Carolina Mac [Mac - Mystere

CHAPTER ONE

March 23 rd .

Saint Gillian Street. New Orleans.

MYSTERE ABELLA LEJEUNE was the name on her birth certificate, and also on the deed of the house she couldnt enter.

Shed stood in this exact spot in front of her house so many times peering through the black iron fence shed lost count. The grass had grown tall and died off, leaving ugly brittle stubble. Weeds thrived in every flower bed and almost reached as high as the window sills. The painted trim around the doors and windows peeled from sheer neglect, and it hadnt been that long. Not even ten years.

It seemed like a lifetime ago when shed lived here with her family. Her beautiful mother, tall and graceful, long dark hair, brushed and shimmering. Always smiling. Her father, happy and successful running his own business. He always had time for his family and loved to lavish them with gifts and surprise trips.

What had happened to make Daddy so so changed?

Today would be different. Today shed push the gate open, bravely walk up the cracked sidewalk, put her key in the door and cross the threshold into her own house. Today he wouldnt be able to stop her.

The Blackmore Agency. Austin.

UNABLE to leave Austin in good conscience with Governor Campbell in the hospital, Blaine stalled Misty for a week, then it became impossible to delay her trip to New Orleans any longer. Hed come home from the hospital the night before and she was gone.

Even though she told him she was used to the delays and the disappointments, and shed wait until he was free, the work of the Blackmore Agency always came before what she wanted to do. For the most part, Misty was patient and understanding, but a person was only blessed with so much patience and Misty had run out.

Hed join her as soon as humanly possible, and hed texted her those exact words this morning. Misty, wandering around alone in New Orleans, was not something Blaine wanted to think about, whether she regarded The Big Easy as her home or not.

Coulter-Ross Ranch. La Grange.

ANNIE finished coaching Pablo at the shooting range and invited him in for a beer while they cleaned their guns. He was the newest addition to the Blackmore Agency and she liked him. Quiet and reserved, a former army ranger, Pablo had it all going for him. Dark and swarthy good looks with jet black hair and eyes, well-built body bulging with muscles. Polite and friendly disposition, yet somewhat introverted and controlled at the same time. There was a lot going on under that cool exterior. And sex appeal? Uh huh. Pablo had that all going oncool and quiet on the outsidehot and steamy on the inside.

Your non-dominant hand is coming along well, Annie said as she set the two cans of Lone Star on the table beside the rags and the can of Hoppes. Would you like a glass? Im getting one for myself.

Pablo flashed a brilliant smile. Im good with the can, thanks.

Youre off on a Monday?

Lily made up a new schedule, so the boss has men at the agency working on the open cases, and men on call in case things get crazy. That way, we kind of rotate the hours a bit better when things are quiet.

Nothing new since Ewing Thompson?

No, and the boss didnt want anything with so many in the hospital. Keeps him busy checking on the Governor.

She depends on him far too much, said Annie, but thats only my opinion. She has advisors, staff and a security team for what she sometimes asks Blaine to do.

Pablo nodded. Ive met her, but I dont know her at all. Not yet.

Annie tore down her Beretta with lightning speed, cleaned it and put it back together.

When they finished and Pablo was ready to leave, she walked him out to his truck. This is a different truck.

Thompson smashed mine up good when he rammed me into the bus shelter. Its still in the body shop. This is a rental.

The Agency is paying for it, right?

Pablo nodded. Blaine insisted on it. My truck was wrecked on the job.

He has insurance for things like that, said Annie. Im glad you werent hurt.

Pablos eyes went to the bandage on Annies right arm. You were hurt, and you had no backup. I know thats why Lane was fired, although nothing else was said.

Im fine and Jesse didnt need to fire him. The boss was being a little over-protective of his ex-wife.

The boss was mad, that was easy to see. Pablo grinned. He landed a healthy right in Lanes face.

Annie shook her head. Jesse is a scrapper. Always has been. Hes been in more bar fights than I can count.

Are you? Pablo shook his head. No, I cant ask you that.

Ask me what? If Im seeing anyone?

It would be incorrect for me to ask you that and I dont want to get on anybodys black list.

Annie giggled. You wont be on my black list. Youd have to do a helluva lot more than ask a question. And the answer is no, Jesse and I are divorced and Im not seeing anyone... but he is.

Pablo raised a dark eyebrow.

Jesse is seeing his doctor on a personal level.

Uh huh. I didnt know that.

Why are you asking, sugar? Do you want to hang out?

He nodded. Im not much on dating, like picking up girls in bars or doing romantic stuff, but I enjoy my time here at the ranch with you. It means a lot to me.

Annie smiled. Lets hang out, then. You have my number in your phone. Text me when you have free time and drive down. Next time you come well saddle up and Ill show you my ranch.

Pablo grinned. Im so happy.

Annie waved goodbye as he drove through the gate. She went back into the kitchen and pulled another beer out of the Sub-Zero.

Hes sweet. Im glad one of us is happy.

Medical Building. Downtown Austin.

JESSE sat in the chair in front of Jan Wagners desk waiting for the latest word on his weak heart and his all-out effort to rebuild himself into the muscular cowboy he used to be.