CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Present day…
Luke and the others were working on helping the legal teams with documents, phone calls, and electronic messages that Hollis had attempted to burn. The federal investigators were more than grateful for the help and Roderick was more than happy to provide any evidence they’d found in the cottage.
One thing they’d all agreed to be kept quiet, was Voss’s assistance in Dorothy’s death.
“I don’t know why you did that,” said Voss. “But I thank you all. My lawyers are asking for five years’ probation for my involvement in all of this and five years of community service. It doesn’t feel like enough.”
“We spoke up for you, Lyle,” said Luke. “Don’t let us down. You’re a good man. You just discovered it too late.”
“Miss Dorothy knew,” he said with sad eyes. “She knew all along I was a good man and had to convince me. I wish I’d listened to her sooner. I’m grateful for your input and I promise that I will testify to it all. The whole truth.”
“I think Dorothy would be happy about that,” smirked Cam. Lyle nodded as he left the diner. Luke and the others had vowed to keep an eye on him. He’d done some things that were questionable at best. But he was a good man at heart.
“Well, what do you know,” smirked Eric.
They all turned to see Rod enter with Gracyn and baby George. Eric’s grin was a mile wide and Rod glared at him, daring him to say anything.
“Well, there’s my little man,” said Eric taking George from Gracyn’s arms.
“He’s not so little any longer,” she laughed. “He’s giving me arms like a lumberjack he’s so heavy. I still owe you a huge thank you for what you did.”
“We didn’t do anything,” said Eric. The little baby looked at Eric, making raspberries with his lips, bubbles of drool covering his pink lips. Eric did it back and the baby laughed, the men laughing with him.
“Are you two having lunch?” asked Cam. Rod stiffened and glared at them.
“I wanted to treat Gracyn and George to a nice lunch,” he said. “She brought me homemade bread the other day.”
“Well, ain’t that nice,” smiled Hex. “I tell you what, Miss Gracyn, you leave George with us and have a nice, long proper lunch with Roderick. We’re expert babysitters.”
She smiled at the men, then looked down at Luke’s big feet. She cleared her throat and smiled.
“One question. Is that alligator a vegetarian?”
“Ma’am, I assure you he would protect young George with his life,” smiled Luke. She turned to look at Rod who smiled and nodded.
“Well, my babysitting service had come to my rescue again. Alright. I’ll text you when we’re done here.”
“Take your time,” said Eric standing with George in his arms. Luke took the diaper bag and the other men started to walk toward the back door. “In fact, why don’t y’all just come join our team for dinner tonight. I’m sure everyone would love to meet you.”
“That’s very kind,” she said. Roderick led her to a booth and excused himself for a minute. His face was blushed a nice pink color and the four behemoths in front of him had shit-eating grins on their faces.
“Can we help you?” smirked Hex. Rod took in a deep breath and shook his head.
“No. I think you’ve helped me enough.” They started to walk away and he grabbed Eric’s arm. “Seriously. You’ve helped me more than you know. Thank you.” They all chuckled and Cam spoke up.
“You’re welcome. Now go get her, brother. Don’t wanna lose a woman like that.”
They laughed as they walked away with sweet George, laughing and giving raspberries the whole way to the main compound.
“Maybe we’ve found a new line of work,” said Eric.
“Babysitting?” frowned Cam.
“No. Matchmaking. Like grandmothers like fathers like sons.”
EXCERPT for HURRICANE IRENE
The rain was coming down at a steady pace as the men worked to fill the sandbags. The islands had been reinforced with Finley’s inventive creations but that didn’t mean it would hold.
If the storm surged to a category four or five, the water would easily swell over the obstructions and could potentially flood everything in her path.
“We knew a big one would come one day,” said Luke. “And somehow I knew it would be named after grandma.” The others laughed until the distinct voice of Irene was heard.
“I’m glad y’all are gettin’ a good laugh about a major storm,” she frowned.
“We were just joking, Mama Irene,” said Hex.
“This ain’t no joke. We might survive this but all them folks along the bayou, the wetlands, even inward to New Orleans may not survive. Have y’all already forgotten about Katrina?”
“No, ma’am,” they all said in unison.
The heard the slapping steps of someone running and turned to see Stormy and AJ.
“What now?” asked Luke.
“Weather service just reported that she’s changed direction. She’s coming right toward the mouth of the Mississippi and she’s big. Gone from a category three to a four. We have to move.”
“We are moving,” said Luke. Finley shook her head, staring at him.
“No, Luke. I think we need evacuate the area.”