Bayou Rouges: Dirty Part 1

Dirty.

David Family Saga.

Bayou Rogues.

Gina Watson.

Chapter 1.

Courtney shook out the umbrella that had been given to her by her ex-fiance. She really should get a new one, for surely there was some kind of bad karma d.o.g.g.i.ng her as she carried around this remnant of her failed engagement.

She stabbed the abomination of an umbrella into the urn with force. "Rot in h.e.l.l Travis Miller," she mumbled and proceeded into the office.

"Whew, it's a gully washer out there!" She giggled-the phrase she'd used to describe the downpour bringing to mind her late grandfather whom she missed terribly.

"Inch of rain's fallen since six they say," Perla Richardson answered from her desk that was positioned in the center of the office circle. Her official t.i.tle was office clerk, but she took care of everything from lunch runs to ordering paperclips, though her coworkers were actually pretty good at taking turns with lunch. And Perla was a master at conjuring up dire emergencies requiring her immediate attention, a skill she employed frequently with clingy clients. Her wiry, orange curls seemed tighter today and Courtney guessed it was the humidity.

A loud crack of energy exploded somewhere high overhead, startling Courtney. Suddenly the office was awash in light from the sky as it filtered in through the floor-to- ceiling windows. "It's as black as the dead of night out there."

"You should have let me cancel your morning showings like I wanted to." Perla shook her head, pus.h.i.+ng the frame of her red gla.s.ses up her nose.

"I'm glad you didn't! The Wheeler family has made an offer on the Reid place."

"Thank G.o.d!"

"Let's just hope they don't shy away when Mrs. Wheeler finds out about the murder-suicide between now and closing."

Perla shuddered. The cringe-worthy story had left everyone in town shaking their heads. Doctor Renaud had been a local physician for over ten years. With his wife, son, and c.o.c.ker spaniel named Pepper their little crew of four was the very definition of the traditional family . . . until it wasn't. Doctor Renaud had shot his family and then piled into the family Saab with Pepper. Cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning. There was evidence that the good doctor had become addicted to painkillers and his wife had been entertaining his medical practice partner with much more than a home cooked meal. After his medical license had been revoked, Renaud had been caught writing prescriptions on his suspended license-prescriptions for scheduled narcotics that he himself was using.

"You mean you didn't tell them?"

"I told the husband." Courtney answered as she walked toward her desk. "He said the price was too good to pa.s.s up, but asked if we could keep the murderous background as our little secret." Courtney agreed, but told him she'd have to disclose the information at the closing.

"Do you think you should sit at your desk?" Perla pointed at the windows.

"This is my desk. Where else would I sit?"

"But the weather and all that gla.s.s-I don't know if it's a good idea."

Courtney leaned over to look out at the blackness. "Hmm, it's not like we're surrounded by trees. It's just a little lightning." Perla also liked playing the part of mother hen to all of the real estate agents-a trait they all joked about, but appreciated, on occasion. Now was not one of those occasions. Courtney had work to do.

The cold steel of the scissors like ice in her hand, Courtney trimmed the blossoming gardenia bonsai tree that sat atop her desk while humming Sweet Caroline-the song that had been stuck in her head all morning.

"Courtney?"

Humming ceased as she watched Samantha Boyd take the chair across from her desk. Dammit! Samantha sold commercial real estate, occasionally showing a private residence, and she had a long list of loyal business clients. She also had a lot of personal problems and could bring a good mood down to the gutter in two seconds flat.

"What's on your mind, Sam?"

Wringing her hands she asked, "Would you mind showing a house for me? I've got to pick Jonathan up from school. He's throwing up."

Courtney told herself her colleague was doing the best she could, but she really didn't want to show another house today. It had been over a year since Samantha's husband had pa.s.sed away, leaving her to raise their son alone. That's why Courtney replied with a smile, "Not at all, just get me the status sheet."

"Thank you Court, I owe you big time."

"No problem."

Courtney clicked on the website link for her webpage, intent on updating her portfolio of homes. Glancing up from her desk chair, Courtney saw the Greystone Realty sign glowing silver and blue amidst the storm. Greystone Realty was a small locally-owned company that prided itself on its expert knowledge of southeast Louisiana real estate. The Greystones were family friends, but since their retirement last year Courtney had only seen the smiling couple a few times.

She watched absently as water collected on the street below and rolled in a stream to the gutter. She'd picked the wrong day to break in her new suede Louboutin pumps. She sighed and glanced at a note she'd posted about an estimate that needed to be faxed to the t.i.tle company first thing Monday morning. Spying Perla eating a large bagel and sucking cream cheese from her fingers, Courtney decided to take care of the item herself.

Standing at the fax machine, she pressed the send b.u.t.ton with a French-sculpted nail. "Samantha, what time am I doing your showing?" Courtney spoke with increased volume so that her words would carry across the small office.

Samantha approached with umbrella and bag in hand. "He said he'd meet you here at eleven o'clock. His name's Eric Houseman." She pa.s.sed the info sheet to Courtney.

"I've shown him a few places. He has to be settled here by April for work so he's a definite. I'll split the comish with you. Thank you so much, Courtney. I hope you'll let me take you to dinner next week." Samantha leaned in and hugged her. Courtney wasn't a hugger and it had startled her, but she quickly recovered, reciprocating by patting the small of Samantha's back.

The feel of her sweater dress was soft like cashmere, maybe even angora wool. Samantha was full figured and filled out the dress like a pinup girl from the forties, her full head of glossy black waves rounding out the look. And that's exactly why Courtney didn't like to hug, it revealed too much.

Courtney smiled. "I'll call you later to let you know how it went."

At her desk, Courtney completed a market a.n.a.lysis of the neighborhood surrounding her eleven o'clock showing. She was arming herself with information regarding taxes and local schools when she heard the electric ding-dong announcing that the front door had been opened. Looking up from her desk Courtney's eyes landed on a tall, dark, and handsome man wearing a tailored suit. She cleared her throat and stood, walking toward him.

"Mr. Houseman?"

His eyes roved from the top of her head all the way to her Louboutin clad toes. "Please, call me Eric. And you are Courtney David, I presume."

His voice was deep and, if she wasn't mistaken, laced with something edgy-desire. But for what? When they shook hands his shake was firm, lingering. Courtney thought him extremely handsome, but also overly intense-dominating. That wasn't a quality she appreciated in a man. "I'll get my file and we can get started."

Eric nodded once in reply.

Reaching for her soon to be ex-umbrella on the way out, Eric's reach exceeded hers. "Allow me." He escorted her out into the rain, holding the golf umbrella over them.

Using a key fob to unlock his Jaguar, he opened the pa.s.senger side door and looked at her, waiting.

"I uh . . . I usually take clients in my vehicle to look at homes."

"I think you'll agree, as I'm parked near the door, practicality dictates we take mine."

Only because she remembered Samantha's admission of 'showing him a few houses' did she acquiesce.

The seats in the Jag were low and angled so that in order to sit, Courtney had to hike her fitted pencil skirt up to mid thigh. "I really don't think this is appropriate," she huffed as Mr. Houseman folded himself into the driver's seat. Courtney didn't miss his gaze as he took in her stocking-clad thigh.

"The address is"- "I know the address."

"Very well."

Courtney listened to the sound of the rain hitting the winds.h.i.+eld and the tires on the slick road. Tension laced the air and she couldn't figure out why. After all, she was doing him a favor. "Is everything all right?" She tentatively asked.

"Fine."

Fine. Their definitions of fine seemed to differ greatly.

When at last he pulled into the driveway, Courtney was only too happy to pile out. She also wanted to take advantage of her alone time, before he rounded the car, to extract herself in a most unladylike fas.h.i.+on from the low riding car.

Throughout the showing he crowded her, towering over her and intensely scowling until finally she asked, "Do you not like the house?"

"The house is fine."

Fine.

"The en suite bathroom is equipped with a steam shower and the closet is outfitted with an organization system." Showing him the closet in the master bedroom had his warmth at her back. She wanted to exit the small s.p.a.ce, but he blocked the only exit. His head lowered and she heard his breath when he inhaled heavily near her neck. Surely she was imagining his intent, for it would be completely wrong of him to perform an action like that while pressed up against her in a small s.p.a.ce.

She didn't imagine his hands on her shoulders, his body inching closer to hers. Her spine stiffened, but his hold didn't lessen. Offensive maneuver. She was an expert kick boxer and was about to give him a lesson he'd never forget when suddenly his phone rang, dissolving his hold on her.

"Houseman."

He walked from the master and out onto the patio access.

"I want maximum control, fifty-one percent, or his company can rot in ruin."

Courtney listened, curious, thinking how cheerful he must be to work for.

Turning toward her, he slid his phone into his jacket pocket. "I need to leave."

So do I, you f.u.c.king creep! It didn't matter how handsome he was or how good he smelled, cornering her in the closet was ultra creepy. In a singsong voice she said, "But I haven't shown you the backyard." She at least wanted her half commission for dealing with the a.s.shole.

"I've seen enough."

"There's a swimming pool. The home is located on the eighteenth hole."

Ignoring her, he walked away. She went through the home, turning off lights and locking doors. She heard the front door slam as she made her way to the kitchen.

Sighing, she exited the home intent on locking up when she was aware of the car's motor roaring to life. Turning, she shuffled in her heels to the retreating vehicle.

He slowed and she was able to board. "What the h.e.l.l is your problem?"

Ignoring her he spoke into the phone. "I'm not interested. Dump it."

He hung up, and then drove too fast and too recklessly back toward town.

Mr. Houseman didn't even drop her at the door of Greystone Realty but at the corner of Main and Fourth Streets, forcing her to walk the few wet blocks to First Street. What an a.s.s! At least the rain had slowed to a drizzle.

Finally inside her office, she marched to her desk. She dialed Samantha's cell from the landline. While she waited for the connection, she inhaled a gardenia from the bonsai tree and smiled at the scent.

"h.e.l.lo?"

"Sam, it's Court. I've just returned from showing the home to Mr. Houseman, who is the biggest d.i.c.k on the planet, I might add."

"What happened?"

"He was too preoccupied with his cell phone to look at the house and then he dropped me at First Street. I had to trudge down to Fourth. That's not a problem, but he insisted on taking his car." She decided against mentioning the sniff in the closet. "I just get a weird vibe from him."

"I'm sorry. I should have warned you that he can be intense."

"That's okay. How's Jonathan?"

"He's definitely sick. I'm hoping it's just a twenty-four hour bug."

"I'll let you go so that you can take care of him. I just wanted to give you the update."

"Thanks, Court."

"Bye."

Her stomach panged as the clock approached one, and that was when she realized she hadn't had breakfast or lunch. She retrieved her wallet, intent on grabbing a snack at the cheese shop next door.

Walking the few steps next door her heel caught on a raised spot in the concrete, propelling her forward and almost to the ground. "c.r.a.p!" She usually bypa.s.sed the jagged b.u.mp, but her faculties had been busy ruminating over the strangeness of the morning's events. Whatever, she had an eight-hundred-calorie lunch coming her way and she couldn't be happier. "Mmm," the smell of cheese nutty, rich, and ripe hit her nostrils with delight. How lucky to be working next door to the only artisan cheese shop in the city. Not so lucky for her waistline, however.

"Hey Court, is this weather finding you hungry?"

"Starved."

Clara was the extremely young owner of her own cheese shop. "I've got a really good French comte with just a hint of hazelnut." Surprising was her knowledge of all things cheese.

"I want you to taste this"-she pa.s.sed Courtney a sheet of waxed paper topped with thinly sliced cheese-"it's Dubliner from Ireland. The taste is sweet and mild." She had a sample herself. "I've already eaten a quarter rind myself."

"Thank goodness for a young metabolism." Courtney mumbled and then popped the little square into her mouth. Her tongue slid over the smooth surface of the cheese and an explosion of flavor and texture had her humming in delight. "Mmm, that's decadent."

"It's on the trays I've made up today. Along with the comte I mentioned."

"I'll take one. And I need a gla.s.s of wine."

"Perfect, we just got our license, you know."

While she ate, Courtney caught up on BR Unplugged, Baton Rouge's social goings on rag mag. Several pictures of her with Travis graced the pages. They were happy, but given the magazine's lowbrow nature, Courtney stiffened her spine as she turned the pages. "Aha!" She'd landed on a page with an insert box wrapped with the boarder 'update' ent.i.tled Where Are They Now, escorted by recent pictures. "They shot me after my run!"

Heiress to the David Seafood fortune appears heartbroken and seems to have been crying over the loss of her fiancee to the now engaged Miss Willa Devereaux.

"You're a wh.o.r.e." Courtney whispered at the woman's picture. She closed the magazine and tossed it on the bar in front of her.

"Here's your wine." Clara swapped the magazine for a nice chardonnay.