A Darker Shade of Midnight (5 page)

“Welcome home.” Uncle Albert blinked then gave her a brief hug.
 

“Thank you,” LaShaun said. “My uncles are still as handsome as ever.”

At six feet four, Uncle Theo still looked powerful even at sixty-one years old. Still his shoulders were more stooped than when she’d last seen him. With salt and pepper bushy hair cut short, he wore checked short-sleeved sport shirt and navy blue Dockers. He beamed at them all and at no one in particular. A shorter but just as formidable looking Albert was six years younger. He frowned around as though checking the room for threats as they entered the parlor.

“Mornin’,” Uncle Albert grumbled. “How you feelin’ this mornin’, Mama?” Always dutiful, to a point, he kissed Monmon Odette on the check then stood back.
 

“Hey, good-lookin’,” Uncle Theo said in his amiable manner. He kissed Monmon Odette on the cheek. “Somebody has been spreadin’ lies, cause you lookin’ way to young and spry to be sick.”
 

“Hello, boys. Sit down. LaShaun gonna fix you some coffee.” Monmon Odette waved her hand at LaShaun to reinforce her instructions.

As LaShaun passed around china cups of strong Louisiana dark roast coffee, more family arrived. Several cousins nodded to LaShaun, then crossed to Rita. They stood near a window talking low. After a few minutes Rita went back to sit on the sofa no far from Monmon Odette and the attorney. Aunt Leah came in with her oldest daughter Azalei. Aunt Leah’s timid husband eased into the room as though determined to go unnoticed. Azalei walked over to LaShaun.

“Hello, cousin. Nice to see you again.” Azalei didn’t wait for a reply. She spun around and went to Monmon Odette. “Hello, dear grandmother. I’m so happy to see you doing better.”

“Are you? Means you and your mama will have to wait a bit longer to inherit.” Monmon Odette pursed her lips.

“We’re more than willing to wait,” Aunt Leah blurted out.
 

“How kind of you to be patient,” Monmon Odette replied placidly. She looked up at her daughter. “I’ll try not to test that patience much longer.”

“I didn’t mean we’re sitting like vultures waiting for you to…” Aunt Leah blinked rapidly as Monmon Odette’s lips curved up in a smile. “Of course you know that’s not true.”

“Hmm.” Monmon Odette accepted a cup of coffee from Rita. “Thank you, dear. So Mr. Martin, shall we get started?” Conversation died away.

“Ah, right. I have the will you created. However your granddaughter has some changes.” Martin cleared his throat.
 

LaShaun shrugged when everyone looked at her. “I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

“When Monmon got so sick I took over. Her memory and judgment were affected by illness of course. So she gave me power of attorney for her business affairs and her medical needs,” Rita said.

“Say what?” Aunt Leah blinked hard and fast as.

LaShaun gazed around at the faces. She could tell this was a news flash to all, and not a welcome one either. Monmon Odette seemed unfazed. LaShaun wondered if her grandmother even remembered signing those legal documents. Rita turned to Monmon Odette.

“You gave me power of attorney freely, isn’t that right?” Rita spoke slowly as though she was being tolerant of her grandmother’s mental shortcomings.

“Did I? I seem to recall something about that,” Monmon Odette replied.
 

Rita looked at LaShaun first, then at the rest of her relatives. “Monmon Odette has good days, and bad days. In her best interest, I’ve taken control. Her assets have been placed in a trust, and I’m the sole trustee.”

“What the hell?” Uncle Theo looked at his sister Leah. “Did you know about this?”

“No, I didn’t.” Aunt Leah stood up and looked down at Rita. “Don’t think for one damn minute that I won’t challenge this slick move.”

“Me, too,” Uncle Albert said. “I’ve got my lawyer on speed dial, girl.”

“Yes, we all know how much you like to sue other folks, Uncle Albert,” Rita said. She stood to face her aunt. “

 
“Well, you pulled off a slick move,” Aunt Leah hissed.

Azalei stepped between them. “Let’s not fight, mama. Rita is going to be fair to us all I’m sure.”
 

“Huh?” Aunt Leah looked at her daughter in shock.

“Trust me,” Azalei said quietly. “Rita and I discussed these arrangements. We’ll get a loan to help our business, and the rest of the assets will be managed wisely. Mr. Martin drew up the trust with protections.” She raised an eyebrow as some sort of signal to her mother.
 

Aunt Leah calmed down, but only a little. She shot a warning look at Rita. “We’ll see.”

“See hell.” Uncle Theo pointed at Martin. “I’d like to take a look at those papers. You, hand ‘em over.”

“Uncle Theo, Monmon Odette’s lawyer has done a very good job making all of the necessary legal arrangements. We’ll be happy to discuss the details. That’s why I called this meeting.” Rita crossed her arms.

“You called this meeting?” LaShaun glanced at her grandmother. “Monmon Odette.”

“Rita suggested a family meeting to have my lawyer explain the particulars of how I want my estate passed on.” Monmon Odette wore a smile. Her dark Creole eyes twinkled.

“Which is exactly what Mr. Martin did.
 
Monmon’s lawyer has everything nice and legal. Right, Monmon?” Rita wore a satisfied expression as she faced her fuming relatives.

“I’m sure you think so, except he’s not my lawyer.” Monmon Odette sipped from her cup.
 

Rita shook her head slowly, and wore a sad smile. “See, LaShaun. Monmon Odette gets confused sometimes. That’s all right, I’ll take care of everything.”

“Excuse me.” Savannah Honoré stood in the door. Her appearance made more than a few jaws drop. She wore a slight frown. “Sorry to get here late, Mrs. Rousselle. You did say nine thirty, right?”

“Good morning, child. You’re right on time.
 
Get up, Azalei, and let Savannah sit down.” Monmon Odette pushed Azalei from her seat and gestured to Savannah. “Come sit next to me. LaShaun will get you a cup of coffee.”

LaShaun leaned down, and whispered. “What are you up to, and why is she here?”

“Don’t be rude by whispering around others, LaShaun.” Monmon Odette sat straight. She smiled as Savannah sat down on the antique settee next to her chair. “LaShaun wants to know what’s going on, and why Savannah is here. I’m sure that’s a burning question the rest of you have as well, heh?”
 

“This is a family meeting. Outsiders shouldn’t be hearing our business, Monmon.” Rita gave the newcomer a stony look. “Now you see why I needed to take control. I knew Monmon was incompetent, but this is beyond crazy. A St. Julien of all people.”
 

“Someone should be in control, but don’t count on it being you for long,” Uncle Albert shot back.

“Bring it on, Uncle Albert,” Rita said calmly. She turned to Savannah. “I’m my grandmother’s guardian. I don’t care why you’re here, but it’s time to leave.”

“Rita, sit down and listen.” Monmon Odette’s sharp tone made the others snapped to attention.

“You don’t seem to understand, grandmother. Our lawyer will explain it too you later. I’m in charge now.” Rita’s cold expression seemed triumphant.

“No,
you
don’t understand. Mr. Martin is not my lawyer. Mrs. Honoré is my lawyer, and we’ve drafted a new trust and will.” Monmon Odette’s voice grew stronger as she spoke. “By the way, that power of attorney has been revoked. My lawyer will show you the order.”

Chapter 4

“Your lawyer?” LaShaun and Rita blurted out in unison.

“That’s ridiculous,” Rita shouted.

“Calm down,” Devin Martin said to Rita. He looked ruffled, but worked to keep his cool.
 

“Yeah, you tried to run a game, but Mama figure you out fast,” Uncle Albert said pointing a stubby forefinger at Rita.

“Shut up,” Rita snapped back.

“Don’t tell my daddy to shut up,” one Uncle Albert’s daughters shouted over his shoulder. “You lookin’ to get a good ass-whippin’.”

“Stop hiding behind your daddy and step up then,” Azalei replied, standing next to Rita.

“I think we can discuss these matters in a more civil way.” Martin blinked hard when a shoving match broke out to his left between arguing cousins.
 

Savannah stood behind Monmon Odette’s chair. She signaled to LaShaun. “Can’t you settle these folks down?”

“Me? I’m still in shock over my grandmother hiring you as her attorney.” LaShaun stared at Savannah. “Our families have been feuding for longer than we’ve been alive.”

“I was–” Savannah’s eye went wide as she looked past LaShaun.
 

LaShaun followed her gaze. One cousin had grabbed another one around the collar and was shaking him. “Damn. Help me get my grandmother out of here.”

“I’m just fine. I don’t want to miss a minute of this. Most excitement I’ve had in a long time.” Monmon Odette waved away LaShaun’s attempt to help her out of the chair.

“Monmon Odette, you started this mess. Now fix it.” LaShaun stared at her grandmother.

“What we need is a SWAT team,” Savannah muttered. She took out her smart phone and dialed 911.

Monmon Odette stood suddenly startling LaShaun and Savannah.
 
“Don’t y’all want to know the terms of my new will?”
 

Her voice cracked through the clamor. Everyone looked at Monmon Odette. She sat down again with a grunt. “I thought so. Savannah, give them the particulars.”

Savannah leaned down to her. “I’m not sure this is the best time.”

“Yes it is. Go on.” Monmon Odette nodded.

“Ahem, well, uh.” Savannah looked at LaShaun who shrugged, so she took out her tablet device. “Basically the will specifies that LaShaun receive the house, its contents and the land surrounding it.”

“Oh hell no,” Azalei broke in before Savannah could go on. “This is the thanks we get after all we’ve done for you?”

“Keep talking, Savannah, and don’t pay any mind to that irritating interruption.” Monmon Odette glared at Azalei.

“LaShaun is also the trustee of the revocable living trust which includes a list of the following assets.” Savannah stopped when Monmon Odette lifted a hand.

“That’s all they need to know. I’m sure my children and grandchildren know everything I own down the last blade of grass, and every penny.” Monmon Odette turned to her relatives. “You’ll have to find out how much is left when I’m dead, and not before. The most important thing to know is that LaShaun will make sure my wishes are carried out.”

Rita pushed past Uncle Theo to stand in front of Monmon Odette. “I’m not surprised. You always put her ahead of everyone else, and especially me. Now let’s see if this stands up in court. Everyone knows you’re mind is going, not to mention being in poor health and on strong medications.”

“Savannah?” Monmon Odette gazed back at Rita.

“I can successfully argue that you took advantage of Mrs. Rousselle while she was in a weakened state. The legal phrase is exerting undue influence. Once Mrs. Rousselle recovered mentally and physically after treatment…”

“Everybody knows that my doctors worked a miracle bringing me back to life,” Monmon Odette added, and made the sign of the cross. “With power from the good Lord, of course.”

“Once she recovered,” Savannah continued, “Mrs. Rousselle realized she needed to make some changes.”

“Well that don’t sound much better than when Rita took over,” Uncle Albert huffed for a few seconds. “Leah, you didn’t know all this was goin’ on under our noses? I thought you was supposed to be on top of things.”

“Of course I didn’t. Now shut up,” Aunt Leah cut him off.

“But Azalei just said she wanted the best for Monmon. I’d think you all would be thrilled that she’s doing so well that she could consult her own attorney and make all these plans. Sounds to me like she’s doing just fine.” LaShaun said, and smothered a laugh before it escaped.

Azalei walk over to face her. She jabbed a finger in LaShaun’s chest. “You’re not going to waltz back into town and take everything from us. We’re the ones who have taken care of her, and she’s not even grateful.”

Rage crackled beneath LaShaun’s skin like an itch. She could feel heat rising from the point of contact on her chest “You need to back away from me”

“What are you gonna do?” Azalei whispered. “I’m not a kid anymore scared to face up to you.”

“You should be.”
 

LaShaun grabbed the finger and bent it back until Azalei squeaked in agony. When Rita tried to intervene, LaShaun slapped her hard across the face. Rita spat a curse word, but before she could act, LaShaun wrapped her fingers around Rita’s throat and squeezed. The rage drove LaShaun when she saw the animosity in her cousin’s eyes. Devin managed to get between the two women and pry LaShaun’s hand free. Rita stumbled back gasping for air. Aunt Leah pushed forward yelling at LaShaun. Another cousin grabbed her scarf and pulled her back.

“Y’all don’t think we know you and Azalei are in on this deal with Rita?” The cousin screamed. “Go on, LaShaun, whip her ass. We got your back.”