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

breath froze in her lungs. “What paper?”
    Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it.
    â€œThe Times-Picayune. ”
    She felt as if swamp water flooded her heart.
    â€œAlyssa?”
    She studied him. The eyes that had so mesmerized her were what had made her sense she’d seen him before. Could he be? No, surely not.
    â€œHow long have you worked for the Times-Picayune? ”
    â€œAbout five years, but was promoted to investigative reporter a year or so ago.”
    The memories rushed over her as if it were yesterday. Her first time applying at the paper where her mother had worked had been when she was straight out of college, five years ago. They’d gone with a man then. A year ago, she’d read where they had an opening for an investigative reporter and had applied. The editor had told her they ended up promoting from within their own staff. She’d seen the man who’d stolen her position when she’d gone back to follow up on another position.
    Jackson Devereaux.
    How could she have ever forgotten his name? And those eyes? The same ones that pierced her now.
    â€œAlyssa?”
    The ghost of her mother mocked her, causing every nerve in her body to zing. “I don’t know what you expect from me, Mr. Devereaux.” She shoved to her feet on shaky legs, scraping the chair against the chipped tile floor. “I can’t help you.” She took a step backward. “I won’t.”
    Her feet couldn’t move fast enough as she ran out of the sandwich shop and across the street to the hospital. He called her name, but she refused to look back. Tears already blurred her vision, and she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of crying in front of him. Again. He might not have recognized her as the girl who’d broken down in tears at the death of her dream last year, but her heartache would all come out if she had to speak to him again.
    She didn’t stop her mad dash until she’d reached Grandmere’s door. Alyssa paused in the hall, fighting to get her anguish and breathing under control. Why hadn’t she recognized him immediately? She’d vowed that day to prove herself a better reporter than the lackey they’d promoted. Hadn’t she committed his face to memory?
    The door to Grandmere’s room whooshed open, and CoCo skidded to a stop. “Al? What are you doing standing out here?” She laid a hand on Alyssa’s arm. “Why, you’re pale as a magnolia in full bloom. What’s wrong?”
    She couldn’t confide in her sister about the mortification she’d endured. CoCo had never understood how much Alyssa had wanted that job—how she’d craved success so badly she could taste it rinsing out the tang of the bayou in her mouth. The job symbolic of her mother’s legacy at the paper. When she’d been turned down, she suffered her worst humiliation. Even more so than the kids in school who’d taunted and tormented her because of her grandmother’s position in the voodoo community.
    â€œN-Nothing. I just got a little winded, I guess.”
    â€œThe elevator still bother you?” CoCo’s face filled with sympathy.
    The last thing Alyssa wanted. CoCo couldn’t realize Alyssa didn’t have claustrophobia. No, Alyssa’s fear derived from the small elevator car’s similarity to a compact automobile. Being in the confined space made her hear the crunching metal, smell the smoke and fire.
    â€œI’m fine.” She fumbled for the lip balm to soothe her personal reminder of the crash. “How’s Grandmere?”
    â€œEating lunch. I was about to run to the cafeteria and grab a bite. Want to come with me?”
    Food was the last thing she wanted, but she didn’t need CoCo getting suspicious. That would only lead to more questions—ones Alyssa refused to entertain. “I’m not really hungry, but I could use a cold drink.”
    Her