AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“While Hiro is checking on that, I caught sight of Wolford in Dallas,” said Pigsty. “He actually stopped to enjoy a nice dinner last night.”
“Well, he was really grieving for his friend, wasn’t he?” frowned Abe.
“Maybe. But he wasn’t alone at dinner,” said Pigsty. “I’m trying to get facial recognition on that man right now.”
“No need,” said Thomas, standing at the back of the room. “That’s Dr. Che Kwan. He’s an aeronautical engineer with degrees in industrial engineering and chemical engineering.”
“What the fuck?” muttered Eric.
“If he and Wolford are together, they could be working on something. Kwan defected from North Korea, but many in the scientific world believed it was a front. He was too valued, treated extremely well in his country. Also, they didn’t complain when he defected.”
“And no one was concerned about that?” cried Cam.
“I guess not,” shrugged Thomas. “If I think of what they wanted on the Michigan and then look back to see what else they could have taken, I might be able to tell you what they were trying to build.” Abe nodded, looking at the others and then looking down toward his friend, Nate. He seemed controlled for the moment, but it wouldn’t be for long.
“Then let’s figure this shit out.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“We’re going to focus on Mardi Gras and let the boys do what they do best,” said Bella, taking Lyra’s hand.
“I know what you’re doing. I’m not going to run. I’m not stupid.”
“I know you’re not,” said Bella. “Besides, they’re going to need you in some way. We’ll figure it out, but let them do their work, and we’ll do ours. You’ve never been to Mardi Gras before, right?”
“That’s right. I just never really got a chance to go anywhere before. My uncle refused to allow me to leave the house unless he knew exactly where I was going. Especially as I got older. It got worse, and so did he.”
“It must be hard for you being here and not having your freedom,” said Bella.
“This is different,” she smiled. “I’m with Abe, and I love all of you. This place is so special, and it feels as if I’m in my own little city here. It’s nothing like my life there.”
Walking to the grove, there were dozens of other women and children waiting to help work on decorations for the upcoming holiday. There would be three boats in the bayou parade this year, plus the usual games and festivities at Belle Fleur. Dylan, George, Sara, and Mama Irene wheeled out hot coffee, cocoa, beignets, and steaming pots of gumbo.
The gazebo-like structure over the grove was covered this time of year, allowing them to meet outdoors without freezing to death. The small heaters were blasting their warmth at the group.
“Wow, this is crazy!” laughed Lyra.
“Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. It’s a wonder that we’re not all morbidly obese.”
“It is a wonder,” said Lyra. “How are you not? I mean, I see some of the women running, and a few do yoga. But I also see what you all eat. How is it possible that no one is bursting at the seams?”
“That’s a good question, but one we really don’t like to ask. We might not like the answer,” smiled Kate. “Come on over here, Lyra. We’re working on the capes for the members of the Belle Fleur Krewe.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of purple, green, and gold.”
“The colors of Mardi Gras, baby,” smiled Irene. “Each color means somethin’. Purple is for justice. Green is for faith. And gold represents power. No one ever said why those colors were chosen or those meanins’, but we know them to be true.”
“I think they’re wonderful,” smiled Lyra. “Everything seems bright and happy.”
“Mardi Gras is a time of happiness and indulgence. Most folks just think of it as a time to get drunk, but that ain’t the true meanin’. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday. It comes before Ash Wednesday, and it’s the beginnin’ of Lent. On Fat Tuesday, you could indulge all you wanted, and then you would give up somethin’ you really enjoyed for Lent.”
“That sounds like a free ticket to eat and drink too much,” said Lyra.
“I suppose it is,” chuckled Irene. “We try to control the drinkin’ around here. Have some fun and enjoy, but it’s really about the food and family for us here.”
“But you’re Catholic. Don’t you push Lent?”
“I don’t push anythin’ except kindness, honey. Folks can believe in what they want.” She looked around at the tables. “Alright. Let’s get busy on these capes.”
