Page 39 of Bayou Sunset

Steve stood with a firm and composed posture. His arms confidently crossed over his chest as he observed the show. What was wrong with men? Wasn't he supposed to support and protect her? Isn't that what couples did? Well, they weren't a couple, just lovers—actually, a one-night stand.

“Moi?” Mario asked, looking between her and Steve. “I no do anyting wrong.” He pointed at Daisy Mae. “She be stubborn as a goat.”

With a surge of frustration, she drew her arm back, preparing to unleash a decisive blow to Mario’s jaw. However, before her fist could make contact, someone swiftly intercepted, gripping her arm and arresting its forward trajectory. Damn, Steve. Now, he interferes.

“That be enough,” Steve said, holding her arm, “both of ya.”

“Mais, he—”

“I know what he said, sweetheart.”

Before she could respond to either his siding with Mario or calling her sweetheart, his buddies stepped forward.

“Introduce us, Daisy Mae,” Rob said with Ash at his side.

Daisy Mae shot a piercing glare at the man. Was he serious about going for formality after someone blew up her boat while her rival pilot’s boat miraculously survived? Enough was enough. “Introduce yourself. I be done with datcouyon.” She walked away. Let them figure it out. She was going to talk to Alice.

Alice had diligently collected statements from witnesses until she could sit down with Daisy Mae and delve into the details of what had transpired over a casual drink at Duke’s, and that time had finally arrived. Daisy Mae had had enough of men for the day.

Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop, and without looking back, she knew it was Steve.

“Daisy Mae,” Steve said, “stop. I be wanting to talk wit you.”

Not wanting to deny the stupid man anything, she halted and turned. “Oui?” What would be so profound now? He wouldn't hold Mario or interrogate him. What good was he?

As her cheeks warmed with embarrassment, she couldn’t help but think back to the events of the previous evening and what he was capable of.

“If ya calm down—”

Those were the wrong words to say to a woman, especiallynow. “Calm down? Calm down? I show ya calm down.” As she swiftly pivoted away from him, she entered Duke’s. Inside, she spotted Alice at a table, where two frosted beers glistened in the dim light. She joined her friend at the table with a quick stride, ready to unwind after a terrible morning. When Steve approached the table, she held up a hand to stop him, “Non. This be me interview wit the police. I no need ya here.”

Hesitantly, as if suddenly comprehending his mistake, he uttered, “Okay, but I be here when ya finish. We not be done by a long shot, Daisy Mae.”

The intensity of their relationship was overwhelming her. She felt the need to take some time to unwind and reflect on the current state of her life.

“Here.” Alice pushed a cold glass of beer. “Drink up. It sounds like ya be needing it.”

Did she ever! “Merci.” After taking a long drink of the brew, she sat the glass down, condensation slipping down her fingers. “I did need dat.”

“I sure be sorry about yabateau.” Alice flipped open the small notepad on the table.

Daisy Mae often marveled at how Alice could fit all her notes in such a small notebook, but it was standard issue for the sheriff’s department, and her friend had become accustomed to its compact size. “It no be ya fault.”

“Mais,” Alice said, “let's see if we can find out who be at fault.”

“Oui. What do ya have?” Daisy Mae eagerly anticipated that Alice’s inquiries to others had unearthed profound insights.

“I be sorry to say—nothing.”

“Nothing? How could ya be having nothing?” Daisy Mae’s fury was unleashed. “We have Mario, and if dat not be enough, Antoine still thinks mefrèresstole his map. One of dem had to have done it. And Mario be right here. He coulda setoff an explosion and ensured hisbateaube safe.” Wasn't it coincidental that his boat was parked further from hers than usual? Hmm.

“Daisy Mae,” Alice said calmly, “I not be done investigating. I got nothing from anyone out dere today. I plan to speak wit Mario, Antoinne, and everyone else I can. The sheriff no be happy about having something explode in his parish, especially after shots were fired at that samebateau. I be pressed to solve it fast.”

“What about ya other cases? Ya be having a big load already.” Daisy Mae rubbed her finger over the rim of her glass, trying to comprehend it all.

“The sheriff give dem to someone else. Now, I be completely devoted to dis case.”

With the help of her friend and Steve’s friends, she anticipated that this “situation” would be resolved quickly, allowing her to move on and search for another boat. Left with no other concerns, she was left to ponder the intricacies of her relationship with Steve and question whether it existed, as this would determine her future course of action after dealing with the insurance company.

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