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up the trail.
    “Mr. LeDoux,” Ray said. “I shouldn’t be speaking to you about this, as Vernon is my boss, but I agree that what he said about Ms. Bettencourt is disrespectful. Disrespecting ladies don’t sit right with me.”
    Tanner nodded. “I’m guessing being accused of being drunk on the job doesn’t sit well with you, either. It wouldn’t me.”
    “No, sir, it doesn’t, so I’m going to say something I wouldn’t otherwise. I don’t trust the man.”
    Tanner stared, a bit surprised at the man’s directness. “Any particular reason why?”
    “He disappears most of the day. I know he’s supposed to be helping with the work. I’ve heard Ms. Bettencourt say as much, but he’s never here more than a couple of minutes before he disappears into the swamp.”
    “Any idea what he does out there?”
    “No, but I’ve never see him with fish or game, so I can only assume he’s up to no good. Ain’t no man needs to walk around in the swamp all day to clear his mind.”
    “That’s true.”
    “I followed him a bit one day, but I think he heard me.” Ray gave Tanner a sheepish look. “He lost me in the undergrowth.”
    “We all lose the trail sometimes.”
    “Yessir, but I don’t very often. Vernon’s good...real good. I’m just letting you know, in case you had in mind to see what he’s up to.”
    “I appreciate it. Hey, what time did he come back to the work site today?”
    “About two hours ago.”
    “And he didn’t say anything about where he’d been or what he was doing?”
    “Nope.” Ray frowned. “It was kinda strange, though. He was soaking wet. Like he’d been swimming or something. He’s stayed at the site longer today than he has since I started, but he still didn’t lift a finger to help. He only sat there scribbling on that paper of his.”
    “I appreciate you telling me all this.”
    “I don’t like to talk about another man’s business,” Ray said, “but I don’t think Vernon is doing right by Ms. Bettencourt. She’s worried about everything opening on time, and Vernon shouldn’t be adding to that worry.”
    “You’re right. It’s his job to eliminate some of that worry. If you hear or observe anything else that looks off, please let me know.”
    “I will. Are you staying at the main house?”
    “Until I find the vandal, yes.”
    “That’s good. I don’t think Ms. Bettencourt should be there alone. I have to tell you that if this job was for anyone but Ms. Bettencourt, I would have quit already. I got a bad feeling about all of this.” He gave Tanner a nod and headed back down the path to the work site.
    Tanner watched as he walked away. He had a bad feeling, as well.
    * * *
    T HE VANDAL WATCHED the tracker and the crew leader from behind a cypress tree. Only pieces of the conversation carried to the cypress tree, but it was easy to fill in the gaps. They were both worried about the bitch. The simpering, whining, spoiled bitch. The crew leader was of no concern. The man didn’t have the nerve or the skill to follow someone with considerable skill through the swamp, but the tracker was worrisome.
    On the plus side, the crew men were nervous and superstitious. The easiest way to shut down all this nonsense was to scare them off the job. Strong, available men weren’t exactly plentiful, and even fewer wanted to work in the swamp when they could get higher-paying work in the midst of the sights and thrills of New Orleans.
    Tonight, the vandal would strike again.

Chapter Seven
    Josie had showered and changed and was standing in front of the refrigerator when Tanner walked in the back door. The sun was already setting, casting a dim glow over the back lawn. She felt her lower back loosen as she saw him walk inside and realized how tense she’d been, wondering what he’d found, if anything.
    “I was just trying to decide on supper,” she said. “I’m afraid I don’t have much in stock, but I could fry some bacon and eggs if you’re