Unsuspecting: A Detective Oliver Rousseau Novel

UNSUSPECTING

A DETECTIVE OLIVER ROUSSEAU NOVEL

CYNTHIA TOWNLEY

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UNSUSPECTING

A DETECTIVE OLIVER ROUSSEAU NOVEL

by CYNTHIA TOWNLEY

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, dialogues, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Book Cover Created by Cher Schmitt, Cher Schmitt Designs

Published by Cynthia Townley at Smashwords

Copyright © 2012 by Cynthia Townley

All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

For information address Cynthia Townley on Facebook at Mystery-Crime-Novelist-Cynthia-Townley.

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This book is dedicated to my husband Harvey Townley

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius

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UNSUSPECTING

A DETECTIVE OLIVER ROUSSEAU NOVEL

Table of Contents

Prologue • Chapter 1 • Chapter 2 • Chapter 3 • Chapter 4 • Chapter 5 • Chapter 6 • Chapter 7 • Chapter 8 • Chapter 9 • Chapter 10 • Chapter 11 • Chapter 12 • Chapter 13 • Chapter 14 • Chapter 15 • Chapter 16 • Chapter 17 • Chapter 18 • Chapter 19 • Chapter 20 • Chapter 21 • Chapter 22 • Chapter 23 • Chapter 24 • Chapter 25 • Chapter 26 • Chapter 27 • Chapter 28 • Chapter 29 • Chapter 30 • Chapter 31 • Chapter 32 • Chapter 33 • Chapter 34 • Chapter 35 • Chapter 36 • Chapter 37 • Chapter 38 • Chapter 39 • Chapter 40 • Chapter 41 • Chapter 42 • Chapter 43 • Chapter 44 • Chapter 45 • Chapter 46 • Chapter 47 • Chapter 48 • Chapter 49 • Chapter 50 • Chapter 51 • Chapter 52 • Chapter 53 • Chapter 54 • Chapter 55 • Chapter 56 • Chapter 57 • Chapter 58 • Chapter 59 • Chapter 60 • Chapter 61 • Chapter 62 • Chapter 63 • Epilogue • Author’s Note • Acknowledgements • About the Author

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PROLOGUE

...twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty. Ready or not, here I come! Seven-year old, Andrew Tillery, called out in a warning voice. Eyeing the heavily wooded terrain, he quietly moved through the trees, careful to watch where his red-booted feet stepped so he would make the least amount of noise. The ground was layered in a thick carpet of dried leaves, pine needles, twigs, and fallen tree branches the size of logs. As he searched for his companions, his red Superman cape caught on a wayward branch and he gave it a sharp tug until it came loose, oblivious to the snags and tears.

He looked to his right, then left, searching the woods for any sign of playmates James Palmer and Brianna Neufuss. He never had to look for his five-year old sister Megan, Meggy Megs, as she was affectionately called because she always hid in the same place, with her red and black ladybug costume sticking out on either side of the tree.

The afternoon sun filtered through the canopy of the oaks and pines, as he looked behind bushes and trees. On the trail ahead, he caught a glimpse of James’s Iron Man costume behind a thick tree trunk. Andrew stopped in the middle of the path where it divided around the tree ahead. If he went to the right, James would go to the left, and if he went to the left, James would run right.

James poked his head around the tree to see Andrew standing in the middle of the path between him and home base. Come on flyboy. Which way you coming to get me? Seven-year old James taunted with a devilish grin.

Accepting the challenge, Andrew broke into a run choosing the right path—the shortest distance between him and the tree. As expected, James took off the other way running as fast as his legs could carry him, striving to reach home base before he was tagged.

Andrew darted across the middle of the two paths, laughing and hollering, jumping over a fallen tree in pursuit of his friend. But he was no match for James’s long legs and he reached home base just seconds before Andrew’s outstretched fingers touched him.

Whew! That was close, James panted, his cheeks red from running.

You just got lucky. Now I’m gonna find Bri and she won’t be so lucky.

James pointed in the opposite direction from where he had been hiding. Go that way.

Toward the bayou? That’s out-of-bounds! We’re not supposed to go near the water. If my mom finds out..., Andrew shook his head in frustration. Banks Bayou, a waterway located behind his house, was off-limits and they knew it. His mom would have a fit if she found out they went near the cliff. But, if he didn’t want to be it again he’d have to find Bri. He could definitely out-run a girl even if she was older!

Just as he turned toward the bayou, Meggy Megs yelled in her little voice, Andrew, come find me!

Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yelled, I’m looking for you Meggy Megs! You’ve hidden real good this time. Just stay where you are until I find you. Megan never had to be the seeker because she was too little and she always gave up before finding them.

Andrew, sweaty from chasing James, used his shirt to wipe the moisture from his face and then broke into a run down the narrow path his father had cut out through the dense woods, his limp cape barely fluttering behind him. As he ran, sunlight peeked through the treetops, forming light and shadows on the path. Up ahead, he heard a boat and then spotted Wonder Woman by the edge of the cliff overlooking the water and frowned in confusion. She was hiding behind a tree, but in plain view of him, facing the bayou. Catching his breath, he slowed to a walk, curious to know what she was doing. When Bri heard the crackling of brush behind her, she turned and put a finger to her lips.

What are you doing?

Shhh! Be quiet, she cautioned. Look.

Andrew looked down to the water where she pointed, clearly visible from their higher vantage point. He quickly jumped behind Bri.

On the opposite shore, a man got out of a boat and walked out of sight, swallowed by the woods. They waited to see what he was doing. Several minutes later, he reappeared. Grasping the side of the boat, he jumped in and disappeared into the bowels.

What’s he doing? Andrew whispered impatiently.

How would I know? Just watch.

Clouds passed overhead blocking out the sunshine. Behind them, the sound of crunching underbrush caused them both to jump. They looked back to see Iron Man coming down the path.

What are you doing? Meggy Megs is hollering for you, James told Andrew.

Shhh, Bri scolded. We’re watching someone.

James crouched down to the ground and picked up a pine needle, twirling it between his fingers as he waited to see what was happening.

Seconds later, the man reappeared on deck struggling with a tightly wrapped bundle in a white sheet he had thrown over his shoulder. He clamped a hand over the bundle, and in a harsh voice told it to be still.

The wide-eyed kids watched as he stepped onto the wooden dock.

There’s someone in that sheet, nine-year old Bri whispered anxiously. We need to get your mom!

The man stopped and looked around as if he heard something, and the kids quickly ducked behind the tree. Peeking around the trunk, they watched him walk back into the woods.

Are you crazy? We can’t tell my mom! We’ll get in trouble! We’re not even supposed to be this close to the water and you know it Bri, Andrew whispered fiercely. He wasn’t about to get a tongue-lashing from his mom, and be grounded because Bri had broken the rules.

They waited a few more minutes for the man to return but he never came back.

I still think we should tell someone. I’ve never seen anyone go in those woods over there, Wonder Woman insisted, looking to Iron Man for support. Nevertheless, James shrugged his shoulders indicating he could go either way.

No! This has to be our secret, Superman insisted, sticking out his hand. No one tells anyone what we saw here today, and no one gets in trouble. James nodded and put his hand on top of Andrews. Bri, knowing she was out-numbered, put her hand on top of James’ as the three crime-fighting crusaders stacked hands to seal the pact.

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CHAPTER 1

Katie Kirkland left Stern Hall, walking across the campus of Tulane University to where she had parked her car in the lot off Freret and Broadway. As a third-year student majoring in Psychology, she was carrying a heavy schedule, and was relieved when the instructor of her Social Psychology class had been called away on personal business and cancelled class today.

Approaching the parking lot, her mind was on the Social Influence paper she needed to write when she spotted a man in a wheelchair on the back of a van, the chair lift suspended above the ground. He appeared to be having difficulty lowering the lift.

The temperature had reached the low nineties, unusually hot for New Orleans in March, and sweat beaded her forehead. Shifting her pink and white plaid backpack to her other shoulder, she cautiously approached the stranger parked near her Mustang. Glancing around, she didn’t see anyone in the immediate vicinity. It was the middle of the day and most students were still in classes.

Having been raised in a Christian household, it was her nature to help others in need. She was aware of Stranger Danger and had been schooled by her parents on the Ted Bundy’s of the world, whose only intention was to harm unsuspecting young women.

As she got closer, a whirring noise emanated from the back of the van as the man played with the lever in an effort to move the lift. He swore in frustration. The sun radiated heat off the steel lift, swirling specks of dust into the air. Suspended above the hot asphalt, the man had to feel as if he was baking in the afternoon sun. She glanced around again, still not seeing anyone else to render aid.

It didn’t hurt to be cautious she thought, wrapping both arms around her backpack, ready to throw it in an attempt to get away, if necessary. She glanced over at her white Mustang three parking spaces away. There was no getting around offering her assistance, she decided. It would be just plain rude to ignore him.

Gathering her courage she asked, Do you need some help? She was a safe distance from the van but close enough for him to hear her.

Dressed in blue jeans and a white shirt, he looked to be about forty-years old, with light sandy brown hair and a matching mustache. He looked at her over the top of his glasses and smiled. She could tell he was embarrassed.

It seems I’ve gotten myself in a predicament. He laughed to lighten his plight. This lift is fairly new but it’s been in the shop twice already. I think I’ve discovered a pattern though. It only seems to get stuck when I’m in a hurry. He laughed again. I could certainly use the help if you can spare a minute more in this heat.

Katie considered herself a good judge of people. Assessing the situation, she decided there was nothing threatening about this man’s present condition. He just needed help.

Sure, what can I do? Closing the distance, she sat her backpack on the corner of the lift.

He reached into his pants pocket and handed her the keys. Could you start the engine? Last time I had it in the shop the mechanic told me the lift’s battery was not getting enough juice from the engine. He changed out the battery, but maybe by starting the engine I can lower it.

She nodded, taking the keys from him and walking around to the driver’s door. Stepping up into the van, she left the door open, and glanced back. In the back was a metal track that allowed the wheelchair to move between the driver’s seat and the lift. Next to the driver’s seat, a trapeze bar hung from the ceiling.

Starting the van, she left it in park and got out, walking to the back. The whirring sound of the motor continued but the lift still wasn’t moving.

Are you a student here? She asked, watching him play with the lever.

No, he shook his head and smiled at her. It’s been a long time since I was a student. I’m a sub. I got called in to teach today but it looks like I might not make it to class.

Katie walked around the side, looking at the area where the van connected to the lift. The van’s engine added to the heat and she took a step back. She knew absolutely nothing about mechanical things so she didn’t really know what she was looking for as her eyes followed the black wire from the lever to where it connected to the lift.

Ahh, I think I found the problem. She held up a dangling wire.

When she looked up for confirmation that she had found the source of the problem, the man put his hand up to his mouth and blew in her face, much like you’d blow someone a kiss. Instinctively, she closed her eyes. Too late, she realized he had put on surgical gloves.

In an instant, he was out of the chair, jumping off the lift with the agility of a much younger man. A sudden weakness overcame her limbs. Confused and disoriented, she was aware of being lifted and placed in the wheelchair. Her head felt heavy. Dizziness skirted the edges of her vision. She struggled, but her limbs were not obeying her impulses to fight. The man attached a strap around her chest and tossed her backpack in her lap but she couldn’t feel the weight of it on her legs.

Helplessly strapped in the chair, she heard the whirring of the chair as it backed into the rear compartment of the van. Once the chair cleared the lift, the automatic double doors slowly clicked shut and she heard the clanking of the lift securing itself into position.

Struggling for clarity, she realized she was being kidnapped. She screamed as loud as she could, hoping the campus police or anyone passing would hear her cry for help. But no sound came out of her mouth. Panicked, she screamed again but still couldn’t hear the sound of her piercing screams.

Then it dawned on her. The drug he had blown into her face must have paralyzed her vocal cords, as well as her body. She couldn’t move and she couldn’t scream. She was completely helpless and at the mercy of a crazy man. The thought of what was to come terrified her and she screamed, silent screams, again, and again.

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CHAPTER 2

Katie heard the driver’s door shut and the sound of the gearshift moving. He was driving now but she couldn’t feel the van moving. The shiny white-paneled walls were void of windows and there was no way for her to see out. She sat helpless, motionless, strapped in the wheelchair, powerless to stop the man at the wheel from taking her away from the university.

Nothing she could see in her line of sight provided any clue as to what kind of van she was in. She only knew it was white. She tried to remember if there had been any writing, or logo on the outside. She didn’t think so. She forced her head to move, to look back at the driver, but her muscles wouldn’t obey. She could see, hear, and think but she lacked any mobility. She knew she was crying because her vision was blurry but she couldn’t feel the tears running down her cheeks.

She heard the familiar sounds of traffic on Broadway but had no idea which direction he had turned out of the parking lot. She must have slid in the chair because the back doors tilted. Lowering her eyes to her lap, she watched her backpack fall to the floor with a thud. They must have gone over a bump, or turned a corner but she felt neither. In her backpack was her cell phone, just a few feet from the wheelchair but it might as well have been miles away because she was helpless to reach it.

Oh, my God! Oh, my God! What scared her more than anything was she knew the man at the wheel was the worst kind of predator; one that trolled for his victims posing as an invalid. Just thinking about him made her breathing harsh, rapid with fear. Don’t panic! Stay calm! Think! She was safe as long as he was driving.

When she didn’t show up at the apartment, her roommate Sara, would call her cell. They knew each other’s schedule and Sara would be concerned when she didn’t answer the phone. When the calls went unanswered, Sara would call her parents, and her parents would call the police. They would find her Mustang in the campus lot where she had parked it but there’d be no sign of her. Her parents would be frantic, tormented when they couldn’t find her but she knew they would never stop looking or give up hope of finding her. If she could just stay alive.

Thinking about their suffering enabled Katie to focus on her survival. She would do whatever she had to, to stay alive. She was a Psych major. She knew how powerful the mind could be. She would take herself to another dimension, far away from any pain this man would inflict on her. She had read about people doing this but had never personally tried it. People who suffered physical and sexual abuse could hide within themselves to escape the pain of their assailants. She would be a victim, like them, hiding in a place only she could reach. It could work.

She tried to look back at the driver again but still couldn’t move her head. She wondered what drug he had blown into her face and how long this paralysis would last. Her mind was fully functioning, running on adrenaline. Whatever drug he had given her would eventually wear off, and when it did, she would not allow herself to move. She would have to let him think she was still under the influence of the drug. Then, when the opportunity presented itself, she would get away. It could work she told herself again. It eased her mind to know she had a plan to survive the ordeal ahead because whatever this man intended would not be good. She took a deep breath...and then crumbled. Oh God, please don’t let him hurt me. Please, I beg of you. I’d rather die instantly than be tortured to death. Please God, help me. She began praying for her life as she had never prayed before.

Abruptly, the back doors flung open and sunlight poured into the van. Unaware the van had stopped she closed her eyes against the bright light and then opened them to see what he was doing. She watched as he stepped up into the back, her eyes pleading with him to let her go.

Squatting in front of her, she mentally cringed when he lifted her leg and then let it drop to the floor. She recoiled from his touch, but only in her mind. Although she could not feel it, her sandaled-foot hit the floor with a thud.

Still under the effects of the drug, huh? Very good. He reached for her arm and pulled her upper body over his shoulder. The voice inside her head screamed. The sudden motion of the van’s floor being swept away and being turned upside-down, made her dizzy as the blood rushed to her head. The ground swelled in her vision and her face bumped against his lower back as he moved away from the van. Where his leg bent to walk, she could see her tears leaving wet droplets on the back of his jeans.

It occurred to her this might be the last time for anyone to see or hear her, as she had no idea where they were. Terror renewed, gripping her mind, strangling the breath out of her. She tried flinging herself from side to side, anticipating the moment of impact when she hit the ground but her body remained slumped over the shoulder of her captor, like a rag doll, moving in tempo with his body as he walked. Briefly, she saw water lapping against a shoreline as he carried her across the faded wooden planks of a roughly hewn dock, and then he stepped down into a boat, carelessly tossing her onto the seat. She screamed again, and again, but nobody heard her cries for help, not even her.

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CHAPTER 3

Pull! Oliver followed the clay pigeon with the barrel of his shotgun as it left the trap; the sound of the blast heard a split-second before the disk shattered into pieces and sending debris flying in different directions over the wooded area behind David’s mansion.

Pull. His ninth shot was right on target, hitting the pigeon again.

Pull. When his tenth shot successfully hit the mark, he lowered his shotgun, smiling at his father-in-law David Carrington, brother-in-law Marc Sayers, and his partner Jack Deveraux. The four of them were enjoying an afternoon of target practice. Oliver removed his headphones.

Marin cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted from the patio. Lunch is ready!

Oliver waved from the far north end of David’s property, signaling he heard her.

I’m just a lousy shot and that shotgun hurt my shoulder, Marc said, as they walked across the lawn toward the house. I don’t know how you guys do it.

You just need more practice, Oliver insisted, clapping an arm around his brother-in-law’s shoulder. After we eat , you can use my 9mm on the bales of hay. A gun doesn’t have quite the kick a shotgun has.

Oliver’s just showing off, Jack commented. Hitting a disk four inches in diameter with a few lead pellets flying through the air at the speed of light, is not easy for anyone, Marc. Oliver’s gone hunting with his father since he was kid and has had plenty of practice over the years.

Well, I grew up in Texas and never had anyone to go hunting with. My father was an over-the-road truck driver for an oil company. Besides, I was more interested in sports and girls than I was hunting.

I never knew that, Jack said.

Yup. Went to U of H and moved to New Orleans right after college for my first job.

Oliver gave a hearty laugh, Don’t listen to Jack. He’s just jealous because I can out-shoot him.

Maybe in skeet, Jack conceded grinning, but let’s see how well you sing after we eat, pretty boy. What do ya say David, you up for more target practice?

I think I’ll sit out the next round boys, he shook his head, The heat’s gettin’ to this old man. I’ll just watch y’all from my air-conditioned den.

The children hopped out of the pool and ran over to the patio table set up for lunch; grabbing handfuls of potato chips.

Who won Dad? Olivia asked, hugging her father.

I did, he grinned. Hey, you’re getting me all wet, silly girl. At fifteen, Olivia still had a playful nature and he was glad for it. So many teenagers grow up too fast.

Olivia laughed and ran off to join her cousins, Alex and Sam, at the umbrella table set up next to the pool for the kids.

You probably could use a dip in the pool after being out in the heat. Marin handed him a frozen margarita.

It is cooler in the shade that’s for sure, Jack said, passing up a margarita for an iced cold beer.

The men dished up their food and joined the women. Jill LaSalle leaned over and gave Jack a quick kiss as he sat down beside her. Marin smiled at Oliver. Ever since Jack and Jill had started dating last year, they had become a foursome, often getting together for dinner and a movie or just hanging out with the family.

I haven’t heard what time we’re leaving in the morning, Megan said.

Just as long as it’s not too early, Oliver said. I don’t know about the rest of you but I really enjoy sleeping in on my vacation.

Here, here. Jill raised her margarita glass, clinking it against Oliver’s.

I called the hanger and told them to have the plane ready by eight. We can go any time after that, David informed the group.

The vacation to Colorado Springs and Estes Park had been planned for over a month. Oliver, Jack and Jill had requested the week off. Frank Pierce, Casey Renard and Juan Lopez were busy working a felony assault case, and bearing no emergencies the vacation should go off as planned.

After the murder case last year involving the death of the District Attorney, the city had allocated funds and manpower for a Major Crimes Division. The small task force that had investigated the D.A. had been promoted, and given commendations. The new department took over kidnappings, murders, sexual assaults, and felony assaults of an unusual nature. It comprised of Detective Lieutenant Jack Deveraux, Detective 2nd Grade Oliver Rousseau, Detective Lieutenant Frank Pierce, Detective Lieutenant Casey Renard, and Special Investigators Juan Lopez and Jill LaSalle, along with several non-police personnel.

This couldn’t have come at a worse time for me, Marc complained, forking a piece of steak into his mouth. I have a new client that I need to meet with on Wednesday who’s purchased a building in the Garden District. He’s coming in from Hong Kong and he’ll only be in town this week to sign the contracts. Then I need to make the arrangements to install his security system. It’s a busy time for me so I’ll need to leave early to get back here.

Why Marc that’s great, Eileen said enthusiastically. Your new business seems to have really taken off. Oliver’s mother-in-law was the quint essential optimist. She always had a positive attitude and was pleased her three daughters were happy.

Megan nodded. Marc’s quite the entrepreneur now. This is his fourth big client, she said with pride, squeezing her husband’s hand. It was a pattern of behavior they had grown accustom to. Anytime Marc would say something negative, Megan tried to put a positive spin on it.