Sweet Mystery (31 page)

“Then it must be ridin’ my rump, too. I
helped you every step of the way, little sister.” Andrew nudged her
with his elbow. “Come on now. We’ve been through rough spots
before. We’ll make it.”

“I won’t be able to pay Neville back so
soon.” Rae wished her older brother were here. She could use his
commonsense approach to reassure her.

Andrew put an arm around her shoulder. “I
called him at work. He’s coming later this afternoon. Only thing he
cares about is that you’re okay.”

Rae gave him an affectionate look. “I’ve got
the best brothers in the world.”

“Ah well.” Andrew grinned. “As for folks who
still don’t like you, to hell with ‘em.”

“Yeah,” Rae chimed in, feeling strong
again.

“Dalcours have been bouncing back since
before the Civil War.” Andrew stepped back to look at her. “You
never let what they said stop you before.”

Rae sat up straight. “I’m going to get this
place open again. I did it once, I’ll do it again.”

“Let’s go find Tony. Sooner the policy gets
processed, the sooner we’re back in business.” Andrew pointed for
her to get in his truck.

“We might even be able to open the lounge
part if the building inspector says it’s safe. I’ll take my car,
Andy. You stay here and call me if you hear more,” Rae said. She
got her car and slammed the door shut.

* * *

Toya sat on the covered patio of her spacious
home, gazing at the waterfall in the center of her garden and
sipping a margarita. “Marius, tell me again how bad it looks.” A
feline smile of pleasure was stamped on her face.

“I’d say even in the parts that weren’t
damaged by fire, the smell of smoke and the water damage will keep
the place closed.”

Marius wore white shorts, a white cotton
shirt with green stripes and Perry Ellis sunglasses. He crossed one
ankle over his knee.

“Ah, what a great weekend,” Toya said with a
sigh. She stood up and smoothed down her denim mini-dress.

Her leather sandals slapped on the stone
floor as she went to a table. A tray with a pitcher of wine punch
and a tray of snacks were arranged neatly. Her Saturday afternoon
patio party was in full swing when Darcy arrived an hour later.
Toya’s schoolmates and old friends, all expensively attired in the
latest casual wear, milled around chatting.

Darcy marched through them without returning
one greeting. “I need to talk to you,” he muttered to Toya. “You,
too.” He pointed a finger at Marius. Without waiting for replies,
he spun around and headed into the house.

“Darcy, Shaunice is hurt. You didn’t even
speak to her. You know how she feels about you.” Toya shut the door
to the sun room behind them.

Marius took off his sunglasses. “Man, what’s
up with this?”

Darcy faced them. “Which one of you is
responsible?”

“Not me.” Marius held up both palms. “Sure I
picked up the crushed ice, but Toya planned the party.”

“Rat,” Toya quipped. She flounced down into a
rattan chair with flowered upholstery.

“You know damn well I’m talking about the
fire at Rae’s dance hall.” Darcy looked at Marius. “I told you not
to get involved.”

“That land will allow us to sell to another
corporation for development,” Marius shot back.

“Oh, really? We’d have to fight the police
jury, environmentalists and probably most of the local businesses
that depend on tourism.” Darcy threw his car keys down hard.

“They couldn’t stop us,” Marius replied.

“A plant would have to get all kinds of
permits and licenses, you idiot.” Darcy paced in front of them.

Marius shrugged. “And we’d get them.
Grandfather has contacts–”

“Grandfather, in case you haven’t noticed,
shows little interest in business since the stroke, or anything
else for that matter. He’s left everything to me. Got that? Me!”
Darcy slapped his chest.

“Don’t think you’re going to steal the family
company from me, cousin.” Marius walked up to him. “I’ve put a lot
on the line for years.”

“You mean you’ve been working at the company
since you barely squeaked out of college.” Darcy brushed past him,
bumping him aside. “Face reality. I’m in charge of Jove Enterprises
and that’s not going to change.”

Marius grabbed his arm. “Grandfather has the
final say. He’s not exactly thrilled with the way you’ve handled
things so far. Digging up that property got him so steamed, he
stroked out.”

“That’s bull!” Darius shouted.

Marius glared at him. “Don’t get your hopes
up, cuz. He’s still alert enough to bust your plans. The old man
isn’t dead yet!”

“You asshole!” Darcy shoved Marius so hard
that he almost went over a loveseat.

Marius caught hold of the furniture before
hitting the floor. “I’m going to finally kick your...”

“Stop it! You’re making a spectacle!” Toya
stepped between them. She walked to the glass door quickly and
stuck her head out at the staring guests. “Nothing serious, folks.
Just a little family squabble. No need to worry.”

Darcy backed away from Marius and
straightened his shirt. He went to a small refrigerator behind the
wet bar and got a can of soda. “So it was you.”

Marius brushed dust from his shorts. “I was
nowhere near the place on the night of the fire. But Grandfather
will be pleased when he finds out how I made getting the Dalcour
property possible.”

Darcy gave him a contemptuous look. “She has
insurance, Einstein.”

“That won’t pay in case of arson.” Marius
wore a vicious smile.

“You moron. That won’t work.” Darcy stared at
him.

“What’s the matter? Your little girlfriend
stirred old feelings?” Toya put down her drink. “Well, tough!”

Darcy rubbed his jaw. “You went along with
him on this?”

“I was dining with friends that night,” Toya
said with a smirk. “Isn’t it a shame the fire started?”

“Then you’re as stupid as he is, Toya. Simon
was through with you long before Rae came back home,” Darcy said in
a merciless tone.

Toya’s eyes blazed. “That’s not true! She has
him fooled. He’s too trusting to see what kind of a woman she
really is.”

“Oh, he knows exactly what kind of woman she
is. If I know Rae, she’s got him begging for it,” Darcy said.

“Shut up,” Toya spat, turning her back to
him.

“As for the property, I’ve all ready spoken
to Grandfather. He doesn’t care about the road being built now. In
fact he told me the deal with Pantheon will finally give the family
the financial security he wants us to have.” Darcy crossed his
arms.

“That’s not what he told me.” Marius blinked
at him with a slight grimace.

“You just got yourself involved in a felony
for nothing, Marius.” Darcy raised an eyebrow at him. “I hope your
hired hands can keep their mouths shut.”

Marius tried to strike a casual pose. “Like I
said, I didn’t have anything to do with it.” The anxiety across his
sharp features was evident.

“Hmm, you better work on that act a bit more.
Your voice cracked just a little towards the end.” Darcy smoothed
his dark, glossy hair with one hand. “Have a nice party.” He
sauntered out.

Marius stood in frustrated fury. “One of
these days I’ll make him sorry.”

“Oh, grow up,” Toya snapped. “Are you sure
those two knew what they were doing? I don’t want anything traced
back to me.” She chewed on her bottom lip.

“Don’t listen to Darcy.” Marius twisted his
hands together. “We’re covered.”

“I hope so.” Toya dabbed at perspiration on
her forehead. “I certainly hope so.”

* * *

I’ve always hated Monday mornings. Now I know
why.

Rae watched the insurance agent squirm in his
imitation leather chair. She stared at him for several seconds
before speaking.

“What do you mean there’s a small problem?”
Rae said. “Last week you told me the papers would be processed
fast, so I could get the dance hall back in shape.”

Tony Baranco shuffled papers on his desk.
“Ahem, well, I talked to Chief Frey and he says his arson people
got some questions about how the fire started.”

“It was the wiring, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah, but looks like somebody might have
tampered with it and put some accelerant around the wall.” Tony
offered a sickly smile. “But, that’s not for sure. The fire burned
pretty hot and it’s hard to say for certain when the evidence goes
up in smoke.”

“Well, there was that incident about a month
ago where somebody was creeping around the place late one night.”
Rae went rigid with anger. “Are you implying I set fire to my own
business?”

“Now, take it easy.” Tony sought to diffuse a
rapidly deteriorating situation. “The company has the prerogative
of delaying payment until our investigator can–”

“Why, in the world, would I set a match to a
business that’s raking in cash like crazy? What’s my motive?” Rae
demanded. She stood up and placed a fist on one hip.

“C-calm down,” Tony stammered out. “We need
to find out the truth. We’re not accusing you of anything.”

“Not yet, but I’m sure it’s coming.” Rae
wanted to sweep everything from the top of his desk onto the floor
and scream. So that’s why folks were looking at me funny for the
past day or so, whispering when I walked past.

“Now that’s not true.” Tony blinked at her
rapidly. “We’re working to find out as much as we can; something
I’m sure you want.”

“Okay, investigate. But when the truth comes
out, I want my money fast. You got that?” She stabbed a finger at
him, as though aiming for the tip of his nose.

“Sure, Rae, listen, you know how people talk
in this town. They take one little thing and by the time it makes
the rounds–”

“Bye, Tony. I expect to hear from you real
soon.” She swept out of the room.

Rae put on her sunglasses once she was
outside on the parking lot. Her next order of business was to find
Harold Frey. She rubbed her bare arms, feeling a chill that did not
come from the air-conditioning in her car or the chief’s office
window unit.

* * *

Harold ambled into the office. “Hi Rae, how’s
it going?”

“What is this about arson? Why didn’t you see
fit to tell me before spreading it all over town? Tony doesn’t want
to pay off on my policy,” Rae blurted out in a rush.

She stood with her feet planted apart, both
hands on her hips. The tank shirt and denim skirt she wore felt
stuck to her skin from a cold sweat of outrage.

“Whew, one at a time!” Harold held up one
meaty palm. “First, Tim said it could be the wires weren’t done
properly or it could be arson. There is a residue that he thinks
could be some type of chemical used commonly as an accelerant.”

“Accelerant?”

“A substance used to make a fire spread fast.
Anyway, it could just as easily be faulty wiring. You did get that
place up kinda fast and some of that wiring is pretty old.” Harold
spoke in a calm, measured tone.

“So, I’m either an arsonist, or I put my
staff and customers at risk because of greed. Real nice.” Rae shook
her head. “I should have known better than to try and help this
rotten town.”

“Hold on now. Nobody said this is your doing.
It’s under investigation.” Harold sat on the edge of his desk.

“People in this town have all the information
they need. I’m guilty either way.” Rae raked her fingers through
her tangled dark hair. “How long before you know for sure?”

“We’re waiting on the test results from the
state police crime lab. Should be another week or so.”

“Great. Another few days of going broke.”
Rae’s head began to pound.

All sorts of thoughts crowded in at once. At
least she’d paid back Neville a small part of his loan before this
disaster. What would she tell her employees? Garrett quit a great
job in Lafayette, so he could work closer to home. Now what would
he and the others do?

Harold took a deep breath. “I’m hurrying as
fast as I can, Rae. It’s not all in my control. The tests take
time. Tim has to carefully examine evidence.”

Rae pressed her fingertips to her temples.
“Right.”

“I promise you, if there is anything more
that can be done to move this along, I’ll do it. We’re not out to
get you, no matter what some wagging tongues may be saying.”

“But why didn’t you call me?”

“I just tried. You weren’t at home. And Tony
was out at the dance hall with the insurance adjuster late
yesterday. He probably talked to my guys. That’s routine.”

“Well, the word is out that I’m a crook.” Rae
frowned. This was familiar territory for the Dalcour family.

“You know how hard it is to keep news from
spreading in Belle Rose.”

“I’ve been the lead story for local gossips
most of my life. You bet I know,” Rae said with a grunt of
distaste.

“Look, I don’t want this town to lose the
money that Rockin’ Good Times was bringing in from sales taxes.”
Harold put his head to one side. “Hell, we could use some new
equipment.” He wore a half grin.

“At least you don’t think I’m poison. That
makes three of us, counting Andrew.”

“Garrett, Jackson and Sarah are on your side,
too. And from what I hear, nobody even hints at nasty stuff about
you without those four jumping down their throats,” Harold
said.

“They’re good people.” Rae’s eyes stung at
the thought of them defending her.

Harold’s bushy black brows went up. “Don’t
forget Simon.”

“No, I can’t forget him,” Rae said in a soft
voice.

Simon had been a constant source of
encouragement and support for the last five days. It seemed he had
a sixth sense, calling at some of her darkest moments. He even
offered to help with the rebuilding of Rockin’ Good Times. With his
crew and an architect friend helping, at least the lounge and dance
hall section would open. The restaurant could be completed within
three weeks of settling the insurance claim. That is, if the claim
was settled.