Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
The room got quiet and I felt Franklin’s stare burn through me.
Then he nodded and walked toward the windows that looked out on a garden filled with what looked like pecan trees.
“Let me go deeper into what I know. You’ve probably heard rumors that I was around during the time your parents were killed.
I had set up the company’s headquarters here and I wanted to make sure we were on solid ground.
Even back then, your parents had a lot of pull in the New Orleans business community.
Your father wouldn’t talk to me. I tried making appointments and he’d refuse to see me.
So finally, I reached out directly to your mother, Rebecca.
She wasn’t sure at first, but eventually, she met with me for coffee.
I explained that the Day family held no ill will toward her or Annamae or the people who sheltered them.
We, I, knew that Marvin had been drunk that night.
And by then, my mother and father were gone.
I just wanted the feud to end. For us to live peacefully.
Your mother agreed and told me she’d talk to your father that night. They were killed the next week.”
“You think that someone killed them to stop your reconciliation? Someone on this family council?” I was starting to put the pieces together. And now that we knew about Aunt Franny’s duplicity, it seemed like a logical step.
“I do. And I’m afraid that someone is aiming this most recent attack on mediums our way as well.
We heard a rumor that your friend, Catherine, was being targeted.
We would have informed you, but we saw someone watching her at the airport.
The man I had watching her took matters into his own hands.
By the time I found out about this, you had already found her.
Please convey our apologies to your friend. ”
I thought about everything he was saying. It sounded true, but I could be wrong. I could be falling under his spell and seeing him as just a good ole boy, just trying to make a dollar from the pecan orchards. “Catherine says she feels like she’s being watched. Is that your group?”
He came back to the desk, nodding. “Yes. We have medical staff at the hospital who are loyal to us. We aren’t trying to hurt her. We’re trying to keep her from being killed. I have taken Jason off her detail and he’s very sorry about over stepping.”
“She was tied up in a basement of a building.” Bubba reminded Franklin. “She’s feeling the effects of your watch. I don’t think an apology is going to be enough.”
“If you want to tell your detective friend this story, go ahead. We’ve already moved Jason out of the country.
He’s young and foolish. He was trying to save her.
But he does see that he made a mistake now.
I don’t think it should ruin his life for years afterward.
” Franklin handed me a folder. “This is everything we have on the actual killer. He’s using people who are attached to you.
Like your cousin, Mr. King. She isn’t innocent in this situation. ”
“Mom’s going to blow a gasket. Paige is always looking for the quick buck.” Bubba reached for the folder with a question in his eyes. I handed it over. I’d look at it later.
“She’s doing more than just working for money. I believe she’s on some sort of vendetta against your mother. I hope you’re keeping security with everyone.”
“We should have put a man on Heather,” I gasped and turned to Bubba.
He smiled. “Don’t worry about it. It’s already handled. Rory, Deek is also under 24-hour protection.”
Rory rolled her eyes. “He’s going to love that. I wonder why I haven’t heard from him about that yet.”
Bubba closed the file. “Our men are really good at their jobs. He probably hasn’t noticed yet.”
I felt drained of energy again. Rory was still a normal color so no one was using magic against us, but my resources were waning.
Fast. “To sum up, neither you or your family killed or ordered my parents killed, and the recent kidnapping was a ‘my bad’ incident. Anything else I should know? Oh, wait, there’s a family council that Alexander has been keeping a secret from me and probably Nic.
Does anyone in our family know about the council? ”
“Your Uncle Arthur is on the council. He represents your family and has for years.” Now Franklin looked confused. He probably thought I’d already known about the council.
This made me blink. Nic and I had thought Uncle Arthur was trying to take the business from him.
Now we find out he was acting as head of household in a magical board?
Which leadership position was more powerful?
A multimillion-dollar business or this family council?
I think I knew the answer. I needed to call Tamera again and talk to my uncle.
But right now, a killer was still on the loose.
“You don’t know who is killing the mediums?” Rory asked quietly, getting us back on track.
Franklin Day pressed the palms of his hands together in an In Real Life mimic of the social media prayer emoji.
“I swear on my family’s honor and this business I built that I have no idea.
Your family member, Mr. King, is involved in some way, but I don’t think she knows everything that’s happening. She’s a pawn.”
I met Bubba’s eyes. We had work to do. We needed to find Paige before she left town so someone could interview her. “Thank you for being so open with us. I appreciate your candor.”
“We just want to be good neighbors. We don’t have the power to talk to ghosts, but we’ve been known to train some of the best voodoo practitioners in the state.
I’m sure Marvin wanted to seal the deal with Annamae to increase his power.
Unfortunately, he used sex as a weapon and not the blessing it is when given freely.
Please tell her I am horrified at his actions. ”
We went to the shop to pick up Lilac. It was early to call it a day, but I needed to get in a power nap after losing so much energy during our conversation. Heather was out on assignment and not picking up her phone.
“I’m going to have George take us home, then I’ll head over to the client’s house to talk to Mom.” He said before leaving the vehicle to gather Lilac.
Rory reached over and gave me a hug. “I’m so glad I got to meet you. And to work with you. Now don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome in California.”
I yawned and tried to cover it with my hand. “I spent my left coast time a little farther north in Seattle. If I come visit Esmeralda, I’ll make sure I check in.”
“Good.” She handed me a silk tote. “I’ve made you a batch of my protection spray. I’ve got instructions on how to personalize it inside the tote. And, I think I fixed the orange problem.”
“No. The orange was the best part. Everyone knew something was wrong when you went tangerine.” I squeezed her hand. “Thank you for coming to help with Forrest. I know the results weren’t everything that everyone wanted, but I think he’ll be a good houseguest.”
She wiped her eyes and after one last hug, jumped out of the car and headed into the shop just as Lilac and Bubba were coming out.
As Lilac climbed into the car, she started telling me all about her day and the clients she worked with at the shop. “I think I nailed my commission goal this month. And I’ve been gone two weeks.”
“Gloat much? Some of us aren’t being paid on a commission bases.” Bubba reached over the car seat and rubbed her head.
“You should totally sell furniture. I’m sure you’d be amazing at it,” she rolled her eyes at me as she added, “Not.”
I didn’t have the energy to stop them from fighting.
Besides, it was good natured like siblings arguing about something stupid.
My few remaining brain cells were on Paige Howard and what she had to do with the killings.
Something was nudging me from a conversation.
I pulled my phone out and called the Canel Street shop.
“Fortunes and trinkets, this is Merrilyn. May I help you?” The friendly voice asked. It was the same woman we’d talked to on our visit.
“Hey, this is Eddie Cayce. I know this is a weird ask, but can you send me a picture of the clerk you said was working the day that Alicia was killed? The one who let the guy into the reading room?” I felt Bubba watching me.
“Sure. I’ll text it over. Is this number good? We always take a snap on their first day. New employees always look so bright and shiny that day.” The woman laughed, then stopped. “Sorry, I’m alone and people just came in. I’ll get that to you as soon as I can.”
I put the phone away.
“You think Paige was working at Canal Street the day Alicia was killed.” Bubba said.
Lilac just watched us.
“I’ve had a bad feeling since Franklin Day mentioned her being involved. It’s the only way I can see someone not following protocol on their first day at a new job. She got the job specifically to help the killer gain access.” I explained my concern.
“You think Paige was involved in the killings? You two need to fill me in on what happened this morning. I have a feeling I missed a lot.” Lilac looked between Bubba and me.
He dialed a number on his phone. “I’m trying Mom again.”
When we reached the house, I tried talking him into taking at least me to find Heather since she hadn’t picked up again.
“You go into the house. I know you’re safe here.” He pulled me into a hug. “I’ll go gather up Mom and either take her home or bring her here, depending on what she says about Paige. Either way, her security’s staying with her 24/7 until we find this killer.”
“She should be fine. She doesn’t have any talent,” Lilac said as she headed to the door.
I met Bubba’s gaze. He and I knew that wasn’t the only reason someone might go after Heather. She would be a tool they’d use to get to me. Somehow I’d become a big fish in this game. And if he had power, maybe Heather did as well. “Go find your mom.”