To My Senses The Nicci Beauvoir Series Book 1 (9 page)

I did start to laugh then,
wondering how the poor man had managed living day in and day out
with Hattie and Colleen. Lesser men would have been driven to
homicide years ago.

I gazed up at the painting,
once more. I analyzed the curve of the paint on the canvas,
following the traces of the paintbrush throughout the piece. I
thought about the hands that had painted those waves of color. I
remembered the way those same hands had touched me that day in the
French Quarter.

“
You like it?” Ned
voiced.

“
Yes.” I cleared the
memories from my head. “I like the colors best. It reminds me of
something. I guess all paintings do that.”

Ned took a seat on the plush cherry sofa and
pulled out his pipe.

I sat down next to him.
“Aunt Hattie seems pleased enough with it,” I ventured, as he
gently pat his pipe out onto the palm of his hand.

“
Hattie.” He put the pipe
down in his lap. “She just wanted to impress Sammy. She told me to
consider it an investment in Colleen’s future. Your aunt has this
wild idea of marrying Colleen off to Eddie Fallon. Sammy did ask
about you, though.”

My insides jumped. “About
me?”

“
She and that artist, what
was his name, Alexander. They both asked why you hadn’t come to the
exhibition. The artist seemed particularly disappointed that you
didn’t go.”

“
You know I hate those
kinds of functions.” I glimpsed my apron and picked at some of the
onion stains.

“
You were just trying to
avoid Eddie, eh?” Uncle Ned laughed.

“
Uncle Ned, you know how
Sammy is always trying to get Eddie and me together. I’m sure she
was just up to her old tricks again.”

“
I know what her reasons
were, but what were his? He seemed too interested in you, if you
ask me.”

I looked up at him. “Now
you sound like an attorney.”

“
It’s a good thing that I
am an attorney, and a suspicious one at that. There are a lot of
rumors flying around right now.” His brown eyes filled with
concern. “Has your father said anything to you?”

A knot formed deep in my
stomach. “About what?”

He eyed me intently. “Your
Uncle Lance’s behavior is attracting a great deal of attention
around town. There are rumors that Beauvoir Scrap is on the verge
of financial ruin.”

I waved off his worry.
“Those rumors have been circulating for years, Uncle Ned. No one
ever listens.”

“
Well, someone is
listening. I’ve spoken to a few of my political informers and the
consensus is that Sammy is up to something.”

“
Sammy has been trying to
get her hooks in my father’s company for years,” I pointed
out.

“
I know, I know.” He nodded
in agreement. “She has tried marrying you off to Eddie to merge the
two companies. She even tried to marry your father. Since neither
possibility worked out, I have to wonder what else she may be
planning.”

“
What are you suggesting,
Uncle Ned?”

“
Steer clear of Sammy
Fallon and her son. I don’t trust her. Your father is in a very
fragile position right now. Until I can find out exactly what Sammy
is plotting, I don’t want you getting involved.”

I carefully assessed his
words. “Have you spoken to Dad about this?”

“
Of course. He won’t listen
to me as his attorney or his friend. That’s why I’m telling
you.”

“
What did you tell him to
do?”

“
Sell Lance’s half of the
company to you.” He pointed a bony finger at me. “That way his
investments are protected and his liability is reduced.”

I shook my head. “He won’t
do that. He won’t cut Uncle Lance out.”

“
He’d better. Sooner or
later someone will have enough ammunition to shut down Beauvoir
Scrap. Then he and Lance will both be out of work.” He sighed,
sinking deeper into the bright cherry sofa. “I didn’t mean to dump
all this on you, but since you are the sole heir and the only
person with any sense, I thought you should know.”

I suddenly felt
overwhelmed.
How in the hell could I do
anything. It’s not like I ran the company.
Instead of voicing my objections, I simply said, “Thanks,
Uncle Ned. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“
Enough of that.” He
stuffed some tobacco into his pipe. “Are you going to Val’s party
next week? I hear it is going to be a big extravaganza this year.
Or so your aunt tells me.” He struck a match and set it to his
pipe.

“
I received my invitation
last week. I’m not sure if I want to go.”

“
Not go?” he admonished.
“You’ve been going to every party Val has given since you were two.
She has always been like family to us. Nicci, you can’t disappoint
her.”

I chuckled at his insistent
tone. “I guess that settles it, then.”

“
Good girl.” He started
puffing on his pipe, fighting to keep it lit. “Now go back in the
kitchen and make sure Hattie doesn’t burn the house
down.”

Before I reached the door
to the den, I turned and caught a glimpse of David’s painting on
the wall. I smiled, as thoughts of him briefly filled my mind.
Then, turning to face the faint odor of crabs from the kitchen, I
lowered my head and trudged onward.

Chapter 5

Val Easterling’s parties
were legendary. This year, the party was to be held at the esteemed
Botanical Gardens in City Park. The four acres of lush gardens,
ornate pools, and Italian fountains were hard as hell to book for
any occasion. However, Val sat on the committee that held the
gardens’ annual fundraiser, so if she needed the gardens for a
party, she got them.

Auntie Val was a feisty,
well-endowed, sixty-year-old widow who spent a great deal of her
time helping others. She was the only member of the geriatric old
guard who knew how to have a good time. Her smile was filled with
warmth and her doors were always open to anyone who needed her. She
had been my mother’s one true friend.

“
Stay cool. Stay calm,” I
mumbled to my reflection in the mirror. “If David shows up, ignore
him.”

I checked my appearance,
scrutinizing every detail. My makeup was subtle, but emphasized my
gray eyes. My auburn hair curled around my bare shoulders, showing
off the highlights and complementing my creamy skin. I had chosen a
simple off-the-shoulder black gown with detailed beading down the
front; it clung to my slim figure, accentuating every curve without
looking too risqué.

“
You look great,” Dad
praised from my bedroom doorway. “You look just like your
mother.”

“
Thank you, Daddy,” I
returned, admiring his tailored tuxedo. “You look pretty snazzy,
too.”

When I faced the mirror
again, I realized what my father said was true. The older I got,
the more I noticed the resemblance to my mother. It was a comfort,
in a way, because I carried her with me, always.

“
You’ll be the prettiest
girl at the party.”

“
You’re just prejudiced
because you’re my father.” I walked across my bedroom, to where he
was standing, and straightened out his black bow tie.

“
I guess I’ll have to bring
the baseball bat with me to fend off the boys.”

“
Don’t worry about me.” I
smiled into his green eyes. “If any get close enough, I’ll just
shred them to pieces with my razor wit.” I retrieved my small
handbag from the chair by the door.

“
Maybe you should try a
more subtle approach. Talk about the weather first, before you
scare the hell out of them.”

I turned out the lights and
closed my bedroom door. “Dad, why should I try to make trivial
conversation with some moron whose only goal in life is to find out
what color underwear I have on?”

Dad stopped, motionless by
the stairs. “Shred away. Show no mercy.”

Feeling that now was as
good a time as any to venture into forbidden territory, I
mentioned, “Uncle Ned and I were talking the other day about Uncle
Lance.” My father nodded, not really paying attention, as he
started down the stairs ahead of me. “He told me about some
interesting rumors related to Beauvoir Scrap.”

My father stopped halfway
down the steps, and looked up at me. “What did he say?”

“
That the company is
rumored to be in trouble. Uncle Lance’s spending habits are
becoming public knowledge and someone—possibly Sammy—is interested
in buying us out.”

My father sighed and sat
down on the step beneath him. He rubbed his hands over his face and
stared off into the distance. “Ned was wrong to say anything. I
don’t care if he is your uncle, my brother-in-law, and my attorney.
Remind me to fire him in the morning.”

I went down the steps and
had a seat next to him. “He’s only concerned about the business,” I
defended. “He said you weren’t listening to him.”

“
Oh, I was listening, all
right. I know he means well, but I don’t want you concerned about
all of the…politics. Lance is gambling a good deal, so what? It
hasn’t affected our company yet. We’re not financially strapped,
just a little low on cash. I have been trying to find a way to
increase our cash accounts to make us appear a little sturdier on
paper.”

“
How are you going to do
that?” I debated.

“
I’m looking into some
different opportunities. Perhaps stocks or bonds, I’m not sure yet.
I just need something I can get in and make a quick return.” He
patted my arm. “This is boring business talk, and here we are about
to set out to the social party of the season. I don’t want you
worrying about any of this, Nic. It will all work itself out in the
end.”

We got up and made our way down the steps to
the front door. I watched my father grab his keys and check his
pockets for his wallet. His eyes were still dull and the dark
circles beneath them seemed more noticeable than before. I had a
feeling the financial problems were greater than he was willing to
admit.

“
All set?” he
asked.

“
All set,” I confirmed, as
we headed out the door and into the night.

***

The entrance to the
Botanical Gardens was decorated with colorful Chinese lanterns,
small white tea lights and, it seemed, every white balloon
available in the city. There were several white rose-covered
trellises arching over an old red-bricked walkway, marking the
entrance to the grand glass pavilion located in the center of the
Botanical Gardens. White lights twinkled in all the plants and
bushes just beyond the pavilion entrance. Two long tables were set
up outside the pavilion doors where the guests were asked for their
invitations.

Once inside, my father and
I were amazed by the extravagant arrangements for the party. There
was a full forty-piece orchestra set up along a white-tiled dance
floor in the center of the glass building. Three bars, and an
assortment of buffet tables, were set around the edges of the room.
Dozens of white candles were floating in a pool behind the
pavilion, their flickering lights shimmering through the glass
walls, making the great hall look as if it were filled with a
magical essence. Even the gardens surrounding the pool were lit
with thousands of white lights, adding to the fairy tale atmosphere
of the event.

Other guests had already
arrived and were filling the hall as we made our way in. Everyone
was lavishly dressed, and all the women’s gowns sparkled in the
pavilion lights. There were black tie waiters and waitresses
darting about, making sure everyone had a glass of
champagne—another trademark of Val’s parties; the only thing that
was ever served from the bar was champagne.

“
Oh my dear, you’re here.”
A cool hand reached out and tapped my bare shoulder.

My father and I turned to see a short, round
lady dressed in gold taffeta, holding out her plump white arms in
greeting.

“
Val.” My father gave her a
hug. “You look fantastic.”

“
No, I don’t. I look like I
should be on top of a trophy, but thanks for trying, Billy.” She
winked at him with her playful blue eyes, and patted her gold,
spray-painted hair. “I’ll never get this crap out. I’ll probably
die of toxic poisoning or something.”

“
Auntie Val.” I kissed her
cheek. “You do look wonderful, and this place….” I motioned to the
orchestra and the room around me. “You’ve outdone yourself this
year.”

“
The New Orleans
Philharmonic owed me this huge favor, so I made them pay up. This
is nothing, wait till next year.” Val always said that at every
party. “Look at you,” she said, holding me at arm’s length and
looking me up and down. “You’re all grown up and just as beautiful
as your mother.” She turned to my father and frowned. “Don’t let
her get near any of the losers here tonight.” Then she winked at
me. “If any of these boys gives you any trouble, I’ve got a .357 in
the car.”

“
Don’t worry about me,” I
affirmed. “I’ve already got the best looking date in the crowd.” I
took my father’s arm.

“
She’s not yours, Billy.”
Val laughed her big-hearted, raucous cackle. “She must have been
switched at birth. Nobody could look at you and think you were the
best fella here.”