CHAPTER 20

 LUCRETIA MORDEAU HUNG up the phone and motioned for her servant to go, leaving her alone with her young apprentice.

“Claudine, get Boudreau. Mission accomplie! Nous devons partir immediatement.”

Nodding, the petite black woman picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Boudreau, Ms. Lucretia say you come quickly. Bring the coffin. We have cargo.”

Fifteen minutes later, a large black man arrived, driving an old black hearse. Bowing respectfully to the tall dark-skinned woman emerging from behind a rusty wrought iron gate, he held open the car door, making sure not to come in contact with her or her clothing. Eyes lowered, he mumbled a respectful greeting and waited for her orders.

“To the warehouse, Boudreau, and be deescreet,” she commanded before leaning back in the seat.

Twenty minutes later, the hearse pulled quietly into a small alley between two buildings. Opening the passenger door, Boudreau again lowered his eyes as his mistress climbed from the car and looked around. From the shadows stepped a young man in his twenties. Short and stocky with mousy brown hair, he nervously sucked on a cigarette before throwing it on the pavement and crushing it with his foot.

“Ms. Mordeau?”

“Oui. Billee?”

“Umm. Yes. I’m Billy, but I don’t speak French,” he said, shrugging. “Do you have the money?”

“But of course, et une petite surprise aussi. Um, how you say? And a leetle sometheeng extra.”

Billy grinned, pleased. He could always use a few more bucks.

Glancing at Boudreau, Lucretia walked toward Billy while the large black man moved to the back of the car and opened the trunk. Reaching inside, he pulled out a small leather case and respectfully stood several feet away.

“You weel show me my mershandise now, oui?”

Billy’s gaze wandered slowly up and down the woman’s body, admiring the tall slender figure beneath the colorful scarves and midcalf-length black dress. Her skin was smooth, milk chocolate brown. Braided locks pulled back from her face emphasized the high cheeks. Coffee brown eyes stared back at him in amusement as she waited patiently for him to finish his perusal. After staring into her eyes for a few seconds, he glanced away, embarrassed at having been so obvious.

“Sorry, Ms. Mordeau. I’ve never seen a voodoo priestess before. You’re not exactly what I expected.”

“Mais what did you expect?” she asked.

Billy coughed and blushed. “Well, you know how the movies are.”

“Certainment, I do. You do not like what you see?”

“Oh, no! I mean yes. That’s not what I meant. You’re very beautiful. I just thought you’d be a lot older is all.”

“How old do you theenk I am?” Lucretia asked curiously, tilting her head.

“Gosh, I don’t know, mid-forties maybe,” he stammered.

Lucretia laughed and hooked her arm through his, turning him toward the shadowed entrance of the warehouse. “Merci, Billee,” she said, chuckling softly. “My forties left me long ago, but eez nice to hear from such a handsome young man. Maintenant, where eez my mershandise?”

“Inside.”

Lydia heard the two talking a few seconds before they walked into the room. Beside her boyfriend walked a middle-aged woman of striking beauty. Although obviously of African descent, the refined features and bone structure left no doubt about her mixed ancestry.

Seeing Lydia leaning against the wall in a dark corner, Lucretia turned to Billy.

“You breeng your young madame to such a place as thees?” She arched one eyebrow and frowned. “Thees eez no way to treat your petite copine, cher,” she reprimanded. “Such a pretty jeune fille should never see such theengs. Where are your manners?”

Blushing again, Billy remained silent.

“Never mind. I theenk you learn your lesson, oui? Now to business, eh?”

“Umm... sure. He’s over there.” Billy pointed to a door and handed her his captive’s wallet. Glancing at a credit card, Lucretia tucked it back into its slot and gave it to Boudreau.

“Merci! Boudreau, donnes l’argent à ce jeune homme et accompagne-les à leur a voiture. Tu sais quoi faire.

“Oui. Pardon mais si je peux suggerer. La jeune femme vous serais utile pour le kanzo de Claudine.”

“Excellente idée. Surveille la fille. Dis à Verell de l’emmener et de la placer avec les autres. Le garçon servira de repas aux gators. Les loas seront contents. Allez!”

Bowing, Boudreau backed away and motioned for Billy and Lydia to follow him. Outside of the warehouse, several of Lucretia’s followers waited in the shadows.

“Au revoir, Billee. Enjoy your reward.”

Lucretia disappeared into the other room, leaving Billy and Lydia no option but to follow the large man from the building.

*  *  *

Ramus knew immediately when she entered the room. Her scent was a mixture of spices and herbs. Her blood smelled rich and coppery, causing his stomach to cramp in rebellion. He hadn’t eaten in a long time. Silently, he cursed the disease raging through his body. Were it not for the virus, he would have crushed this woman like the vermin she was.

 “Bonjour, Monsieur Falthama. Comment ça va?”

“What do you want with me?” he demanded, turning his head in the direction of the voice.

“C’est toi que je veux. Parles-tu Creole ou Français?”

“No!” Ramus lied, realizing he might have an advantage if she thought he didn’t understand her mother tongue.

“Dommage. I am deezappointed. I would have thought deefferently. Are you not well traveled, monsieur?”

“Travel doesn’t make one a linguist, madame. Now perhaps you will answer my questions.”

“Ah, mais oui. Where are my manners? Let me say, you have sometheeng I weesh very much.”

“And what is that?”

“Why, the same theeng you would weesh, Monsieur Falthama.” She laughed.

The sound of the door opening interrupted their conversation.

“Pardon!” Boudreau interrupted. “J’ai fait ce que vous m’avez dit.”

“Très bien. Please take Monsieur Falthama to the estate, et, Boudreau, he eez very valuable, tu comprends? You must handle him gently. Like un petit bébé,” she warned.

Bowing, Boudreau strolled over to the table and lifted the man as if he were a child. Carrying him to the hearse where several men stood near an open coffin, he gently lowered him inside and signaled for them to place the lid on it. Then the coffin was lifted and slipped into the vehicle.

Lucretia slid into the passenger seat and motioned for her servant to take them home.