Bayou Betrayal by Robin Caroll Read Free Book Online Page A

ride. I called the front desk and booked the room for a couple of weeks. I need to call my insurance company Monday. I don’t suppose they’re open on Sunday.” She let out a heavy sigh. “So much to do that I almost don’t know where to start.”
    He turned the car toward her place. “Monique, the fire chief has made his preliminary report.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œArson.”
    â€œI knew it.” She nodded, but more to herself than him.
    â€œThey’ve called in an arson investigator.”
    â€œGood. I’ll need to let my insurance company know.”
    Did she realize she’d be the first person they looked into? With arson, they always investigated the person who owned the property, who stood to gain from a loss. Especially when it was heavily insured. Did she have a big policy? “Who’s your insurance with?”
    â€œBayou Insurance.” She let out a chuckle, and his heart skipped. Throaty and deep, her laugh did strange things to his insides. “Isn’t that just a fitting name?”
    He filed away the information and joined her chuckle. “I guess so.”
    â€œSo, I’m going to have to look for a rental or something until I can find another place to buy. Know any good rentals?”
    â€œYou aren’t going to pack it up and go home?”
    She cocked her head. “And let someone run me off with my tail between my legs? Not hardly. I’ve had quite enough of other people wreaking havoc in my life, thank you very much. I won’t let myself become a victim again. Besides, I sold my house in Monroe—I have no family there. This is my home now.”
    She exuded a quiet strength, one he had to respect. If only she didn’t look so young and exposed. “Sure, I can recommend a couple of rental places.”
    â€œI’d appreciate that.”
    He steered the car into her driveway and felt rather than heard her gasp. She opened the door as soon as the cruiser came to a stop.
    â€œOh, my.”
    The air still reeked of smoke, but at least his eyes didn’t burn. He followed her toward her car, holding her elbow as she picked her way over the rocks and loose gravel.
    She stared at the still smoldering embers that had once been her home. “There’s nothing to salvage.” She swallowed hard. “Everything’s gone. My wedding album, the china Kent and I got for a wedding present…It’s almost as if my life is slowly being erased.”
    â€œI’m sorry.” And he truly was.
    She met his stare. “I’ll find out who did this, and see justice served.”
    Her tone left no question as to whether or not she was serious. “This is a police matter now. You need to let us handle it.”
    She turned her gaze back to the rubble, and didn’t reply.

FIVE
    W hy was she so nervous?
    Monique fumbled with the buttons to the dress she’d bought yesterday. Her hands felt better, to the point where she hadn’t needed as much gauze this morning. Her feet, however, were still an issue. No way would she be able to wear dress shoes to church this morning. She’d have to make do with the slip-on Crocs Ms. Della had given her.
    Studying her reflection in the mirror, she again questioned her nervousness. Going to a new church for the first time always put people a bit on edge. But it was more than that for Monique. She hadn’t darkened the door of a sanctuary since Kent’s funeral. And today her reasons for attending weren’t to mend the rift between her and God, although she knew she’d have to deal with that relationship later. Today, her main reason—her only reason, to be honest—was to check out Felicia Trahan Bertrand, the pastor’s wife and Monique’s cousin.
    She couldn’t depend on Gary Anderson to adequately question Felicia about the menacing phone call. His entire attitude whenever she suggested either of her cousins could be