I’d been thinking about Carter.
CHAPTER NINE
By the time I spotted Blanchet, the party had technically crossed several legal lines—sketchy party favors, booming stereo system, teens had made off with one bottle of wine, that we knew of, and there had been some random nudity but mostly at the repaired hot tub, and none of it had been intentional. At least, I didn’t think it had been. And since no one had elected to remain in their nude state, the party moved on as if it were just another afternoon stroll. You had to love Mardi Gras. It made everything unimportant and fun.
I’d just left Ida Belle and Walter in a corner of the yard where they’d started up a poker game. Since it wasn’t going to be strip poker, Gertie and Jeb had headed for the hot tub. Wyatt had gotten sick at the last minute and had to beg off, which had disappointed both Wyatt and Nora, but then Ronald discovered a shared kinship with Nora for what they both called ‘junk jewelry’ and now they were in the dining room, gleefully digging through a box of her overseas bargains and eating stuff he would regret tomorrow. Since everyone was otherwise occupied and happy, I figured I’d go check in with Blanchet.
He stood on the corner of the porch, holding a cup of beer and staring out at the crowd, but I could tell his mind wasn’t present even though his body was. I headed for the porch and walked up beside him.
“Parties not your thing?” I asked.
He shrugged. “I was never much of a partier, but on a different night, I could have had some fun with this. The drinks and food are good and plentiful, although I am carefully avoiding that section of home-baked stuff.”
“Good call. After one of Nora’s parties, I always worry that people will get popped with a random drug test. I guess it’s hard for you to relax given everything going on.”
He sighed. “I just wish I had answers. Even if Maya went back there of her own accord, if I just knew she was safe and that’s what she chose, then I could let it go.”
“Could you?”
“I think so. If the person you love tells you there’s no chance, then that’s where it all ends. But I never heard those words from her, and until I do, I can’t help but hope.”
I nodded. “You’re a romantic soul, Blanchet. Don’t let Gertie know. She might dump Jeb for you, especially given that your back is better.”
He grimaced.
I laughed. “Too much information?”
“I think Gertie would be too much for me to handle today, much less if she was younger. That Nora is a piece of work, too. She totally grabbed my butt in the kitchen.”
“Nora’s harmless—as long as you don’t eat or drink from her personal stuff. I wouldn’t advise drinking tea here, either. Her cat, however, is another story. Yesterday wasn’t his first run-in with the law.” I told Blanchet about the cat and the pole-dancing event at Nora’s New Year’s party, and he laughed.
“I would have paid money to see that.”
“Oh, there’s video, much to Carter’s dismay. I’ll send you a link.”
Blanchet was silent for a moment, then he turned slightly so that he could look at me more directly. “How are you doing with Carter going on this mission?”
I shrugged. “Since there’s no choice in the matter, I’m good.”
“Are you?”
“What do you want me to say? That I wish the Marines hadn’t asked? I do. But there’s no way I would have suggested he say no.”
“And if the CIA called and asked the same of you?”
I thought for a minute then blew out a breath. “It would depend, of course, but if they called me back, then I’d have to assume it was due to similar circumstances as Carter—that the situation was critical, and they didn’t think a mission would succeed without my help. Don’t get me wrong, I hope that phone call never comes, but if we’re talking big numbers of lives at stake, then I’d go without question.”
He nodded. “You two are good for each other. I don’t think many partners could accept that the way you do. I don’t think I could. I respect the hell out of both of you, but I couldn’t be in a relationship with either of you.”
“Carter might be disappointed to hear that.”
He laughed. “You’re a good woman, Fortune Redding. I’m glad I met you, and I’m looking forward to seeing you in action.”
“Remember, tomorrow we’re going fishing, so dress the part. Don’t worry about tackle. Ida Belle and Gertie have enough for the whole town.”
He frowned. “Fishing?”
“Fishing with your buddies isn’t illegal.”
“Ah. But trying to find a cult that might be after that girl is interfering with a police investigation.”
“You catch on quick.”
“Fortune!” Ally called my name, and I turned to see her coming across the porch with Mannie right behind. They were both smiling.
I gave her a hug. “You’re late.”
“Blame it on this guy.” She inclined her head toward Mannie.
“Work ran over,” he said, and stuck out his hand. “Always good to see you, Fortune.”
I nodded. “Andy, this is Ally, one of my best friends. She owns the local bakery and is responsible for the town’s weight gain explosion. And this is Mannie. Her other half.”
Blanchet shook hands with Mannie and smiled at Ally while I finished introductions.
“This is Andy Blanchet. He was supposed to be filling in for Carter but got overrun by that idiot Hermes. I’m sure you’ve both heard all about it by now.”
Mannie scowled and Ally frowned. “That…well, I’m not saying it, came into the bakery this afternoon and hit on me. Right in front of customers. And it wasn’t the usual older man, light-but-annoying flirty sort of thing. It wasn’t even suggestive. He just flat out said he’d like to get me in bed.”
I covered my mouth with one hand and looked up at Mannie, whose jaw flexed.
“You didn’t tell me that part,” he said.
Ally blushed. “It’s not something I was interested in repeating, but when Fortune said his name, it just all came out.”
“What did you do?” I asked.
“Not enough, as he’s still walking around,” Mannie said.
“I didn’t do anything,” she said. “I was so stunned that he just blurted out something like that. Aunt Celia was at the counter, and she turned around and told him to get out or she was calling the police. When he told her he was the police, then she said she’d be happy to call Mannie.”
“Ha! Good for Celia. Finally on the right side of things. I bet that got him moving.”
“Not as much as it would have if she’d actually called me,” Mannie said, still fuming.
“I didn’t want to get you in trouble,” Ally said. “The man has connections, and you don’t need the hassle. Besides, he made his retreat as soon as your name left her lips. Then the bakery crowd exploded with anger. I gave everyone a cookie to calm them down. I heard he was going to run for sheriff. Is that true?”
I nodded. “That’s what he says.”