Without a word Empyrion rose, grabbed Landry by the arm, ushered him through the front door and onto the porch. At that point and with nothing to lose, Landry pushed harder.
“This was the LaPieres’ country home, correct? This was the place they came when they wanted to get away from New Orleans and the atrocities they committed there. Tell me how you ended up living here, Mr. Richard, and how your ancestor Charles Richard ended up with his portrait hanging above the fireplace. If he was a servant, how did he assume such a place of honor and privilege in the family? I will find the answers, sir. I’ll find them with your help or without, but I will find them. And I will expose whatever you’re hiding when I do.”
Those words broke the mold at last. The remaining vestiges of civility fell away in an instant.
“Get out! Get off my property at once!”
They complied, and as they reached the Jeep, he shouted, “You’re in dangerous territory, Mr. Drake. I brought your friend back to the twenty-first century. She would have been trapped had I not. I suggest you leave things alone while it’s still possible.” He stepped into the house through the network of vines and slammed the door.
As they drove away, Landry said, “A person can never be completely anonymous. They can change a name, falsify a social security number or join the Witness Protection Program, but the person still exists. Find out about him, Jack. Keep looking and prying, but be careful. We have a full-fledged mystery here and I need every investigative ability you can muster.”
Jack wrote notes to himself all the way back to New Orleans. When they arrived at the station, he took off, saying he’d check in when he had something to report.
“Take care of yourself,” Landry cautioned.
“We have a full-fledged mystery here,” he replied with a smile. “I don’t have time to get into trouble.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Landry called Cate to check on Tiffany. They were fine but bored, and she asked how his visit went.
"Let's just say he wasn't his usual cheerful self. I'll tell you everything when I see you later on. And can you ask your dad to give me a buzz when he has a minute for a question?"
Doc called just as Landry was leaving. It was great timing because Landry had things to say without Tiffany nearby. There was no need to cloud her mind with ideas that might not work.
Landry talked about what had happened at the session, how Jack made Tiffany scream and how Empyrion saved the day. It was all a mystery, and he needed Doc's help.
"I’d like you to ask Dr. Little if he’ll hypnotize Jack. Tiffany too, but only taking her back to her last session. I’d like to know what Jack and Empyrion whispered to her."
"You’re on to something with Jack, but I disagree about Tiffany. I talked to Fred after the session. He was concerned that she might not come out of her trance. I doubt he will risk it again, nor do I blame him."
"Putting her in harm's way is the last thing I want either, but this wouldn't be past life regression. She'd only go back a week. Last time she was fine even back in her childhood. A few days shouldn't be a problem."
Doc said he would ask, but he doubted the man would do it. He said, “Fred and I have been delving into the human mind for years. It’s a fascinating and complex place. There's much we don't understand even today, and I think in Tiffany’s case, the risk outweighs anything you might learn.”
Ted caught Landry as he was leaving and asked if they could talk a moment. Afterwards Landry texted Cate to say he was walking home.
She texted back a smiley face and a martini glass and, "It's five o'clock and we're at Harry's Corner."
He loved Harry's, a quaint spot on Dumaine only a block from his apartment. He stepped inside, waved to the bartender, and joined Cate and Tiffany at a high-top table in the window looking out on Chartres.
"Landry! Vodka tonic?" the bartender yelled, and several patrons heard the name and turned around. He smiled and waved. This was one place he felt at home. The people here were friends, drinking buddies and locals like him who didn't gawk at a ghost hunter. Here he was just one of the boys.
He told them about Empyrion's house. Seeing the old mansion and the family cemetery raised new questions, as did Empyrion's anger at their showing up uninvited.
Jack called to say he was at the station and could they meet somewhere? He had important news.
Landry had important news too, but he had to protect Jack. "I'm having drinks with the ladies," he said. "I'll see you at the station tomorrow."
"Is it just you three? I'm a big boy, Landry. I have to conquer my demons. Avoiding bars has nothing to do with it. If I want a drink in this town, I can buy one anywhere.”
Landry had to agree it made sense, and he told Jack where they were.
Ten minutes later he joined them, ordered a Dr Pepper and said he had a research report.
Landry said he wanted to hear it, but first he had news of his own to share.
"I met with Ted today. He keeps up with what you and I are
