“I want to be with that two-man team,” Holly said.
“You’re being watched,” Swede said. “To keep anyone from knowing we’re observing them, you and Simon need to continue with your normal plans. That will lead your stalkers away from the team heading out into the bayou to observe and take images of the people using the facility.”
Holly frowned. “I’d rather know what’s going on, but I get it.”
“We’ll brief you as soon as the team returns with information,” Swede promised. “For now, out here.”
“Out here,” Simon echoed and ended the call.
Holly shot a glance toward Simon, her lips twisting into a grimace. “I guess we’re going to visit the seer my Mémère insisted we see about the curse and our future.”
“You still think you’re cursed?” Simon asked. “Curses don’t cut anchoring lines or use explosive incendiary devices.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” Holly said. “But when Mémère says to do something, you do it. She has her reasons.”
Simon shrugged. “Okay. Let’s go have our fortunes read by an animal.”
Holly fought back a grin. She believed in Voodoo and magic. However, Simon was right. Curses didn’t cut lines or set off explosives. The data Swede had accumulated about BioEnergen had made Holly lose confidence in a curse being the source of her problems.
What worried her was that she believed a curse would be easier to deal with than going toe-to-toe with murderous humans.
Chapter 10
Though Simon thought having his fortune read was a waste of time, the drive got Holly away from Bayou Mambaloa and, hopefully, whoever was targeting her—at least for the morning.
He’d sent a text to the realtor asking to push back their appointment a couple of hours to give them time to find the seer and fulfill Madam Gautier’s request.
On the drive over to the neighboring parish, Simon contacted his teammate, Beau Boyette, who’d given him the name and phone number of his cousin, Alexandra Belle, who made some calls and texted him the address and phone number of Lady LeChance.
Holly called ahead to make sure the seer was available for a consultation. Lady LaChance assured her she would be there and was expecting them.
The GPS directions took them to a gravel road on the south end of the town of Bayou Miste. The road led to a clearing and what appeared to be an oversized gypsy wagon that had been converted into a home, complete with an electric line and satellite dish.
Simon had fully expected to see a horse tied close by, but wasn’t completely surprised to find a bright red, vintage Mustang convertible parked nearby. He shifted into park, dropped to the ground and met Holly at the front of the truck.
She took his hand and squeezed it. “I don’t expect you to believe; just be open to suggestion.”
“I’m wide open,” he said, with no trace of sarcasm. “Lead the way.”
They climbed the steps to the colorful gypsy wagon and knocked on the quaint, round, red door.
A petite woman dressed in a long, peasant-style skirt and top with a brightly colored scarf covering her hair opened the door. “You must be Holly,” she said. “Please, come in.”
When Simon stepped up behind Holly, Lady LaChance smiled up at him. “Ah, and you must be her lover, Simon.”
Holly gasped.
Simon forced a smile. After all, he couldn’t argue with the woman’s words. The previous night, he had been Holly’s lover. Whether they would ever be again...well, that remained to be seen.
“Have a seat on the cushions,” she said, “while I prepare our furry fortune teller.”
The cushions were large, fluffy pillows on the floor, one a deep purple, the other royal blue.
Holly sat on the purple pillow. Simon lowered himself onto the royal blue one and watched as Lady LaChance reached into a large metal cage lined with cedar shavings and removed a rodent that looked like a small beaver without the paddle-shaped tail.
She nestled the animal against her neck as she carried it over to where they sat. Lady LaChance sank onto a red cushion. In front of her stood the kind of portable tray table most people used for breakfast in bed. It had been covered with a pure white satin cloth.
“I ask that you two join hands, clear your thoughts, but for one that might be troubling you.”
