Bayou Sunset (Agents of HIS #4)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

DAISY MAE WAS utterly shocked by the accusation hurled. The mere thought of anyone suspecting her brothers of being capable of causing such destruction was unbelievable to her. It shook her to the core and left her grappling with disbelief and confusion.

“Me frères ? They no blow up me bateau or shoot at me.”

Steve leaned forward and placed his forearms on his thighs. “We no say they did. We think dey stole the map, and dat makes dem suspicious-like.”

She had been consumed by the fear that her brothers, whom she had loved, were the ones who had taken the precious map. Despite the evidence pointing in their direction, she struggled to accept the possibility, desperately clinging to the hope that the betrayal had come from elsewhere. It was a painful internal conflict between suspicion and loyalty to her flesh and blood.

“ Non .” She shook her head slowly, her voice barely audible as she struggled to express her disbelief. It was a disbelief that was slipping away quickly. If Steve and his agents were convinced that her brothers had stolen the map, then it was becoming increasingly likely that they had indeed taken it. She realized she might have to accept this unsettling possibility.

“During Grit’s interview with Antoine Rousseau, he says dat a newly purchased map is currently missing from his possession.” Steve stood up and paced around, causing her anxiety to increase significantly. “We cannot be certain if it be the same map, as ya frères are not permitting me to inspect it to confirm.”

“So, what be the plan to clear me frères ?”

Steve stopped pacing and sat. “Well, dey mentioned dey needed help carrying da treasure. So, let’s see if dey will allow Grits and Casper along.”

Daisy Mae shook her head before Steve even finished the sentence. “ Non . They never agree. But maybe....” Her voice trailed off as she considered an alternative.

“Maybe what?” Casper asked.

“He might allow me friends to go. Dey have gone before—once. But day have gone. Dey be divers, so me frères needed divers for dis fictional treasure, before-like.”

Steve sat back. “What friends?”

She smiled at the thought of the women breaking the case when these big, bad men couldn’t. “Marie et Alice.”

Casper and Steve looked at each other and spoke silently because they both nodded.

“As long as Romeo is along, that can work,” Casper said. “Do you think your brothers would be dangerous to your friends?”

Shaking her head, Daisy Mae said, “ Non .” Then it dawned on her. “Dey not be the only one ya be investigating, do dey?”

Casper and Steve stared at each other again, and then Steve cleared his throat and turned to her. “Dere are, ah, other people we be looking into.”

“Like who?” She wanted to identify her potential threats, although she didn’t believe anyone from her hometown, except Mario, would pose a danger to her.

“It not be important.”

She had grown frustrated by the lack of progress in a situation that felt like a living nightmare. She decided to seek assistance from her female friends to help her uncover the identity of the person causing her harm. Alice, in particular, was eager to help, as it aligned with her responsibilities as a sheriff’s deputy. She possessed the qualifications of Steve and his companions to take on this challenge.

“ Bien. ”

The men gazed at her with wide-eyed astonishment, taken aback by her apparent acceptance of the situation. At that moment, she felt a sense of resignation—what other choice did she have? Despite her attempts to gain information, they refused to disclose anything of use, except for the damning revelation that her brothers were supposedly involved in thievery.

“ Oui. Bien. ” She stood. “Now. I be ready to sleep. Steve, ya have the spare room. Casper, ya have the couch. Goodnight.” Then she made her way to her bedroom and closed the door. After a long, calming exhale, she went to the bed and collapsed onto it, burying her face in the pillow as tears streamed down her cheeks. She’d had about all she could take for one day.

Throughout the night, she was tormented by vivid and terrifying nightmares. In these haunting dreams, she saw the faces of familiar individuals from her community, each one brandishing a weapon and taking aim at her as she tried to go about her ordinary activities, like picking up groceries. The fear and helplessness she experienced in these nightmares were so intense that she woke up drenched in sweat, finding it difficult to shake off the lingering sense of dread.

As the first rays of the early morning sun gently streamed through the window, she realized valuable sleep eluded her. She savored the warmth and felt a sense of determination wash over her. After a refreshing shower, she retired to her thoughts, carefully mulling over her situation. She consciously decided at that moment—she refused to remain a victim. The time had come to shift to the offensive, and with Alice standing by her side, she felt a surge of confidence.

She found solace in knowing Alice would also look out for Marie. However, she couldn't help but wish that Shelly didn't have classes to teach. She knew that Shelly's invaluable contributions would greatly assist in solving the case.

As she tiptoed into the kitchen, she set out to prepare a hearty Cajun breakfast for the men, hoping to coax more information from them. Remembering the old adage that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar,” she decided that a warm, generous gesture might do the trick.

Only, the men were in her kitchen, looking in the cabinets and refrigerator. “What ya be doing?”

Steve turned and blushed. Actually blushed. “We, uh, be cooking breakfast.”

They intruded on her life, but they would not intrude on her love of cooking. “Get out of me kitchen,” she demanded.

This was her life. She repeated to herself that she was not a victim. She was taking control of things around her. The men could take a step back and allow the women to resolve the conflicts in her life.

Afterward, she found herself contemplating her next move. Should she invest in a new boat, or should she hope for an invitation from Steve to accompany him to Baltimore?

While taking control of her life and safety was easy, finding the answers to those questions remained elusive.