Sweet Mystery (37 page)

“Grandfather isn’t here, is he? Now
leave.”

“Oh no, I want you both to hear this. I’m not
through with either of you. They can’t prove who started the fire.
I just talked to Harold. So I’m going to burn you the way you tried
to burn me.” Rae stood feet apart, hands on her hips.

“The investigation isn’t over.” Marius
blinked when Darcy shot him a furious look. “That’s what I
hear.”

Rae looked at Marius. “Don’t be so sure.
Things aren’t going quite the way you wanted. You botched the job.
I’m going to be back in business soon. Count on it.”

“Big talk is fine, but with no insurance...”
Marius wore a mean smile as he shrugged.

“Marius, I said get out,” Darcy barked. He
yanked open the door and shoved the man.

“You’re all talk, babe. All talk,” Marius
said before the door closed on him.

Rae turned her ire on Darcy. “You’ve really
sunk low. But I’m not going down, got it?”

“Rae, this is crazy. We had nothing to do
with the fire.” Darcy did not flinch or give one sign of guilt.

“You always were good at not showing your
hand.” Rae walked around the office. “Done well for yourself, too,
and made Jove Enterprises even more profitable. All without getting
indicted once.”

Darcy shook his head. “I know we have a bad
history, but resorting to crime isn’t my way. Jove Enterprises has
grown through hard work and honest dealings.”

“Tell me another story, daddy,” Rae said in a
mock ‘little girl’ voice. “Look, you and that slimy cousin of yours
are on official notice. I’m going to get to the bottom of this, and
when I do, watch out.”

“If it was arson, I hope the authorities find
the culprits. But it wasn’t me.” Darcy took a step toward her with
his hands out. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life, but trying to
destroy you is something I’d never do.”

“Save it, Darcy. You’ll need all your finesse
when this gets traced back to your doorstep.” Rae pulled the door
open to find Marius still standing outside. “You both remember
that!” She pointed to each of them before stalking off.

Once outside, her irrational look of rage was
replaced by one of calm calculation. Rae got in her car and drove
away. Minutes later she used her hands-free device to make a call
on her cell phone.

“Hi, I just stirred the pot. You can expect
it to boil over real soon,” she said to LaMar.

* * *

Darcy sat across from his grandfather.
“Things are going very well. The road is being built, just as we
planned.”

Despite his ill health, Henry Jove had proved
tougher than even his family expected. Though still unable to
drive, he had Marius take him to Darcy’s office at least once a
week. Physical therapy and medication helped him regain
strength.

Henry glowered at him. “Don’t think I’m going
to congratulate you. I didn’t want that land spoiled. Deal or no
deal.”

“Fine, but you have to admit that we’re going
to make money hand over fist because of it. Pantheon is tickled
pink, Grandfather.” Darcy nodded at him.

Henry’s frown softened at the mention of
money. “Humph, if you say so.”

“We could do even better with the Dalcour
land,” Marius put in. “We may get it soon. That fire at the dance
hall was right on time.”

“Forget it. Rae won’t sell. So don’t have any
more thoughts of doing something foolish.” Darcy sneered at his
cousin.

“I’m not going to back down and let this
opportunity slip away. Rae Dalcour is no sentimental favorite of
mine,” Marius snapped back at him.

The two men regarded each other with
hostility.

Henry scrutinized both his grandsons for
several moments. “I’m sure Marius recognizes he’s done enough for
now.”

“But we’re close to having it all. With the
Dalcour property, we can attract more industrial development.”
Marius had the gleam of avarice in his eyes.

“I’ve always told you boys one thing – know
when enough is enough. You make a bold decision and escape
unscathed. I can admire that. But Darcy is right.”

“Why can’t you back me just once?” Marius
complained. “Those guys can–”

Henry held up a hand. “No details, please. I
said to leave it be.” He looked at Marius sharply. “I won’t argue
the point.”

Marius closed his mouth on another protested.
His jaw muscles were tight. “Fine,” was his clipped reply. He sat
down hard and stared out the window.

Henry turned to Darcy. “The sheriff hasn’t
caused anymore delays about the bodies found?” He sat very straight
as the seconds ticked by.

Darcy lifted a shoulder. “No. Once they
determined that was no more evidence to find, we were able to
proceed. Of course, we’re two weeks behind schedule, but that’s no
big deal. Trucks going to the plant can still take the old LaBauve
Road.”

“And he hasn’t questioned you?” Henry fingers
tightened around the curved handle of his walking cane.

“Sure. Just routine stuff about missing
employees, or any reports of suspicious activity on our land. He
thinks it might have been some drug dealer killed and dumped out
here.”

“Nothing else?”

Darcy exchanged a glance with Marius. “No.
You have any ideas?”

“Of course not.” Henry sat back against the
chair and smiled. “Now tell me all about the millions we’ll
make.”

For twenty minutes Henry interrupted Darcy
with sharp questions about the details of the Pantheon plant. It
was clear to the two young men that the stroke had not dimmed their
grandfather’s mind. He issued instructions on how Darcy should
proceed to protect Jove Enterprises even more.

“Now I’m going visit my old friend, Ivory
Newman. He’s semi-retired now. We’re going to the Black Chamber of
Commerce meeting over in Lafayette.” Henry rose with only a little
difficulty.

Marius held onto his elbow. “You want me to
drive you?”

“Ivory is going to drive. And take your hands
off me. I can walk three blocks down to Ivory’s shop!” Henry moved
with a stiff grace as he left.

Marius rubbed his chin as he stared at the
closed door through which the older man had just gone. “Well,
Grandfather has his own secrets.”

Darcy moved some papers around on his desk.
“What are you babbling about now?”

“You know damn well he was trying to find out
about the sheriff’s investigation. He knows something about that
skeleton. Maybe even knows who it is,” Marius said in a low
voice.

“You’ve been watching too many old movies,
son.” Darcy did not look at him, but put derision in his voice.
“Now I have phone calls to return.”

“Then why did he say bodies?”

Darcy paused in the act of picking up the
telephone receiver. “What?”

“They found a skeleton. One set of bones. Why
did he think there was more than one?” Marius raised one dark
eyebrow.

“He, uh, heard talk around town. That doesn’t
mean anything.” Darcy pulled his hand away from the phone.

“Maybe, maybe not… But I think we need to
stick together as a family.” Marius brushed his slacks.

Darcy’s eyes narrowed to slits.
“Meaning?”

“Meaning I should get some support for my own
projects,” Marius shot back. “I’m tired of being treated like a
flunky”

Darcy jumped up from his chair. “You petty,
criminal slime ball. How dare you try to blackmail your own family!
You don’t know a damn thing!” he shouted.

“Best keep your voice down, cousin.” Marius
shook a finger at him. “We don’t want folks to come running and ask
questions.”

“I’ll see you in hell before one bit of Jove
Enterprises is in your control!” Darcy lowered his voice only a few
decibels.

“Despite what you think, I’m not dumb. I’ve
all ready been thinking about who them dry bones could belong to,”
Marius said. “And don’t make any bets that the sheriff wouldn’t be
willing to listen either.”

Darcy gazed at him for several moments. “What
do you want?”

* * *

LaMar sat down on a bar stool in the seedy
juke joint and ordered a bottle of malt liquor. All around him,
young black men wearing gold bounced to the beat of a loud song
blaring from the stereo speakers. LaMar was dressed in the same
style as the other bar patrons: baggy Chicago Bulls T-shirt and
red, baggy sweat pants. Though their behavior did not change, he
knew he was being watched.

“Say man, whatcha want wid Pookie?” asked a
tall man, no older than seventeen, standing off from LaMar.

“What you care? I ain’t asked you nothin’
‘bout it.” LaMar took another pull from his bottle of malt
liquor.

“You in my world, punk. You been askin’
‘round my hood. Say man, who you? The FBI or somethin’?” The young
man did an exaggerated up-and-down look at LaMar. All conversation
around them ceased.

LaMar pulled out a revolver. “Nah, I’m the
one that’s gonna whup ass if anybody in here touch me.”

“Listen up!” A huge man, who looked to be at
least thirty, with arms like barrels, pulled a long shotgun from
nowhere. “I don’t allow none of that in here. See that sign?” He
pointed to a bright yellow neon that declared ‘No Guns. Yeah,
you!’

Another teenager joined the tall one, who
still glared at LaMar. “Hey, Teedie, you right. Man, we need to
escort this punk on up outta here.”

“Give me the piece, man.” Teedie held out a
huge palm while balancing the shotgun in his other arm.

LaMar glanced around in a split second,
checking on the positions of the other men in the bar and his exit
options. “Sure. I didn’t see the sign when I come in.” He handed
over the revolver without missing a beat.

Teedie remained behind the bar. “Andre and
Sharif, out. You both been lookin’ for trouble since you come in.”
He waved the shotgun at the two young men, who were clearly eager
to be given the task of dealing with LaMar.

“Teedie, man, dis ain’t right. He–”

“You know I don’t b’lieve in arguin’.”
Teedie’s expression deepened into a fearful scowl. He watched the
two sullen teens walk out with the rolling gait, designed to show
the world they were gangsters, worthy of respect. “Come with me,”
he added to LaMar.

LaMar held up both hands. “Listen, I don’t
want no trouble.”

Teedie jerked his large head once and said
nothing. LaMar kept checking his back as he walked ahead of Teedie
through the bar, a doorway and down a dark hall. At the end of it
was a door. There was a click and it swung open.

A room, almost as large as the bar up front,
was filled with people. There were women of all shapes, colors and
sizes jiggling and giggling, while the men gambled and smoked. A
white woman with blonde hair passed LaMar, brushing up against
him.

“I’m Heather. I’ll be out here, waitin’ for
you.” She ran her tongue over her bright red lips.

“Cut that out,” Teedie rumbled at her.

“I’m not gonna be here long enough,” LaMar
said with a grin. He shook his head as she strolled away, putting
every ounce of sway that she could into her hips.

Teedie took him to yet another door, which
was recessed in a wall and covered with padded, fake red leather.
He pushed through without knocking. In the room beyond, a long sofa
was pushed against one wall. Two men were seated on it.

Opposite them was a large oak desk with two
phones. To the left of that was a table with a computer on it,
behind which was a light-skinned black man, lounging in a big
leather chair. He stood up and walked around. With one look from
him, the other two men got up and left the room.

Pookie stared at LaMar for a time. “Been a
long time, cousin.”

“Long enough,” LaMar said. “Uncle Clarence is
doing okay. You oughta call him once in a while.”

“What for? He says he only got two sons.
Since I don’t exist, I can’t call him.” Pookie wore an angry,
resentful look.

“He’s hurt at the life you chose. You can’t
buy his approval, Pookie. All this, it ain’t no good.” LaMar swept
a hand around.

“You my cousin, not my mama,” Pookie snapped.
“Like he’s so righteous…”

“He’s not perfect...”

“That don’t begin to cover it,” Pookie said
with a grunt. “But you didn’t come here for no family discussion.”
He walked back around the desk and sat down again. “Well?”

LaMar sat down in a chair facing his cousin.
“There was a fire in Belle Rose, a dance hall.”

“What’s that got to do with me?” Pookie
picked up a can of beer with one hand and tossed some peanuts into
his mouth with the other.

“Nothing. Except maybe a couple of your
freelancers might know something about it.” LaMar looked up to find
the blonde at his shoulder. He accepted a can of beer from her
before she wiggled out again.

Pookie wore a guarded look. “Nah, I doubt it.
You workin’ for the cops on this one?”

LaMar shook his head slowly. “I only work for
private citizens, you know that. Lady that owns it is under
suspicion.”

“Explain to me why I should care.” Pookie
munched on another handful of nuts.

“These freelancers, a couple of not too
bright guys, could be planning something that will harm your
business interests.” LaMar saw a slight change in his cousin; so
slight that those less observant and cautious would miss it.

A light flickered on in Pookie’s amber eyes,
though he continued to seem at ease. “One thing, you ain’t never
dumped crap on me. A lame lecture now and then, but you all right,
so tell me ‘bout it.”

Chapter 18

Simon sat in his Ford Explorer, feeling
impatient. What was taking Marius so long? He drummed his
fingertips along the rim of the steering wheel. A glance at the LED
clock on his dashboard told him he’d been waiting over an hour.
Maybe he’s settled in for the night. I’ll wait another thirty
minutes or so.