The Seer Renee Read Free Page B

seem particularly popular." A small smile touched her
lips.
    "Thank you, Mambo Monique. Merely proof that
perception is as important as truth."
    "True, perception is important; however, it's
truth that separates the true mambos and houngans from the fakes. Speaking of
perception, your reputation has grown since the incident with Hector. Some
mambos wonder whether it was white or black magic.”
    "Granny Eshe would not permit me to use black
magic. She would haunt me from the grave."
    "True. Mambo Asogwe Eshe was a true high
priestess of Vodou, and we should expect no less from her granddaughter." Monique
nodded. "I'm satisfied. Nevertheless, the rumor will persist. Hector must retaliate
for what you did to him or lose face. Black magic would provide him with a
reasonable explanation."
    "Thank you, Mambo Monique. Your opinion of me is
crucial since I can't dispute the black magic without bringing the Locos down
on me." I shuddered at the thought of what Hector and his whacko friends
would do to me.
    "Take care of yourself, Renee. You're welcome at
my hounfour anytime." With that she left. I felt sure Monique had come to
talk to me because of her strong friendship with Granny. There was a delicate
balance in New Orleans and vicinity between the honest and fake mambos. We all
had to make a living to survive, like any pastor of a church. We were,
therefore, in competition for both tourists and followers of Vodou. On the
other hand, Vodou was a religion that went far beyond money and our personal
needs. The honest mambo and houngan hoped to provide their followers with a
fuller life and prepare them for death. Of course, we also had to live in the
real world with its Hectors and men like those who drove Granny to her grave.
    * * *
    The next couple of days were much like every other
day, although business was a little slow. As I was getting ready to close for
the night, a man and woman entered the shop. The man stood over six feet tall.
He had an athletic build, walked with his shoulders back, and had dark-brown
hair cut above the ears as though he might have had military training. He was dressed
casually in an open sports shirt, Docker slacks, and loafers. The woman was a
perfect match. She was only a few inches shorter than him, brunette hair cut above
her ears, with not an ounce of fat. She wore light brown slacks and a cream
silk blouse open at the neck. With her sleek frame and penetrating green eyes, she
looked and walked like a predatory cat. They were looking at me rather than
around the shop.
    "Can I help you?"
    "I'm looking for Mambo Eshe," the man said.
It took me a moment before I could talk.
    "No, sir. She died over a year ago. Can I maybe
help you?"
    "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. We vacation here
once every couple of years, and I always stop in for a telling. Mambo Eshe was
the best I've ever encountered. You aren't related by any chance, are
you?" He looked sincere; however, the woman looked like a cat watching a
mouse.
    "Yes, I'm her granddaughter. I've inherited her
shop," I said with a smile I didn't feel. Damn it! I didn't want her shop. I wanted her.
    "Are you also a fortuneteller?"
    You know damn
well I am. Warning sirens went off in my head. Could they somehow be related
to Granny's death?
    "Yes, sir. People think I'm as good as she
was," I said straightening myself and pushing my chest out as if to
challenge any doubt. But it hurt to even say it. If this were a game as I
suspected, he would be suspicious if I said I wasn't. Fortunetellers don't
claim to be less talented than someone else. They claim they're better.
    "Excellent. Can you do it now? Sheila and I are
leaving early tomorrow."
    "No. I'd have to close the shop. Besides, I need
time to prepare and to invoke the help of the Loa. I can do it later tonight if
you want."
    "You don't mind if Sheila comes along, do
you?"
    "Yes. You must be alone when I tell your
fortune."
    "Why?"
    "In the event I reveal something that you
wouldn't want her to hear."
    "You