Page 11 of Landry

“Were you looking for us?” Remy leaned over and brushed a brief kiss across Shelby’s lips.

She sighed. “You weren’t hard to find, and I’m always glad to hold Jean-Luc, but I really came to talk with Camille.”

“Here, let me take the baby.” Remy traded the box of chocolates for his son. “Do you want us to stay?”

Shelby shrugged. “You can if you want.” She turned her attention to Camille. “I heard what happened last night. Was your car damaged much?”

Camille shook her head. “My bumper never was in very good shape. I got a good deal on it because of the dings.”

“I’m glad Clyburn was able to escort you home.”

“Me, too. I don’t know what that jerk had in mind, tailing me like he did.”

“It’s too bad you couldn’t get the make or model of his vehicle.” Shelby shook her head. “As it is, there’ve been a number of reports of missing items like tools and groceries and strange noises in the night from residents who live along the bayou. Have you had anything go missing, or heard any unusual sounds in the night?”

A frown tugged at Camille’s brow. “Come to think of it, there have been a few things go missing—like my hammer. I thought maybe I’d misplaced it, though I always put it back in my toolkit after use. Also, one of the sheets I’d hung on the line went missing while I was at work three days ago. I thought maybe the wind that blew through town that day had blown it into the bayou.”

Shelby nodded. “Others have reported similar items missing. Have you noticed anyone wandering through on foot or in a boat?”

Camille shook her head. “No, but I did have something happen last night after the tailing incident.”

Shelby’s brow furrowed. “Did the vehicle come back to your place?”

“I don’t think so,” Camille said. “You know I lock the doors and windows every night. Around three this morning, I heard Ava scream. When I entered her room, the window was wide open. Honestly, it was unnerving.”

Shelby’s frown deepened. “Is Ava all right?”

Camille nodded. “When I asked her what had happened, she said she’d seen a monster with a black head, no nose or mouth, only eyes staring at her through the window. I asked her how the window had gotten open.” She leaned closer to Shelby. “This is where it gets creepier...” She drew in a breath and let it out before she continued. “She said her friend Billy Ray had opened it and must have forgotten to close it.”

The deputy’s eyes widened. “Billy Ray? Do you know all her friends? I don’t recall a child named Billy Ray in the area.”

“I’ve asked her Mother’s Day Out teacher if Ava had a friend named Billy Ray in her class.” Camille shook her head. “She’s talked about Billy Ray before, but I don’t remember ever meeting him.”

“What kind of friend sneaks around at night?” Shelby’s frown returned. “For that matter, what kind of parent allows her child to run around at night?”

“I had the same thought,” Camille said. “I asked Ava where Billy Ray lived. She said he lives in the bayou. When I asked her if his parents knew he was running around in the middle of the night, she shook her head and said that he doesn’t have any parents.”

Remy shifted Jean-Luc from one arm to the other. “Was this the first time you heard anything about her friend Billy Ray?”

“No,” Camille said. “She’s talked about him before. In fact, one day I heard her talking when she was out on the porch and I was in the kitchen preparing our dinner—only the conversation seemed one-sided. I never heard anyone besides her talking, and I never actually saw him. I assumed he was an imaginary friend.”

“And she opened the window for her imaginary friend?” Shelby shook her head. “You might want to put in a security system with a camera.”

“You think her imaginary friend isn’t imaginary?” A shiver slithered down the back of Camille’s neck. “Should I be worried?”

Shelby shrugged. “I’ve not been a mom for long, and definitely not the mother of an imaginative five-year-old. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“You’re right.” Camille’s gaze shifted to the door leading into the storeroom. “I ordered one of those cameras you can place in your house and check the video from your cell phone. It should be here tomorrow.”

“If you like, I can have Remy send one of his guys over to check out your home. He could even stay the night if it makes you feel better. At least until you get that camera in place.”

Camille hated asking for help with anything. She’d worked hard to establish herself as a strong, competent woman, capable of building a life for herself and her daughter without the help of a man. But her daughter’s safety was her top concern. “Remy would do that?”

Shelby, in her law enforcement uniform, looking as tough as they came, gave Camille a gentle smile. “He would.”

Remy stepped closer, holding Jean-Luc with both hands as the baby tried to catapult himself into Shelby’s arms. “The Brotherhood Protectors’ primary mission is to help people. An extra set of eyes, a guard to see you through the night, extracting kidnap victims from unsavory locations is what we do.”

Camille’s gaze went to the man who’d come into the store with Remy.

---