A Darker Shade of Midnight by Lynn Emery Read Free Book Online

your back.”
    Hell broke loose. Kinfolks took sides with either LaShaun or Azalei and Rita. Savannah shouted that they could well destroy priceless antiques, and no one would get them. When no one listened, Savannah retreated to a corner of the room. The fighting spilled out to the long front porch and into the yard. Sirens whined closer. Moments later a Vermillion Parish Sheriff’s patrol car pulled into the yard, blue lights flashing.
    Devin Martin swabbed sweat from his forehead with one shaking hand. “Thank God for the cavalry.”
    Deputy Broussard got out of his cruiser. He took several moments to observe the chaos then took put a handset to his mouth. Seconds later his voice boomed through a loud speaker on the roof of his cruiser.  
    “Everybody that hasn’t settled down by the time I count to five is going to jail.”  
    Deputy Arceneaux stepped out of a second cruiser. She was with her partner, a lanky man the color of dark chocolate. He walked past Deputy Arceneaux to stand on the edge of the front lawn with his feet wide apart. Deputy Broussard’s countdown had the desired effect. Loud curses and name calling gradually died away. Two of LaShaun’s male cousins got into a shoving match. Deputy Arceneaux’s partner barked orders at them. When they broke apart the deputy stood between them.
    “Who should I handcuff first?” he said, his voice a deep rumble. His tone indicated he didn’t care which one; just that he would enjoy snapping the steel bracelets nice and tight.
    “Arrest her. Me and Rita are going to press charges.” Azalei pointed to LaShaun, and then rubbed a red spot on her left cheek. “She’s going to pay my medical expenses, too. After she gets out of jail that is.”  
    Monmon Odette came through the front door. She held onto a walker moving slowly. A teenaged great-grandson helped her along.  
    “Monmon Odette walked to the edge of the porch with careful steps while she held onto a teenage great-grandson. “I’m old and can’t hear too good these days. Say again, Azalei?”
    “LaShaun…” Azalei stopped when she locked gazes with her grandmother.  
      “Somebody wanna tell me what happened?” Deputy Broussard said.
    “Family discussion that got out of hand. Nobody got hurt, and everybody is going to go home and cool off. Ain’t that right, children?” Monmon Odette.
    Uncle Theo cleared his throat and tucked his shirt back into his pants. “Mostly a bunch of yelling, officer. No real harm done.”  
    “Yeah, nothin’ but a little family disagreement.” Uncle Albert put on a tight smile.
    “So that’s the story, huh?” Deputy Broussard looked around the crowd, but no one answered. Then he stared hard at LaShaun.  
    “Apparently we’re all sticking to it.” LaShaun looked at Rita and Azalei.
    ““Then I suggest everybody follow Miss Odette’s advice and go home,” Deputy Broussard said.
    He nodded to the other deputies. They in turn walked into the crowd. Deputy Arceneaux and her partner herded people toward the cars parked in the driveway and on the lawn. LaShaun’s two uncles, aunt, and Rita lingered on the porch. The deputies concentrated on moving the younger, more combative relatives out. When Deputy Broussard turned back to LaShaun she shrugged and walked toward him with a smile.
    “Thanks so much for being a source law and order. Just what these folks needed.” LaShaun titled her head to one side when he squinted at her. “What?”
    “People around town said you were trouble. Looks like you’re eager to prove they’re right.” Deputy Broussard rested a hand on one slim hip.
    “What else did they say about me?”  
    “Isn’t that enough?   Not much of a character endorsement if you ask me.” Deputy Broussard looked down at her with a stone face.  
    LaShaun felt a rush of heat beneath her skin, the sign when she “saw” clearly what others did not. Deputy Broussard had his will set on not finding her attractive. She could almost hear