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As she disappeared into what he assumed was her bedroom, he looked around the shanty. Along with the sofa, there was a matching chair, a potbellied stove in one corner and a small bookcase against one wall.

There were pops of yellow everywhere. A small arrangement of navy and yellow artificial flowers set on one of the shelves. Pictures of yellow flowers hung on the walls. It all made the space feel cheerful and bright.

He was only seated for a couple of minutes before she returned to the room, this time with a red purse with a long strap over her shoulder. “Ready?” she asked. Her features radiated with sudden surprise. “Wait…you cut your hair.”

“I didn’t cut it, but the barber did yesterday.” He stood.

She openly studied him for a long moment. “It looks quite nice,” she replied. “Now, are we ready to go?”

“Are you really sure you want to do this?” he asked.

Her chin went up a notch. “Positive. All we need to figure out now is am I driving or are you?”

“I’ll drive. You can navigate.” At least that way he’d be in control if they needed to get away from someplace fast.

“Then let’s go.” She followed him out the door, pausing a moment to lock it before heading down the bridge.

He took the lead, walking on the path that would take them to where his car was parked just outside the swamp’s entrance.

Despite all the other scents that the swamp brought, he could still smell her attractive floral fragrance. He wasn’t sure why it appealed to him so much.

It didn’t take them long to break through the junglelike growth and into the area where people who lived in the swamp parked their cars.

He led her to his, a silver convertible Mustang. There were still nights when the silence of his life grew too heavy and deep. On some of those nights, he put the top down on his car, turned up the music and just drove.

“Nice ride,” she said as he opened the passenger door.

“Thanks,” he replied. “I like it.”

“I’ve arranged the visits by areas of town,” she said once they were both settled in his car.

“All you need to do is point me in the right direction,” he replied as he started the engine.

“Head to Main Street, then take a left,” she said. “The first stop on my list is the mayor’s house.”

“It’s early in the day. He’ll still be in his office at City Hall.” He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, dreading this whole thing.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s home or not. I’m hoping his wife will be there and will let us in.” He felt her gaze on him. “Thank you, Jacque, for your help.”

He flashed her a quick glance. “I’m helping you, but I still don’t approve of any of this.”

“I can tell that by the frown you’re wearing,” she replied. He looked back at the road as she continued, “You do realize you might need to look a little more pleasant when you talk with people about your need for books.”

“I’ll do the best I can,” he replied.

“Maybe you could start by practicing with me,” she added.

He couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him. It startled him. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d actually laughed out loud.

“Oh, that’s so much better,” she said with obvious delight.

He frowned once again. It was at that moment Jacque realized she was shaking up the insular, private life he’d built for himself. Monique Santori was potentially the real danger to him in this situation.

Chapter Three

Monique had been nervous from the moment Jacque walked in her shanty’s door. He’d looked even bigger and more powerful than she’d ever seen him. It didn’t hurt that over his short-sleeved sky-blue dress shirt he wore a holster with a gun. Many men wore guns in Dark Waters, which had an open carry policy.

While the gun made her feel protected, it also reminded her that what she planned to do could be dangerous. Even the fact that she’d gotten him to laugh didn’t staunch the nerves that roared inside her.