Page 47 of Kidnapped in Dark Waters
Clay met her halfway and took the chairs from her and carried them into the living room. “My love, what’s up?” Angelique asked once everyone was seated.
“We’ve had a new development in your mother’s murder case,” Daniel said.
“A new development?” Dominique leaned forward, eager to hear the news. She kept her gaze fixed on Daniel. Maybe this was what they’d all been waiting for. Maybe they’d finally arrested Pierre.
Daniel frowned. “Unfortunately, somebody has come forward to alibi Pierre for the night and time of the murder.”
Dominique stared at him, as if he’d suddenly begun speaking a foreign language. She leaned back against the sofa, stunned by this unexpected news.
“What are you talking about?” Angelique asked.
“Who’s come forward and why now after all this time?” Monique asked.
Dominique looked at Luke as the floor beneath her feet fell out from under her. How she wished she could be in his arms right now as the world tilted and half dizzied her.
“The man’s name is Lucien Rousseau,” Daniel said. “Do any of you know him?”
They all shook their heads and listened as Daniel told him about the man working on an offshore fishing boats since the day after the murder until yesterday when he’d come in to speak to them.
“I looked into his story about spending time on the offshore boat. I spoke to the captain of the boat, who confirmed Lucien’s story,” Clay said.
“And I checked out the relationship between Lucien and Pierre and from everything I heard, the two men didn’t have much of a personal relationship,” Luke added.
“Therefore, we have no reason not to believe Lucien’s story that he saw Pierre out at his fishing hole on the date and time of your mother’s murder,” Daniel said.
“So that means you all are back to square one,” Dominique said in deep frustration. How many hours of her life had been wasted foolishly shadowing an innocent man? Still, she couldn’t regret that time, for it had given her Luke for a little while.
“Are there any new suspects in the case?” Monique asked.
“None, but we’re going to get there. I swear to God I’ll find the person responsible for Mystique’s murder,” Daniel said fervently.
Dominique knew he meant well, but now there was no real suspect in the case and justice for her mother might never come. Again, her grief welled up inside her.
What she wanted now was to collapse in Luke’s strong arms. She wanted him to caress his hands up and down her back in an effort to soothe the disappointment inside her. But she couldn’t ask him to do that, and in any case, it wasn’t long after that the three men left, taking Angelique with them so she could go on home with Daniel.
“I guess we’ll all just be in limbo longer,” Monique said. She gave Dominique a quick hug. “I know how disappointed you must be. I know you truly believed Pierre was the killer.”
“I am terribly disappointed. I was so certain he was guilty and I know you’re disappointed as well,” Dominique replied.
“I am, but they still have another suspect…remember there’s Charles Lathrop,” Monique said.
“I just don’t believe Charles killed her in such a horrid way because he thought the love spell she cast for him didn’t work.” Dominique released a deep sigh.
“On another note, things seemed to feel a little tense and strange between you and Luke tonight. What’s going on with that?” Monique studied her.
“Nothing’s going on. Since I decided not to follow Pierre anymore, there’s really no reason for us to keep seeing each other.”
Monique’s gaze continued to hold Dominique’s. “And you’re good with that?”
“Of course. It’s time he get back to his life and I get back to mine,” she replied, even as she felt the hot burn of tears behind her eyes. What on earth was wrong with her? “I’m just sorry I wasted his time foolishly chasing after Pierre.”
“You were doing what you believed was right,” Monique replied. Monique stood. “Guess I’ll just head on home.”
Dominique got up and walked her sister to the door. “Are you going to be okay walking home?”
Monique released a small laugh. “I’ll be just fine. I’m not afraid of the dark and I’m far stronger than you and Angelique give me credit for. Besides, I don’t have a creep bothering me like you do. You stay safe and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
She opened the door and the two sisters said their goodbyes, then Monique disappeared into the darkness outside. Dominique closed and locked the door behind her.
