The Skeleton Key

PT.28

"Kathleen? I… I…"

"Ummmmm... Now isn't this a perfect picture?" Kitty smirked at the trio.

Eduard stood walking to look at her standing in front of them. "Kathleen? I didn't know you were aware we…"

Lifting her chin, and raising her brow. "Ah, dear cousin Eduard. I'm quite aware of a lot of things you weren't aware I was aware of." Now smiling a huge smile at him.

Eduard was now very nervous. "I… I… I don't understand what you mean."

"Well then, let me make things muuuuch clearer for you, Cousin. Oh and," now looking over at Patrice. "I think you may want to pay real close attention here, dear, dear girl. Just so you see exactly the kind of awful taste in men you still have."

"Jumping up from the cot she was on. "What are you talking about?" Patrice was now tired and feeling mistreated.

"Well, I just spoke to Steven Fontaine. You remember him? The LaRouge family lawyer." Not waiting for a response, "He informs me that my grandparents wrote up full depositions before they left for France. They are charging you both with extortion and blackmail, which the Constable tells me means with," now looking over at Baldwin, scowling, "with his testimony, you're looking at ten years."

Snapping around. "What kind of deal did you make?" Patrice yelled out. Henri' hung his head, but slightly raised his eyes. "You! What did you promise them?"

Kitty stood smiling.

"He's selling you out Patrice. He's going to tell them this was all your idea from the planning on down and in return he gets no prison time."

"But I will be disbarred." Henri' said, sitting quietly.

"So why did you come here, Kathleen? To gloat?"

Shaking her head. "No. I just want you both to know I'm not going to add any additional charges. I think whatever the judge decides is rightful punishment should be fair."

"Now looking confused and a bit angry. "You mean you're not going to say or do anything? I mean anything, talk to someone to fix this. Kathleen, I'm your family. I can go to jail. I don't know how to do jail. Kathleen, you have to do something. You can't let me go to jail."

"You did this, you have to." Quickly, Kitty reached through the bars grabbing Patrice's face in her hand. "No, you wait one minute, Missy. All of this is about YOU being a no good spoiled rotten little bit… UGHHHHHHH! Grandmother and Grandfather were right. You've learned absolutely nothing at all, even after what happened three years ago. So they, Matt and Mike are right. I need to just turn this over to the law and let you do the time. And you Eduard…"

"What about him?" Patrice asked.

"Eduard, I'm curious. The other night when the subject came up about the incident, involving Patrice and her ex-husband Paul, you, ummmmm, questioned her as to what it was all about."

"Well, yes I did. Cousin, I don't like surprises and I don't like things being kept from me that I feel are important especially between a man and wife."

Kitty was fighting hard to hold back a strong laugh. "Hummmm, I find that very, very odd."

"Why is that, Cousin Kathleen?"

"Well, when Steven Fontaine was at the manor, he happened to mention a few things and one of those things were that…" now looking at Patrice… "when he did all the paperwork after that fiasco, the nan who shuffled you, dear Patrice, off to that asylum in Europe was none other than your dear husband, Eduard LaRue." Kitty was now holding the paper up in front of Patrice.

The two were now screaming at one another. Kitty stood watching then yelled. "STOP! STOP! Both of you. I have one more thing to say. After this is over and you get what is coming to you, I'll be leaving New Orleans and going…"

Patrice scrunched her face, "Your little dirt town?"

Kitty ignored her comment. "When you serve your sentences, monies will be set aside for the both of you in an account. After that, it will be up to you to make your way in the world."

"But what about my home?" Patrice blurted out.

"LaRouge Manor is mine an is no more. At least, as you know it."

"What?"

"I've given the Manor over to make it a school for the blind and home for the homeless. My grandparents and I have decided this was a perfect idea and will help. So many children will benefit from it."

Patrice, trying to take in everything she was hearing, sat shaking her head till her curls came loose. She just kept repeating, "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! You can't do this to ME! You can't do this to ME!"

Shaking her head and smiling. "Oh yes, I can and I will. I will let the law do whatever they feel is necessary. It's about time you learn what real life is all about. And as for the Manor, it is already done. Signed and sealed. I know what I'm doing will be well appreciated. Amused at their arrogance, Kitty turned, leaving the jail.

Making her way out, she started to climb into her carriage. The Andre' Bakery sign advertisement caught her attention. Riding to the shop, she stopped. When the bell announced her entering, Emily was standing in the doorway. "Hello!"

"Well, hello. I'm Emily."

"Nice to meet you, Emily. I'm…"

"You're the lady!" Now Emily began to walk closer. Rose was now following behind her daughter.

"The lady?" Kitty questioned.

Emily smiled up, reaching out for her hand. "Yes, Ma'am, the lady in the wall."

Just then, Rose joined in. "Emily, it's Miss Russell."

"How did you know it was me when I came in, Emily?"

"Oh, I remember the way you smell. Lavender, vanilla and a touch of, ummm, ginger."

"Well now, smiling, "that's good, Emily. I wanted to thank you personally for helping me. You saved my life and I'll never forget you for that."

"Miss Russell, can I get you something? Please come, sit. I have coffee on."

"Oh, I… I…"

"Oh, please, Miss Russell." Emily grabbed her hand.

"Well, sure." Kitty smiled.

Sitting, having coffee with Rose and Emily. "Mrs. Andre'…"

"Please call me Rose."

"Ummm, these pastries are wonderful, Rose." Now shifting her eyes to Emily. "How long?"

Knowing what Kitty was asking, "Oh, going on five years now. Started when she was two. Doctor said it was a virus of some kind. She was real bad sick that year. We do the best we can but with the shop…"

Kitty nodded. "Rose, let me help. Ramone is a great teacher and I have signed over my home to be a school for blind and homeless children. It will be good for her, Rose. There's so much for her to learn and to be with other children. She could live there during the week and be with you and Thomas on the weekends. It would give you more time to devote to your business. My staff is staying on to help with the children. I will be funding the school. This is something my grandparents and I really wish to do. I really would like to do this for Emily. Please? I wish you'd think about this. Discuss it with Thomas. You won't regret it, I promise."

Rose sat looking at Kitty. "You and the Marsha, you are really different. Different than most people I ever met. You ever have any family of your own, Miss Russell?"

"Oh, well, my grandparents just went to France. My mother passed when I was twelve…"

"Oh, I meant children."

Kitty closed her eyes and exhaled. "No. No, I've never been fortunate enough."

Placing her hand on Kitty's. "Such a shame. You'd be a wonderful mother. You should have a house full.

Kitty smiled, letting out a small chuckle. "Oh, maybe once upon a time."

Emily came walking in from the shop. "Momma, Poppa needs you. He says just for a minute."

"Look, I'll let you get back to your work. I hope you and Thomas will please think about my offer. It would mean so much." Now with Emily right in front of her. "Emily, I have to go but I'll visit again soon."

Emily moved closer. Since Kitty was seated, she first touched her hair. Kitty sat still. "I want to see what you look lik." She gently let her hands glide over Kitty's features. "Aw, you are soooo pretty!"

"Thank you, Emily. You're very pretty too."

"What color is your hair?"

"Red."

"And your eyes?"

"Blue."

"I can see you in my mind. Can I give you a hug?"

"Of course, you can."

Emily reached over, hugging Kitty tight, whispering, "I want to learn more with Mr. Ray. He says you can help. Thank you."

TBC