Rue Toulouse (20 page)

Caterine nodded. “I thought the same thing, but Grandmère told me she wants whoever is behind this caught and prosecuted, no matter who it turns out to be.”

“Since Charlotte’s next in line, I suppose she’s the main suspect?” Elaine asked.

“Not necessarily,” Paul replied. “You never assume the obvious. Ma Chérie may not have even been the motive.”

Caterine turned to Remi. “Is that true?”

“Sure, an unrelated kidnapping is still a possibility. It’s probably unlikely, but we can’t rule anything out. That’s why doing background checks on everyone is important. You never know what you might find.”

The clock on the mantel chimed the hour. “I don’t know about y’all, but I’m getting hungry and there’s not much here to eat,” Remi said. “Paul, do you have to get back to work?”

“No, I’ve got it covered and my parents have the boys, so we’re all yours.”

“Oh, good, let’s go get lunch.” Elaine suggested. “How about the Court of the Two Sisters?”

Remi shook his head. “Sorry, but Caterine can’t go out until she changes her appearance.”

Elaine looked from Remi to Caterine. “What do you mean?”

“Remi’s afraid I’m too recognizable, and we don’t want my family to know I’m back in New Orleans,” Caterine explained.

“That’s where we can use your help, Elaine.” Remi said. “We need you to go to a drug store and get a brunette dye, about the color of your own hair, then to a discount department store and buy her some new clothes. She’ll need shoes and lightly tinted sunglasses. Caterine has a list.”

Caterine couldn’t help but laugh at the expression of horror on Elaine’s face. She stared at Remi as if he’d asked her to dance naked in Jackson Square.

Paul chuckled. “Come on, Remi. We’ll go get some po-boys and beer. We can leave the ladies here to see if they can figure out what one can buy off the rack.”

Caterine rolled her eyes at Elaine before smiling at Remi. “Remi, as long as you’re going out, would you mind picking up a couple of items for me?”

“Sure. What do you want?”

“I’d like some Perrier, caffeine-free diet soda, freshly squeezed orange juice, and wine. Elaine, you’d like some wine, wouldn’t you? We might get really thirsty working on that list.” Caterine pursed her lips. “Perhaps a bottle of Arietta Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 would be nice.”

Remi bent down and took her chin in his hand. “Princess, there’s water in the kitchen tap. There’s regular soda in the fridge, along with a carton of orange juice.” He kissed her long and hard. “And, Princess, I’m going to introduce you to the delightful bouquet of four-dollar screw-top red.”

“Good God, Caterine,” Elaine said, fanning herself, after the men had left. “That kiss curled my toes, and he wasn’t even kissing me. That is one sexy man. Does he always kiss you like that?”

Caterine grinned. “Sometimes they’re even better.”

Elaine sighed wistfully. “I remember those days. Since we had the boys, we never seem to have time for romance, or we’re too exhausted from chasing them around to do anything if we did find the time. But I love my boys.” She grinned. “So Paul and I do what we can, when we can.”

Caterine bit her lower lip. “Elaine, can I ask you something personal?”

“Sure. We’ve been friends long enough we don’t have any secrets.”

Caterine hesitated, her cheeks turning pink.

“What is it?”

“When you and Paul were first together . . .” Again she hesitated, then blurted, “How often did you have sex?”

Elaine laughed. “Are you kidding? As often as we could. Why?”

Caterine took a sip of her tepid coffee and let out a long breath. “I’ve never told anyone this, but Jonathan was the first man I had sex with.” She laughed derisively. “Well, sort of. When he tried to make love to me, I wanted to respond but the feeling wouldn’t come. Then one night it seemed like everything was going well, but it was over in seconds, and he blamed me and I believed him.” She leaned forward. “But I had no inhibitions that first night with Remi. In fact, I’m not sure the amount of sex we’re having is normal.”

Elaine lifted her brows. “Really? Are you saying he, ah, has stamina?”

“Boy does he ever. We can’t keep our hands off each other. We even had sex against a wall.”

Elaine giggled. “That’s nothing. Paul and I once made love with me sitting on top of the washing machine.”

“You didn’t!” Caterine exclaimed, as they both doubled over in laughter.

“Now I know not to think Remi is strange if he comes up with an idea like that.”

“Caterine, making love in my arbor during a party where there’s about a hundred guests is pretty crazy and that didn’t seem to bother you. How did he get you in there anyway? You never did tell me.”

Caterine began to clear the coffee cups. “I’ll put these in the dishwasher and get out plates for lunch.”

“Hold it. Not so fast.” Elaine blocked the kitchen door. “What is it you’re not telling me?”

Caterine knew she couldn’t hide her guilt. “It wasn’t Remi who suggested we use your backyard, it was me. There, now are you satisfied? You know the truth.”

Elaine grinned. “Considering how hot he is, I’m surprised you made it to the arbor.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t know what came over me. I went a little crazy. I guess I wanted to prove I wasn’t frigid and do something the
proper
Caterine would never have considered. When Remi smiled at me, I practically melted on the spot. When he held me close while we danced, I began to lose all sanity. When I knew he wanted to make love to me, well, that’s when any remaining brain cells I had left turned to mush. For some reason I thought of your arbor, and that’s where we went.”

“And you told me you didn’t want to see him anymore, but you’re crazy about each other.”

“Don’t get excited just yet.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Caterine set a stack of plates and napkins on the counter. “I asked him what was going to happen to us after this is all over and he didn’t really answer me.”

Elaine frowned. “He didn’t say anything about your future?”

“No, only that we needed to get through this stuff with my family then see what happens.”

“Paul said you’re staying here with him because it’s the safest place for you. If you want to come home with me you can. I don’t see why you wouldn’t be safe with us.”

Caterine hugged her friend. “Thanks, I really appreciate your offer but I want to stay here. For the first time in my life, I may be falling in love. I feel toward Remi as I’ve never felt for any other man. If I’m going to lose him when this is over, I want every minute I can get.”

Elaine scowled. “Perhaps he’s not such a nice guy after all. Cat, I don’t want to see you hurt. You’re in the perfect position for him to take advantage.”

“I honestly believe he cares for me but for some reason is holding back.” Caterine cocked her head. “Elaine, what do you know that I don’t? And don’t tell me nothing. I can see by the expression on your face that something’s wrong.”

Elaine glanced at the front door, hesitated, then sighed. “Okay, I’ll tell you, but you can’t let on to Paul that you know. Promise me, Cat, or I’m not saying a word.”

“All right, I promise.”

“Let’s have a seat.” Elaine led Caterine to the kitchen table. “First, I don’t know much, only what Paul recently told me. It seems a year or so ago Remi was involved with someone he met while investigating a break-in. They dated and Paul says Remi was crazy about her, so much so he asked her to marry him.”

Speechless, Caterine could only stare.

Elaine nodded and took a deep breath. “This is where it gets ugly. I guess Remi had the ring and everything, but when he asked her, she not only said no, she laughed in his face.”

“My God, what did he do?”

“Paul said he stayed drunk for about two weeks.”

Caterine let out a long breath. “That’s awful. How could she do that to him?”

“Remi didn’t tell him all the details, but Paul figures she thought it would be fun to have an affair with someone with his background, but that she never intended to marry him.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Cat, she came from money. Remi was a toy to play with, that’s all.”

Caterine narrowed her eyes. “What a bitch. I wonder who it was?” She leaned closer. “Do you know?”

Elaine nodded. “Desiree Delany.”

“What?” Caterine couldn’t believe her ears. “Good God, how could he have fallen for that slut?”

“He’s a man. Desiree might be a slut, but she’s a beautiful slut with a killer body.”

“You know, she’s one of my cousin Charlotte’s jetset cronies. As far as those women are concerned, if a man isn’t wealthy, he doesn’t exist.” She shook her head. “I can just hear her laughing over Remi’s proposal. This is great. Thanks to that cruel bitch, Remi now thinks every woman who comes from money is like her.”

Elaine put her hand over Caterine’s. “You have to prove him wrong.”

“That isn’t going to be easy.” She sighed. “But thanks for telling me. At least now I know what I’m up against.”

Elaine nodded. “I suppose we should get started on that list.” She grinned. “This is too good. Am I really going to buy Caterine Doucette clothes from the supersaver store?”
 

“Yes, and I’m sure you won’t have any problem. I mean, how different can it be from shopping at a designer boutique?”

“Why did Remi tell me to get hair dye? You’re not considering coloring your hair, are you?”

Caterine bit her lower lip. “I don’t want to. He also said I should cut it.”

“Oh, Caterine, no. You can’t do that.”

“How do you think I’d look in a wig?”

“Turn around. Let me see how long your hair really is. The wig would have to touch your shoulders in order to stuff your own hair under it.”

“Do you know where we could find one?”

“Let me see.” Elaine tapped her chin in thought then smiled in triumph. “I know. Let’s call Francois.”

“Our hairdresser?”

“Yes, who else would know where to get a good wig but the best hair stylist in New Orleans?”

“You’re probably right, but you can’t tell him it’s for me.”

“I’ll say it’s for a friend. You’d be the last person he’d think I was talking about.”

Caterine busied herself making more iced tea while Elaine made her call.

“Oh, bless you, Francois,” Caterine heard Elaine say. “I’ll be over today to pick it up.”

“He actually has one there I can use?”

“Yes, do you believe it? Some woman thought she was going to have to have chemo and ordered it.”

“That’s terrible. Did she die before she had a chance with the chemo?”

“No, that’s the best part. It turns out she didn’t need to have the treatment, and Francois is now stuck with the wig. He’s more than happy to get rid of it. So he said I could have it for my friend. So when Paul takes me to the store, I’ll drop by Francois’ on our way back.”

“Thank you. I really didn’t want to have to cut or dye my hair.”

“No problem. Now let me see your list.”

Caterine handed Elaine the pad she’d been writing on.

“As you can see, I don’t even have any lingerie except for what I’ve been washing out.”

Elaine smiled.

Caterine narrowed her eyes. “What are you thinking?”

“How much fun I’m going to have picking out your underwear.”

“Don’t you dare buy me a thong or anything like that.”

Elaine smiled as they heard the front door open.

Chapter Eighteen

“It’s absolutely amazing. Your own grandmère wouldn’t know it was you,” Elaine said a few hours later as they stood in front of the bedroom mirror staring at Caterine’s reflection.

The auburn wig was cut in a long pageboy, which fell silkily to her shoulders. Light pink-tinted glasses hid her blue eyes. She wore a low-cut red and white striped tank top that didn’t quite cover her breasts or reach the top of her low-slung, form-fitting navy capri pants. Matching navy sandals and a short red jacket completed the outfit.

“I don’t know what happened. It didn’t look so skimpy or tight on the mannequin.”

Caterine rolled her eyes. “Elaine, are all the clothes like this?”

“Not really. The rest are mostly pants, jeans, and T-shirts.”

“And the ones that aren’t?”

“Oh, just a couple of skirts, a dress, and your underwear. You know I’m getting hungry, and the boys are waiting to take us to dinner.”

Caterine glowered. “Elaine, I’d better not have a bag full of naughty underwear.”

“
Sexy
, Caterine, not naughty. Come on, let’s go.” Elaine took Caterine by the arm and led her into the living room where Remi and Paul waited. “Well, here she is.”

Remi’s eyes open wide, then narrowed. “
Maudit
, Caterine, where in the hell do you think you’re going dressed like that?”

Caterine smiled innocently. “I thought we were going to the Gumbo Shop. What’s wrong? Don’t you like my new clothes?”