Page 13 of Lord Have Mercy Part Four: Big Son

Maggie got to her feet and pressed both hands down through the air in a soothing gesture. “Okay, guys. Let’s take it down a notch.”

“We’re wasting time,” Ava said. “We can cover more territory if we split up.” Before Colin could argue further, she said, “We have you, and Reese, and Mom and I will both be armed.” She stayed him again, palms out. “I appreciate the concern. Ihearyou, okay? I do. And Iknow. But Mom and I were headed down here anyway. This way, we’ve gotmorebackup.”

“We’ll leave it up to y’all when we get there,” Maggie said, a peace offering. “If something doesn’t seem right, we’ll bail. Okay?”

Colin’s face worked through a series of bitten-back retorts – it was a little hilarious, actually – and he turned, scrubbing at his jaw, to send a silent, questioning look to Reese.

“It’s pretty straightforward,” Reese said. “You take point. I’ll bring up the rear.”

“Besides,” Ava said. “I’m not sure if Barbara will even remember me – I only met her once. But if you’re with me, she’ll know it’s about Mercy.”

He resisted another minute, but finally caved, shoulders slumped.

When they left the hotel, it was a wonder he and Reese could walk given how many weapons they’d stashed on their persons.

Colin did in fact take point, at Reese’s suggestion, and Reese brought up the rear, slouched and unassuming.

The house was a different color than Ava remembered: a soft pinky-peach, with yellow shutters and a blue door. The porch ceiling was the same blue, though, and Ava recognized the gas coach lamps on either side of the door.

Maggie stepped subtly back, and Ava realized the boys were hanging back, too. She took a deep breath, and knocked.

Then they waited.

And waited.

Colin said, “Maybe–”

“Give her a minute,” Ava snapped.

There came the sound of a lock disengaging.

The door cracked. She hadn’t changed at all, aside from the shorter hair, and the visible glimpse of a fine silk blouse. Her eyes were just as shrewd.

“Miss Barbara?” Ava said, as sweetly as she could manage right now, which wasn’t that sweet at all. “It’s Ava Lécuyer. Felix’s wife.”

For a moment, Ava didn’t think it would work. Barbara’s face was so blank, but then she blinked, and eased the door open another inch, and said, “Good Lord, child.”

“Can we come in?”

Barbara hesitated.

Ava said, “I have Felix’s brother, Colin, with me.” She motioned behind her back, and, after a sigh, Colin stepped into view.

“Hello, Miss Barbara.”

Her brows lifted, marginally. “Well. I see that.”

“We’re here to help Felix,” Ava said. “And his family.”

One black brow lifted. “Aren’tyouhis family?”

Damn. She was still sharp. “Yes, ma’am.” Ava felt a rush of desperation, and decided to work with it. “This is my mom, Maggie, and you know Colin. Our friend, Reese.” She gestured. In a more deferential tone, she said, “May we come in?”

Barbara considered them another moment, then nodded. “Alright.”

Save a few decorative touches, the house was as Ava remembered it: high ceilings, ornate moldings; a narrowentryway that gave onto a broader back half, in typical New Orleans fashion, meant to beat the street frontage taxes. She didn’t recall the particulars – all she could really remember was Dee, wasted and yellow against the pillows, brittle, and dying, and stillawfulto her son. Ava had been so preoccupied by the horror that was knowing Dee hated Mercy that she hadn’t paid as close attention as she should. Now, she noted ornate chandeliers, and fine furnishings.

Barbara appeared to be alone. She led them through a foyer, and a kitchen/living room combo into a sitting room furnished in blues and golds. She gestured for them to sit, and then settled on a tall, tufted stool, legs crossed, imperious in her midnight skirt and white blouse.

---