Page 45 of Louisiana Protector

The real question was, since Mimi hadn’t stopped seeing Johnny, what might happen next?

He knew Mimi was worried about it, and the thought definitely kept him sleepless on many nights. He could only pray that if and when danger came, he would be there to protect her.

HE SAT IN his shanty, a burning rage shooting fire through his veins. It had been over a week since he’d been to her shanty to spend time with her and Danny, and yet he’d seen the lowlife Johnny coming and going from her place every single evening.

She’d banished him as if he was nothing and nobody. With a single phone call, she’d cut him completely out of her life. It was obvious Johnny had bewitched her. Somehow the man had put a spell on her, and she wasn’t responsible for the decisions she was making right now.

If Johnny had been from the swamp, then he would assume it was some kind of a voodoo spell. He knew several old women who were known for casting spells for people.

But Johnny wasn’t from the swamp, so it was doubtful he knew any of those kinds of spells or the women who could cast them. Still, he had done something to Mimi, something that had obviously taken away her free will and bound her to him.

He’d thought the blow to her jaw would have straightened her out. He’d believed that would be enough to make her think more clearly where Johnny was concerned. But obviously it hadn’t. She continued to have Johnny in her life.

He got up from his chair and walked out his front door. The warm, humid night air seemed to embrace him, calming him as myriad thoughts and emotions raced through his head.

He’d planned for this kind of scenario, and now it was time to implement his plan. It would be very risky, but Mimi was well worth the risk. She was his woman, not Johnny’s, and it was time he claimed her for himself.

He smiled up at the full moon, and it appeared to smile back at him. Soon…very soon Mimi would be all his, and they could begin their life together. The rage that had previously filled him faded, replaced with a sweet anticipation.

Chapter Nine

Wednesday as Johnny was finishing up his sandwich in his pickup, he got a call from Beau. “We found your trailer,” he said.

“Where?” Johnny asked.

“It’s parked on the edge of the swamp camouflaged with tree limbs and leaves. Are you available to take a ride with me now? I’ll take you to it.”

“Definitely I’m available,” Johnny replied.

“Then I’ll be there in just a few minutes,” Beau said.

While Johnny waited for the lawman to arrive, his thoughts scattered in all kinds of directions. He wondered if the tools had been stolen out of the trailer. Because it had been left by the edge of the swamp, did that mean somebody from the swamp had stolen it? There were three suspects who immediately came to mind. Dammit, why couldn’t they figure out who was the guilty one?

When Beau arrived, Johnny slid into his passenger seat. They were followed by another patrol car with two officers inside. Beau seemed to always ride with two other officers.

“Do you know if the tools are gone?” Johnny asked once they were on their way toward the swamp.

“The padlock is still intact, so I’m assuming the tools are all still in there,” Beau replied.

“Interesting. Then it wasn’t stolen for the merchandise but rather was probably an attempt to jack me up on the job.”

“So it would seem,” Beau replied. “And I have a feeling I know who the top suspects are.”

“Damn, but I’d like to know which one of them is guilty. I’m sure it’s the same person who slammed his fist into Mimi’s face.” Johnny’s stomach muscles clenched. “I have to tell you, I worry about what might happen next. A man who could abuse a woman like that is capable of anything, and I don’t think this is over yet.”

“I wish I could offer Mimi some kind of a security detail, but we’re such a small force and most of our hours right now are tied up with the Deer Slayer murders.”

Johnny looked at Beau, noticing for the first time the tired lines that radiated from his eyes…eyes that held a deep weariness. “How’s the investigation going?”

“It’s not going anywhere,” Beau replied dismally. “Some twisted criminal is killing people in my town and hanging them up in trees, and after four deaths we still don’t have a damn clue.”

“That’s got to be so frustrating,” Johnny said.

Beau shot him a quick glance. “You have no idea. I’m surprised the people of Black Bog haven’t attempted to recall me.”

“That’s not going to happen. You’re well-liked by everybody. Besides, everyone knows you and your men are doing the very best you can to solve these murders,” Johnny said.

“But it’s not good enough,” Beau replied. “It’s just not good enough. It’s just like Mimi’s case, even knowing the top three suspects, I can’t catch the bad guy.” He released a deep sigh. “Sorry about my negativity. It’s already been a long day.”