Free Sweet Mystery by Lynn Emery Page B

by me numerous times. This is my chance to pay him back. I’ve
closed on the Aucoin property, which means the plant can be far
away from there.”
    Darcy’s jaw muscles worked. “The best thing
to do is to go on with our original plan. That’s what I sold to
Ellis Mouton and the Pantheon people. It’s close to the Grande
River junction, which makes barge traffic shorter from the
Mississippi.”
    “I don’t want dredging done. It will affect
our property.” Henry patted his pockets and drew out his car keys.
“Now I’ve got a meeting.”
    “Grandfather, be reasonable.” Darcy had
finally lost patience. “I’ve had surveys done and consulted with
the Corps of Engineers–”
    Henry drew himself up to his full height and
scowled at him. “The subject is closed, boy. We’ll do things my way
until I retire.”
    “But Ellis–”
    “I don’t give a damn what you told Ellis
Mouton. No Mouton is going to push me into a deal I don’t want.”
Henry stabbed a finger in the air. “You kissing his butt?”
    “Of course not!” Darcy blurted out in a
shocked voice. When Marius cleared his throat loudly, he shot him a
threatening glance.
    “Good. You’ve got no business making promises
to Mouton. I don’t care what he dangles in front of you.” Henry
marched out without saying goodbye.
    “Grandfather knows you very well,” said
Marius, wearing a sly grin.
    “And you well enough to know you’re
incompetent to run Jove Enterprises,” Darcy snapped.
    Marius lost the grin. “He hasn’t made that
decision yet.”
    Darcy shrugged. “Who did he have handle
Pantheon?”
    “You’re too cocky for your own good. He also
said Simon has done a lot for him.” Marius looked smug as his
insinuation hit home. “Oh yes, it could be Simon.”
    “No, Grandfather wants a Jove to run the
business.” Darcy did not seem confident of his argument.
    “You sure of that?” Marius goaded.
    Darcy thought for a while and dismissed the
notion. “Your paranoid delusions are getting the best of you.
Grandfather will reward Simon, but not that way. If you’re really
nice to me, I just might let you keep your job.”
    “Don’t start planning on all the changes
you’ll make as the new boss just yet,” Marius snarled. He balled up
his fists.
    “Goodbye, Marius. By the way, we’re low on
coffee down at the office.” Darcy strolled out with a chuckle.
    “You’ll get yours, cuz,” Marius mumbled.
“I’ll see to it.”
     
     
    * * *
     
     
    Marcelle wiped her mouth and sighed. “It’s so
nice to eat somebody else’s cooking for a change. I don’t get out
much, you know.”
    “Gee, I never would have guessed.” Rae
laughed, remembering the way Marcelle had arranged for her
mother-in-law to care for the baby in record time.
    “It’s a blessing to have two grandmothers,
both of ‘em housewives, living within fifteen miles.”
    Rae and Marcelle were sat in Nadine’s, a
small po-boy shop on the highway just of town. Marcelle was taking
her time over a ham and cheese sandwich while Rae ate one
containing fried oyster.
    “Hmm, good. I missed Louisiana home cooking
more than I realized.” Rae had her eyes closed. She chewed the
oyster with Louisiana hot sauce slowly, relishing it.
    “Girl, you were lucky to be traveling all
over, going to Sweden and everything. I’d give up a little fresh
seafood for a while just for that.”
    “It was great. You know, my band is better
known in Sweden and Great Britain than in the United States. Those
folks go crazy for blues. Zydeco, too.” Rae thought of the
enthusiastic crowds shouting for more into the early morning hours.
“I did love that part.”
    Marcelle finished the last piece of her
po-boy. “You sure you want to give that up? Hey, you said your CD
is selling pretty good?”
    “Yeah, well.” Rae took a deep swallow of
strawberry soda. “I don’t expect we’ll be superstars, not playing
Zydeco or blues. But we made a living at it. I even managed to put
away some