“Three small islands in that swamp?” Joe was sitting on the floor going through the sketches.”
“They’re more mounds than islands,” Eve said. “The one where Michael is being held is the largest, and that’s where Norwalk built the shack. His four men occupy sleeping bags on the four corners of the island.” She indicated the four muddy banks overgrown with shrubbery and cypress trees. “And most of the time that’s where they stand guard. Norwalk doesn’t take chances.” She pointed to another small mound a short distance away. “No guards, but three alligators call it home. Norwalk wanted Michael to be sure to see them.” She tapped a large metal box jammed against the shack. “He told Michael it contained explosives like the ones he used to kill his friends.” She drew a long shaky breath. “What’s all this doing to him, Joe? Even when we get him home, how can he ever be the same?”
“We’ll worry about that later. You told me yourself that he might be hurting, but he was still Michael.” He picked up the sketch with the box containing the explosives. “Not a great defensive weapon. He probably needed the explosives for another attack of some sort.”
Eve felt sick. “Another Gwinnet Square?”
“That attack had a purpose. Huge amount of damage and horror factor, Michael, and luring everyone down here.” He was still looking at the sketch. “Not a public shopping square. Maybe a compound?”
“Here? You think he’s going to attack Belle Grace?”
“I don’t know. I believe it’s possible if he’s figured out a way to get those explosives in place.”
“Bribery?”
“I’m just guessing. Our best bet is to prevent any attack here by going after Norwalk and taking him out in that swamp.” He frowned. “All of these sketches are just of where Michael is now. How did he get there?”
“He couldn’t tell me. He was in a canoe, and it was night. You know how impossible it can be to keep track of directions when you’re traveling in a bayou or swamp.” She moistened her lips. “And he’s a little boy. He managed to tell us so much, but I told you it might not be enough.”
“We’ll make it enough,” Joe said. He was bundling up the sketches. “You have sketches of all three of those islands and the trees and animals surrounding them. Someone who knows the swamps should be able to recognize the location from them. And who do we know who’s very familiar with the Louisiana swamps? “
“Ladeau? But we’re not even certain he’s not working with Norwalk.”
“Then it’s time we found out. One way or the other, he might be able to tell us how to reach Norwalk.” He stood up and pulled her to her feet. “Get dressed. I’ll call Jock and get him up. He said he could find Ladeau. We’re going to give him his chance.”
*
“You need Ladeau right away?” Jock asked Joe. “I’ll try to accommodate. Would fifteen minutes be too long?”
“What the hell?”
“At the moment I’m sitting in front of Shari Damar’s place in Jefferson Parish. She’s a bartender at a club on Bourbon Street and she and Ladeau have been sleeping together for about two years. After I tracked Ladeau through the bayou, I saw that he’d doubled back. So I broke into Ladeau’s house and found letters, photos, and an address.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s there.”
“He’s there. I checked. He was in bed with her, but now she’s in the shower. It looked like a long-term relationship and who else would he go to if he thought he was in danger? And evidently he cares more about his own skin than endangering this woman. You didn’t answer, is fifteen minutes okay? No, on second thought I’ll go in now. I was getting annoyed with waiting while he was jumping her. I’ll take him while she’s still in the shower.”
“You weren’t even supposed to go after him until this morning. I suppose you got bored and ignored everything we asked?”
“Not exactly bored. That’s not the word I’d use,” he said curtly. “Do you want him at Belle Grace or back at his place.”
“His place. We may want to use his boat if we get the information we need.”
“We’ll get it. I’ll meet you at Ladeau’s.” He cut the connection.
BELLE GRACE
“Did Eve talk to you before she ran out the door?” Darcy asked Cara. “I was on my way down to breakfast when she told me that they were headed out toward that Ladeau’s place again.” She made a face. “I was not invited along, but I thought you might be.”
Cara shook her head as she went to the buffet. “She woke me to give me a kiss, tell me that there might be a breakthrough, and she’d call me later. Then she was gone.” She took eggs and bacon that she didn’t want, and a cup of coffee that she definitely needed. “But any breakthrough is good news. I just hope she calls soon.” She sat down at the table and took a small bite of egg. “And who can blame her for leaving us behind? She’s frantic about Michael, and she’s only accepting Joe and Jock on the front lines. It’s not what I’d like, but I’m not about to give her a hard time.” She made a face. “I think she’s forgotten that I’ve been with Michael since the day that he was born, and I’m also hurting. And that’s okay, she’ll get any support she needs from me.”
“Hey, I’m grateful just to be here,” Darcy said. “As far as I’m concerned, this is the front lines. It’s up to me to get anywhere beyond it.” She smiled. “But I’m working on it.”
“I’m sure you are.” Cara took a drink of her coffee. Cajun strong brew, as usual, but today she needed it. She hadn’t got to sleep for hours after she’d returned from the summerhouse. Not that those hours had been of any benefit. She had been so disturbed and bewildered that she had not been able to think, only feel. And those feelings had caused a whirlwind of emotion. “And at least you were able to help Jock yesterday.” She took another sip of coffee. “And that’s helping Michael. I told you that I envied you.”
“Jock…”
Cara held up her hand. “Drop it. I’m not talking about Jock right now.” She finished her coffee. “We’re here for Michael and for Eve.” She pushed back her chair. “And now I think I’ll try to keep myself busy by practicing until I hear from Eve.”
Darcy gave a low whistle. “Have I missed something? Oh well, I’ll catch up later. You’re obviously a little too on edge for me to go into it now.”
“Excellent decision.” Cara smiled. “Sorry, Darcy, I didn’t mean to be sharp with you.”
“You wouldn’t know how to be sharp. I’ll have to give you lessons.”
“You could be mistaken. I’ve seen signs that I might have potential.” She headed for the music room. “I guess I’m just tired, and want all of this to be over. I thought that caffeine would do its job, but maybe it’s going to take more than that. I’ll let you know when I hear from Eve.”
CHAPTER
16
Eve and Joe were almost to Ladeau’s dock when Eve got the call.
She tensed.
No ID.
Norwalk?
She drew a deep breath. “Hello. Norwalk?”
“I’m so glad that you decided to accept my invitation, Eve,” Norwalk said. “I hope that Kaskov has been making you welcome. I thought that you’d go running in his direction. In fact, I planned on it.”
“Did you? You could have been wrong. There was a good chance I would have distanced myself from him.”
“But I wasn’t wrong.” His voice lowered silkily. “Because I know you, Eve. I may know you better than anyone you’ve ever met. I had months to study you and the people around you, and how you’d react to every situation.”
“Then you know the only thing important to me is to get my son back.” She paused. “Is he still alive?”
“Yes. He’s a little worse for wear because he’s managing to rub me the wrong way. But I’ll get through to him before I send him to join his friends.”