Mischief in Mudbug (13 page)

Helena jumped off the bed. “I don’t have to take this abuse.” She stalked out of the room.

Sabine gave a silent prayer of thanks and reported Helena’s exit to Raissa.

“Well, since I’m pretty sure you’re not going to be arrested for having someone else eat your hospital food, do you want to tell me what she stole?” Raissa said.

“Hospital records.” Sabine pointed over her head and behind the recliner. “She threw them behind the chair when the nurse came in. I am going straight to jail if they catch me with these files in my room.”

Helena stuck her head in through the wall. “Please,” she said. “Like you wouldn’t have been in trouble if we’d got caught in the records room last night. You weren’t whining when it was about you.”

“Breaking into the records room is not the same as stealing the records,” Sabine shot back, but she seriously doubted her voice carried the same conviction as her words. “Don’t you have a buffet to conquer?”

Helena gave her the finger and popped back out the wall.

“And take off that habit,” Sabine yelled after her. “It’s sacrilegious.”

Raissa raised her eyebrows, and Sabine remembered the psychic could only hear one side of the conversation. “We sorta helped ourselves to the medical records room last night.”

“And it required wearing habits?” Raissa shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t think I want to know. What were you looking for exactly? Or is this answer going to be as bad as the habit one?”

“I wanted to check the files on my family.”

“You were hoping to find one with a ‘psychotic killer’ notation on it?” Raissa asked.

“No. I mean, I was kinda hoping for some indication of instability or something. I thought that might narrow things down a bit.”

“And you’re certain your family is the problem?”

“Yes, no…I don’t know. All I know is my family is the only thing new in my life, well, except Helena, so I figured it has to have something to do with them. And they’d have to be crazy to want to kill me, because I’m not asking for anything…yet, and even if I get around to it, it’s not going to be money. I’ve already turned down a business loan from Catherine.”

“Sounds reasonable—in the sort of reason you and Maryse have taken to since Helena appeared. So what did you find?”

Sabine frowned. “Nothing.”

“No crazy people?”

“No. No records.”

Raissa stared at her. “The only doctors in the town have their offices here, right? Are there any in the Fortescues’ town?”

“Not anymore,” Sabine said. “The last doctor retired years ago and has never been replaced.”

“Then their records should have been transferred here. Unless you think they went all the way to New Orleans to see the doctor.”

Sabine shook her head. “Their records were apparently here at one time. But on the shelf where all the Fortescue files should have been was this orange piece of paper with a list of their names.”

“So someone checked them out?”

“That’s what I thought at first, but when I shuffled through the manager’s desk, I found a sheet of paper listing all the files that were stolen in the hospital break-in a couple of weeks ago.” Sabine felt a chill run through her. “There were other people’s names on the list, but they didn’t appear related. Except for the Fortescues. But Raissa, no one knew we were related then—not me, you, them—you hadn’t even hired Beau when the break-in happened.”

Raissa narrowed her eyes. “You’re right. That’s very strange.”

“It can’t be a coincidence. Not after this.”

Raissa shook her head, her expression thoughtful. “No, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence, but I can’t put the pieces together, either. I’ll do a reading this afternoon and let you know if I come up with something.”

“Thanks.”

“So…if your family files were missing, what did Helena steal?”

Sabine groaned. “I don’t even know. She ran into the room just ahead of the nurse. It’s a miracle the nurse didn’t see a floating file display. How in the world would
I have explained that one?” Sabine rose from the chair and reached for the files.

Raissa smiled. “And just think—you’re supposed to be equipped to deal with the dead.”

“No one could be prepared for Helena,” Sabine said as she stood back up, files in hand. “The Spartans couldn’t have prepared for Helena. You know, I’m not really sure she didn’t pass over. I’m starting to think Satan couldn’t handle her either so he sent her back.”

Raissa laughed. “Well, the next time you or Helena need to procure some illegal data, let me know and I’ll loan you my scanner.”

“Scanner?”

“Yeah, a scanner,” Raissa said. “Mine is small—just big enough for a sheet of paper, and really thin and portable. You could scan all the documents Helena stole onto a USB, then review them at your leisure on your home computer. No hand cramps, floating file scares, or habits required.”

“I never even thought about something like that. You constantly amaze me with your grip on technology.”

“Hey, the spirits don’t help with filing and I don’t want to rent storage. Digital file cabinets are the way to go.” Raissa walked over to Sabine and gave her a hug. “I’m going to clear out. I want to talk to Beau before I head back to New Orleans and open the shop. You let me know if you need anything. Promise?”

Sabine nodded. “Promise.”

Raissa gave her a wave and left the room. Sabine looked down at the files, then frowned when she saw
who the records belonged to—Helena’s family. Why in the world would Helena want those? Her parents were long dead—they couldn’t possibly have killed her.

Sabine shoved the files in her overnight bag and zipped it shut. Helena wouldn’t be able to return them until nighttime. Which would give Sabine plenty of time to ask the ghost what the hell was going on.

It was past sunrise before Beau finished up with the Mudbug police, locked up Sabine’s apartment, and loaded the evidence bagged for testing in his truck. Logic told him that Sabine had to have been poisoned in her apartment and most likely by something she consumed that night, but for the life of him, Beau couldn’t figure out how anyone had gotten inside. There was no sign of forced entry on any of the doors or windows, and since the property manager had gotten approval to replace the locks after the break-in on both the front and back doors, anyone who’d previously had a key was out of luck.

Someone could have jimmied the lock, but the new technology would have been extremely difficult for anyone but a professional. There was always the locksmith to consider, but the company the property manager used was based out of New Orleans and had been in business forever. Still, Beau supposed he would talk to someone there after he finished at the lab.

He was just climbing in the truck when he heard Mildred yelling from across the street. The hotel owner came running toward him, clutching a stack of white Styrofoam boxes. “I was hoping to catch you before you left for the hospital. Can you give me a ride?”

“Sure,” Beau said and motioned her into the truck,
“but I thought you were driving Sabine home after they released her.”

“I was,” Mildred said, her face flushed with the exertion. “Doggone battery on my car is dead again. It’s happened four times now in the past two weeks, but I haven’t had time to get another. I don’t need the car that often, so I’ve been borrowing Sabine’s, but in all the excitement, I’ve misplaced my spare key.”

“Do you need some help?” Beau pointed to the stack of boxes, about to topple as Mildred struggled with the seat belt.

“What—oh, no, thank you.” She clicked the belt into place and righted the boxes. “I got breakfast for all of us over at the café. I figured you haven’t had time to get anything, same as me, and I know my Sabine. She’s not going to eat any of that hospital food.”

“I don’t blame her,” Beau said as he started down the highway to the hospital. “So do you need me to give the two of you a ride home?”

“No. You’ve got much more important business to take care of in New Orleans. I’ll get Sabine’s keys from her and have one of my friends give me a lift home. Then I’ll come back for Sabine.”

“You sure you have time? I can’t imagine Sabine is going to sit in that hospital one minute longer than required, even if it means walking home.”

Mildred laughed. “You got my girl pegged, all right. But not to worry. They won’t release her before noon. Dr. Breaux doesn’t make rounds as early as he used to and even though that Dr. Mitchell seemed sharp, Dr. Breaux’s probably going to want to see Sabine himself.”

“Dr. Breaux’s the local?”

“Yes. In his seventies and still kicking.” She shifted in her seat to stare at Beau. “So are you planning on taking care of my girl?”

Beau gave a start and glanced over at Mildred. “Depends on what you mean by taking care of. I’m going to find out who’s trying to hurt her, and I’m going to do my damndest to see that whoever it is doesn’t get another shot.”

Mildred sighed. “Why do you young people make everything so difficult? I’ve seen the way you look at her. You darn near ran me over trying to get to her apartment last night, and the way you were shouting questions at those paramedics…all I’m saying is it looked like a lot more than concern for a client to me.”

Beau groaned inwardly. Was his attraction to Sabine really that apparent, or was the hotel owner just fishing and hoping? Either way, Beau wasn’t about to accommodate her. Sabine’s rejection was embarrassing enough kept between the two of them. He wasn’t about to share it with anyone else.

“I look at her like a cop does a potential victim. I was FBI, remember? And I’m not about to lose a client…not on my watch. I’m going to protect Sabine, but once I know what’s going on here and the guilty party is in jail, then my job is done.”

Mildred studied him for a moment. “Your job, huh? Okay then.”

Beau glanced over at her as he pulled in to the hospital parking lot and knew he hadn’t fooled her for a minute. But at least she’d stopped pressing the issue. For the moment.

Sabine was sitting cross-legged on the end of her hospital bed watching television when they walked into
her room. Beau took one look at her and felt his heart leap. Never before had he wanted to gather someone in his arms and hide them away from the world to protect them. He’d known he was lying to Mildred when he’d told her that Sabine was another victim he was trying to protect, but he hadn’t realized quite how much he was lying.

He swore the room got brighter when she smiled at them. He blinked once, certain he was seeing things, but reality was perched on the end of the bed, so obviously happy to see them. Beau managed a weak hello as Mildred dropped her breakfast box on the table and gathered Sabine for a hug. Beau placed the boxes on the tray next to the bed and tried to get a grip.

It simply wasn’t fair, he decided. No one should look that good, ever. Much less after being poisoned, almost dying, and spending the night in a hospital, which contrary to what it should be was never restful. No makeup, a drab green hospital gown, her hair tied in some strange-looking knot on top of her head, and she was still gorgeous. Why couldn’t Raissa have been friends with a sixty-year-old retired librarian or something?

Mildred finally released Sabine and pointed to an empty hospital food tray on a small table next to a recliner. “Don’t tell me you ate that garbage?”

Sabine looked momentarily guilty. “Not a chance. I dumped it down the toilet. Didn’t want the nurse to make a fuss. Besides, I knew you wouldn’t let me starve.”

“Darn straight,” Mildred said and pulled a couple of sodas out of her handbag. “Pancakes and sausage for everyone. You two go ahead and start. I’m going to check with the nurse and see what time they’ll be releasing you.” She handed Beau a box and gave him a wink.

“Oh, and Sabine,” Mildred said as she paused at the door. “I must have dislodged your gown when I hugged you. Your heinie is showing.” She grinned and left the room.

It was an involuntary reaction, and God knows he should have figured out some way to stop it, but Beau couldn’t help looking at Sabine’s butt. Her face blushed ten shades of red as she grabbed the hospital gown and tugged it together in the back, but not before he saw the silky smooth curve of her bottom peeking out.

Sabine groaned. “She’ll use this forever as a reason I should wear underwear.”

Beau grinned. “Hard to argue with her at the moment. Not that I’m agreeing, mind you.”

Sabine looked over at Beau and shook her head. “You know, normally I would have gone into hiding over something like this. The fact that flashing a man with my bare butt is the least of my problems is a real testament to just how screwed up my life is at the moment.”

“A butt like that should never be hidden away. Statues should be erected in its honor.”

Sabine’s lips quivered with amusement. “Maybe I won’t die of embarrassment today, then. So are you hungry?”

“Starved.” He just wasn’t saying for what.

She patted the bed. “You can sit on the bed with me if you’d like,” Sabine suggested as she uncrossed her legs and turned to the side. “The table is long enough for both of us to use it.”

Beau swallowed when Sabine said the word “bed” but took a seat next to her and pulled the table in front of them. “How are you feeling?”

“How do I look? I mean the rest of me, not just my butt.”

He choked on his soda and set the can on the table. “Great. You look great.”

“For an almost dead woman, you mean?”

To hell with it.
Beau looked directly at Sabine. “You’re beautiful. A little paler, perhaps, a little tired around the eyes, but otherwise just as beautiful as you were yesterday and the day before.”

Sabine’s eyes widened and for a couple of seconds said absolutely nothing. The room was so quiet that Beau could hear the ticking of his watch.
Shit, shit, shit, shit
…it seemed to echo in his mind.

Finally, she gave him a shy smile. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Thank you.”

Beau shook his head. “I wasn’t saying it to make you feel better. Damn it, Sabine, you’re a beautiful, desirable woman, and any man who doesn’t see that is stupid or blind. I’m neither.”

“No,” she agreed. “You’re definitely not the stupid one in this equation.” She sighed. “Before Mildred gets back and more importantly, before I say something I’ll regret, I need to tell you about something I did last night.”

Beau felt a momentary wave of disappointment, but it was quickly gone. As much as he would love to hear Sabine say something she’d regret, the fact that she’d apparently done something the night before that she didn’t want the hotel owner to know about had him intrigued. “Okay. Shoot.”

Sabine took a breath. “I snuck into the medical records room last night, hoping to get some background information on my family.”

Of all the things she could have said, this wasn’t even on the list. “You broke into the medical records room?”

“No, it was unlocked,” Sabine said, but the look on her face immediately told him that she wasn’t being completely honest.

“Okaaay,” Beau said, deciding it was easier to let however she’d gained access to the room slide. “And did you find out anything?”

Sabine told him about the missing files and the corresponding list.

“Wow.” Beau shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the information Sabine had given him and the repercussions it had on his investigation. “I don’t even know what to think.”

“Me either.”

“I don’t like it.” Beau turned to face Sabine. “You’ve been looking for your family for years. Even if someone has always known you’re related to the Fortescues, why go after their medical records right before you hired me? I could understand if this had happened after I started poking around, but this makes no sense at all.”

“I wish I knew, but I’ve run through every possible scenario and there’s simply nothing I’ve done recently or in the past to warrant this kind of action. Unless it was a past life.” She gave Beau a shaky smile.

“You’re not safe in your apartment,” Beau said. “Until we figure out what’s going on, I don’t think you should stay there.”

“It’s my home, Beau. I have to stay there.”

Beau shook his head, ready to argue. “I couldn’t find a single sign of forced entry. That means whoever got in had a key. Even if I installed deadbolts only on the inside of the doors, I still wouldn’t think it was safe. Someone is too close…their access is far too free.” He took in a breath and before he could change his mind said, “Let me stay with you. I can sleep on the couch.”

Sabine instantly shook her head. “No way!”

“I promise I won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable. I won’t even tell you you’re beautiful.”

“I can’t. I can’t have you in my space that way. My apartment is tiny. There’s no way I could feel comfortable staying there with you even if you were a mute. This isn’t about you, Beau, it’s about me. You scare me.” She ran one hand across the top of her head. “Not like the someone trying to kill me scares me. The way you make me feel scares me. I’m afraid if I cross that line with you, there’s no return, and a future between the two of us is filled with impossibilities, most of which you don’t even know about.”

“So explain them to me.”

“No. There are certain things I can’t talk to you about.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re going to have to take my word for it.”

Beau struggled to hold in his frustration. Why was she making things so hard? She felt the same pull that he did. Why was she struggling so hard against it?
And why are
you
pushing so hard for it?
“Fine. Then at least consider staying at the hotel until this is settled. That way you can have your own private space, but Mildred and I are close by to keep watch.”

Sabine was silent for a moment, then nodded. “I’d feel better knowing you and Mildred were close.”

“Just not too close and only me.”

Sabine looked down at the bed. “No,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.

Beau rose from the bed. “Then I guess since we got all that decided, I’ll take off. I’ve got to drop off the
stuff for testing at a lab in New Orleans, and then there’s a couple of other things I want to look into before I come back. I’ll see you sometime this evening, okay?”

Sabine looked up at him and nodded. “Thanks, Beau. For everything.”

“You’re welcome,” he said and left the room before he did something even more stupid than telling her how beautiful she was. Like kiss her.

Again.

It was after noon before Sabine was ensconced in a room at the hotel. It had been a relief to find that Beau had kept the Mudbug police’s destruction of her apartment to a minimum, but it was still going to take hours to get everything back where she wanted it. Since she wouldn’t be living there anyway for the time being, she supposed it shouldn’t matter. She’d endured almost an hour of Mildred’s puttering around the hotel room, bringing her some soup and crackers for lunch, fluffing her pillows, and generally treating her like an invalid, but Sabine understood that Mildred wouldn’t feel good unless she thought she was doing something to help.

Finally, Mildred had gone downstairs to balance the books, and Sabine was left in the peace and quiet she’d been waiting for. She grabbed one of the four tote bags she’d packed and pulled out the hospital files that Helena had stolen. Raissa had gladly agreed to loan her the scanner and would meet Beau somewhere in New Orleans so that he could bring it back with him that afternoon or evening, whenever he managed to finish up and return to Mudbug. Sabine figured as long as the
files were already stolen she might as well get a copy of everything. If nothing else, it would save the trouble of ever having to break into the hospital records room again.

Sabine already knew what Maryse was going to say. Maryse had warned her nine ways to Sunday about Helena and her shenanigans, and Sabine was just starting to get a clear view of the problem. Helena was definitely a pro. She came out with these outlandish requests when she knew you were at a personal low and somehow made them seem completely logical and necessary. Then when the dust had settled, you were left wondering how you’d gone temporarily insane.