Bayou Paradox by Robin Caroll Read Free Book Online

twenty-four/seven.”
    Oh, happy day. Time to end this little tête-à-tête. “I appreciate that. Thanks again.” Tara eased the door closed. At least the air conditioner blew cooler air now.
    She put the car in reverse, still gripping the card. She stared at it for a moment before dropping it into the console. Suzie waved from the parking lot as if they were long-lost best friends. Tara turned the car and pointed it toward home.
    Godly woman? More like strange woman.
    Â 
    â€œSheriff, I understand two elderly ladies have been hospitalized over the past two days.”
    Bubba shifted in his chair and doodled as he gripped the phone tighter. “Yes, Mayor. My aunt and Luc Trahan’s grandmother-in-law.” Was that even a word, grandmother-in-law?
    â€œMrs. LeBlanc is a member of our congregation. Is there something going on I should know about?”
    Swallowing back a groan, Bubba dropped the pencil onto his desk calendar. “We’re still waiting for test results on both ladies.”
    â€œWhat I’m asking, Sheriff, is, is there a threat to Lagniappe?” The mayor’s curt words matched his tone.
    What Bubba wouldn’t give to be able to answer that question with certainty. “At this moment, sir, I don’t think so.”
    â€œYou don’t think so? That’s not good enough. I need to know. I have to protect the citizens. They’ve suffered enough recently.” Mayor Carlson’s implication cut to the core.
    Bubba cringed against the reference. Like he didn’t remember? “I understand, sir.”
    â€œI’m working behind the scenes to try to bring new life into this town. The last thing I need is to scare off potential industrialists.”
    â€œI’ll get you an answer as soon as I know something.”
    â€œYou’re the sheriff—light a fire under somebody.”
    â€œYes, sir.” But the disconnecting click told him the mayor didn’t hear him. Bubba slammed the phone back in its cradle.
    He didn’t need the added stress of Mayor Carlson breathing down his neck. If he were smart, he’d take a leave of absence and spend his time at his aunt’s bedside. Unfortunately he didn’t have anyone to take his place. Deputy Gary Anderson was good but still too wet behind the ears to head an investigation. Still, this wasn’t really a police investigation, right? Just a follow-up.
    Reports sat on the edge of his desk. He grabbed the first folder—Anderson’s report from the gas company. No leaks detected at Tanty’s house, inside or out.
    Bubba closed the folder and rubbed his stubbled chin. Had he shaved this morning? He honestly couldn’t remember. Okay, so no gas leak. What else?
    Tanty Shaw and Marie LeBlanc. Both hospitalized with the same symptoms. Both elderly. Neither very aggressive or with any known enemies. It had to be something medical, right? Nothing else made sense.
    But two women having the same mysterious illness that medical staff couldn’t easily explain left too many unanswered questions. That didn’t make sense, either.
    What was the connection?
    He closed his eyes and leaned back in his worn chair. Their ages were close, but so were many others in town. They both lived close to the bayou, but so did a lot of other folks.
    Voodoo.
    Bubba shot upright and stared at the blank wall. That was the only common denominator between them that ruled out most of the rest of the town.
    Only, Marie LeBlanc didn’t practice voodoo anymore.
    But Tara did.
    Ah, Tara. Just her mental image sent strange sensations racing through him. He’d known her almost all her life, but now, something about her made him uncomfortable. He hadn’t had a chance to analyze his recent reaction to her yet, but he would. Later. After he figured out what was going on in his town.
    Voodoo had to be the connection. He had no clue what all that involved. He’d made it a point to steer