Chapter Four
“Spill it, girl,” Angelique said to Monique, a week later.
“Yeah, we want to know everything that’s going on between you and the mysterious Jacque LeBlanc,” Dominique added.
The three sisters were having breakfast at the café, something they tried to do whenever possible considering their varied work schedules. They had already ordered and now were waiting for their meals to arrive.
For the last week, Monique and Jacque had continued their search for her mother’s book, working down the list of potential suspects they had made.
“There’s not a lot to tell,” she replied. “I’m sure by now you’ve heard about Jacque’s reading program in the swamp. When I bumped into him one day, he told me all about it, and I offered to help introduce him to people who could help.”
She hated to lie to her sisters, but if she told them the truth of what they were doing, then both of them would jump down her throat. Besides, it was important to keep what they were doing a secret.
“What’s he like?” Dominique asked.
Monique frowned thoughtfully. “He’s intense and at times a bit brooding and brusque. But it’s strange… I sense a real kindness in him. I’ve spent several hours a day for a little over a week with him, and I still feel like I don’t know him at all. Despite that, I like him.”
However, for some reason she wanted to get to know him better. He intrigued her. She sensed there was a softness, a vulnerability deep inside him, and she wanted to unpeel all the layers he had.
She hadn’t felt this kind of interest in a man since she’d dated Brody Beador for a year.
Brody, a fisherman in the swamp, was the only man she’d ever slept with, and she’d believed he was her person.
But when he’d gone to work on a big fishing boat for two months, she quickly learned that distance didn’t make the heart grow fonder.
Eventually, the two broke up. That had been two years ago.
“We heard you had dinner with him at the café,” Angelique said, pulling Monique back to the conversation. “That certainly sounds a little deeper than just getting donations for a reading program.”
Monique laughed. “Trust me, that dinner meant nothing. We were just out getting donations, and we got hungry.”
“Well, you two are certainly all the gossip around town,” Dominique said. “Everyone’s shocked to see the mystery man out and about and in your company.”
They paused the conversation as the waitress arrived with their breakfasts. Angelique had ordered pancakes, Dominique had opted for French toast, and Monique had gotten a cheese-and-bacon omelet.
“Thanks, Glenda,” Dominique said to the older waitress.
“Just let me know if you need anything else,” Glenda replied with a smile.
“Do you know where Jacque is from?” Angelique asked the moment they were alone again.
“Baton Rouge,” Monique replied. “He moved to the swamp about four years ago.”
“What did he do in Baton Rouge? What was his job?” Dominique asked as she cut into her French toast.
“He’s never said, and I haven’t asked him,” Monique replied.
“Don’t you think that’s important to know?” Dominique asked.
“Not really. I don’t care about where he worked in the past,” Monique replied even as she admitted to herself she’d like to know everything about him.
She was relieved when they all began to eat and the conversation turned to the upcoming fall festival.
It was a day of celebration that took place on Main Street. A bandstand was set up in front of City Hall, and the businesses all held sidewalk sales. A local band provided music, and along with the café, other people set out fun specialty food to sell. Local artists also sold their wares.
“Are you planning to have a sidewalk sale?” Monique asked Angelique.
Angelique now owned a business. Mystique’s Magic sold not only luxury bath products but also ointments and medicines made of swamp plants and flowers.
The store was a tribute to their mother.
As always, thoughts of her mother brought up an aching grief inside her.
Monique was more determined than ever to somehow find her mother’s book and identify the killer.
“I’m definitely planning on having a sidewalk sale,” Angelique replied. “In fact, I’ve already made a list of things I’ll be selling at special prices that day.”
“What about you, Monique? How are things going with your work?” Dominique asked.
“Very well. In fact, Debbie told me she’s coming in around ten today to have an important chat with me,” Monique replied, referring to Debbie Waltrip, the owner of All That Jazz. “I’m pretty sure she wants to offer me the manager job.”
“That would mean a lot more responsibility on your shoulders. Are you sure you can handle it?” Angelique asked.
“Of course I can,” Monique replied, grateful that she betrayed none of the irritation she felt that her sister would even question her capabilities. How surprised they’d both be when she ended up being the one who brought down their mother’s killer, she thought.
“Then congrats are in order,” Dominique said.
“It’s a bit too soon for congratulations,” Monique replied. “She might be coming in to offer me the job of wearing a clown suit for the fall festival.”
Both Angelique and Dominique laughed. They finished eating, with her sisters talking about how happy they were in their relationships.
“Being with Daniel makes me feel complete,” Angelique said.
“You were pretty complete without him,” Monique replied dryly.
“Oh, you know what I mean,” Angelique replied. “Don’t you want to find your one true love?”
“Someday,” Monique replied. “But I’m not in any hurry. I need the murder solved before I can even think about love.”
“We all need the murder solved. I know how hard Daniel and Luke are working on it, but it’s difficult without any clues to follow,” Angelique said.
Monique looked at her watch. “I hate to do this, but I’ve got to run. My shift at the store starts at nine.” She withdrew a twenty from her purse and handed it to Angelique. “That should cover my breakfast. I’ll talk to you two later.”
After a round of goodbyes, Monique got up and left the café. It was another hot day with the sun a bright yellow orb in the perfect blue sky.
Pulling around the back of the dress shop to park, she reflected on how she did love her job as an assistant manager. Still, she was hungry for the possibility of becoming the manager with hiring and firing powers, along with the ability to order the fashion they sold.
As Monique entered through the back door, the pleasant scents of lilac and vanilla greeted her. She had learned that women tended to buy more if the place where they shopped smelled attractive. She made sure there were always scented plug-ins all around the store.
She turned on all the lights and then went to the front door to unlock it and flip the sign in the window to Open.
She stored her purse on a shelf beneath the register counter and then grabbed some window cleaner and a cloth and wiped down the top of the display table where the register sat.
When she was finished with that, she moved to the display tables to make sure everything was arranged properly.
The shop was quite colorful. Clothing hung from the racks around the walls, and a table held a variety of shoes and purses.
Another table held scarves and costume jewelry all artfully arranged by her.
Debbie was retirement age, and over the last few months she’d begun stepping away from the day-to-day operations.
The store did very little business when it first opened each morning, and today was no different. At ten o’clock, Debbie walked in. She was a stylish older woman with salt-and-pepper hair cut in a short bob. She was a good, fair boss, and Monique had mad respect for her.
“Hi, Monique,” she greeted as she slowly walked over to where Monique had just returned to the counter.
“Hi, Debbie. I see you’re wearing one of our most popular brands today, and you look fabulous,” Monique replied.
Debbie was clad in a long navy skirt with pink flowers and a ruffled navy blouse.
A pink scarf was around her neck, giving her a youthful flair.
She smiled. “Thank you, and might I say the same about you. I’ve always liked the fact that you often wear our brands in your personal life. You’re a walking advertisement for us.”
Monique laughed. “My sisters tell me I spend way too much of my paycheck in here.”
“Like that’s a bad thing,” Debbie replied with a laugh. “So the reason I wanted to speak with you this morning is because my rheumatoid arthritis is getting worse…much worse.”
“Oh, Debbie, I’m so sorry,” Monique replied. She had noticed the twisted condition of Debbie’s hands, but hadn’t asked what the condition was. Although she had assumed it was some kind of arthritis.
“Ah, you play with the cards you’re dealt, right? Anyway, it’s making it more and more difficult for me to get around. There is nobody I trust more than you when it comes to this store. You’re not only my top seller, but you’re hardworking and honest as the day is long.”
“Thank you,” Monique replied.
“So I’m sure you know why I’m here. I want you to be my full-time manager, Monique.” For the next few minutes Debbie detailed what the job would entail. “So are you interested in the position?” she finished.
“Debbie, I would be honored to be your manager,” Monique replied.
“Wonderful,” Debbie replied. “Since I’ve already set the work schedules for this week, and I just ordered some new items, why don’t we say starting next week you’re in charge of all of it?”
“It’s a job I won’t take lightly,” Monique replied.
Debbie smiled once again. “I know that, and I can rest easy knowing you’re in charge here.”
At that moment the little bell above the door tinkled as two women came in. “I’m out of here,” Debbie said. “We’ll talk again soon.”
She walked out the door, and Monique went to help the two women.