Page 1 of Kidnapped in Dark Waters
Chapter One
Mystique’s Magic. The large purple lettering danced across a seafoam-green background on the sign above the front door of the store. A white banner hung just below it, with big red lettering announcing the grand opening.
Dominique Santori stood in a line of women waiting to get into the interior of the new, small store. The store was her older sister Angelique’s lifelong dream, and a deep sense of pride filled Dominique at her sister’s accomplishment. However, the pride and happiness she felt for her sister was tempered with a healthy dose of sadness and grief.
The store had been named after their mother, Mystique Santori. She’d been viciously murdered a little over two months ago and so far, there hadn’t been any arrests for the crime.
She now smiled as she saw Monique, her younger sister, approaching where she stood. “Sorry I’m late,” Monique said.
“When aren’t you late,” Dominique replied teasingly.
As usual, Monique looked sharp. She was clad in a long black-and-white-striped skirt with a ruffled white blouse. Her long, black hair was caught at the nape of her neck with a silver clasp and dainty silver earrings danced from her ears.
“Looks like she’s got a good crowd,” Monique said, obviously ignoring her sister’s jab about always being late. “Have you heard anything from the women leaving the store? Any early reviews?”
“Not really, but I’ve heard snatches of conversations from the women standing in line behind me.” Dominique released adeep sigh. “Some people apparently believe Angelique is setting herself up to become the next voodoo queen, since Mama is gone.”
Before her murder, Mystique Santori was known as a voodoo queen both in the swamp and in the small town. People came to her under the cover of darkness to her shanty deep in the wetland that half surrounded the small Louisiana town of Dark Waters. It was whispered that she had dabbled in black magic, and most people in the town and swamp had been afraid of her.
“Well, that’s just ridiculous,” Monique scoffed. “Especially now that she’s moved in with Daniel.”
A little over a week ago, Angelique had left the swamp behind and moved in with the chief of police, Daniel LeCroix. The two had found love as Daniel had worked on solving their mother’s murder. There might not be anyone behind bars yet, but Dominique knew Daniel was still hard at work trying to find out who took her mother’s life.
“But you know how people love to talk,” Dominique replied. “Still, it’s an exciting day for Angelique and I hope she sells a ton of items today.”
“I intend to buy something from her, but I’m just not sure what.” The two women took several steps forward as the line moved closer to the door.
The two sisters small-talked and then they reached the shop door and went inside. The interior smelled appealingly of a variety of florals and spices. On one side of the store were candles, bath salts and an assortment of other items for self-care.
On the other side was why Angelique had wanted to open the store in the first place. Shelves held a variety of poultices and tinctures and teas made from the healing plants and flowers from the swamp.
Angelique greeted both of them with hugs. “Thanks for coming in,” she said, her face flushed with excitement. She was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a purple T-shirt with the store logo on the front. Her long black hair was in a high ponytail and tied up with a purple ribbon.
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Monique said.
“How’s it going?” Dominique asked.
“Better than I could have ever imagined. I’ve sold so much of the swamp-based items I’ll need to head out to restock in the next day or two,” Angelique replied.
“That’s terrific,” Dominique said. “We’re here to shop, so we’ll just look around while you take care of other customers.”
Minutes later, Dominique paid for a candle and Monique bought some scented body lotion, and then together the two said their goodbyes to their sister and they left the store.
“Are you working today?” Monique asked once they were outside again.
“Yes, I’m on lunch duty today so I’m working from eleven to four,” Dominique replied. “What about you?”
“I’m going in to work at five and I’ll be there until close,” Monique replied. “A new shipment is supposed to come in sometime this afternoon so at least I’ll have something to do. I always love to unpack, inventory and then tag and hang new clothes.”
“And you love to spend half your paycheck on the clothes you unpack,” Dominique teased.
Monique laughed. “You aren’t wrong.”
“Then I guess I’ll see you sometime tomorrow,” Dominique said, eager to get into her car and out of the early August heat.
“Okay, sis. See you later,” Monique replied.
Minutes later Dominique was in her car and headed home. She had a little less than an hour to get ready for her shift at the Dark Waters Café.
