Nancy K. Duplechain - Dark Trilogy 01 - Dark Bayou Read Free Page A

blood on her, not even David’s or Michelle’s. I’ve never seen anything like that. She should’ve … she should have been dead, too, but she was fine. Physically, anyway.”
     
    “What are you telling me? It was some miracle of God or something?”
     
    “That was my first thought, but something else happened.” He struggled again, but harder this time. I thought for a second that he wasn’t going to tell me at all and, later, I deeply wished he hadn’t. “You’re going to think I’m crazy, but you deserve to know everything that happened that night.”
     
    “Go on,” I said.
     
    He licked his lips and stared down at the sidewalk that led up to the steps where we sat. “I had the ambulance take Lyla to the hospital to get her x-rayed. I went back in my car to follow them to the ER. When I got in, Jon wanted to know what happened. I told him there was an accident with Uncle David and Aunt Michelle. And he asked, ‘But Lyla’s okay?’ I looked at him and said, ‘Yeah.’ Then Jon looked out the window toward the wrecked car. He said, ‘Who’s that man, Daddy?’ I looked where he was looking. I thought it was one of the guys cutting open the car. I told him that. He said, ‘No. The dark man behind the trees.’ I looked over and didn’t see anyone there.”
     
    “Okay. So you’re telling me that there was some angel or something that saved Lyla?” I was very skeptical.
     
    “Not an angel. Jon said that the Dark Man was looking at David’s car and smiling. Look, I’m not much of a holy roller or anything, and I’m not superstitious, but when Jon said that, it gave me a chill. Even now, I want to shiver thinking about that night. And Jon has been having nightmares just about every night since, always about the Dark Man.”
     
    “So, it’s the devil—?”
     
    Lucas smiled. “I knew you’d think I’m crazy.”
     
    “I’m sorry, but it’s a little hard to swallow.”
     
    “I know. But you have to admit that Lyla not having a scratch on her is pretty miraculous.”
     
    “Yeah, but things like that have happened before. Jon was probably just traumatized from seeing the accident. And Lyla being okay … it’s just luck.”
     
    “Luck,” he echoed, looking defeated. “How long are you in town for?”
     
    “I’m leaving tonight.”
     
    He looked both shocked and hurt. “Aren’t you even going to spend the night?”
     
    “I think it’s for the best if I leave after the funeral.
     
    “You not going to see Lyla?”
     
    “I don’t think she wants to see me.”
     
    “Well, that’s your decision, but I know there’ll be an awful lot of people upset if you don’t stay for a visit.”
     
    I was quiet, and he took the hint.
     
    “Let’s go back in,” he suggested. He stood up, put his jacket back on and held out his hand for me. I took it, and he helped me up and held the door open for me. A well-bred Southerner indeed.

2
     
    The Funeral
     
    I kept my distance from the chapel. I tried to hide from all the mourners who wanted to express their condolences, but every time I turned around, there was someone to say how sorry they were and, my personal favorite, “such a tragedy.” Lucas, Carrie and Jonathan stayed by my side through it all. Clothilde was busy with the mourners. She knew everyone there. She sat in the chapel, near the caskets, and greeted everyone who paid their respects. When it was time for the Rosary, Carrie excused herself to the chapel to find a seat in the packed room. Lucas and his son stayed with me.
     
    “You can go in if you like,” I said to Lucas.
     
    He shook his head no. “I’ve already spoken to God.”
     
    I refrained from making a snarky comment but couldn’t help thinking, Where was God when they died and left their ten-year-old daughter alone?
     
    “Is it time to pray, Daddy?”
     
    “Yeah, but you and I are going to stay out here with Miss Leigh.”
    “You two go. I’ll be okay,” I said.
     
    “I want to hold the