Read Bayou Betrayal for Free Online

of any reason why someone would want to scare you out of town?”
    Saturday breakfast was officially over. The deputy sat with his notebook open, pen poised and inquiring stare locked directly on Monique’s face. He looked very handsome with that serious expression on his face. Even with her clogged sinuses, she could detect the hint of his aftershave. Woodsy and nature-y. And surprisingly comforting.
    â€œI told you yesterday, maybe my new relatives found out who I am and that I’m in town and didn’t like it.” She lifted what she hoped looked like a casual shoulder.
    He shook his head. “I can’t believe Luc or Felicia would do such a thing.”
    â€œYou won’t even talk to them about this?” Monroe, Louisiana, wasn’t exactly a metropolis, but at least they followed through on leads. In contrast, this small town policing left a lot to be desired. What had she gotten into by coming here?
    â€œSure, I’ll talk to them, but I’m almost positive they aren’t involved. Probably don’t even know you exist. I’m asking if you can think of anyone else.”
    Great. He’d talk to them. She could only imagine how that questioning would play out.
    â€œIs there someone in your life from Monroe who could be threatening you?”
    â€œThe accomplice to my husband’s murder.”
    The pen dropped from his fingers to roll on the table. “Your husband was murdered?”
    Time for the whole story now. She’d hoped not to have to tell this tale yet again, but knew that was just wishful thinking. Her mouth went dry. She took a sip of the now-cooled coffee. “Yes. Killed in a drive-by shooting.”
    His eyes softened with his tone. “Would you mind elaborating, if you can?”
    â€œKent was a private investigator, one of the best in the parish. He’d even been hired a couple of times by the Monroe Police Department to work a cold case when they had nothing. He was that good.” Tears burned in her throat. When would she be able to tell the story without having her heart ripped from her chest? Maybe when she felt justice had been served. Real justice.
    Gary laid his hand over hers. “I don’t mean to pry. I’m just trying to do my job and figure out what’s going on. Do my best to keep you safe.”
    â€œIt’s okay.” She pulled her hand into her lap. “He was leaving work one night and was shot and killed.”
    â€œIs that common in Monroe?”
    She forced a weak smile. “Not so much.”
    â€œDid the police ever catch the shooter?”
    She nodded. “Someone’s in prison for murdering Kent, yes.”
    â€œBut? I detect a bit of hesitation there.”
    Pausing, she inhaled and exhaled slowly. “I think he had an accomplice who was never charged. I think one guy took the fall.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBecause the guy in jail confessed to being both the driver and the shooter. His prints were on the gun, his hand had gunpowder residue.”
    â€œDid he admit to having an accomplice?”
    â€œNo. He testified that he acted alone.”
    â€œYou don’t buy it?”
    â€œThe driver and the shooter being the same person? No, I don’t think so.”
    â€œWhy would he confess to acting alone? Protecting someone, maybe?”
    â€œI don’t know. I begged the Monroe Police Department to look into that angle, but they didn’t bother.”
    â€œWhat was the reason he gave for shooting your husband?”
    She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “He said it was random, that he didn’t even know who Kent was. He claimed he was high.”
    â€œDid the tox screens confirm that?”
    â€œYes, but he was always high. A lot of drug usage in his history. Coke, meth, pot, pills…you name it, this guy had tried it.”
    â€œBut you don’t believe he acted alone?”
    â€œNot for one minute. It’s too