Page 47 of Home Again

“It just felt like I couldn’t do anything by myself, is all.”

“Girl. You are pissing me off. We’re a team. You know I want to help you figure out what happened to your mother. I’ve always wanted to help with that. How many times have you helped me when my life has turned to shit?”

Gianna slumped against the dresser. “I think that the whole Sebastian thing has kind of thrown me for a loop,” she admitted.

She was met by dead air. “Jada, are you still there?”

“You really like him, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I really do.”

“Well, let’s put that on the back burner. Right now we’ll focus on finding out more about this Fontenot character. Do you really think he’ll have something to do with your mom’s death?”

“I really don’t think so. I don’t think Armand was part of it, I think it was Lazar. But this is the only thing I have right now, and I just have to do something,” Gianna said with frustration.

“Okay, sunshine. Just know that I’m still following up on Rosie Ettabaum and I should be able to get you something on Bradley Fontenot soon.”

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

* * *

At least Dallas isn’t as humid as Louisiana, Sebastian thought as he got out of the truck. They parked in the driveway of the small house in the Dallas suburb. Gideon knocked on the door and an attractive middle-aged Hispanic woman answered. She smiled up at them.

“Hello, gentlemen.”

“Mrs. Lattimer, I’m Gideon Smith and this is my friend Sebastian Durand. I called you yesterday about some questions we had. Is now still a good time for us to visit?”

“I was expecting you.” She smiled even wider. “Come in out of the heat.”

Sebastian was a little surprised at how easily she accepted their presence in her home. As they followed her into the living room, she motioned for them to sit down. “I have cold sweet tea, lemonade, or beer, which would you like?”

Sebastian immediately noted the pictures on the shelves of three men in Marine uniforms. She saw his interest. “Those are my sons,” she said proudly. “Only Alex is still serving. Randall and Derrick are both out and started their own construction company.”

Well, that explained her ease with them.

“You’re both in the Navy, that’s correct, yes?”

“Yes, ma’am. We’re stationed out of Virginia,” Sebastian answered.

“So what can I get you boys to drink?”

“Lemonade is fine for me,” Gideon responded.

“Same,” Sebastian said.

She left the room and Sebastian continued to look around. There were a lot of pictures, a lot of family pictures. It looked like Mrs. Lattimer had a great life. That was really nice to see.

“Here you go.” She placed the drinks on the coasters that were on the coffee table, then took a seat across from them. There was a glass of iced tea on the table beside her chair. “I had you come at this time so that we had a little privacy. Don’t get me wrong, my husband knows what I did when I went to college, but still, I really don’t like to talk about it in front of him if I don’t have to.”

Gideon took a sip of his drink and nodded. “That makes sense, ma’am.”

“I really appreciate you answering these questions,” Sebastian said.

“Now, your name is Sebastian Durand,” she nodded her head at Sebastian. “I take it you’re related to Lazar Durand, correct?”

Sebastian nodded. “He’s my grandfather.”