Chapter Eight
At eight forty-five the next morning, she and Jacque got into his car and headed toward town. “Hopefully, you’ll have a peaceful day at work,” he said.
“Hopefully.” She gazed at him for a long moment. He looked as handsome as ever in jeans and a short-sleeved mint green polo that really brought out the bright green of his eyes. “And hopefully you’ll have some peaceful hours while I’m gone,” she replied.
She turned her gaze out the window, her thoughts going to the day before. She had enjoyed the funny stories he’d shared about his work over dinner. It was a tantalizing glimpse into his former life and the man he had been before coming to the swamp.
However, immediately after dinner he’d closed himself off, and it had been quite obvious he’d wanted no more conversation. She couldn’t be upset about it. She was a guest in his home. If he didn’t feel like talking, then so be it.
But she couldn’t help but wonder what drove his mood to change.
She still sensed pain deep inside his soul.
Had he lied about why he’d left police work?
Had there been a particularly bad case that hurt him so deeply that for his own sanity he’d needed to step away? Or was it something else altogether?
She wished he would share more with her. Despite his moodiness, she genuinely cared about him. In fact, she cared about him maybe more than she should.
He fascinated and intrigued her. She wanted to know everything there was to learn about him. There was no reason why, when this was all over, they couldn’t remain close friends. She could definitely use one, but she couldn’t be sure he would want that. He was so darned hard to read.
She shifted positions and stifled a groan of discomfort.
There was no question she was still in pain, but it wasn’t quite as bad as it had been.
Slowly she was healing. The bruising on her legs and chin had changed from purple to yellow, indicating that they were getting better.
Even her ribs felt a little better. Although they still hurt a lot, it wasn’t the horrible stabbing and burning she had felt over the last couple of days.
Her sisters had continued to call to check up on her. There was no question they were worried about her, but she had discouraged them from coming to visit. Besides, there was nothing they could do for her.
“By the way, you look nice today,” he surprised her by saying as they pulled up in front of the store.
Thankfully she had put the long navy skirt and a red and navy blouse in her bag when she’d packed. “Thanks,” she replied. “If you don’t mind, maybe after work today we could stop by my shanty so I could grab a few more clothes for workdays.”
“I don’t see a problem with that,” he replied.
“What do you have planned while I’m in the store slaving away?” she asked.
“I thought I’d stop into the police station and see if I can have a chat with Daniel about your attack and then I’m going to go ahead and get some groceries,” he replied.
“Are you going to tell him you used to be a homicide detective?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t decided yet,” he replied.
“When we stop by my shanty later, I’ll get you some money for the groceries,” she replied. She certainly didn’t intend to be a freeloader while staying with him. He pulled to a stop along the curb in front of the store.
“We can talk about all that later. Monique, if there’s a moment in the shop where you don’t feel safe or you don’t feel well enough to work, call me and I’ll come to you immediately.”
“I will.” She smiled at him. “Thanks for the ride, and I’ll see you at two.” With that, she opened the car door and got out.
He waited to pull away from the curb until she was safely inside and only then did he take off.
She went about the business of opening the store, turning on lights and then flipping the sign on the door from Closed to Open.
While she waited for the first customers, she retrieved the work computer from the back room and carried it back to the counter next to the register.
There was a warehouse in New Orleans that sold a particular brand of clothing she’d been wanting to get into the shop.
Now that she was officially the manager with buying power, she was going to pick out a few items to bring in and test the waters here.
She quickly got lost in the fashion on screen. She loved seeing new designs and outfits that were fresh and unique. It was only when the tinkle of the bell sounded over the front door that she looked up to see Nola coming in.
“Hi, darling,” she greeted Monique. Her smile faded as she got closer and she noticed Monique’s bruised chin. “Oh, my poor baby,” she exclaimed. “I wanted to come by and check on you sooner, but to be honest I’m a little bit afraid of Jacque.”
“Auntie Nola,” Monique said, using the childhood name she’d always called her mother’s friend. “I always thought you weren’t afraid of anything,” she teased.
“Honey, there’s plenty of things that scare me, including that big man who lives deep in the swamp. He wears such a scowl on his face all the time. Now, tell me how you’re doing? I’m surprised to see you here at work. I heard you took quite a beating.”
“I did,” Monique confessed. “I’ve got a couple of fractured ribs and a body full of bruises.”
Nola frowned. “I’m so sorry, honey. And you have no idea who did this to you?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
“If you find out, then let me know.” Nola raised her fists in a fighting position and punched out with her right hand. “I’ll take care of the person for you.”
Monique laughed. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Right now, I’ve got the scowling man from deep in the swamp watching over me.”
“Tell me, what on earth is going on in your life that you’re getting beat up and you need somebody to watch over you?” Nola gazed at her curiously.
For just a brief moment, Monique really wanted to tell Nola the truth about what she and Jacque had been up to, but in the end, she decided to keep it a secret even from the woman who had been like a mother to her.
“I haven’t figured that out yet. Somehow, someway, I’ve made somebody very angry with me, but darned if I know who or why,” Monique replied.
“Is Daniel looking into it?” Nola asked.
“Yes, he is. But there isn’t much to look into. I couldn’t give him a description of the attacker, and there was no evidence to be found around my front porch, where I was attacked.” She didn’t mention the box or note that was left on her porch.
Nola frowned. “I know your sister loves that man to distraction, but until he solves your mother’s murder and now this mystery you’re in, he is definitely on my bad side.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, Nola. We know he’s working as hard as possible to get Mother’s murderer in jail,” Monique replied.
“I can’t believe it’s taken this long for him and his men to figure out who killed Mystique,” Nola replied. “I’m worried now that it will never get solved.”
“That makes two of us,” Monique replied fervently.
“So, is Jacque treating you right?”
Monique smiled. “He’s been very kind and considerate to me. He’s really a very nice man.”
“I’d believe you if he didn’t look so fierce all the time,” Nola replied.
At that moment, two teenage girls came into the shop.
“I think that’s my cue to get on with my errands. Stay safe, Monique, and you know you can call or come talk to me anytime.” She blew Monique a kiss and then turned and headed out the store door.
The teenagers were in the store for about half an hour, trying on different blouses and checking out the costume jewelry. One of them wound up buying a set of pink and gold bangle bracelets while the other one got a pretty bright yellow blouse.
It was just before lunch when her two sisters came through the door.
“I couldn’t believe it when Nola came into my store a little while ago and told me you were at work today,” Angelique said, worry evident on her features.
“And I couldn’t believe it when Angelique called and told me,” Dominique added, also looking deeply concerned.
“Shouldn’t you be at Jacque’s and resting more?” Angelique asked.
“I needed to get back to work,” Monique replied. “Besides, it’s not like this is tough physical labor.”
“Are you in a lot of pain?” Dominique asked with sympathy.
“Yes, I am. But it’s getting better with every day that passes,” Monique replied.
“Still, you shouldn’t be pushing yourself too hard,” Angelique chided her.
“I’m a big girl, sis, and I can make decisions about myself,” Monique replied with a tad bit of irritation.
“Oh, I know.” Angelique smiled in an obvious apology. “I just worry about you.”
Monique’s irritation immediately faded away. “I’m getting along just fine,” she said. “Besides, in less than two hours I’ll be back on Jacque’s sofa and resting.”
“So, you’re comfortable there?” Dominique asked.
“Very comfortable, and he’s committed to making sure I stay safe,” Monique replied.
“I can tell you Daniel is absolutely tearing his hair out with frustration over Mama’s case and now yours,” Angelique said.
“And you have no idea why somebody attacked you?” Dominique asked.
“No clue.” This little white lie was falling easier and easier from her lips.
Would it really help Daniel in his investigation if he knew what she and Jacque had been doing?
Maybe it was time to come clean with Daniel.
There was no question that their activities had given somebody a motive for murder.
Her sisters remained in the shop for about a half hour, and then Angelique needed to get back to her store and it was time for Dominique to head to the café for her shift.
Lunchtime came and went, and the shop stayed fairly busy until almost two when Cynthia came in to work. A look out of the front window let Monique see Jacque’s car pull up at the curb.
When there had been lulls of customers in the shop, her thoughts had gone to the man who, at least for now, had put his own life on hold for hers.