Page 45 of Bayou Sunset

Daisy Mae nodded. “I be there in a minute. I need to wash these real fast-like.” A dishwasher was on her list of kitchen upgrades, but she had become skilled at handwashing quickly.

She carefully scrubbed each dish, letting the warm water and soapy suds soothe her thoughts. After meticulously wiping down the table and counters, she straightened the kitchen towels, purposely taking her time. Eventually, she leisurely made her way to the bedroom, savoring each step as a moment of respite in her busy day.

As she arrived in her bedroom, she smiled at a snoring Steve, still dressed, on the covers of her bed. “Steve?” she called to confirm he was good and out cold.

When he didn’t answer, grunt, or move, she knew this was her chance. Daisy Mae quickly rushed to her ornate wooden dresser, her hands skimming over the smooth surface in search of the perfectly coordinated outfit. She carefully chose a sleek pair of black shorts and a matching black tank top from the neatly folded clothes. A few moments later, she stepped over to her closet, where an array of hats awaited her. After a brief perusal, she discovered a predominantly black hat with striking white lettering, which she knew would complement her outfit flawlessly for the occasion. She almost snorted out loud for ensuring she matched for this outing.

She felt ready when she donned her short, black combat boots with black socks. At least, she’d dressed the part. Once again, when she called for Steve, she was relieved when he appeared out for the count. She didn’t know how long she had, but she had to make the most of each moment.

Grabbing the keys to the truck from by the front door, she quietly snuck from the house. She planned to thoroughly search Mario’s boat tonight, knowing she wouldn’t have any time to herself after the other agents arrived.

As Daisy Mae carefully steered the truck near the dock, she couldn’t help but notice the bustling activity at Duke’s. Clearly, the business was thriving, with customers coming and going steadily. She hoped no one saw her sneaking around the boats.

Daisy Mae’s heart pounded in her chest as uncertainty clouded her thoughts. However, her emotions quickly shifted when she realized the vacant space whereSeas the Dayhad been anchored. Anger surged within her once more.

As she exited the truck, she tugged her cap down low and cautiously glanced around, scanning the empty dock to ensure no one was present. Given that no one resided on their boats, it seemed unlikely that any owners would be nearby.

Using the flashlight from her phone, she made her way toMario’s boat,Paroles du village. She always thought “Talk of the Town” was a silly name for a boat, but clients loved it.

With her heart pounding so loudly that she couldn’t hear anything but its relentless beat, she leaped onto the bow of Mario’s boat. She stood motionless for a moment, scanning her surroundings for any lingering patrons from the bar. Not a soul was in sight, confirming that she had evaded any potential encounters.

As Daisy Mae approached the cockpit and stepped inside, she knew she was running out of time. Steve could wake up soon and realize that she was gone. Once he did, he would send all the men out to look for her, and more than just the women would arrive tomorrow.

If only she knew what evidence she needed to show them that it was Mario.

Before she could even take a single step toward her search, a strong hand suddenly covered her mouth from behind, sending a jolt of fear through her body.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“SHH,” CAME A whispered voice in Daisy Mae’s ear, unfamiliar to her.

As she braced to retaliate, she suddenly caught a sound from above. A faint noise indicated that someone was present on the deck. Two threats were before her, creating a palpable sense of unease. The overwhelming odds were stacked against her, but she was determined to muster every ounce of strength and resourcefulness to break free from the clutches of the one restraining her and the other ominously positioned on the deck.

The voice whispered again in her ear, a soft, cautionary sound. This time, she recognized it immediately. Ash’s voice echoed in the air, making her wonder if he had followed her. She quickly contemplated if this meant Steve was on deck but dismissed the possibility. She reasoned that Ash wouldn’t silence her from a friend.

As the steps from above approached the stairway, Ash guided them into the lavatory, which was a tight space. She was pressed against him, and unlike Steve, it wasn’t as comfortable.

Daisy Mae interpreted a string of French words that flew through the air.Mario.As he combed through the lower deck of his boat, Daisy Mae couldn’t shake off the unsettling thought that someone else might have maliciously planted explosives on her boat instead unless Mario expected a retaliatory strike from her and her friends.

If Mario wasn’t the one, then who could it be? She was confident it couldn’t be the treasure hunter, as she didn’t possess the map—her brothers did. Then again, their place had also been ransacked.

The beads of sweat trickled down her back, and her heart raced with anxiety. She couldn’t shake the fear that Mario would soon inspect the small lavatory where she and Ash had takencover. She was consumed with worry about what would happen if he found them. Would he jump to the conclusion that she was the one responsible for planting the explosives?

As Mario meticulously checked the boat, his frustrated mutterings in a rapid string of incomprehensible French words indicated his inebriation. His speech was slurred, making it evident that he had been drinking.

As Daisy Mae slowly realized that Casper’s hand was still covering her mouth, she cautiously raised her hand and carefully removed his. As she did so, her elbow inadvertently knocked against the wall with a soft thud, sending a jolt of dread through her. Her heart raced, worried that the noise may have alerted Mario to their presence.

She stood frozen in paralyzing fear, a sick feeling in her stomach, anticipating the creak of the door opening and the inevitable moment of being caught snooping. However, to her immense relief, that moment never came.

The next sound that reached her ears was initially unfamiliar, but despite this, she made the conscious decision to remain still.

Then Ash—no, he’d earned his nickname Casper by sneaking up on her—murmured, “Well, hell.” He leaned close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin, and softly commanded, “Stay quiet.” She desperately clutched at his arm as he reached for the doorknob, but he callously shook her off. At that moment, she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of bodyguard he was about to jeopardize their safety like this.

Casper whispered, “He’s asleep,” as he slowly turned the doorknob and peered out, checking both directions to ensure it was safe. After confirming that the coast was clear, he carefully emerged from their hiding spot and extended his hand to help her out as well.

She couldn’t believe it. As she entered the room, she sawMario lying face down on his bed, fast asleep and snoring loudly. She shook her head, amazed at his ability to sleep through anything. She had come perilously close to being discovered while searching through his boat. She felt immense relief from Casper’s unexpected intervention. Nevertheless, she resolved to have a serious conversation with him once it was safe to do so regarding his decision to tail her.

Daisy Mae cautiously halted her search, realizing the danger of continuing further. She quietly trailed behind Casper, following his soft footsteps up the ladder and onto the deck. As they reached the pier, they quickened their pace, their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night. After a while, Daisy felt they had put enough distance between themselves and any potential eavesdroppers. She came to a stop, preparing herself to confront Casper finally.

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