The Reunion

“After everything you’ve told me, I completely understand the estate’s position, but why Tyler? If he doesn’t want to do it, why did you pressure him to?”

“Because he’s the best man for the job,” William said simply. “Tyler was a securities expert for the Marine Corps. He kept entire military bases safe while ferreting out the secrets of the enemy. If he can’t protect you, I’m not sure anyone can.”

Some of Tyler’s stiff, direct approach to things now made sense. “He was in the Middle East?”

William nodded.

“How long?”

“Eight years. He arrived back in the States only two weeks ago. He’s starting a private security firm as soon as the formation documents are approved by the state.”

“Well,” Joelle said, processing all this new information. “I suppose tolerating a bit of a grouch is a small cost for the level of protection I’m getting in return.”

William gave her a small smile. “He wasn’t always this grouchy. His time overseas changed him, but he won’t talk about it.”

The attorney sighed. “I’m sure he saw horrific things. Hearing about them on the news is bad enough, but to see it firsthand and then feel some level of responsibility because it happened...I imagine it’s a lot of weight for any man.”

Instantly, Joelle’s training kicked in and she slipped directly into psychologist mode, momentarily chiding herself for making something personal when that was rarely the case. “I’m sure you’re right. So what can I do to make the transition easier?”

“Communicate your plans with him and don’t try to fight his presence, even though I’m sure it will feel awkward and inconvenient at times. Allow him to do physical labor. He’s not made for sitting behind a desk, although he thinks that’s what he needs to do. Movement keeps his mind focused and his body ready for action. He’s been that way his entire life.”

Joelle nodded. “He was clearing brush from the back patio when I arrived. Now that I think about it, I suppose it was a two-point process—he worked off some energy, and the more brush that’s cleared away from the house, the easier it will be to see someone approaching.”

William’s expression softened and his eyes misted up just a bit. “Your mother would be so happy to see how you girls turned out. Despite all the obstacles placed in your path, you’re all self-confident, intelligent and compassionate. She couldn’t have asked for more.”

A blush ran up her neck at William’s compliments. “Thank you. It’s so nice to finally talk to people who knew my mother, and I can’t wait to meet Alaina and Danae.”

“They’re visiting this afternoon?”

“Yes. Alaina was in New Orleans on business, but she is going to pick up Danae and they’ll both be here late this evening. They have to be back in New Orleans tomorrow, so we’re planning a slumber party.”

“How delightful!”

Joelle nodded, hoping the attorney was right. More than anything in the world, she wanted to meet her sisters, but the reality was, she was nervous. Based on everything she’d heard, Danae and Alaina had already formed a close bond. What if they didn’t like her? What if the passage of time had removed that connection between them?

She took a big sip of water and told herself to relax. Her sisters were alive and well and spending a night with her catching up. In two weeks, all of them would inherit everything that was temporarily stolen from them.

Nothing or no one was going to put a damper on her happiness.

* * *

TYLER PICKED UP a bag of chocolate chip cookies and a six-pack of beer and set them on the counter in the general store. The owner, Samuel, was tied up in the back helping a man load his new lawn mower onto his truck, so Tyler leaned back against the counter and grabbed a hunting magazine to flip through while he waited.

“Only two weeks out of the Corps and you already have bachelor shopping down,” a voice sounded in front of him.

Tyler looked up at a grinning Carter Trahan.

Despite Tyler’s general disgust at his current predicament, he couldn’t help but smile as he shook Carter’s extended hand.

“I’m sorry I missed you when you came by my dad’s house,” Tyler said.

Carter waved his hand in dismissal. “You’re working on your business stuff. I’m working on solving ancient murders. I knew we’d run into each other eventually.”

“I guess it’s hard to go too long without seeing someone in a town as small as Calais.”

Carter nodded. “It’s certainly a different pace than New Orleans. I imagine you’re in an even bigger culture shock, relocating from a war zone halfway across the world.”

“It’s been...interesting. Sometimes I still have these moments of panic, where I think there’s something I was supposed to do that I didn’t.”

“I know exactly what you mean. Between the caseload and the constantly increasing paperwork requirements, New Orleans cops are to the point of needing personal secretaries to keep up.”

“Do you ever miss it?”

“I did a little at first. It was too slow, too quiet and I think I spent a lot of time feeling guilty because it was too easy.”

“Trenton Purcell’s death seems to have changed all that.”

“You got that right. If anyone had told me before I came here that this much crime—running this far back—could happen in a place like Calais, I would have laughed. It’s hard to believe one man can cause such a ripple of crime that lasted past his own death.”

Tyler nodded, thinking about everything his father had told him about the situation. “My dad told me you found out Purcell was a hit man and probably took up with Ophelia for a place to hide.”

“Yeah, at first I thought Purcell married her figuring he could get Ophelia to move away from Louisiana, but with everything I know now, I’m guessing he planned to kill her from the beginning. He wouldn’t have known about the will. He probably assumed he’d get everything when she was gone. When I think about everything those girls lost because of him...”

Tyler felt a flicker of guilt over the terse way he’d handled meeting Joelle. She and her sisters were the living victims in the middle of this mess. She certainly hadn’t asked for her mother to be murdered and for her stepfather to send her off to strangers. He’d been so busy worrying about his own needs that he hadn’t really stopped to consider how difficult this must be for her—for all of them.

“Alaina and Danae are fine, right?” Tyler asked. “I mean...considering everything that’s happened.”

“They are both incredibly strong women,” Carter said, and Tyler could hear the admiration in his voice. “Most people would have crumbled under the stress of the discoveries alone, much less the attempts on their lives. But those two just got mad and more determined.”

Tyler smiled. “You have to admire that.”

“Definitely. It helps that they have each other. They’re thick as thieves. You’d never know they spent most of their lives apart.”

“Hopefully Joelle will fit as well with them.”

“I don’t think they’re going to give her a choice. Your dad tells me he’s got you on security detail.”

Tyler sighed. “I tried to get out of it, but you know Dad.”

Carter laughed. “Oh, yeah, I know your dad. Between him and my mom, I could be talked into most anything. This whole mess started for me when your dad asked me to play hall monitor. I ended up with a kidnapping, three deaths and a fiancée.”

Tyler winced at the fiancée part of Carter’s statement. “I’m not looking to acquire any of those on my Calais service record, especially the last one.”

Carter grinned. “And you think I was? Have you met Joelle yet?”

“Yeah, she arrived this afternoon. I brought her to town for a meeting with my dad at the café.”

“So how does she look?”

Tyler shrugged, not about to go into details of the delicious Joelle with Carter. “She looks like a woman.”

Carter’s grin widened. “That good, huh?”

“I didn’t say anything like that.”

“You didn’t have to. I know both her sisters, and I know that look. I used to wear it. Joelle is a knockout and that pisses you off even more.”

Tyler sighed. “Remind me again why we’re friends?”

Carter laughed and clapped Tyler’s back. “Because I keep you honest.”

“Is that even possible?” A man’s voice boomed from behind them.

Tyler turned around as Mayor James Dupree stepped up to him, his hand extended.

“It’s good to have you home,” Mayor Dupree said. “I know your daddy must be relieved.”

“Yes, sir, I imagine he is.” Tyler shook the man’s hand and hoped that he had an appointment that didn’t allow him to hang around for long. Mayor Dupree was a marathon talker and had never once said anything even remotely interesting.

“Good to see you, Carter.” Mayor Dupree nodded. “How’s that pretty fiancée of yours doing?”

“She’s fine, sir,” Carter replied and rolled his eyes at Tyler as soon as Mayor Dupree looked away.

“Good, good,” Mayor Dupree said and studied Tyler again. “So what will you be doing now that you’re home?”

“I’m opening a security firm. Maybe city hall can use my services.”

The mayor laughed. “Well, we’re still holding council meetings at the café, so you’d have to wait until we build a city hall. I hope you have some other clients in mind, as that might be a while in coming.”

“Actually, I’m doing some work for my dad.”

“The LeBeau estate?”

“Yes.”

The mayor shook his head. “That has been such an unfortunate set of circumstances. I never would have imagined such things could happen in Calais.”

Carter cleared his throat. “I thought you and Roger Martin were friends from way back. I would have figured you’d know if he was plotting things with Trenton Purcell.”

Mayor Dupree sighed. “I wish I had known. Maybe I could have talked him out of it. Maybe all this would have turned out differently.”

“Maybe,” Carter said. “You know, I’m pretty sure Purcell had more than just Roger on his payroll. Since you were around then, maybe you’d have an idea who I should take a closer look at.”

“I wish I did, and I’ll be sure to let you know if I think of something. Well, I’ve got to run. You two stay out of trouble.” He gave them a nod and hustled out of the store quicker than Tyler thought his flabby frame would allow.

Tyler stared after him and frowned. “Should I be happy he didn’t stick around and talk us to death, or suspicious and wonder why?”

“Number two.”

“Any particular reason other than him being friends with Roger?”

“Yeah. If Joelle doesn’t make her two weeks, the city of Calais inherits millions’ worth of LeBeau assets.”

“You think he knows that?”

“Do you?”

“The way he left... Wow, all that money and under the control of the good mayor,” Tyler said, a whole new train of thought opened up with that bit of information. “My dad really needs to learn to talk more about things that matter.”

Carter smiled. “Come on, I’ll buy you a root beer float and we can talk about your ideas for security now that you’ve seen the house, and I can try to fill in any blanks that William might have left.”

Tyler checked his watch but figured his dad and Joelle would probably be a while longer. Besides, the general store had an old-fashioned soda fountain with the best root beer floats in the South, and he did have some things he wanted to run by Carter after seeing the house. His friend had suggested a casual planning meeting over a drink, but Tyler could tell Carter was worried, and Carter Trahan was the last person to go off on a tangent.

Maybe his dad was right. Maybe it wasn’t over.

Chapter Five

Joelle pushed her feet against the floorboard of Tyler’s truck, wishing he could navigate the bumpy road at a faster pace. She’d been finishing up with William when her cell phone rang with Alaina’s call. Her sisters had forgotten to call when they left New Orleans and had lost cell service not far outside of the city. By the time she’d gotten a signal again, Alaina was only ten minutes from Calais.

Instant panic set in with Joelle. She hadn’t had time to assess supplies at the house, much less get to the general store to fill in the gaps. And what about the sleeping arrangements? Were the linens clean or was that one other job she’d already fallen down on? She assumed at least one bedroom was suitable for habitation but they needed more than one.

William had immediately clued in to her distress and calmed her down by assuring her that her sisters were well aware of the living conditions and their only requirement was seeing her. Joelle appreciated William’s kind approach to her crisis, but that didn’t solve the problem of upbringing, and Joelle’s adoptive mother had been a real stickler for manners. No way could she allow people in her home—or what would be her home for the next two weeks—without attempting to be a good host.

They’d left the café and headed to the general store to see if Tyler was ready to leave. Even though William had already assured her she didn’t need to provide anything for Alaina and Danae, Joelle picked up the best bottle of wine they had before hurrying out to jump in Tyler’s truck.

Now she wished she would have bought crackers and dip—something to pick at while drinking the wine. Something to keep her hands busy while she had her first conversation with her sisters since they were all children.

Tyler looked over at her and frowned. “Are you nervous?”

Surprised that he’d even spoken, much less at the question, Joelle had to think a couple of seconds before responding.

“Yes,” she finally admitted. “It’s all a bit overwhelming and surreal. Not just that I will finally be reunited with my sisters—which I thought would never happen—but with everything that’s happened surrounding our stepfather’s death.”

“I guess Dad filled you in on everything at lunch?”

“Probably not every detail, but I got the overview. As a social worker, I always think I’ve heard everything. Then occasionally, I’m still blown away at the things human beings will do to one another.”

“I know exactly what you mean.”

The sadness in his voice had her studying him for a moment, then she remembered—marine. “I guess you saw your share of horror overseas.”

“We all did.”

His speech was slightly abrupt, leaving her no doubt that his military service was something he didn’t wish to talk about. Another piece of her softened toward him, because she understood that on a level that people who didn’t deal every day with the horror of human behavior would never understand.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous about seeing my sisters again. I mean, I’m excited but also nervous.”

He was silent for several seconds, and Joelle wondered if he’d even heard what she said. Or maybe he decided the conversation had gotten too girlie or too psychological.

“Maybe because you’re afraid you won’t fit with them,” he said finally.

She stared at him, surprised at his intuitiveness. “Yes, I think you’re right.”

“Everyone needs to be where they belong—whether that’s the place they live or a person they’re with. But I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“No? Why is that? Have you met my sisters?”

“I haven’t yet had the pleasure, but I’ve heard plenty about them from my dad. He thinks they’re the best things since cable television came to Calais. My dad likes most people, but he admires few. No one has said anything yet, but I’m going to guess that he’s planning on having Alaina take over his practice in Calais. She’s already doing some work for him.”

“Your dad is very sweet, but he also knew our mother, so it might make him a bit biased.”

“Maybe, but Carter Trahan didn’t know your mother. He’s marrying Alaina and vouches for Danae. Carter and I have been friends since the crib, and trust me when I say a more shrewd human being has not been invented.”

“I wish I would have gotten to the general store before he left. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

“He’ll be keeping tabs on you for the estate, so I suppose you will soon enough.”

Joelle held in a smile. Tyler was so direct and practical. On a normal day, she dealt with so much fabrication and drama that his what-you-see-is-what-you-get style was refreshing.

“So what do you plan on doing while we’re conducting our Sisterhood Reunion?” she asked.

He frowned. “Staying out of the way.”

His dismay was so comical that she couldn’t hold in the laugh, but as he rounded the tree line and turned onto the circular drive in front of the house, she froze. The SUV in the driveway had a bumper sticker for a New England university. It had to be Alaina’s car.

“They’re here already,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Tyler parked next to Alaina’s vehicle. “I’m going to take a walk around the perimeter. I’ll be around if you need me.”

He jumped out of the truck and took off at a decent clip around the side of the house. Joelle’s nervousness ticked up another notch as the only person she had any connection with fled. Not that she blamed him. It was an uncomfortable situation for her and she was one of the parties involved. Anyone else would feel even more uncomfortable, especially men, who, in her experience, tended to avoid questionable social situations anyway.

Grabbing the bottle of wine and her purse, she took a deep breath, then climbed out of the truck. The front door was open a crack, and she pushed it the rest of the way and stepped inside. Voices echoed down the kitchen hallway and she started that way. The voices sounded happy and excited, which helped her nerves a bit, but when she reached the threshold of the kitchen, she paused.

What if they hate me? What if I hate them?

She said a silent prayer, then stepped around the corner into the kitchen.

A tall, thin woman with long black hair pulled back in a ponytail stood in front of the refrigerator, her back to Joelle. A shorter, curvier woman with shoulder-length black hair stood at the counter, arranging cheese and crackers on a tray.

They were so busy chatting, they didn’t hear her enter.

“Hello,” she managed.

Immediately, all activity ceased and they both whirled around to stare at her. Joelle sucked in a breath as she looked at the tall woman.

Alaina.

She’d always looked like their mother. Joelle could remember that now. For a split second, all three of them held in that position, then they rushed over to her.

“Joelle,” Alaina said as she stopped in front of Joelle, studying her face. “I remember now. You look like our father.”

Alaina teared up and threw her arms around Joelle.

“I never thought I’d find you two,” Alaina said. “It’s a dream come true.”

All of Joelle’s nerves slipped away as she hugged Alaina. It all came flooding back to her—the love and admiration she’d always had for her big sister. It was as if the years fell away and they were right back in step.

“My turn,” Danae said, clapping her hands.

Alaina laughed as she released Joelle, who turned to look at a smiling Danae.

“The dimples,” Joelle said. “I remember them.”

Danae’s smile widened and she wrapped her arms around Joelle, tightly squeezing her.

“I’m so glad William found you,” Danae whispered.

“Me, too,” Joelle said.

“This calls for a toast,” Alaina said.

Danae released her and they both looked over at their big sister, who was pouring champagne into beautiful crystal glasses.

“I cleaned some of the crystal to get ready for this moment,” Alaina said. “Please don’t tell me you don’t drink.”

Joelle laughed. “I’m not a professional, but at the moment, I can’t think of anything more perfect than champagne.”

Alaina smiled and her whole face brightened, her happiness so clear. “You haven’t had Danae’s cheesecake yet. I bet it’s more perfect than champagne, but she was cruel and wouldn’t let me try a piece before we left.”

Danae blushed a bit, clearly pleased with Alaina’s praise, and Joelle felt her chest tighten as if her heart were expanding inside it. All the anxiety and doubts she’d felt were wasted emotion. These women were so comfortable...so right.

She took the glass of champagne that Alaina offered her and watched as Alaina lifted her glass in the air.

“To sisters,” Alaina said. “To us.”

“To us,” Joelle and Danae repeated and they clinked their glasses together.

Joelle couldn’t remember any moment in her life more perfect than this one.

* * *

TYLER MADE HIS way around the back of the house, pushing through the dense undergrowth, looking for any sign that someone else had passed this way recently. If Carter and his father both felt things weren’t right on the LeBeau estate, then Tyler had no doubt they were right. If someone was prowling around the estate, he wanted to get a handle on it now and try to keep things from getting as out of hand as they had with Alaina and Danae.

So far, he’d turned up nothing. The house appeared tight as a drum. One window downstairs was broken, but it was boarded up. The rest were nailed shut. Danae’s fiancé, Zach, the contractor making repairs to the house, had made sure everything was sealed tight before he returned to his regular workweek in New Orleans and so far, Tyler hadn’t found a single thing the contractor had left undone.

Tyler knew the front door was the questionable point. It was a huge wooden double door, ornately carved, likely ridiculously expensive, and was equipped with ancient hardware complete with giant iron keys like those you’d see in a horror movie. In anticipation of Joelle’s arrival, he’d ordered some security equipment, but it hadn’t arrived until today. As soon as he finished his perimeter walk, he’d start setting up the equipment, beginning with the alarm on the front door.

When he rounded the corner for the side of the house containing the long patio, he paused, staring into the brush. Something looked off. He stepped into the trees and pushed through the foliage, working his way around a forty-foot-square region. On the surface, everything appeared normal, but the telltale signs of recent passage were visible to someone as skilled in tracking as Tyler was.

Some of the broken branches could be attributed to the storms that had swept through the area lately, but the depressions in the ground cover were the result of being trod upon. The ground cover was too dense to make out an actual footprint, but the size of the indentations was too large for any of the creatures that would normally roam the woods, except maybe bear. And if a bear had passed this way, Tyler would see far more damage to the branches.

He followed the depressions and the broken branches about twenty yards into the swamp before turning around. Someone could have traversed the swamp from any number of locations surrounding the house, and may have walked hundreds of yards or even miles to throw someone off the track. Likely, the tracks would come out on one of the many dirt paths that led through the swamp, easily reachable by an ATV. As most everyone in Calais owned or had access to an ATV, that didn’t narrow the suspect pool even a bit.

Turning back, he tried to track the depressions toward the house, but they seemed to end about twenty feet from the patio, which made no sense. Tyler could understand if a stalker had a viewpoint to simply observe the comings and goings of the house in order to plan a strike. The military often watched from one vantage point but attacked from another. But from this vantage point, all he could see was the corner of the house and a bit of the patio. No window or door offered a view inside, except for the small pane of glass on the exterior door off the laundry room. But he couldn’t see in that pane from his current position.

Deciding he wasn’t going to figure it out standing there, he made a mental note to keep an eye on this location and continued back to the patio. The stone patio didn’t leave any opportunity for tracks, so he checked the windows and scanned the nearby brush, but the only tracks he saw were his own from when he’d hauled away brush earlier that day.