Page 33 of Cursed
“Yes, there was. It was lucky that Mr. Gascon was worried when I didn’t show up on time and came looking for me,” she said, unconsciously drawing closer to him.
“Yes, lucky,” the sheriff repeated as though he was taking her assessment under advisement.
She thought about mentioning the two men who had followed her. But they would just bring up the issue of the jaguar that had scared them off. And she sensed that getting into a discussion about the cat would be a bad idea. Probably, at this point, the less she said to this man, the better. Still, she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Did you get a report on my car?”
“No.”
“Something was wrong with the brakes. I was having trouble controlling the vehicle. I thought it strange that it happened not long after I stopped at the service station in town.”
“Are you implying something?” he asked.
“Not at all,” she said evenly.
“Funny thing,” he said. “About that flash flood. Your car was found on the side nearest town. How did you get across?”
She might have asked if he thought she’d flown over the water on a broomstick. Instead, she said, “I was looking for ferns or something to put under my wheels—to get me out of the ditch. So, I was out of the car when the water suddenly swept over the road. Mr. Gascon fished me out.”
The sheriff whistled through his teeth as he eyed Andre. “I guess shewaslucky you came along.”
“Um hum,” he answered evenly.
The lawman turned back to her, switching topics abruptly. “I understand you’re going to be working in the library here.”
“I’ve already started. And I should be getting back now,” she said, taking a step away. With anyone else, her tone and body language would have ended the discussion. Apparently, the sheriff wasn’t finished with her.
“Just a minute. I assume Mr. Gascon has told you about the problems we’ve been having around here.”
She felt her stomach knot, but she kept expression bland. “I’m a researcher. I did a lot of reading about the area before agreeing to take the job.”
“And you’re not worried about working out at Belle Vista-—which is an isolated location?”
“Are you trying to get me to quit?” she demanded.
“No. I’m making sure you understand the consequences of living here.”
Beside her, Andre looked like he was going to punch the guy out—a very bad idea when it came to a cop. She wanted to put a restraining hand on his arm. But that would imply a level of intimacy that would seem strange to an outsider. It seemed strange to her, actually. But she focused on the sheriff’s statement as she said, “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I can take care of myself here. But I do have a question about the area.”
“Yes.”
“I saw a sign for a voodoo priestess in a house at the edge of town.”
“That would be Miss Sonnier.”
Sonnier. The same name as the woman in the dream.
“She supports herself with her voodoo activities?”
Both Andre and the sheriff looked uncomfortable.
“Why do you ask?” Jarvis drawled.
“If she’s any good, I might want a consultation.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Jarvis shot back.
“Why not?”
“There’s been bad blood between her family and the Gascons for generations. If you’re associated with the estate, she won’t be friendly to you.”
