Henry meets Cole in a spooky cemetery for a quick hook-up during Mardi Gras in
Excerpt:
A familiar
figure crossed the intersection ahead of them.
Henry recognized the tattoos and beefy arms, which now held onto a limp
body draped over John’s shoulder.
“Don’t
ask,” Henry cut off Cole’s obvious question.
“You don’t want to know.”
They passed
by a narrow opening between two buildings.
A tall, handsome man in a pirate outfit stepped from the shadows and
onto the sidewalk.
“Soumets-toi รก moi.”
Cole
jumped with a cry of surprise at the sudden appearance.
Henry
heard Cole shout and spun around. “What’s
the matter? Are you all right?”
“That
pirate scared me.
“What
pirate?”
“The one standing right…” Cole broke off as he looked back down the
street, but Henry saw no one. Cole
paled. He ran back to the opening. “There was a guy standing right here.” His voice shook as he pointed to a spot on
the sidewalk.
“What
did he look like?”
“Cute.”
Henry
was beginning to see a trend in Cole’s paranormal sightings but decided not to
mention his thoughts.
“He
was dressed as a pirate, I think.” Cole
said. “Kinda like the guy on the float
last night. I think it was the same guy
on the float and the one in the mirror this morning. Now I’m certain I’ve seen him before
somewhere but I can’t remember.”
“I wonder if
this has anything to do with the crucifix we found,” Henry mused. “Come on.”
They
wandered through the abandoned streets to Decatur Street, where the Jean
Lafitte National Historic Park and French Quarter Visitor Center stood. The museum employee, whose name tag
identified her as Ann, seemed to be pleased and surprised to find someone up
and around as early as she was. She gave
them a big smile.
“This
is one of the largest museums dedicated to preserving the history of one of New
Orleans’s roguish sons, Jean Lafitte,” she announced, the pride obvious in her
voice. She motioned to a portrait on a
nearby wall.
Cole
grabbed Henry’s arm. “I think that’s
him!”
“What?” Henry and Ann said simultaneously.
“That’s
who?” Henry asked further.
“I think
that’s the guy I keep seeing.” Cole
paused for a second.
