The Proposition (A Geek, An Angel) Page 18

  Larissa looked around the room. She never tired of looking at the elegant walls with their old world charm. The crown moldings in the vaulted ceiling would always fascinate her she thought.

  For a moment she almost had forgotten why she came. She turned and gazed at the woman sitting behind the desk.

  Tendrils of softly graying hair framed Claire Marie’s almond shaped face with a natural grace.

  “Larissa, please sit down. I almost called you to cancel.”

  “Oh, why?”

  A flicker of concerned emotions showed on Claire Marie face. ““Walker is here. I’m afraid we may be interrupted,” she nodded. “Quick please tell me is Janeshia alright?”

  “Yes,” Larissa said. “She was still sleeping when I left the house.”

  Claire Marie’s sharp gaze speared her. “That is good. She needs her rest. I think it’s best if she isn’t exposed to Adam. See if you can think of something to keep her from work for a few days, if you can.”

  “Okay, I will,” Larissa replied.

  A grimace of concern etched across the old woman’s face. “I’ve tried and tried to think of where to find the answers. I guess you know, every family has secrets. Shameful episodes that they wish would stay hidden.”

  A heavy silence fell between them while Larissa digested what she heard. She finally spoke up, hoping it would help the conversation keep moving. “Yes, all families do.”

  “I grew up in Alexandria Louisiana. In fact, I was born there. So was Walker’s father. In the South, children are the ultimate gift that a wife gives her husband. After I married Walker’s father, Edward Walker Perrault, I discovered I couldn’t conceive. We tried everything,” she paused. “Walker’s father didn’t blame me and he even told me it didn’t matter. But do you know how humiliated and frustrated I felt?”

  Larissa blinked at her sudden revelation. She kept her mouth shut and listened attentively.

  Claire Marie’s voice quivered. “I did something back then. I think the answers can be found back in Alexandria Louisiana.”

  Startled by her words Larissa asked, “You want me to go there?”

  The sound of feet shuffling at the door interrupted them.

  Claire Marie nodded and pressed her finger to her lips, commanding secrecy.

  Suddenly the door of the library opened.

  “Hello Larissa, I didn’t know you were here,” Walker said entering the room and shutting the door.

  He walked over and perched on top of his mother’s desk.

  “So Larissa, how is Janeshia doing?”

  “Oh Walker Janeshia is fine. She was a little nauseated when she arrived last night.”

  “Nauseated? Last night? What’s wrong with her?” He asked with a look of deep concern.

  “Ah,” Larissa and Mrs. Perrault looked at each other.

  “Oh, Janeshia is fine,” Mrs. Perrault assured Walker. “She’s just a little tired from all the stress she’s been under lately. I’m sure Larissa is taking good care of her best friend.”

  Larissa nodded. “Yes, I am taking very good care of Janeshia. In fact, I persuaded her to take a few days off from work. She and I have plans to do the Girl Friends Getaway in Carmel, California, for a couple days.”

  The two women looked between each other.

  “Good,” Walker said standing to pace. “Mother, perhaps Janeshia is overworked. Maybe she needs help. May be I should go into the office for a few days.”

  Mrs. Perrault’s shoulders stiffened. “Calm down “Walker. You’ve been given everything Larissa and I both know, Janeshia is fine,” she said eyeing Larissa to be silent.

  Larissa gazed between mother and son and felt like she was watching the opening of a possible battlefield. She cleared her throat. “Claire Marie, I believe we were talking about Alexandria Louisiana. Would you like to discuss it further or is our meeting concluded?”

  “Yes, I think we should. In fact, I think my son should handle this delicate family situation,” Claire Marie gave a small smile. “Walker, I need from you is for you to go to Alexandria Louisiana and find Mama Moue Redbones for me. She’s the one with all the answers, “her eyes pleaded. “Look my son, I can only trust you to handle this for me, please.”

  “But what about the foundation?” he asked continuing to pace.

  “Walker,” Mrs. Perrault sighed heavily. “Larissa will be with me if anything comes up. But nothing will. You go and get packed. I want you on a plane for Alexandria today,”

  “Okay Mother,” he strode toward the door.

  The door closed soundly.

  A play of emotion crossed Claire Marie’s face. “Oh Larissa?”

  “Don’t worry I know what you want. You want me to go and keep an eye on him, right?”

  “Yes, he is my only son,” she said. “But don’t let him know.”

  “I understand,” Larissa nodded.

  Chapter 29

  Las Vegas, Nevada & Yvonne Celeste

  As the yellow streaks of sun light signaled the start of a new day and filtered through the open curtain, the abruptly ringing of the phone forced the man’s eyes wide opened. He sat up on the side of his bed. He had the worst hang-over ever.

  The telephone rang again.

  “Hello”

  “Mr. Montgomery?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Look Mr. Montgomery, this is the manager of the hotel, there is a car and driver refusing to move from our front entry way unless you come down. They’ve been waiting for you for over an hour,” the manager said. “I sorry but I have to complain.”

  “Tell them to go away,” Ramsey gruff out.

  The manager’s calm voice escalated. “Look this woman is threatening to call the police and make a scene. This hotel has accommodated you as much as we can. But…..”

  “Okay, I’m coming down.”

  The last time he’d been there it had been to clear his mind about a woman. This time was no different.

  Something stirred in the bed next to him. Then he remembered he’d stopped off at a burlesque style lounge and picked up a woman.

  He reached for his wallet.

  “Hey you…..Miss…..Whatever your name. Wake up! You need to go….N-O-W. Here’s something extra for your trouble.”

  The lady was pretty; her long legs were lean. Her jet black hair seemed even longer. She quickly reached out slender long fingers and took the money before rolling out of bed and grabbing her dress. She was used to getting dressed quickly. She made her way to the door. Turned and titled her head coquettishly. “By the way you made my pussy sing.” Her green eyes softened. “Oh yeah, you know that little problem I helped you with? Remember all you have to do is focus and concentrate when you do the lessons. It helps.”

  Ramsey stared at her unbelieving. He watched her close the door. Who knew I’d run into a sex therapist when I needed one, he thought.

  He walked toward the shower.

  A sharp knock sounded loudly on the bathroom door.

  “Open the door Ramsey!” A woman yelled.

  “Shit! How did you get in?”

  “Your whore was leaving. I took advantage of her stupidity. Well aren’t you glad to see me?” the woman scolded.

  Ramsey looked up at the sound of the voice.

  A Majestic framed woman with high cheekbones, a good chin, heavily painted sultry red lips and eyes like Yvonne De Carlo pushed past him.

  She was quickly followed by a very large muscle bound broken nose man with a too close crew cut. He walked through the door like he owned the place.

  “Hello Ramsey,” the big man said. “I must perform my job. Yvonne Celeste would like for me to announce that she would like to pay you a visit,” the big man chuckled.

  Ramsey stared back at the man’s blank dull eyes. He knew the big man wasn’t big on brains. But he took his job seriously. He didn’t want to piss the big man off. He gazed back at the woman standing in front of him.

  All at once Yvonne Celeste reached out and slapped his face
twice. “Ramsey you could greet your mother more enthusiastically,” she scolded testily. “I also slapped you for being a cad and not returning my telephone calls.”

  The huge man laughed softly.

  Ramsey grabbed his face. “Yvonne Celeste, don’t come in here hitting me!”

  “Mommy is sorry baby,” her voice softens. She kissed her hand and rubbed where she’d slapped his face.

  “Don’t do that,” Ramsey said pulling away.

  “Look Ramsey, I don’t think I like for you to call me Yvonne Celeste anymore. Plain mommy will be fine from now on. Anyway, I’ve missed you darling. I was just telling the Big Kona I don’t see enough of you.”

  Ramsey stared back at his mother. Born Yvonne Celeste Anne Baptiste, she had been Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Cohen and Mrs Singh. Each husband was married for his money. Each man left once she had enough of his money to satisfy her appetite for the green pieces of paper.

  Ramsey cleared his throat. “Now what is it you want, Mother?”

  “Mommy has to go out of the country for a while. I think a cruise will do me some good.”

  “You came all the way to Vegas to tell me that?”

  She shrugged and her mouth turned into a frown. “No I came to Vegas to tell you tag, you’re it?”

  “What?”

  His mother smiled big. “You’re present is waiting for you just outside.”

  He shrugged as recognition hit him. “Look, can’t we discuss this? I’m sure we can work something out.”

  “No, Ramsey. We can’t. You are the one who decided to divorce Carina. Carina Montgomery was the best thing you ever did in your life Ramsey and she took care of that kid.”

  Ramsey looked solemnly at her. The former Carina Jordoin Christopher-Montgomery was a shy petite woman with a flawless complexion. She was a jet-black long haired beauty with deep green eyes. He thought he’d been in love with her. But she was in love with someone else.

  “You and I both know Carina and I had an arrangement. She wasn’t fulfilling her end of things and we ended the arrangement,” he said bluntly.

  “You were never home. How can you build a marriage when you are never at home?”

  “Carina and I didn’t have that kind of marriage.”

  His mother looked at him. “I know,” a painful expression crossed her face.

  “Look, I caught Carina in bed with another man, in my home. She knew the rules. I told her to never sleep with anyone in my home.”

  His mother stared back at him. “Carina was a young healthy woman with a healthy appetite for sex. I know you weren’t servicing her. I’ve known for years you can’t service a woman in bed. Why didn’t you take my advice and see a doctor. You could have made your marriage work.”

  Ramsey’s voice softened. “Mother, please stop. My marriage to Carina is over.”

  “Yes, but your responsibilities aren’t and since Carina is no longer here to take care of your responsibilities. When I leave I’m leaving you a small gift,” she hesitated. “Maybe I’ll leave you two gifts just so you know I’m serious. I want you to be responsible.”

  As if on cue Big Kona closed the distance between them.

  “Make it count Big Kona – I want him to feel it so that he doesn’t smirch his responsibilities,” his mother said.

  “All right,” the Big Kona said landing a blow.

  Ramsey grimaced. “Damn, mother why?” he slouched over in pain.

  His mother opened up her purse and took out a gold cigarette case. She put a cigarette between her lips and started to light it. She stopped abruptly.

  “Kona go get our little gift and bring it in,” she commanded.

  His mother stared back at him. “Gosh Ramsey, I’ve been waiting to light up this cigarette for weeks. You see how responsible I am Ramsey? I didn’t light it up. It’s not healthy to smoke around kids,” she paused letting her words sink in. “Now that is how responsible I want you to be. Because you’re my oldest child and I know you can. Besides, you should be more responsible than your brother.”

  Chapter 30

  February an old friend

  Two days later, Walker Perrault made his way out of Alexandria International Airport and slowly drove his rent-a-car through the city of Alexandria Louisiana.

  The delightful city was located in the center of Longleaf Pine forest. Walker drove past an old Dr Pepper billboard and smiled, remembering that as a boy his father had driven him down Jackson Street. They were cruising and drinking ice cold Dr Peppers together. The city held many fond memories for him.

  He eased his rental car off of Highway 49 and took the Jackson Street exit. He was headed for PJ’s to have a cup of their famous coffee and to meet someone.

  He drove his car into the parking lot with high anticipation. Sure enough he spotted February Duvall’s old beat-up 1962 Ford truck. It hadn’t changed. Except now it looked like it had a few new dents.

  Walker found a rear door just off the parking lot and went inside. He inhaled the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee through his nostrils and thought he’d died and gone to heaven.

  He spotted February sitting at a table in the back. He was thin, not more than five feet seven inches tall. He needed a shave. His stubble was gray and looked sharp enough to cut. His blue gray eyes held a beautiful twinkle.

  His piping voice held a beautiful sound, like a musical note. “Hello Mr. Walker Edward Edmond Perrault Junior, it’s me February Duvall, your father and mother’s oldest friend. It’s so good to see you again.”

  “Hello February, I guess I’ll never get used to that Southern custom of calling people by their full given birth names.”

  “You just remind me so much of your dad. I feel like I have to say it at least once. How is your mother?”

  Walker took a seat. “She’s fine but she is anxious for some answers.”

  February nodded. “It’s your dollar that you’re paying me with. Shall we get down to business?”

  Walker nodded thoughtfully, “So what have you got for me?”

  “I’ve got a name for you and I know where the woman lives. But she won’t give me any information. I’ve tried. I’ve been down to see her twice but she won’t tell me anything,” February said.

  “Well did you offer her money like I suggested? I told you I would pay her for any information she provided,” Walker said dryly.

  February took a big gulp of his coffee. “She won’t take any money, I tried. She said she wants to see you. She even said your name specifically. It was the strangest thing. I didn’t tell a soul I was working for you. But this lady knew. Somehow she just knew.”

  Walker watched February take another gulp of coffee. The man must have had a tongue of steel. The coffee was hot. He watched the stream pour off of it.

  “She just knew?” Walker asked.

  “Yep, she said she saw your face in the swamp water. She said that she knew you were coming and she told me not to come back again unless I had you with me. Now I can’t tell you your business, but you are a man that’s worth too much money to be going down back up in the swamp and back woods to see some old woman who practices God knows what,” February shuddered, his voice rattled on panicky. “I don’t really want to go back that way myself. That woman owns a pack of fierce looking dogs’. He kept talking about the number of dogs the woman owned.

  Walker interrupted. “What’s her name?”

  February looked around. Then leaned over and whispered, “Mama Moue Redbones.”

  Walker gazed at the February’s eyes. He saw a hint of fear when he said her name. He watched his hand as he took a sip of his coffee. His hand was shaking.

  February took out a silver flask. He poured it into his coffee cup. He took a big gulp then put the cup back down. “Walker’s there’s something you should know. This woman ain’t some fake psychic playing around with a deck of cards or some old bag of bones. This woman is some kind of old fashioned conjure woman. The kind I really don’t like to mess with.”

  He lo
oked on amazed.

  Walker’s thought raced. He remembered the name, Mama Moue Redbones, was the name of a character in one of the stories his father used to tell him as a child.

  “And how do we get there, the place where she lives?”

  A fearful fidgeting shake took over February’s hands as he went to lift his coffee. He placed the cup of coffee back on the table. “What? You still want to go?”

  “You heard me, but I say it a little slower just in case you’re heard of hearing…this time. How do we get to her house from here?”

  “You have to take the back way in to the Kisatchie forest. Way back into the swamp land. There’s nothing but wilderness back there and you have to travel by foot or horseback, until you reach her house.”

  “So when can we leave?” Walker asked.

  “Look, well, I’ve already been up there two times already. That place is not a field trip full of fun,” February said rubbing his face with his hand. “Look I’m not a man easily spooked, but that place has an eerie feeling. But let me make it clear, it’s weird up there,” he said looking off in a daze. “The wind makes a whispering sad and lonely song. It sounds like a dying love song or something. It does funny things to a man’s heart. It can affect a man. I don’t know if you want to go there. Look, I’m just trying to keep you from feeling that sort of crippling pain.”

  “Well, I thank you for looking out for me. But if it’s the money you’re worried about, I’m paying triple pay if you take me there and bring me back,” Walker said assuring him.

  February whistled. “For that kind of money of course I’ll make another trip up there. I thought you wanted me to take you for free.”

  Walker finished his coffee. He come this far. He had to see Mama Moue Redbones, no matter what.

  Chapter 31

  Spa Day with Larissa the private eye

  Three days had passed, since Janeshia and Larissa had come to the Cypress Inn in Carmel California.

  A bank of heavy clouds hang over the Pacific Ocean as Janeshia stared out of the huge window.