Sweet Mystery (27 page)

“Toya, stop it!” Simon said in a clipped
voice.

Seeing the look on his face, Toya went from
wrath to helpless female in the blink of an eye. “I don’t know what
I’m saying or doing right now. I’m beside myself with worry. Could
I talk to you privately?”

“He just came from the hospital. He does need
to rest sometime,” Rae said through clenched teeth.

Toya ignored her, and dabbed at her eyes.
“Grandfather isn’t doing much better and Darcy keeps leaving to
take care of business. Grandmother Cecile has gone to pieces…” Her
voice broke.

Simon turned to Rae. “I’m headed to my office
anyway, so...”

“You’re not fooled by that act, are you?” Rae
muttered.

“That’s not fair. Toya is real sensitive,”
Simon whispered, “especially when it comes to Mr. Henry. I won’t be
long and then–”

“Right. See ya,” Rae cut him off, and stood
up.

“I’ll come by later. Let’s plan to sit out on
the porch at the dance hall. Just you, me, and a breeze off the
bayou. Okay?” His eyes pleaded for understanding.

“Sure.” Rae gave him a weak smile.

Her stomach roiled at the sight of them
together. They were from the same world. Simon, in his expensive
casual clothes – from his shirt to his shoes, he looked natural
beside Toya. Why did she get the feeling that Simon was walking
away from her in more ways than one?

* * *

Ellis Mouton formed a steeple with his
slender fingers. His attention seemed focused on the antique
Audubon print of a Louisiana brown pelican, which hung on his
office wall. Darcy sat in a casual pose, seemingly undisturbed by
the other man’s silence. Mouton’s senior vice-president, Carl
Waguespack, fidgeted.

“How much longer will there be a delay? We
can’t afford to let one more thing put off this plant being built.
The Pantheon people are getting restless,” Carl blurted out
finally.

Darcy examined his neat fingernails while the
seconds ticked by. “Sheriff Thibodeaux says only one more day.”

“I think there are too many complications.
Now we have a murder investigation to contend with, of all things.
It’s just been one problem after another.” Carl looked at Darcy as
though this latest development was his fault.

“I’ve spoken to Raymond, one of the project
managers at Pantheon. He’s going out with the civil engineer to
walk through the layout. They’re going ahead with their schedule.
Building starts Monday.” Darcy glanced at Ellis and back at his
hands.

“Finding a body didn’t at least cause a tiny
ripple?” Ellis raised a dark eyebrow.

Darcy shrugged. “Oh, there is some passing
interest. But it doesn’t have any impact on their plans.”

“What about the road? That certainly does
impact the new plant, Mr. Mouton,” Carl said. “It’s a crime scene
and could be tied up longer, depending on what the police
find.”

“Not according to what the state police told
Sheriff Thibodeaux. Those forensics folks are pretty thorough these
days. They’ll gather what they need and then the real investigation
begins in a laboratory.” Darcy beamed a smile at Ellis. “Naturally,
I’ve discussed this with him in some detail.”

“So, a little thing like murder shouldn’t
stand in the way of commerce?” Ellis studied him with an amused
gleam in his dark eyes.

Darcy tilted his head. “Since it doesn’t
concern us, why should a multi-billion-dollar company, vital to the
parish economy, be hampered?”

“Ah, I see.” Ellis gazed at Darcy with open
admiration.

Carl’s thin mouth was a tight line. “I think
we should go with our alternative plans. We can’t afford to find
out later on, after construction has begun, that there are other
complications.”

“There won’t be any other complications. In
the unlikely event that there are, they’ll be handled with the same
efficiency as we’ve dealt with others.” Darcy’s smile grew stiff;
his voice held an edge.

“Mr. Mouton, the Trosclair property is still
on the market.” Carl spoke to Ellis in a tone that dismissed
Darcy.

“You’ve been discussing plans that don’t
involve Jove Enterprises?” Darcy asked. His full lips curved up,
but the expression was no longer one of satisfaction.

“We have extensive experience with major
projects. It is our standard operating procedure to develop
contingency plans.” Carl spoke as though instructing a dense child.
His voice dripped with barely suppressed condescension.

“Jove Enterprises has acted in good faith. My
company has gone to considerable expense in this venture. Not to
mention that I set up the deal with Pantheon. Now you think you can
cut me out?” Darcy no longer looked like the bored, young man
playing at big business. He had a cold, knife-sharp quality.

Carl stared at him. “We have no contract with
Jove Enterprises.”

Darcy leaned forward in his chair. “Ellis,
I’ll give you complications you never dreamed possible if you make
even one tiny move to cut me out of this.”

“With the extensive Trosclair property, we
could go ahead with the plant, regardless of any other...
developments.” Carl nodded at Ellis. “It’s certainly a viable
solution.”

“I’d be careful bragging on your plans,
Carl.” Darcy threw him a disdainful glance. “The dust hasn’t
settled on that disaster you orchestrated with Delta
Corporation.”

“That wasn’t my fault. Everyone knows the
environmentalist had no solid evidence that our process was harmful
to the wetlands,” Carl burst out. His face turned red with ire.

“Really? Of course, the fact that the company
had scores of clean-water violations with heavy fines in another
parish didn’t help. Too bad you didn’t have a contingency plan for
that,” Darcy retorted.

Carl looked ready to explode. “Now you wait
just a minute. Who do you think you are? I–”

“Carl, calm down.” Ellis spoke in a mild
tone.

“But, Mr. Mouton, he’s questioning my
competence,” Carl protested. He drew himself up straight. “My
family has been in business in this parish for seventy years.”

“Skill in making the big deals must have
skipped a generation,” Darcy said with sarcasm.

“One company doesn’t make you a corporate
giant!” Carl shot back.

Ellis stood up and stepped around his desk.
“Carl, let me talk to Mr. Jove alone.” He ushered the outraged man
out the door. “I know, I know.”

The two men spoke in muted voices in the
outer office for several moments, before Ellis returned.

Darcy sat once again in a relaxed pose.
“Soothed his wounded pride?”

Ellis sat down next to him. “You really
shouldn’t provoke him.”

“Carl made it plain what he thinks of me. Now
he knows what I think of him. The man is a snob and a bigot.”

“He’s a product of his upbringing. You could
say he can’t help what he is, Darcy.” Ellis leaned toward him in a
confidential manner.

“Bull.” Darcy gave a grunt. “Forget him
anyway.” He waved a hand to dismiss the subject.

“You’re right. The important thing is how
does Pantheon really feel? First Raenette Dalcour wouldn’t sell her
land and now a body is found in the path of their new road.” Ellis
stared at him hard. “Tell me the truth.”

Darcy returned his gaze without a hint that
he was tense. “Naturally, smooth sailing would have been
preferable. But they’ve spent a lot of money making this site work.
Going to another location would be even more problematic.”

“I see.” Ellis did not sound totally
convinced.

“Ellis, that flap Carl caused with Delta was
only one in a series. A reporter in Baton Rouge has written a
scorching set of articles about companies that skirt the
environmental rules and spoil Louisiana’s precious landscape,”
Darcy said.

Ellis pursed his lips. “Yes, I know. Carl
should have done a better job in researching Delta.”

“That’s an understatement,” Darcy
quipped.

“But I’m not sure it means anything to
us.”

“Locating near a town that welcomes them, and
where we’ve done comprehensive environmental studies, is ideal for
Pantheon.” Darcy straightened his silk tie. “They’re committed to
making it work.”

“You’re dancing on a tightrope, Darcy. One
strong wind and you could fall.”

“This plant is a go. Don’t you worry.” Darcy
looked certain of his words.

“But I do.” Ellis spoke in a soft voice. “I
need assurances that there will be no more ugly surprises.”

“There won’t be.” He started to rise, but
Ellis put a restraining hand on his arm.

“You seem very sure of yourself. I hope
you’re right.”

Darcy stood up and brushed the sleeves of his
jacket. “I am. Just make sure your second banana stays out of my
way. You know I deliver.”

“Yes and our association will continue as
long as you do.” Ellis was all elegance and grace as he walked back
around his large desk. “Keep that in mind.” The implied threat was
clear.

“Oh, I know exactly who I’m dealing with on
all sides, Ellis. That’s how I’ve been so successful at what I do.”
Darcy flashed a handsome grin before sauntering out.

* * *

“Monmon Cecile, Grandfather prefers more
sugar in his tea,” Toya said. She smiled at Henry, who nodded.

“The doctor says he should restrict certain
foods. I know what he needs.” She stepped in front of Toya,
blocking her view of Henry. “Here now, take this.”

“Cecile, I’m s-sick, not d-dead.” Henry’s
voice slurred, yet he clearly communicated his annoyance.

“Grandfather should be up and around in no
time. He’s bounced back better than expected.” Toya scowled at her
step-grandmother’s back.

“T-thank you, cherie,” Henry said, with a
wink at his granddaughter. It took great concentration for him to
raise the cup to his lips. He looked tired from the effort.

“Well, for now he’s not on his feet. You’re
still paralyzed on the left side; you need speech and physical
therapy. And I’ve got to do almost everything for you.” Cecile sat
with her hands folded in her lap. She looked pleased at his state.
“At your age, you’re not going to do much bouncing. I’ll see to it
that things are taken care of.”

Toya sniffed. “I’ll be checking on you every
day. I’m so glad you’re finally home. Almost a month in the
hospital must have been terrible for you.”

“It’s what he needed. They kept him in the
rehab unit, so he could get intensive therapy. The doctors knew
right,” Cecile answered, before Henry could stammer out a
response.

“Grandfather,” Toya said in a tight voice,
“would you like me to take you riding later? I know how you hate
being cooped up in the house.”

“I don’t know about tha–”

“Ce-Cecile!” Henry snapped. “I ca-an speak
for my-se-self!” He stared at Cecile until she clamped her mouth
shut. “I’d love to, darl-lin.”

Once Toya had gone, Cecile turned to Henry.
“Make no mistake, you need me, Henry. I’ve done much for you all
these years. Suffered for you, too.”

“I kno-ow that, Cecile.” Henry looked
straight ahead. “I-I know.”

“I’ve been loving you since I was ten years
old, long before you set eyes on her. Wasn’t I good to you?”

“Ye-es.” Henry closed his eyes. “I’m so
ti-red, Cecile. Sa fini pas (it never ends).”

Henry looked like a shadow of the proud man
in charge that he’d been a few short weeks ago. Now, for the first
time in his life, he looked old. He rested his head against the
large pillow placed behind him.

Cecile put a hand over his gnarled knuckles.
“Non, c’est fini. As I’ve done before, I will take care of
you.”

Henry rubbed his eyes. “Maybe it’s for the
best.”

“Darcy has gone too far. Marius should take
over.” Cecile glanced out of the corner of her eye.

“I need to rest now.” Henry seemed not to
have heard her.

“I know you do, dear. But Marius must in
control soon, before Darcy does more damage. Look what has happened
in the last month.” Cecile spoke in a soft, but insistent
voice.

“I’ll think about it later. Help me to my
room.” Henry gripped a heavy, wooden walking cane with a carved
handle, and struggled to stand.

Cecile did not move to help him. “Henry, sit
down.” Her voice was firm.

He looked at her sharply. “Yes, what is
it?”

“No matter how you feel about him, Marius
must be in charge. This cannot wait. You’ll feel more at ease once
it is taken care of, cher.” Cecile succeeded in hiding the
calculating purpose behind her smile.

Henry sat very still. “Is that a fact?”

“Yes, as always, we will be the ones you can
count on.” Cecile lifted her chin. “He is the best of what comes
from the union of the Jove and Thierry families.”

“So, I should listen only to you and Marius
now?” Henry stared at her. There was a gradual hardening of his
expression that Cecile, intent on gaining ground at last, failed to
notice.

She nodded. “Marius has done much for you,
with little thanks, as have I. It’s time we got more
consideration.” She softened her tone. “You are generous with our
children to an extent.”

“I see.”

“But Darcy has to be put in his place.”

“And yo-u will tell me wha-at that place is,
I suppose?” Henry’s eyes were slits.

“He can still be active in the business in
some capacity.” Cecile nodded to herself, as though deciding the
matter.

“How kind of you and Marius to let him
continue in the company at all.” Henry wore a fierce smile.

“He has some skills, I think,” Cecile
said.

“What if I don’t aa-gree?” Henry kept his
tone mild.

Cecile gazed at him intently. “He chose the
spot for the road without consulting you. It’s going through the
old Auguste’s field; the one your grandfather planted years ago.
Remember it was a favorite meeting place for young lovers,
back–”