Momon Odette still lay in the critical care unit of Vermilion Hospital on the day of Rita’s funeral. Despite the family’s outraged protests LaShaun took control of her grandmother’s medical care and assets. Although Momon Odette was conscious she had trouble talking and was weak on the left side of her body. She did not know that one of her two most beloved granddaughters was dead and the other a suspect in her death.
LaShaun sat alone on one end of a pew in the family section. She was like an island with empty space around her. Family members jammed against each other in the rest of the section. No one wanted to sit next to her. The small Catholic church resonated with the solemn notes from an organ as mourners filed in. The sanctuary was packed with the large extended Rousselle clan, reporters and curious townspeople. Sheriff Triche and Deputy Gautreaux, and Deputy Broussard stood along the wall near the entrance doors. From that vantage point they could see everything.
Father Alvarez gave a brief eulogy. Rita’s mother softly sobbed as the priest talked about Rita’s high school athletic accomplishments. Both of Rita’s younger half-sisters attempted to console her. Their father, Rita’s stepfather, glanced at LaShaun over his shoulder a few times. Jackie, Rita’s nineteen-year-old sister, followed his gaze the last time he looked. Anger smoldered in her dark eyes as she stared had at LaShaun. Azalei, seated on the pew directly behind the young woman, leaned forward and whispered something to her.
Once the service ended LaShaun stood alone outside Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A group of mourners surrounded Rita’s mother as she emerged. LaShaun approached and the crowd parted. Rita’s husband stood at her back, both daughters on either side.
“I’m so sorry Auntie Shirl. Rita and I-"
“Get out my mama’s face, witch,” Jackie snapped.
Chelette, the seventeen year old, grimaced at LaShaun. “Yeah, take your evil self away from here. It’s a wonder God don’t strike you down. You killed our sister.”
LaShaun felt dizzy as two dozen pairs of hostile eyes bored into her. She shook her head and tried to speak. Before she could gather strength for another attempt, Azalei appeared.
“I’m not one to cast stones with no proof, but everybody knows you had a fight with Rita. I don’t know why you even came here.” Azalei wore a nasty scowl as though the very sight of LaShaun was offensive. A murmur of agreement passed through the crowd gathered outside the church.
“Mrs. Mercier,” LaShaun said to Rita’s mother ignoring everyone else. “You must know I would never hurt Rita. Never.”
“Humph, two people that was in between you and money end up dead. Some strange coincidence,” Azalei shot back.
“Come on family. We need to bury our dead. The sheriff will sort out the truth,” Mr. Mercier, Rita’s stepfather. Gestured toward the long black Lincoln waiting to take them to the cemetery.
Rita’s mother put a hand over her heart at those words. More tears slid down her face. As her husband guided her along she pulled back. “Y’all go on. I’m comin’ in a little bit. Go on,” she repeated when he and her daughters hesitated.
“We’re watching you,” Chelette warned as her father pulled her away.
“I’m talkin’ to LaShaun in private,” Auntie Shirl said when Azalei and her mother, Leah, both started to speak. Auntie Shirl stared them and other onlookers until they all moved away whispering to each other.
“Auntie Shirl, it’s true Rita and I had a fight. She resented the way Momon Odette seemed to favor me.” LaShaun spoke quickly.
“I know all about the will, LaShaun,” Auntie Shirl cut her off. She turned her back to the curious crowd staring at them. With one hand on LaShaun’s shoulder she maneuvered them farther from all the inquisitive ears straining to eavesdrop.
“I didn’t care about getting more money,” LaShaun continued.
Auntie Shirl sighed. “But Momon did favor you, cher.”
“Momon Odette loved Rita real hard, Auntie Shirl.”
Her aunt studied LaShaun for a few seconds then sighed. She dabbed tears from the corner of her eyes. “Yes, she was good to Rita.”
“Auntie Shirl,” LaShaun began then stopped. She tried to think of some way to comfort her more. Instead LaShaun only choked up.
"Some of Rita being resentful is my fault, too. I took her for granted, got busy with two babies. Since she was a teenager and didn’t give me trouble I just assumed she didn’t need me as much. But she thought I didn’t love her like I loved them.” Auntie Shirl nodded toward her husband and two daughters.”
“I’m so sorry,” LaShaun said quietly. A tear slid down her face. She wiped it away.
“Rita told me y’all made up. She told me she was sorry for saying mean things to you, that you wasn’t gonna fight over money the way Azalei said you would.” Auntie Shirl leaned forward. “I know what the rest of ‘em think, but I know you wouldn’t have killed Rita.” Auntie Shirl gave LaShaun’s arm a tight squeeze.
“Thank God,” LaShaun started to embrace her but Auntie Shirl pushed her away.
With one hand she waved off her husband and daughters who started toward them. “Y’all just get in the car.”
“Ma’am we got to get movin’ to the cemetery. We can’t mess up their schedule. They got another internment today.” One of the funeral directors called out.
Auntie Shirl nodded and waved again without looking at the man. “Rita told me she realized you ain’t after money. Not like that cousin of yours. You know the one I’m talkin’ about.”
“Azalei,” LaShaun murmured.
“You promise me something, girl.” Her aunt’s gaze intensified, her eyes almost feverish.
“Anything,” LaShaun whispered.
“Find out who took my child out of this world. Make them pay. I’m not sure the law can do it right. But I know you can. Momon Odette taught you the old ways. Make whoever did this pay.”
LaShaun was stunned. Her aunt was asking to seek vengeance, to kill the killer. Even though Auntie Shirl didn’t think LaShaun had killed Rita she still thought LaShaun could and would take a life. This saddened LaShaun even more. She let go of a long hissing breath. “I will bring them to justice.”
Auntie Shirl exhaled also. Tension seemed to ease somewhat from her nut brown face. She gave an almost imperceptible nod. “It’s better if everybody think I believe you killed Rita.”
LaShaun blinked hard at Auntie Shirl, not sure she heard her right. Seconds later she understood. The real killer would relax, thinking that LaShaun was the suspect. Maybe the killer would get careless and make a mistake.
“I understand,” LaShaun said softly.
Auntie Shirl pretended to knock LaShaun’s hand away from her arm. “You stay away from me and my family. I know what you did. I hope you get locked up for life for killing my Rita.”
LaShaun flinched as though she’d been slapped hard across the face. Part of her felt pain at those words, even though she knew Auntie Shirl was acting. Auntie Shirl spun around and walked quickly to the limo. She got in without looking back at LaShaun. Her husband shook his head. Chelette and Jackie tossed one last glare at LaShaun then followed their mother into the limo.
“Bet you won’t get away with murder this time,” Azalei said over LaShaun’s shoulder.
LaShaun turned to confront her cousin. “I didn’t get away with murder the first time. I didn’t care about who killed old man Trosclair, but I very much care about who killed Rita. Like you all say Momon Odette taught me well. Taught me how to look through walls and around corners to see the truth.”
“Humph.” Azalei smirked at her. “Don’t try scaring me with that voodoo woman act. This time you’re going down.” She strutted off.
LaShaun stood in the sunshine. She wanted the sun’s warmth to banish the chill in her soul. Once again she was the center of suspicion. LaShaun wanted to cry for her cousin, to weep for Momon Odette. No tears came. Instead her eyes were dry and gritty.
Sheriff Triche came over to her. He still held his hat in his hands. “Come down to the station to give a statement.”
“I know. You want me to explain where I was when Rita was killed, what I know about it, etc.” LaShaun shook off the weariness pulling at her body.
He nodded. “Somethin’ like that. Don’t have to be today. Let’s say ten tomorrow mornin’. So sorry such a young life has ended.” Sheriff Triche trudged away. His gray haired head was bent down as he walked.
Deputy Broussard appeared to LaShaun’s left. “I want to talk to you.”
“I’ll just bet you do. I’m sure you’ll be ready for the inquisition tomorrow, right?” LaShaun shot him a fiery glance. “Be patient. You’ll have a chance at me then.”
“No, let’s meet tonight. Some place private,” he said low.
“You must be crazy. I’m not walking into some trap you set up. Probably wired for sound right now. No thanks. I— ”
“I don’t think you killed anybody,” he cut her off. “But I need to know some things from you. Call me.” He stood close as though questioning her. His tall frame blocked the view of the crowd as he slipped his business card into her hand. His cell phone number was written on the back. Broussard strode off with a grim expression.
LaShaun felt overwhelmed with it all. Was he trying to set her up? Grief and exhaustion made it hard to think straight. She felt surrounded by circling wolves. Just then several funeral home staff came out carrying flower arrangements that would be sent to the family later. One spray of white and blue flowers held a huge lavender ribbon with Rita’s name printed across it. LaShaun felt a surge of fury. The need to seek justice for Rita and to protect her grandmother churned through her veins like super heated blood. LaShaun would call Deputy Broussard. She would do whatever it took to right this wrong.
“Somebody is gonna pay, Rita,” LaShaun vowed.
Episode 13
