Authors: Sharon Sala
Brendan took one look at his face, then stood and reached for his mother’s hand.
“I’m sorry to intrude, but I need to talk to you,” Henry said.
Delle’s voice began to shake. “Are we in trouble? Is the DEA going to charge us?”
Brendan’s phone rang. He started not to answer it, and then saw it was from Julie. “Hang on a minute before you say anything. I need to take this. Hey, Julie. Everything okay?”
“You tell me,” she said. “I was about to get Belinda some lemonade when, out of the blue, she told me her daddy was dead. Has she ever said or done anything like this before?”
Brendan frowned. “She said that?”
“Yes, and without any emotion. Just stated it as a fact.”
“Look, I’ll call you back in a few minutes, okay? Sheriff Henry just walked in and we need to talk to him.”
“Yes, okay.”
Brendan disconnected and looked at the sheriff. “By any chance are you here to tell us Anson is dead?”
Henry frowned. “How did you know? I gave specific orders for nothing to be released until all the family was notified.”
Delle gasped. “What do you mean? Brendan, what’s going on?”
“That was Julie calling. She said Linny just told her Daddy was dead.”
“What? No,” Delle muttered.
Henry sighed. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Poe, but that’s why I’m here. I’m sorry to tell you that your husband passed away about an hour ago.”
Delle gasped. “No... why... how? Oh, my God.”
Brendan’s first reaction was relief. “What happened?”
Henry started to answer, then wiped a hand over his face and started over. “He actually burned to death.”
Delle moaned beneath her breath, and then curled up on her side and covered her face.
“Burned? What the hell?” Brendan asked.
“It was witnessed by the jailer, a priest, and two DEA agents. In fact, they were taping his confession. He has... uh, had confessed to everything from causing the fire at Frenchie’s to tricking March’s men into killing Voltaire LeDeux because LeDeux was a loose end to the arson. He kept saying someone had put a voodoo curse on him.” Henry was still unnerved by how close he came to being outed for being on Anson’s payroll. He glanced at Delle, then back at Brendan. “He also revealed how he controlled his family with pain and fear, and that he planned to kill your mother but then decided to get rid of your sister instead, knowing it would hurt all of you for defying him.”
Brendan’s stomach rolled. “God in heaven.”
Henry kept talking. “He seemed to think that if he confessed his crimes... his sins, so to speak, it would save his life. But as soon as he finished the confession, smoke came out of nowhere and he pretty much burst into flames. I’m sorry. They ran to get help, but it was too late.”
Brendan shuddered. “Someone cursed him for sure.”
“That’s what he kept saying. Do you have any idea who it might have been?” Henry asked.
Brendan shook his head. “It could have been anyone. He made his share of enemies outside the family, too. So what happens to Mama and my brothers?”
“It’s not my call, but after what he said, and what the agents witnessed, I’d be shocked if anyone besides Riordan is ever charged.”
“Thank God,” Brendan said.
“Hey, sorry that leaked out before we got a chance to notify everyone,” Henry added.
Brendan shook his head. “It didn’t get leaked. Sometimes Belinda just knows stuff.”
Before today, Henry would’ve said he didn’t believe in psychics, fortune tellers, or voodoo, but what he’d seen had seriously given him pause for thought.
“After what I saw, I may never sleep again. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”
“His death is not bad news to me,” Brendan said.
Delle didn’t answer because she was crying and was still crying after Henry was gone.
Brendan was not only puzzled, but somewhat angry that she could grieve for a man so evil.
“Damn it, Mama, why are you sad? I would have thought you would be relieved.”
Delle took the tissues he gave her and blew her nose. “I’m not sad. I guess it’s a combination of relief and guilt. I prayed that he would die and he did. What does that make me?”
“It makes you human. Do you want me to call Sam and Chance, or do you want to do it?”
“You,” she said.
“Okay, and by the way, we need to start paying attention to the stuff Belinda says. She’s got a gift, Mama, whether you want to face it or not.”
LaDelle sighed. “I know. She’s just like Mama and Claudette.”
Brendan stared. “You never mentioned any of this before. Why now?”
She shrugged. “It was always easier to ignore it than deal with it.”
He frowned. “No more ignoring shit, Mama. Not ever again. I’m going to call the guys, then go home and check on Linny.”
“Godspeed,” Delle said.
“From your lips to God’s ears,” he said, kissed her good-bye and left the room to make the calls.
****
Brendan set up a mini-conference call so he wouldn’t have to tell the whole thing twice, then broke the news to his brothers about Anson’s death. The silence that came afterward was odd.
“So, either one of you have anything to say?” Brendan asked.
“Don’t expect me to say, I’m sorry,” Chance muttered.
“Me, either,” Sam added.
“There’s something else,” Brendan said and told them about Linny’s call. “She’s always saying stuff and we ignore it. I think it’s time we start paying attention. She told me after he burned Mama’s feet that something bad was going to happen to her. I attributed it to the shock of what happened to Mama and ignored it.”
“Yeah, and remember she told me to make that list of bad people Daddy knew, and all of the things that he’d done to destroy him,” Sam added. “It wound up being part of what rattled Riordan enough to bring her back.”
“And now knowing Daddy died before anyone told us,” Chance said. “We’re not only going to have to pay attention to what she says, but also what we say to her.”
“For sure. No more lies,” Brendan added.
“No more lies,” they echoed.
****
Grayson March was waiting in the parking lot of Brendan’s apartment when he saw him drive up. Grayson was prepared for rejection, although it was no more than he deserved, considering how many times he’d rejected Brendan.
Brendan saw him get out of his car and stopped.
Grayson kept walking. “Have you got a minute?” Grayson asked.
“Start talking,” Brendan said.
Grayson held out his hand.
Brendan hesitated so long Grayson thought he wasn’t going to shake it, and then he finally relented.
“I’m sorry,” Grayson said, “for everything I ever said or insinuated about you.”
Brendan waited without comment as Grayson continued.
“I got a call from the Parish sheriff that your father confessed and cleared the names of my employees who were blamed for Voltaire LeDeux’s murder. It will be a blessing for their families.”
“He’s dead, you know.”
Grayson’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“It’s a long story, but suffice it to say, he brought it on himself,” Brendan said. “My little sister is with Julie. They’re painting toenails. Want to come up?”
Grayson was surprised, but pleased by the invitation. “Yes. I would like that.”
“I’m going to marry your daughter,” Brendan said.
Grayson nodded. “I guessed as much.”
“I suppose you think I should have asked your permission,” Brendan said as they headed toward the building.
Grayson shrugged. “I think I lost any expectations of having that honor right after I accused you of being part of her kidnapping.”
“I’m glad we understand each other,” Brendan said.
Grayson laughed. “We might butt heads along the way, but I’d say we
definitely
understand each other.”
“I’ll make Juliette proud of me, and I’ll never let her down.”
Grayson sighed. “I know that, and I thank you.”
“I’m going to the police academy in the fall.”
“An honorable profession,” Grayson said.
“Not all of the time,” Brendan said, thinking of the men his father had paid to look the other way. “I plan to be one of the good guys.”
Grayson nodded. “I have no doubt.”
They walked the rest of the way in silence, and when Brendan knocked on Julie’s door, the look on her face when she opened it was priceless.
“Brendan! Daddy! Are you—?”
“We’re fine,” Brendan said. “Is Linny okay?”
She nodded. “It’s weird, but she actually seems relieved. Was it true?”
“Yeah. I’ll tell you later. Did you save us some lemonade?”
“We drank it. I have sweet tea.”
“Even better,” Grayson said.
Linny came bounding into the room with Tracker under her arm.
“Brendan! You’re back! Did you know Daddy was dead?”
He arched an eyebrow. “So I heard. Are you okay?”
She nodded. “The Evil Overlord has been defeated. All is well in my kingdom, thanks to my best and most faithful knight.”
Brendan laid his hand on her head as she leaned against him.
Grayson smiled at her. “Who’s the knight?”
“Why that would be me,” Brendan said. “I can’t believe you had to ask.”
“And when Sir Brendan and Juliette get married, she will be his Lady,” Linny added.
Brendan winked at Julie, then tugged on Linny’s hair. “Who said anything to you about us getting married?”
Linny shrugged. “I just know stuff.”
“Yes, you do,” he said softly, then tugged her ponytail again. “Julie is going to talk to her daddy for a bit. I want to talk to you.”
“He burned up. I saw it, Bren. It’s okay. Bad people burn in hell.”
Brendan sighed. “Maybe we can skip that talk after all.”
“Don’t be upset. I just know stuff, Brendan. Remember?”
“Well hell,” Brendan said softly.
Grayson looked a little pale. Dead was one thing. Incinerated was another. “Juliette, do you happen to have anything stronger than sweet tea in this place?” he asked.
Julie pointed to the sofa. “You boys sit. We’ll do the honors, won’t we, sugar?”
Linny nodded. “Yes, I’m getting big enough to carry lots of stuff now, even the stuff that spills.”
“Definitely, big enough,” Brendan said, watching her walk away with her head up, her shoulders back, and keeping up with every step Julie made. Life had kicked his little sister in the teeth and caused her to grow up too fast for his liking, but it was what it was.
“Two damn fine women, if I say so myself,” Grayson said.
Brendan shoved his hands in his pockets so no one would know they were shaking, thinking to himself how quickly things began to right themselves once Anson Poe was no longer of this world.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Grayson went home shortly after his arrival, and Brendan and Linny were on their way out of Julie’s apartment as well.
Brendan handed his little sister the keys to his apartment, knowing she liked being the one to unlock the door and then watched her skipping as she headed down the hall with Tracker tucked under her arm. He stayed behind just long enough for one last hug from Juliette.
“We love. We’ll make love. Soon,” she whispered.
Brendan cupped her face in his hands, rubbing a thumb across her lower lip.
“I told your father I was going to marry you.”
Julie blinked.
He sighed. “I know. I should have probably asked you first.”
She grinned. “You think?”
“Forgive me?”
“Only if you promise to do it right next time.”
“Brendan! Are you coming?”
“Gotta go,” he said. “Remember, the answer should be yes.”
He hurried up the hall, leaving Julie smiling as she shut the door.
As soon as they were inside the apartment, Linny put Tracker down and then followed Brendan to his room.
“Can I call Mama?” Linny asked.
Brendan was relieved she was ready to talk to her. “Sure. I’ll get her on the phone, okay?”
She sat quietly, watching Brendan’s face as he made the call. He spoke briefly, then handed her the phone and went into the living room to give her some space.
He turned on the television for something to do and was lost in thought and ignoring the show, when he felt two small hands slipping around his neck and then warm breath on his ear.
“Thank you, Bren.”
“You’re welcome, sugar. Is everything okay between you and Mama?”
“Yes.”
“Come, sit down, and talk to me,” he said.
“I can’t right now. Company’s coming.”
There was a knock at the door.
“It’s for me,” she said and ran to answer.
“Wait! What the hell, Linny? You know better than to do that? It’s not safe.”
“This time it is,” she said and opened the door.
“Auntie!” Linny said.
Claudette leaned down and gave her niece a kiss on the cheek. “I have someone who wants to talk to you.”
Brendan saw her and smiled. “Hey, Auntie, come in. I was-” He saw the tiny woman who stepped out from behind Claudette and his smile widened. “Mama Lou!”
“I would speak with your sister,” the old woman said and took Linny by the hand.
When Brendan started to follow, Claudette stopped him with a touch, then a look.
“It is time this happens,” Claudette said. “The trauma of what happened to Belinda has triggered what was already there in her. She needs to know how to control it.”
Brendan frowned. “Is this going to make her life more difficult?”
“Life is always difficult, Brendan. You of all people should already know that. This is who she is. Let it be.”
Long minutes passed, then turned into half an hour before they returned. It took Brendan a few moments to realize the panic was gone from Linny’s face. When they stopped at the sofa, Mama Lou put a hand on his shoulder.
“The liar is gone and so are the lies,” she said. “There are no lingering spirits at Wisteria Hill of which you should be concerned.” She laid a hand on Belinda’s head. “The Queen of the Bayou has abdicated the throne. There is no longer a need to live in a make-believe land. Soon you will change the armor of a knight for a uniform, a badge, and a gun.”