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Carter picked me up for the Wasteland Fall Festival around five-thirty the next day.
Jax Daigle’s first Wasteland project entailed finding a teacher who could handle multiple grades. Part of that project included organizing book fairs, festivals, and working with neighboring schools in an effort to involve the parish in educational events.
The Sinful Ladies had agreed to help. Since I was an honorary member of sorts, I felt obligated to attend.
Jax would be escorting Gertie. Unfortunately, Ally agreed to take Celia which meant the night promised explosive entertainment. I couldn’t help but think that Gertie’s excitement stemmed from the personal showdown on the horizon.
We had just passed Wasteland Steakhouse and the grand reopening sign when Carter said, “So Walter tells me that Celia is getting married.”
“Over Gertie’s dead body.” I laughed. “She’s beside herself with grief.”
“I don’t know,” he drawled. “The idea of being someone’s mistress might appeal to her after all these years.”
“Right. I’m sure she’s already shopping for lingerie.” I waited a beat. “But can you believe the nerve of that guy. He’s what, approaching his mid-70s and wants a wife and a mistress? He must have an endless supply of little blue pills.”
“Or it could be a distraction,” Carter said, suggesting what I initially thought as well. “Wouldn’t be that farfetched. When he first came to Wasteland, that Masquerade Ball was Celia’s project, one he apparently assigned to her, but he didn’t show up for the ball.”
“We were too focused on William Richard. Most everyone wore a costume. He could’ve been there. We probably wouldn’t have noticed.”
Carter parked as soon as we arrived at the school. After he backed in a parking spot, he continued, “We would’ve noticed if Elle attended the ball. We saw Annie.”
My neighbor’s daughter was the type of child who wanted attention. “Something tells me that Elle is pretty good at blending in.”
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with her lately,” Carter said.
“Not really. I was supposed to keep an eye on her, but she’s spending most of her time with Gloria Hollowman. Besides, when Harrison asked me to keep her busy, he was under the misguided impression that she would be a talker. If she’s talking, she’s playing us. Since Jax seems to be doing the same with Gertie and Celia, Elle gets it honest.”
Carter thought that out for a moment then looked at me and frowned. “Did you see a lot of this in the CIA?”
“Mind games?” I paused. Discussing the CIA with Carter still felt a bit strange. “All the time.”
“So where are you on Jax?” Carter asked.
“Jax is a professional. He’s smart, obviously smart enough to get someone else to do his dirty work, but he’s waiting for something, or rather someone. That’s what worries me. He’s making quick decisions about how to effectively reopen Wasteland. Families in witness protection will show up here and never suspect a thing.”
“Did it ever occur to you that he might be turning over a new leaf for Elle’s sake?” Carter asked.
“Blood in, blood out,” I said, referencing the mob. “I primarily worked internationally, but a friend gained an inside position when she married a made man. Through her, I have some experience with the mafia. If Jax Daigle is working with the Feds to create this perfect Southern community, I would be extremely surprised.”
Carter’s lips twitched. “He must be planning to stay. He’s all set to settle in with a wife and mistress.”
“Too bad he didn’t just take things slow with Gertie. Maybe they could’ve had what Ida Belle and Walter have.” I didn’t crack a smile.
“Does he even know Walter?”
“I was kidding,” I said. “The last thing Gertie needs is a man with a record.”
“According to some, Ida Belle and Walter have the perfect love story, regardless of how unconventional it is. Everybody wants what they have.”
“Do you?”
He grinned and exited his truck. When he met me on the other side and opened my door, he asked, “Do I what?”
“Do you want what Walter and Ida Belle have?”
He kissed my forehead. “Are you kidding me? We already have it.”
I smiled and walked alongside him, ducking here or there to avoid a low-hanging tree branch. The festival was held at a ten-room brick schoolhouse, with a large number of outdoor activities.
From popping balloons for a prize to pinning the scales on a gator, the Sinful Ladies offered a range of games with their booths suggestive of small town America, a place where families embraced their neighborhoods, schools, and culture. The whole place looked like fall in full bloom. Even the fragrant air seemed sprinkled in cinnamon and pumpkin.
Maybe Wasteland had a chance at rebounding after all.
Carter played a game of hoops and won a large teddy bear. He gave it to me, but I explained that a woman on the run couldn’t really walk around with a three-foot polar bear. Right after I gave it to a small child, Spirited Schaffer from the Wasteland Chronicles snapped a picture for Wasteland Chronicles.
“Now I’m not so offended,” Carter whispered, pointing discreetly at an approaching army with a small drill sergeant leading the way. “Oh boy. Someone doesn’t look happy.”
Four-foot-nine, spunky little creature looks like she just walked off the set of Scooby-Doo, but couldn’t hurt a fly. Given her stride and clenched fists, something is definitely on her mind.
“I need a minute with my friend,” she told the other girls as Gomer’s daughter Gloria waved to us.
We waved back then turned our attention to Elle. She smirked at our adjoined hands, but didn’t comment. Instead, she thumbed the school behind her. “Please tell me this is not the only educational opportunity available here.”
I wasn’t clear on why she felt compelled to take this up with me, especially since I didn’t reside in Wasteland.
Before I could answer, Carter said, “That’s the school. Some small towns only have one.”
“It looks like a daycare,” Elle said, clearly distraught as she fiddled with her glasses. “I’m starting the eighth grade, not pre-K.” She waited. When we didn’t add anything to the conversation, she continued, “I may need to attend over in Sinful. I’ll take this up with my grandfather.”
“I recommend it,” I said.
Carter sighed. “He could probably pay tuition since Sinful’s schools are on the other side of the parish.”
“You say that like you think he can’t afford it,” she said, walking alongside us.
When we came to the school’s door, Carter opened it for us. “My ladies, after you...”
“Chivalry is dead,” Elle said, walking in first.
I put my hand in his. “Interesting night straight ahead.”
He mouthed, “Leave it to me.”
Elle looked perplexed. “So this fall festival stuff, is it kind of like college orientation?”
“No,” I said. “It’s kind of like a fall festival. You can be with kids your own age for a change. Play some games. Win some prizes. It’s a terrific way for everyone to meet their teacher and fellow students.”
Elle looked like she might faint. “How am I supposed to learn anything here?”
Gomer stepped out in front of us and quickly said, “Pay me a quarter and I’ll tell you all you’ll ever need to know.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, Mr. Hollowman, but if I wanted to know everything, I would still be in New York. Up there, however, one can die from knowing too much. That’ll never be a problem in Wasteland.”