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“I spoke with Peter,” Shelby said. “He had a family of six on his fishing boat, aged seven to sixty-six years old. They had some engine trouble on their way back to the marina that kept them out later than scheduled. We’ll touch bases with Mitch at the marina, but I don’t think Pete’s our guy.”
“And I had a chat with Ethan,” Remy said. “He told me he’d had a charter that day with the airboat. We need to find that airboat and see if it’s as scraped and banged up as Shelby’s boat.”
Gisele nodded. “I just find it hard to believe Ethan would do that. But then, he’s been actin’ weird lately. He’s been hangin’ around my cousin Lissette too much. She’s a bad influence.”
“Any idea where we’d find Ethan’s airboat?” Shelby asked.
“If it's not at the marina, it will be parked close to the house of one of them who drives it,” Gisele said. “Ethan rents a two-bedroom shack on the bayou south of town. Lissette lives in a garage apartment not far from him. There’s a community dock that residents of the neighborhood can use to tie up their boats. I’ve seen an airboat there recently. Can’t imagine it belongs to anyone else.”
“We’ll check it out,” Remy said. “The others?”
Gisele shrugged. “The commercial boats are located on the bayou beside Dan Fontenot’s home. He has his own dock. The fishing boats are located at Marceau’s Marina. Simon might take the bass boat home since it’s faster to go across the water than it is to cut a path across the land.”
“Thanks, Gisele,” Shelby said. “We’ll check them out, starting with the airboat near Ethan’s place.”
“Good luck finding the boat.” Gisele hugged Shelby.
They left the Mambo Wambo gift shop and stepped out on the sidewalk.
A door opened several buildings down from the gift shop, and a dark-haired man dressed in a business suit emerged, followed by LaShawnda Jones, wearing a periwinkle skirt suit with a long, slim skirt. She gave the man a tight smile, shook his hand and turned to go back inside her office. When she spotted Remy and Shelby, she hesitated, her gaze shifting to the gentleman walking away from her.
The man in the suit strode toward a Porsche sports car. As he opened the car door, his head turned toward Remy and Shelby, and his eyes narrowed.
“I wonder who he is,” Shelby murmured beside Remy.
The man got into his sports car and drove away.
Moments later, LaShawnda hurried toward Remy and Shelby. “That was awkward,” the woman said with a laugh. “The man who just left was your competition for the boat factory.”
“He didn’t look happy,” Shelby said. “Who is he? I haven’t seen him around town.”
“Thomas Sanders. He’s from Atlanta. He’s looking to invest in a manufacturing facility.” LaShawnda shrugged. “If he had a problem about losing the bid, he should’ve taken it out on his own agent.” She shook off her frown and smiled. “I’m so glad to catch you this morning.”
Shelby smiled at the woman. “Good to see you, LaLa.”
“Shelby, Remy,” LaShawnda nodded to each before directing her attention at Remy. “I got news this morning that the bank accepted your offer on the boat factory. They want to close as soon as possible. I also heard from the owner of the boarding house. He also accepted your offer.” She held out her hand to Remy. “Congratulations, Remy.”
Shelby touched his arm, a smile spreading across her face. “That’s great news.”
“Thank you.” Remy shook LaShawnda’s hand, relieved one more thing was going right with his move home. Between Shelby remembering their night in the fishing hut and nailing the purchase of the buildings they’d need for the new branch of the Brotherhood Protectors, things were looking up.
“Thank you for letting me represent you in your purchases,” LaShawnda said with a smile, her hand still in Remy’s. “I’ll stop by Shelby’s house later this evening to drop off a little gift to show my appreciation.”
“Well, aren’t we all having a little celebration here,” a female voice said behind Remy.
Remy and Shelby turned to find Lissette standing behind them, wearing a flowing dress in varying shades of bright orange, a chunky gold necklace and an array of gold bangles around her wrists. She looked the part of a beautiful Voodoo priestess with her hair woven in slender braids, hanging down to the middle of her back.
She laid a manicured hand on his arm and smiled up at him. “To what do we owe the occasion?” Her tone was more of a feline purr as she batted false eyelashes up at him.
No one spoke.
Lissette’s eyes narrowed. “Well, if our lovely realtor is any indication, she’s just made a sale, and our returning hero is the buyer.” She held out a slim dark hand to Remy. “Congratulations, Remy, darling.”
He didn't want to touch the woman, but Remy figured it would be rude if he ignored her outstretched hand. He shook the hand. “Thank you.” He tried to pull free of her grip.
Lissette didn’t let go. “What did you buy? A house to set down roots and have a family? What do you want? Two, maybe three little curtain climbers?” Her free hand swept over his shoulder and down his arm. “I can help you with that.”
Using his other hand, Remy peeled her fingers from around his and stepped back. “No house. No babies for now, and no thank you for your offer to help.”
