False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [74]
“Good,” he said. “So is the phone ringing off the hook?”
“And then some. I finally unplugged it. You shouldn’t have to spend an hour playing it all back. I decided anyone who needs to talk business can contact you through proper channels. Our close friends and family have our cell numbers.”
“Thanks. Of the messages you listened to, could you tell if the comments were generally positive or negative?”
“Why, Sheriff, I only listened to the positive comments. I don’t want to hear anything negative about my man.”
He chuckled. “You don’t, huh?”
“Heavens no. You’re already working more hours than you should, trying to find Remy’s killer and this shooter. The last thing you need is people second-guessing your efforts. I have no patience with that.”
“Spoken with conviction.”
“We’re in this together. I take it personally when folks start coming down on you when they don’t know what they’re talking about. It’s like a peekon sticking in my heart. It’s all I can do to respond like a lady.”
He smiled. But she was all lady. How did he ever win her heart? He definitely married up. “Let’s talk about something pleasant. So has Saul decided he’s ready to go take his driver’s test tomorrow?”
“Oh, he’s ready.” Colette lowered her voice, the way she always did when she spoke seriously about one of the kids. “I’m not sure about Mama. Just think, Jude. Our baby’s old enough to drive. Before we know it, we’re going to have an empty nest.”
“Why don’t we just concentrate on how nice it is to have Raymond and Bridgette home from college? We’ve only got them for another couple weeks before they have to head back.”
“Oh, I am. I made courtbouillon for them tonight. I sure wish you’d been here to share it.”
Jude winced. “Aw, did you make homemade corn bread, too?”
“Of course I did. Don’t worry. We saved you some.”
“You’re a saint.”
“My halo’s a little tarnished for thinking ill of those who don’t appreciate the sacrifices you’re making to solve these cases.”
“I think the Almighty will forgive you for coming to my defense. But there will always be those who don’t agree with or understand the way I do things.”
“Well, I’d prefer they move to another parish.”
“I’m an elected official. They have a right to question what I do.”
“Maybe so. But I can unplug them.” Colette giggled. “I don’t know why I find that so amusing, but I do.”
“Sweetheart, I’ve got to get back to the front lines.”
“You sound exhausted.”
“That about sums it up. As soon as I feel sure things are secure here, I’m coming home. I’ll call and tell you when to heat up the courtbouillon.”
Zoe wandered around the first floor of Langley Manor, watching the last vestiges of dusk slip away through the trees. Pierce didn’t want to talk—fine. She’d stay out of his way. She wished the windows had drapes she could pull. At least no one could see in unless she turned on a flashlight.
The rear of the house was another story. Once it was dark, wouldn’t the lantern-lit room make them visible to anyone or anything prowling out back? She considered the food Ethan brought and wondered whether bears inhabited the woods and might be drawn to it. Then again, this plantation house had been here since 1839. If bears were a threat, wouldn’t everyone in Les Barbes know those stories—just as they knew the ghost stories?
She shuddered and dismissed the ghost stories Hebert had told her about Josiah Langley wandering the halls at night, calling for his stillborn son, William. She became aware of a presence behind her and sucked in a breath—
“The phone is working.” Pierce’s resonant voice echoed in the empty room.
Zoe exhaled, her hand over her pounding heart. “You scared me to death.” Maybe that’s what you wanted to do.
“I called the sheriff’s department and was told Jude is in the field and unavailable. I tried reaching Colette at home. For some reason, the phone rings and rings without an answering machine picking up.”
“This cell number won’t be recognizable on their caller ID,” Zoe said. “She’ll probably think it’s one of those annoying marketing calls and