Bitter Root (25 page)

Adi nodded. She couldn’t talk about it. She carefully continued
to turn pages in the book. Near the end of Genesis, she found a sealed envelope
marked “In the event of my death.” She handed it to T’Claude without opening
it. That would surely have Bertie’s directives for her service.

“I’m going to go call the lawyer. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

Adi kept flipping through the well-worn book. She turned to the
New Testament and found several faded newspaper clippings folded into the
binding.

“
Father
searches for lost daughter
,” the headline read. June 20, 2007. About
three months after she had arrived in New Iberia. The article was about her.
Had Bertie known all along who Adi had been running from? Why hadn’t she turned
her over to the authorities? Adi truly owed her life to Bertie now. The other
clippings were dated later, the last in February of 2010. Adi was the subject
of all of them. J.B. hadn’t given up looking for her. He still owned the bait
shop, but wasn’t married to her mom anymore and lived in Morgan City.

She would burn those clippings. She didn’t want anything to tie
her to Nerbass. That life was a lie. Her truth was right here in New Iberia,
with Bertie and T’Claude.

“You should have that bible. Bertie would want you to have it.
That’s why she wrote your name in it. I’m so sorry, Adi. I know what a loss
this is to you, to both of us. I’ve been there and it’s not easy, but it does
get better,” T said as he walked back into the room.

“Better? I don’t know, T. I haven’t ever hurt like this before. I
just want to wake up and have it all be a nightmare.”

“I know, kid. Let’s go outside and get some fresh air. We can
open the envelope out there.”

“Okay.”

They went to the wide front porch and sat in the rockers. Adi
looked out at the azaleas blooming in the yard and the vegetable garden with
its freshly turned soil. She would put in the summer garden, just like she’d
promised Bertie. She would go on living, even if it hurt. She would do it
because Bertie would want her to.

“You want to open this? Or should I?” T’Claude said.

“Go ahead and do it, T.”

He ripped the seam of the envelope and pulled out a few sheets of
paper. He read them aloud.

“At this
time, I know you are all being silly fools, crying and all of that, but don’t
be sad for me. I’m going home, and it’s about time. I’m not in that empty shell
you got there. I’m up here dancing and singing with my mamma and other folks I
love. Don’t waste your time being sad for me. You all have things to do in that
world. That’s why you’re there. Be sure and do them. Don’t be stuck. Let life
take a hold of you and fly free.

Now, when
y’all start thinking about how to send me off, here’s what I want. I want my
pastor to get all fired up about the joys awaiting in the afterlife. There
needs to be singing and dancing, lots of dancing. Don’t be burying my
leftovers, now. Just fire me into nice clean ashes and send me off. You know
where, Adi. Smile for me, laugh for me, and be happy. I know I am.”

Adi had to smile as she listened to T read. She could hear
Bertie, and nothing in the note surprised her. She knew just the place Bertie
wanted her ashes scattered. The Atchafalaya Basin, where she liked to canoe.
She had shown Bertie the pictures she took there and knew it had been Bertie’s
wish to be able to share that with Adi, but she’d sworn she wouldn’t get in
some creaky little boat. This way, whenever Adi went to the Basin, Bertie would
be waiting for her. She took to heart the message of Bertie’s note. To live
free, not to be stuck. That was meant for her. It wouldn’t be easy, but she
would do her best.

“That’s just like Bertie. Make us feel silly for missing her. She
would do that. Are you going to be okay with a happy celebration? I mean, if
you need it to be more solemn, I’m sure Bertie wouldn’t mind.”

“No. It has to be just the way she wanted. It’s better that way.
It will help me break out of this funk. She always did know exactly what was
good for me.”

“Okay then. I’ll call Reverend Peters and set up a memorial for
her. Can you take the will and stuff to the lawyer? He said he’d wait at the
office for one of us.”

“Yeah. I can do that. Thanks.”

“Good. I better go on down to the Pot and see if Jose has things
under control. I hired a cook off Greg Landry, over at Iberia Kitchen. He
should be ready to start today. Just someone to help keep things going.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you did that. I don’t know when I’ll be
able to go back to work. I’m afraid I’ll hear her falling every time I’m in the
kitchen.”

“That’s understandable. You take whatever time you need. We’ll be
okay until you’re up to it again. What ever happened with that reporter?”

Adi hadn’t thought about Griffith since they’d turned off the
machines. What had happened to her? She’d mentioned something in her voice mail
about where she was going, but Adi couldn’t remember where it was.

“She’s still around somewhere, I think. I’m sure we’ll hear from
her soon.” The thought of being held by her caused an ache in Adi’s soul. If
she was still around, maybe they could fix things.

“Good, then. We’re going to need all the good publicity we can
get with a new cook and no Bertie.”

“I think I have her phone number inside. I’ll call her when I get
back from the lawyer and see what’s up.”

“I’d appreciate that. And hey, it matters to you too. You’re a
partner in the business now. Regardless of when you come back to work, you
profit if the Pot profits.”

“Thanks. I’ll let you know what I find out.”

After T’Claude left, Adi hit the shower and drove down to deliver
the will and insurance to Bertie’s lawyer. She still felt numb and had flashes
of grief, but she reminded herself of Bertie’s parting message in the letter,
and it helped. Healing would come with time.

She thought about the last time she had seen Griffith. The walk
on the coulee the evening of Bertie’s stroke. How she’d reacted and how she’d
told Griffith to get away from her. Had Griffith even heard her voice message
apologizing? What if she hadn’t? What if she had no plans to return to New
Iberia and had already gone back to California to write her article? Adi
couldn’t blame her if she’d chosen to leave town. And that also meant she
didn’t have to explain her past.

Fresh pain tore at her as she thought of never seeing Griffith
again. Never stealing kisses from her on a moonlit night. She shook it off.
No sense worrying about something
you can’t control.
She pulled out her phone and called her.

After six rings, the voice mail answered and she had to leave yet
another message. Maybe something was wrong. Maybe Griffith was avoiding her
calls. She could spend all day worrying, but it wouldn’t help a darn thing.
Griffith would call her back, or she wouldn’t. Adi had done all she could. Time
to move on.

Griffith hadn’t had any luck at Eloise Nerbass’s house.
Apparently, the woman wasn’t in town. Just when she had paid her motel bill and
was pulling out of the parking lot to head back to New Iberia, Randy Pecot
called, letting her know that J.B. Nerbass had been delayed in Mexico and
wouldn’t return until after his China trip.

“He wants to help with your story, though, and he’d be happy to
fly you down to Mexico City to interview him. He’ll fit you in between business
meetings. Shall I book you a flight?”

“Mexico City? I’m not sure if I can do that. Can I get back to
you in an hour?”

“Of course. I know it’s last minute, but that’s how J.B. is. When
he decides he wants to do something, he makes it happen. If you’ll just confirm
with me by four this afternoon, I can get you on a flight this evening,” Randy
said.

“Okay, I’ll let you know as soon as possible.” She was both
anxious and excited. She knew there was a story here, one that would see her
star rising again in print journalism. The worry was over how Adi would react.
I don’t want to hurt her, and this
is going to hurt, if I’m on the right track. She’s not going to accept that I
went to meet with him and didn’t mention it to her. I have to talk to her
before I go through with this.
The fact that she was willing to
discuss it with Adi told her more about how she felt than she’d realized. She
never asked permission from anyone, ever. But Adi’s feelings, and safety,
mattered more than her career ever would.
She drove back up the coast to New Iberia. Hopefully, she’d be able
to talk to Adi before she grabbed her bags from the hotel. When she arrived at
the Pot it was still deserted. Why had they closed down? She drove to Bertie’s,
dread building. The house was empty as well.
Where
is everyone?
She called Adi’s cell again, but there was no answer
and the message box was full. She called T’Claude and had the same result.
This isn’t good. What could
possibly have happened?
She glanced at her watch. Three fifty. She
had to decide what to do.

If something had happened to Adi, she was sure Bertie or T would
have called. Maybe they were avoiding her because of her article, or because of
her fight with Adi. But that didn’t make sense, as it wouldn’t be a reason to
shut down the Boiling Pot. She didn’t know if she should stay and figure this
out or take Nerbass up on his offer. She sighed and considered the options.
Whatever was going on here, she wasn’t a part of it. But she was a part of the
story, Adi’s story, which included Nerbass. She needed to follow her instincts
and get to the root of Nerbass’s business dealings. This could help Adi in the
end. There wouldn’t be another chance like this one.

She would be back in a few days and she could find out what had
happened then.
I wish I
could see her before I go. I don’t want to lose her.
She called
Randy and confirmed her trip details, then packed her bags and headed to New
Orleans. Then she called a friend in LA and let her know she was meeting a
contact in Mexico. If she suddenly disappeared, she wanted someone to know
where to start looking.

She arrived in Mexico City, more anxious than she had been in New
Iberia. Something was wrong. Something big. She could feel it. She tried
calling all the numbers again as soon as she was off the plane but had no luck.
There was a driver holding a sign with her name on it as she exited customs. He
whisked her away to five-star hotel and spa. A hotel representative greeted her
personally and showed her to her room. The whole time, she wondered if Adi was
okay and what was going on in New Iberia.

“Mr. Nerbass has instructed us that anything you desire is to be
added to his bill. Please feel free to enjoy all we have to offer. If you need
anything at all, here is my personal number. Don’t hesitate to call me. Enjoy
your stay,” she said. She handed Griff an embossed card and left her to unwind.

She’d been told Nerbass would call her when he was ready for
their meeting. She tried to relax and gather her thoughts, but her head and her
heart hadn’t made the trip. They were back in Louisiana.
Why can’t I get in touch with
anyone? Does Adi even know I’ve tried to reach her?

She was playing the waiting game with Nerbass, and she didn’t
like it. She had to pull it together so when she finally did get an opportunity
to talk with him she wouldn’t give anything away. He couldn’t connect her to
Adi. She’d made sure of it, and she’d rehearsed her story to sound as plausible
as possible. By the second day of waiting, her nerves were beginning to fray.
Her concern over Adi and the others was growing exponentially, and the urge to
leave was strong. But this was important. She needed to find out who he was,
behind the flashy veneer. She was certain he was the source of Adi’s fear, and
she couldn’t free her without the facts.
I
have to stick it out. He’s scheduled to leave for Beijing in the morning.
Whether he calls today or not, tonight I’m on a plane back to New Orleans.

She felt bad about the way she’d left things with Adi. She had
every intention of talking out their disagreement, but her sense that meeting
with Nerbass would give her a big break was overwhelming, and she didn’t want
to miss her chance. And knowing she could help Adi, even if nothing more ever
happened between them, made her determined to figure it all out.
The past two days had
given her ample time to evaluate Adi’s reaction and her own defensive stance on
editorial control. Realistically, the situation with Adi was nothing like the
one with Tabitha. No one was at risk except Adi and those she loved. There
weren’t life savings involved, nor was she a criminal. At least, she didn’t
think she was. In fact, her deceptiveness over her past was most likely purely
protective. The locals she had talked with certainly made it sound as though
J.B. Nerbass was a dangerous man.

Adi made her feel things. Things that went deeper than ever
before. The way Adi’s smile made her tense inside and flush with warmth. The
tingle that rippled down her body when they touched. Feelings she’d turned off
after Tabitha. It was more than just a passing attraction, and Adi was worth
the risk of being in a dangerous situation in a foreign country. It was
theoretically possible Nerbass wasn’t the connection to Adi after all.
Can I live with it, if I never
really know where she comes from?
The truth surprised her. She
could. And she could write her piece for Dawn completely confident that nothing
could arise from it that would harm her or the magazine. She trusted Adi fully.
The question of whether or not Adi would trust her, knowing that she’d invaded
her past even though she’d asked her not to, was another question. One she’d
deal with as soon as she got back.

She looked down at her phone to check the time. Ten forty. She
needed to book a flight back to New Orleans. She would be back in New Iberia
before another day passed.