Page 15 of Pierre
“She said that some of the children they’ve treated talked about Henri. They said he gave them candy and other treats.”
“Creepy dudes kidnapping kids tend to lure them in with candy,” said Tucker.
“I know, but did any of you get a sense that he was out to harm anyone tonight?” He looked at the other men as they pondered the question.
“Honestly?” asked Tucker. “No. He seemed genuinely concerned with the area. The first thing I thought of was that he reminded me of my old man doing neighborhood watch. Do y’all remember people doing that? Walking the neighborhood to keep it safe.”
“I remember,” said Fish. “My mom was the one who walked the building. We were in an apartment in Brooklyn, but she walked every floor just to be sure folks were okay. Do people do that anymore?”
“I don’t know,” said Pierre. “All I know is that he seemed genuinely concerned for the people. He and his men, boys, lifted as many bodies as we did.”
“Well,” said Butch, “we’re not going to figure this out tonight. For what it’s worth, Robicheaux, Ambry is beautiful and obviously very talented. She was amazing with the victims.”
“She is pretty amazing,” he smirked. “Her old man was a SEAL, and her grandfather and great-grandfather were SEALs as well.”
“No shit!” laughed Winslow. “You dumb ass.”
“No, it’s not like that. They’re good men. All of them.” The others eyed him, and then Butch opened his mouth.
“Oh. Shit. You’re a Robicheaux Ranger.” Pierre looked down, saying nothing. “Don’t ignore that shit, brother. That’s fucking amazing.”
“Wait. Is your family Voodoo Guardians?” asked Tucker.
“Yes. My father is Frank Robicheaux. My mother is Lane Quinn Robicheaux.”
“Jesus. You really are one of them. Talk about hitting the adoption lottery.”
“I’m well aware,” he said, nodding.
“Hey, brother, I meant nothing by that. It’s fucking cool,” said Butch. “Back to what you were saying, what do we do about Henri?”
“We find him. Tomorrow, that’s our mission. We find him and talk to him. I want to know where these kids are going. When my father found me here, there was a man who reminds me of him. He was hiding children from someone, and everyone thought he was kidnapping them. Maybe he took a cue from him.”
“Maybe,” yawned Fish. “Either way, will you ask your girl to hook me up with that nurse, Judy? She was fucking hot as shit. Did you see her tits?”
“Hey. She’s a friend to Ambry. Don’t speak like that,” said Pierre.
“Sorry, brother. I was just guy talking.”
“I know. I’m just sensitive to that kind of stuff. My mother, grandmother, everyone in my family would have skinned me alive if I spoke like that.”
“You know, Pierre, you really are lucky, brother,” said Winslow. “I watched some of those kids out there, crying because they were hurt.”
“We all saw that,” said Butch.
“Yeah, but when you were a kid and hurt, you cried for your mother or father. Those kids weren’t crying for anyone except themselves.”
Breakfast wasn’t exactly an intimate event. Four hundred men and women crowded the chow hall in the belly of the ship. Pierre actually slept later than usual, finding himself blissfully, sexually satisfied. When he arrived, Ambry was seated next to her friends, his own team seated across from them.
She had her long blonde hair tied up in a knot, only serving to emphasize her long neck.
“Good morning,” he smiled. “Space for me?”
“Always,” she grinned, scooting over. She heard someone clear their throat and looked up to see her commanding officer. “He’s, he’s a friend.”
“Right. And I’m a virgin,” she said with a sour face. “I know he’s family. Just be careful. Others may not be so understanding.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” said Pierre. “How are the patients?”
