Take the Monkey and Run Page 14

  Our excitement sputtered out as soon as we stepped through the front doors.

  There’s a scene at the end of one of the Raiders of the Lost Ark movies where the Ark of the Covenant is being secreted away in a massive government warehouse. This place wasn’t quite that big, but it felt close.

  “This place is huge,” Emma said.

  “Understatement,” I said. The building was gigantic and it wasn’t just filled exclusively with Mardi Gras floats. All types of festive paraphernalia were stacked on a towering set of shelves that ran through the center of the warehouse. The shelves bisected the space, leaving two aisles, one on either side. The actual Mardi Gras floats were parked along the outer walls.

  “Grace, you getting anything?” Kai asked.

  I’d already been scanning the area with my senses, and shook my head. “Not yet.”

  “Divide and conquer?” Emma asked.

  “Might as well,” I said.

  “Okay.” Kai turned to address the group. “Emma and Hugh, you take the right. Grace and I will go left. If you spot the monkey or find the float Grace described, call my cell. I’ll put it on vibrate.”

  “Remember,” I added. “This little guy is very good at avoiding being captured. If you see him, keep your distance until I can get there.”

  “Roger that, boss lady.” Hugh winked at me, then handed the dog carrier Belinda had loaned us to Kai. We paired off and headed down separate aisles.

  A few overhead lamps buzzed faintly and though the ceiling was dotted with yellowed, corrugated skylights, the dusky sky didn’t provide much illumination.

  “It’s kind of dark in here,” I said as we walked. “Hugh and Emma will have a hard time spotting a little capuchin monkey in all these nooks and crannies.”

  “They would recognize the float, though.”

  I nodded, hoping he was right.

  We continued to walk, scanning the area for any sign of monkey activity. Without the benefit of festive parade lighting, some of the Mardi Gras floats looked downright spooky. The dim light and deep shadows transformed jolly jester faces into manic, possessed clowns. Smiling kings became grimacing giants.

  We passed a section of random foam and papier-mâché body parts that had been filed away for use on future floats, and Kai stopped to scrutinize a bin filled with disembodied heads.

  I came to stand next to him and looked into the box. A giant chubby-cheeked cherub face peered up at us. The paint on one side of the head had been scuffed off, leaving what looked like a large scar.

  “Rather . . . unsettling,” Kai said. The fact that a seasoned police investigator would call anything outside a crime scene unsettling says a lot about just how creepy the place was.

  I tried to shake off the feeling. I was going to have to bring my A game to get Cornelius to feel comfortable and safe enough to coax him to come to me. Staring at a giant, scarred doll face was not helping in that endeavor.

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s keep looking.”

  We continued on and suddenly I felt it. The barest hint of a pulsing vibration.

  “Wait.” I placed my hand on Kai’s forearm to stop him.

  He didn’t ask questions, just paused to watch me. I focused on the echo of that hum, trying to trace it to its source, but got only a vague direction.

  “Man, this little guy is hard to get a bead on.”

  “At least we know he’s here,” Kai murmured. “Take your time. You’ll get it.”

  It’s funny what words of encouragement from someone you trust can do.

  When I felt the distinct vibration again, I closed my eyes and let everything else slide away. It took a few seconds, but I was able to zero in on the monkey’s location.

  “He’s down this way,” I said in a whisper. “Once we spot him, hang back and let me try to get close. Whatever you do, don’t spook him.”

  “Got it.” We continued down the aisle, past a row of cardboard boxes stacked taller than I am. The boxes were marked MG BEADS.

  I thought of the glittering strands I’d seen festooning the trees, fences, and lamp posts of the city and wondered how many other boxes like these were stacked, ready for the carnival season.

  As I passed the wall of boxes, I looked to my right and froze.

  Cornelius sat high above us on a rafter, but that’s not what surprised me. After all, I could sense the monkey’s presence and knew he was nearby. What stopped me in my tracks was how specific the little guy had been when telling me what he wanted and where. He must’ve been staying in the museum for a while to be able to re-create the area around the float with such detail.

  Though he’d shown me a different perspective—a view from his eyes rather than mine—everything he’d shown me was exact. Even the sunset was perfect.

  Smart little simian.

  I really hoped I could talk him into coming with me. If not, at least we might be able to trap him inside the museum and then work with the zoo to catch him later.

  “Okay, Cornelius.” I held up the tray of beignets and shook it. “As requested, I have beignets for you.”

  The monkey’s gaze darted about for a couple of seconds, then he hopped from the rafters onto the float, disappearing behind the king’s crown. He reappeared a moment later on the figure’s shoulder and paused to eye the beignets.

  I got the feeling he didn’t really know what they were. Which was weird, as he’d asked for the fried treat specifically.

  “Come on. You hungry?”

  Hungry. Want a grape.

  I can get grapes for you, too. But you have to come here. I projected the idea to him, sending the image of a bunch of big, juicy grapes along with the feeling of warmth and safety.

  Then, with as much gentle urgency as possible, I added, Come. It was part request, part command.

  Cornelius did as he was bid and came slowly toward me.

  I slid my gaze to Kai and said in a low monotone, “Wait until I have him, then, as quietly as you can, come here and hold the carrier open for me.”

  He nodded.

  Just as Cornelius reached the front of the float he squealed in alarm and scurried back the way he’d come and leapt into the rafters.

  Crap!

  “I told you to wait,” I snapped, turning to Kai.

  “I did.”

  “Damn.” I couldn’t believe he’d slipped away again. “Something spooked him.”

  “It wasn’t me,” Kai said. “I swear I didn’t move. I don’t know what scared him off.”

  I shook my head to dismiss the topic of who was to blame—it didn’t matter.

  “Okay, let’s try this again,” I muttered to myself.

  I focused my mind and reached out. I caught the barest hint of the monkey’s thoughts and reached farther—but it was no use.

  “He’s too far away to lock on to.”

  “Sounds like you’re launching a missile.”

  I ignored his comment, still frustrated. “Maybe I should do this alone. Call Emma and tell them to stay wherever they are. That way, they won’t run into us and scare Cornelius off.” I held out my hand. “Let me have the carrier. I’ll meet you back here once I catch him.”

  He handed me the bag. “You know, if this were a horror movie, going off on your own would trigger a zombie attack.”

  “It’s not a horror movie and I’ll be fine.”

  He nodded, and as I started toward where I’d last sensed Cornelius was headed, I could hear Kai talking to Emma on his phone.

  I found Cornelius high in the rafters toward the far end of the building.

  “Hey, little guy.”

  Slowly, carefully, I reached out to once again connect our thoughts. When he didn’t bolt, I gently began to fortify the conduit of our minds.

  Oddly, he seemed to understand that I was being careful with our int
eraction and I got the impression he liked the care I was taking.

  Safe?

  Yes, you’ll be safe with me.

  Want a grape.

  I promise to get you some grapes. For now, how about a beignet? It’s what you asked for.

  It seemed to take forever but finally the little monkey eased off the rafter and started toward me.

  That’s it. Come on.

  I held out my hand. Cornelius took a beignet and began eating it daintily.

  I wondered how frightened he must have been to be on his own in the cold with people setting traps and jumping out at him every chance they got.

  Picturing a bunch of big, ripe grapes, along with the feeling of warmth and safety, I offered my arm.

  I’ll help you. Don’t be scared.

  With a sudden leap, he was on my shoulder. The instant we made contact—Bam! Everything went dark, then an image sharpened into focus. A woman struggling against restraints. Light flashed off something metallic.

  The awful scene played on, flickering like a damaged 8 mm film.

  Finally, it stopped. I could hear whimpering. It took a moment for me to realize the sound was coming from me and echoed by the monkey, who had scurried up the nearest float.

  “Grace!”

  At some point, I’d fallen to my knees.

  “What is it? What happened?” Kai asked, rushing to my side.

  I sucked in a couple of deep breaths and tried to convince my heart that pile-driving a hole through my chest was not going to help.

  The wave of fear had me trembling like I’d been dunked in ice water.

  “You’re white as a sheet,” Emma said. Crouching in front of me, she reached out and rubbed my arms. “And you’re freezing. Hugh.”

  “I’ve got it,” Kai said.

  A second later, an oversized jacket was settled over my shoulders.

  Kai tucked my hair behind my ear and studied my face. “Do you feel like you’re going to pass out?”

  “I’m okay,” I said, which was utter crap.

  “Can you stand up?”

  I nodded. Taking his hand, I stood, wobbled, and was caught by Kai, who scooped me into his arms.

  “No, really, I’m fine.”

  “Shut up and let us take care of you,” my sister said in a tone that was both stern and gentle.

  I felt like an idiot, especially when we passed the ticket booth and walked into the parking lot.

  “Okay,” I said when we’d reached Bluebell. “Really, I got it from here.”

  I managed to climb into the passenger seat and waited while everyone else got in.

  “Do you need us to stop and get you food or water?”

  “No. I’m good, really.”

  “What happened?”

  “I saw . . . something pretty bad.” I didn’t want to think about it, much less talk about it. “Sorry, let’s head back to Belinda’s. I don’t want to have to tell the story more than once.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Emma had called to let Belinda know we were on our way and that I was not feeling well. This must have triggered some sort of mother hen response in our hostess, because she met us at the door and started asking questions.

  “You want to lie down? I put extra pillows on the couch.”

  “No, I’ll just sit. Thanks.”

  Moss was by my side before I’d made it to the kitchen table. Like always, my dog sensed my distress and was there to offer comfort and, if need be, his teeth. He let out a deep growl of warning as he escorted me to my seat.

  Guard.

  I’m okay, big guy.

  I gave him a reassuring pat as I settled onto the chair.

  Moss wasn’t buying it—he could feel the lingering effects of what I’d seen and was in the mood to dispose of whatever had caused the problem.

  Guard.

  I sighed and let him grumble, then leaned over to give him a hug.

  Okay?

  I’m getting there, buddy.

  Voodoo, always keen to take her big brother’s lead, leapt into my lap and started kneading my thighs. Her tiny, needle-sharp claws found their way through my jeans and I lifted the kitten to cradle her in my arms. She began to purr and I let the rhythmic waves of kitty contentment wash away the sharpest edges of what remained of my fear.

  A couple of deep breaths later and I was feeling much better.

  “You’ve got some color back.” Emma ignored Moss’s warning glare and came to sit in the chair beside mine.

  “Purr-therapy. There’s nothing like it.”

  “Except puppy breath,” Hugh said, coming to sit next to my sister.

  Emma made a face.

  “Don’t even try it,” I said. “I heard you making kissy noises at Elvis.”

  “Desperate times.” Emma sighed.

  “You need to eat,” Belinda declared suddenly.

  I hated to tell her food was the last thing I wanted. “Actually, I don’t have much of an appetite.”

  “We can fix that,” she said, and turned to the cabinet holding the little jars and bottles. “Here.” She handed me a small, blue glass bottle with a rubber-dropper screw top. “Three drops under the tongue.”

  “What is it?” I unscrewed the dropper and peered at the milky amber liquid.

  “It will make you feel better,” Belinda said.

  I raised my eyes to my sister. Emma shrugged. “Can’t hurt.”

  “Maybe you should take it,” I muttered.

  “Ahem.” Belinda fisted her hands on her hips and waited.

  It was clear I wasn’t getting out of it, so I held my breath and deposited three drops under my tongue.

  My eyes started to water instantly.

  “Hold it under there for thirty seconds,” Belinda instructed. “Then swallow.”

  “Aht? Irty econts?” I tried to protest but it was hard to talk with what tasted and felt like hellfire burning a hole through my face.

  Belinda ignored my distress.

  “How about the rest of you? Hungry?”

  The men nodded.

  “You don’t have to feed us again. This is a bed-and-breakfast,” Emma said. “Not a bed, breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”

  “She’s right,” Kai told Belinda. “You’ve done more than enough today.”

  I swallowed with a gasp and croaked, “Water.”

  Kai had already poured me a glass. I took it from him gratefully and sucked it down.

  “We’ll get a pizza or something.” Emma was still trying to sell Belinda on the idea of ordering out.

  Our hostess was having none of it. Even when Emma posited that there must be a pizza place in the greater New Orleans area that had somewhat healthy food.

  “Don’t argue with her,” I rasped. “She might make you drink something from that cabinet.”

  Resistance was, indeed, futile.

  “I’ve already got the oven preheated. I just have to throw something together.”

  She kind of reminded me of my mother, with her steel will and the way she could create food for five people out of thin air.

  Within minutes a pan of black bean and sweet potato enchiladas was in the oven and everyone was seated at the kitchen table to learn what Cornelius had shown me. I wasn’t looking forward to replaying what I’d seen. I tried to detach and go slowly so I wouldn’t have to rehash any details.

  “I saw a man holding a woman down. She was struggling, but her movements were sluggish. Like she’d been drugged.

  “I could hear her, but the sound was muted. I couldn’t make out any words, so I think she was gagged and there was this . . . thing on her face. Actually, it was covering her whole head.”

  I stopped.

  “Everything was so . . .” I paused to search for the right word but fell short. “I d
on’t know, vivid. Not what I was seeing but what I was feeling. It was like Cornelius understood what was happening and was terrified.”

  “Did you get a sense of where this happened?” Kai asked.

  “No. It was like the other memories. The colors were muted except for her dress. It was yellow.”

  “What about the man?”

  “I couldn’t swear to it, but I’m almost positive it was Barry. He was wearing an earpiece.”

  “Like for a phone?”

  I shook my head. “It looked more like a hearing aid. A really big one.”

  “And he was tying her up with ropes or something else?”

  “Thick leather straps with buckles. She was being tied down to a metal table.”

  I didn’t want to say it, but knew Kai needed to know as much detail as possible. “Like they use for an autopsy.”

  Everyone fell silent.

  I thought of the image on the tarot card and looked at Belinda. “It’s her, isn’t it?” I asked. “The woman I’m supposed to save?”

  She answered with a grim nod. “I think so, cher.”

  “Who is she?” Hugh asked. “It can’t be Ronnie, can it?”

  “Why not?” I said. “She’s missing.”

  “But if Anya and Barry have Ronnie, why would they ask you to find her?”

  “Technically,” Kai said, “they asked Grace to find out where Ronnie got Coco, remember?”

  “That would mean they need Grace because, even though they’ve been torturing her, Ronnie hasn’t told them what they want to know.” My sister looked like she was going to be sick.

  I leaned onto my elbows and pressed my face into my hands. “And I lost the only clue that would help find her. Oh God, I’m such a sucky rescuer.”

  Suddenly, I was angry. Not just at myself for managing to let Cornelius get away but at the one other person who had information on what was going on.

  I pushed back from the table and stood so abruptly everyone jumped.

  “Please excuse me for a second. I need to make a phone call.”

  I turned, snatched my phone from where it sat on the counter, and walked out the kitchen door.

  I hadn’t bothered with a coat—the chilled evening air of the courtyard was no match for the cold fire burning in my belly.