Episode 6: Playing with Fire

Previously:

Patrick MacPherson sought acceptance into the Crimson Knights.

Noelle got a visit from Ontario Provincial Police detectives Elise Jarrett and Rene Gauthier.

The Carroll family cookbook…isn’t.



    Louisa’s skepticism got the better of her.  Evil, indeed.  Sure, there was.  She stared at Suzanne and Blaine. 
   
    “Oh, come on.  You’ve been watching too many horror movies.  Surely, you don’t really think there’s some spook coming around to haunt us, do you?”

    Suzanne stared back.  So did Blaine.

    Louisa shrugged.  “Oh, well.”
   
    “C’mon, Louisa.  It’s at least worth checking out.  What do you think about the recipe?  Can’t hurt.  Might help.”

    Blaine pointed at the cookbook.  “We may not be able to get some of these ingredients here.  I mean, where are you going to find this stuff?”

    “What? Eye of newt and toe of frog?”  Louisa asked.

    “Nothing like that, but we can find a night with a full moon,” Suzanne contributed.  “We’ll have to wait a couple of weeks, though.”

*****
    As the night wore on, Noelle wanted to push out Detectives Jarrett and Gauthier, but they persisted on asking her about what happened earlier in the evening.  Maria walked in with the pain reliever and was stunned to see the two plain clothes detectives there.

    “Don’t you know visiting hours are over?”  Maria asked.

    “We’re here on official business,”  Det. Elise Jarrett responded.

    “You can conduct that ‘official’ business in the morning,”  Maria scolded.  “Right now, my patient needs some rest.”

    “I’m sorry,  Doctor  whoever-you-are, but we’d like to get this investigation under way.  The sooner Ms. Armand can answer our questions, the sooner we can arrest our perp.  Now, are you going to cooperate with us or not?”

    The two women stared each other down.  Det. Jarrett looked like she’d pull out a gun right then and there, but she knew better than that.  Maria, on the other hand, would rather fight her battles with a stethoscope, a hypodermic needle and her wits.

    The staredown ended when Maria opened her mouth to speak.

    She motioned to both of the detectives.  “In my office.  Now.”

*****
    As the circle broke up and the embers died down, the men filed into the log cabin.  This was the Lodge of the Crimson Knights, and it certainly wasn’t benevolent.

    The Great Leader had a plan.  That included the Armands.  Getting them out of Claypool, no matter what the cost to them, or to the town.

    Noelle was already out of commission.  Pierre got a stern warning.  Stephane and Thérèse were next.

    “Where will we be most likely to find them?  The sooner we get them out of our way, the better,” the Great Leader informed the group.

    Patrick volunteered the information.  “They’re usually at the school on Saturday, and they attend Sunday services at Notre Dame d’Orleans.”

    The Leader nodded. “Perfect.  We will need some time to plan.”  He scratched his bearded chin with profound thought.  “Brother MacPherson, we’ll need you to scout the church.”

*****
    Notre Dame d’Orléans was where Stephane and Thérèse found solace that evening, as they had many times in the past.  The church was a small, unpretentious stone structure with a statue of Joan of Arc on the front grounds.  A carefully tended flower garden and a small fountain completed the serene portrait outside.  Inside, Jeanne d’Arc was depicted in stained glass behind a small, yet functional, altar.
    Stephane and Thérèse joined hands as they walked inside.  Sitting in a pew at the very back of the church, Stephane slowly began to pray.

    “Our Father, who art in heaven…”

    Noelle began to feel the peace wash over her as her headache finally subsided.  No one to bother her, no one to wake her.  No more.  Earlier, she got the best news of all.
    She’d finally be able to go home.

    Home.  That seemed an odd concept, especially when University Hospital served as home during her course of study.  She’d have some serious thinking  to do when she got there, but that would have to wait.

    She’d have to deal with Jarrett and Gauthier first.  But not before dealing with Maria.

*****
    Maria knew what to do with those two.  Let them have their little investigation.

    “My patients come first,”  she told them.

    “Fine,”  Jarrett told her.  “Just don’t come looking to us when we arrest you for obstruction of justice.”

    Ryan walked in and handed Maria a thin manila folder.  She looked at it briefly before setting it on the desk.  She silently thanked him as he walked out.

    “Detectives, I know you’d love to get your hands on me, but I don’t think that will be necessary.  I believe this,”  she said as she pointed to the folder,  “has what you’re looking for”.