Page 70 of Xavier

Xavier faced forward. “I wonder if she knows she’s selling stolen items,” he said to Remy.

“That I can’t say. The Trust deals in endangered Creole and Voodoo material culture. They’ve landed a number of grants, have a board of directors and an impressive website, displaying many of the artifacts they’ve recovered and restored. They hand them off to various museums for safekeeping and for the public to enjoy. They also restore tombs that have fallen into disrepair.”

“Interesting since the tombs of Bayou Mambaloa have been vandalized,” Xavier said.

“Their reputation is immaculate and legal.”

“On the face of it,” Xavier added. “We need to talk with Odette Prejean.”

“We’re trying to locate her now. It’ll likely be tomorrow before we can question her.” Remy paused. “Is all well with your assignment?”

Xavier’s lips pressed together. “If you mean Lissette, yes. We’re headed to Madame Gautier’s island.”

“Let her know the governor has issued a mandatory evacuation order,” Remy said. “Everyone needs to be out by tomorrow. I’m assigning our guys to help with the evacuation. Jacque and Anton are on the water, notifying and assisting those who live out in the bayou. Gerard, Landry, Lucas, Valentin, Beau and I will be helping people pack, board up and batten down in town. Mace LaFayette and the Bayou Reapers motorcycle club will head in all directions out of town, helping people who live along the roads and in the backwoods.”

“If you haven’t tagged me with an area, I’ll be with Lissette boarding up stores on Main Street. Then we’ll help get her grandmother out before the storm hits.”

“That’s where I had you penned in,” Remy said. “Be careful. The weather isn’t all you need to worry about.”

“Will do,” Xavier said, choosing to take the warning for the people who’d been attacking Lissette, though Remy probably meant to be wary of Lissette. He had valid reasons to mistrust her.

“If you need help, don’t hesitate to call. We’ve got your back.”

As the call ended, the skiff coasted into the dock on Madame Gautier’s island.

A breeze had picked up, a pale harbinger of what was to come.

Xavier pocketed his phone, tied the line and helped Lissette out of the boat.

Lissette grabbed the fishnet from where it hung on a post and marched ahead of Xavier. When Napoleon darted to the left, she was ready and scooped him up into the net. The rooster squawked and struggled but couldn’t free himself.

She hung the net, bird and all, on a nail at the end of the dock and grinned.

Her smile made Xavier smile. He took her hand as they walked up the hill to her grandmother’s house.

Madame Gautier didn’t meet them on the porch this time. She called out from inside. “Come in. I’m in the kitchen.”

Lissette entered with Xavier behind her and passed through the living room into the small but bright kitchen.

Madame Gautier stood in front of the stove, stirring something in a pot that smelled particularly bad.

Lissette’s face pinched as she leaned over to look into the pot. “I hope that’s not your supper.”

“No, not dis, mon cher. It’s a batch of poultice I wanted to store in case we need it.” She nodded toward Xavier. “Mr. Xander, you takin’ good care of my granddaughter?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Is good,” she said. “Oui, oui, is good.” Her attention returned to the stove where she continued stirring.

“Grand-mère, have you heard that the governor has ordered a mandatory evacuation of this parish?” Lissette asked.

“Oui, mon cher,” she said without looking up from her work.

Lissette stepped out of the kitchen and stood in the hall. “Have you started packing?”

“No need,” her grandmother said.

Lissette turned back into the kitchen, her brow knitting. “You’ll need clothes and toiletries to last a few days.”