Chapter 35 #2
His expression sobered. “I did have a chance to talk with her while we waited for the ambulance, and she told me what happened to my mom. Maybe she wanted to clear her conscience, or maybe she thought confessing to me would make it easier on her later. Regardless, she told me that for days following the storm Charity was only accessible by boat, and the bottom floors were flooded. That’s why she told my mom she could find Sunny there.
Adele didn’t question that, since it was Camille, and she didn’t hesitate.
Henry was waiting for her. Unfortunately, so was Buddy.
He’d returned to the shop right after Adele left, and Camille told him where to go.
Henry had a gun, so Camille assumed he’d take care of the problem. ”
“But that’s not what happened.”
Beau shook his head. “No. Buddy arrived too late, but not too late to see Henry strangling my mother. Dad tried to save her, but Henry hit him on the head with the gun. Henry thought he was dead, but when he returned to bury Adele, Dad was gone. When Dad didn’t show up again, they assumed he was wandering around with a head injury and didn’t know who he was.
That’s why Madame Zoe warned us that we needed to find Buddy before anyone else did.
Out of his mind or not, he’d witnessed Henry killing my mother, and that was a loose end they couldn’t afford. ”
He spoke without emotion, separating himself from the story.
“By then Charity Hospital had been more or less abandoned, so it was the perfect place to hide her body. They didn’t plan on it ever being found.” He rocked back and forth, the sound of creaking floorboards mixing with that of the rustling leaves in the yard.
Beau continued. “I’m not sure if I should be grateful to Camille for telling me or angry and sad that all of that happened to my mother.”
I put my hand on his arm. “I think you should be feeling both. That’s pretty much life in a nutshell, isn’t it? The universe is pretty good at settling opposing emotions on us and then treating us like players in a spectator sport when we try to figure out what we’re supposed to do.”
“You think?”
“Do we have a choice? It’s not like we’re given a comment box for complaints. We have to go with whatever we’re given and make the most of it.”
He surprised me by grinning. “You know what, Nola? I wouldn’t call you an optimist by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love to hear your observations.”
“Thanks. I think.” I sat back, withdrawing my hand. “Has Adele gone, then?”
“I haven’t seen her.”
I didn’t point out that he hadn’t answered my question.
“At least we know what happened to her, and she’s home now.”
He nodded slowly, his gaze focused on the street in front of us. “I’m just glad it’s over.”
“But it’s not, is it? Not until you find your dad and bring him home. Assuming he’s still alive.”
“He is. That was the last thing Adele told me. Right before she told me to find him.” He stood suddenly, his chair rocking in his wake.
I followed his gaze to the street, and I immediately recognized the woman with the gold hoop earrings and the long salt-and-pepper hair.
“Madame Zoe,” I said, trying to exit my chair using just one leg and failing miserably.
I watched through the porch railing’s balusters as she approached, each step bringing with it the sound of tiny ringing bells.
She stopped at the foot of the steps. I wasn’t entirely surprised to see her at my house. She’d found me here once before.
Without preamble she said, “Do you still have the stones I gave you?”
“Actually—” Beau began before I interrupted.
“Yes. I have both pouches. And Adele’s stones, too.”
“Good. You’ll be needing them.” She pointed a finger with a long black-lacquered nail at my front door. “Bring your sister to come see me. We have much to discuss. You will need her help to find Buddy.”
Beau frowned. “Felicity? But I don’t—”
“She’s stronger than most. And much stronger than you.” She walked back to the street, then turned around. Directing her attention toward me, she said, “You have a new car.”
“Yes,” I said slowly. “Although technically it’s not new, nor is it mine, but—”
“Be careful.” Without another word, she turned and left.
Beau and I stared at each other. “I’ll go and see if there’s anything Jolene needs.” He disappeared inside, leaving me alone on the porch. My gaze traveled to the red Ford Mustang parked at the curb, where Jaxson had thoughtfully delivered it the day before.
Even I, who knew nothing about automobiles, found it almost sexy in a red, shiny, retro kind of way. I stood and hopped up to the porch railing to get a better look. It didn’t have airbags or antilock brakes, which might have been what Zoe was warning me about.
The car’s radio suddenly turned on and began playing the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” at full blast, the song audible through the white vinyl convertible top. A dog being walked across the street suddenly bolted, pulling the leash from its owner’s hand, and took off down the sidewalk.
I retrieved my crutches, then hobbled to the front door. I would think about it later. Later was always so much better than right now. I managed to open the front door and get myself and my two crutches inside before the door slammed shut behind me.