Read Online A Darker Shade of Midnight by Lynn Emery - Free Book Online

appetite.”  
    “I wasn’t talking about having a meal, baby.” Quentin ran the tip of his tongue around his lips and made a smacking sound.
    “You really overestimate your own charm.” LaShaun gave a grunt of disgust.
    As she walked away from the Lexus her skin tingled. Her affair with Quentin had been an adrenaline rush times ten. He’d satisfied her need for breaking all the rules. Like an addict, she’d never be entirely free of the craving. Something pulled at her, some force. A whispering call came from somewhere. Was it the wind or inside her head? The tingle became an itch to turn around, and go after Quentin. Trembling, she crossed her arms to ward off a chill even the intense Louisiana sunshine couldn’t stop. She closed her eyes for a second, and said a prayer. This was no ordinary urge. The loa had grown stronger. But so had she, stronger in her faith. With a deep breath, she pushed back hard. The sensation subsided.
    Quentin flashed a wicked grin at her as he drove past.   “Ask your cousin Rita why you’ll be seeing more of me.”
    “What?” LaShaun spun around with a gasp, but the Lexus picked up speed. Quentin waved a hand before closing the car window and gunning the engine.

 
    Chapter 6
     
     
    For the next two days, LaShaun ignored Savannah’s advice. She tried to call Rita on the phone repeatedly. All she got for her trouble was the recording of Rita’s voice telling her to leave a message. After twelve messages LaShaun wanted to break something when she heard recorded greeting. Savannah told her that Martin kept putting her off, saying that he wasn’t able to get in touch with Rita. When LaShaun told Savannah she thought he was a lying scumbag, Savannah again cautioned her against rash action. LaShaun’s response was to drive out to Rita’s townhouse and pound on the front door.   No answer. LaShaun went back to her SUV to sit and wait, determined to catch Rita coming or going.
    “You got a good reason for bein’ here, ma’am?”
    LaShaun jumped at the deep voice outside her car window. Deputy Gautreau lifted an eyebrow at her. He tapped on the window. LaShaun hit the button to open the window.
    “Visiting a relative,” LaShaun replied with a smile. “I don’t see a ‘No Parking’ sign either. But it’s reassuring to know you’re on patrol, deputy.”
    “I got a call about a possible disturbance,” he replied.  
    “This is such a quiet, nice neighborhood. The only noise I’ve heard is birds singing.” LaShaun waved a hand at the landscaped lawns. ”
      “Uh-huh. Be careful on your way home. Winding country roads can be real tricky.”
    “Thanks for your concern.”
    He flashed an artificial smile, but didn’t make a move to leave. His stone cold gaze seemed to indicate he would stay put as long as she did. LaShaun started the SUV and drove off. She glanced in rear view mirror expecting to see him following her, but he was gone.
    When she got home, Savannah was just pulling up in her car. Monmon Odette rocked on the front porch humming. LaShaun was worried about her. She seemed in another world, strangely disconnected from everything. After checking to make sure she didn’t need anything, LaShaun and Savannah went into the living room.
    “Martin claims he can’t get in touch with Rita. I tried tracking down Azalei, and she’s gone underground as well. I spoke to the forensic accountant again. She finished her examination. Two accounts have been cleaned out, about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
    “Those conniving scam artists,” LaShaun said.
    “It gets worse. Rita took out s second mortgage on your grandmother’s house, and the payments are behind three months. The home health care agency hasn’t been paid in three months, but luckily, they decided to switch from private pay to Medicare billing. Even so there’s a big balance. I’m afraid your grandmother’s available cash accounts might be stretched to the limit. I’ve contacted the