Between Dusk and Dawn (23 page)

“
Humph,” was Chase’s only
reply. “Did Mr. Young leave last night like he said?”

“
Yes. He’s staying with
friends in St. Francisville, which is only a fifteen minute drive
from Feliciana Forensic. He likes to stay the weekend and visit
with Manny twice.” LaShaun stretched her legs. “He’s very devoted
to his grandson. You have to admire him for that. A lot of families
back away under the circumstances.”

“
The rest of the Young and
Hebert families did just that. Mr. Orin and his wife are about the
only ones who stuck by Manny. At first most of them were just as
vocal that Manny was innocent. When the facts came out even they
couldn’t stomach him. Three weeks into the trial his granddaddy was
in that courtroom all by his lonesome. His wife’s health started
going down about that time, too.” Chase shook his head. “Tragic
situation all around.”

“
I guess it was tense with
the victim’s families there, too. Had to have been hard on Mr.
Young facing them.” LaShaun looked at Chase.

“
That’s the thing, just two
people showed up. A brother of the male victim came to the trial,
and the aunt of one female victim.”

Chase broke off to pay attention to a
fast moving low slung sports car riding his bumper. He eased into
another lane. The blue BMW 650 I zipped past them and blended back
into their lane ahead of them.

“
Idiot! Another reason I’m
happy to be in podunk back roads bayou country.” Chase blew out
air.

“
Relax and enjoy the view.
We’re driving through lovely country on a lovely day.” LaShaun
placed a hand on his firm thigh.

“
Sure. Just an entertaining
road trip to see a serial killer. To make it even more special we
get to hang out with his equally crazy and dangerous roomies. Good
times.” Chase glanced at her sideways. “I don’t know why you’re in
such a cheerful mood.”

“
I can’t help loving extra
time with you, even under the circumstances.” LaShaun winked at
him.

Chase covered her hand with his and
rubbed the stone of her engagement ring with his thumb. “You’re a
sweet talker. In a minute you’re going to convince me to have a
good time.”

“
We’ve got sunshine and
good music. We can stop at one of those great restaurants for lunch
on the way back. Make it a day.”

“
Lunch, yes. But I’ve got
to get back. We’re meeting with the district attorney, state police
and Iberia Parish Sheriff this afternoon.” Chase shrugged when
LaShaun pursed her lips in disappointment. “They’re all eager to
hear what I find out.”

“
And no wonder. He was only
connected to twelve murders. Eight more are unsolved.” LaShaun’s
bright mood dimmed.

He let go of her hand to hold the
wheel again. “Yeah, that was some killing season Manny
had.”

“
You don’t know he did them
all though. No conclusive evidence even though they fit the
pattern. I’ve been reading up on the subject. Some experts believe
there are at least two more killers in our area alone,” LaShaun
said.

“
Have you been listening to
that jerk Schaffer? Please.” Chase gave a grunt of
irritation.

“
Give the devil his due.
Schaffer interviewed some very credible experts on criminal
behavior and paranormal phenomena. I watched his show Tuesday
night.”

“
You’ve gone over to the
dark side,” Chase quipped.

She laughed. “Schaffer isn’t ‘the
enemy’ really. He’s wants to grab the ratings and keep his show
from being cancelled.”

“
We should be so
lucky.”

“
There’s another show that
seems to be more popular, you know the one. They do investigations,
and spend the night in so-called haunted houses or buildings.
Anyway, Schaffer said something that made sense. Manny may have had
a partner in crime. It’s unusual, but not unheard of for two
sadistic killers to team up.”

“
If Manny did have a
partner he’s good at leaving no traces behind. Must be a ghost,”
Chase retorted, then sucked in a breath. “I can’t believe I just
said that to you of all people.”

“
Better me than Schaffer,”
LaShaun said dryly.

“
Amen. I can just hear the
next commercial. ‘A lead investigator with the Vermillion Parish
Sheriff Department believes a ghost is stalking its next victim!’
M.J. wouldn’t fire me, she’d strangle me.” Chase shook his head.
When LaShaun laughed again he grimaced at her. “I’m not even
joking.”

LaShaun tried to answer, but couldn’t
stop laughing. Finally she brought herself under control. She
breathed deeply a few times to recover. “Sorry, nervous
energy.”

“
Glad I could help.” Chase
took one had off the steering wheel long enough to tickle her
cheek.

“
Orin Young would be all
over that slip of the tongue.” LaShaun grew solemn again at the
thought of the grim faced older man.

“
Yeah, his ‘the devil made
him do it’ defense.” Chase drove on wearing a slight frown. “Honey,
you wouldn’t happen to have any kind of vision about this whole
deal. I mean it is kind of crazy that Willie Dupuis knew
Manny.”

She nodded slowly. “Patsy described
some strange happenings going on that sound a lot like what Willie
told us about.”

“
What?” Chase looked from
the road too long and the truck drifted out of their lane. A blue
Chevrolet honked at him, and Chase pulled the steering wheel with a
jerk to straighten the truck again.

“
You might want to pay
attention,” LaShaun said calmly.

“
You might want to avoid
shocking the hell out of me with bombshells about my
investigation,” Chase replied in a tart tone.

“
I’m not sure how much of
what she said was even true, Chase. Besides that there may be no
connection at all. She and Tommy apparently met up with friends for
drinking, drugging and sex. The parties were in some old house
south of Black Bayou.”

“
Oh well that narrows it
down,” Chase said with a snort.

“
Yeah, I know. Anyway,
seems the whole point was for them to get wasted and laid. Pardon
my crude and blunt description.” LaShaun gazed at the road ahead as
she thought about Patsy’s tale.

“
Wasted and laid parties
fit Patsy’s taste, and Tommy’s. I’m not surprised those two found
each other.” Chase guided his truck up the incline to the large
Mississippi River Bridge into Baton Rouge. “Nah, it’s too wild to
think that Patsy and Willie were running in the same
circles.”

“
But possible.” LaShaun
looked at him.

“
Sleepy Vermillion Parish
has its share of folks who enjoy gettin’ their freak on. Trust me.
The French Quarter in New Orleans ain’t got nothin’ on us.” Chase
shook his head.

LaShaun raised an eyebrow at him. “You
forget you’re talking to the infamous wild Rousselle girl? I caused
some spicy gossip about my behavior back in the day.”

“
I know,” Chase glanced at
her sideways. “I’m hoping at least some of those stories are
true.”

He laughed when she slapped his arm,
and even harder when she glared at him. Before long they were
laughing together and singing along with the Cajun songs blaring
from his CD player. For a while longer LaShaun could almost believe
they were on a pleasure trip. They passed through Baton Rouge
quickly despite the morning traffic. Soon they were on historic
Highway 61 heading out of East Baton Rouge Parish. Industrial
plants spread out along the corridor that led into a portion of
Louisiana’s Plantation Country. They passed the Port Hudson Civil
War Battle site, and decided they would return to visit the museum.
Twenty minutes later they turned onto Highway 68 leading to East
Feliciana Parish. The two lane paved roadway dipped down and back
up over small hills. Tall trees and thick brush lined both sides
and arched overhead to create a leafy tunnel. They had a brief
glimpse of Asphodel Plantation around a curve. Minutes later yellow
signs warned them not to pick up hitchhikers along the road. The
white wooden fence and pretty pastures with grazing cattle gave way
to chain fencing with barbed wire looped along the top. Dixon
Correctional Institute looked deceptively peaceful. Less than a
mile from the highway prisoners were outside. Some played
basketball. Others lifted weights. Most stood or sat around in
groups. LaShaun felt the simmering anger, frustration and confusion
coming from them. She turned away in an attempt to shield herself
from the onslaught of strong emotions. She had to get ready. Soon
she would be in an even more tumultuous place.

“
Anything wrong?” Chase
said.

“
I’ll be okay in a
minute.”

LaShaun closed her eyes and mentally
formed a peaceful image; her grandmother’s garden in spring when
she was seven years old. Her mother, Francine, was home for once
and seemed happy. Francine played jump rope while Monmon Odette cut
roses and gardenias. Francine’s musical laughter made the sunshine
warmer and brighter.

LaShaun focused on those memories, and
the sick feeling gradually subsided. She recited a prayer several
times as she took in and let out slow breaths. Strength flowed into
her for what she knew would be the challenge to come. A gentle
touch on her arm made her open her eyes. They were in a line of
vehicles waiting to enter the grounds. A huge sign with white
letters reading East Louisiana State Hospital told her they’d
arrived at their destination. Chase’s dark eyebrows pulled together
as he gazed at her with concern in his dark eyes.

“
Maybe we shouldn’t go
through with this. I’m getting the jitters, and I’m no
psychic.”

“
I’m okay. Don’t worry.”
LaShaun sat up straight, took his hand and squeezed it.

“
Would you tell me if you
weren’t?” Chase said.

“
Yes,” she said
quietly.

Satisfied, he looked ahead again. “The
white truck up there, that’s Orin Young.”

LaShaun followed his gaze. “He’s
staring into his rearview mirror, looking for us I think. Wave at
him.”

Chase waved several times to get his
attention. The older man finally stuck an arm out of his window and
waved back. “He’s hoping you’ll somehow make everyone believe that
Manny isn’t responsible. At the very least he wants to save him
from death row.”

“
Like anyone would listen
to me. I worry that we’re raising his expectations,” LaShaun
said.

“
Me and M.J. kept telling
him the goal is to get information to clear up other murders, not
to pull off some rescue for Manny,” Chase replied.

“
People hear what they want
to hear, Chase. Every fake psychic and con artist knows
that.”

LaShaun tapped a foot as the line
slowly moved forward. Orin Young’s truck was three vehicles ahead
of them. He slowly approached the guard station. One uniformed
security guard stood checking in cars entering. Another guard stood
on the exit side and examined vehicles leaving. Both glanced over
the interiors of cars, and checked trucks or truck beds. LaShaun
leaned forward. She was now eager to get in and meet the notorious
Blood River Ripper. Chase gave her thigh a pat.

“
I know, but security is
too important to rush. I’m getting wound up about what we might
find out, too. The cop in me likes to get all the answers.” Chase
observed the guards. “They’re doing a good job.”

“
Remember, Manny won’t let
you be in the room with us,” LaShaun replied.

Chase scowled to show how he felt
about that. “Yeah.”

Minutes later it was their turn. Chase
flashed his ID and badge, and then assured the guard he’d locked up
his handgun. The guard checked the metal locked tool box right
behind the extended cab.

“
We’re going to visit a
prisoner at the Forensic Unit, “Chase told her.

“
Right. Got you on this
list. Sorry for the wait. Y’all have a nice day.” The woman smiled
at him.

“
Thanks.” Chase drove on
keeping to the fifteen mile an hour speed limit on the grounds.
“Like coming here could ever start off a nice day.”

“
The grounds are beautiful.
The hospital opened in 1848, and the first patients were brought on
flatboats down the Mississippi River from New Orleans. The main
building up ahead is on the National Historic Register. It looks
like an old antebellum mansion, lovely with marble floors and even
a ballroom on the third floor. But in the basement patients were
kept in leg and arm chains attached to the wall. I stayed up late
reading the history since I couldn’t sleep.”

“
I’d hate to be working the
night shift in there on Halloween.”

They turned away from the main
building. The truck tires crunched on the narrow gravel road as
they went to a line of buildings south of the main building. Razor
wire announced that this portion of the hospital was different. The
Forensic Unit was separated from the cottages where regular
patients were housed. Those patients walked around the campus with
relative freedom. Some worked on the grounds.

Another guard directed them to the
area for official vehicles since Chase was law enforcement. He
parked and cut the engine. “We ready for this?”