Relentless Pursuit: A Novel (Secrets of Roux River Bayou) by Kathy Herman Page A

to change at ninety-nine years old.”
    “I don’t see another choice, do you?” Tex arched his silver eyebrows. “The authorities have been forthcomin’ about what we should do and not do. I trust Zoe and Pierce to patrol the kitchen. They’re not lettin’ anyone back there who shouldn’t be there. The food’s safe here. But I’m not drinkin’ bottled water of any kind until they’re sure this crisis is over.”
    “How you going to know when it’s really over?” Hebert said.
    Tex sighed. “You’re a real downer, you know that?”
    A blonde waitress arrived at their table with a big round tray and set it on a stand. “Here you go, guys.”
    Sax looked at the plates of food, his mouth watering. It looked delicious, and the presentation was beautiful.
    Savannah’s voice startled him. “Here you go. Iced tea—tea and ice cubes are made from tap water, so no need for concern. Gumbo. Cornbread. And a Cobb salad with house dressing on the side. Our chef’s homemade hot sauce is there on the table. It’s dynamite—no pun intended.”
    “Thanks. I’ll give it a try.” Sax smiled as the aroma of gumbo wafted under his nose.
    As Savannah turned and walked away, Sax put the cloth napkin in his lap, his thoughts turning to his sister and the reason for his trip to Les Barbes. If Adele opted not to get involved, how much pressure was he willing to put on her? This was the end of the line. He couldn’t go back to New Orleans feeling this lost. Either his life was going to get better—or he would find a way to end it.

     

Chapter 11
     
    Emily walked slowly up the deck steps at Langley Manor, the full moon illuminating the ghostlike haze that hovered above the cane fields.
    She stopped at the back door and enjoyed the sight for a moment. Despite the oppressive heat and humidity, there was something unique and amazing about the Louisiana bayou—and the history of the proud Cajuns who made this region famous.
    She saw a silhouette in one of the rockers and sucked in a breath.
    “I didn’t mean to startle you,” said a male voice. “I’m a guest. I couldn’t sleep and decided to come out here for a while and wait to see what showed up to eat the Critter Crunch Vanessa left out.”
    Emily walked over to the railing and let her eyes focus on the man’s face.
    “I’m Sax Henry,” he said, “from the Big Easy. I play saxophone with a jazz band called the Smooth Blues.”
    “I’m Emily—from Sophie Trace, Tennessee. I’ll be a sophomore at LSU.”
    Sax smiled. “Geaux Tigers.”
    Emily laughed without meaning to. “So are you here on vacation?”
    “Business mixed with a lot of down time.”
    “Vegging is good for the soul,” Emily said.
    “So they say. So what about you—do you work here?”
    Emily shook her head. “My sister and brother-in-law own it. I’m here visiting for the summer until classes start. I wait tables at Zoe B’s.”
    “No kidding. I had dinner there earlier tonight. Fantastic food.”
    “Pierce is a phenomenal chef,” Emily said. “He’s won awards. Did you meet Zoe, by any chance?”
    “I did. Nice lady. Very cordial. I also amused myself by eavesdropping on three old fellas sitting at the table across the aisle. One of them—a guy named Hebert—seemed concerned that the facts of the cyanide scare are being withheld from the public.”
    “That would be Hebert Lanoux,” Emily said. “He was Zoe’s first customer when she opened the place fifteen years ago. The guy is going to be a hundred this year. He’s like family to Zoe and Pierce. And pretty set in his ways.”
    “You think his concern is founded?”
    Emily shrugged. “I doubt it. My mom’s a police chief, and she never withheld any information the public needed to know. But sometimes it’s better for us not to know everything. I think that’s law enforcement’s call.”
    “Aren’t you scared?”
    Emily was sobered by his question. “I suppose I should be. I’ve hardly had time to think about