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Gomer was on cloud nine. Everywhere he turned, someone called out to him, and while he looked busy, he also looked happy.
He was dressed in a tuxedo, portraying James Bond.
“Hey Fortune,” he said. “Everything great in here?”
“Terrific.” A haunted fairy danced next to me and I wanted to remove the floret from my head and slide it over hers. “Never better, Gomer.”
“Another tour will be starting in twenty-five minutes. Why don’t you take a break? Gertie and Ida Belle are already in the kitchen with Ally. She and Francine prepared a fruit and vegetable tray for our volunteers.”
“Oh,” I deadpanned.
“And Ally saved you a cheeseburger,” he quickly added.
“Now you’re talking.” I couldn’t wait to sit down, but I wasn’t sure if that would work, given the fan strapped to my lower back.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, I spotted Ida Belle wobbling around on her shoes. “What are you looking at?”
The grinding irritation was present in every syllable and when Gertie made a little yelp and walked away, I knew my words needed to be selected carefully.
“I’m not looking. I’m broccoli. I can neither speak nor think. All I can do is stand here and wait to be consumed by a vegetarian.”
“Well I hope you won’t mind to be pushed aside,” Walter said. “That’s what I tend to do with all the floret vegetables.”
“Funny,” I said, but realized then that Walter’s face held a look of concern and it wasn’t vanishing.
“Keep facing us,” Ida Belle whispered, carefully peering around me.
“Please tell me I’m not being used as a human shield.”
“You’re not. Stay where you are, I can get a better look at someone who seems to be looking for you.”
About that time, I saw her. If Skooby-Doo’s Velma ever had a living and breathing double, Elle was it.
“She’s standing on her tiptoes,” Ida Belle said.
“Heading this way,” Walter added.
“Have you spoken to her?” I asked.
“We saw her at the curb.” Walter sighed. “Kid gives bad vibes, but we have to remember who her influences have been. She can’t help what she’s been exposed to.”
“Let me guess, her dad came to check out the hooker?” I immediately pressed my lips together, fearing that I might get an earful.
“He did not,” Ida Belle said. “But he left for a few minutes when the first tours started and returned with a bodyguard and Elle. She’s behind you.”
I started to turn, but Ida Belle’s concerned look drove me to hold my position.
“Ida Belle, Walter, have you seen Fortune?”
“Why?” Ida Belle asked.
“My dad wants a formal introduction,” she replied.
“Hello again,” Brigham Daigle said. “I see the corner lost its main attraction.”
Ida Belle feigned a smile. “When you get to be our age, we find simple pleasures in surprising people.”
“I’m sure,” he said.
My heart raced. If Elle’s dad wanted to meet me, all he had to do was turn around, but he seemed to be holding his position, keeping his back to me. Was it sheer luck or a sinister game? And why did this man want to meet me in the first place?
“When we met briefly, I didn’t have a chance to tell you that you’ve made an impression on my daughter. Elle’s told me a lot about you.” Daigle’s gruff voice filled the air. “She enjoyed her time here and over in Sinful. Thank you for being such a positive influence.”
“She’s had enough negative ones,” Ida Belle bit out.
I blanched. Could this conversation get any worse?
“There’s Gertie.” Elle hurried away, calling out behind her, “She’ll tell me where Fortune is.”
The pitter-patter of black patent shoes fell against the tile as Elle hurried away.
Daigle said, “My dad was very fond of Gertie.”
“Did he tell you this before a bullet was put in the back of his skull or while he lay dying?” Ida Belle asked.
And yes, it could get a lot worse.
Walter stepped on Ida Belle’s foot and she grimaced. He didn’t crush it. He just applied quick pressure.
“Gertie was fond of your dad and he seemed smitten with her,” Ida Belle finally added.
I cringed. Walter pressed his lips together. We were undoubtedly thinking the same thing. Ida Belle didn’t make mistakes.
By admitting Jax’s fondness for Gertie, had she marked Gertie? Maybe she’d made her a target, but if so, she didn’t seem the least bit concerned. She and Gertie had undoubtedly discussed dangling Gertie’s relationship in front of Jax’s son. Would this revelation tempt him to make a move against his dad’s friends and known associates? Would he take the bait?
I should go. I wasn’t sure if Brigham had selective vision or if he felt he was a cut above speaking with vegetables, either way, he hadn’t tried to peer around and see my face even when Ida Belle had insulted him. Was that a deliberate action?
“Broccoli belongs in the garden. Off you go.” Ida Belle gave me a whirl then quickly whispered, “You’re the closest to the Hollowman family dining room. Gertie left some treats there on the chance that Ally wouldn’t surrender our ‘packages’ in time. There’s a cheeseburger waiting for you, too. Ally was afraid you might be hungry.”
I slowly moved away, but not before I heard, “Did Fortune leave? I assumed she wouldn’t stay since the good deputy isn’t here tonight. Sheriff Davidson mentioned that we should call Deputy LeBlanc if we have any issues while we’re in town.” His voice changed. “Not that we should have any unexpected events, but this is a haunted house. Anything could happen.”
“I hope that’s not a threat,” Walter said.
“Absolutely not,” Daigle assured him. “I appreciate the kindness you’ve extended to my only child. I’m in your debt.”
“Hmmm,” Walter said. “Funny thing about Sheriff Davidson. Ida Belle and I have known him since he was a boy and he rarely left the bayou. Now, he’s gone all the time.”
“Must be a busy man,” Daigle said.
The last part gave me pause. The bloodbath at the Daigle farm occurred when Sheriff Davidson was out of town. And I was beginning to see a pattern.
“Walter, talk to Mr. Daigle. I’m going to help this poor child find her way back to the garden,” Ida Belle said. “Who wears such a costume? Poor thing can’t even see where she’s going.”
Seconds later, Ida Belle grabbed my green sleeve and guided me to a side hall. “We’ve got a problem.”
Gomer rushed by us and announced, “Sixty seconds to show time! Next tours are starting right after that!”
“Elle won’t stop until she finds you,” Ida Belle said.
“I stick out like a sore thumb. If she wants to find me, I can be found.”
About that time, Elle and Gloria squeezed by us. I glanced at Gloria long enough to see her shake her head once. She then looped her arm through Elle’s and said, “Come on! You’ll miss Gertie’s show!”
“But I need to find Fortune. Dad wants to talk to her.”
Gloria stopped. “If he wants to find Fortune, it’s his job to find her. He’s the parent. Now, come on!”
She dragged Elle away as Ida Belle and I watched in horror.
“These kids today know far more than they should.” I sighed. “The look of determination on Elle’s face suggests that this can’t be good.”
“My thoughts exactly.” Ida Belle looked troubled. “Gloria must suspect that Daigle could be dangerous, at least to you.”
She was right. Daigle wasn’t there for Elle. He hadn’t brought her back to Wasteland to visit with an old friend. Jax Daigle may have been his son’s first target, but I was his second. And one didn’t have to guess if he had tricks or treats in mind.