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

  "Mrs. Donovan, may I ask if you have already condemned me on sight?"

  "Mr. Finaldi, I have every faith in Wesley, and if he believes you innocent, I dare say it is true. However, I understand your bitterness. You have been proven innocent of a crime but are being tried and convicted guilty by the local people. You have already paid a dear price for it. I'm sure you and your parents are in need of all the support you can get," replied Madeline.

  "I'm sorry. You made an effort to see me, and I mistrusted you without cause. It is difficult for me to live I have brought to my parents. They always warned me that my late nights of being about in town would come to no good," said Guy.

  "Do you think there is any possibility that you might identify the person who stabbed you?" she asked.

  "I have been asked that many times since last night. My answer at the moment is no, but I think I have tried not to think about it. The figure was lean. I am assuming maybe young because they moved so deftly through the crowd. I'm not even certain what race they may have been—it was too dark."

  "Have you or your parents received any written threats?" asked Wesley.

  "They may have. They are trying to shield me. They have told me "no", but I hear my mother crying, and I don't believe they are telling me the truth."

  "Is your family considering relocation?" Wesley added.

  "My father has a tiny, vegetable and meat shop. He and my mother scraped and worked till my father's feet bled trying to support our family. I don't believe they want to give it up now. I don't know if they could start over at their age," Guy admitted.

  "I meant only to be of help to them, and here I am set up in a hospital instead just giving them more grief," he added.

  "My mother is also somewhat superstitious, unlike my father and I. She keeps calling out Marie Laveau's name, saying she is responsible. We are Catholic, of course, like most of New Orleans residents. She has taken to hanging rosary beads on our outside door and shaking holy water about the house."

  "There is that name again. I am anxious to hear of Marie Laveau. What power can she have that enables her name to be bandied about so, even in the French Market?" asked Madeline.

  "You have not heard the tales of Laveau? I hear the nurses in the hospital talking, and they think it was her or someone she bewitched that stabbed me. I'm sure Mr. Randolph knows all about her," said Guy.

  "We had just been speaking of her. I plan to inform our guests about her at dinner tonight," replied Wesley.

  "If you need anything, contact me. I will try my best to help your family through this. Everyone needs friends in times of trouble," he said, as he reached into his inside coat jacket, pulled a handful of bills, and laid it across the foot of the bed.

  "It's not much, but it may help with a good meal or two until you are back on your feet."

  Guy looked at him with such gratefulness, as if he know possessed a fortune. Madeline felt more and more impressed with this good man who had married her friend, Hannah.

  "Thank you, from my family and me. I will repay you, I promise. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Donovan. I hope we will see each other again," said Guy.

  "I can say that I think we will. I am very interested in these events and want to offer my assistance to find the person responsible," Madeline said.

  With that, they bid Guy farewell and sought out a carriage to return them to Belle Magnolia.

  Chapter Three

  The White Robe

  Belle and Hanna sat in the drawing room; the latter running to Wesley as soon as he came into view.

  "My dearest, can you ever forgive me? There may have been some doubt on my part, but no more. I couldn't stop thinking about the ugly way you looked at me—I've never felt so ashamed. My mother's deep belief in you were stronger than my own. Mr. Finaldi is innocent; you proved that in court. I let my imagination rule my head," she said.

  "No, it is I that should apologize. Everyone must be allowed their conclusions. It was up to me to convince you otherwise, and apparently I did not do as good a job as I thought. Your words now give me the strength I need to get through this and find a way to protect my family from the assaults," said Wesley.

  Belle said, "I am so proud of you both. It is not an easy thing to live in this world. Our New Orleans changes before us as people immigrate to our city, but at its heart, it is still the finest example of Southern grace and style. We will be strong together. Superstitions are as old as time; we will not convince anyone of anything unless we find the truth about who is guilty of shooting that boy in the bank."

  "Now that I am in somewhat better health, I would like to hear it all again," said Hugh as he surprised them when he walked into the room.

  "Hugh, "Madeline said. "At last, you have come back to us. I have long waited for your company at dinner; it is wonderful that you are returning to health."

  Hugh still looked pale, but handsome nonetheless. It must have been an effort for him to dress for dinner, as she could see he still had some beads of sweat on his forehead. She now knew his character well enough to know it would bother him not to be of use and laid in bed. He probably wasn't quite well enough to be up and about, but she was grateful he was there.

  "Wesley, we have made your favorite for dinner, jambalaya," said Hannah with a bright smile on her face.

  "Oh, thank you, my dear, but do you think our guests will be able to acquire a taste for such a Creole dish," Wesley said.

  Father had now joined them and said, "I had eaten it once before, many years ago on my honeymoon, in the restaurant where I first met Belle. It was an interesting flavor, but I confess I have not had it since."

  "I also have not heard of this dish. What is it?" said Hugh.

  "It is more than wonderful. It contains crawfish, shrimp, turtle, vegetables and rice. Sometimes we make the gumbo with alligator meat, but I thought that might be too adventurous," Hannah explained.

  Madeline did not enjoy seafood particularly and had to stop herself from showing on her face what she thought of the dish. Her stomach jumped at the thought of crawfish and turtle parts inside of her. However, the others seemed delighted to try something they had never had before. It would lighten the mood, and for that, she would endure it.

  When they were all seated together on that pleasant, sunny day, it seemed at odds that anything at all should be amiss. Surrounded by so many people that she cared about, in this atmosphere of grandeur, how could things be so wrong?

  "So, tell me, what do you think of our Creole dish?" asked Belle when they began to partake.

  "Interesting," was all Hugh said.

  Father said, "I, for one, absolutely think it's wonderful. You will find nothing like this being served in Chicago."

  "Very unusual," added Madeline, "But, pray, do not keep us in suspense any longer. I must know more of Marie Laveau."

  "And I would like to hear more about the incidents at the bank that started this unfortunate series of events," said Hugh.

  And so Wesley began the tale of how Belle Magnolia came to be cursed.

  "I suppose we shall begin with how this all started, the killing of the LaLande child," he began.

  He continued, "Apparently, Mrs. LaLande and her boy arrived after the bank opened, but still there were already a good dozen or so people in the bank. When the robbers arrived, screaming to get down to the floor, young Armand was away from his mother. He and another young boy, standing several feet away from her, were engaged in a conversation.

  "Although, two of the three bank tellers did abide by the robbers' commands, a third bolted toward a back room where stored firearms were. One of the gunmen opened fire and hit the man in the shoulder. When the bullets went flying, and the man screamed, it became chaotic. Mrs. LaLande grabbed Armand from the floor and into her arms. As she tried to turn him away from the men, one of the bullets hit him in the back.

  "The poor lad, his body so young and frail still, did not have a chance. It went right through him, and he died in his mother's arm
s.

  "The three men heartlessly continued in their quest, gathering as much money as they could into sacks and stopping even to relieve the patrons of any valuables they saw, such as rings or watches. It was at this point that several people believed they recognized one of the men to be Guy Finaldi. Of the three men involved, two were younger. They had neckerchiefs around their faces and long coats concealing as much of them as they could. Still, two of the women and one man swore it was Guy.

  "Of course, it was unlikely they could be so certain, given the speed at which the crime occurred, the chaos, and the relatively good concealment of the robbers' identity. It was discovered, however, that several of Guy's known friends were in the vicinity. As they are a group of boys known for some minor scuffles and ungentlemanly behavior, it was a quick leap to involve Guy in it. Of course, this belief that it might be Guy was also promulgated because of the general discontent of the city's citizens of the unwelcome Sicilian and Italian population. Neither favored or distinguished, both ethnicities were equally loathed, with hardly anyone able to tell the difference between the two.

  "I am not certain, but I still believe it was the Sicilians. Or what I meant to say, the faction of the Sicilians that seemed to have formed a dangerous liaison with the ugly underbelly of this city. They have their hand in gambling, prostitution, and the drug trade. Their Italian counterpart had reigned here before they came, and now there is a battle for supremacy."

  "Who is Marie Laveau, and how does she fit into this picture?" asked Madeline.

  Wesley explained, "She has been named the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans. The story goes that she was born to free people of color that were also of mixed race—I believe black, white and Native American. Her profession is a medical aid and became skilled in the application of herbs as healing aids when treating patients. She was a devoted Catholic, who attended daily Mass, added to her ritualistic behavior that included prayer and the use of symbolic pieces such as crosses and the like.

  "Her first husband disappeared and left her with no means of income. Becoming a hairdresser to the wealthy patrons of New Orleans became a lucrative venture for her. She was well-suited to it, and with her beauty and sense of style, people flocked to obtain her services. Along with this, it appears she was an astute woman of business and parlayed her knowledge of spells and herbal healing to monetary success. Soon she was making more money telling fortunes and granting wishes than she ever had for her hairdressing skills.

  "I've heard people say she held ceremonies near Lake Pontchartrain, where hundreds of people watched her conjure up loas, or voodoo spirits, and caused them to possess people who then did her bidding.

  "Of course, you may think it in the realm of ridiculous, but you would hardly find a person in New Orleans that doesn't have respect or fear for the name Marie Laveau," concluded Wesley.

  "Fascinating, but I still don't see what that has to do with Belle Magnolia or Guy Finaldi," Madeline said.

  "It is said that she is staunch—if not fanatical—supporter of the rights of the free people of color. If she felt a person unjustly harmed, there were no limits to the voodoo power she would use to seek vengeance. The reason our servants abandoned us was because they said they had seen her in her white robe walking through the grounds here at Belle Magnolia; leaving items behind that depict a curse upon us. They think that I have wrongly saved Guy; that he is guilty; and that we shall all share in the punishment for that."

  "Is she a young woman?" asked Hugh.

  "That's a question for the heavenly spirits themselves," said Belle. "She is of no age because she is dead and laid to rest in 1874, but still people say they see her."

  Wesley said, "When a white robe was left hanging over one of the cypress trees, it perpetuated the hysteria. I could hear the servants howling and moaning in fear as they ran off after seeing it."

  "Yes, I have seen evidence of a sort. We went to town, and I never told my story of finding the gris-gris," said Madeline.

  "Gris-Gris? Is that from the French? I am not familiar with that word," said Hugh.

  "Some believe it may have originated from the French word joujou—which means 'plaything' or usually considered a doll by most, but I have heard it may be of Islamic origin. Either way, in Haiti, it is a sign of good luck, an amulet or a cloth bag filled with good luck charms. In New Orleans, it is usually considered a bad omen, meant to hex or harm someone with its magic," replied Belle.

  "With such deep beliefs in the supernatural and the practicing of black magic, it is no wonder why things have transpired as they have. These things are the makings of a good Shakespearean play. In England, we would probably have trouble believing these practices are of consequence to people and not just a parlor game of sorts," said Hugh.

  "Mademoiselle Mayfair, do you know what the significance of the bones a is in the gris-gris bag?" asked Madeline. "And what kind of animal bones are they?"

  "Madeline, please, call me Belle. My dear, you speak as one who has no ties to the South—at least up to now—but you will come to know it well. They are not the bones of an animal, but the bones of human descent. It is strange that you found it on our grounds. It is for someone who wishes to protect themselves from harm or evil forces. It would not be likely they would leave it here unless perhaps there was a struggle. The owner would protect it with their life," said Belle.

  "Perhaps one of your servants accidentally dropped it as they fled," Hugh said.

  "That is possible. The way they ran and the yells that came from them, I can believe they might not have noticed their gris-gris bag leave their possession," said Hannah.

  "I, for one, believe in good old fashioned medicine to heal. I'll take my black leather bag filled with orthodox medicine any day to bones, hair and turtle parts," Father said, laughing.

  "Still, the white robe was found on the tree. Do you still have it?" asked Madeline.

  "It disappeared almost as quickly as it appeared. When I heard the story, I went out in the morning to the oak tree where it was seen hanging but found nothing," said Wesley. "One thing I do remember is that particular tree has a massive amount of Spanish moss covering it. It almost appeared like a veil across the tree."

  "It reminds me of an old woman's coarse gray hair falling uninhibited down the limbs. It is beautiful, and at the same time somehow eerie looking in the evening," said Madeline.

  Hugh laughed, "It must be Marie Laveau who left it as some sign for us."

  "Ah...be careful not to speak her name in such a way. You may invoke her angry spirit," said Belle.

  At that moment, she jumped a little, as a loud crackle of lightning struck the arched window nearby.

  "See, Hugh, you are being warned as we speak," said Hannah with only a slight smile, giving Madeline pause to wonder if she might believe in Marie's spirit.

  A sudden gust of wind poked at the window like a hammer being hit against it. The rain— which had only been threatening before—now thrust itself onto the ground sounding like rocks hitting the earth.

  "Marie," Madeline called out, "Truly, we are on your side!"

  "I know you all jest, but it would do you well to learn more about her, and then see if you come to the same conclusion," said Belle.

  "I believe you are right. She sounds too fascinating not to pursue. Hugh, if you are well enough, perhaps we may both go back to the French Market," Madeline requested.

  "I will participate, even if not fully recovered. You cannot tease us with such a story, and not propel us into action," agreed Hugh.

  "Now, I know you all have your cravings for your tea, but tonight I insist we have coffee from the new French Market coffee house. It's from chicory beans; it is like none you have ever had. We also scald the milk before adding it to the coffee," Belle said.

  After partaking of the coffee and assorted biscuits, Hugh said, "It is marvelous. I must purchase some, and send it to my parents. I'm fairly certain they have never tasted anything like it, it's wonderful. This New Orleans, it is
an enchantress: she beseeches you to observe her and attempts to discover the secrets so closely guarded by its loyal residents."

  "Well said. Even the thunderstorm is breathtaking in its way," said Father.

  When they adjourned, Hugh accompanied Madeline to her room.

  "I miss our moonlight garden talks. We must find a favorite place here where we can discuss the latest events."

  "I agree," she said, smiling at him in a way that made her feel she was flirting. She straightened herself and continued, "I am grateful for your steady recovery. You are looking more like the man I remember."

  "I hope I shall always endeavor to be in your thoughts whenever I can," he said, smiling softly back at her.

  She was standing close enough to him that she fell into his arms when a piercing shriek was heard somewhere on the grounds, followed by what sounded like a gunshot. A sudden wind came into the hall, but she saw no avenue on how it reached them as all the windows were shut tight.

  Hugh caught her in his arms," Are you all right?"

  "Yes, of course," she said somewhat embarrassed. "What do you suppose that was?"

  "I don't know, but I will attempt to find out. Maybe your father and I could go."

  "In that gale storm of weather? Let's go down and see if anyone saw anything."

  Belle was standing in the large entrance hall, looking pale-faced and almost feverish.

  "I saw her with my own eyes," she said.

  "Who, Belle?" Madeline asked.

  "I'm sure you know—Marie. She glided across the brush as if she had wings. When I opened the door, the figure stopped and stared right at me, then held a religious cross high above her head. She looked as if she were throwing something toward me. After that, I believe I became dizzy from fright. I don't remember how she left. She seemed to vanish in a moment," said Belle.

  Madeline put her arms around Belle to comfort her, and Hugh stated he would go and return with her father. Madeline was certain Belle saw Marie Laveau—at least the Marie Laveau someone wanted her to see. She did not believe it truly was some supernatural force at work at Belle Magnolia, but someone who wished them all harm.