The Mystery at Belle Magnolia (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 3) Read online

  "Do you think it unusual the way Andrew left the place in such array? To be a solicitor, you must maintain neatness and organization. It seems unlikely that he was looking for legal information in such a chaotic way."

  "I don't think we are wrong to think something is amiss with Mr. LeBlanc. Now, let's see what might be in the latched compartment beside the safety deposit key. I must say it is telling that Hannah sent me for its retrieval. Obviously, she had complete trust in her husband and believed there could be nothing of significance hidden there... let's see if that proves to be true."

  Even though Andrew had left, she kept her eye on the door as she retrieved the two pins Hannah had given her to release the compartment. She did not want Andrew knowing about the false back or its contents.

  When they opened it, the key Hannah sought was found in a small, velvet pouch. There were more pictures of Hannah, but they were more provocative, and it appeared she was much younger in them. The other items found were what she was looking for...something that didn't fit.

  Inside, neatly tied together, were several love letters. However, they were not Wesley's. They were written by Hannah to Andrew.

  She had given two of the letters to Hugh and was reading the third one.

  "Hugh, did you see the date on this letter? It is just two months ago. I find that impossible to believe."

  "These two also have recent dates, one dated a mere three weeks ago. I cannot claim to know Miss Hannah very well, but like you, I never doubted for a moment her devotion to her husband."

  "Yet, it is her hand, and these are her pictures."

  "Will you give them to her?"

  "I think not, at least, not until I understand what this is all about."

  "Now to luncheon, and then to go about hiring myself a man called Quick Vinnie."

  "That should prove most interesting. I hope we will see Elizabeth. I believe that would be the easiest way to facilitate entry to Madame Clarice's rituals."

  Once again, they were visited by Guy Finaldi, who spotted them at the outdoor seating of The Creole Inn. This time, Madeline was particularly interested in speaking to him about last night.

  "I heard about it—one of my friends saw Samuel helping Walter into the carriage. Most people think it was with Vinnie. Is he all right?" asked Guy.

  "He's here right now, none the worse for wear. He's a little humiliated that it even happened, but I think the injuries he sustained were minor," said Hugh.

  "Can you tell us a little more of what happened?" asked Madeline.

  "I saw Samuel in town. I didn't know who he was with but assumed it was someone from the plantation. I wanted to tell Samuel I had some news for you and approached them. Walter introduced him and told me what he was about, and I told him about the place where he found Vinnie.

  "My friends and I didn't go along, actually, we had heard from the locals that Madame Clarice's recent séances seem to all have something to do with the death of Wesley. We decided to go down to the bridge and take a look at that," said Guy.

  "What happened there?" asked Hugh.

  "It was another of those dancing half-naked, excuse me, Mrs. Donovan for being frank..." said Guy as he paused to look at Madeline.

  "Oh...no, on the contrary, go on," said Madeline.

  "There were people chanting death threats and curses to all those who enter or befriend the people at Belle Magnolia. It was rather frightening in a way. She had the crowd in a frenzied-like state," said Guy.

  "That is troubling indeed. I must try to speak to her and implore her to stop this; nothing good can come of it. I wonder if we could persuade her through something as simple as money. I would be willing to offer her the rest of my wages from my last case," said Madeline.

  Guy then said, "If I may venture a guess? She seems quite as home with the homage her followers pay her. I think money may not be the only thing that motivates her."

  "We shall see. We will go tonight to see her," said Madeline.

  "Yes, tonight would be a good time to go. I hear she is performing her snake dance tonight," said Guy.

  "We shall all be there. Will you join us?" asked Hugh.

  "I'm not sure. I had about enough of her last night, but maybe," replied Guy.

  "Excuse me a moment, there is Marguerite and her brother. I must speak to them," said Madeline.

  She moved as quickly as she was able to in the crowd, calling Marguerite's name out into the streets. The girl turned for a brief moment, looking scared when she saw Madeline. But surprisingly, her brother stopped her and waited for Madeline to approach them.

  Marguerite kept her head down and did not look at her, but the boy was undaunted.

  "I've seen you before, and my sister seems to be frightened of you. What is it you want?" he asked in an angry voice.

  "I am Madeline Donovan. I'm staying at Belle Magnolia. I have seen your sister on the grounds and wondered what purpose was it that she was there, and if she, like so many others, wished any harm to the inhabitants."

  "Madam, does my sister look at you as if she could hurt anyone? She can barely take care enough of herself, yet alone be capable of bringing harm to others. She is not in her right mind these days. I suppose you know about Armand. He was everything to her. She was different when she was with him. She is somewhat slow, and sadly without friends. All she had was Armand and me in her life," said the boy.

  "Let's go, Pierre, let's go. I do not like her," said Marguerite.

  "Please, do not be frightened of me, Miss Marguerite. I mean you no harm. I saw you running on the grounds of Belle Magnolia. You looked as if you were troubled," said Madeline.

  "That bad man hurt my Armand. Fire...fire will stop him," said Marguerite.

  Pierre looked shocked at his sister's words, "What do you mean, Marguerite?"

  "It should burn...burn to ashes," she replied.

  "Do not worry. She is incapable of harm," said Pierre.

  "Are you so certain? If she is as heartbroken as you said, could she not be capable of doing something without thinking about the dire consequences?" asked Madeline.

  "She is rarely absent from my sight. I believe you if you say you saw her, but I don't see how it is possible. She sleeps in the room beside mine, and I would know if she was not there. Perhaps sometimes if she is better, I will speak to her about such things, until then, I would ask that you leave my sister be," said Pierre.

  "I cannot promise that. She was there, and I do desire to speak with her," said Madeline.

  "Fire..ashes...man," Marguerite said.

  "You see? She is incapable of having a collected thought. I will help her to get better, but not if she is frightened by someone like you. You will excuse us," he said, turning abruptly and walking away from her without any cursory politeness such as wishing her a good day.

  Hugh had followed Madeline and heard the conversation.

  "Any thoughts?" she asked.

  "Do I think it possible she could be dangerous, such as setting a fire? Possibly. The girl is suffering, there can be no doubt of that, but to what end will that take her? If it is true that her brother keeps such a close watch over her, then where was he on that night?"

  "It will be difficult to have a conversation with her, but I will not give up trying."

  They returned to find that Guy had waited for them.

  "I will say my goodbyes, and may see you later this evening," said Guy.

  "Should we walk to the French coffee house? I believe the hour is almost upon us when we will be expected to meet our fellow sleuths," said Hugh when Guy left.

  "I think a cup of that chicory coffee might be just the thing for a change of pace. We must order the biscuits for they are heavenly."

  When they arrived, Jonathan and Walter were already seated. Walter seemed a little peaked, and Madeline thought his injuries were probably affecting him now.

  "How are you, Walter? You seem a little done in," said Hugh.

  He wiped the sweat from his face, and said, "Not as w
ell as I hoped, but I want to be a part of this investigation," he replied.

  Jonathan said, "We went back to the local bookstore. We were told that the circle of people that congregate. and they were all aware of the incident with Walter. Apparently, this is an incredibly social area; news travels faster than the daily Times can print it.

  "Through Frank Dowdry, we ascertained that some of his fellow clan members might be found at an Italian coffee house. After mingling with the men there for a while, we managed to get a meeting later today with someone who has ties to Vinnie. He won't meet us anywhere in the city, but has agreed to come to Belle Magnolia.

  "He is a young boy, barely fifteen. He said he needed the money we offered him to help his widowed mother."

  "That's wonderful news. We had some success as well, but I will tell you of it later. Let us have some lunch first.

  "We did hear that Madame Clarice will be at her usual area by the river tonight. We can freshen up, and you can have your meeting before tonight's event," said Madeline.

  She felt she could tell Jonathan about the letters, but did not know Walter well enough to convey the information she had found out about her friend, Hannah, and the secret love letters.

  It was almost two o'clock when they decided they had accomplished as much as they could and returned to Belle Magnolia.

  Belle and Father were outside on the veranda, Father smoking his pipe and Belle sipping on a tall drink of tea brimming with lemons.

  "How is Hannah?" asked Madeline.

  "Better. I am still giving her an opiate to calm her, and it seems to be having the desired effect. She appears to be calmer and more coherent," said her father.

  "I'm not sure. She will not confide in me what she is truly feeling. It concerns me so that I cannot sleep," said Belle.

  "I know. It will be a difficult road back, but we have made some progress in our investigation. Perhaps we can discuss it at dinner before we return," said Madeline.

  "Return?" asked the doctor.

  "We are looking forward to seeing this voodoo priestess that conducts rituals near Lake Pontchartrain. From what I heard, it is quite the show," said Jonathan.

  Walter asked,

  "It seems to me it is at the heart of everything. Is it not the supposed curse that began these assaults?"

  "I have had enough. It is that woman—Clarice— who has brought this to my door. I shall never forgive her for what she has done. I cannot believe there is nothing in the law that cannot stop her from this destructive behavior. How many others have been hurt by her?" asked Belle.

  "We will have a visitor shortly. We are hoping to pay him for valuable information. Perhaps then we shall have more success at finding out who is at the bottom of this," said Jonathan.

  "I see. Then I must give you a draft on the bank. Spare no expense. Let my money make some use to catch this killer," said Belle.

  Father and Madeline tried to protest, but she would not hear of it. Now they would have the funds to continue without Madeline using her money. She would never have asked Belle, but felt relieved that she had volunteered the financial assistance that might be needed.

  "It's a lovely day. Would anyone like to join me in a promenade about the grounds?" asked Madeline.

  "I think I will stay and rest a bit. I don't think I am recovered," said Hugh.

  "My sentiments exactly. If I am to make the trip tonight, I believe I must rest," said Walter.

  "I shall join you, Madeline," said Jonathan.

  She was delighted to have her old friend all to herself so that she may speak to him on a more personal level.

  The magnolia trees were in bloom, and there were so many of them, it made one pause to look at their radiance. Hydrangeas, roses of every color, and other flowering plants dotted the landscape. Now that there were so few people tending to the gardening, it no longer was perfectly manicured. However, the few weeds and overgrown grassy areas did not detract from the beauty of it. A subtle, warm breeze was blowing, picking up the scent of the flowers and permeating the air.

  "What a magnificent place! I've never had the privilege to stay at such a place as this. To think that such an evil act should mar its beauty as murder. Could you show me where you found Wesley, or it that too disturbing?" asked Jonathan.

  "It is disturbing, but I have wanted to return again in case we might still discover something. The police have not returned. Their suspicions seem to be pointed in one direction, the area called Little Palermo. The Sicilian Mafia has its foothold there, and the police think a clan member is responsible. However, I believe there are enough other people that deserve looking at."

  Walking a little farther, they came upon the oak tree where Wesley's body was found hanging from its largest branch.

  "Are you all right?" Jonathan asked.

  She felt somewhat faint, not realizing just how much returning would affect her.

  "I still cannot believe it. He was such a good man, Jonathan. You would have liked him. I will never forget him, and keep him in my prayers as I do my family."

  "Let's each take a section and comb through it. The ground is dry so that we may walk easily."

  Madeline crouched down, peering through the almost knee-high brush and looking for anything that might be hidden there. She had expected she might find more witchcraft items. After looking for a quarter of an hour, she had canvassed a large area that extended from the tree but found nothing.

  She had not noticed that Jonathan had walked quite a ways away from her. When he called out, she began briskly moving toward him, knowing he must have found something of interest.

  "What is it, Jonathan?"

  "Something I think you will want to see."

  He handed her a small, rabbit doll. Its face was smudged, with one of the ears broken off. It appeared as if someone had delicately stitched a costume for the porcelain doll. It had on a torn, formal-looking black jacket with a tiny white tie tied around its neck.

  "I found this a few feet away," he continued, as he handed it to her.

  She was holding a frayed, leather string with a small, silver locket strung onto it. Inside was the familiar face of Marguerite DuPont.

  "I wonder what her brother will say about this. It is the proof we have looked for that places either both Pierre and Marguerite on the property or Marguerite for certain. We have to confront them both, and see if we can find out something that connects her to the night of the murder."

  "I would like to meet her. From what you say, she may have been involved and not even be mentally aware of it."

  "Yes. She will prove the hardest person to question." Madeline moved on to another issue.

  I wanted to tell you what we found in Wesley's office. I was hesitant to speak of it in front of Walter, as it is of such a delicate matter, and Hannah's good name is involved."

  "Now I must hear it. Go on."

  First she explained how she and Hugh had found Andrew LeBlanc scavenging through the bookshelves.

  Then she said, "You know, she requested I obtain a safety deposit key that was located in a false back in Wesley's desk.

  What we found there shocked both Hugh and me. There were several letters written to Andrew from Hannah."

  "Would that prove so strange? Didn't you say they had at one time been sweethearts?"

  "Yes, if it were only that simple. The letters were all dated within the last few months. Besides that, there were several pictures of Hannah in provocative clothing. Nothing salacious, but still of a seductive manner. She looked quite young. Still, it was startling to see Hannah pictured in that way and to find the photographs in Wesley's desk."

  He stopped and put his right hand through his hair.

  "This does change things a bit. What did you and Hugh make of it?"

  "We haven't had time to pore over the letters and have a thorough look. I'll do that later this evening. We both feel Andrew LeBlanc knows something. It does not seem possible that Hannah knew him in an intimate way. But if she did, and Wes
ley found these materials and confronted Andrew, that might prove a motive if he and Wesley had a falling out."

  "It certainly would prove beneficial to him to have Wesley gone and have Hannah available. What about his position there? I wonder if he benefits in some way by Wesley leaving—if he might move up the ladder, so to speak."

  "I sure we can find that out," Madeline said.

  I wanted to tell you how glad I am that you are here. It gives me confidence that if we all stick together, we shall have a successful outcome. You look well."

  He touched her shoulder with a light tap and said, "As do you...as do you."

  "There is someone on horseback coming down the path. It must be your visitor."

  "We should return."

  They could see the young man clearly now. He rode, turning his head back and forth as if he thought someone was following him.

  They all reached the entrance within minutes of each other. Samuel had come out and taken the man's horse to the stable.

  "Mr. Tenudo, thank you for coming. I know this must not be comfortable for you. I assure you everything you say to us is strictly confidential," said Jonathan.

  Jonathan introduced Madeline, and his guest bowed slightly, nodding to her.

  "Please call me Francis. May we go inside? You are correct that I am worried. The people I associate with would not take kindly to my divulging information of any kind, let alone about Quick Vinnie. However, I am willing to take the risk for a price."

  "As you suggested, let us go inside," said Jonathan.

  "We'll go to the drawing room for coffee unless you would like something stronger, perhaps a bourbon," he continued.

  "Yes, a bourbon would be fine," said Francis.

  "I shall get one for all of us. Would you like anything to eat?" asked Jonathan.

  "No, I think I would like to go about my business as quickly as possible and leave."

  "I understand," said Jonathan, as he brought a tray of glasses and the bottle of bourbon to the chairs by the fire.

  "What is it exactly that you want to know?" asked Francis.

  "As you can imagine, after the assaults on the mansion and Mr. Randolph's murder, we are looking for any information that might help us find whoever did these things.