“Man, that sucks. Thanks a lot for keeping me in the frickin’ loop,” Brad snapped, abruptly ending the call.

  Brad’s reaction to the news was all Danny needed to be convinced of this young man’s inability to handle the job he’d been elected to do. His gut told him Brad had revealed a lot of information to Parker aka Holden. At thirty-two, Brad really didn’t have enough experience to be sheriff. He should have known better than to support him for office. But then, there wasn’t much choice in the selection of candidates.

  He felt guilty for not informing Brad about Keith’s presence in town, but he didn’t have any idea Keith would get in touch with the sheriff. Not the usual actions of a federal undercover agent. At least not the ones he dealt with during the investigation into Jim’s death. Danny shook his head. Hell, I can’t hold Brad’s hand forever.

  Leaning back in his chair, his thoughts went back in time to when he was a detective with the sheriff’s office.

  His old partner, Buddy Parker and his family were living in Allemand Parish at the time. Parker used to bring his son Keith, then seven or eight years old, up to the office on occasion. Keith had been so enthralled with law enforcement back then. Buddy knew for sure, the boy would follow in his footsteps.

  Poor Buddy must be rolling over in his grave now.

  He reached for the phone and called Josh. “How soon can you get over here?”

  Forty-three

  A strange feeling hit me in the pit of my stomach when I saw Danny and Josh standing at my door. “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s something we need to discuss,” Danny said. “We have some information about Jack Holden.”

  My heartbeat went crazy. I motioned them inside without speaking. This has got to be serious stuff for both men to come talk to me. We all took seats in the family room.

  Danny rubbed his chin with his hand. He seemed pensive or worried.

  “What about him?”

  He cleared his throat. “Holden’s real name is Keith Parker.”

  “Keith Parker? That’s the name Agent Gorman asked me about. Who is he?”

  “He’s the son of my old partner from my days as a detective with the sheriff’s office. He’s been posing as an ICE undercover agent named Jack Holden.”

  I looked at Josh. “What does he have to do with you?”

  “As I told you and Megan last night, he served in Iraq with me. I spotted him on the street here in town one day, but he pretended not to know me. I figured I either was mistaken or he could be doing undercover work.

  “Then you told me about this guy Jack Holden,” Josh continued. “Your description fit Parker. I tried to get in touch with some of my old Army buddies. I finally heard back this morning from one who actually works for ICE.”

  Danny, you said Keith or Jack, whatever his name, is posing as an ICE agent?”

  “He sneaked over to the house a while back to talk to me privately. He confided to me he was working undercover for ICE and asked me to keep quiet about him.

  “Then apparently he got cozy with Brad and told him he worked undercover and said his name was Jack Holden.”

  My mouth gaped open. “Brad must have leaked all kinds of information to him about Celina’s murder. That can’t be good.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Danny said, a serious look crossing his face. “I don’t know if Gorman is aware of Brad’s contact with Keith. I suspect he is. However I’m pretty sure he knows you have been meeting with him.”

  “That’s why Agent Gorman asked me if I knew Keith. He thinks I’m involved in some illegal activity…” My voice trailed off. “But what did Keith Parker want from me?”

  “I contacted him after you told me and Rachel about your meetings with him,” Danny said. “At the time I still thought he was undercover and using Holden as a cover name. He told me he suspected you were involved with the Gallaghers, mainly because you appeared to have easy access to the Gallagher Place.”

  I frowned. “I went there once. Why—?”

  Danny cut me off. “He wanted to find out what you knew about Gallagher Salvage operations. He was especially interested in why you were researching the attack on Claire’s boat.”

  “That’s his reason for stalking me?”

  “He must have some connection to the attack on Claire’s boat and thinks you’re getting too close. Maybe he believes you have those emeralds. Today, after I discovered Keith wasn’t with ICE, I suspected he could be the guy in the GMC pick-up who tried to run you down.”

  “No,” Josh and I both said at the same time. Josh motioned for me to talk.

  I told him about Marcie.

  “Well, that’s interesting. The Gallaghers are more involved here than anyone thought.”

  “Did Brad know his real identity?” I asked, still thinking about the possibility Brad divulged some confidential information.

  “He knows now,” Danny said, brusquely. “He’d been meeting with him on the sly, so more than likely he bought Keith’s act.”

  “You’d think Brad would be smarter than that,” Josh said. “Could he be dirty?”

  Danny shook his head. “I doubt he’s in with Keith. At least I hope not.”

  “If he’s not, he’s pretty dumb.” Josh glanced at Danny. “Sorry, but that’s the way I see it.”

  Danny nodded, but didn’t comment further.

  “Has ICE been in contact with the Gallaghers?” Josh asked. “Or do they simply have them staked out?”

  “Both,” he said. “They believe they have been smuggling artifacts and immigrants into the country. That I know. I’m not certain why they’re after Keith, but apparently they suspect he has a connection to the Gallaghers.

  “It would be advisable for all three of us to schedule another meeting with Gorman.” Danny’s shoulders sank. “If Keith’s father were alive he would be devastated to think his son had such a dark side.”

  I patted Danny’s arm. “Knowing someone you love or even a trusted friend has turned into a criminal can destroy you. I can imagine Jim’s last thoughts when his good friend Bill Kaufman turned out to be his killer. If he had survived his wounds, I know he would be shattered.”

  Forty-four

  Before we left to meet Agent Gorman, I called Renee Hart and asked if she could watch the twins while I was gone. That was one item off my worry list taken care of when she agreed.

  The second meeting with Agent Gorman made me even more nervous than the first one. I felt apprehensive that he wouldn’t believe my story about Keith Parker aka Jack Holden. Both Danny and Josh tried to calm my fears, but my heart pounded against my chest the entire drive downtown to City Hall where the two ICE agents had set up a temporary office.

  We were greeted by a smiling Agent Jackson, a burly African-American man with a shaved head. He seemed pleasant and more relaxed than his partner. Gorman was on the phone when we arrived.

  Gorman ended his call and invited us to be seated in front of the only desk in the room. “I understand you have more information concerning Keith Parker.” His gaze narrowed in on me. “You told me earlier you didn’t know him. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, that’s what I told you. It was the truth at the time as I knew it.”

  “Would you care to explain?” He eyed me with suspicion.

  I cleared my throat. “I knew him as Jack Holden. I had never seen this man before in my life until the day he literally ran into me in front of Coffee Heaven.” I went on to explain that and the two other occasions when he turned up at the same location I happened to be.

  He leaned back in his chair and steepled his hands. “So what did the two of you discuss?”

  “Idle chatter, mostly,” I said. “He was charming and he flirted with me. I told him a little bit about myself. He did the same. Of course as I learned this morning almost everything he told me was a lie.”

  “You said almost everything he told you was a lie,” Agent Jackson spoke up. “What did he tell you about himself that was the truth?”

  “His home town in Mississippi.” I glanced at Danny.

  “I knew him as Keith Parker, the son of my old partner when I was a detective with the sheriff’s office,” Danny explained. “A few weeks ago, he came to my home and told me privately that he was working undercover with ICE and asked me not to mention to anyone of his presence in town.”

  Gorman frowned. “And you believed him?”

  Danny shrugged. “I had no reason not to.”

  He went on to explain why he met with Keith at the park. “I still thought he was undercover and Jack Holden was a cover name.”

  “What about you, Mr. Broussard? How do you know Keith Parker?” Gorman asked.

  “He served with me in Iraq in a military police unit,” Josh answered. “I spotted him here in town recently, but he avoided me. I thought maybe I mistook this guy for Keith until Susan mentioned Jack Holden. Her description of him fit Keith to a tee. That town in Mississippi was a giveaway.” He went on to explain his investigation into Keith which indicated he wasn’t working for ICE. “That’s when I spoke to Danny about him.”

  “Is there a reason why you didn’t contact Brad Theriot about this matter?” Agent Jackson asked. “He is the current sheriff.”

  “I had seen him in conversation several times at the park with Keith. Frankly I didn’t know whether to trust him or not.”

  Jackson and Gorman nodded in unison like two bobble-head dolls. Under other circumstances, I would have found their action comical.

  Gorman turned to Danny. “Do you have any idea where Brad Theriot is? We have been unable to locate him today. No one at the sheriff’s office seems to know his whereabouts.”

  A frown wrinkled Danny’s brow. “I spoke to him briefly this morning. I’ll see if I can locate him and have him get in touch with you.” He rose from his seat.

  “Thanks, I’d appreciate it,” Gorman said, rising. He shook hands with each of us over the desk. “And thanks for your cooperation.” He looked at me and Josh. “Your information about the stash house was extremely helpful.”

  I was so happy to get out of there. I couldn’t help wondering why no one knew Brad’s location. Did he leave town? No, why would he? Unless those meetings with Keith Parker were something other than related to this case.

  Outside City Hall, I followed Danny to his truck. Josh walked alongside me. As we turned into the police parking lot next door, several units belonging to the sheriff’s office pulled out of the lot with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

  We hurriedly got inside the truck where the police scanner crackled with voices. Then Danny’s phone rang.

  “What’s going on?” he asked the caller. A long pause followed. “I’m on my way.

  “They got an officer down call. Ronnie said the officer is Brad.”

  Forty-five

  “Are they sure it’s Brad?” I felt guilty for thinking he’d left town.

  Danny stared at the road ahead. “He managed to call in and tell dispatch he’d been shot. After that they lost communication with him.”

  “Maybe he passed out,” I said.

  “We can hope,” he said softly.

  “Was he able to say who shot him?” Josh asked.

  Danny shook his head. “Listen, I don’t have time to drop you two off, so I’m taking you along for the ride. But you won’t be allowed to go past the tape.”

  We rode along in silence for what seemed like a long time. Thoughts of the day Danny informed me Jim had been shot flooded my mind. As if sensing my distress, Josh took my hand and squeezed it gently.

  Up ahead, the road teemed with emergency vehicles and deputies guarding the perimeter to prevent unauthorized access. Danny pulled up and parked behind a marked sheriff’s unit.

  He exited the truck and spoke to a young deputy I recognized as Victor Tran. His Vietnamese parents ran a small market that catered to the local Asian community.

  “For once I’m glad we can’t go up to the crime scene.”

  “It’s probably for the best. You don’t need to see any more bodies.”

  “You think he’s dead, don’t you?” I felt my eyes tearing up.

  “Just a feeling. I hope I’m wrong.”

  “Brad and I didn’t get along and I’ve been really angry with him. But I sure didn’t wish this upon him.”

  He squeezed my hand again. “What say we get out of the truck and get some air?”

  “Good idea. It’s getting stuffy in here.”

  He helped me down the high step from the cab to the ground. We walked as far as allowed.

  I stood on tiptoes and tried to get a look at the location. My view was obstructed by trees and shrubbery. “Can you see anything?”

  “Not much,” he said, craning his neck. “I see a bunch of officers moving around.”

  The sound of a vehicle approaching the scene caught my attention. I turned to see the white van of the Coroner’s Office pull up behind Danny’s truck. My heart sank.

  A few minutes after the coroner walked under the crime scene tape, another deputy made his way toward me and Josh.

  “Mrs. Foret, Danny asked me to give you folks a ride back to your house,” he said. His boyish face reminded me of Toby Hahn. I glanced at his name tag. No wonder I saw a resemblance…his last name was Hahn.

  I needed a distraction. “Are you related to Toby?”

  He nodded. “Yes ma’am. He’s my brother. I’m Logan.” He pointed to his left. “My unit is over here.”

  Obviously he didn’t want to do small talk. I didn’t know whether he would answer or not but I had to ask.

  “Is it true? The victim is Brad?”

  “Yes, Sheriff Theriot is deceased.”

  ~ * ~

  Alex Narcisse eyed Agent Gorman nervously. He worried his story wouldn’t be believed. He glanced at his two attorneys. Megan nodded, indicating he should answer the man’s question.

  “The man in Jamaica who gave me the package of emeralds is a scuba diving shop operator. He provided me with directions about the location I was to meet the person to give the emeralds to. At the time I didn’t know what the package contained.”

  “Did he give you a name of the man you were to meet?” Gorman’s expression was all business.

  “Verrett,” Alex said. “He was to meet me at the first drop-off place. But the woman was shot and everyone ran toward the other boat.”

  “Why didn’t you run with everyone else?”

  “I thought I might be able to help her. But she was dead. I heard a noise and felt someone watching me. I grabbed her backpack and ran into the swamp.” He rubbed his bandaged arm lightly.

  Agent Gorman noted the bandage with what seemed like a hint of sympathy. “That’s where you got cut in the jail?”

  “The other man said he didn’t like people who came here illegally.”

  “So what did you do with the emeralds?” Gorman was back to business.

  “I buried them at a spot along the bayou.”

  Gorman frowned. “That covers a lot of area. Can you be more specific?”

  Alex thought for a moment. “There was an old shack nearby. It was almost falling apart. That’s all I can tell you. I’d been out there for many days. I didn’t know where I was.”

  The ICE agent blew out a long breath. “Tell me about Lucie and Octave Celestine.”

  Alex looked at the attorneys for permission.

  “Go ahead,” Carole said. “Tell him everything you told me about your family.”

  “My sister and I, as well as her husband, hold legal citizenship in Martinique. We were all born in Cap Haitian, but our family left during the time Baby Doc Duvalier took over from his father. I was a small child, but I remember many good times and also bad times in Haiti. Our father was being threatened by Baby Doc’s hoodlums worse than he had been during Papa Doc’s reign because he was educated and the family had money. My father paid for passage out of the country. We could have come to the U.S., but Mama insisted we go to a French country.”

  “So how did you end up back in Haiti?” Gorman asked.

  “When the earthquake happened, Lucie, Octave, and I went back to check on family members and friends still in Haiti and to help where we could. Then we were kidnapped by a group of men who sold us to another group. I escaped them before Lucie and Octave were smuggled out here.

  “I ended up being recaptured by the same men. That’s when I was brought to the dive shop owner in Jamaica and given the package of emeralds to bring to Verrett.”

  “Was the name Gallagher ever mentioned to you?”

  “Not to me directly,” Alex said. “I overheard some of the men speaking of them. Someone named Gallagher was the one who was paid to bring immigrants here. I was not the only one ordered to smuggle in artifacts and jewels.” He took a quick look at the attorneys. “You see, I pretended not to speak or understand English.”

  Gorman looked impressed. “What happened to your papers showing you as a citizen of Martinique?”

  Alex shook his head. “They were lost when I escaped from the first group.”

  “I appreciate your information.” Gorman turned to Megan and Carole. “I’ll inform you about those individuals we spoke about when they are in custody. Everything will be decided at that time after we get their testimony about the shooting.

  “Meanwhile, I’ve made arrangements with the hospital to keep Alex here,” Gorman continued. “It’s safer than in jail. Deputies will be on guard outside the room. No one except you two attorneys are allowed to visit.”

  Alex wondered whether any decision would be in favor of him and his family members or if the bias of illegal immigrants would prevail.

  Forty-six

  I had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach when Logan Hahn pulled into my driveway. Something wasn’t right. I tried to dismiss my apprehension. I told myself the anxiety stemmed from the news about Brad’s murder.

  Josh and I exited the unit and walked up to the door under the carport. My heart jumped. The door wasn’t completely closed.

  “Wait,” Josh said. “Don’t go inside.” He turned and waved at Logan who was by then backing out the driveway.