brow. “Are you asking me to have dinner with you, Luc Trahan?”

His cheeks reddened. Ah, she'd forgotten about his blushing. It had always been such an endearing sight to her. Still was, so she steeled her will. “I don't think that's such a good idea.”

“Come on, you gotta eat.” His dimples cut into his tanned face. She swallowed, not able to remember how many nights dreams of those dimples had awoken her with such a sense of loss. “And we need to form a plan.”

He had a point. They couldn't just wait on the sheriff to figure things out. Right now he seemed bent on them as the primary suspects. Especially her. “Okay. Just dinner.”

“The diner okay?”

“It doesn't matter. I'm starved.”

He whipped into the lot and parked, then rushed to open her door. They went inside, her heart hammering. He'd always been such a gentleman—opening doors, sending flowers, ordering for her.

No, this was a working partnership. Nothing more.

They slipped into a corner booth, and the waitress appeared with glasses of water and menus. After taking their order of chicken-fried steak with mashed potatoes and lots of lard-based gravy, she scuttled off behind the counter.

CoCo rested her elbows on the table. “So, what have we learned?”

“You're beautiful,” he whispered.

Her heart fluttered.
Beautiful.
He used to call her that all the time. No one had since. Her insides felt like grits. “Luc…”

“Sorry, but you are. Even more now than before.” His eyes darkened.

Oh, yeah, she could see the emotions were still there. Her entire being shot to attention. He still loved her. Despite all the tragedies and pain between them, Luc Trahan still loved her. The knowledge sent her senses reeling. How could she have missed it?

“I'm not trying to sweet-talk you, ya know.”

She chewed her bottom lip. “You're doing it so well.”

He laughed, the loud, honest laugh she'd missed. The one that could make her believe in the happily-ever-after part of fairy tales. Then she remembered they weren't even close to that part of their story. Time to get the discussion back on track—back to a safe topic for her emotional well-being. “Seriously, your grandfather found out about the coins in my house before I even knew they were there. You have to admit that's only logical.”

Luc sobered. “You're probably right.”

“Admit it, that's most likely the reason he served us the eviction notice.”

He let out a heavy sigh. “Probably.”

“We're going to find out the truth, no matter what. Right?”

“Right.” His eyes still reflected sadness and confusion.

For now, that was enough. It would have to be, as the waitress returned with their soft drinks and plates. She set them down with a clatter and turned away, not even bothering to ask if they needed anything.

“Merci,”
CoCo called out after her.

Luc chuckled and handed her the pepper. “If I remember correctly, you bury your food in this.”

She took the shaker with a grin. “Can't eat without it.” CoCo sprinkled pepper over her food until darkened. She cut off some of the steak and slipped it into her mouth. Her taste buds sang their approval.

Luc chuckled and shook his head. “Glad to see some things never change.”

She swallowed. “Such as my addiction to pepper?”

“That and your delight in food.”

With emphasis, she jabbed another bite into her mouth. Luc grinned over his glass.

“Okay, we know your grandfather knew about the coins at my place before I did. They're what made him serve us the eviction notice. My question is, how did he know?”

He swallowed. “I don't have a clue. You haven't any idea?”

“None.” She took another bite. “He wouldn't exactly have come callin' to see Grandmere.”

“He had to know the coins were there for the threat of the letter to be effective.”

How did Beau know those coins even existed? Come to think of it, nobody ever really came to visit. Most of the locals who employed Grandmere's services met her at her outbuilding, never the house. Even when CoCo had been practicing herself, her grandmother had told her never to bring it inside. The spirits wouldn't approve.

“What?” Luc took a gulp of his drink, his eyes studying her over the rim of the glass.

“I can't think of anyone who's been in my house in the last month or so.”

“No friends of yours or Tara's?”

Her mind raced. Tara did bring friends over a lot. But, if Tara had found a coin, CoCo or Grandmere would've known about it.

Luc tossed a couple of bills on the table. “You know, your house probably holds a lot of answers to the questions we've been asking. Why don't we go see what we can find?”

She stood, her legs still wobbly from the emotional tidal wave that had ransacked her heart. “Sounds like the best idea we've come up with all day.
Allons.
”

C
oCo spied her grandmother dozing on the couch. She took two steps in that direction. Grandmere's eyes opened wide. “Oh, CoCo, it's you.”

“I'm home. Where's Tara?”

Grandmere mustered herself into sitting straight. “Out.” Her eyes widened again as she caught sight of Luc filling the doorway. “Luc Trahan, what're you doing here?” Her gaze darted back to CoCo, questions shimmering in her fading eyes.

Motioning Luc to join her, CoCo sat on the edge of the couch. “Grandmere, I need to tell you something. Something important.” She took her grandmother's hand, rubbing her thumb over the paper-thin skin covering the bent knuckles. “We've found some Confederate coins here recently. Hidden in the wall outside and under the rosebush. Do you know anything about them?”

“Coins…” Her grandmother wore a faraway stare.

CoCo squeezed her hand slightly. “Think, Grandmere. Anything.”

“Now, I do remember Toby finding a doubloon back when he came to touch up the doorframes.” She shook her head, the long gray hair moving like straw. “Paint's always chipping and peeling.”

“A doubloon?” CoCo couldn't afford to let her grandmother become sidetracked. This was too important. “Did you see it when Toby found it? What'd you do with it?”

Grandmere's eyes focused back on CoCo. “He showed it to me. Said it fell out when he was putting a nail in the frame.” She shrugged. “Looked like a Mardi Gras trinket, so I told him he could keep it.”

CoCo chewed her bottom lip. Toby couldn't be more than twelve, thirteen at the most…he wouldn't have recognized it as being real. “Think, Grandmere. When was this? When did Toby find the coin?”

“A couple of weeks ago, maybe a month at most.” Recognition dawned in her eyes. “It was real? A real coin?”

“A real Confederate coin. I've found several others.” CoCo sucked in a deep breath and let her thumb massage her grandmother's hand. “I think there may be more. But…” She tossed a glance over her shoulder and met Luc's stare.

He cleared his throat. “Mrs. LeBlanc, we found a letter in my grandfather's things that implied he knew the coins were here. Had he been here in the past month or so?”

“Not hardly! Your grandfather thought I was a mad woman.” Grandmere chuckled under her breath. “He was scared of what I could do to him.”

Seeing the hardening in Luc's eyes, CoCo tugged her grandmother's hand. “That letter also said there was proof of Justin Trahan's involvement in the Klan.” CoCo swallowed hard. “And Grandpere's.”

“Not my Marcel. No! He would never have been involved in the Klan.” Grandmere jerked her hand away, raising the gnarled knuckles to her mouth. “Not Marcel,” she whispered more to herself than to them.

“The letter could be all lies, but we just want to check it out.” Luc's deep voice held a calming note.

Grandmere let out a long breath. “No, I'll not believe it.” Tears glittered as she stared at CoCo. “You can check it out. All of your grandfather's personal things are in the trunks in the attic.”

She patted her grandmother's leg, then stood and gave a quick jerk of her head to Luc. “We'll go see what we can find.”

“CoCo,” Grandmere said, “if you do find something about Marcel's involvement, I want to know.”

“Of course.” CoCo led Luc down the hall until they stood under the pull-down steps to the attic.

A long string allowed her to reach. She tugged, and the folding stairs descended. A blast of steamy air hit them square in the face.

“It's gonna be hot up here, even though it's night.” CoCo unfolded the stairs and pushed the feet to the area rug.

“I'm ready for answers, no matter how hot it is.”

She nodded, then ascended the steps. At the top, she jerked another string, spilling light into the attic. Cobwebs hung on the rafters and dust coated every surface, like some gruesome movie. CoCo sneezed as she moved to allow Luc access.

“Wow, this place hasn't been visited in a while,” he said.

“I don't think I've ever been up here.” She ducked to miss hitting a rafter and headed to the far end of the attic.

Two large trunks sat side-by-side under a window. CoCo struggled to open the window, but it wouldn't budge. She leaned over farther, pushing aside boxes with her foot, and put all her upper strength into the movement. It still didn't move.

“Let me.” Luc's hands reached around her and popped the sill. The window slid open with a couple of catches. He breathed in over her shoulder. “Fresh air.”

CoCo turned around and faced him. His hands were still braced against the window, entrapping her in his embrace. Her heart pitter-patted wildly. Her mouth felt as dry as the ground in August. She licked her lips, but it brought no relief.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, lingered for an eternity-filled moment, then traveled back to her eyes. The love she'd recognized in them earlier returned. Full force. With only the slightest hesitation, Luc leaned into her as he wrapped his arms around her. His head bent and she closed her eyes.

His lips grazed hers…soft, gentle, like a whisper. Her body quickened as she gripped his biceps. Then logic tapped her on the shoulder. She pushed away from him.

“I told you we were just working together and that's it.” The thudding of her heart weakened her knees.

“There's so much I want to say to you, need to say to you, but n—”

“No. I can't do this again, Luc. Please.”

The muscles in his jaw popped, but he nodded. He dusted his hands on his jeans and turned to stare at the attic. “Fine. You take that trunk and I'll take this one.”

Luc's heart zinged every time he glanced over at CoCo. He'd seen the love glimmering in her eyes when he'd kissed her, even when she'd pushed him away. It was wrong. He knew their love didn't stand a chance—never had.

“Oh, my, check this out.” She stood and placed a white hat with a wide brim on her head, tilting it slightly.

“You look good in hats.” He swallowed. CoCo looked good in everything. Even the walking shorts and camp-style shirt she now wore. A sheen of perspiration dotted her upper lip. The lip he'd kissed a few minutes ago. The one he wanted to kiss again. He'd missed their emotional connection for years.

She laughed, dispelling the intense thoughts running through his head. “I'll have to give it to Alyssa next time she's here. Maybe she can use it for her United Daughters of the Confederacy meetings.”

“How
is
Alyssa?” He pulled out old photo albums from the trunk.

“Fine. Still living up in Shreveport, working as a reporter. Every free minute she has, she's doing something for the UDC.”

He stopped from flipping the pages of the album. “I detect a note of hesitation in your voice. What's wrong?”

She lowered her head, but not before he'd caught the hurt in her expression. “Tara. She's Grandmere's new student.”

Luc nearly choked. “Of voodoo?”

She nodded.

“Why?”

“Because I refused to learn anymore. And Alyssa's been gone for so long.” She pushed her bangs off her forehead. “Grandmere feels she must teach one of us, and by process of elimination, only Tara's left.”

His heart flipped. “Why aren't you learning from your grandmother anymore?”

“Luc…” Her voice cracked. “Luc, less than a month after you—after we broke up—I finally realized I'd been wrong.”

“About?” Borderline joy sung in his heart.

“About God. Jesus. Voodoo. My life. Everything.” Fresh tears stung her eyes.

“And?”

“I accepted Jesus into my heart. I confessed my sins and turned from them.”

His eyes pooled. Tears ran down her face. Time stood still.

Then, he moved forward and drew her into his arms. Held her tight. Kissed the top of her head.

She shook her head and moved away from him. “Anyway, Alyssa had run to another town after college to get away from Grandmere's ways. Thought I was a regular heathen.” She let out a half sigh, half snort. “I guess I was. Anyway, now that Grandmere's teaching Tara, Alyssa blames me.”

“How can she blame you?”

“Because I allowed it to happen. I turned my back, therefore, Grandmere started teaching Tara. She's the baby, so Alyssa and I are supposed to protect her.” Tears snuck from her eyes. “I'm not doing such a grand job.”

He set the album on the dust-covered floor and stared, afraid to move toward her. “It's not your responsibility.”

She lowered her head.

Luc put a finger under her chin and lifted until her eyes met his. “You can't be responsible for someone else's actions.”

She blinked. “I have to lead her to Jesus, Luc. You know that.”

His heart did, because he'd felt the exact same emotion. “You know, I learned a really hard lesson two years ago. A painful lesson.”

Panic crept across her face.

“No, not what happened to my father and between us.”

Uncertainty pushed the fear aside.

“I learned that I can plant a seed of salvation, but it's each individual person's choice to accept it or not.” He dropped his hand, but her gaze stayed glued to him. “I learned that beating someone over the head with my Bible isn't going to make them decide to accept Christ. If anything, it can make them run farther away.”

“What do I do?” Her tone was void of hope.

He stiffened his spine. “You let God do the miracles. We're only human, CoCo, but God's still in the miracle business. Trust Him.”

Her eyes filled with tears again, but he could tell these were tears of relief. Of letting go of a burden she never should have carried. “Thank you.”

It was enough for the time being. “Now, get back to work.”

Luc's words had lightened her load, made her spirit free. He was right—she had to leave it all in God's very capable hands.
Stepping out in faith.

CoCo cut her glance to him. He sat cross-legged on the floor, a tattered old photo album open in his lap. Light caught the dust dancing in the air every time either of them moved. She smiled and went back to digging in her trunk. If she had to go through one more plantation crop record book….

He let out a low whistle and jumped to his feet. Particles filled the air.

“What?”

“Let's get this under better light.” He moved toward the hanging single bulb to hold the album right under its glow. “Check this out.”

She rushed to his side. Her arm brushed against his as she peered at the book. She squinted her eyes and studied the picture he had illuminated under the light. Her heart contracted, and it had nothing to do with Luc Trahan's close proximity.

The photograph depicted two men in their midtwenties, smiling as they stood together, their arms slung around each other. Both men wore white robes with the Ku Klux Klan emblem emblazoned.

CoCo swallowed. “Is that Grandpere and Justin?”

Luc let out a rush of air. “I think so.”

She pulled the photo free from the corner-holders and moved the picture closer to her face to make out the details. “It is them. At this house.” She shook her head. “I would never have believed Grandpere was a member of the Klan. Knowing how Grandmere feels…”

He grabbed a yellowed sheet of paper from the album. “Looks like some type of journal entry.”

“That's Grandpere's handwriting.” Her breath caught in her throat as she read.

The ache stripped against her very heart. “Poor Grandpere. I never knew.” CoCo shoved away the tears. By the tone of the letter, she could assume he'd accepted Jesus and now sat in heaven. She sighed and ran a finger over the shed caught in the background of the picture. “That's Grandmere's workshop.”

“I thought she didn't know about the Klan involvement.”

Her heart hammered so loud she could hear her pulse in her head. Had she been fed lie after lie and gobbled up every one of them? “Let's go ask her.”

They descended from the attic single-file. CoCo led the way to the living room, gripping the picture and letter tight. Her grandmother may be a lot of things, but she'd never lied to her or her sisters. At least not that she knew of. CoCo's stomach burned with the thought.

Her grandmother sat on the couch, a void look on her face as she stared out the front windows.

“Grandmere?”