Sugar Doll's Hurricane Blues (27 page)

Remy approached Mona’s darkened house and parked his car. It looked as if no one was there. A car pulled up behind him. He turned to see if it was Mona, but the brights were on and blinded him. A bullet ripped through the back windshield. Remy turned quickly and started the engine as fast as he could. He floored the accelerator and lurched forward but crashed into a street lamp. He jumped out of the car and ran. He could hear footsteps running rapidly toward him. He felt a bullet whiz by his head. He ran into an alley and realized his mistake immediately. It was a dead end.

Chapter Twenty

The club was standing room only. There were politicians there and a few movie stars. This was more than a Grand Re-Opening; this was a statement of defiance from the people. The government had forgotten them but the people had not. The city would return to its fun loving, carefree days, even if it killed them. There was electricity in the air. The surrounding areas were stifled by water damage and devastation but on this night everything was glamour. The jazz band was playing an upbeat tune and whiskey flowed. There was no sign of Mona. Sugar Doll paced nervously in the greenroom waiting to hear from Remy.

“Sugar Doll, you’re on honey!” Tommy came back and interrupted her worries. “If only Bertrand was here” she whispered to herself. He was the big teddy bear of a man who eased her troubled mind. His smile and laugh made everything okay. Tonight she would step out without him as her friend, cousin and mentor.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please give a warm applause for the Crescent City’s own, Sugar Doll!” She stepped onto the stage as the emcee gave her a hug and a kiss and as she looked out into the crowd something changed in her. She felt strong and brave. “Thank you, thank you and welcome back to New Orleans!”
The crowd burst into a round applause. “In honor of those who lost their lives and to our own wounded hearts I want to sing one you all know.” She turned to talk to the band.

“Oh when the Saints go marching in, oh when the Saints go marching in…I want to be in that number, when the Saints go marching in…” As she sang the crowd stood up to second line and pulled out their white handkerchiefs. Tears streamed from faces which were smiling in spite of themselves. The night was magic and the band was on fire.

“Why don’t you tell us where the money is and make it easy on yourself and that pretty girlfriend of yours?” Sid stood over Remy holding a gun to the temple of his head.

“What money?” Remy asked bewildered as he glinted up into the bright light that was overhead.

“The money you and your partner Bertrand stole from Marsalas.” Sid said gruffly.

“I didn’t steal any money. I don’t know what you are talking about. I haven’t seen Bertrand in weeks.” Remy spat out.

“Yeah, at least that boy is smart. He had the sense to run. What you thought you’d just hang around and spend our money?” Sid hit him over the head with the butt of the gun.

Marsalas sat in the darkened corner studying Remy. “The kid don’t know nothing. Let him go.”

“You sure boss?” Sid asked.

“Yeah, I guess you were right.” Marsalas took a sip of his whiskey.

“Get out of here kid.” Sid said.

Remy tried to stand but felt weak in his knees.

“Help him.” Marsalas ordered.

Sid and one of his goons lifted Remy by his shoulders and carried him to the car. They drove him to the club and threw him out on the curb.

“I guess I don’t have to warn you about keeping your mouth shut.” Sid growled as he pulled off and sped away. The music inside the club was pumping out to the street. A few people approached him.

“Hey fella, you okay?” One of the people asked as he lifted him up to his feet.

“It looks like they really worked you over. You want me to call the police?” The older man asked.

“No, I’ll be alright, it was personal.” Remy said as he gathered strength and headed for the door. The club was jammed tight. He decided to go through the side door to cut through the back and cut into the bathroom to get a look at the damage they did to him.

He walked into the men’s room. He caught a glimpse of his reflection. “A bit roughed up but none the worse for the wear.” He winked at his reflection as he pulled a paper towel out and wet his face to clean at the cut directly above his temple. “A quick move to the right and no more Remy.” He mused to himself. He heard the intercession music begin as the crowd became louder and more boisterous. He dried his face and made his way out of the bathroom.

“It’s about time!” Sugar Doll stood outside of the bathroom in the hallway waiting for him.

“Hey Sugar.” Remy said amiably.

“What the hell happened to you?” Sugar Doll exclaimed once she saw his condition.

“Well, apparently someone thinks I robbed Marsalas.” Remy said leaning against the hallway wall.

“What? Why would they think that?” Sugar Doll asked.

“They think that Bertrand and I were in on the robbery here at Mona’s.” Remy said pointing to the ceiling, as though the building was its own entity.

“Who did this?” Sugar Doll asked.

“Marsalas.” Remy answered simply.

“Oh my God. Why did they let you go?” Sugar Doll asked.

“Well dahling, I’m still waiting for you to ask me if I’m all right. I’ll try to figure out the rest later.” Remy smirked.

“Are you all right?” Sugar Doll stepped forward and took Remy into her arms.

“Five minutes.” Tommy the barman interrupted the kiss.

“Five minutes.” Remy repeated and straightened out his rumpled shirt.

“I can go on again.” Sugar Doll squeezed his arm.

“I’ll be all right.” Remy smiled as he ambled down the narrow hallway into the crowded bar.

The crowd cheered when he entered the room. Sugar Doll took a deep breath and followed him. They had rehearsed the old standard, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with a New Orleans melody underneath. Remy had taken the stage to begin the first portion of the song. She followed smoothly answering the second chorus. It was magic. The crowd murmured their approval not wanting to interrupt the moment.

“I’m sorry that I’m a little late. I was getting roughed up by some gangsters.” Remy joked. The audience laughed appreciatively not realizing that he was telling the truth.

“C’mon Remy you were out with some wild girls and lost track of time.” A man in the crowd shouted. The audience laughed raucously.

“There’s only one girl for me from now on…” Remy looked admiringly at Sugar Doll. He began to sing a ballad that he had written for her. She sat on a stool as he sang to her.

As locals woke to the morning news of Bertrand’s death Marsalas gave a huge sigh. “Stupid nigger. What was he thinking going down into the heart of the hurricane?” He muttered to himself. The police found a briefcase full of money. He couldn’t believe his luck. “I knew it was him!” He spat out angrily. He picked up his phone to call Sid. There was a knock at the door.

“I heard boss and I booked it right on over here.” Sid stood at his door.

“Well, we ain’t getting that money back.” Marsalas stood at the window overlooking the business district.

“We can get it from Mona.” Sid said.

“Yeah, well, where is she? Your guys lost her.” Marsalas asked.

“Whatever is lost can be found boss.” Sid replied.

“Like my money?” Marsalas asked sarcastically.

Sid said nothing in response.

Sugar Doll was inconsolable. What she had feared the most was now a reality.

“Oh Remy, why are all of these bad things happening to us?” She asked.

“Sugar, we made it through a hurricane to sing again. Bertrand made some unwise choices and he died. I’m sorry but you can’t take all of this on yourself.” Remy tried to comfort her.

“First Elise, then Big Ma, Kevin and now Bertrand. It’s just too much for me.” She cried.

“I’m more worried about Mona now.” Remy reminded her. “Marsalas thinks that she was in on the robbery.”

“Oh God, I have no idea where she is Remy. How can we help her if we don’t know where she is or if she is even still alive?” Sugar Doll cried fresh tears.

“Now listen to me, Mona is smart. She’s gone somewhere no one can find her and she is perfectly fine. It’s us I am really worried about. If they can’t find her then maybe they’ll come looking for answers from you. They’ve already tried me.” Remy advised.

“But I don’t know anything.” Sugar Doll answered.

“They don’t know that and I’m afraid that it’s time for us to go to the police.”

“What are we going to tell the police?” Sugar Doll asked.

“Everything that we know. At least if something happens they will know who the cause of it is.” Remy responded.

“But it’s dangerous. Marsalas knows everybody and could cause us real trouble.” Sugar Doll pleaded.

“It’s already dangerous. Doing nothing is not going to help us.” Remy told her.

“You know the New Orleans police department is full of crooked cops. Why should they help us?” Sugar Doll sighed.

“Not all of them are crooked. We can get help honey. We can just tell what we know and be fine.” He soothed her.
He kissed her neck gently and she responded to him feeling her shoulders relax as he held her closely.

“Give the legal rights to my club to my daughter. She can be chief executor of my assets.” Mona spoke to her Southern California attorney. She had come to San Diego a place no one knew that she owned property in because it was under an assumed name. She knew that this was the best place for her because it was oh so close to Mexico, a haven for hideouts.