False Pretenses (31 page)

He looked at Pierce and then Zoe. “You two stay together. Everybody run! Find a place to hide.”

Vanessa ran as fast as she could, deeper into the woods, trusting Noah would be able to find the way back. A paralyzing cramp gripped her calf. She hopped over behind a tree and slid down to the ground, her back to the trunk, and started kneading the muscle. The pain in her shoulder made it impossible to press hard enough.

Noah crouched on the ground, facing her. “Relax. Let me do that. Is that a gunshot wound in your shoulder?”

Vanessa nodded and started to cry, then willed away the tears. “You wouldn’t believe the day I’ve had.”

“The man who’s after you, who is he?”

“A drug dealer named Reagan Cowen. He’s mistaken the other lady, Zoe Broussard, for someone who owes him money. Zoe and her husband, Pierce, have been hiding in the house. I guess you know that much. Cowen’s dangerous. He’s responsible for hanging a man from Les Barbes. He would’ve hung me, if I hadn’t escaped.”

“Well, you haven’t exactly escaped just yet.” He looked at her shoulder, then craned and peeked out from behind the tree. “I think we’ve gone far enough. Let’s rest here. We need to get you to a doctor as soon as possible. At least the blood looks dry. That’s a good sign.”

“Who are you?” Vanessa said. “Why have you been sneaking into our house? How did you even know about the tunnel?”

Noah gently kneaded her calf and seemed to avoid eye contact. “My great-grandmother G. G. used to tell me stories about this place. Her ancestors were slaves here—bought at an auction by Josiah Langley. Did you know he and his wife, Abigail, were involved in the Underground Railroad?”

“No.” Vanessa’s mind raced with the implications. “So
that’s
what the tunnel was used for?”

He nodded. “Actually there’re two tunnels. The cops nailed one of ’em shut. G. G. knew all about this place and the secret tunnels Mr. Langley built so he could bring in slaves and get ’em ready for their journey north. Langley and the Missus were stationmasters, and Langley Manor was one of the key stations for slaves bein’ smuggled out of South Louisiana.” Noah half smiled. “Hundreds of slaves were hidden in that house. They came in through the tunnels and out through the closet. Stayed in that upstairs room until they were ready to be moved to the next station.

“We had no idea.” Vanessa felt her calf muscle start to relax as Noah continued kneading. “The Cajuns in this area resented the Langleys and thought they were snooty.”

“The Langleys kept their distance from folks in order to guard the secret. When they built this place, they named it Langley Manor instead of Langley Plantation so folks would think they were uppity Brits who had no intention of adaptin’ to a new culture. Gave ’em space to operate.”

“What a sacrifice,” Vanessa said, “choosing to let others think badly of them so they could do something good.”

Noah gently stretched out her leg on the ground. “G. G. told me that Mr. Langley tried to free his own slaves, but they didn’t wanna go. He treated ’em so well that they asked to stay and help him with the Underground Railroad. My great-grandmother’s great-grandmother was one of those slaves. Her Christian name was Naomi. That’s really all I know ’bout her.”

“That’s amazing.” Vanessa’s gaze collided with Noah’s. “But you still didn’t tell me why you’ve been sneaking into the manor house.”

“Well, I, uh—”

A shot rang out. And then another and another—a staccato of gunfire echoed in the forest. And then it stopped.

CHAPTER 32

Zoe dug her fingers into Pierce’s arm, her heart thumping erratically, and waited in the tension-filled silence for more gunfire.

Seconds passed, the only sound their rapid breathing. She let go of Pierce’s arm but remained next to him, hunkered down behind a fallen tree. “Who do you think Cowan was shooting at?”

“I don’t know,” Pierce said, “but someone returned his fire. Maybe Jude’s deputies finally made it. I think we should stay here until we’re sure.”

She studied his expression. The indifference was gone—at least for now. She relished the moment and wished she could hold on to it.

“Thanks for taking charge in the tunnel,” she said. “I was having a panic attack.”

“I know how scared you are of spiders. I was surprised you even went in.”

“Me too, but I didn’t have a choice.” She shuddered, remembering the spider eggs so close to her skin. “I knew you’d understand. I’m not sure the others did.”

“The important thing is we made it out. But it’s not over yet.”

Zoe sat on her heels, afraid to end their undeclared truce by saying something that might set him off.

A couple minutes passed. The only sound she heard was the cawing of a crow.

Finally Pierce said, “Zoe … what are we going to do when this is over?”

“Go home?” Had she said the words out loud, or was it just wishful thinking?

“And then what?” His eyes glistened. “How do we reconcile all the lies?”

“I never lied about loving you. Falling for you was the most honest thing I’ve ever done.” Zoe ran her thumb across the diamonds on her wedding band. “But when we met, I’d already become Zoe Benoit. I’d already used the money I got from the stolen ring to start up the eatery. I hated lying to you.” She glanced up at him. “But it was either lie or lose you—some choice.”

“Did you ever consider that maybe I didn’t want to lose you either?”

“I figured you would, once you found out I started Zoe B’s with dishonest money—and that my family was just poor white trash.”

“Will you please stop referring to yourself that way?” Pierce bopped her on the arm with his palm. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t marry you unless you were Cajun? I fell in love with your heart, Zoe. Your family tree doesn’t matter. What
does
matter to me is honesty. And everything I know about you has been a lie.”

“Not anymore.” Zoe cupped his face in her hands. “Now that you know the truth, there’s no reason for me to lie.”

“How could I ever be sure? I never suspected you were lying before. What does that say about
me?
I feel like a complete fool.”

“Don’t. My new identity became so real to me that I almost believed it myself.”

Pierce rolled his eyes. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? How can we have a future together as long as I know you have the power to deceive me?”

“But why would I want to? I’m relieved I don’t have to lie anymore.”

“Well, good for you, Zoe,” he said sarcastically. “It’s great that you’re
relieved
. It’s a whole lot more complicated than that for me—”

“Zoe and Pierce Broussard. Vanessa Langley. This is Sheriff Jude Prejean.” His booming voice echoed, as if it were coming through a bullhorn. “Cowen is dead. Please return to the manor house immediately. Repeat: Please return to the manor house immediately. The threat is over.”

Over?
Zoe could almost hear the door to Pierce’s heart slam shut. One life-altering crisis had ended, but another was just beginning.

Zoe sat across from Jude Prejean and Aimee Rivette at the oblong table in interview room one, going over and over the details of her involvement with Reagan Cowen.

“
Are we about finished?” Zoe looked from Jude to Aimee and back to Jude. “I’m exhausted. I’d really like to go home.”

“We appreciate your helping us piece this thing together,” Jude said. “When my deputies took him out, Cowen was wearing a size ten and a half Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boot, an exact match to one of shoe prints we cast at the scene of Remy’s hanging. Vanessa told us that Cowen admitted he hanged Remy to stir things up and distract law enforcement while he came after you. He took some serious risks, trying to get his hundred thousand.”

“This was about more than just the money.” Zoe glanced up at the black-and-white clock on the wall. “He wanted to teach Zoe Benoit a lesson for disappearing with her inheritance and not paying him what her parents owed. If it hadn’t been for the feature in the newspaper, he would never have found me—and assumed I was the Zoe Benoit he was looking for. It was totally a case of mistaken identity.”

“Yes, I’m satisfied it was. I believe we’re done here.” Jude looked over at Aimee. “Would you give us the room?”

“Sure.” Aimee gathered her notes, then got up and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Jude turned his pencil upside down and bounced the eraser on the table. “I’m sure you don’t need a lecture to know how lucky you are that you never went to jail for stealing the ring—or that Cowen didn’t slit your throat or put a bullet through your head.”

“Believe me, I don’t. At least I’ve arranged to make monthly payments to Mrs. Woodmore until I’ve paid back the value of the ring.”

“I respect you for doing that. Legally, no one can force you to since the statute of limitations has run.” Jude let half a minute pass, and then said, “How’re you and Pierce doing?”

“Not so great. As soon as Gil and Stone are finished questioning him, he’s going to drive down to Houma and stay with his parents. I think it’s over between us.”

Jude winced. “I’m sorry, Zoe.”

“Who can blame him? I’m not the woman he married. I’m a thief and a liar. He’s better off without me.”

“Do you really believe that?”

Zoe blinked to clear her eyes, and a tear spilled down her cheek. “I don’t know.”

“I think you do.” Jude tilted her chin. “We’ve known each other for ten years. I admit I’m surprised and disappointed. I don’t condone the choices you made, but I’m not going to throw you under the bus either. There’s a lot more to Zoe Broussard than her mistakes.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“I am.” Jude made a tent with his fingers. “What you and Pierce have together is worth saving.”

“What is it we
have
, since the woman he fell in love with never existed?”

“Well, that’s what the two of you need to figure out.” Jude leaned forward on his elbows and looked her in the eyes. “He’s in love with
someone.
Don’t you think it’s time you accepted her?”

“What if I don’t like her?”

“What if you do? It’s not just your name and where you were born and who your parents are that defines you. All that’s just background noise. The real deal is the person Pierce fell in love with. Deep down, he knows that. And so do you.”

Savannah rushed out of the kitchen at Zoe B’s and over to the table by the window, where Father Sam, Hebert, and Tex were still seated.

“I just got off the phone with Zoe.” Savannah set a carafe of fresh coffee on the table. “She wanted me to tell y’all that she and Pierce are down at the sheriff’s department. They’d been hiding out at Langley Manor—from the suspect that was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies!”

“The man suspected in Remy’s murder?” Father Sam said.

Savannah nodded. “Vanessa Langley tried to help them and was shot in the shoulder. She’s been taken out to the medical center.”

“Mercy,” Tex said. “How did those three get involved with someone like
that?”

“All I know is that he was a customer here.”

“That’s disturbing,” Father Sam said. “Zoe didn’t tell you his name?”

“No. She said he wasn’t from this area and to watch the news.”

“Langley Manor?” Hebert stroked the stubble on his chin. “What’s dat about?”

Savannah shrugged. “I’m still in shock. Zoe wanted us all to know that she’ll be at Remy’s funeral tomorrow. But that Pierce was going to Houma and stay with his mom and dad. She asked if Benson would take his shift for a few days.”

Hebert sat back in his chair, his lips pursed, his head cocked. “Pierce had to rush off, wid Remy’s funeral tomorrow? Dat’s peculiar.”

“Very,” Savannah said.

“Especially since Pierce was so fond of Remy—and Emile.” Father Sam pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. “He wouldn’t miss the funeral if he could help it.”

“Dat’s fuh shore,” Hebert said.

“He wouldn’t give up his kitchen that long either.” Savannah folded her arms across her chest. “Whatever business he has must need his immediate attention.”

“What business you tink is more important dan Remy’s funeral?” Hebert said.

Savannah arched her eyebrows. “Maybe Pierce’s parents need help. It’s not like Zoe to be so private, though. She’s definitely not volunteering anything on this.”

Vanessa hung up the phone and looked out into the parking lot at Hargrave Medical Center. The shot of Demerol she received was starting to wear off.

“Well?” Ethan squeezed her hand. “It sounded like your folks took the news better than we thought they would.”

“Probably because they can’t see how awful I look.”

“Your injuries
are
awful.” Ethan brought her hand to his lips. “But you, my love—alive and safe—are the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.”

Vanessa smiled in spite of herself. “This from the man who thought I was beautiful when I was nine months pregnant and looked liked a hippo.”

“You were, undoubtedly, the loveliest hippo I’d ever seen. Still are.” Ethan laughed and ducked, his hands in front of his face.

Vanessa grabbed the extra pillow, giggling all the while, but didn’t have the energy to throw it.

“This really isn’t a laughing matter.” Ethan lowered his hands. “Finish telling me about your conversation with your folks.”

“You heard my side of the conversation. They’re just glad the bullet wound was superficial and I’m alive. Mom said Cowen practically signed his own death certificate when he held a sheriff’s deputy at gunpoint. They had no choice but to take him out.”

“It’s unfortunate it came to that,” Ethan said, “but it’s hard to feel too bad, knowing he’d kill again.”