Disclaimer: I only own my own creations but make them play in the True Blood world.

A/N: Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday! Here's the answer to one of the things you have been curious about. And, thanks to one of my French speaking readers, the Product name has slightly changed to "Saveur de la Vie" – the proper way to say/write, "Taste of Life" in French.

Thanks again to all of you who have followed, favorited and reviewed…this story just hit 300 reviews! That's absolutely amazing.

Chapter 19

Bon Temps, the farmhouse

Sookie POV

We are gathering around the dining room table…Eric, Lafayette, James and myself. As each person takes their place my mind wanders to the various family meals I have eaten, the bills I have paid, and the hours I spent helping Ella with her homework, all in the very same spot. Such normal, human activities. The contrast of the table now being surrounded by two vampires, a witch and a fairy does not escape me. But as my Gran taught me, the family table is the heart of the home, so I figure this is as good a place as any to try and conjure the ghost of my late husband.

Lafayette is sitting at one end of the table with me on the opposite. James and Eric have taken up the spaces between us. An uncomfortable silence has engulfed us, as no one really seems to know how to proceed. I look towards Lafayette silently asking, "What do we do now?" His answering shrug makes me sink back against my chair a bit more than before. Lafayette's abilities as a medium are not used much, as the man himself will tell you. The way I understand it, he can see and hear ghosts just as if they are you or me. On occasion, however, they can take over his body temporarily and speak and act through him. Something I found out myself when my own dead daddy tried to drown me (again) by Lafayette's hands.

As these thoughts go through my mind, I keep my eyes focused on the bowl of fruit adorning the center of the table. It looks like the bananas are getting over ripe; I will definitely be making some banana bread soon. My attempts to keep my mind off what's about to happen fail miserably, as Eric's own discomfort makes its presence known through our bond. His track record with witches has made him understandably cautious. I give his hand a little squeeze and try to send him feelings of calm. Blushing slightly as I recall the witches' spell that brought Eric and I together in the first place. His returning smile tells me his thoughts are not far from my own. In fact, I remember making use of this very table in a very unsanitary way. Lord Sookie, this is so not the time.

Another ten or so minutes go by and there doesn't seem to be any signs of his ghost or any others. I've finally managed to get my mind on the task at hand, and there doesn't seem to be a point in doing so now. All three men are facing me with similar looks of sympathy. I begin to think that we've failed. I can't hide my disappointment. It's now Eric's turn to squeeze my hand in a show of support.

"Sooks, I don't know what's stopping him from showing his pasty face, but I ain't gettin' any sense of him."

"It's ok, Lafayette. I knew this might not work, but at least we tried."

I glance back over at Eric and I see the somewhat pained expression on his face. He wanted this to work as badly as I did. Both of us are anxious to begin our new life together and recognize this as the hurdle that it is. It makes my heart swell just knowing that he cares enough to allow me the chance to deal with all this, before expecting me to move forward. As Eric starts to remove his hand from mine, three things happen simultaneously. First, Eric's grip tightens back on mine, almost painfully. Second, Lafayette's eyes widen as he clearly glimpses something. And finally, I see an image of my deceased spouse reflected in the mirror of the china cabinet to my right.

I watch as the figure walks towards the table, stopping just behind James. Lafayette speaks up, letting him know that we're all here for him, and that he wants to help him speak to me. My husband turns his face from Laf's to mine, with a sad smile and a nod. In a blink he is standing next to Lafayette, and with an audible gasp from his host, he disappears inside of Lafayette's body.

I hear my name being called. It's Lafayette's voice, but it's all wrong. It takes me a moment to realize I'm supposed to respond, "Yes. I'm right here. Is it really you?" The last part comes out shakier than I intended, and it's only now that I realize I am crying. The tears are rolling off my cheeks and landing on the table with a wet splash.

"Yeah, Cookie. It's me."

I know from his use of my pet name that it's true. He had taken to calling me that when I started the catering business, thinking it was a fun play on words. I never really cared for it, but never had the heart to say so. I am brought out of my musings with his next words.

"I don't have much time. You need to know," he says.

"What? What do I need to know?" I ask now suddenly panicked.

"It wasn't an accident. It was the vampire."

My voice rises as my fear and confusion increases, "What vampire? What do you mean?"

"He killed me, Cookie. He took me from you and Ella. I love you both so much."

"We love you too. Please. Just tell me who did this to you?" It feels like hours pass as I wait for his answer. Lafayette is staring straight at me, but I can tell he can't see. Finally, he opens his mouth to speak again, but the only word he utters is "goodbye". As soon as the word leaves his mouth, Laf's eyes start to flutter and his body droops as if he's been deflated.

"I don't understand. A vampire killed my husband. No, it was a drunk driver. They said he ran through the red light and hit the driver's side door." I am clearly in denial.

"That may be, however, it could be that the driver was influenced by a vampire to do so," Eric replies.

"Oh my god," I cover my mouth as the reality sinks in.

"Sookie, we will figure this out. I would have looked into the crash sooner if there had been any reason to suspect foul play."

James has moved over to Lafayette, checking to make sure he is alright. "Damn, Sooks. I'm so sorry sugar. If it helps, I could feels the love he had for you and El and I think he's moved on now. You helped him find his peace."

The tears run freely now, and I make no attempt to stop them. Distressed, Eric gets up and wraps his arms around me, leaning his head on top of mine. The motion surprises me, and my shoulders stiffen involuntarily. Sensing my discomfort, Eric immediately withdraws.

"Sookie, what's wrong?" His eyes search mine in an attempt to better read my emotions.

My mind is a whirlwind of thoughts. My husband was murdered. It wasn't an accident. A vampire was behind it. As connections in my mind are being made and unmade, one uncomfortable thought manages to escape…what if it was Eric? I shut down the thought as soon as I can, but not before that tiny flicker of fear and distrust makes itself known. I know Eric felt it. His head jerks back as if slapped. "You can't possibly think I was involved?" the hurt so evident in his voice. In the past, Eric would have been indignant and would most likely have stormed off. My fear that he would now has me reaching out and grabbing his hands, before he has the chance to move away from me.

"Eric, I don't know what to think right now. I just need a moment to process all this." I stroke my thumbs over the backs of his hands. "He said it was a vampire, my mind just started going through all the vampires I know, and whether or not they would have any reason to do something so horrible. I know you would never hurt me like that."

"No. I wouldn't. And you have the ability to know if I'm telling the truth." The bond. Even though it's not yet complete, it allows us to feel the others' emotions and intents. I can tell he is weighing his next words very carefully. "I. Was. Not. Involved." The words are harshly spoken, but his eyes reflect only love and concern…and the words ring true. If I know my vampire, it's the thought of who IS responsible that is causing him so much distress.

James speaks up, "Seems to me if he meant either Eric or I were "the vampire" he would have pointed at us or something."

"I agree, James. What concerns me more is that we have no idea which vampire did this," Eric adds. "And more importantly…why?"

That is the million-dollar question. Why would someone kill my husband and make it look like an accident? If he hadn't told me himself that the evil doer was a vampire, I might suspect some fairy involvement. As if reading my mind, Eric says the fake accident was probably meant to keep anyone from suspecting an ulterior motive. Plus, it kept people from asking any questions. Clearly frustrated, Eric inquires, "What are we missing?"

"I don't know." I shake my head and shrug my shoulders feeling completely drained.

"Sookie, I know this is unpleasant, but can you try to think about what the effects were of his loss? What was impacted the most?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"For instance, who owns your house and the land?"

"It's in my name."

"Good. Who takes possession if something happens to you?"

"Ella."

"And if something happens to Ella?"

I feel my body go rigid at the thought.

"I'm not implying anything, we're just theorizing. Try to not let this upset you."

"That's easier said than done." I take a deep breath and reply, "It would go to Jason and/or his family if neither Ella nor I were alive."

"So logically, there would be no motive that involved the house or land. Were there any other investments or funds that were in your husband's name of any importance?"

"No. Not that I know of. He had a pretty good life insurance policy, but that money has been invested in the catering company and Saveur de la Vie."

"So that is a possible motive. A vampire that stands to make money from your business ventures." A small frown forms on his face as he continues, "Which after eliminating myself and James, leaves only Pam and the Dallas vampires."

"Well I know it wasn't Pam." I say without hesitation.

"I concur. As to the Dallas contingency, they were not even aware of your business venture until long after your husband's passing."

I let out a huff, "So then we're back to square one."

"We are not done yet. Did he have any outstanding debts or gambling markers that you are aware of?"

"No."

"Could there be any bad blood between him and his family? Maybe an old friend turned enemy?"

"No, Eric. His parents are both gone. He had a sister, but she lives is Washington D.C. and they barely kept in touch. They seemed friendly with each other though."

Sensing my irritation, he calmly says, "I know this is hard for you. But we must try and figure out who is responsible. You may still be a target or in danger or some kind."

"It must be a Tuesday," I retort more sarcastically than intended. "I'm sorry. I know you're trying to help. I just hate being suspicious of everyone."

"It's because you have such a big heart and you want to think the best of people. It's one of the things that I love about you. That being said, and please don't get angry with me for asking, but is there any chance he was involved romantically with someone else?" My mouth drops open at the shock of his question. Before I get all worked up, I feel his calming influence through the bond, and his sincerity.

"I suppose anything is possible, but I don't really think so."

"I did not assume that he did, but as they say, I am simply trying to cover all the bases. Love and money are usually the two largest motives in violent crimes…even when dealing with vampires."

"Well, from where I'm sitting, the only by-product of this that I can see is the pain and suffering it caused me, Ella and our community."

Eric's head snaps up as I finish my rant. "I think you may be on to something."

"Huh?" I wasn't following his logic.

"Sometimes, the answer is the most obvious one." He continues, "If the effect of your husband's death was the pain it caused your family and the people of Bon Temps, maybe that WAS the motive."

"You think someone was purposely trying to hurt me? That they wanted to cause pain?"

"For lack of any better reason, that is exactly what I think. Who is so upset at you and the people of Bon Temps that they would go to such great lengths for revenge or retribution?"

"Don't you mean what vampire?"

"Perhaps. Or, an individual who would enlist the help of one," he answers.

"Eric, you know as well as I do how many enemies I've made over the years. Most of them are gone. I haven't had any trouble for years. None since the end of the Hep V epidemic actually." I think about all the threats I once faced and try my best to remember anyone that may have felt wronged by me or my friends. "If they wanted to get back at me or the town, they would have to have some connection with it too, wouldn't they?"

James has been listening to our exchange and adds, "Not necessarily. If you had hurt their loved one, it could be a family member seeking revenge…vampiric or human."

"Well that doesn't narrow it down at all," I grumble. "It's not you, James, this whole thing has me in a mood. Forgive me. Please don't take it personally."

"It's ok, Sookie. I get it. I just wish there was more I can do to help."

Eric has been quietly mulling things over, but at James' last statement he speaks up, "Since you brought it up, I'd say there is quite a bit you can do to help." At the blank look on James' face, Eric continues, "Since we are no closer to identifying the perpetrator of the crime, but know that Sookie was an intended victim, I want you staying as close to her as possible in the coming weeks. With VampCon coming up and the product launch, we need to be even more mindful of security. Since I am going to be tied up back in LA with the production and Marketing pieces, I need you here."

"Absolutely. I'm on it," says James.

"Good. On a positive note, we are one step ahead at least."

"How do you figure?" I ask.

"Whoever is behind all this is counting on the fact that your husband's death remains an accident. They don't know that you now know the truth. You have eliminated their strategic advantage…the element of surprise."