Where The Devil Won't Go: A Lucas Peyroux Novel by E.J. Findorff

folder. “Wait,
this ain’t about seeing me. Is this visit about Haley?”
    “Maybe you should get your mother for
us.”
    “My momma’s right inside. Come on in.”
    The front room was decorated for function
and comfort. Native American items occupied shelves. Old Pictures of Native
Americans hung on white and gold fleur de lis wallpaper, an eclectic clash of
cultures. Small, Indian-patterned throw rugs covered most of the floor and the
occasional alligator head kept watch over the room.
    She
led me into the kitchen. “Here, sit,” she said, offering us chairs at a
chrome-rimed Formica table. Tara and I didn’t sit just yet, which made Cozy frown.
    She yelled towards the screen door
leading out back. “Momma. Detective Lucas is here about Haley.”
    Aponi Robicheaux stepped through the
flimsy screen door with a single glance toward us and then leaned over the sink
to wash her hands. Cozy sat on her knees with her elbows on the table, staring
as if I was going to burst into flames. Her mother turned, dried her hands and
then approached, assessing us from under lazy eyelids.
    She shook my hand with confidence. “How
are you, Ms. Robicheaux. This is Detective Gray.”
    “I’ve told you before, call me Aponi. So,
you have news on Haley. Please sit, Detectives. Can I get you some tea? Water?”
    “No, thank you.” I inhaled the
intoxicating aroma of crab boil.
    “That was a long ride,” Tara said. “Can I
use your restroom?”
    “That way to the left,” Cozy pointed.
    Aponi sat rigid with her hands on the
table while watching Tara disappear into the hallway. A tilt of her head told
Cozy to sit properly in the chair. Aponi addressed me. “I imagine it can’t be
good news.”
    “I’m afraid not. Maybe we should speak in
private.”
    “That’s quite alright. You go on.”
    I hesitated. “But, Ms. Robicheaux - Aponi…”
    Cozy stood and the chair kicked out. “I’m
not leaving.”
    Aponi motioned for her to sit back down. “Whatever
happened, she’s going to find out anyway.”
    My eyes fell on Cozy’s and I couldn’t
protect her yet again. “We pulled a female from the Mississippi River. Haley’s
cell phone was found on her person.”
    “Oh, God,” Cozy said.
    “So, Haley drowned?” Aponi never
flinched.
    “Actually, the victim had been killed
prior to being left in the river.”
    “Victim?” Cozy repeated.
    “We’re not a hundred percent positive
it’s Haley. The body is unrecognizable.”
    Cozy’s voice cracked. “Then, maybe it’s
not her. You could get her address from the phone, right?”
    I nodded. “We did, but Haley hasn’t been
at the address for days.”
    “So, it’s likely my daughter.”
    “No, Momma.”
    “Did she have any tattoos?” I asked.
    Aponi and Cozy both shook their heads. Tears
drew to Cozy’s eyes. “She hated tattoos. She made me promise never to get one.
She said if I was in a room with six friends and they’re all tatted up and I’m
not, then who are the followers? I liked the idea of being a rebel by not
conforming.”
    “Any scars?”
    “I don’t know of any,” Aponi said.
    “Me, either,” Cozy agreed. “She wasn’t a
risk-taker and my father never left her with anything but bruises and small
cuts.”
    Aponi slowly turned her head to face her
daughter.
    I broke the deadly silence. “Bodies have
been found with different identification on them before. It would help if we
could get her dental records and any personal items that might help us.”
    “We have nothing left of Haley’s here. I
threw it all away.”
    “You didn’t box anything up in case she
came back?”
    “You kidding me?” Cozy interrupted.
“Momma was fixin’ to burn it all until I told her she’d have the fire
department out here.”
    “I will not apologize.”
    “Take me to her,” Cozy demanded. “I can
tell if it’s her.”
    “We need more than a visual for this one.
I have photos, but they’re quite graphic.”
    “I don’t need to see those.” Aponi