Based Upon The ABC Television Series Created By Sidney Sheldon
Written By Sara Duckworth
Hart House Day
Jennifer is standing up on the balcony overlooking the living room one afternoon. She is reading a book that she picked up from a shelf. She glances over some pages as she starts to head toward the spiral staircase. The telephone rings. Jennifer continues reading as she carefully makes her way down the stairs. She walks over to the couch facing the desk and takes a seat. Max walks into the room from the door leading into the kitchen.
"You have a telephone call, Mrs. H," he says, turning to face Jennifer. "It's your favorite Stanford professor," he tells her with a smile.
"Elliot?!" Jennifer asks with a smile looking up at Max. She is surprised. She is delighted that her former teacher wants to talk to her. Jennifer places the book down on the coffee table and picks up the telephone receiver from the table beside her. "Elliot, this is a surprise! What are you up to these days?"
"Researching voodoo here in New Orleans," Elliot Laurence, Jennifer's former teacher, replies from the other end of the line. "I suppose you are wondering what one of the world's acclaimed literary critics is doing researching voodoo instead of spending his time studying and criticizing books."
"Well, that thought had crossed my mind," Jennifer confesses.
"I occasionally like to expand my horizons in the literary field. After finding out I was writing those trashy romance novels under the name of Victoria Gregory, I am sure you don't find that difficult to believe. I thought voodoo would be an interesting topic to tackle. The public is fascinated by black magic of any kind."
"That sounds like a fascinating assignment. I wouldn't mind researching voodoo myself," Jennifer replies, intrigued.
"I was hoping you would think so because I need your help. Do you have any writing assignments that require your attention?"
"Not at the moment. How can I help?"
"You can come down to New Orleans to assist me in my research. Ever since I came down here to research for my new book, I have found voodoo to be fascinating. I know your last visit down here you and Jonathan got more than you expected. However, I can assure you this trip will be nothing, but educational. What do you say? I'll understand if you decline the offer, but remember New Orleans can be a fun city to visit. I'll even give you and Jonathan the first night out on the town."
"Jonathan does love jazz and voodoo sounds very intriguing so what else can I say expect New Orleans here we come," Jennifer replies in a Southern accent with a smile.
Hart House
Max is in the kitchen cooking lasagna early that evening when Jonathan walks into the room. Max has an apron on like always when he is cooking.
"Lasagna smells good, Max," Jonathan says with a smile walking over to him. "When will it be ready? You haven't cooked Italian in a while."
"Yeah, Pauline got me interested in tryin' my hand in her recipes. I thought you and Mrs. H would rather eat lasagna tonight. Lasagna should be ready by the time she gets home from the library," Max says, looking up at him.
"I thought Jennifer had finished her latest article."
"Oh, she ain't workin' on an article, Mr. H. She is doin' research for a book. Probably has to do with that call she got from her Stanford professor."
"Elliot Laurence? I wonder what he is writing about this time," Jonathan replies.
The door to the kitchen from the living room opens, and Jennifer walks in carrying a stack of books in her hands.
"Hello, darling," Jonathan says with a smile walking over to his wife.
"Hello," Jennifer replies with a smile as they kiss on the lips.
"What did you do? Check out the entire library?" Jonathan asks as he takes some of the books.
"It's more like I checked out every book on voodoo," Jennifer replies as they walk over to the table where they place the books down on a chair.
"What are you doing? Studying to be a witch doctor?" Jonathan asks, joking. He picks up a book and looks at the cover. "I hope you're not planning on putting a hex on me," he says with a smile.
"Very funny!" Jennifer exclaims with a smile. "Don't give me any ideas, darling," she says with a wink. "Elliot Laurence called this afternoon. He is in New Orleans researching voodoo for a book. He wants me to help in his research."
"Is it a new romance novel, Mrs. H?" Max asks with a smile. "He could call it Romance And Voodoo In New Orleans," he says thrilled at the idea.
Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances.
"No, Max," Jennifer replies with a grin turning to face him. "Elliot has given up writing romance novels. He wants to write about voodoo. He finds it intriguing."
"I find it cuckoo," Max says in disbelief.
"I don't think Elliot has you in mind as one of his enduring readers," Jonathan replies, turning to him.
Jonathan and Jennifer take a seat at the table beside each other.
"I wouldn't have thought you would feel that way about voodoo since you watch those Universal monster films," Jennifer says.
"It's just them folks in New Orleans take voodoo too seriously," Max tells her.
"Voodoo is part of their culture."
"So is jazz. Besides, what does voodoo have that romance doesn't?"
"That is a good question," Jonathan says, thinking Max has a good point. "What does voodoo have that romance doesn't, darling?" he asks, turning to look at his wife.
"I'll have to ask the professor. I'm sure it has something to do with popularity."
"Well, darling, this particular member of the human population finds romance so much more appealing," Jonathan says, kissing her on the lips.
"I know where you can find it for a reasonable offer," Jennifer replies seductively. She shoots him a wink before kissing her husband.
New Orleans
Jonathan and Jennifer are unpacking in the bedroom of their suite at Hotel Monteleone. A knock comes at the door. They walk over to the door. Jennifer opens the door to find Max standing out in the corridor wearing a gris-gris bag around his neck. She and Jonathan exchange glances as Max walks in.
"Max, what are you doing wearing that?" Jonathan asks, pointing to the bag.
"Oh, this, Mr. H?" Max asks as he shuts the door behind him. "It's a gris-gris bag. This bag has herbs, roots, and oil ground together."
"The bags are told to bring good luck, darling," Jennifer explains, turning to her husband.
"Yeah, I purchased it to protect me from evil," Max says.
"What happened to voodoo just being cuckoo?" Jonathan asks.
"I still believe that voodoo is cuckoo. I just bought it to be on the safe side. Ain't goin' to hurt just to be cautious."
"I'm surprised you didn't buy us a gris-gris bag," Jennifer replies.
"I can still buy you and Mr. H one," Max says. "I'm goin' back out any way to have my fortune told."
"Your fortune told? Max, just because we are in New Orleans doesn't mean you have to bother to act like a typical tourist," Jennifer tells him in disbelief.
"I know, but I ain't got nothin' else to do."
"You know you could try sightseeing. Jennifer and I are going to see the sights just as soon as we unpack," Jonathan says.
"Sightseein' here ain't up my alley. Now Bourbon Street and all that jazz are. I'll see you later," Max replies, opening the door.
He walks out, leaving Jonathan and Jennifer in shock at how Max is going to be occupying his time. Jonathan shakes his head as he chuckles.
"You know, darling, sometimes I worry about Max," Jennifer says with concern.
"He is just his normal self, darling. I wouldn't worry unless he decides to buy us all voodoo dolls," Jonathan replies in a joking manner.
Jennifer rolls her eyes as a knock comes at the door. She opens it to find Elliot standing out in the corridor.
"Elliot, it is so good to see you again!" Jennifer exclaims, embracing her old professor as he walks in.
"Jennifer, I can't tell you how good it is to see my favorite student again!" Elliot exclaims with a smile shutting the door behind him. "Hello, Jonathan! I appreciate you supporting Jennifer in assisting me in my research," he says, turning to Jonathan.
"Elliot, Jennifer thinks the world of you, and I always support my wife in everything she does. Besides, how could I resist a chance to hear good jazz music here in New Orleans?" Jonathan answers with a smile.
"Your love of jazz is why I came to see you. Ella Fitzgerald is in town. She will be performing at one of the popular clubs in the French Quarter tonight starting at exactly seven o' clock. If you accompany me to the club to hear Miss Fitzgerald sing, I would be honored. The band will be playing favorite jazz songs, and I believe they do take request."
"That sounds great!" Jonathan exclaims with a smile.
"Yes, do you suppose Jonathan could be allowed to play his trumpet? He is excellent. He played with a band. Steve Allen even performed with them."
"Maybe," Elliot replies. "We'll have to see. I am going to rush off now. I have stumbled onto something that needs further investigating."
"Why the secrecy?" Jennifer asks with anticipation.
"For two reasons, Jennifer," Elliot says as he places his hand on the doorknob. "The first is after today I am going to be keeping you so busy in helping me with my research you won't have time to enjoy all of what New Orleans has to offer. The second for the time being what I have discovered needs to be kept secret until I have gathered all the facts. I promise you won't be kept in the dark much longer. Now, I'll pick you and Jonathan up at exactly six thirty sharp."
"We'll be ready on time," Jennifer assures him as he opens the door.
"I know you will. Being prompt was always one of your strong points," Elliot replies as he opens the door. He walks out, leaving Jonathan and Jennifer alone.
"I wonder what Elliot is keeping to himself for the time being," Jennifer says, turning around to face her husband.
"Maybe some dark secret from New Orleans' past, darling," Jonathan replies, taking her in his arms. "Like a husband shot his wife's lover in a jealous rage."
"I hope nothing that mysterious," Jennifer says with a smile with their arms wrapped around each other's back.
"Remember this is New Orleans, and anything goes," Jonathan tells her giving her a kiss on the lips.
"Darling, we still have to unpack," Jennifer reminds him.
"It can wait. Elliot is going to have you all to himself while we are here. If I am willing to share you, at least you can allow me to make advances when we are together," Jonathan replies seductively.
"I suppose I can't resist gracefully," Jennifer says with a smile.
Jonathan looks at Jennifer with a mischievous grin and shakes his head.
"What are we waiting for then?" Jennifer asks with a wink.
Jonathan smiles. They embrace and begin kissing on the lips.
Pete’s Place
That night Jennifer, Jonathan, Max, and Elliot Laurence are enjoying one of the famous jazz clubs on Bourbon Street. The owner, Pete Fountain, is playing his clarinet along with members, Oliver Stick Felix on bass, John Probst on piano, Paul Guma on guitar, Godfrey Hirsch on vibes, and Jack Sperling on drums. The band is playing, “Clarinet Marmalade.” Max, Jonathan, and Jennifer are tapping their fingers to the beat of the music.
“Now this is my kind of jazz, Mr. and Mrs. H,” Max says with a smile turning to the Harts.
Just then the band finishes playing their number to outstanding applause from the audience.
“And now ladies and gentlemen, the moment you all have been waiting for. I present Miss Ella Fitzgerald!” Pete Fountain declares as he faces the audience with his clarinet in hand.
Ella Fitzgerald takes to the stage with everyone standing up and giving a warm welcome to the famous singer. After the applause dies down, Ella begins singing, “That Old Black Magic,” while Pete and members of his band play the melody on their instruments.
“That old black magic got me in its spell
That old black magic that you weave so well
Those icy fingers up and down my spine
That same old witchcraft when your eyes meet mine
That same old tingle that I feel inside
And when that elevator starts its ride
Darling, down and down I go, round and round I go
Like a leaf caught that’s in the tide
I should stay away, but what can I do
I hear your name, and I’m aflame
Aflame with
Such a burning desire
That only your kiss can put out the fire
You're the lover
You're the lover
You're the lover
You're the lover
I have waited for
The mate that fate has me created for
And every time your lips meet mine
Darling, down and down I go,
Round and round I go
In a spin, I'm loving the spin that I’m in
I'm under that old black magic called love.
Yes, I'm in a spin, I'm loving the spin I'm in
I'm under that old black magic called love.
Got me spinning and spinning and spinning around
Like an elevator's going down
In this magic, black magic called love."
The audience, especially Jonathan, Jennifer, Max, and Elliot, give her outstanding applause before Ella begins singing her next number, “That’s My Desire.”
“To spend one night with you in our old rendezvous,
And reminisce with you that’s my desire.
To meet where gypsies play, down in that dim cafe,
And dance till break of day that’s my desire.
We’ll sip a little glass of wine, I’ll gaze into your eyes divine.
I’ll feel the touch of your lips pressing on mine.
To hear you whisper low just when it’s time to go,
Cherie, I love you so, that’s my desire.
To spend one night with you in our old rendezvous,
And reminisce with you that’s my desire.
To meet where gypsies play, down in that dim cafe,
And dance till break of day that’s my desire.
We’ll sip a little glass of wine, I’ll gaze into your eyes divine.
I’ll feel the touch of your lips pressing on mine.
To hear you whisper low just when it’s time to go,
Cherie, I love you so, that’s my desire.”
After Ella Fitzgerald finishes singing her songs, Jonathan walks up to the stage with his trumpet and plays, “Sweet Georgia Brown,” along with the band. The audience, especially Jennifer burst, into applause after he finishes playing the song.
“Excuse me. I have something I need to do. I’ll be right back,” Elliot says, turning to Jennifer before walking away.
Jennifer watches her old college professor disappear out of sight with a look of concern on her face.
“Thank you very much,” Jonathan tells the audience. “And now I would like to sing for you and my wife a song made popular by Frank Sinatra, “Witchcraft,” he says, turning to Jennifer with a smile.
Pete and his band begin playing the melody to Witchcraft with Jonathan singing. He is snapping his fingers to the beat of the song with a smile as he stares out at the audience.
“Those fingers in my hair
That sly come hither stare
That strips my conscience bare
It’s witchcraft.
And I’ve got no defense for it,
The heat is too intense for it.
What good would common sense for it do?
‘Cause it’s witchcraft
Wicked witchcraft,
And although I know it’s strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me,
My heart says yes indeed in me,
Proceed with what your leading me to
It’s such an ancient pitch,
But one I wouldn’t switch
‘Cause there’s no nicer witch than you.”
Jonathan winks at his wife as he sings the last lyrics. Jennifer shoots her husband a wink back. The band takes over from here playing the instrumental piece before Jonathan continues singing the rest of the song.
“ ‘Cause it’s witchcraft,
That crazy witchcraft,
And although I know it’s strictly taboo
When you arouse the need in me,
My heart says yes indeed in me,
Proceed with what your leading me to…
It’s such an ancient pitch,
But one that I would never switch,
‘Cause there’s no nicer witch than you.”
The audience gives Jonathan an applause.
“Thank you!” Jonathan tells the audience. “And now I am going to rejoin my wife while Pete and his band continue playing for you,” he tells them. “Thank you, Pete, for letting me take over,” Jonathan says, turning to Pete Fountain before walking away from the stage with his trumpet.
Pete and his band continue playing favorite jazz songs as Jonathan makes his way over to the table to rejoin Jennifer and Max.
“Swell job, Mr. H! Sinatra himself would be proud!” Max tells him with a smile.
“Thank you, Max,” Jonathan replies with a grin retaking his seat next to Jennifer. “Where did Elliot go?” he asks, noticing the professor’s absence as he places his instrument down.
“I don’t know. Elliot just excused himself. He had something to do. Elliot told me he would be right back,” Jennifer replies.
Elliot walks up to the table.
“You’ll have to forgive me. Something has just come up. I need to go. I’ll see you, Jennifer, tomorrow at eleven o’ clock. I must go now,” Elliot tells them.
“Elliot, is something wrong?” Jennifer asks with worry having a feeling her professor is in trouble.
“Just something that requires my attention at the moment. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow morning. Goodnight. I’m sorry I missed your performance, Jonathan,” Elliot replies before hurrying away.
“I wonder what that is all about,” Jonathan says.
“I’m sure it is nothin’. Elliot must just be workin’ himself too hard. Them teachers never take a break,” Max says.
“I don’t think Elliot’s behavior has anything to do with working himself too hard, Max,” Jennifer replies.
“How about we take a ride, darling?” Jonathan asks, turning to his wife.
Jennifer smiles. They rise from the table.
“Hey, you are goin’ to miss the music,” Max tells them in surprise as Jonathan takes Jennifer’s hand.
“Don’t worry. I know all the jazz songs,” Jonathan replies, turning to face him.
“Enjoy the music for us,” Jennifer says. “Jonathan and I will come back another night.”
Jonathan smiles as they walk away leaving Max to enjoy Pete Fountain and his band alone. Max shrugs as he continues listening to the music.
Meanwhile, Jonathan is helping Jennifer into a carriage right out front of the club. He gets in, and the driver takes off. The driver begins taking the Harts on a tour of the French Quarter.
“Darling, Max was right. You did sound like Frank Sinatra,” Jennifer says with a smile as they wrap their arms around each other.
“Yes, I thought I did too, darling,” Jonathan replies with a smile. “Only keep it a secret. I don’t want my enduring public hounding me with autograph requests,” he says in a whisper.
Jennifer chuckles at her husband’s sense of humor.
“Did I hear you say Frank Sinatra was performing at Pete’s?” the driver asks them.
“In a way, Frank was. Tonight was his last performance,” Jonathan replies casually.
“Ella Fitzgerald is performing for the rest of the week though,” Jennifer tells the driver.
“I’ll have to let my wife know. She is a big fan of Fitzgerald.”
“I don’t think music is actually on your mind,” Jonathan says, facing his wife after a few moments of silence.
“It is just not like Elliot to be so secretive. He seems preoccupied. I have a feeling he has stumbled onto something that could put his life in danger.”
“Well, hopefully, tomorrow you can get him to open up about what he found out.”
“I’m sure after the way he behaved tonight, Elliot will let me know about his discovery.”
“In the meantime we have moonlight, a carriage escorting us around, and we have each other,” Jonathan replies with a smile. He leans over and kisses Jennifer on the lips.
They reach a residential part of the French Quarter. They embrace as they come upon an old house. Jonathan glances up as they hear two men arguing on a balcony. Their back is towards them. The mysterious men are wearing raincoats and have a hat covering up their face.
“That’s odd,” Jonathan thinks out loud as he continues looking at the men while Jennifer is continuing to embrace him.
“What is?” Jennifer asks, ignoring the shouting.
“Those two men on a balcony are wearing a raincoat and a hat. It’s too hot to be wearing a coat and hat,” he replies as Jennifer turns around.
She sees the men her husband is observing. They continue shouting, unaware the Harts are watching them. Jennifer and Jonathan keep looking at them as the carriage passes by the house. The men are out of sight now.
“Remember what you said, darling,” Jennifer says, turning to face him. “This is New Orleans, and anything goes.”
“If they wear a raincoat and hat when it’s not even raining I hate to see what they wear when it is pouring,” Jonathan replies. “Oh, driver, once more around the park, please,” he says, turning to the driver.
“You got it!” the driver exclaims without turning around.
The carriage continues driving around the French Quarter as Jonathan and Jennifer embrace once more.
Hotel Monteleone The Following Morning
Jonathan and Jennifer are heading out of the hotel when the desk clerk calls out to them.
“Mrs. Hart!” he exclaims, holding onto the receiver of a telephone on the front desk.
“Yes?” Jennifer answers, walking over to the front desk along with her husband.
“You have a call from an Elliot Laurence. You can take the call here, Mrs. Hart,” he replies, handing Jennifer the receiver.
“Elliot, I’m heading on my way now,” Jennifer says into the receiver with a smile.
“Jennifer, I can’t explain over the telephone, but I want you and Jonathan to meet me at Saint Louis Cemetery No. 2. right away. I’ll be waiting for you at Marie Laveau’s tomb. If something happens to me, my notebook will explain everything,” Elliot replies with panic and alarm in his voice before hanging up the receiver.
A look of fear comes over Jennifer’s face as she hangs up the receiver.
“Darling, what’s the matter?” Jonathan asks.
“Elliot wants us to meet him at Saint Louis Cemetery No. 2. He will be waiting at Marie Laveau’s tomb,” Jennifer replies, turning to face him. “Jonathan, with way he was talking it sounded like he thinks his life is in danger,” she says with worry.
“Come on,” Jonathan replies, taking his wife’s hand. “We’ll take a taxi to the cemetery,” he says as they start toward the front entrance.
Jonathan and Jennifer walk out of the hotel. To their luck, a taxi is at the curb. They rush over and get into the vehicle.
“To Saint Louis Cemetery No. 2 please,” Jennifer says, turning to the driver. “And hurry. It’s an emergency,” she adds as Jonathan starts to shut the
door.
The taxi starts to drive off.
“Did Elliot explain what is going on?” Jonathan asks as the taxi speeds away from the hotel.
“No, Elliot said he couldn’t explain over the phone. He just said to meet him at the cemetery.“How far is the cemetery?” Jennifer asks with worry hoping they will get to the graveyard before some harm comes to her old college professor.
“Seven minutes,” the taxi driver replies.
The taxi approaches the cemetery soon after. The driver brings the car to a stop on the side of the street. Jonathan and Jennifer get out. Jonathan takes out his wallet and pays the driver as Jennifer heads into the cemetery. Jonathan joins Jennifer. She is looking for Marie Laveau’s tomb.
“Jonathan, I think we should split up,” Jennifer says, turning to him. “You go look for Marie’s tomb left while I look right,” she tells him, taking off before Jonathan can respond.
Jonathan walks off in the other direction. He carefully looks around for Marie Laveau’s tomb for any sign of Elliot Laurence. Jonathan decides that heading down another path would be a better way of looking for the professor to spare time. He heads straight down across from him. Just as Jonathan is about to turn left something catches the attention out of the corner of his eye. He stops and sees what appears to be a person lying on the ground right next to a tomb. Jonathan can only see the legs of the unknown person from where he is standing. He suspects something is seriously wrong. Jonathan runs toward the tomb.
“Elliot, are you all right? It is Jonathan,” he says as he reaches the tomb. He sees the inscription on the tomb and realizes it is Marie Laveau’s. Jonathan walks over to the side of the tomb. He sees Elliot lying facedown on the ground with a knife sticking out of his back. Jonathan sighs as he bends down. He feels for a pulse.
“Jennifer!” Jonathan shouts out.
Within a matter of seconds, Jennifer’s footsteps are heard coming toward his direction. Jonathan is about to stand up when he notices a voodoo doll with a pin sticking in the back. It is right next to Elliot’s body. Jennifer comes rushing up to him. A look of sadness comes across her face upon seeing Jonathan standing over Elliot’s motionless body.
“He’s been stabbed,” Jonathan says as he looks up at her.
Jennifer places a hand over her mouth. Jonathan walks over to her and puts his arms around her as he attempts to console his wife. He can’t stop staring at
the voodoo doll.
Soon after reporting the murder of Elliot Laurence, Jennifer is being questioned by a police officer overseeing the murder investigation. Jonathan stands by her side. They are standing in another part of the cemetery away from where Jonathan discovered Elliot’s body.
“The last time I saw Elliot alive was before he left Pete’s Place last night,” Jennifer is telling the lieutenant who is a tall and handsome man in his late sixties.
“All you know is, Mrs. Hart, is that Elliot Laurence was researching voodoo for a new book which he wanted you to assist him in?” the lieutenant asks as he takes down notes in a book.
“Yes.”
“Well, I think that wraps up this case,” the lieutenant replies as he places his pen away in his suit.
“What do you mean that wraps up this case?” Jennifer asks taken aback by the officer’s lack of interest in finding Elliot’s killer.
“Isn’t the usual standard to start looking for suspects?” Jonathan asks.
“Mr. Hart, murders are committed every day here in this city. As a businessman from Los Angeles, you must be aware that homicide is so common in big cities. People have been found stabbed in the back with a voodoo doll by their body in cemeteries for weeks now. It looks like your old professor just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time,” the lieutenant tells him casually.
“You mean there is some homicidal maniac just going around New Orleans killing people for no apparent reason?”
“Looks that way.”
“Doesn’t that bother you? I mean I think with New Orleans being a popular city for tourist you would want to assure people that you are doing all you can to guarantee their safety,” Jonathan replies, surprised at the officer’s attitude.
“What about that telephone call I received from Elliot before we left the hotel and his notebook that is missing? I told you he mentioned he stumbled onto something,” Jennifer says with annoyance. She is angry and shocked at the lieutenant’s careless behavior about her old professor meeting his untimely demise.
“A homicidal maniac doesn’t go around stealing something that belonged to their victim,” Jonathan adds.
“Lieutenant Bergeron, Elliot Laurence wasn’t just my professor and mentor. He was a friend. I would like to see justice served and the killer to be caught,” Jennifer says, losing her patience, but managing to stay calm.
“I cannot make any promises, but my fellow officers and I will see what can be done to find Laurence’s killer.”
“That is not good enough!” Jennifer exclaims, raising her voice a little.
“Mrs. Hart, I know you have lost a good friend and someone you looked up to, but don’t take it out on the police. We will look into his death.”
“My wife is not going to be the only one losing her patience, Lieutenant Bergeron, if you don’t start taking this murder seriously!” Jonathan exclaims, raising his voice a little too, glaring at the officer. “If you don’t start investigating Elliot Laurence’s death, I am going to pay a visit to the commissioner. A man has been stabbed in broad daylight here in this cemetery, and you act as if the victim was just some homeless person that was murdered. Laurence was a respected and well-known person in the literary field, so I think he deserves respect like any other upstanding person in the community.”
“I’ll investigate Laurence’s death. Just don’t get your hopes up, Mr. and Mrs. Hart,” Lieutenant Bergeron replies calmly with a sigh.
“We won’t. You just be sure to take this homicide seriously and keep us up to date,” Jonathan tells him firmly.
“I will keep that in mind. You keep in mind that New Orleans has a high crime rate.”
“And I suppose we shouldn’t bother about Elliot appearing afraid for his life and his secrecy,” Jennifer says.
“I just don’t see why someone would want to kill a professor over his research for voodoo. Looking into voodoo isn’t exactly a motive for murder.”
“Keeping a discovery to yourself and ending up in a cemetery with a knife in your back with a voodoo doll by your side isn’t exactly every day normal routine.”
“Yes, well, that is the Big Easy for you,” Lieutenant Bergeron replies with a shrug. “Don’t try to figure out why anything strange occurs in this city. I’ll be keeping Elliot Laurence’s behavior and activities in mind while taking charge of this investigation.”
“That certainly puts my mind at ease,” Jennifer remarks sarcastically.
“That is the best I can do,” the lieutenant says unfazed as he walks away, leaving Jonathan and Jennifer shocked.
“A professor ends up dead in this cemetery with a knife in his back, and he is acting like we just reported a traffic violation,” Jonathan says, turning to face his wife.
“Do you believe his theory of Elliot being the victim of a homicidal maniac?” Jennifer asks, turning to face her husband.
“I believe his theory as much as I believe some voodoo curse killed Elliot. Let’s go back to the hotel. We can decide what to do next there,” Jonathan replies. He takes Jennifer’s hand.
They start to walk out of the cemetery together when the lieutenant stops them. He approaches them with the voodoo doll in his hand.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hart, I thought you would like to take this voodoo doll with you. We don’t have any use for it,” Lieutenant Bergeron says, handing Jennifer the doll. “There won’t be any fingerprints on it,” he explains before walking away.
Jennifer hands Jonathan the doll. They exchange glances before walking straight out. Just as Jonathan and Jennifer are about to head back to their taxi, a young black teenager bumps into Jonathan.
“Oh, excuse me, sir,” he says as an old woman, wearing a fortune-teller’s costume, comes up to them.
“Care to have your fortune told? I can predict the future for you and your wife,” she says as the young man reaches into Jonathan’s pocket. He takes out his wallet and begins searching through it.
“Thanks, but my wife and I had enough surprises for one day,” Jonathan replies politely.
“Someone very close to you has been cursed by voodoo!” the woman exclaims with alarm noticing the doll in Jonathan’s hand. “Beware and be on guard! Evil forces are at work!” she warns them, pointing her finger at them as the teenager places Jonathan’s wallet back into his pocket.
Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances. They walk up to the taxi as the woman stares after them. Jonathan holds the door open, and Jennifer gets into the backseat. Jonathan gets in and shuts the door. The taxi drives off as the fortune-teller continues staring after them.
Meanwhile, the young teenager, is approaching a car out of sight. He knocks on the back window of the vehicle. The window rolls down, and the young man
hands Jonathan’s driver’s license to an unseen passenger in the backseat. The passenger hands him an envelope of cash before rolling up the window. The stranger looks at Jonathan’s photo and
looks over the license.
Hotel Monteleone
Jonathan and Jennifer are sitting on a couch in their suite. They are both silent as they each are thinking over Elliot’s murder.
“One thing is for sure whoever killed Elliot wants the police to believe it had something to do with voodoo,” Jonathan says as he stares at the voodoo doll on the coffee table in front of them.
“I think it is more like the killer wanted them to believe it was just another random murder in a cemetery, darling,” Jennifer replies. “The lieutenant did mention the other victims were found with a doll by their side.”
“So whoever is responsible wants Elliot’s death to look like another murder by a homicidal maniac.”
“Without Elliot’s notebook we don’t have anything to go on,” Jennifer says in disappointment. “If only we could find it.”
“Maybe Lieutenant Bergeron will come through and find something.”
“Do you honestly believe that?” Jennifer asks, looking at her husband with a look of doubt.
“In all honesty, darling, no,” Jonathan confesses looking at her.
He notices his wife is staring at the voodoo doll.
“If only that voodoo doll could talk,” Jennifer says contemplating. “That was strange how that fortune-teller just showed up out of nowhere as we were leaving,” she tells her husband, returning her attention to him.
“And casually offered to tell us our fortune,” Jonathan replies. A look of worry comes over his face. He reaches into his pocket and takes out his wallet.
“Darling, what’s the matter?” Jennifer asks, wondering why Jonathan is taking out his wallet.
“Remember when that young boy ran into me?” Jonathan asks as he opens his wallet.
“You think he and that fortune-teller were used as a distraction?”
“Yes, and the fact that my driver’s license is missing only confirms my suspicions,” Jonathan replies with a sigh upon noticing his driver’s license is gone.
“What?!!!” Jennifer asks, stunned. “Since when do people take a person’s driver’s license, but not any money?”
“The killer must have paid them off so he could find out who I am,” Jonathan says, placing his wallet back into his pocket. “I am going to report this to the lieutenant. I like to hear how is he going to explain this,” he tells his wife, rising to his feet.
Jonathan walks over to a table to pick up a telephone receiver just as the telephone rings. He picks up the receiver.
“Jonathan Hart. Who is this?”
“Well, Mr. Hart, I’m glad to find you in,” a male voice replies on the other end of the line. “I suggest you take the first flight out of New Orleans.”
“Just to satisfy my curiosity, why do you want me out of town?” Jonathan asks as he turns to face his wife.
“Personal business, and I intend to see to it stays that way. No one is going to let the whole world know about the dirty skeletons in my closet that Elliot Laurence had the misfortune of uncovering. You have till midnight to get out of town. If you don’t, you and your wife will both end up with a knife in your back. Remember till midnight,” the stranger replies before hanging up the receiver.
Jonathan looks at the receiver before hanging it up. A look of worry comes across his face as he turns around to face his wife.
“Jonathan, who was it?” Jennifer asks anxiously, already sensing what happened.
“A man just called up demanding we leave town. We have till midnight.”
“Or we end up like Elliot,” Jennifer concludes with fear.
Jonathan nods as they look at each other wondering who threatened them and what secret Elliot could have stumbled across that was worth killing for.
The door to their suite opens, and Max walks in. He is carrying an envelope in his hand.
“Hey, Mrs. H!” Max exclaims, walking into the room noticing them. “What are you doin’ back here so soon?” he asks, surprised to find Jennifer. He sees the sober looks on their faces. “What’s the matter?”
“Elliot was murdered, Max,” Jonathan replies.
“What?!”
“Jonathan found him in the cemetery with a knife in his back,” Jennifer says.
“I also found this voodoo doll next to his body,” Jonathan tells him, walking over to the coffee table. He picks up the voodoo doll.
“Geez! Why would someone want to kill a Stanford professor over voodoo? Doesn’t make sense.”
“Yes, well, someone is using voodoo as a cover for the real motive. I just received a threatening call from the killer. What’s that you got in your hand?” Jonathan asks, noticing the envelope.
“Oh, the desk clerk told me someone left this on the front desk just before I walked into the lobby,” Max replies, handing him the envelope.
“If this is what I think it is, then I’m in luck,” Jonathan says, opening the envelope.
Jennifer rises from the couch and walks over to her husband’s side. A smile comes across their face as he finds his driver’s license inside the envelope.
“Now that the killer knows who I am, he no longer needs my driver’s license,” Jonathan says.
“He must not read the financial page,” Max comments.
Jonathan takes out his wallet and places his driver’s license back.
“Well, I suppose going over to Elliot’s hotel we would be pressing our luck,” Jennifer says.
“I think I know a way we may be able to find out what is going on,” Jonathan replies, taking some money out of his wallet. “Max, I want you to go see a fortune-teller,” he says, turning to him. “But first you need to get a new wardrobe.”
“Just to go see a fortune-teller, Mr. H?” Max asks. “There ain’t exactly a dress code just to have your fortune told.”
“Max, I hate to tell you this, but you are going to experience how the other half lives,” Jonathan replies, patting Max on the shoulder.
“Oh, I get it,” Max says with a sigh, taking the money. “You want me to dress up like one of ‘em homeless folks I see on the
streets.”
Bottom Of The Cup Tea Room
Max walks into the place in the French Quarter which is famous for psychics. He is wearing disheveled clothing that he bought from a thrift shop. He wears jeans with holes, dirty, worn-out shoes, a white shirt with some holes on the sleeves, and a dusty and hideous hat that covers his head. He is drinking from a bottle of beer. Max is looking around for someone to approach. An older woman, wearing a fortune-teller’s costume, is approaching him. It is the same woman that approached Jonathan and Jennifer outside the cemetery earlier that day. She is shocked at seeing such an unkempt person making an appearance.
“Yes? How may I help you?” she asks, walking up to Max.
“I want to have me fortune told,” Max tells her in a cockney accent. “Me is down on me luck. Figured what I got to lose to have it told.”
“Sir, having your fortune told cost money,” the fortune-teller replies, giving him a looking over.
“What? Haven’t you ever seen a homeless person before?!” Max asks, pretending to be annoyed at the woman’s behavior toward his appearance. He takes a sip from the bottle. “I have dough. Been workin’ here and there to earn a bit. I saved up. Not only that, but me got lucky,” he says, reaching into the pocket of jeans. “I found this here on the sidewalk,” he adds, taking out the money Jonathan gave him. “I can have fortune told. As you can see, me does have bread. Are you goin’ to tell me fortune?” he asks as he holds out the cash.
“Yes, right this way,” the fortune-teller replies, leading him down the hall. She takes the money Max owes her. “Your name is Max,” she says with her back turned towards him.
“Yeah,” Max replies in a bit of a panic, afraid she may catch on to Jonathan’s scheme.
“I can sense you have a sad life,” she exclaims!
“Ain’t that the truth?!” Max says with a sigh, shaking his head. He takes another sip from the bottle. “Good beer! Lifts me spirits!” Max exclaims with a smile, wiping off his mouth with his sleeve.
“What do you wish to know, Max?” she asks as they reach a room.
“What the future holds for me financially,” Max replies with a wink. “Never knows what the future holds,” he says as the fortune-teller leads him into the room.
“Take a seat,” she tells Max as they walk over to a table.
The woman, with psychic abilities, takes a seat at the left while Max takes a position at the right. She picks up Tarot cards from the table which she hands to Max. “Would you shuffle the cards, please?” she asks, giving him the cards.
“Yeah, with pleasure,” Max replies as he begins to shuffle the cards. “But I thought you used a crystal ball,” he says, acting confused.
“Tarot cards are like yoga. They mean to work with the divine or your higher self. They always tell the truth,” she explains as Max finishes shuffling the cards. “They can predict the future. That is how we psychics read the future here at The Bottom Of The Cup Tea Room.”
“Didn’t mean to offend,” Max replies.
“No offense taken,” the woman assures him. “Let me see the palms of your hands,” she tells him.
Max lays out his hands with the palms straight up. “The lines on your hands are the eyes and the windows of the soul. With the Tarot cards, you can see what I see. What you do with it is up to you,” the fortune-teller explains.
She begins to look through the lines of Max’s palms while he watches trying best to appear calm. After reading his palms and telling him what she sees the psychic looks through the cards. One by one, she tells Max what they mean. At one point during the proceeding, they come upon a card that results in her screaming. Max finds himself about to fall.
“What’s the matter?” he asks nervously. “What does this here card mean?” he asks, pointing to it.”
The woman continues staring at the card with high anxiety before turning to face Max with a look of horror. The card shows a skeleton dressed in black armour riding a white horse. In the background, there is a boat floating down the river. The card also features a sunset between two towers.
“Death!” the woman replies with fear in her voice. “Death awaits you!” she exclaims.
Max looks at her, wondering if the woman is actually predicting the future correctly,or is she mistaken. Nevertheless, hearing the word, “death,” makes Max shaken up.
An unseen person is standing outside watching the psychic, and Max continue reading into the future. After witnessing Max’s reaction to the word, “death,” the strange person walks away.
Hotel Monteleone
Jonathan and Jennifer sit enjoying a cocktail at The Carousel Bar and Lounge. The bar is crowed with people. The guests well like the Carousel.
“I wonder what is keeping Max,” Jennifer comments as she looks around for him.
“You know, Max, darling. He loves having a good time,” Jonathan replies, turning to face her.
“Trust me it was anythin’ but fun,” comes Max’s voice from behind.
Jonathan and Jennifer turn to see Max standing right behind them. He is still in disguise. They look at him stunned that Max didn’t bother to change before
meeting them at the bar. The people stop and stare at his disappearance.
“Sorry for showin’ up like this, Mr. and Mrs. H,” Max replies with a sigh. He takes a seat beside Jonathan. “I need a drink,” he explains.
“It is all right, Max,” Jonathan says, turning to him.
“Bartender, could I have a Bloody Mary?” Max asks, turning to the bartender who has just finished serving a couple.
The bartender looks up at him with a smile which turns to a look of shock upon noticing Max’s appearance.
The bartender looks at him speechless.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have a beer?" he asks.
“Yeah, Bloody Mary. Hurry it up if you could, please. I need a drink,” Max replies with a sigh.
“Bloody Mary it is, sir,” the bartender says as he turns around to start fixing Max’s drink.
“That must have been some information you stumbled onto if you need a drink that desperately,” Jennifer says, turning to face their friend.
“It was in the cards,” Max mumbles.
“What was?” Jonathan asks.
“Death. I went to see this fortune-teller at that tea room like you asked me to. Hold onto your seat. One of the cards meant death,” Max replies as the bartender places the Bloody Mary in a cocktail glass in front of him.
Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances.
“This fortune-teller predicted death?” Jonathan asks in disbelief.
“Yeah, death as in dead,” Max replies, picking up his glass. He begins to drink the whole cocktail at once as Jennifer glances at her husband.
“Max, I can’t believe you are taking what she said so seriously. That card doesn’t necessarily mean death. It can also mean change,” Jennifer replies with concern for Max’s well-being. “Superstition is a part of New Orleans.”
“That may be, but she sure seemed horrified when she looked at that death card,” Max says, placing his glass down.
“Sounds like she was deliberately trying to scare you,” Jonathan replies.
“She succeeded, Mr. H.”
“Did you manage to find out anything?” Jennifer asks.
“Only that the old woman gave me the creeps,” Max says, shaking his head in disbelief. “I’ll have another,” he tells the bartender. “I couldn’t find out anythin’. I hung around actin’ like I was just hangin’ out like the rest of the homeless folks. If anyone knows anythin’, they ain’t talkin’.”
“That woman just didn’t happen to show up when we were leaving.”
“It is clear it is a smokescreen, darling,” Jonathan replies, turning to his wife.
“Another Bloody Mary,” Max says, handing the bartender his glass.
“Max, don’t you think you had enough?” Jennifer asks, concerned.
“Ain’t no reason to worry, Mrs. H. This is just one for the road,” Max replies. “Do you still want me to hang around in the quarter to see if I can find out what is goin’ on?” he asks, turning to face Jonathan as the bartender places his glass down which is refilled with another Bloody Mary.
“Yes, but wait till tomorrow. I think you have done enough for today,” Jonathan says as he and Jennifer pick up their cocktail glass.
“You know, darling, perhaps we should go to the tea room. You know what they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Jennifer replies, turning to Jonathan.
“I think you got something there, darling,” Jonathan says with a smile. “How do you feel about having your fortune told?”
Bottom Of The Cup Tea Room
Jonathan and Jennifer walk into the tea room that night. A psychic approaches them.
“Welcome to the Bottom Of The Cup,” she greets them with a smile. “Did you come to have your fortunes told?”
“Yes, we never had our fortunes told. We thought it would be fun,” Jonathan replies with a warm smile.
“What is visiting New Orleans without having your fortune told?” Jennifer says, turning to the young psychic.
“Did you make an appointment, Mr. and Mrs?” the young fortune-teller asks.
“Butler,” Jonathan replies. “Clark and Clarabelle Butler, madam, and we sure did. We called several hours ago from our hotel right here in the French Quarter.”
“A friend recommended this place to us,” Jennifer tells the woman as she leads to a private room. “I understand this place has been around since 1929.”
“Yes. I just started working here myself,” the psychic replies as they pass the old fortune-teller who is out of their sight. The older woman looks at them with curiosity. “Where are you from?”
“Savannah, Georgia, honey,” Jonathan replies. "I work for the largest paper mill down there,” he says as the young woman leads them into a room.
“Clark, she may not be interested in what you do for a living, darling,” Jennifer says as they take a seat at a table across from the young fortune-teller.
“I know, but we Southerners are known for our hospitality,” Jonathan says, turning to his wife with a warm smile. “I’m sure this young lady doesn’t mind us being friendly tourists.”
“Oh, Clark, you never do meet a stranger!” Jennifer exclaims with a smile patting him on the shoulder playfully.
“That is me, Clarabelle,” Jonathan replies, patting his wife’s hand. “Now how are we going to have our fortune told?” he asks, turning to the fortune-teller. “Clarabelle and I personally prefer Tarot Cards over crystal balls.”
“We do not predict the future from crystal balls here, Mr. Butler. We only read into the future from Tarot Cards, palm readings, and Tealeaf,” the woman replies with a warm smile as she picks up the Tarot cards which she hands to him. “Will you please shuffle the cards for me?”
“My pleasure,” Jonathan replies with a warm smile as he starts to shuffle the cards.
After having their fortunes told Jonathan and Jennifer start talking to the young fortune-teller.
“I wonder if you could help us out,” Jonathan says as he and Jennifer rise to their feet along with the young woman. “A friend of ours may have paid a visit. We are wondering how he enjoyed his experience here.”
“His name is Elliot Laurence,” Jennifer replies.
“That name does sound familiar, Mrs. Butler, but if he has been around, I don’t think I have seen him. What does he look like?”
“He looks like that actor who played Martian on My Favorite Martian, Ray Waltson. His height is 5’8, and he has short hair. He was once a professor at Stanford University before becoming a literary critic.”
“I am afraid I can’t help you. Maybe some of the other psychics can,” she replies, showing them out of the room as Jonathan hands her money.
“We sure are much obliged. We enjoyed our experience very much. We’ll be sure to recommend this place to all our friends in Georgia,” Jonathan
says.
“Thank you, Mr. Butler. It was a pleasure to meet such a charming and friendly couple,” the young psychic replies, shaking hands with them. “Do enjoy the rest of your stay here,” she tells them with a warm smile, walking away from them.
“We’ll do that,” Jennifer says with a warm smile. “Jonathan, it seems no one except that older fortune-teller ever heard of Elliot,” she says, turning to her husband as she speaks in a low voice.
“Just maybe we made our appointment at the wrong time of the day, darling,” Jonathan replies softly. “Or just perhaps no one would be willing to talk. I think we should be heading out of here before we cast suspicion on ourselves,” he says, taking Jennifer by the hand.
Jennifer nods in agreement as they start to walk out of the tea room. The older lady, who is walking over to a couple who just finished drinking tea, stops.
She watches the Harts with a look of concern as they walk out of the building.
St. Louis Cathedral That Night
The clock on the old Cathedral chimes twelve times just as the clock strikes midnight.
Two middle-age men are sitting up close in the sanctuary facing the altar just as another man joins them. He takes a seat beside them.
“What is going on?” he asks the man whom he is seated next.
“A man named Jonathan Hart is investigating Elliot Laurence’s death along with his wife, Jennifer,” he explains, turning to face him. “I managed to get hold of Jonathan Hart’s license.”
“Why would an important businessman like Jonathan Hart be interested in Laurence’s death?” the second man asks.
“His wife. Jennifer was a student of Laurence when he was teaching at Stanford University. He telephoned Jennifer from Los Angeles to assist him in his research for voodoo. I’m up for re-election next year as governor as you are aware. If Jonathan Hart and his wife stumble onto our past just like Laurence did we’ll all be facing jail time for murder. I telephoned Hart in his hotel room. I told him I wanted them to get out of New Orleans by midnight tonight or they would both end up with a knife in their back.”
“You can’t do that! You already killed Laurence. If two more bodies are found with a knife in their back, think about how it would affect tourism. We already have enough homicides being committed every day as it is. How would it look as police commissioner if I ignored two more murders of tourist? Bergeron called me after the Harts insisted he investigates Laurence’s death thoroughly. He is doing all he can to look like he is taking the investigation seriously. Bergeron even went so far as to give them a ring early this evening to act like the department is giving the murder their full attention," the third man states in a panic.
“What did he say?” the governor asks.
“Well, Jonathan Hart wasn’t happy, but he seemed satisfied. You buried that professor’s notebook, so I do not understand why you are so panicky over two inquisitive tourists. We managed to keep the accident we agreed never to discuss completely secret until that professor somehow came across the crime during his research. I helped you coverup that crime so I more than anyone any among the three of us understand the position we would be in if our past came back to haunt us.”
“Yes, but you are not the one up for re-election as governor!” he snaps. “The Harts have been trying to find answers at the tea room. I caught a friend of theirs having their fortune told today. He was dressed like one of the homeless folks in the city.”
“I agree we should take this new predicament seriously, but what can we do without giving ourselves away?” the other man on the governor’s left side asks.
“Not a thing. No more killings or anything that looks like attempted murder,” the police commissioner replies. “We just keep ourselves up to date on the Harts’ activities and continue to do what we have been doing since Laurence stumbled onto our secret. All of us must continue on with our plan of making Elliot Laurence’s death look like a voodoo curse was the cause. If we don’t, all three of us will be paying the price. If we just remain calm, keep our heads, and act clever, we won’t be caught. Now listen to me!” the commissioner exclaims, looking at the governor with anger. “You don’t even threaten Jonathan Hart again! Do you got that?! That was a foolish and impulsive thing to do on your part! If you want to win that re-election, you’ll listen to me! You got that?!” he asks, losing his patience as he points his finger toward the governor.
“Yes, I got that,” the governor says, turning to him calmly. “And now you listen to me, my friend! Don’t ever talk to me like that again. Don’t forget who got you your job as commissioner!” he tells him firmly. “Now, let’s go. I have a party I still need to plan,” he says, rising from his seat with his other companion.
The police commissioner watches nervously as the governor starts to walk out of the church. The other man smiles at him and pats him gently on the shoulder as he follows the governor out.
Hotel St. Marie The Following Morning
Jonathan and Jennifer walk up to a hotel room at an old hotel in the French Quarter. They approach the door. Jonathan holds the key in his hand.
“It is a good thing Elliot left his key with the desk clerk and gave his permission for us to use it,” Jonathan says, turning to Jennifer as he inserts the key into the door.
He holds the door open as Jennifer walks into the room. Jonathan shuts the door behind them. They look around to find the room in good shape, and nothing appears to have been tampered. Jonathan and Jennifer head toward a desk. They notice a stack full of books on the subject of voodoo on the table along with a portable typewriter. Jennifer glances at the piece of paper in the typewriter. Only thing typed is about the history of voodoo.
Jonathan walks around the room, looking for any clue or any signs of disturbance while Jennifer looks through the sorted papers. He notices that one of the doors to the balcony is open. He quietly approaches the door and steps out onto the balcony.
Jonathan walks over to the edge and glances over. He looks out over the street. Other than the people down below, he doesn’t see anything. Jonathan continues looking below before returning his attention to the separate balconies on his left. He carefully examines the balconies on the same level before looking over the balconies up above. Jonathan walks back into the room and shuts the door. He turns the lock as Jennifer rises from the chair holding the papers in her hand.
“Did you find anything, darling?” Jonathan asks as he heads toward the bathroom, wondering if someone is hiding.
“No, darling, all the papers I have looked over are just research on voodoo. There isn’t anything that would incriminate Elliot’s killer,” Jennifer replies, placing the papers down. “Did you find anything?” she asks as Jonathan opens the door to the bathroom.
A person, without warning, wearing a mask that completely conceals their face, dashes out of the bathroom. He takes out a gun which he aims at Jonathan before noticing Jennifer, who is speechless.
“What are you doing here?” the person asks.
“I thought that should be my question,” Jonathan replies. “You do know Mardi Gras is over, don’t you?” he asks, referring to the mask.
“Now I want you two to get the hell out of here now! If you don’t, I will put a bullet in you and your wife! GET OUT!” he orders, sternly.
“Uh, there is no need to get angry. We are leaving,” Jennifer says as she walks up to her husband.
Jonathan takes her hand as they head toward the door. Jonathan is glaring at the stranger who is pointing the weapon directly at their head. Jennifer opens the door. The Harts walk out as the intruder continues holding the gun close to them. They glance at each other as they head toward the stairs. Jonathan and Jennifer walk down the corridor just as the stranger appears behind them. He aims the gun directly at them. Jonathan happens to notice him just as he is about to pull the trigger. Jonathan pushes his wife to the ground. They roll out of the way just as the gun goes off. The stranger heads down the corridor.
Jonathan hurries after him. He manages to knock him to the ground. The gun falls to the floor. Jennifer rushes up to them as she watches her husband fight the stranger. She picks up the gun and holds it, ready to use it if necessary. Jennifer continues to watch as Jonathan and the man wrestle on the floor. They throw punches at each other. While continuing to fight the intruder Jonathan with great difficulty manages to pull the mask off. It is the governor! A look of surprise comes across Jonathan’s face upon recognizing the man. The men rise to their feet.
The governor, outraged at being caught, grabs the mask. He shoves his fist at Jonathan, knocking him off his feet. Jonathan falls to the ground and is rendered unconscious. The governor quickly places his mask back on. He runs away as Jennifer watches him disappear out of sight. Jonathan’s eyelids slowly open as he comes through. He rises to his feet as Jennifer’s eye come upon on something on the floor. She notices the man dropped his driver’s license.
“What is it?” Jonathan asks as he walks over to his wife.
“It is his driver’s license,” Jennifer replies, picking up the license. “Are you all right?” she asks, turning to her husband with concern.
“I’m all right other than this headache. It is nothing an icepack can’t cure,” he says as he takes the license from Jennifer to look over. “Darling, do you know who this man is?”
“No, do you?” Jennifer asks, looking up at her husband.
“Yes, he is the state governor, John Meyer, who is up for re-election. I thought I recognized his voice when he called our room,” Jonathan replies, looking up at Jennifer. “He was one of the two men we saw arguing on the balcony. In fact, he mentioned dirty skeletons in his closet which he said Elliot uncovered.”
“Elliot found something that would ruin his chances of re-election and his reputation, so he was killed,” Jennifer concludes. “The question is, what is he hiding and how did Elliot find out about his past?”
Jonathan continues staring at the license. “The address,” he says. “Let’s find out where the governor lives. Maybe we could unravel the mystery ourselves.”
“I just hope we don’t end up with a knife in our back,” Jennifer comments as she and Jonathan exchange glances.
Hotel Monteleone
Jonathan is lying in bed in their suite with an icepack on his head. Jennifer is lying next to him as she holds the icepack steady.
“How is your head feeling?” Jennifer asks with concern.
“It is feeling better. I think I know a way that will make the pain go away faster,” Jonathan says with a smile.
“Oh, darling, I’ll make the ice cubes melt!” Jennifer exclaims with a devious smile.
“I have news for you. The ice cubes have already melted,” Jonathan replies reassuringly.
“Oh, in that case, I guess I can’t be taking advantage of my patient who just happens to be my husband,” Jennifer says coyly as Jonathan places his hand on the icepack.
“Darling, you can take advantage of this patient anytime no matter what his condition is,” Jonathan replies seductively as he takes her in his arms.
Jennifer smiles. She kisses Jonathan on the lips.
“Oh, I believe the pain in my head is gone completely now,” Jonathan says as he takes the icepack off of his head.
“Isn’t it a miracle what a kiss can do?” Jennifer asks with a wink.
Jonathan smiles. He kisses her on the lips. Just as they embrace the door to the room opens. Max walks in with a newspaper in his hand.
“Mr. and Mrs. H, I have news for you,” Max says, interrupting their romantic moment once again.
“Max, we are not particularly interested with what is going on in New Orleans at this moment,” Jonathan replies, gazing at his wife with a devious look. “We have our own activity we are participating in.”
“This ain’t that kind of news,” Max says, walking over to the bed. “It is about that big bash the governor is throwin’ at his house tonight. The manager thought you want to know all about it.”
“I don’t recall receiving an invitation,” Jennifer replies, turning to face him as Max hands Jonathan the newspaper.
“You don’t need one, Mrs. H. The bash is for anyone who wants to attend.”
“Sounds like the governor just wants people to contribute to his campaign,” Jonathan says, looking over the newspaper as he comes across the article about the party.
“Well, who is goin’ to turn down free food and drinks?” Max comments.
“I for one am going to,” Jennifer replies, rising from the bed. She walks into the bathroom.
“Max, I want you to go out and buy us costumes,” Jonathan says.
“What?! Jonathan, why would you want to attend a party being held by a crooked politician?” Jennifer asks in shock as she walks back into the bedroom.
“Can you think of a better way of finding out what the governor has been hiding all these years?” Jonathan asks, looking up at Jennifer.
“What time is the party?”
“8:00.”
Later that night, Jonathan and Jennifer have just finished dressing up in their costumes. Jonathan is dressed up as Rhett Butler while Jennifer is dressed up as Scarlett O’Hara, characters from Gone With The Wind. Jennifer is sitting in front of the mirror fixing up her hair while Jonathan stands behind, waiting patiently.
“Darling, why did you have Max buy us costumes that are so conspicuous?”
“Well, we are in the South honey, so why not dress up like Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’ Hara?” Jonathan asks, imitating Clark Gable.
“After today, I don’t think the governor will greet us with open arms and allow us to help ourselves to Champagne.”
“After that threatening phone call and knocking me out, I just want to give him the satisfaction of knowing there are some people he can’t just intimidate.”
“He may find satisfaction in just throwing us out.”
“There are going to be thousands of people or more at the party. Maybe he won’t notice us.”
“Or just maybe he won’t make a scene,” Jennifer replies just as Max enters the room.
“Max will be at the bayou if he does.”
“Are you all ready for the party?” Jonathan asks, turning to him as Max is dressed once again as a homeless person.
“All set. There is just one thing, Mr. H,” Max replies.
“What is that?”
“What’s a bayou?” he asks in confusion.
Jennifer turns around and looks at him. She and Jonathan exchange glances.
A Plantation In New Orleans That Night
Guests are walking up to one of the famous plantations in New Orleans. There are thousands of people from all around the city attending the governor’s party. Each of one of them is in a costume. They approach the front door where a butler is writing down the names of the guests in a book. He greets them one by one as they walk straight into the main house. The party is already in full swing. The governor, John Meyer, is standing in the hallway, away from the door as he greets his guest. Two of the men, who met with him the night before in the Cathedral, are standing nearby. They are enjoying a glass of Champagne. People are helping themselves to delicious food and Champagne. An old fashioned phonograph is playing famous jazz songs.
Jonathan and Jennifer walk up to the main house. A few people are ahead of them. They give their names to the butler before entering the hall.
“Butler,” Jonathan tells him. “Clark and Clarabelle Butler.”
The butler nods before writing down their names. “Thank you, sir,” he tells Jonathan with a smile before turning his attention to the next guest. Jonathan nods. He takes his wife’s hand. They walk into the hall. Jonathan and Jennifer look around. The governor is standing on the stairs talking now to Lieutenant Bergeron, his male companions, and other guests.
Jonathan and Jennifer notice them. The governor is too busy in his conversation to see the Harts have crashed the party. The lieutenant is handing the governor a check.
“I see the usual suspects are here,” Jennifer whispers to Jonathan.
“Hopefully the party won’t end up in a shooting,” Jonathan whispers back. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?”
“To hopefully prevent a shooting, darling,” Jonathan replies. He gives her a kiss on the lips.
Jonathan looks up at the governor and the other men. The police commissioner and the other man hand the governor a check. Jonathan walks through the house, looking for the library. He excuses himself as he walks through the crowd of people. He eventually finds the library. Jonathan makes sure no one is watching. The guests are too busy enjoying the party to take notice of him.
Jonathan quietly opens the door and walks in. He shuts the door behind him. Jonathan looks around the grand and old stylish library. Jonathan walks around as he is looking for something. He finally finds where the handguns are kept. The weapons are stored away on the wall. Jonathan reaches into his pocket and takes out the gun the governor dropped during their fight that morning. He looks at the other handguns before returning his attention to the one in his hand. Jonathan begins to unload the weapon cautiously.
Meanwhile, Jennifer is walking around the hall, careful not to be seen by the governor and the men. She sees Jonathan returning. He looks around for his wife. Jennifer lowers her head as she walks past the stairs to approach her husband.
“Did you learn anything?” Jonathan asks as a butler approaches them.
“Champagne?” he asks as he holds a tray full of Champagne glasses.
“Yes, please,” Jennifer replies with a warm smile. “Nothing like a party without Champagne. Isn’t that right, Clark?” she asks as she turns to Jonathan.
“My woman is right. No beverage in the world that tastes as good as Champagne. Thank you,” Jonathan says with a smile as he takes a glass for himself. He takes another drink for Jennifer. “Here you go, honey,” Jonathan replies, handing her the glass.
“Thank you, darling!” Jennifer exclaims with a smile. “You certainly are a true gentleman from the South.”
The butler walks on past as he attends to other guests who may not be holding a glass in their hand.
“I just learned that the two men next to the governor are two important people. One is a police commissioner,” Jennifer whispers to Jonathan as they hold their glass. "His name is Steele."
“And the other?” Jonathan asks, taking a sip of Champagne as they look at the men continue talking.
“Tex, a CEO in oil,” Jennifer replies, taking a sip of Champagne.
“You know, darling, I have a feeling those three men are somehow connected to that crime Elliot stumbled on,” Jonathan replies.
“From the way I heard them talking, they go way back. The governor mentioned he inherited this plantation from his grandfather.”
“Anything else?”
“Just politics and business. Did you manage to get done what you wanted to?”
“Yes, you no longer have to worry about the gun being in my possession ” Jonathan, says lowing his voice even more. “I put it in the library.”
Meanwhile, at the bayou Max, is walking toward one of the cabins. He knocks on the door.
“Who is it?” an elderly man asks from inside.
“You don’t know me, but my name is Max. I have some questions I would like to ask you. May I come in?”
A few seconds later, the door is opened by an elderly black man wearing glasses. He gives Max a look, noticing his clothing.
“Oh, this is just a disguise.”
“What did you want to ask me about?” the man asks.
“It is about the governor who lives at this plantation.”
“Don’t tell me you are researching for a book too,” the man says with a sigh.
“Nah, I never wrote a book before in my life. I work for Mr. and Mrs. Hart.”
“Jennifer Hart?” the elderly man asks as he raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah, you know of Mrs. H?”
“Only by a mention from a stranger, Elliot Laurence. I haven’t seen him around lately. Do you know how he is?”
“He is dead.”
The man’s face turns white. “I think you better come in, Max,” the man says with alarm, standing aside.
Max walks in and looks around the cabin.
“If you take my advice I would forget about the governor. What he and his friends did was a long time ago. If Laurence was killed, it was because he found out about the murder.”
“Murder? You mean that the governor and other guys killed someone?”
“Yes. It was an accident, but in the end, it was still murder. I’ve said enough. If I talk, I just may end up dead too.”
“I can’t. Mr. and Mrs. H want to find out why Laurence was killed. He was Mrs. H’s professor at Stanford.”
“I wish I could help. Those men deserve to get what is coming to them if you ask me. The way they covered up the accident was disgraceful and shameful! Look, I do know someone else you can talk to though. He lives right here at the bayou. He used to work for the governor. He was the gardener at the time the dreadful incident occurred. The only thing is that the poor man is mute. He does know sign language.”
“That ain’t a problem. Mrs. H knows sign language. What’s his name, and where is his shack?”
Max is approaching the plantation when Jonathan and Jennifer are walking towards him. He stops as they approach him.
“How is the party?” Max asks.
“Fine,” Jonathan replies. “Did you learn anything?”
“Sure did, Mr. H. One of the men in a shack at the bayou told me that the governor and some friends of his committed a murder that they have been coverin’ up for years. Other than tellin’ me about meetin’ Elliot I didn’t learn anythin’. He was reluctant to talk. He is afraid he will end up with a knife in his back. He did say that there is another man at the bayou who used to work for the governor. He was his gardener at the time of the murder.”
“Let’s go talk to him. Hopefully, he will be willing to tell us everything,” Jennifer says.
“Only one thing you should know, Mrs. H. The man is mute. He does know sign language.”
“Well, there is no better time to put my knowledge of sign language to use,” Jennifer replies.
A few minutes later, Jonathan, Jennifer, and Max are sitting in the cabin of the former gardener. Jennifer is sitting up close to him as they communicate in sign language.
“He says he only saw suspicious goings-on at swamp the night of the murder,” Jennifer says, translating for her husband and Max as she continues communicating with the gardener in sign language.
Jonathan and Max watch impressed by Jennifer’s gift of being able to communicate by sign language.
“He was fired soon after by the governor. He was never given an explanation why. Took up sculpturing soon after losing the job as gardener. He says there has been strange goings-on at other side of swamp before Elliot was killed. Suspects three men have been holding a voodoo ritual there. Elliot must have found out everything, so he was killed. Explains why voodoo doll was found by his body. Elliot communicated with him during his investigation. Joe never found out what he discovered. Elliot told him what Joe just told me. He was fond of him. Sorry, Elliot ended up dead. He is glad to meet us,” Jennifer says. “And we are delighted to meet you,” Jennifer tells him with a smile.
“Ask him if there is anything we can do for him, darling,” Jonathan replies.
“Is there anything we can do for you?” Jennifer asks the man with her hands.
The man smiles at her before replying with his hands.
“He says he appreciates the offer. Only wishes he has company for tonight.”
“I’d be more than willin’ to stay with him, Mrs. H,” Max says with a smile.
Jennifer turns to him with a smile before translating what Max said with her hands. “Max will be staying with you for a while. Jonathan and I have to return to the party now,” Jennifer tells Joe.
Joe smiles and gestures with his hand towards Max. Max walks straight up toward him and shakes his hand. He pats Joe on the back with a smile. The man signals with his hands, “Thank you.”
Jennifer smiles before translating. “He says, ’thanks’, ” Jennifer replies, looking up at Max.
“Tell him welcome.”
“You are welcome,” Jennifer tells Joe as she turns to face him again.
The older gardener smiles and takes Jennifer’s hand. He shakes her hand. Jonathan walks over to him and shakes his hand.
“Let us know if we can do anything for you,” Jonathan says.
Jennifer translates what her husband said. Joe smiles up at Jonathan before patting him on the back and nodding his head.
Jennifer smiles and hugs the man around the shoulders before telling him they will be back to revisit him soon.
“Take care of him, Max,” Jonathan says, turning to Max as he takes Jennifer’s hand.
“You can count on it,” Max replies with a smile as Jonathan and Jennifer walk out of the cabin.
Jonathan and Jennifer holding hands start to walk back to the mansion. A maid
comes out from hiding. She looks after them with a look of worry on her face.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, the party is continuing. The governor is talking to some of the guests. Steele and Tex are talking to others in the back of the parlor. Jonathan and Jennifer step into the room just as they notice the maid walking over to the governor. She says something to the men the governor is talking to before whispering something into his ear. A look of anger comes across his face after hearing what his maid had to say. He excuses himself and walks over to the commissioner and the CEO. The governor whispers something into their ears. A look of alarm comes across their face. They nod their head at him. The three men hand their empty Champagne glasses back to the butler before walking away from the room.
“I wonder what that is all about,” Jennifer says softly, turning to Jonathan.
“I have a feeling the maid overheard our meeting with the former gardener,” Jonathan replies, turning to his wife.
A look of worry comes across Jennifer’s face. She takes a glass of Champagne off of the tray from the butler who is passing by them. Jennifer gulps down half of the Champagne.
“I think the governor and his friends are holding a secret meeting in the library. You stay here, darling. Try to look as if you are mixing and mingling.”
“What are you going to do?” Jennifer asks with concern.
“I am going to do what is referred to as eavesdropping, darling,” Jonathan whispers back.
“Jonathan,” Jennifer says to her husband softly as he starts to leave the room.
He stops and turns to look at her.
“Remember black isn’t exactly my color,” Jennifer says nervously.
Jonathan smiles before walking back to her. He kisses her on the lips. He walks away, leaving his wife alone. Jonathan proceeds casually on his way to the library through the crowd of guests. He looks around carefully. Jonathan stands in front of the door, trying to see if he can hear what is being said inside the library. All Jonathan can hear is the sound of voices. Jonathan looks around carefully once again to make sure no one has noticed he has been eavesdropping. He then proceeds down the hall to look to see if he can find a backdoor.
Meanwhile at the party, Jennifer is sipping another glass of Champagne, as she feels an attack of hiccups coming on. She places a hand over her mouth, embarrassed. She gulps down the rest of the drink before setting the glass down on a piece of furniture. There are so many guests attending the party and participating in their conversations they do not take notice of her. Jennifer looks around as she is becoming bored. She decides to do some sleuthing of her own. She starts to walk out of the room when an older and heavyset gentleman approaches her.
“Leaving the party so soon, darling?” he asks with a smile, taking her hand. He is smitten with her.
“No, I was just looking for the ladies room,” Jennifer replies with a smile as the man begins kissing her hand all over. “Uh, do you mind? I would like to have my hand back,” Jennifer says as the man finally lets go of her hand.
“Oh, sorry, darling! I do get carried away at times!” he exclaims with a chuckle as he gives Jennifer a big pat on the back, almost causing her to lose her balance.
“I can see that,” Jennifer says with a look of annoyance.
“How about you and me having a drink of Champagne?”
“Thank you very much, but I already had three glasses myself,” Jennifer replies. She is annoyed that this stranger is coming onto her so strong, but remains polite.
“How about we take a walk in the gardens? This party has become a bore. Are you alone?” he asks nudging Jennifer hard.
“No, I am with my husband,” Jennifer replies with a warm smile, hoping knowing she is married will discourage him.
“Well, why didn’t you tell me you are married in the first place?!” the man exclaims with anger. “I don’t come onto a married woman! Excuse me!” he states firmly, walking away in a huff.
Jennifer looks at him, taken aback by his attitude. She shakes her head in disbelief and walks out of the room.
Jonathan is standing outside the window of the library on the grounds out of sight. He is trying to hear what the men are discussing. Jonathan can’t hear a word. He looks in the window carefully. Jonathan can see the men bickering with the look on their faces and their body language as they stand in the middle of the room arguing.
“I can’t believe you took shots at Jonathan and Jennifer Hart like that!!!” Steele exclaims with exasperation. He begins pacing the floor.
“You want to risk everything we did to cover up the accident?!” Tex asks with frustration.
“No, but I had to do something!” John insists. “The Harts are too inquisitive. I won’t stand idly by while they snoop around!”
“If you had not killed Laurence we wouldn’t be in this predicament!” Steele exclaims.
“Let’s calm down now, shall we?” Tex asks with a sigh. “We are not getting anywhere arguing among ourselves.”
“The Harts need to be taken care of before all of Louisiana knows our secret!” John insists, managing to regain his composure.
“Yes, but without violence!” Steele exclaims, pointing his finger at him. “I told you that night in the cathedral that you were not to take matters into your own hands. Now that the Harts have talked to your former gardener, we are at a risk of being exposed.”
“Not necessarily,” the governor disagrees. “Jonathan and Jennifer Hart do not know who was killed or how we covered up the accident. We should have made it look like Joe was responsible. He is a mute. Joe, being handicapped, would have worked to our advantage!” the governor declares, turning to the commissioner with a glare.
“Might have worked to our advantage,” the police commissioner tells him as he stops pacing. “When it comes to covering up a serious crime like murder,
whether intentional or not, there are no guarantees a frame-up will work. All three of us knew how high the stakes were when the tragedy happened.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer has found a hidden passageway upstairs. She continues walking through the almost dark hall as she manages to see her way around. Jennifer sees up ahead a door. She walks up to the door and opens it. It leads to a small and dusty room that hasn’t been used in years. The room contains furniture, rugs, and other household items that are in storage. She quietly shuts the door behind her as she looks around the room. Jennifer examines all the things. Soon she sees a big trunk in the back of the room. She walks up to the trunk and opens it. The contents are just as dusty as the other household items in the secret room. Jennifer begins looking through the trunk carefully, hoping she will find something that will unlock the secret to the mystery surrounding the murder committed years ago by the governor and his friends.
Finally after pushing aside several antique items, Jennifer’s eyes come upon a black and white picture of a young woman in her twenties. The photo appears to have been taken during the 1930s from the dress she is wearing in the photograph. Jennifer picks it up and looks at the woman closely after dusting off the glass and frame. She finally places the picture back. Jennifer’s eyes come upon a beautiful and elegant dress that looks to be from the same period. Next to the dress is shoes which she picks up and glances over. The clothing and shoes are in perfect condition. A small handbag are next to the shoes. Jennifer picks up the purse and opens it. Jennifer finds the typical stuff you would expect a woman to keep like a lipstick and other makeup, a handkerchief, and a mirror. Jennifer happens to notice some of the glass in the mirror is broken and smashed. A look of curiosity comes across her face. Jennifer is about to pick up the mirror when she hears the sound of the door slam behind her.
Jennifer turns around. A look of fear is on her face upon seeing Tex standing behind her. She manages a slight smile.
“Uh, I got lost finding my way to the gardens. Would you excuse me, please?” Jennifer asks, managing to conceal her fear.
“No, I will not!” the CEO exclaims, boiling with anger. He notices the trunk is open. “You did not get lost! You’ve been sneaking around. I will take care of you,” he says with a smile. He walks up to Jennifer and shuts the trunk with a thud.
Jennifer tries to make a run for the door, but Tex grabs her by the arm. He knocks her out cold with his hand. Jennifer falls to the ground. The CEO smiles as he walks toward the door. He opens it before turning to look at Jennifer, who is still unconscious. Tex walks out, shutting the door behind him.
Jonathan is still standing outside the mansion watching John and Steele continue to talk through the window overlooking the library. They have managed to stop quarreling among themselves.
“Mr. H,-“ Max starts to say, walking up to Jonathan.
Jonathan puts his finger up to his mouth, signaling to Max to be quiet. Max nods as he notices the three men. Jonathan motions to him to get out of sight. Just as John is about to look their way, Jonathan grabs Max by the arm. They duck out of sight.
“I’m sorry, Mr. H,” Max whispers to him. “Joe told me somethin’ I thought you and Mrs. H should know.”
Jonathan nods and leads them both away from the window where they won’t be noticed. Jonathan looks around to make sure no one is in sight to overhear them.
“What’s the matter?” Max asks.
“A maid was sneaking around Joe’s cabin it looks like. Soon as we came back inside the mansion, she walked right up to the governor and whispered something into his ear.”
“I get the picture,” Max replies. “Listen, Joe was tellin’ me that there is goin’ to be another full moon tonight. On nights when there is a full moon is when the voodoo ritual takes place on the other side of the swamp.”
“Get us a boat. Jennifer and I will meet you at the bayou.”
Max nods and walks away. Jonathan looks toward the window before walking back towards the mansion from the back. He walks away just as the CEO bursts into the library, shutting the door behind him quietly.
Shortly after, Jennifer is coming through in the hidden room, when her eyelids slowly open. She sees Tex is standing over her with an old pocket watch which he is gradually moving back and forth. The governor and the commissioner stand behind him as they watch their friend attempt to hypnotize Jennifer.
“You are getting sleepy, Jennifer,” the man tells her in a soft and gentle voice. “At the count of three you will fall asleep and hear nothing, but the sound of my voice. One, two, three,” he says.
Jennifer’s eyelids close, and she finds herself drifting off to sleep.
“Now, listen carefully to me, Jennifer. When I awaken you, I want you to remember nothing that has taken place here in this room. You are not to remember finding the secret passageway or this hidden room. The trunk in this room and all of its contents you have discovered are to be erased from your mind completely. You will remember nothing of what you have discovered. Everything you thought happened was not real. It was all a dream. It never happened. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Jennifer whispers in a dream state as she is in a trance.
“Good. Now at the count of three, I will awaken you with the snap of my fingers. You will return to the party and Jonathan. If Jonathan asks where you have been, you are only to tell him you got lost looking for the gardens. That will be your only explanation. You will return to your normal self and remember that what you thought you discovered was only a dream: an illusion. You will walk out of here without taking notice of us. You understand?”
“I understand,” Jennifer whispers once more in a dream state of mind.
“One, two, three!” Tex exclaims with a snap of his fingers after coming to number three.
Jennifer’s eyelids slowly open as the CEO places his pocket watch back into his pocket. He nods to the governor and commissioner.
Meanwhile, Jonathan has just returned to the party. He walks into the parlor where he left Jennifer. He looks around for her. Jonathan excuses himself as he walks through the crowded room. He sighs as he sees Jennifer has left. He becomes worried as he looks across the room and notice the empty Champagne glass that she had set down.
Jonathan excuses himself as he starts to walk out of the room to look for his wife. Jennifer is walking down the final steps in the hall when Jonathan comes in.
“Hello, darling,” Jennifer says upon noticing her husband. She has a smile on her face. She appears normal and acting as if nothing has happened to her.
“Hello. I got worried when I couldn’t find you,” Jonathan replies with a smile, helping Jennifer down the last step. “Where did you go?”
“I was going to take a walk out in the gardens, but I got lost.”
“I’m glad you are safe, darling,” Jonathan replies with a smile. He kisses her on the lips.
“Did you learn anything?”
“Just that the governor and his friends are not happy by our intrusion,” Jonathan whispers to her. “I tried to see if I can hear what they were saying in
the library from outside. Max is going to meet us at the bayou with a boat. Joe told him there is going to be a full moon tonight, which means another voodoo ritual will be taking place on the
other side of the swamp.”
Meanwhile, at the bayou, Max is standing talking to a much older black man outside of his cabin. He has a canoe by the water.
“No, no way!” the man insists firmly. “I am not taking anyone to the other side of the swamp now!”
Max sighs just as Jonathan and Jennifer walk up to them.
“Mr. H, there are no boats at this hour,” Max says, turning to Jonathan. “As you can see for yourself this guy here has a boat, but he refuses to take us to the other side of the swamp. He is nervous about going out at night.”
“Full moon out now,” the man explains, turning to Jonathan and Jennifer. “I do not go out on the swamp at nights anymore! I am too afraid after I witnessed spooky voodoo ritual happening there a few weeks ago!”
Jonathan reaches into his wallet and takes out a hundred dollar bill.
“I’ll give you a hundred dollar bill if you take us in your boat,” Jonathan says with a warm smile, holding out the bill.
“Get in,” the man says, taking the bill instantly from Jonathan.
“Money talks,” Max mumbles.
Jonathan, Jennifer, and Max are approaching the other side of the swamp in the canoe with the owner paddling. It is very dark with a full moon up in the sky. They hear noise from a distance as if a voodoo ritual is taking place. The beat of drums are heard along with people singing and dancing, and rhythms difficult to recite.
“Sure is spooky,” Max mumbles, nervously.
“I get goosebumps myself,” the older man says in a whisper.
“How much longer?” Jonathan asks in a whisper.
“Just as soon as we come around the bend which is only a few moments from now,” he replies reluctantly.
The older man paddles the canoe around the bend as they reach the other side of the swamp. The Harts, Max, and the older man can see from where they are the voodoo ritual taking place on shore. They sit in silence for a few moments as they watch. The drums continue as well as the dancing.
“I think we need to get closer,” Jennifer suggests softly.
“Yes, we do need to get up close as possible without being seen,” Jonathan tells the owner of the canoe softly.
“If you ain’t careful, they’ll put a hex on you,” Max says.
Jennifer rolls her eyes. “Max, you have seen too many movies.”
“Voodoo should be taken seriously. I believe in curses, which is why I stay away from this side of the swamp. I can get you close enough that you can watch from a distance,” the old man says. He begins paddling the canoe quietly and slowly up to the shore.
Once they reach shore, Jonathan quietly and carefully gets out. He turns around and helps Jennifer out.
“I’m stayin’ put. Ain’t goin’ to watch no voodoo ritual,” Max insists.
“That’s fine, Max,” Jonathan replies. “We’ll be back soon.”
“You only get fifteen minutes. I am not going to wait longer than that. If you don’t come back here in exactly fifteen minutes, you’ll have to swim back to the plantation,” the old man tells them firmly.
“We’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Jonathan and I particularly do not want to risk running into an alligator,” Jennifer assures him.
Jonathan grabs her by the hand. They walk away leaving the old man and Max to sit alone in the canoe by themselves.
Jonathan and Jennifer approach, where the voodoo ritual is being held. They stand out of sight as they watch from behind in the bushes. Candles and torches are lit. Three men and the old fortune-teller stand facing a table. On the table are two lit candles, a skull, a voodoo doll, and a torn picture of Jonathan and Jennifer. Some other men are dancing to the beat of drums. One of the three men signals for silence. The rhythm of the drums and the dance come to an end. The man closes his eyes and starts to pray in a foreign language.
Jonathan and Jennifer look on wondering what is going to happen next. The fortune-teller shouts out a strange word as the man picks up the doll. He places a pin in the doll. The woman shouts out the same word repeatedly. Jennifer suddenly falls to the ground passing out. Jonathan is shocked and in fear of his wife’s life. He looks at his unconscious wife.
“Jennifer!” Jonathan shouts out. “JENNIFER!”
Jennifer continues to lie on the ground, not moving as the ceremony continues. Jonathan bending down takes his
wife’s hand. He turns to look back at the ritual. A look of anger comes over his face.
Hotel Monteleone Next Morning
The next day Jonathan and Jennifer are getting ready to head out into the French Quarter. Jennifer walks over to the closet to get out some shoes. She opens the closet. She screams as she finds Joe, the former gardener, standing up in the closet with his eyes wide open. He falls to the ground. Jennifer is speechless as she sees a knife sticking out of his back. Jonathan rushes over. He bends down over Joe and feels for a pulse.
“He’s dead,” Jonathan replies, looking up at his wife with a look of shock. He catches sight of a voodoo doll in the closet. He reaches over and picks up the voodoo doll. A pin is sticking in the back of the doll.
“Another voodoo doll,” Jonathan says, looking over the doll as he rises to his feet.
“I wonder how Joe ended up in our closet during the night,” Jennifer contemplates.
“Well, it definitely wasn’t by magic of any kind.”
“We must have been too exhausted not to have heard someone sneaking into our room.”
“The killer was counting on that, darling. I am going to call the police from the other room,” Jonathan replies as he places the voodoo doll down on a table.
Jonathan and Jennifer walk into the other room. Jonathan walks over to a table and picks up the telephone receiver.
A man wearing a mask is standing outside in the corridor, pointing a gun with a silencer at Jonathan’s head. Jonathan is about to dial. The stranger is about to pull the trigger when Jennifer happens to notice him through the half-open door.
“JONATHAN!” Jennifer exclaims in fear.
Jonathan looks over and notices the stranger aiming the weapon at him. The man pulls the trigger. Jonathan and Jennifer duck right in time to avoid being shot. The bullet hits a painting, knocking it off the wall. The attempted killer takes off, hurrying away before being caught. Jonathan and Jennifer sigh in relief.
“I say forget the New Orleans police, darling. Let’s call in the state police,” Jennifer says with frustration.
“My sentiments exactly, darling,” Jonathan replies with anger as he hangs up the receiver.
Just then Max bursts into the suite in a state of panic.
“What happened? I heard a shot!”
“Someone just tried to take a shot at Jonathan,” Jennifer says as they rise to their feet.
“Mr. H, are you ok?” Max asks with concern.
“I’m fine. I wish I could say the same for Joe. He’s been stabbed.”
“I discovered him in the closet. Jonathan found another voodoo doll,” Jennifer tells him.
“I think it is time we take matters into our own hands. It appears the governor is paying the lieutenant off,” Jonathan replies, turning to Jennifer and Max. “Max, I want you to continue your disguise here in the quarter. Jennifer and I have some magic of our own up our sleeves,” he says, turning to face Max.
“As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them,” Jennifer replies with a sigh.
Bottom Of The Tea Cup
Shortly after Jonathan and Jennifer are in the tea room talking to the old fortune-teller.
“I have no idea what you are talking about!” the woman insists.
“Oh, I think you do,” Jennifer replies with a look of annoyance.
“Someone just attempted to finish me off with a bullet in our hotel suite. First, our friend, Elliot Laurence, ends up dead in a cemetery with a knife in his back. Next, the governor took shots at my wife and me yesterday. Now, the former gardener for the governor ends up in our suite in a closet with a knife in his back. Does that give you a clear view of what we are talking about?” Jonathan asks with anger in his voice.
The old fortune-teller looks at them with alarm. She appears shocked upon learning murder was involved.
“I had no idea murder was involved. I only was paid to scare you and your wife and your friend, Max,” the fortune-teller replies with panic.
“Who paid you?”
“I have no idea. A car happened to show up and stops next to me near the cemetery. The window was only partially opened. I heard a male voice ask me to approach you and distract you while a young boy took your license from your wallet.”
“Didn’t that strike you as suspicious?” Jennifer asks in surprise.
“He paid me much money. He paid me a thousand dollars. I didn’t think anything of it,” the woman replies with a bit of annoyance.
“The man who paid you a thousand dollars is the state governor who is up for re-election,” Jonathan tells her. “If an important state official asks you to do something for money, he is more than likely has something to hide.”
“I will keep you posted if I hear or see the man again!” the woman insists. “No charge!”
Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances.
“We are staying at Monteleone,” Jonathan tells her.
“I will call you. I promise.”
Jonathan and Jennifer start to walk out of the tea room as an older man takes notice of them while sipping tea. He rises from his table and follows them out of the building. The man is black.
“Excuse me,” the man says, walking up to Jonathan and Jennifer as they are about to walk back to their hotel. “Are you Jonathan and Jennifer Hart?”
Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances.
“That depends on who wants to know,” Jonathan replies.
“I assure you I have no intention of harming you. I am a high priest of voodoo. I knew Elliot Laurence.”
“You knew Elliot?” Jennifer asks, taken by surprise.
“Yes, let’s discuss our mutual friend someplace we most likely won’t be overheard. I’m sure you and Jonathan would love to see a view of the city. How about we get on a streetcar together to chat?”
“I think that sounds like a charming idea,” Jennifer replies with a smile. “What do you think, darling?” she asks, turning to her husband.
“In a way, it would be combining business with pleasure,” Jonathan says with a smile. “We accept.”
Soon after Jonathan, Jennifer, and the voodoo high priest sit next to each other in a crowded streetcar as it goes along the city.
“I have lived here for many years. I studied voodoo as I was majoring in college. I then decided to become a voodoo priest. Elliot and I met one night at a cafe. We struck up a conversation on the subject. I mentioned to him I am a voodoo high priest. Knowing my occupation sparked his interest. Elliot began talking about his career as a literary critic and his book he was writing on voodoo. He began to interview me,” the priest explains to Jonathan and Jennifer. “I have this gift of sensing things about people like whether they are good or evil. I knew Elliot could be trusted, so I began to open up to him. Somehow in our discussions, the state governor came up. I met him, the police commissioner, and the CEO of an oil company once. It was at a charity event. I had a strange vibe about these men after a few moments of talking to them. My premonition told me these important men were not whom they appear to be. I confessed my thoughts to Elliot.”
“Why would Elliot be interested? They had nothing to do with his research on voodoo,” Jennifer says.
“You are right in a way, Jennifer, but people who live on the bayou often hear strange noises at night as if a voodoo ritual is taking place. Voodoo rituals never were held there, so it struck us as strange. These rituals started taking place soon after I told Elliot about the governor and his friends. Elliot confessed to me he was going to see if he could find out anything incriminating on them. I think he wanted to use his findings in his new book to prove that people with knowledge of voodoo can have what some call ESP. I feel so guilty. If Elliot hadn’t met me, he would still be alive,” the high priest replies with a sigh.
“No, Elliot took a chance,” Jennifer assures him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I just don’t think he realized what he was getting himself into. Knowing Elliot, I’m sure he saw this opportunity as a chance of a lifetime. Elliot was a decent and humble man. He never would have used their names in his book. I just wish Elliot had confided in Jonathan and me. Maybe we could have saved him.”
“You can still seek justice for Elliot. I recommend you check out the cemetery. I have a strong feeling Elliot’s notebook is hidden near Marie Laveau’s tomb,” the high priest replies, turning to Jennifer just as the streetcar comes to a stop. “I must be getting off now,” he says as he reaches into his pocket. He takes out a card which he hands to Jennifer. “You can reach me at this number if I can be of any further assistance,” he adds as he rises from the seat. “I wish good luck to you both,” the man tells them with a smile as he heads off of the streetcar.
“What do you think, darling?” Jennifer asks as she turns to face Jonathan.
“I think we should go back to the cemetery after dark with a shovel,” Jonathan replies.
Jennifer smiles as she kisses Jonathan on the lips. Jonathan reaches over and takes her in his arms as the streetcar begins moving
again.
Saint Louis Cemetery Number 2
That night Jonathan and Jennifer walk into the cemetery sometime after dark. They are both carrying a shovel in their hand. Jonathan has a flashlight in his other hand, which is turned on. They are approaching Marie Laveau’s tomb. They stop upon hearing a noise from the other side of the cemetery. It sounds as if someone is digging. They turn to face each other. Jonathan and Jennifer quietly walk over to the grassy area of the graveyard, which is away from the other tombs. Jonathan turns off the flashlight once they reach the area at the back of the cemetery.
They see the commissioner and the CEO digging up a piece of ground in front of the brick wall. There are two flashlights turned on which is by their side. Jonathan and Jennifer stand behind the men out of sight as they watch them continue digging deeper into the grass.
After a few more moments of digging, they stop. There in the bottom of the ground is a notebook which is covered with dirt. Steele bends down and picks up the notebook. He places it under his arm before he and the other man pick up their shovel. They begin to cover up the spot to conceal they had been digging there. Steele and Tex sigh in relief after they finish. They pick up their flashlights and start to head out of the cemetery. Jonathan and Jennifer hide behind a tomb before the men head pass them. They start to rush after them when they find a flashlight shining brightly in their faces.
“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” a male voice shouts out to them firmly.
Jonathan and Jennifer turn to see Lieutenant Bergeron standing in front of them with a flashlight in his hand. The old fortune-teller is standing beside him.
“What are you doing here at this time of night?!” the lieutenant asks with frustration.
Jonathan stops and thinks before responding. “Would you believe we were just going for a walk?” Jonathan innocently asks as Jennifer manages a slight smile nervously.
Jonathan and Jennifer are being escorted out of the cemetery shortly after. The lieutenant forces them to get into a taxi. He and the fortune-teller watch the cab disappear out of sight. A broad and wicked smile comes across the old lady’s face. The lieutenant gets into his car and drives off, leaving the fortune-teller by herself. She walks over to the other side of the street and approaches the same vehicle that showed up at the cemetery the other day. The backseat window rolls down. The passenger is the governor who has a smile on his face. John picks up an envelope full of cash and hands it to the fortune-teller.
“Thanks for telling me about the Harts’ visit,” he tells her with a smile. He reaches his hand out to her through the
window.
Hotel Monteleone
Jonathan and Jennifer are standing looking out at the Mississippi River in the parlor of their suite holding a glass of Champagne. Jonathan and Jennifer wear their pajamas. Jazz music plays on the streets.
“You know, darling, what I would like to do now?” Jennifer asks with a smile as they snuggle up.
“Dance?” Jonathan asks with a smile as he takes her in his arms.
“Yes,” Jennifer replies as she turns around and faces him.
“Well, we got the Mississippi River in front of us, jazz music being played out on the streets, and the two of us alone at last,” Jonathan says with a smile. He takes their glasses, which he places down. “May I have this dance?” he asks, holding his hands out as he takes a step back.
“I thought you would never ask,” Jennifer replies coyly.
Jonathan smiles as he takes her and holds Jennifer close to him. He begins to lead. They dance slowly to the romantic music. They gaze at each other with sincere love in their eyes. After a few more moments of dancing, Jonathan reaches over and kisses Jennifer. She smiles with a twinkle in her eye as she reaches over and gives him a kiss. They continue dancing for a minute before they hear the unlocking of a door. Jonathan and Jennifer sigh at Max, interrupting their romantic moment together again. Max walks into the room.
“I got some news for you, Mr. and Mrs. H,” Max tells them as he walks over. He is once again in disguise.
“Max, Jennifer and I were just dancing,” Jonathan tells him. “Can’t it wait until morning?”
“Not if you want to know what I found out about that fortune-teller and what I overheard at the plantation tonight.”
“You were at the plantation?” Jennifer asks in surprise.
“Yeah, I figured I might as well go over there to see if I could learn somethin’. What have you two been up to?”
“Oh, just going into the cemetery to dig up a grave,” Jonathan replies. “What did you find out?”
“Well, I was walkin’ around the French Quarter as you asked me to see if I could learn somethin’. I didn’t learn a thing again, so I decided to check out other places where fortune-tellers hang out here in the city. That old fortune-teller dame was once a fraud. Many years ago back in the 1930s, she used to own an establishment, which was a front for prostitution. The police commissioner and the governor shut her down without pressin’ charges against her. They use the dame time from time to do favors for them.”
Jonathan and Jennifer exchange glances.
“That explains why she just happened to show up at the same time with the lieutenant as we were leaving,” Jennifer says. “What did you find out at the plantation?”
“I overheard the governor and those two friends of his talkin’ about a trunk. They are takin’ it down to the bayou at sundown. The plan is to get into a boat with the trunk before disposin’ it in the swamp.”
“I say it is time to pay a visit to the plantation tomorrow ourselves. The mansion seems to be the only place that holds all the answers to the murder that
was committed all those years ago,” Jonathan replies, turning to face Jennifer.
The Plantation The Following Day
That morning Jonathan, Jennifer, and Max walk up to the plantation. The house and the grounds are completely tranquil and deserted. Jonathan and Jennifer are carrying a shovel. They stop as they reach the gardens.
“Max, Jennifer and I are going to take a look in the gardens. I want you to stay here and be the lookout,” Jonathan says, turning to Max. “If you see anyone, signal us with a birdcall. Stay out of sight.”
Max nods as Jonathan and Jennifer walk into the gardens. They look around to see if they can tell if any ground has been dug up.
Jonathan stops walking as he notices the flowerbed. From the looks of the ground, it appears someone had been digging there just recently.
“Darling, I think we just found the place where Elliot’s notebook may have been buried,” he tells Jennifer, turning to her.
They walk up to the flowerbed and begin digging with their shovels. Jonathan and Jennifer dig deep into the ground. They look at each other as they both feel like they have stumbled onto something with their shovels. They exchange glances. They dig a bit deeper before the notebook comes into sight. Jennifer smiles as Jonathan reaches into the dirt and picks up the notebook. He brushes the dirt off much as he can before handing it over to his wife. Jennifer begins to read over Elliot’s notes while Jonathan notices something else buried in the flowerbed. He bends down and sees a piece of paper.
“What’s that you found?” Jennifer asks, noticing the piece of paper.
“It looks like a map of some kind,” Jonathan replies, handing it to her.
“It is,” Jennifer says after studying the piece of paper. “It is a blueprint of the house by Elliot.”
“It looks like the blueprint of some secret passageway with a hidden room. The paper must be what the governor was after in Elliot’s room.”
“From what I have read so far from his notes, the secret room holds all the answers to the mystery.”
“You can finish reading his notes later, darling. I think we better look for the secret room before we get caught. I’ll have Max cover up the hole in the flowerbed,” Jonathan replies as they wipe their dirty hands on their jeans.
Max is standing out of sight in the direction of the bayou. He whistles to Jonathan and Jennifer as they look around the plantation for him. They look towards his direction. The Harts walk over to him. They hold the shovels in their hand. Jennifer holds the notebook and the piece of paper in another hand.
“What do you have there in your hand, Mrs. H?” Max asks, noticing the piece of paper.
“It’s a drawing Elliot drew of a secret passageway leading to a secret room,” Jennifer replies.
“We are going to see if we can get into the mansion,” Jonathan tells him. “Will you do the honors?” he asks, handing Max their shovels.
“What about being the lookout, Mr. H?” Max asks, taking their shovels.
“Well, Max, you can still be the lookout. Just continue to keep a close eye,” Jennifer replies. “Besides someone has to cover up the hole before the governor returns home.”
“Where’s the hole?”
“In the flowerbed,” Jonathan replies as he and Jennifer walk up to the mansion.
Jonathan and Jennifer approach the front door.
“Hopefully it’s the servants’ day off,” Jonathan says in a low voice.
“How do we find out? We don’t look like we are delivering a package.”
“It’s the old ring the doorbell trick,” Jonathan replies with a smile.
Jonathan rings the doorbell twice. He and Jennifer rush out of sight. They wait a few minutes. To their good fortune, no one is inside the mansion. They
walk back up to the door. Jonathan tries the door. It is open.
“At least some people don’t believe in locking their doors,” Jonathan says, turning to Jennifer as they walk into the foyer. He shuts the door. Jennifer hands him the notebook. She looks over the blueprint Elliot drew on the piece of paper.
“The secret passageway is upstairs,” Jennifer tells her husband, examining the drawing.
They approach the staircase and begin to walk up the stairs. Sometime shortly after Jonathan and Jennifer find themselves walking the hall in the secret passageway, Jennifer was in the night of the party. They find the hidden room up ahead. Jennifer opens the door, and they walk in.
“There’s the trunk,” Jennifer says upon noticing the trunk. “Elliot mentions the victim’s belongings being in the trunk.”
They walk over to the trunk. Jennifer sets the paper down while Jonathan places the notebook down. She opens the trunk. Jennifer finds herself developing a
bit of a headache after bits and pieces of a flashback come into her mind. She is remembering about being under hypnosis.
“Now, listen carefully to me, Jennifer. When I awaken you, I want you to remember nothing that has taken place here in this room. You are not to remember finding the secret passageway or this hidden room. The trunk in this room and all of its contents discovered are to be erased from your mind completely. You will remember nothing of what you have discovered. Everything you thought happened was not real. It was all a dream. It never happened. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Jennifer whispers in a dream state as she is in a trance.
Jennifer has a strange look on her face as her mind returns to the present.
“Darling, what’s the matter?” Jonathan asks with concern. “Are you feeling all right?”
“Yes, it was just a bit of a headache,” Jennifer replies, returning to her normal state of mind. “I feel fine now,” she assures him with a smile.
Jonathan has a look of doubt on his face. He is wondering if something happened to his wife during his absence on the night of the party.
Jonathan and Jennifer begin to look through the trunk together. They find the same items Jennifer discovered alone by herself: the black and white photograph of a young woman in her twenties, the elegant dress, the shoes, the handbag, and the broken mirror. Jonathan picks up the mirror and looks it over. He hands it to Jennifer before coming cross an old worn-out and bent black and white photograph of the same young woman standing outside the mansion. She has a smile on her face as arms are wrapped around her neck by a young man. Jonathan and Jennifer examine the photograph close. Upon careful examination, they realize the young man is the governor. They exchange glances before they continue searching through the trunk.
Jonathan and Jennifer find an old fashioned rug with what looks like what is left of traces of blood on the edge. They also find other items that attract their attention. On top of the rug is a marriage certificate which is covered in dirt. Jennifer picks it up and brushes the dirt off of the certificate. They see the names on the marriage certificate and the date. The certificate reads, "This is to certify that on the 30th day of February in the year of our Lord 1935 that John Meyer and Isabelle Hollis were by me united in MARRIAGE at Christ Church Cathedral according to the laws of the State of Louisiana."
Jonathan and Jennifer come to realize the governor murdered his wife. Jennifer’s eyes come upon a letter. She picks it up and sees it is a letter written by the wife’s attorney asking for a divorce. Jonathan finds a wedding ring along with a bracelet. He picks up the bracelet and turns it over.
“What is it?” Jennifer asks, placing the letter back in the trunk.
“The bracelet has an inscription on it,” Jonathan replies, handing the bracelet to his wife.
Jennifer looks over the inscription which reads,”To my beloved wife.”
“You would have thought the governor would have disposed of this trunk years ago,” Jennifer says, turning to Jonathan as he hands her the wedding ring.
“Yes, there is enough in this trunk that would have convicted him,” Jonathan replies. “This trunk explains how easy Elliot was able to put all the pieces of the mystery together. He must have somehow sneaked into this house and found the secret passageway leading to this room.”
“We certainly know some loving couples,” Jennifer remarks sarcastically.
“Maybe only this husband didn’t plan on committing the murder,” Jonathan replies. “Remember Max told us about the resident on the bayou who said it was an accident?”
“Yes, if he had called the police the worst he would have gotten was involuntary manslaughter. That would have meant the end of his career so much for doing the honorable thing.”
“I wonder if Max could find anything about his wife in the papers at the library,” Jonathan replies.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Jonathan places the wedding ring and the bracelet back into the trunk. Jennifer shuts the trunk.
Meanwhile, Max is standing outside the mansion, keeping a lookout for the governor. He is standing in the path leading to the bayou. He hears a car driving in the distance. Max panics and rushes toward the mansion. He stops as he reaches the door. Max turns around and hears the car coming closer. He signals to the Harts with a loud birdcall as Jonathan and Jennifer step into the foyer. They rush out of the house. Jonathan and Jennifer approach Max. All three of them see a car coming in their direction.
Jonathan and Jennifer hurry toward the direction leading to the bayou, which is far out of sight from the plantation that they can’t be caught. They stay clear out of sight as the car comes to a stop in front of the mansion. The governor gets out of his vehicle and approaches the front door. He opens the door and steps into the foyer after shutting the door.
“Let’s go,” Jonathan whispers.
Hotel Monteleone
That afternoon Jonathan and Jennifer are sitting on a couch in the parlor in their suite as they read over Elliot’s notes. Just then, the door opens, and Max walks into the room. He has two newspapers in his hand.
“I got the newspapers, Mr. and Mrs. H,” he announces to Jonathan and Jennifer, walking over to them.
“Thanks, Max,” Jonathan replies as he takes the newspapers.
“That ain’t all. I also got other news. The lady at the library was more than helpful.”
“Librarian, Max,” Jennifer tells him as she places Elliot’s notebook down on a table.
“Whatever. She told me that rumors had been goin’ around for years that the governor’s grandfather kept slaves chained up in an attic in that house. He abused them and starved them to death.”
“That is an intriguing piece of ancient history, but what does that have to do with the murder?” Jonathan asks, unfolding the newspapers.
“I’m gettin’ to that, Mr. H. Servants spread the news all over the city, but no action was taken because the grandfather had connections. Anyway, it is rumored the governor’s wife knew about it and threatened to expose the family secret.”
“A motive for murder,” Jennifer says as she and Jonathan exchange glances.
“Some family that lived in that house. I got other stories that would make the ends of your hair curl up,” Max remarks.
“Some other time. We need to learn everything about the wife before we can alert the state police,” Jonathan replies as he and Jennifer notice the headline they had been searching for, "Wife Of Young Promising Politician Disappears In Middle of The Night”
“Not to mention to stop them before they dispose of the trunk,” Jennifer says.
Freeway jumps up on the couch, taking Jonathan and Jennifer by surprise.
“Now, Freeway, you are going to have to get off of the couch,” Jonathan tells him.
“I’m sorry, but mommy and daddy are busy at the moment. Go see your Uncle Max,” Jennifer says, gently petting the dog.
Freeway barks before jumping off of the couch. He walks over to Max and barks as he looks up at him.
“I hear you. Come on, Freeway. Let’s go for a walk,” Max tells him as he picks the dog up.
He carries him out of the room as Jonathan and Jennifer continue to read the newspapers.
“Police came to conclusion that no foul play was involved,” Jennifer reads aloud as she comes to another story concerning the disappearance. “They suspect she must have left the state and maybe even the country.”
Jennifer and Jonathan look at each other.
“Listen to this, darling,” Jonathan replies as he reads the first story printed about the disappearance.
The Plantation That Night
The governor is in the library late that night cleaning up one of the rifles. He places it back on the rack after cleaning the weapon. John looks over the guns on the wall. He notices one is displayed crooked. A look of shock comes across his face after remembering leaving behind a gun at the St. Marie hotel. He picks it up and looks it over. Just as the man is about to unload the gun a clock chimes, startling him. The weapon is aimed at his foot. He accidentally pulls the trigger, and a shot is heard. He looks down, horrified, about being injured. To his relief and then shock the governor sees he wasn’t injured at all. He becomes suspicious. The man carefully unloads the gun. He examines them before placing the bullets back in the gun. John aims the weapon toward the ground. A shot is fired, but nothing happens. He realizes that the bullets were switched with blanks. The governor is enraged. The door to the room opens, and the maid sticks her head in.
“Are you all right?” she asks in a panic. “We heard shots.”
“I’m fine, which is more than I can say about the Harts,” the governor replies with a glare as he stares at the gun.
The door is heard being closed as John sets the gun back on the wall straight. He walks over to the desk and dials a number on the telephone.
“I need you to come over right away,” the governor tells the person on the other end of the line after waiting a few moments for his call to be answered. “Jonathan Hart got hold of one of my guns and switched the bullets with blanks. Yes, we definitely need to do something,” he replies with annoyance in his voice after the stunt Jonathan pulled on him.
A short time later Tex is standing in the room pacing the floor as John is talking about the predicament they found themselves in.
“How could you be so reckless?” the executive asks with annoyance. “First you take shots at Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, and then you kill Joe. If that wasn’t foolish enough, you leave his body in a closet in their hotel suite.”
“There is no time to lecture me!” the governor exclaims in a panic. “I was out in the gardens this afternoon. The flowerbed had been dug up. Laurence’s notebook and paper with the blueprint are gone.”
“What?!!” Tex asks in alarm. “Have you done anything else stupid that I am not aware of?” he asks as he stops pacing.
“No, I have not done anything else stupid. What are we going to do?”
“We are going to get the bullets back. Jennifer Hart is going to bring them to us herself. Then all three of us are going to discuss what we should do next.”
Hotel Monteleone
Jonathan and Jennifer are sound asleep in their hotel suite. Jennifer finds herself being put in a trance again. She opens her eyes and crawls out of bed. Jennifer walks over to the dresser and quietly opens the top drawer. There are bullets in the drawer. She takes them out and shuts the drawer. Freeway, who is curled up on a chair noticing Jennifer is acting peculiar, sits up. Jennifer, with her eyes still open, is walking as if she is sleep walking. She is still in her pajamas. Jennifer walks out of the room with the bullets in her hand. She quietly shuts the door behind her.
The Plantation
Jennifer is sitting in a chair in the library. The CEO is once again moving his pocket watch back and forth as he is still hypnotizing her.
“Now, Jennifer, listen to me carefully. I want you to hand me over the bullets,” he tells her.
Jennifer holds her hand out. The man takes the bullets from her and hands them to the governor. John walks over to the gun on the wall and takes out the blanks which he throws onto the carpet. He fills up the weapon with the bullets. He walks over to Jennifer and aims the gun at her head.
“After that stunt they pulled, I’m tempted to shoot her!” John exclaims, boiling with anger.
“Put that weapon away!” Tex orders him firmly. “Your temper has gotten us in enough trouble!”
The governor nods and places the gun back on the wall.
“I am going to put her to sleep so you can keep an eye on her for the night,” the CEO tells his companion, looking up at him. He returns his attention to Jennifer. “Now, at the count of three, I am going to put you to sleep. When you wake up the next morning, you won’t remember anything about this. You will forget about bringing us the bullets and your trip over here in the middle of the night. You will return to your hotel suite as if nothing happened. You will appear normal. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Jennifer replies in a dream state of mind as she watches the pocket watch swing back and forth.
Tex nods. “One, two three!” he exclaims as he snaps his fingers.
Jennifer falls asleep right away. The CEO places his watch back in his pocket. “She will sleep peacefully without waking up
until morning. I will be back then. All three of us have to leave the country at dawn before we are exposed. Thanks to your interference, we are at a greater risk of going to jail. Charter us a
plane,” he says, turning to the governor.
Hotel Monteleone
Jonathan is waking up in the early hours of the morning. He turns around to wake up his wife when he sees she is not there. Jonathan is alarmed. He crawls out of bed and walks over to the bathroom. He opens the door. Jonathan is in state of panic after not finding his wife. He walks over to the dresser. Opening the top drawer, Jonathan notices the bullets are gone. Freeway jumps up on the bed and begins barking.
“Don’t worry, Freeway,” Jonathan says, turning to the dog. He opens the door and walks into the parlor. There comes a knock at the door.
“Mr. H, it is me,” Max says from outside the corridor.
Jonathan walks over to the door and opens it to let Max in.
“What’s wrong? I heard Freeway barkin’,” Max replies as he shuts the door behind him.
“Jennifer is missing. The bullets are gone too. She must be at the plantation,” Jonathan says with fear.
“What would Mrs. H be doin’ over there by herself?” Max asks with worry.
“She’s been hypnotized. I left Jennifer alone while I was in the library, loading the gun with blanks the night of the party. I found her walking down the stairs. She told me she got lost looking for the gardens. Then yesterday, while we were in that hidden room, Jennifer appeared to be having a headache. When I asked her about it, she insisted she was fine. The governor found out about the switch and put Jennifer in a trance.”
“Why?” Max asks, confused.
“So the bullets could be returned without Jennifer realizing her actions. We need to call the state police before Jennifer ends up in serious danger,” Jonathan replies as he paces the floor.
The door opens, and Jennifer walks into the room. She shuts the door behind her. Jonathan and Max turn to see her. They look at her upon noticing she is still in her pajamas.
“I’m so glad you are all right,” Jonathan says, walking over to Jennifer.
“Of course, I am darling. Why wouldn’t I be?” Jennifer asks. “I just went for a walk.”
“Jennifer, the bullets are gone,” Jonathan tells her gently.
“What?! I don’t understand,” Jennifer replies baffled.
“Sweetheart, you had been hypnotized.”
Jennifer stops and thinks as she remembers what happened to her the night of the party and last night.
“I remember now. I was hypnotized the night of the party. That is why I had a headache. I was having a bit of flashback of being put into a trance,” Jennifer says, turning to Jonathan. “Tex caught me looking through the trunk.”
“I think we should go over to the plantation before any more danger comes our way. We need to find out what just is going on now.”
“Jonathan, they are going to leave the country. I remember hearing about a charter plane arriving at dawn.”
“Let’s go before they get away,” Jonathan replies, taking Jennifer’s hand. “Max, call the state police,” he tells him, turning to Max as they head toward the door.
“Right, Mr. H,” Max replies, walking over to a telephone on a table.
Jonathan and Jennifer rush out of their suite. Jonathan shuts the door behind them.
“Operator, I need information,” Max says into the telephone receiver.
The Plantation
Jonathan and Jennifer walk up to the main house careful to make certain no one is around. They approach the window of the library and bend down to stay out of sight. The couple is looking through the window as they watch the three men arguing inside, John, Steele, and Tex.
“Just what are you think you are doing trespassing on this private property?!” a woman voice asks with annoyance as she comes up to Jonathan and Jennifer from behind.
They turn around to see it is the maid facing them with her hands on her hips.
“You certainly don’t give up! Come with me!” the maid orders sternly as she grabs hold of their arms with a firm grip. She forces them ahead of her.
The maid shoves Jonathan and Jennifer towards the library doors, forcing them open. The three men are astounded at seeing Jonathan and Jennifer.
“I caught them on the grounds just outside the library window. They were listening in,” the maid tells her employer.
“Well done. You can go,” John replies.
The maid nods and walks out, shutting the door behind Jonathan and Jennifer.
Jonathan and Jennifer turn to face them.
“You certainly do have many people on your payroll,” Jonathan remarks.
“And you certainly are predictable. Too bad the hypnosis didn’t do the trick.”
“You can’t get away. The state police are on their way.”
“We’ll be leaving on a charter plane before they even arrive.”
“You can’t keep running forever,” Jennifer replies. “Eventually, you and your friends will be caught.”
“You interfere too much,” the governor says with a smile taking out a gun from his desk. He aims the weapon at them.
“Put down that gun! There isn’t going to be any more shooting!” Steele orders. “Put the gun down now,” he says facing the governor with a stern look.
“He is right. Our only choice is to flee before we are arrested,” Tex replies. “We disposed of the trunk in the swamp just like we did with the body. Let Jonathan and Jennifer Hart go. We need to get going now.”
“Listen to him. I won’t permit any more of your impulsive behavior. If you don’t put down the gun, I will take it from you by force if necessary!!!” Steele yells impatiently as he walks over to John.
The governor aims the gun at him and his other friend.
“You take a step near me, you’ll regret it! I have had enough of being intimidated and told what to do!” John exclaims, boiling with anger.
Steele and Tex carefully approach him. John is about to pull the trigger when Steele grabs hold of the weapon.
John leaps forward, knocking the other man to the ground. The gun falls. Tex rushes over from behind the desk and throws himself onto the governor. They fall to the floor. All three man now engage in a fight. They wrestle on the ground. Tex and Steele try to overpower John and get hold of the weapon.
Jonathan decides now is the perfect time to fight off all three of the men. He springs into action at once. Jonathan takes one of the rifles off of the rack. He hurries over to the three men. He aims the weapon at Tex and Steele. They are still trying to grab hold of the gun.
“Hold it!” Jonathan exclaims, pointing the rifle at them. “Let go of him!”
They turn around horrified to see Jonathan aiming a weapon at them. The two men let go of John and rise to their feet.
“And you rise to your feet! Your shooting days are outnumbered!” Jonathan orders the governor who holds the gun. “If you dare to think about shooting me, just remember you have three witnesses who can add another shooting to your list! Drop the gun!”
John rises to his feet. He is reluctant to hand over the gun.
“I said drop the gun!” Jonathan exclaims, repeating his order. “I don’t want to have to shoot you in the presence of my wife.”
The governor drops the gun.
“All three of you back away from the desk and stay where I can see you,” Jonathan says, pointing the rifle away from the desk to the other side of the room.
The three men back away and stand where Jonathan is aiming the weapon. Jonathan walks over to the desk. He reaches over to pick up the gun just as the door to the room open.
“Put down the gun, Mr. Hart!” the maid orders firmly as she holds a rifle directly at Jonathan.
Jonathan turns around to face her. The men jumping on Jonathan results in the rifle falling out of his hand. The gun lands on the ground. The maid reaches over to pick up the weapon. She aims the guns at Jonathan.
“Now, go stand by your wife!” the maid orders, shooting him a glare.
Jonathan gives her a cold stare as he walks over to Jennifer. He stands by his wife as instructed.
“The charter plane is on the way, sir. I just called to be sure.”
“What are you going to do to us?” Jennifer asks, nervously.
“I say we lock them up in the hidden room and leave them there,” John says.
“For once I agree with you,” Steele replies, walking over to pick up the gun. “Take them away,” he tells the maid.
“Now, go upstairs! Move it!” the maid orders to Jonathan and Jennifer firmly as she continues to point the rifles at them.
Jonathan reluctantly follows his wife out of the library. They hold hands. The governor and the other two men keeping a close watch on them follow the maid and the Harts. Jonathan and Jennifer are about to walk up the stairs in the foyer when the front door opens. The pilot walks in.
“I’m ready,” he says.
The men and the maid turn around. Jonathan jumping on the maid, lands them on the ground. The rifles falls to the floor which Jennifer quickly picks up. The three men lunge toward Jennifer, causing her to lose her balance. The guns fall out of her hand. Jennifer falling backward onto a table by the staircase is knocked unconscious.
Jonathan and the maid are wrestling on the floor. Jonathan manages to overpower her and punches her in the face. The maid falls to the ground, and the three men lunge toward Jonathan. Jonathan losing his balance, falls backward on a table. He too loses consciousness.
John and the maid pick up a rifle. They hurry out of the mansion along with Steele, Tex, and the pilot.
Jonathan and Jennifer are coming through when they hear sirens in the distance.
“Are you all right?” Jonathan asks as they rise to their feet.
Jennifer nods. They hurry out of the mansion. The sirens are getting closer. Jonathan and Jennifer hurry as they run toward the bayou.
The men are getting into the charter plane which is by the bayou. The maid sees the Harts. She aims the rifle at them. Jonathan and Jennifer duck to avoid the shot.
The charter plane starts to take off and begins to descend into the sky. Several police cars approach the mansion and come to a stop.
A police officer is approaching the bayou when the maid pulls the trigger at him. The officer is shot in the arm. The maid, who has lowered the weapon, is punched in the face hard by Jennifer. The woman loses her balance and falls to the ground along with the rifle.
Jennifer grabs the woman by the arm and forces her to rise to her feet. She picks up the rifle.
The police officer approaches the woman as he holds a hand over his flesh wound on his arm. Jennifer pushes the maid toward him. He takes out his handcuffs, which he places around the woman’s hands. The officer takes the rifle from Jennifer and begins to lead the maid away.
Jonathan is rushing toward the swamp. Jennifer turns around and hurries after her husband who has his mind on catching up to the three men in the charter
plane. Jonathan reaches the swamp and looks around for a means of transportation.
Jennifer catches up to Jonathan, who has just jumped onto an airboat. The men have managed to get ahead of them in the plane. Jonathan is struggling to get the fan started. After two attempts he finally manages to get the fan going.
“Hold on!” Jonathan exclaims as the airboat takes off at sixty miles per hour.
“Hold onto what?” Jennifer asks with a look as she raises her voice to be heard over the loud fan. She holds tightly onto the chair.
The airboat is going through the swamp at a fast speed. Jonathan and Jennifer find themselves catching up to the men in the charter plane who are high above them in the sky. The governor aims his rifle at them. Jonathan and Jennifer duck to avoid the shot.
“Step on it!” Steele yells to the pilot.
“I’m going fast as I can, sir!” he tells him.
Jonathan and Jennifer manage to stay down as the governor continues shooting at them.
“Stay down,” Jonathan says as he looks around the boat for something to defend themselves.
He keeps his head down as he looks around for a weapon. Other than a toolbox and a fishing rod there, is no other equipment on board.
John continues taking shots at Jonathan and Jennifer as the airboat continues going around the swamp.
After a few more minutes of the governor shooting at them, the airboat stops. John smiles as he takes his hand off the trigger.
The charter plane again disappears out of sight. Jonathan hits the side of the boat with his fist in frustration.
“What happened?” Jennifer asks.
“The fan went out. I’ll have to get out of this boat to fix it.”
“You can’t! There are alligators out there!” Jennifer exclaims with fear.
“I’ll pull the boat into the cove,” Jonathan replies, his mind on getting the fan working again.
They pull the airboat into a cove. Jonathan gets out of the boat and steps into the murky water. Jonathan walks over to the fan on the back as Jennifer watches reluctantly.
“Do you know what you are doing?” Jennifer asks.
“No,” Jonathan confesses. “If we had a hand grenade we could blow up the plane,” he says, turning to her.
Jonathan starts to work on getting the fan working again. Jennifer looks around their surroundings.
To her horror and shock, she sees an alligator staring at Jonathan.
The alligator starts to make his way over to him. Jennifer is in a state of panic. She opens her purse and takes out a pack of beef jerky. She walks over to the side of the boat and tosses it toward the alligator who is near them.
Jonathan has just managed to get the fan working again as the alligator approaches the beef jerky. He begins to eat the jerky as Jonathan steps into the boat. Jennifer sighs in relief. The airboat takes off again as Jennifer looks after the alligator.
“I hope he likes beef jerky,” Jennifer mumbles to herself as the boat is once again going at sixty miles per hour.
The boat drives out of the cove and back into the direction where they were in the swamp before the fan stopped.
After minutes of riding in the airboat, Jonathan and Jennifer see the charter plane up ahead in the distance. John has noticed them too. He takes out his rifle and aims it out the window. He is pointing the weapon at the Harts once again. They see the governor aiming the gun at them. They duck once again to avoid being shot.
To their surprise, the charter plane begins to have mechanical problems. The plane, now low above in the sky, goes flying over the boat. The men shout in panic and fear. Jonathan and Jennifer watch the plane turn around as it comes towards them just like before.
Jonathan rushes toward the toolbox. He bends down to open the toolbox and picks up a wrench. Just as the plane comes flying over them, Jonathan hurls the wrench toward the aircraft, attempting to hit the windshield. The wrench hits the propeller.
“Well, darling, you just threw a wrench into their works,” Jennifer comments.
With only a matter of seconds, the plane comes flying over them. Jonathan prepares to be ready for when the aircraft flies over them again. He looks to see what else the toolbox contains. Jonathan doesn’t come cross anything. Afterward, he notices a tackle box which he opens. He finds a spinner. Jonathan picks up the spinner. Just as Jonathan is about to tie the spinner to the rod, the plane is coming towards them. John attempts to shoot at them. Jonathan and Jennifer take cover just in time as the shot fires.
The plane begins to descend lower. It goes flying over the airboat as Jonathan ties the spinner to the fishing rod. He stands back on the front of the boat, ready to cast out.
Just then, the plane begins to fly over them again. Jonathan casts out. The hook goes through the window and grabs hold of the pilot’s sleeve. The pilot finds himself losing control of the wheel. He slumps over. The plane was flying too low to pull up.
The passengers scream as the charter plane heads directly toward the water.
Just as the plane is about to crash into the murky water, the line breaks. The plane crashes into the other side of the swamp nearby. Jonathan sets the rod down. He and Jennifer carefully make their way over to the back of the boat. They watch as two alligators make their way over to the sunken plane.
“I guess the alligators will find out that plane food isn’t all that good,” Jonathan comments casually, turning to his wife.
Jennifer rolls her eyes and smacks Jonathan on the head.
Natchez Several Nights Later
Jonathan and Jennifer enjoying a dinner cruise on the famous steamboat traveling down the Mississippi River take a stroll on deck. They are holding each other’s hand with a glass of wine in the other. Jonathan and Jennifer walking over to the railing take a look out at the view of the Mississippi. It is dark out, and romantic jazz music is playing from the dining room. Jennifer is silent as she looks out at the river. She is in deep thought as she takes a sip of her wine.
“Are you all right, darling?” Jonathan asks with concern at her somber mood.
“I was thinking about Elliot. I can’t believe it has only been a few years since we first were on the Natchez with him,” Jennifer replies, turning to face her husband.
“You know a part of Elliot will always live on. We are staying on in New Orleans to continue his book.”
“I know. I just wish Elliot could be here to finish it with me. He truly was the best professor I had.”
“You are worried about not hearing back from his publisher?” Jonathan asks, taking a sip of his wine.
“I did fax him to get in touch with me soon as possible, but I haven’t received a response. It has been a few days.”
Jonathan reaches into his jacket and brings out a piece of paper. He looks at it with a mischievous smile.
“Is this the fax you are referring to, sweetheart?” Jonathan asks.
“Jonathan, what are you doing with my fax?” Jennifer asks in surprise as he hands her the piece of paper.
“The fax came in while you were out. I wanted it with me so I could surprise you with the good news,” Jonathan replies as Jennifer begins to read over the response Elliot’s publisher from New York sent her.
“Oh, darling, he wants me not only to continue the book. He wants me to write a forward to dedicate to Elliot!” Jennifer exclaims with a warm smile, delighted by the good news.
“That is not the only dedication.”
“What do you mean?” Jennifer wonders, turning to look up at her husband.
“Hart Industries has just purchased a fine piece of property here in Louisiana,darling,” Jonathan replies in a Southern accent. “We are building a park in Orleans called, ‘Elliot Laurence Park.’ A plaque will be at the entrance to the park. I think Elliot would love that, don’t you?” Jonathan asks, placing his arm around Jennifer with a smile.
Jennifer chuckles as she places her arm around Jonathan.
“It is true what they say about Southerners,” Jennifer says in a Southern accent as they embrace.
“And what is that?” Jonathan asks in his normal voice.
“They truly do have such warm hospitality.”
“Does that mean I may have a chance of winning your heart?” Jonathan asks with a smile.
“You already have, darling. Tonight is our first date,” Jennifer replies with a smile in her normal voice.
“Oh, when are we going to have our second?”
“Now, gentlemen callers, shouldn’t come on so strong,” Jennifer says with a wink.
“Oh, I forgot my manners, darling. How about a kiss?” Jonathan asks with a smile.
Jennifer smiles and reaches over to kiss him. They kiss with their arms wrapped around each other’s throat as the Natchez continue rolling down the river with the band begin playing, “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Write a comment
Dinah Senna (Sunday, 04 August 2019 07:08)
Congratulations dear for your wonderful story. You are without doubt an excellent writer.
Karen Duckworth (Tuesday, 06 August 2019 18:11)
Loved how you built the suspense and wove the past crime into the present. Once again you stayed true to the characters and their personalities. Your addition of humor makes me laugh. I can see the characters “in my head” as if I was watching the actual show. Keep up the good work!!!
Lisa (Wednesday, 07 August 2019 22:38)
Another wonderful story! Loved the mystery and charm of the setting of New Orleans. Thanks for continuing to entertain us with your talent!!
Karen Wilson (Thursday, 08 August 2019 16:59)
Wonderful story
mk (Monday, 12 August 2019 03:37)
super,super , I like yours stories
naraida Tamisen (Friday, 05 March 2021 07:11)
I ❤️ all the stories. It’s just on the marriage certificate of Gov John Meyer... FEBRUARY 30, 1935. �
Sara Duckworth (Friday, 05 March 2021 07:44)
I'm glad you are enjoying my stories, Naraida. I just double-checked photographs of marriage certificates online, and the way I wrote the certificate resembles the way marriage certificates were written back then.