Free Heart of Lies by Jill Marie Landis Page B

accidents.
    “Maybe I should go with you.”
    “Maybe you should stay put and let me get on with it. You’re safer here, believe me.”
    “Just don’t dawdle.”
    She almost smiled. The unaccustomed lightness fluttering deep inside her was more than a little disturbing. She thought of Lawrence and reminded herself she had nothing to smile about.
    The ground was soggy from yesterday’s downpour. Her boots were mud-caked after the first two steps and her hem was quickly soaked, but she kept her footing.
    The first trap held the mutilated remains of an otter. The pelt was unsalvageable. She carefully opened the trap, pulled out what was left of the creature, and flung it as far off into the marsh as she could. It sailed out over the high grass and landed without sound.
    When Anita first suggested she learn to trap and skin to provide for herself, Maddie had found the blood and guts disgusting. Her life had always been far from glamorous, but she was a city girl at heart. She knew the streets and warrens of New Orleans like the back of her hand. On her first few trips into the swamp, she would have been impossibly lost if she’d been alone, but Anita was wise and patient, and that, coupled with the lure of the bayou, helped Maddie quickly learn to read the signs. Nature always pointed the way.
    Torn-up and half-eaten critters no longer disgusted her. Aruined carcass represented no more than a lost pelt. She moved on, checked six more traps. Five of the six held round-eyed muskrats. They were compact little animals with wide heads, round ears, and dark, brown-black pelts. Many had red-gold tints running through their dark coats. Their underbellies were silver.
    There was good money to be made selling the thick pelts — she not only used her earnings for food and supplies, but for rent on the cabin—yet there was never any left over. Nothing to save for a new start.
    She kept her promise to Abbott and soon made her way back to the pirogue with the heavy line of muskrats dragging from her hand. He was stretched out with his arms folded over his chest, his hat brim pulled down to shade his eyes. She tossed her catch into the bottom of the pirogue, where they hit the wood with loud, wet slaps.
    Abbott quickly sat up. Even without looking at him, she felt his gaze. As before, he was a master at masking his thoughts.
    They passed the journey back to the cabin in silence. She grabbed the shotgun and climbed up onto the dock, and Abbott handed her the string of muskrats. She turned away to let him climb out of the pirogue on his own and was about to head around the house to wash the muskrats with fresh water when the cabin door opened and Anita Russo stepped out.
    Maddie stared in shock but quickly covered her dismay.
    “Hey, Anita.” She was certain Abbott could hear her heart pounding. Maddie glanced back and saw him climb onto the dock. He made certain the pirogue was secure. She held her breath, expecting Penelope to bound out of the cabin behind Anita, but thankfully, the child failed to appear.
    Maddie knew it was too much to hope that Anita had taken the girl home.
    “You been here long?” Maddie spoke to Anita, fully aware that Abbott was making his way toward them.
    “No.” Anita eyed Abbott with suspicion. “Just got here.”
    “I caught five rats.” Maddie held up her catch with two hands. The muskrats dangled by tails as long as their stiff bodies.
    Anita’s brow creased. She opened her mouth and then closed it since Tom Abbott was now within hearing distance.
    Maddie stared into the shadowed interior of the cabin, but there was no movement, no sign of Penelope. Anita remained silent. Obviously she’d realized something was going on.
    “This is Mr. Abbott.” Maddie quickly added, “He’s a Pinkerton.”
    “Tom,” he said with a nod to Anita. He opened his coat so she could see his badge. “Tom Abbott.”
    “Howdy, Mr. Abbott.” Anita stared at the silver badge a moment and fell silent, but her