| Subject: Second Generation - Parts #30 -33 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 03:24:31 08/21/03 Thu
PART #30
Lenore dissolved in a barrage of tears. What had she done? Lucia would hate her forever. How could she bear the pain of losing her daughter? Catherine came over to Lenore, and said, “Lenore, give her some time. This was shocking news for her to receive. She has to have time to think this through.” Lenore wailed, “She hates me; I know she hates me.”
Bow motioned to Boudreau to go after Lucia. The Chief of Police said, “We must get something worked out to get Lenore and Lucia away where they will be safe. Time is of the utmost importance now. We have to move fast before some of this information leaks out.”
Bow said, “Let’s wait a few minutes, and see if Boudreau can help Lucia to understand this situation. Perhaps he can persuade her to come back so we can work out a solution for her and her mother.”
Boudreau caught up with Lucia at the end of the block. He was running along behind her shouting, “Lucia stop; please come back.” When he caught up to her she was sobbing so hard people were turning to look at her. Boudreau knew she needed to be gotten away from curious onlookers. He turned her around, and put his arms around her. She continued to sob on his shoulder. He said, “Lucia, I know this was difficult to hear; but what you heard is true. The man who attempted to kill me was a man called Peter Dunkirk. He is my father’s old enemy, and has been in jail for many years. He tried to steal the Le Bleu plantation from my family years ago, and his connection with your father has been carefully planned on his part. I have no doubt he still wants to take the plantation from my family. Killing me was a way to get to my family.”
Lucia tried to calm herself as they walked back toward Anthony’s. Lucia said, “Boudreau, I cannot believe my father would try to have you killed. Why would he want to do that?” Boudreau said, “Lucia, I do believe that is a question you should ask your mother. She knows why Hollingsworth wants me dead.”
They returned to the back room where Lenore was still seated. Lenore looked up when they entered the room; and said, “Lucia, I am so sorry to have to tell you the news about your father, but I was fearful for Boudreau’s life. I could not have lived with myself, if I had remained quiet, and Boudreau would have been killed.”
Lucia asked, “Mother, does that mean there is still a hit man after Boudreau?” Lenore said, “Yes, it does mean that. The man’s name is Alfonso De Nato. He has worked for your father for sometime now. Surely, you have seen him Lucia.” Lucia said, “I do know Alfonso De Nato. He has always made me nervous.”
Bow said, “Lucia, it is going to be important for you and your mother to leave for a while, so the police and District Attorney can do their jobs.” Lucia asked, “What about Boudreau? Shouldn’t he leave too? If there is a hit out on Boudreau, he must leave the area too.” Boudreau said, “Dad, I think Lucia is right. I know George and Jean Baptiste will be patient about the time for me to begin work.” Bow said, “All right, we will go to the police station, and we’ll set this up. Boudreau, we are going to have to be very careful, for no doubt you are being watched closely.
Lucia said, “What if Alfonso was watching this place, and saw us all together?” Bow said, “We are hoping that was not the case; it would be extremely dangerous for your mother if she were seen with us. Lucia, it would probably be safer for your mother if you did not let her out of your sight. Stay with her every moment. I don’t think your father is as apt to do bodily harm to her if you are with her.”
Lucia agreed to keep a close eye on the home situation, and not to let Lenore do anything that would separate her from Lucia. On the way home both women were very quiet. Lucia was still shaking from hearing the news about her father. Lenore was shaking because of her fear for both of their lives. One could only hope things would work out for the best.
Bow, Catherine, and Boudreau left to drive to the police station. They stopped in front of the station; and all three got out of the car, and went into the building. They walked into the Police Chief’s office, and Bow told them Lucia had taken her mother home. The Police Chief handed Bow the name and number of a person they would call to would take care of booking safe passage for Lenore and her daughter, Lucia, out of the area. Bow said, “We are thinking it might be wise for Boudreau to disappear with them, at least for awhile.” The Police Chief thought for a moment; and said, “You are probably right about that. We will set it up.”
While they were talking to the Police Chief, an old looking gentleman walked into the police station; and asked to talk to someone about the La Faye stabbing. He said he had some information that was pertinent to the case. The man seemed to have a hacking cough. The officer asked him to have a seat; and told him he would need to talk to the Police Chief.
While Bow, Catherine, and Boudreau were in the Police Chief’s office, there was a tap on the door; and an officer stuck his head in the room. He said, “Chief, there’s an elderly man out here who says he has some pertinent information on the La Faye stabbing.” The Police Chief asked, “Do you know his name?” “No Sir, I don’t, but he has a terrible hacking cough.”
Bow asked, “Where is this man?” The officer said, “He’s seated over there.” Bow looked out at the man, studied him for just a moment; and laughed, “I don’t believe it; that man is Peter Dunkirk. I haven’t seen him for a long time, but that has to be him.”
The Police Chief said, “Show that man into my office, please.” The officer motioned for Peter to come forward. While walking to the door of the Police Chief’s office, Peter was thinking how he would word his testimony. He was feeling an air of self importance, and than he saw there were other people in the office. He looked around, and suddenly realized he had walked into a room with Bow and Catherine La Faye and their son, Boudreau.
PART #31
On the way home from Anthony’s Bar and Grill, Lucia was very quiet. Lenore felt she was going over everything that she had been told. She thought “What if Lucia was seen with Boudreau as she ran out of Anthony’s?” She wondered how they were going to handle everything once they returned home. Would Lucia confront her father? Lenore really hoped she would not choose to do that because it would put both of them in danger. She knew Hollingsworth well enough to know that he would not let his true identity slip out to the world. She didn’t think he would do anything that would put Lucia in harm’s way, but he would find a way to silence her.
Lucia was, indeed, thinking about all the things she had heard about her father. She found it almost impossible to believe that he would try to have Boudreau killed. Boudreau had told her to ask her mother why her father wanted to kill him. She turned toward her mother; and asked, “Mother, why would Daddy want Boudreau killed?” Lenore’s answer to her was, “Are you sure you want to know the answer to that question?” Lucia said, “Yes, Mother I do want to know.” Lenore responded by saying, “Lucia, your father cannot bear for you to grow up, and leave him for another man. He doesn’t hate Boudreau as a person; he sees him more as an annoying insect that is trying to take his daughter from him. He thinks nothing of having Boudreau killed, for it would eliminate a problem in his life. To kill Boudreau would be like swatting a fly to your father. If Boudreau were out of your life, your father would have control of his little girl once again. Lucia, his whole life is about power and control.”
Lucia thought about what her mother had said, and asked, “Does this mean Daddy would try to eliminate any man who chooses to fall in love with me?” Lenore responded, “Yes, Lucia, that is what your father would do. If he could not break up the relationship any other way, he would have the young man eliminated. You have to realize your father has been a part of organized crime for many years. This is the way they deal with what they perceive as problematic people.”
Lucia asked, “Mother, if Daddy left organized crime, staged his own death, and came to Lake Charles, why would he take the risk of going back using another name?” Lenore answered, “Lucia, he missed the power and the excitement, and money that it offered. I really believe he was going stir crazy without the thrill of the game.” Lucia, with sadness in her voice, said, “But doesn’t he realize he can be put away for his involvement?” Lenore answered, “Yes, Lucia, he knows that, but the threat of prison or death is not enough of a deterrent to keep him out of it.”
Lucia asked her mother, “What are we going to say if Daddy had someone watching us, and saw us there at Anthony’s?” Lenore said, “I think we will simply say that Boudreau wanted us to meet his parents, and they suggested we meet there for coffee and pastries.” “Mother, what about the Chief of Police and the District Attorney? Do you suppose we were seen with them as well?” Lenore said, “We can only hope the connection was not made. Those two men purposely entered Anthony’s an hour before any of us arrived. They said they would do that to help prevent that connection. If the hit man has been following Boudreau, it is possible he would not have seen the District Attorney and the Chief of Police. They really tried to keep this whole thing low key.”
“Mother, I ran out of Anthony’s sobbing and screaming,” said Lucia. “What would a hit man think of that?” If you are asked about that, you will simply say that you and Boudreau had a lover’s spat,” said her mother. Lucia remarked, “I am sure Daddy will want to hear that.” Lenore said, “Can you think of something that would sound better?”
Lucia thought for a moment, and said to her mother, “I can’t think of anything other then what you have suggested. Mother, Boudreau’s father said it was extremely important that I be with you every moment. That means I will sleep in your bedroom tonight. If Daddy suspects anything, he is less apt to try to do something to you if I am in the room. If we can make it through tonight, hopefully passage will be set up for us to leave tomorrow morning.”
Lenore said, “Lucia, you do realize we will walk out with only the things we are wearing, don’t you? You will not be able to pack anything for it would look too suspicious. We must keep everything as normal appearing as we can, or this plan is sure to fail. I have already moved out money that will help us while we are gone. Lucia asked, “Where were you able to get the money?” Lenore said, “I have been saving money for this day for quite sometime. I learned a long time ago Lucia, you must be prepared for anything. Living with your father all these years has taught me that lesson.”
When Lenore and Lucia arrived home, everything seemed quiet. They parked the car, and walked into the house. Lenore walked through the house, but there was no sign of Hollingsworth. She assumed he was probably still at the bank. Lucia said, “Mother, couldn’t we pack a few things, and put in the trunk of the car?” Lenore thought for a few moments; and answered, “If you pack a few things, do it now. I would suggest you put those things in an old box you will find in the garage. Do not use any suitcases. I would also suggest you pack light. I will get a few things and put in the box with your things.”
The women quickly put some things together; and Lucia took the box outside, and stored it in the trunk of the car. They decided they would tell Hollingsworth in the morning they needed to do some shopping. Hopefully, that would get them away from the house. They would drive to the dress shop on Carriage Street, go inside, and they would be met by some people who would take them where they needed to go.
PART #32
Peter walked into the Police Chief’s office ready to give testimony regarding the stabbing of Boudreau La Faye. What a shock it was to him to find Bow, Catherine, and Boudreau La Faye in the office with the Police Chief. Reality hit him in the pit of his stomach. He thought, “This can’t be happening. What are they doing here? Why would they be here at this particular time?”
The Police Chief invited Peter to sit down. He said, “I understand you have some pertinent information concerning the stabbing of Boudreau La Faye.” Peter thought, “Why doesn’t the Police Chief introduce me to these people?” He knew he hadn’t seen Bow and Catherine for many years, but this had to be the two of them. Bow always wore those shiny black boots everywhere he went. Catherine looked older, but he knew it had to be the woman who managed to steal the plantation out from under him by marrying Joshua Sallier. The old anger seethed within him once more.
He turned to the Police Chief and said, “I know who stabbed Boudreau La Faye.” The Police Chief asked, “Well, that is some pertinent information; who is the person who did this terrible thing?” Peter coughed a bit, wiped his face and brow with a handkerchief; and said, “The man who stabbed Boudreau La Faye is Alfonso De Nato.” The Police Chief asked, “And how would you happen to have this information?” Peter coughed again; and said, “I overheard him bragging about the stabbing one night at a bar. He had been drinking heavily, and I seriously doubt he realized what he was admitting.”
The Police Chief asked, “What did he have to say about the stabbing?” Peter answered, “He said that Hollingsworth Deverall had hired him as a hit man, and was pretty frustrated because he hadn’t accomplished the task the first time around.” The Police Chief said, “Did you tell me your name, I don’t seem to remember you giving me your name.” Peter managed to cough terribly once again to buy himself some thinking time. Finally, he managed to croak, “My name is Chester Van Auken.”
Bow raised his eyebrows when he heard the fictitious name given by Peter Dunkirk. Catherine looked at Bow, and rolled her eyes. “Did he honestly think they would not recognize him?” she wondered. “What could he possibly have up his sleeve by coming in, and giving information about the hit man who had been hired by Hollingsworth? What was it that Lenore had said? She said, “Hollingsworth had put out a hit on Peter because he had not managed to kill Boudreau when he stabbed him.” Catherine figured Peter was trying to cover all the bases by getting Hollingsworth and Alfonso De Nato arrested. If his plan worked, then he would walk away a free man. She chuckled inwardly, “Not a bad idea but the mechanics of carrying out the idea were fully Peter Dunkirk. Even she could come up with a better solution than this.”
The Police Chief listened patiently; then he said to Peter, “Sir, would you mind saying something for me?” Peter looked stunned at the question he was asked. He coughed again as if he were dying, and finally managed to ask, “What is that you said?” The Police Chief said, “I would like for you to say, “That should take care of you Sonny.” Peter looked at the Police Chief; and asked, “Why would I want to say that?” The Police Chief said, “You will say it because I, the Police Chief, asked you to say it.” Peter began to cough again, and it sounded as if he were about to vomit. He barely managed to croak out the words, and the words sounded like crunching gravel in his throat.
Catherine listened to his acting display; and thought, “Well, there’s that infamous cough. It does look like he could come up with a new routine.” She had to admit though he had it down to a fine art. If you didn’t know Peter Dunkirk, you would swear he was on his death bed.
Bow couldn’t help himself; he was watching Catherine. He knew her well enough to know she would like some time alone with Peter Dunkirk. She might be getting up in age, but she had a fire about her. He could almost imagine the things going through her mind. She could still be a little fireball, and this man had dared to hurt her Boudreau. He smiled to himself thinking, “I don’t think I would want to be Peter Dunkirk, and be alone with that little lady. I might come out on the short end of the plank.”
The Police Chief asked, “Sir, would you be willing to testify against these men in a court of law? Peter asked, “Would that be absolutely necessary?” The Police Chief said, “Yes, it would be necessary to put these men away.” Peter said, “I can testify if you protect me from them.” The Police Chief said, “You know it is going to be absolutely mandatory you use your real name, and hold nothing back.
By this time Peter was squirming in his chair. Bow motioned to the Chief indicating he would like to talk to Peter. The chief nodded his head as if to say, “Go ahead.” Bow said, “You know you look familiar to me.” Peter said, “I have a face which happens to be pretty common. I hear that quite often.” Bow said, “Well, it has been a long time, but you remind me of a crooked lawyer named Peter Dunkirk who had a bad cough. The last time I saw that snake was in Jennings somewhere around thirty-five years ago. He was in the jail at Jennings with the man he had hired to murder Joshua Sallier.”
Peter was getting pretty warm. In fact he was finding it more difficult to breathe. He said, “I don’t believe I have ever met that man.” Bow laughed, “I had a feeling you would say something like that.”
The Police Chief said, “Since you have pertinent information regarding the stabbing of Boudreau La Faye, and you are willing to testify if we will protect you, I know what we are going to do. We are going to offer you accommodations and protection at the same time. We will place you in a cell here away from those who might do you harm, Mr. Van… I’m sorry I can’t seem to remember your last name.” Peter croaked, “My name is Van Auken.” “Oh yes, Mr. Van Auken.”
Peter said, “That is not quite what I had in mind.” The Police Chief said, “No, Mr. Dunkirk, I am sure that is not what you had in mind.” He stood up, motioned for a police officer to come to his office, and said, “Rousso, take this man; and place him in a cell. He will be booked on attempted murder charges. His name is Peter Dunkirk.”
PART #33
Alfonso De Nato pulled up at Hollingsworth’s bank after the bank had closed. He knew that Hollingsworth would be waiting inside for a report on the day’s findings. He wasn’t sure Hollingsworth was going to want to hear what he had to tell him. In fact, he figured he would fly into a rage. He wondered what it was going to take to prove to that man he would not be able to continue to control his daughter’s life.
Alfonso had been in a car outside Anthony’s Bar and Grill that morning and saw Boudreau and Lucia together. Something had happened between the two of them for she had run out of the place crying. He had watched Boudreau chase after her as she ran down the street. He could have dropped him there but he hated to kill him when Lucia was in a close proximity. He watched Boudreau take her into his arms, and try to calm her down. Perhaps they had a quarrel, but it was obvious that they had made up for they walked hand in hand back to Anthony’s.
As he sat there with a newspaper held in front of his face, he had been surprised to see the District Attorney and Police Chief walk out of Anthony’s Bar and Grill. They got into a car, and left. Quite sometime later Boudreau came out with his parents, and they got into a car to leave. Finally, Lucia came out to the car, and Alfonso saw that Lenore was with her. He wondered if all this was coincidental. It wasn’t for him to decide though. He would relay the information to Hollingsworth; and let him sift through it, and make his decision...
Hollingsworth let Alfonso into the bank; and they walked to his office to talk. Alfonso sat down at the desk in Hollingsworth’s office, and gave a port of the events that took place at Anthony’s Bar and Grill. He was right about him flying into a rage. He struck his fist on the desk; and said, “The sooner that young man is dead, the better it will be.” Alfonso said, “I could have gotten him today, but I didn’t think you would want me to shoot him that close to your daughter.” Hollingsworth thought about the information that Alfonso gave him; and said, “You say that Lenore was with Lucia?” “Yes, that is what I said,” remarked Alfonso. “I also saw Boudreau’s parents there. They left together, than Lucia and Lenore left.”
Hollingsworth said, “Something is not right here. I was not informed of any type of meeting with those people. Why would Lenore and Lucia meet with Boudreau and his parents, and I not be told of this meeting?” Alfonso said, “Maybe they didn’t meet together. It could have been a coincidence that they happened to be there at the same time. You never know, it may have been something that came up suddenly.” Hollingsworth remarked, “I don’t like this situation at all,” “Something doesn’t seem right.” He looked at Alfonso; and said, “I want this job done as soon as you can get it done, do you understand me?” “Yes, Sir, I do understand you,” said Alfonso.
Hollingsworth drove home from the bank feeling there was something going on between his wife and daughter and the La Faye family. He knew he was going to get to the bottom of this situation. He pulled into the driveway, and walked up the steps to the house. When he walked through the door, the butler took his hat and walking stick; and told him his dinner was waiting for him. He said Lenore and Lucia were working on a project in Lenore’s bedroom.
He instructed the butler to tell Cook he would be down later to eat his dinner. What project was Lenore and Lucia working on in Lenore’s bedroom? He was going to check it out, and see what he could learn about their day. He walked up the stairs and down the hall to Lenore’s room. Without knocking, he walked into the room and found the women working on assembling a large puzzle. Both women looked up and spoke to Hollingsworth warmly. He pulled up a chair; and asked, “What did the two of you do today?”
When he asked the question, an alarm sounded to Lenore. She knew they had been seen. She smiled; and said, “We were invited for coffee this morning by Boudreau’s mother. When we got to the restaurant she had chosen, we were surprised to find that Boudreau and his father were with her. We would have called you had we known the three of them would have been there together. I am sure you would have enjoyed getting to know Boudreau and his family better.”
Lucia continued to look for puzzle pieces; and thought, “I can’t look at him; my face will give away my feelings.” She was amazed at her mother’s ability to sound so normal in her conversation. She thought to herself, “Mother has been down this road before; she’s good, really good at this.” It was all that Lucia could do to keep from jumping up, and screaming at her father. Something strange happened as she sat there; a sweet calmness came over her. She thought of the danger for her mother from this man; and she knew she must do as her mother was doing to buy them some time.
Hollingsworth stormed, “I don’t understand people who set up meetings for everyone in the family but the husband and father. I think this was the poorest of poor judgment on the part of those people. Don’t they realize this is rude behavior? Lenore smiled; and said, “Hollingsworth, I am sure they realize that a man of your position is extremely busy, and couldn’t be bothered with such trivial stuff as going out for some conversation and a coffee.”
Hollingsworth watched Lenore to see if he could pick up on anything that might be suspicious. He also watched Lucia who seemed very intent on putting a puzzle together. He said, “Lucia, why don’t you come down, and sit with me while I eat?” Lucia smiled; and said, “Daddy, you know how I love to work on puzzles; we are really into the good part now of putting this together. May I beg off leaving now?”
Hollingsworth went downstairs by himself, and sat alone to eat his dinner. He couldn’t understand why Lucia had turned him down.
To be continued...
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