Chapter 32
While waiting for Matt to return her call, Rachel sat out on the pool deck with Stacy.
“It feels good to take a few minutes and relax,” said Rachel. “I feel like all I’ve been doing is running around with my head cut off. We’ve been to Baton Rouge, Metairie, Houma, and all around New Orleans this past week. The only good thing to come out of this so far is the fabulous food we’ve been eating. I think I’ve gained back all the weight I lost in Mexico and then some.”
Stacy pulled her short honey-blond hair up and secured it with a clip. Her tan skin complemented the two-piece white bikini she was wearing. Stacy stretched out lazily on the chaise lounge, picking up her sunscreen stick. Rachel watched as Stacy swiped it across her freckled cheeks.
“That’s a good thing,” said Stacy. “I was getting worried about you.”
“I’m doing okay. If we don’t get anywhere with this case in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to leave it to Red and fly back to Miami. There’s something I want to check out.” Rachel told Stacy about her latest visit to Madame Verdene and her suggestions about Mallory’s disappearance.
“I’ve done stories before on psychic mediums. They are a dime a dozen in south Florida,” Stacy said.
“I know. I’ve seen the advertisements all along the Miami downtown area. But I’ve never been tempted to call or visit one. This just kind of happened.”
“How did you feel about it? Think Verdene is the real deal?” Stacy asked.
“Well, I don’t know how she could’ve known about my grandmother. Even you don’t know that we called my grandmother Queenie.”
“True.”
“She seemed to know plenty about Mallory. Although nothing that provided any concrete details.”
“If psychics could solve crimes, we’d all be out of business.”
“She did say something unusual that she said related to Mallory. Peaches. What the hell does that mean?”
Stacy shrugged. “Maybe her adopted family grows peaches or something? What else have you found out about Scotty? He could be connected somehow?”
“Before I left Miami, I met with a former drinking buddy of Scotty’s. He mentioned some places that Scotty used to hang out at. I’m going to check those out and see if I can find more of his old acquaintances to talk to.”
Rachel then told Stacy about the disturbing phone call from Scotty.
“You haven’t heard from him since then?” Stacy looked worried.
“No, but Agent Lewis had a tap put on my cell. I don’t think he’s dumb enough to call that number again.”
“I’m going back with you to Miami. We’re going to find this bastard and put him away,” Stacy said.
Rachel felt her cell phone buzzing next to her. “Local number. Probably Matt.”
She answered the phone only to find out that it wasn’t Matt, but a person she never expected to call.