Dangerous Mercy: A Novel (7 page)

Adele strolled arm in arm with Vanessa around the duck pond at Langley Manor, relishing the soothing sound of the babbling brook and the cool shade of the massive live oaks. They walked up on the wood bridge and stopped, leaning on the railing.

Adele looked out across the pond to the gently rolling green lawn and white antebellum mansion with its stately pillars and wraparound porch.

“You’ve done an amazing job turning this place into a bed-and-breakfast, hon. It’s thrilling to know it was once a station for the Underground Railroad.”

“Did Zoe ever tell you why it was named Langley Manor instead of Langley Plantation?”

Adele shook her head, her gaze fixed on a weeping willow, the eyes of her heart seeing Woodmore. “No, but I’ve wondered about that. I’ve never heard of a manor house in south Louisiana.”

“According to what was passed down by word of mouth in Noah’s family,
Josiah and Abigail gave it that designation so everyone would think they were snobby Brits who clung to their own customs and refused to adapt to the culture here. The locals have told me how much the Cajuns resented them. And so did the other plantation owners. Living isolated would’ve made it easier for them to secretly provide shelter and safe passage for the slaves being ushered up North. No one knew what they were doing out here.”

Adele smiled. “God knew. They’ll be rewarded one day.”

“We don’t know much about them, except what I’ve pieced together from the diaries written by Ethan’s great-grandmother Augusta Langley. We know that Josiah was Ethan’s grandfather’s great-grandfather. Neither he nor Abigail kept records of their involvement in the Underground Railroad—at least not that we can find. If it hadn’t been for Noah, we might never have realized what happened here.”

“Yes, he told me. It’s amazing that the descendant of a slave and the descendant of a slave owner can come together to preserve a slice of history.” Adele put her hand on her heart. “Honestly, it’s a story that should be told on Oprah.”

Vanessa’s face looked radiant. “Ethan and I are content to tell it to one group of guests at a time. Though a feature writer from the Lafayette newspaper contacted us and wants to do a story sometime this summer. We feel honored to be entrusted with the history and beauty of this family heirloom, and it’s always a privilege to share it.”

“There’s a lot to tell. And it’s lovely here.”

“We think so. Even our six-year-old—well, soon to be seven—loves it. Carter’s a ham and likes the attention he gets from the guests. Plus he’s energetic, and it’s nice that he has room to run. We’ve fenced the property, so we don’t worry about alligators. And our yellow Lab, Angel, is with him everywhere he goes and won’t let him near the water. Do you ever miss Woodmore?”

“Oh, I try not to. I’m grateful to be close to Zoe, Pierce, and little Grace. That big estate was getting to be too much for me. Just keeping good people to run the place was starting to wear me out.”

Vanessa nodded. “I can see how it might. We finally hired a lady who comes in at eleven to change out the rooms. And a laundry service that does the linens. My role is to prepare the breakfasts, conduct tours, and try to be available for guests. Ethan helps me on evenings and weekends. We hired Noah to be the groundskeeper. As soon as the caretaker house is finished, he’ll move in there. It’s the perfect size for one person and really nice—and private. I think he’s ready to leave Haven House.”

“He and Murray Hamelin seem to get along well.”

“Noah likes Murray. In fact, he gets along with all the men at Haven House. But I don’t think either of them likes that Flynn character.” Vanessa arched her eyebrows. “I know I don’t. He came out with Noah one day to help with the fertilizing.”

“I met Flynn for the first time the other day when he came over with Murray and helped him move furniture in my back bedroom so it could be painted. Isabel doesn’t trust him. I try to see the good in everyone, but he does seem dark.” Adele sighed. “I’ve been praying for him. I haven’t said anything to Murray, but I hope he doesn’t bring him to my house again.”

“Adele, you should be honest with Murray. I have to think about Carter and my guests. I didn’t have any problem telling Noah I didn’t want to see Flynn out here again. He gives me the creeps.”

CHAPTER 7

The next morning, Adele dialed the number at Haven House. It rang three times, and she started to hang up when she heard a voice.

“Haven House. This is Father Vince.”

“This is Adele Woodmore. I was trying to reach Murray before he got started for the day. I do hope I’m not calling too early.”

“Not at all. The residents are just gathering for breakfast. Let me get him for you. Please hold.…”

Adele looked out the kitchen window at the small swatch of earth she owned. Visiting Vanessa at Langley Manor had made her long for the beauty of Woodmore, but not for the upkeep. A Carolina wren landed on the bird feeder and puffed out its little chest and began singing. How could something that tiny let out a song that filled the backyard?

“Good morning, Mrs. Woodmore.”

“Hello, Murray. I’m glad I caught you before you left. I just wanted to set up a day and time when we could go over to Best Buy and pick out a laptop. I’m totally flexible.”

“I have tomorrow afternoon free. I usually keep Friday afternoon open for jobs that can’t wait. There haven’t been any this week, so why don’t I put you down?”

“Splendid.”

“Have you decided where you want to put the computer?”

“Yes, there’s an empty corner in my den. I picked out a cherry computer desk that should fit nicely. It will be delivered in the morning.”

“Sounds great,” Murray said. “Do you think it will come before one?”

“The furniture store said they would deliver between nine and eleven.” Adele glanced at the grandfather clock in the living room for no reason. “So that should be fine.”

“Then one o’clock it is. I’ll see you then.”

“Murray … you won’t be bringing Flynn, will you?”

“No, ma’am. I won’t need help with this.”

“I’d really prefer not to have him over here anymore. I know that might sound petty, but—”

“I can’t blame you. He’s a scary-looking guy.”

“It’s not his long hair,” Adele said. “It’s something I can’t explain. He just makes me uneasy.”

“No problem. You’re not the first person to complain. I’m not planning to use him again for anything.”

Murray glanced up as Father Vince walked into the dining room.

“Has anyone seen Flynn?”

Murray shook his head. “Not me.”

“It’s not noon yet, is it?” Pete leaned forward, his tattooed arms folded on the table. “He probably went back to bed to get his
beauty
sleep.”

Daniel smirked. “It ain’t workin’.”

Everyone laughed.

“Did you check the lounge?” Jake grinned, exposing a huge gap where one of his teeth was missing. “He could be up there markin’ his territory around the TV. I think he sleeps with the remote.”

“He’s probably in the bathroom,” Noah said.

“I already checked all three.” Father Vince went over to the big window in the living room and looked down the block. “Hmm … my car is gone. No one saw him leave?”

The residents all shook their heads.

Lines formed on Father Vince’s forehead. “As I was going to bed last night, he asked to borrow my car and said he was going to the convenience store to get some snacks. Did anyone see him come back?”

“Now that I think about it,” Murray said, “I don’t remember seeing him in his bunk. You suppose he’s been out all night?”

The dining room resounded with wolf whistles that stopped when Father Vince exhaled loudly. “All right,” he said. “When Flynn gets back, I want to see him. Obviously I’m not going anywhere without my car.”

Father Vince turned and walked toward the kitchen, his brisk gait a good indicator of his irritation.

Noah rolled his eyes. “Maybe Father Vince will kick Flynn outta here till he gets serious about bein’ part o’ the team.”

Murray glanced at his watch. “I’d go looking for him, but I’ve got a whole list of repairs to do this morning. I can’t stand how he treats Father Vince. He has a lot of gall, taking off with his car. Probably spent the night with some bimbo he picked up at the Den. Maybe this is exactly what needed to happen for Father Vince to get fed up. This is one time I don’t think he’s going to turn the other cheek.”

“Then again”—Noah held his gaze—“maybe we’ll get lucky and Flynn
won’t
come back.”

Zoe walked out of the kitchen at Zoe B’s and waited for Grace to climb into her booster seat in the chair next to Father Sam, then set a plate of dry Cheerios and cut-up fruit in front of her.

“As soon as you finish eating, Mommy will take you over to Addie’s.”

Grace giggled and stuffed a slice of banana into her mouth.

Tex flashed a smile the size of the Rio Grande, his thumbs hooked on his red suspenders. “Punkin’ here sure does love goin’ over there.”

“It gives me a couple hours of freedom,” Zoe said. “Today while she’s at Adele’s, I’m going out to Langley Manor to see Vanessa.”

“How dey doing out dere?” Hebert fiddled with the button on his unironed yellow shirt.

“Just great. The place is booked seven days a week.” Zoe sighed. “I’m happy for them, but I really miss having them living upstairs. Pierce and I never see them unless we go out there. They can’t both be away at the same time as long as they have guests.”

“Makes sense,” Father Sam said. “I never really thought about it.”

Savannah came over to the table and started pouring refills. “
All
the customers are talking about the Bathtub Killer. I’ll tell you one thing: There’s not a lot of sympathy out there for the victims.”

Father Sam took off his glasses and wiped his eyes. “I know people are bitter, but those two men didn’t deserve
that.
”

“Dere are some folks who tink dey did.” Hebert took a sip of coffee. “Hearts are stone cold toward dose CEOs.”

“Perhaps they should sit awhile with the grieving families,” Father Sam replied. “The killer didn’t make Girard Darveau and Peter Gautier pay. He made their families pay. The humiliating drama of drowning them in their business clothes and numbering them did far more to punish the families than the victims.” Father Sam glanced over at Grace. “Enough said. It’s cruel, that’s all.”

“I’m guessin’ the killer would argue that what Darveau and Gautier did was cruel.” Tex lifted an eyebrow. “I’m just sayin’.”

“My aunt Nicole has a computer systems company,” Savannah said, “and she’s had to lay a lot of people off. She says we don’t understand the pressure they’re under to stay in the black—that layoffs are a necessity.”

“So’s eating and paying da mortgage.” Hebert scratched the gray stubble on his chin. “Da reason people are cynical is dat CEOs still get whopping bonuses in spite of da layoffs. Dat’s not right.”

Father Sam nodded. “I agree. But none of it justifies murder.”

“
I two!”
Grace held up two fingers and seemed to be speaking to anyone who would listen.

Father Sam smiled and turned his attention to Grace. “Do we know anybody who’s two?”

“Me!”

“Me? Are you Me Broussard?” Tex asked.

“No, I
Grace
Brew-sar.”

Hebert tapped her on the nose. “Den we do know you.”

Grace bobbed her head, giggling with delight all the while.

“Eat your breakfast, sweetie.” Zoe pulled one of Grace’s blonde pigtails away from her mouth and looked over at Hebert and Tex. “With all the awful news we’re hearing, Grace’s sweet innocence reminds me there’s still good in the world.”

“There is,” Savannah said. “But right now, all that innocence isn’t going to help whoever’s destined to be victim number three.”

Zoe shuddered. Why hadn’t the authorities figured out who was behind this?

Zoe stood with Vanessa on the wooden bridge that spanned the duck pond at Langley Manor and took in the splendor of the rolling, velvet green grounds dotted with weeping willows, magnolias, and crape myrtles.

In the distance, shaded under the arms of a massive live oak, the stately white mansion with its four round pillars looked worthy of the cover of
Southern Living.

“You have to love it out here.” Zoe rested her arms on the railing. “It’s gorgeous. Must seem surreal at times.”

“It does. I know it’s a privilege living here, but it’s also a lot of work.”

Vanessa wore a bright pink sundress, her long, dark hair tied back with a matching scarf. Did she realize her wardrobe matched the blossoms on the crape myrtles?

“Pierce and I miss having y’all next door,” Zoe said.

“We miss it too. Ethan and I were just talking about how much we enjoyed living upstairs from Zoe B’s. Especially standing on the gallery and watching the people on
rue Madeline
. That was a unique experience.”

“I wonder how many times we came out here with Ethan and Pierce and had picnics while we watched the remodeling crews coming and going.”

“And let Carter kick the soccer ball to his heart’s content.” Vanessa tilted her head back and looked up at a V formation of white ibis. “He’s got so much room to play, and I don’t worry about him as long as he doesn’t go beyond the fence and Angel is with him.”

“It’s hard to believe a yellow Lab with her instincts ended up as a rescue dog at the humane society,” Zoe said. “Speaking of Angel, where is she?”

Vanessa’s eyebrows came together, her eyes the color of the summer sky. “I don’t know. I don’t remember seeing her this morning. With Carter at day camp, I haven’t paid attention to what she’s doing. She loves to roam as much as he does. You’ll have to bring Grace with you next time and let her take a ride on Angel again. I’m not sure who enjoyed it more—her or the dog.”

“Actually, I think Carter did.” Zoe smiled. “He oversaw the entire operation and made sure she didn’t fall off.”

“You’d think they were siblings the way he watches after her.”

“I know. It’s cute.” Zoe glanced at her watch. “I can’t believe we’re out of time. It’s been so great catching up. Your next group of guests will be arriving soon, and I’ve got to get going. I’m sure Adele and Isabel are ready to give my little bundle of energy back.”