False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [102]
“Yes, I’m satisfied it was. I believe we’re done here.” Jude looked over at Aimee. “Would you give us the room?”
“Sure.” Aimee gathered her notes, then got up and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Jude turned his pencil upside down and bounced the eraser on the table. “I’m sure you don’t need a lecture to know how lucky you are that you never went to jail for stealing the ring—or that Cowen didn’t slit your throat or put a bullet through your head.”
“Believe me, I don’t. At least I’ve arranged to make monthly payments to Mrs. Woodmore until I’ve paid back the value of the ring.”
“I respect you for doing that. Legally, no one can force you to since the statute of limitations has run.” Jude let half a minute pass, and then said, “How’re you and Pierce doing?”
“Not so great. As soon as Gil and Stone are finished questioning him, he’s going to drive down to Houma and stay with his parents. I think it’s over between us.”
Jude winced. “I’m sorry, Zoe.”
“Who can blame him? I’m not the woman he married. I’m a thief and a liar. He’s better off without me.”
“Do you really believe that?”
Zoe blinked to clear her eyes, and a tear spilled down her cheek. “I don’t know.”
“I think you do.” Jude tilted her chin. “We’ve known each other for ten years. I admit I’m surprised and disappointed. I don’t condone the choices you made, but I’m not going to throw you under the bus either. There’s a lot more to Zoe Broussard than her mistakes.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“I am.” Jude made a tent with his fingers. “What you and Pierce have together is worth saving.”
“What is it we have, since the woman he fell in love with never existed?”
“Well, that’s what the two of you need to figure out.” Jude leaned forward on his elbows and looked her in the eyes. “He’s in love with someone. Don’t you think it’s time you accepted her?”
“What if I don’t like her?”
“What if you do? It’s not just your name and where you were born and who your parents are that defines you. All that’s just background noise. The real deal is the person Pierce fell in love with. Deep down, he knows that. And so do you.”
Savannah rushed out of the kitchen at Zoe B’s and over to the table by the window, where Father Sam, Hebert, and Tex were still seated.
“I just got off the phone with Zoe.” Savannah set a carafe of fresh coffee on the table. “She wanted me to tell y’all that she and Pierce are down at the sheriff’s department. They’d been hiding out at Langley Manor—from the suspect that was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies!”
“The man suspected in Remy’s murder?” Father Sam said.
Savannah nodded. “Vanessa Langley tried to help them and was shot in the shoulder. She’s been taken out to the medical center.”
“Mercy,” Tex said. “How did those three get involved with someone like that?”
“All I know is that he was a customer here.”
“That’s disturbing,” Father Sam said. “Zoe didn’t tell you his name?”
“No. She said he wasn’t from this area and to watch the news.”
“Langley Manor?” Hebert stroked the stubble on his chin. “What’s dat about?”
Savannah shrugged. “I’m still in shock. Zoe wanted us all to know that she’ll be at Remy’s funeral tomorrow. But that Pierce was going to Houma and stay with his mom and dad. She asked if Benson would take his shift for a few days.”
Hebert sat back in his chair, his lips pursed, his head cocked. “Pierce had to rush off, wid Remy’s funeral tomorrow? Dat’s peculiar.”
“Very,” Savannah said.
“Especially since Pierce was so fond of Remy—and Emile.” Father Sam pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. “He wouldn’t miss the funeral if he could help it.”
“Dat’s fuh shore,” Hebert said.
“He wouldn’t give up his kitchen that long either.” Savannah folded her arms across her chest. “Whatever business he has must need his immediate attention.”
“What business you tink is more important dan Remy’s funeral?” Hebert said.
Savannah arched her eyebrows. “Maybe Pierce’s parents need help. It’s not like Zoe to be so private, though. She