Read Online Bayou Betrayal by Robin Caroll - Free Book Online Page A

yet.
    â€œOh, what was it then?” Hattie turned toward the living room. “Boys, time to wash up.”
    â€œYes, ma’am,” came the answering reply.
    Hattie faced Monique. “Surely you didn’t leave something on the stove or in the oven, did you?”
    â€œNo. I hadn’t even used the appliances. I’d just moved in earlier in the week.”
    â€œHumph. So what caused the fire?” Hattie put her hands on her hips, not moving as she stared at Monique.
    â€œIt was arson,” Gary said from the doorway.
    Felicia and her mother made a collective gasp—in stereo even. For once, Monique appreciated Gary’s jumping into the conversation.
    â€œLet’s sit down and bless the food first, then maybe Gary or Monique will share the details with us.” Spence took his place at the head of the table.
    Everyone joined hands while he offered up grace and then everyone loaded their plates in silence, waiting for someone to explain.
    Monique took a bite of the delectable chicken fricassee, chewing slowly to buy some time. Red cayenne exploded in her mouth, putting her taste buds on high alert. But the rich flavor of the roux slid down easily. She reached for her sweet iced tea and took a small sip before clearing her throat. “I knew it was arson, even before the report came back.”
    â€œHow?” asked Felicia.
    She tried to figure out how best to get the truth out in the open.
    Start at the beginning.
    â€œWell, I knew it had to be arson because I got a threatening phone call, oh, four days ago. A man who told me to leave.”
    Felicia and Hattie both sucked in air.
    â€œWhen I woke up to my house burning, I could smell something odd—out of place—so I knew someone had intentionally set my house on fire. Had followed through on the threat.” She swallowed hard and glanced at the deputy. “Gary got confirmation of that yesterday.”
    She looked at Felicia and Spence. Shock and surprise registered on both their faces, but not a hint of recognition. Nope, they hadn’t a clue about her connection to this town. To them. No way could they have set up that call.
    â€œI need to back up a minute, though.” She chewed her bottom lip, struggling to pull up a reserve of courage. “I’ve already told Felicia that I was married and lost my husband in a drive-by shooting. Kent was a private investigator—one of the best.”
    Felicia leaned forward, ignoring her plate.
    â€œMy mother died two years ago, never having told me who my father was. Naturally, with her gone, I wanted a connection. Some sort of family relation.” If only they knew how deeply.
    â€œOf course you did, honey.” Hattie dropped her fork to her plate, sympathy etched into the creases of her face.
    Monique took a deep breath and walked them through her husband tracking down her biological father, obtaining a saliva sample for DNA testing and then Monique visiting him in the Oakdale Federal Prison. She shared with them her pain when he denied being her father, even refusing to undergo a paternity test to prove to him she was his daughter.
    â€œThat’s awful.” Felicia shook her head. “I’ve been to that prison before and I know how hard it must’ve been for you.”
    â€œI don’t think we should talk about this right now, Felicia. This is about Monique.” Hattie drained her tea.
    â€œActually, I’d like to know.” Monique stared at Felicia. “Who did you visit in Oakdale?”
    â€œMy great-uncle, who murdered my grandfather and my father.” Tears wet her eyes, and Spence laid his hand over hers. She sniffled and continued. “And later, I went to see Senator Mouton, the man who killed my fiancé.”
    â€œWhy would you do that?” Monique blurted out. She couldn’t imagine going to see the man who’d killed Kent. Not unless it was to get the truth out of him.
    â€œI needed to