Rue Toulouse by Debby Grahl Read Free Book Online

and straightened her gown.
     
    “Wait a minute, Princess,” Remi called as she hurried from the arbor. “What’s your real name? Damn it, wait for me.” As he straightened his own clothes, he spotted something shiny lying on the ground. He picked up the object and headed after her.

Chapter Five

    Caterine ran as quietly and quickly as she could along the winding paths leading through Elaine’s dimly lit garden. She darted through the back door that led to a mud room and the kitchen. As she swept by the startled caterers, she acted as if it were perfectly normal for a disheveled princess to be hurrying past.
    “So far so good,” she murmured, dashing through the quiet lower rooms. Thankfully the party is on the third floor. I have a better chance of escape. I’ll get my cape and bag and get out of here. When she reached the cloakroom, she sighed with relief. Other than the hired attendants, there wasn’t anyone around. With cape and bag in hand, she slipped from the house and through the night to her car. Caterine had her cell phone out when she started the Mercedes. She said a prayer of thanks knowing that whenever Elaine left her boys with a sitter she kept her cell phone handy.
    “Hello.”
    “Elaine, it’s me.”
    “What? I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.”
    Caterine’s voice rose. “Elaine, it’s me, Caterine.”
    “Hang on a minute. I need to go where it’s quieter. Okay, I’m out on the gallery. Caterine, is that you?”
    “Yes, it’s me. Don’t say anything, just listen. If anyone asks you who the lady was wearing the princess gown, you have to say you don’t know. Understand?”
    “What’s going on? Where are you?”
    “I’m in my car heading home. Elaine, please, it’s important. Don’t tell anyone who I am.”
    “Okay, I get it. But why are you going home? Are you all right?”
    “Yes, I’m fine. You’re not going to believe what I’ve done.”
    “What? Wait a minute. Here comes Paul, and there’s someone with him. I don’t want him to see I’m talking to you.”
    Caterine had turned into Audubon Place, passing the guard at the gates, and headed for her driveway. When she heard Elaine’s next words, she almost hit the mailbox.
    “Well, hi, Remi. I’m glad to finally meet you.” Elaine continued, “You’re looking for whom? I’m sorry. I’m not sure who that could be.”
    Caterine then heard Paul’s voice but couldn’t understand what he was saying. Had Paul seen her in the dress? She didn’t think so, but she couldn’t be sure.
    Elaine spoke again. “Cat? Well, yes, the girl you describe sounds like her but, Remi, I’m sorry, Cat wasn’t here tonight. She called and told me she couldn’t make it. It must have been someone else.”
    Good girl, Elaine .
    Caterine put the car into park and leaned her head on the steering wheel. This couldn’t be happening.
    “If I discover who your mystery lady is, I’ll be sure to let Paul know,” Elaine concluded.
    Seconds passed before Elaine’s voice came back on the phone. “Okay, they’re gone,” she whispered. “Caterine, are you still there?”
    “Yes, I’m here. Thanks. You don’t know how much I appreciate what you just did.”
    “You can show your appreciation by telling me what’s going on. I swear Remi looks like the guy who tried to help you earlier today.”
    “He is.”
    “He is what?”
    “The same guy.”
    “Oh . . . my . . . God, I don’t believe this. What’s the chance your hero is Paul’s friend and partner? This is perfect.”
    “No, this is not perfect.”
    “Why, what’s wrong? Why do you want to avoid Remi?”
    “So that’s his real name.”
    “What do you mean, that’s his real name ? I thought you two had met. Didn’t he introduce himself?”
    “Sort of.”
    “Sort of? Cat, what are you talking about?”
    “He said he was Jean Lafitte.”
    “The pirate?”
    “That’s him.”
    “Okay, what happened between you and the pirate?”
    “We . . .