Chapter Three
Maryse pulled open the door to Sabine’s new age shop, happy her best friend was back early from her buying trip in New Orleans but dreading the conversation they were about to have. Sabine looked up from the box of candles she was emptying and smiled as she saw Maryse, then her smile began to slip the closer Maryse got to the counter.
“What’s wrong?” Sabine asked. “Is it Helena?”
A memory of how her morning had started flashed through Maryse’s mind for the first time since the hotel. “There’s always something wrong with Helena, but this time, it’s something worse.”
Sabine’s eyes widened and she stopped fussing with the candles. “What’s worse than Helena?”
“Maybe we should sit down. Do you have some of that tea…that one you said calms your nerves?”
Sabine reached out to squeeze Maryse’s arm. “Okay, now you’re scaring me. You hate tea.”
“The tea is for you.”
Sabine stared at her for several seconds, then gave her a nod. “I put on some water to boil before I started on that box.”
They headed toward the back of the shop to the break room. Maryse grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator while Sabine made her cup of tea. When she’d taken the seat across from Maryse and had her first sip, she put the cup down.
“Please tell me what’s wrong,” Sabine said.
Maryse took a breath and told Sabine about Raissa and Zach, rushing through the entire story, hoping she could get it all out without crying. Sabine listened silently, then when Maryse finished, she lifted the tea again and took a long sip, her hands shaking as she returned the cup to the table.
“What can I do?” Sabine asked.
Maryse shook her head, certain she looked as miserable as she felt. “That’s just it—there’s nothing we can do. I mean, pray, but nothing physical. The FBI has search dogs where Zach was found. If there’s any trace of Raissa, those dogs will find it.”
“So we sit and wait.”
“And it’s killing me.”
“What is Colt doing?”
Maryse shrugged. “He told Luc he’d try to work his way in, but I seriously doubt the FBI is going to let him stroll into the middle of their investigation. Although…”
“What?”
“After the doctor talked to us at the hospital, I saw him talking to Jadyn over in the corner.”
“He might have just been bringing her up to speed on all the people and the relationships. With her being new here, he might have assumed she didn’t know all the nuances.”
Maryse sighed. “True. I guess I’m grasping at straws, thinking there’s something one of us can do. I hate sitting.”
Sabine reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “So do I, but that’s the only job we have right now. As soon as anything changes, we’ll be ready for whatever comes our way. I know I’m not the ‘real deal’ as far as psychics go, and I’m beyond worried, but I’m not getting an overwhelming feeling of doom about this.”
“Thanks,” Maryse said, attempting to give her best friend an encouraging smile. She didn’t believe for a moment that Sabine’s feeling meant a thing. More likely, Sabine didn’t want to think about anything bad happening to Raissa and her feelings were following suit. But if it gave her comfort, then she was welcome to her thoughts. As for herself, Maryse preferred to deal with the real.
Life held less disappointment that way.
“I probably shouldn’t even ask,” Sabine said, “but how are things going with Helena?”
“You probably shouldn’t ask, especially after this morning.”
“Uh-oh. Save the story for a better time, then.” Sabine frowned. “I wondered specifically if she’s said anything more about why she’s back.”
“No. I’ve asked some questions, but she’s sticking hard and fast to that story about pissing God off. Short of a better explanation, I’m inclined to believe it’s the truth. I’m sure she’s capable.”
“Yes, well, I’m not going to disagree with you on that point, but I still think God would have a better skill set than the rest of us for dealing with people like Helena.”
“You think she’s lying?”
“No, not necessarily. But I don’t think she’s telling us everything.”
Maryse frowned. “You think she’s back for a specific reason?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about it ever since she returned, and ultimately, yes, I think she’s here for a specific reason. I also think she knows what that reason is.”
“Why wouldn’t she tell us? She’s never short on words.”
Sabine tapped her cup. “Maybe she doesn’t want to scare us. Or maybe it’s something she needs to do for her own growth and doesn’t want to admit it.” She shook her head. “I can’t put my finger on it, but I’m certain she’s holding something back.”
Maryse took a big drink of water, what little bit of worry she had left now taken up by Sabine’s words. If Helena was keeping a secret, it could only be a bad one.
Really, really bad.