Mississippi Blues (2 page)

“Sounds good.” Summer darted through the door. “I need to change first.”

“Hurry,” Mama fretted. “I want to finish before it rains.”

“Looks real good.”

After washing up and pulling on a loose sundress, Summer joined Mama on the porch and settled into the opposite chair. Just like every other Sunday, Mama was dressed as if she'd just come from church. She wore her favorite dress, matching heels, even nylons, and her nearly gray hair was clipped up in a loose bun. Large, midnight blue eyes dominated the delicate bone structure of her face. Only when she turned her head, and the puckered red scar cutting across her right cheek and mouth showed, did her perfectly put-together image shatter. Summer and her mother looked enough alike to be twins. Well, they had once — before Mama had been beaten, raped, and left for dead in a rain-soaked alley.

She set the last bowl on the table. “It's not much of a Sunday supper. But there's lemon cake for dessert.”

“This is perfect.” Summer popped a cherry tomato into her mouth and savored the sweet taste. Mama had all the time in the world to plan meals. Tonight there were slices of turkey, bacon, home baked bread, bean soup, and sweet tea.

She prepared food as if Jace still lived at home.

Summer forced away the unwelcome thought. She would not dwell on the injustice done to her brother tonight.

They ate in companionable silence until the first drops of rain hit the screen. Mama immediately jumped up and began clearing dishes.

“Just relax,” Summer urged. “It's only a summer rain. I'll help you in a minute.”

“I have it. It's no trouble,” Mama said. “You worked so hard today you deserve to rest.” She disappeared inside, and in a minute the sounds of running water and a Frank Sinatra tune floated over the evening air.

Knowing it was useless to fret about it, Summer sank down in the oversized chair she'd found at a yard sale. Mama had good reason to hate the rain. The night she'd been attacked, she'd huddled on wet, cold ground for hours until someone finally came along and rescued her. Wishing things were different for all of her family, Summer pulled a knitted afghan over her shoulders, curled up and closed her eyes as a few soft raindrops blew through the screen and cooled her sunburned face.

• • •

Lindy Bouché stared at her plate, fighting tears.

Today should've been one of the best days of her life — her high school graduation. When Trey graduated, there had been a party with most of Juliet's population in attendance. Although not the best student in school, she still thought there'd at least be balloons, cards — hell, something. Not just sitting in the kitchen eating an ordinary fried chicken dinner. Their housekeeper made her special vanilla-champagne cake, but that was the extent of Lindy's graduation party.

Turning her arm, she admired the ruby bracelet Trey brought her from Afghanistan. With no warning, he'd come to the football field and seen her walk with her class. A shock since he hadn't been home once in five years. Not since he joined the Marines. He explained he received an unexpected graduation announcement and decided to surprise her. Lindy knew Mother must have mailed him the invitation without telling anyone.

She darted another glance at Trey. Five years had changed him a lot. Always taller than her by several inches, he'd gained twenty pounds of pure muscle. Lindy sensed the changes were more than physical. He was an adult now, not the kid he'd been when he left. Still drop dead gorgeous with dark hair and skin, her friends would be all over him again. Chasing him probably wouldn't do them any more good than before. He had eyes only for Summer Hill, although she always ignored him like the pesky kid he'd been back then.

He reached for another piece of chicken and winked at her. “Is Mother awake? I'm anxious to see her.”

“No. She usually drifts off about six or so.” The Chief heaped a third portion of mashed potatoes and gravy on his plate. Without further comment, he dove into the pile of food. He had barely spoken since Trey arrived. If she didn't know better, Lindy would think their father didn't want his son home.

She pushed the pile of mashed potatoes around on her plate. She didn't have any appetite. Their family was a joke. Trey halfway across the world. The Chief consumed by his job. And the stupid doctors who said they couldn't do anything for Mother. They couldn't even give her enough painkillers so she could come to Lindy's graduation. No one seemed to give a damn Mother was fading like a summer rose right under their noses.

The Chief broke into Lindy's glum thoughts. “What are you going to do tomorrow?”

She stirred her green beans without interest. “I dunno. Nothing.”

“How about looking for a job? You could help out at the station, do some filing.” He waved a chicken leg at her. “Or there's summer school. Mrs. Knight said you could get your marks up enough to get into Vanderbilt for the spring term.”

“Yeah, right. Like I have a chance of that happening.” Her mood grew murderous. Why couldn't he just get off her back? She'd sooner sell herself on the street corner than be stuck in the police station where the Chief could keep his eye on her. She didn't know what she wanted to do, but one thing was for sure — getting into Vanderbilt or any other college ranked last on her list.

“Maybe you could at least apply to junior college.” He continued to point the chicken at her. “It's not your mother's wish, but it's something.”

“I don't want to go to school. Not Community and not Vanderbilt. Especially not Ole Miss.” Attending the University of Mississippi had always been Trey's dream, not hers. Lindy narrowed her eyes at the Chief. She was so sick of hearing about her mother's dream she could throw up. Just because Miss Emily Devereaux had been the belle of the ball at college, everyone expected Lindy to follow in Mother's high heels. Her mother wouldn't care what Lindy would be doing because Mother wouldn't be here in the fall. She'd be in the family crypt.

Without warning, the Chief slammed his fist on the table. China and crystal jumped, food spilled. “Stop this nonsense, Lindy. Your mother's fondest dream is for you to go to college. You're going. That's the end of it.”

“Trey didn't go to college and the world didn't stop turning.” She curled her fingers into her palms. “He wanted to go to Ole Miss to play football. Yet, you didn't mind when he gave up his scholarship to join the military. Why wasn't that the end of the world? It won't kill Mother if I don't go to college.” Realizing what she'd said in the heavy silence following her outburst, she jumped up and shoved her plate halfway across the table. Her chest filled with an ache nothing could heal. “I'm out of here.”

Before anyone else could react, the doorbell pealed.

Lindy called over her shoulder, “I'll get it on my way out. I'm going to see my friends.”

The Chief picked up his coffee cup. “If it's for me, send them in here. My appetite's ruined now.”

Still fuming, she stalked to the front door and opened it to Jody Marvell, one of the Chief's police officers. Once a college football star, Jody lost his chance to go pro when he blew his knee his first season with the Ole Miss Rebels. As the first black man on the police force in Juliet's history, he wore his shiny blue uniform with pride. He and Trey had been friends and teammates since the third grade. She lowered her eyes and flashed a sly smile at him. “Hey, Jody. Guess who's here?”

He ruffled her hair like she was still ten. “I don't know. Who?”

Annoyed he couldn't see her for the adult she was, she shrugged. “Go into the kitchen and see for yourself.”

“Thanks, Lindy. Congrats on your big day, by the way.” He grinned at her and her pulse sped up. He was a good-looking man. Too bad he was head over heels in love with Lilah Desmarteau. “What are you going to do with your cute self now?”

She rolled her eyes. “If you say anything about me working at the station or going to college so help me I'll scream so loud … ”

“Whatever you say, kiddo.” He gave her a mock salute and headed toward the kitchen, but before he reached it he shot over his shoulder, “It's up to you if you want to waste your life.”

She stuck her tongue out at his broad back. Damn, why couldn't everyone just get off her case? Burning with curiosity to find out what brought Jody out in the rain, she followed him and stood out of sight just beyond the doorway. Jody wouldn't show up at
LeFleur
without a good reason. Maybe something interesting was happening in boring old Juliet. Mrs. Lewis probably fell and broke her hip at the five and dime. Or maybe one of the farm boys got good and fired up after today's ceremony, climbed the water tower, and painted his girl's name across it.

Lindy risked a peek around the doorway.

“Hey, man,” Jody was saying to Trey, “When did you get back in town?”

“Jody, hi.” Trey jumped up and the two men embraced, thumping one another's backs. “I got home just today.”

“What is it, officer?” the Chief asked impatiently.

“I'll leave you alone.” Trey moved toward the door. “Let's get together and have a beer. We can catch up then.”

“You got a deal,” Jody agreed.

“Sit down, finish your supper,” the Chief ordered before turning to Jody. “Officer, what's on your mind?”

With a nod, Trey obeyed.

“Sir, I've got some bad news.” Jody paused, shuffling from foot to foot. “Jace Hill escaped today.”

Lindy covered her mouth with both hands to keep from crying out.

“What?” The Chief jumped to his feet, sending his chair crashing to the floor. “When?”

“Round 'bout six
A.M.
this morning, sir. A bus carrying prisoners overturned en route to the fields. The warden thinks the driver tipped the bus on purpose.”

“Why?” the Chief demanded.

“Because the trustee who drove was in a gang, most on the bus.” Jody fidgeted with his hat. “Fourteen men killed, two prisoners survived and both made a run for it. Jace Hill and another man named — “ he glanced at his note “ — Handy Jones. Neither has been caught yet. They've got the hounds on them, but they lost their scent on the highway. Looks like someone picked them up.”

A shudder ripped down Lindy's spine. Angola prison guards were notorious for what they did to escapees. No mercy allowed. If the hounds caught the runners, the guards might not have anything but pieces to take back to Angola. She closed her eyes and mouthed a silent prayer. “Be safe, Jace.”

Her eyes jerked open. What was she doing? Jace Hill was a dangerous convict, a murderer. An enemy to the Bouchés. No matter how much she once liked him, he'd become a felon.

The Chief shot orders at Jody. “Get out to the Hills' place and see if his mama and sister have heard the news. Maybe he's already contacted them. I'll go to the station and keep an eye on developments from there.”

As Jody hesitated, the Chief barked, “Well, get on it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lindy turned and fled. Wait 'til she filled Candy in on this one. This was big, really big. Trey back; Jace escaped. Two shattered families about to collide … again.

For a long minute, Trey felt like he just missed stepping on a land mine. He couldn't breathe as the room spun. He had every intention of looking his demons in the face now he was home, but he hadn't expected them to jump him the first day he got back. Here was his chance to wrestle a big devil. “I'm riding along,” he told Jody.

“The hell you are.” The Chief's eyes glittered like blue diamonds and a muscle jerked along his jaw. “This is a police matter. Hill has been making threats since day one, promising revenge. You'd be his first target.

“Yes, sir. I know.” Trey blew out a ragged breath. “But I'm still going.”

“Let this bad dog lie.” If possible, the Chief's eyes grew even colder. “Poke it and it's going to bite you in the ass.”

“I can't sit idle and do nothing, sir.” Trey planted his feet. He met the Chief's angry stare and refused to blink. “If Jace wants to make me pay, then I'm going to face him head-on. I know he killed Soloman. I found him over the body.”

The Chief snorted. “What makes you think MiLann will let you on the premises? Much less talk to you? She isn't about to invite you in for tea and a nice piece of jam cake.”

“I won't know if I don't try, sir.”

“Jace Hill's been in Angola for five years and who knows what tricks he might've learned there. Those animals know games you can't even imagine,” the Chief declared.

“Sir, the Marine Corp has prepared me pretty well to deal with most anything. Including prisoners.” He straightened his shoulders. “If Jace is on the hunt for me I'm better off knowing where he is.”

“I'll keep you posted,” the Chief insisted. “The last place you need to be is in the middle of this dust up. Sticking your nose into things that were none of your business is what got you in trouble the last time Hill decided to break the law.” Used to being instantly obeyed, the Chief turned his attention to Jody. “Use your brains, Marvell. This guy's a hothead. If he is out at his mama's place and you think he's going to blow, call me ASAP. I'll have everyone on alert.”

“Sir,” Trey interrupted doggedly, “maybe Jace'll listen to me. I can reason with him. He was my best friend. Maybe I can get through.”

The Chief glared at him, his face turning deep red. “That was before your testimony sent him to Angola for life, son. It's unlikely Hill has anything but real deep hatred for you now. I think I've made it pretty clear how I feel.”

Their eyes locked.

All Trey's life he'd deferred to his father. But no more.

He was a grown man with his own mind. What happened between him and Jace still ate at his gut even though Trey knew he'd done the right thing. If he'd kept silent, he would have been just as guilty as Jace. Trey needed to see Jace again, to look him in the eye and tell him so.