Bayou Paradox by Robin Caroll

you?”
    â€œI’m from your grandmother’s church and brought you this chicken casserole.” She reached Tara and handed her the dish. It was still warm. “You can stick it in the fridge if you’re on your way out. Easy as pie to reheat. Just put it in the oven at three-seventy-five for thirty minutes and it’ll be right as new.”
    â€œThank you.” The woman made no attempt to move. “I’m just on my way to work.”
    â€œOh. Don’t let me keep you, then, honey. My name’s on masking tape on the bottom. Marie will know how to get it back to me.” The woman gave a final nod before climbing back into her SUV and backing down the driveway.
    Tara ran the casserole into the house, shoved it in the fridge, then headed back out the door. She couldn’t risk Alyssa catching her at home. Mais non. That wouldn’t do. She hopped in her car and sped to the jazz club.
    But that casserole had sure smelled good. Her stomach growled as she parked behind the club. When was the last time she’d eaten? She’d grab something on her way to the hospital. In the meantime, she’d snatch all the pretzels she could from the club.
    The band neared the end of its last set as Tara wove around people toward the office. She stopped at the bar and smiled at the bartender. “Hey, Mike, can ya give me some pretzels? I’m starved.”
    He passed her a bag and winked. “Want a cola with that?”
    â€œPlease.” She turned to face the crowd.
    Smoke hung a hazy curtain over the room. The band broke, then left the stage. Voices rose over the jukebox as it kicked on and spewed out old jazz classics. A few couples remained on the dance floor, oblivious to the change in music.
    Her boss, Jayden, made his way across the crowded floor and plunked down on the barstool next to her. “Hey, there. I heard about your grandmother. How is she?”
    â€œIn a coma. That’s part of the reason I came by—I need to take a leave of absence to be with her. I’ll get everything caught up tonight, though.”
    He touched her arm. “I understand. No problem. I’m so sorry.”
    â€œMe, too.”
    Jayden stood, hesitating. “If you need anything, you just call, okay? I’m here for you.”
    She smiled as he touched her hand. “Thanks.”
    He retreated to the back office while she glanced back over the dance floor. Another reason for her to take a leave of absence—Jayden had lately been showing interest in her. Too much interest.
    â€œHi.”
    Tara nodded at the woman standing beside her at the bar. Stunningly beautiful, the woman lifted her blond hair off her neck. “It is hot in here, isn’t it?”
    Something about her accent, along with her striking good looks, struck Tara as familiar. “It’s a bit warm, yes.” She inspected the woman.
    Mike slid a tall cola across the bar to Tara, then widened his smile at the woman. “What can I get ya, honey?”
    The woman primped without a mirror. “How about a martini, dry.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled at Tara.
    The movement sparked a flash of recognition. It was the woman with the pharmaceutical company’s research team. Irritation bloomed in Tara’s chest. “I thought y’all would be long gone by now.” She took a sip of her drink, watching the woman over the rim of the glass.
    â€œNot until we get what we came for.” The comment left no question that the woman knew exactly who Tara was.
    â€œThought you got it. The other night.” Tara set her drink on the bar and clutched the bag of pretzels tighter.
    â€œNot quite.” The woman’s throaty chuckle changed to a croon as Mike slid a martini glass toward her. “Thank you, so much. I’m downright parched.”
    Parched? Who used such a word? A Yankee, that’s who. Tara lifted her cola and pushed away from the bar.