Page 37 of Landry

“We don’t know who’s out here this late.”

“It’s probably someone fishing or frog gigging,” Camille said, though she didn’t sound entirely convinced.

Landry could only hope she was right. “Sometimes, people moving around at night have more nefarious intentions.”

The light in the distance seemed to hover in place for several long seconds.

His breath lodged in his throat, Landry prayed whoever it was hadn’t seen their flashlight and would move on.

His prayer went unanswered as the light started toward them, picking up speed.

Landry glanced around, searching for a place to hide. Starlight shone down on a field of marsh grass. If he could push them into the grasses, they could hunker down and let the other boat pass by without seeing them.

He dug his pole into the soft silt of the bayou floor, sending them toward the marsh grass.

“What if there’s another alligator in there?” Camille asked.

“Stay down,” he said. “I’d rather take my chances with an alligator than potential drug runners.”

“Do you think they’re drug runners?” she asked quietly, pulling Ava closer.

“I don’t want to hang around and find out,” he said and pushed hard, sending them into the reeds.

Camille cradled Ava against her chest and slid off the bench and onto the bottom of the boat.

Landry hunched down and waited as the light moved closer. A bright beam lit up the night. Whoever was on the boat had a search light and was scanning the area.

The light skimmed over the tops of the reeds.

Landry sank lower and peered through the gaps.

A small boat, not much bigger than the skiff they were in, slid by with a single occupant. With the search light pointed in their direction, Landry couldn’t make out who was in the other boat. He closed one eye, hoping to retain some of his night vision.

“Ahoy,” a man’s voice called out. “Who’s out there? Are you in trouble? Need help?”

Landry thought he recognized the voice but couldn’t be sure.

“I saw your light,” the man said. “I assume you need help.”

As the beam turned away from them, Camille lifted her head above the rim of the skiff. “That sounds like J.D.,” she whispered.

“Are you certain?” Landry asked.

As the boat drifted by, the man inside it bent, then straightened and poured something over the side of his boat. He did it again. “Yell if you need help,” he said. “I can’t hang around long or my boat fills with water.”

“Oh, that’s him.” Camille sat up straighter. “J.D.?”

“The one and only,” the man responded. “Who dat?”

“It’s me, Camille Catoire,” she called out. “Over here.”

As the searchlight beam swung in their direction, Landry prayed that Camille was right.

“Camille, the candy lady?” the man asked. “Where you at?”

She raised her hand above the reeds. “We’re over here.”

The beam of light settled on her hand and dipped lower, shining in her eyes. “What in the fool darn heck are you doing out there?”

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