“I’ll be right back with those drinks,” Dominique said and then left the side of their booth.
Almost immediately Nola Fontenot appeared at their booth. “Chief LeCroix,” she began as she twisted her plump hands together in front of her. “Is there any news on Mystique’s murderer?” she asked.
“We’re still in the middle of our investigation,” he replied, wishing the answer was different.
“I believe Pierre killed her. He couldn’t stand not having her. Can’t you arrest him and get him behind bars? I hate to see him walking around free while my best friend is dead and gone,” Nola said.
“It’s not that easy, Mrs. Fontenot,” Daniel replied.
“Well, it should be that easy. Mystique was a wonderful woman, and I miss her every single day,” Nola said.
“I know the two of you were good friends and I’m sorry for your loss, but we’re working as hard as we can to see that the person who killed her is arrested and charged with her murder. The last thing we’d want to do is arrest an innocent man,” Daniel said.
At that moment Dominique returned with their drinks, and Nola went back to her own table across the room. “The good thing is if Pierre is our man, I don’t see him killing anyone else,” Luke said.
“Yeah, it could be worse with some crazed murderer killing other woman in the same manner,” Clay replied.
Daniel listened to his two officers talk about the case, and then their conversation turned to their personal lives. “How are you and Anita getting along,” Luke asked Clay.
Clay and Anita Cook had been dating for the past couple of months. Anita was a pretty, sweet woman who worked as a nurse at the small hospital in town.
“Things are going good,” Clay replied. “Although between my work hours and hers, we don’t get to see each other as often as we’d like to. When are you going to find some nice woman?” he asked Luke.
“Who knows? I’m in the market to find one,” Luke replied and then looked across the table at Daniel. “And I think we all know who has Daniel’s heart. It’s evident every time he says her name.”
“Unfortunately, she’s not interested in having a relationship with me,” Daniel replied, the words causing his chest to squeeze tight.
“Well, that’s a real bummer,” Clay said.
“Here we are,” Dominique said as she arrived with their food. She placed the plates in front of them and then smiled. “Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“No, I think this will do it. Thanks, Dominique,” Daniel said.
She smiled and hesitated a moment. “Uh, before you leave, could I have a private word with you?” she asked Daniel.
He looked at her in surprise. “Sure,” he replied.
“Okay, in the meantime enjoy your meals,” she said and then left the booth.
“What’s that all about?” Clay asked.
“I don’t have a clue,” Daniel replied. He was definitely intrigued and wondered what Dominique could want to discuss with him. Maybe she’d thought of somebody who had a beef with her sister. That would be great. More than anything Daniel wanted the person who had attacked Angelique in jail.
As they ate, they talked about mundane things like the weather and things that were going on in town. There were always programs going on at the community center to keep the kids from running amok in the summer days.
It was one of the best things that Mayor Ralph Dupree had implemented during his time in office. Many of the children participated in the programs, and it kept them safe and off the streets when they weren’t in school.
They finished eating and paid, and then Clay and Luke headed on outside to the car while Daniel waited for Dominique. She walked over to him and pulled him into an office just off the kitchen area.
“I only have a minute or two,” she said. “But I wanted to let you know that Angelique is totally in love with you. And if you truly love her, you need to keep telling her that. Eventually, I really believe you’ll break through to her. She’s just so afraid of being hurt again, but she told us she’s madly in love with you.”
Daniel wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe her so badly. “Thanks, Dominique,” he replied.
“We both know how stubborn she can be, but she told us she’s deeply in love with you, so please don’t give up on her, Daniel. And now I have to get back to work.”
“Thanks again, Dominique,” he replied.
She nodded and then hurried out of the office. Daniel left the office, too. While she headed back to the dining room floor, he went out the front door and to the car where Clay and Luke waited for him.
