Page 55 of Louisiana Protector

Johnny shot her a grateful look as Danny slid off the sofa and ran to his room.

“I’ll go see about some dinner,” Gramps said. “We need to keep things as normal as possible for Danny’s sake.” He got up out of the recliner and went into the kitchen.

Nothing was normal, and it wouldn’t be normal again until Mimi came home. Time was passing…excruciating minutes crept by since she’d been gone…taken by a madman.

As the minutes turned into an hour, then almost two, Johnny’s heartache grew bigger and wilder in his chest. His fear for her clawed at his insides, along with a feeling of overwhelming helplessness.

Danny and Renée had just started building one of Danny’s towers when Johnny’s phone rang again. It was Beau with another update. River had arrived home after a day of fishing. He had a stringer full of fish and the names of several other men who had seen him throughout the afternoon.

“Jean-Luc,” he said to Renée after hanging up with Beau. “River has a solid alibi, so it must be Jean-Luc who has her.”

“Surely he won’t hurt her,” Renée said softly as she placed one of the blocks on top of Danny’s rising tower.

Johnny didn’t reply. He couldn’t. All he could think of was the deep bruise Mimi had sported after Jean-Luc had hit her. He didn’t trust that the man wouldn’t hurt her again…or worse.

He got up and went into the kitchen where Gramps was slicing a large ham and silently weeping. He quickly swiped his eyes as he looked at Johnny. “I’m so scared for her, Johnny,” he said softly.

Johnny pulled the old man into his arms. He felt so frail and small. “I know, I’m scared, too.” He patted Gramps on the back and then released him. “But we have to believe she’ll be okay and eventually she’d come back here to us.”

“I should have fought him. Dammit, I should have rushed him and tried to stop him from taking her,” Gramps said fiercely.

“You said he had a gun, Gramps. Thank God you complied with him. The last thing Danny needed was to see his Gramps shot or killed.”

“That’s why I didn’t do anything. I knew I needed to be strong for Danny. I’m trying to stay strong for him, but it’s hard,” Gramps replied. He drew in a deep breath and then released it. “I’ll have some ham and fried potatoes ready for everyone in just a few minutes. I’m making enough so Renée and those nice officers on the porch can eat, too.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Johnny replied, although he had no appetite. How could he even think about food when the woman he loved was gone and in danger?

He left the kitchen. “I’m just going to step outside for a couple of minutes,” Johnny said to Renée. “Are you okay in here?”

“We’re just fine, right, Danny?” she said brightly.

“Right,” Danny replied less enthusiastically.

Johnny stepped out on the front porch and nodded at the two officers seated there. They’d introduced themselves when they first arrived, but he’d already forgotten their names.

He headed down the bridge and came to a halt at the foot of it. He just needed a couple of minutes to himself. The sun would be setting soon, and the thought of Mimi not being home as darkness fell caused more fear, more heartache to rush through him.

Tears filled his eyes. He’d held them in all afternoon, not wanting to worry or upset his son with his emotions. He’d tried to stay strong for Danny and Gramps, but now a choking sob escaped him and his tears began to fall.

Mimi… Mimi, where are you? He couldn’t imagine her not coming home. She needed to be here for Danny. Dammit, she needed to be here for him.

His heart ached with a pain he’d never felt before. He was so afraid for her. He’d believed that the worst thing that could happen was she wouldn’t love him. But now far worse situations filled his head.

Was it really Jean-Luc who had her? Where would the man take her if not to his shanty? Would they ever see her again? Would they ever find out what happened to her? Or was she gone forever, taken by a man obsessed with her?

MIMI RAN TOWARD the swamp, terrified as Jean-Luc began to shoot at her. Thank God, none of the bullets landed, but he was gaining ground on her as he chased after her.

The only thing she could hope to find was a hiding place. She’d wait him out. Surely, eventually he’d run out of bullets and would give up the chase.

Foolish thinking. He wasn’t about to give up the chase until he caught or killed her. She might be the woman he loved with a sick obsession, but she would also be a big liability for him. He knew if she got the opportunity, she would tell the officials that he was the guilty person.

As she ran, she screamed as loudly as possible. Hopefully there was somebody somewhere who would hear her cries and the gunfire that shattered the peace of the day. Surely somebody would call the police, and she’d be saved. She just needed to keep herself safe until that happened.

She finally reached the swamp and ran directly into the tangle of greenery. As she raced forward, tree roots tried to trip her up. Spanish moss clung to her face and arms like thick spiderwebs. Limbs tore at her, making her arms and legs bleed.

The crashing of leaves and brush let her know Jean-Luc wasn’t far behind her. There was no path to follow, but she frantically looked to the left and right, seeking a place to hide.

She wasn’t sure how long she ran before she finally saw a large, thick prickly bush. She jumped right into the middle of it. The thorns pricked her like tiny needles. She was hoping the thorns on the bush would keep him away from it. As she crouched down, she prayed he wouldn’t find her there.