Seven Deadly Sins: The Sins of Bear Corner, #2

Dedication

Without the love and support of my family and friends, I would not have pursued this new path in life.  I would especially like to thank those that have proofread copy after copy, to give me their honest opinion of the books. 

Theresa, thank you so much for your continued encouragement.  Without you, some of the characters would not have come to life.

To my wonderful husband Malwen, your continued love and support mean the world to me.  I don’t know what I would do without you in my life.  One of these nights I’m sure you will be able to sleep with both eyes closed.  Eventually I should run out of ideas... or maybe not.  These books wouldn’t be what they are without you pushing me forward. 

To Yuri Theriot thank you for helping me with this book.  I enjoyed discussing the concept behind the book as well as the seven deadly sins. 

To Don Reason and Malcolm Phil Theriot for sharing your knowledge and experience of Law Enforcement protocol. 

To my fans, I would like to offer a special thank you for your continued support. 

This book is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or places are entirely coincidental. 

Copyright © 2012 by Mary Reason Theriot

Also Available by Mary Reason Theriot:

The Hideaway

The Traveler

Dr. Frankenstein

Above Suspicion

Horror in the Night

Deadly Seduction

Echoes on the Bayou

Coming Soon:

A Kiss So Deadly

A Deadly Combination

www.maryreasontheriot.com

Prologue

He dropped the knife into the sink.  This was not just any knife, though.  This knife set a soul free earlier in the evening.  It was sharp enough to cut through steel.  He watched in fascination as the blood of the sinner mixed with the water as he washed his hands.  He had completed the first part of God’s mission.  His mother’s soul was one-step closer to gaining entrance into the Kingdom of God.  When his mother was diagnosed with cancer, he promised her they would defeat it.  Not only had he failed to keep his promise, but he had let her commit the ultimate sin, suicide.  The church denied his request to allow her body to pass through because she had committed such a grievous mortal sin. 

That night he begged God to help his mother’s soul find everlasting peace.  There had to be a way for their heavenly Father to forgive his mother!  That was when God came to him with a mission, eradicate the sinners and he would allow his mother eternal rest in heaven.  Only after these sinners had atoned for their sins would his mother gain entry into His kingdom.  Each day that her soul remained confined in purgatory was a day of unrest for him. 

Once he finished cleaning his hands, he moved onto the knife.  The water in the sink was now a crimson red.  He closed his eyes and visualized setting her soul free.  He laid the knife on the counter to dry.  He would return it to his arsenal of tools after his shower.

He placed his dark clothes in a black plastic trash bag.  There was no sense in washing them.  When he was preparing to begin God’s mission, he purchased several disposable outfits from a thrift store in New Orleans.  He knew the importance of disposing of any evidence as soon as he released a soul.  He could not take the chance of the police stopping him just yet.  First, he must complete his mission so God could forgive his mother and free her soul from Purgatory.

He headed to the bathroom and turned on the shower.  Soon steam filled the room.  He stepped into the shower and let the hot water run over him.  He lathered the soap on his body over and over again until the water ran clear. 

He dressed in dark clothes once again.  By daybreak, this town would know what happened to sinners.

Chapter 1

Pride

Detective Chad Picou had not once regretted transferring from Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Bear Corner.  He had felt welcomed here since the minute he moved into his house.  He had never experienced such hospitality.  Several of his neighbors even brought over little gift baskets and homemade goodies.

He also found out that he fit right in with the locals.  When he moved here, he feared that he would miss the hustle and bustle of the city, but he preferred this small town way of life.  He was comfortable in this quaint town and loved the people.  Living in Bear Corner had also brought him closer to his Cajun heritage. 

His duties as a detective could be almost mundane at times.  Nothing much went on in the sleepy town, that was until storm waters revealed Carl Ledet’s deadly secret earlier this year.  Picou could finally close his eyes and not see Ledet holding that knife to Mia.  His blood ran cold at the mere thought of what she had endured at the hands of that man.  The only good thing that came from the experience involving Ledet was that it brought them even closer together.

Mia was the best thing that could have ever happened to him.  She was the first woman he envisioned himself growing old with, which was why he married her. 

Chapter 2

Mia Picou was about to stop for the day when her mom called, Mia darling, I hate to bother you but I need a favor.  I need someone to take your dad to his chiropractor appointment today.  I am still at Chris’s and it may be a little longer before he is done.  He was running late this morning.

Mom, you know I never have a problem helping out with Dad.  I will head over to get him right now.

Samuel Cheramie had been her dad’s chiropractor for a little over a year now.  He had been a great help to him.  Chiropractic treatment may not be an option for every patient with Multiple Sclerosis but it had relieved some of her dad’s symptoms, and that was good enough for her.  Whatever Samuel did there, her dad moved around better after a few tweaks from him. 

Mia still remembered the day her dad came home and told them about his MS diagnosis.  Back then, she had no idea what this disease meant, but over the years as she witnessed the MS progress, she had a lot more respect for her dad.  He was once a very energetic man that had dealt well with the blows MS sent him.  It had been over fifteen years since his diagnosis and in the last two years his walking had become worse.  He now relied heavily on his cane, but thanks to Samuel, he had been able to prove the neurologist wrong.  His doctor told him that by now he would be in a wheelchair.  He was doing everything in his power to stay standing on his own two feet.  Thanks to Samuel, it was a very good possibility. 

Samuel refused to allow Mia’s dad to give up, no matter what.  More importantly, he did not take any gruff from her dad.  Her dad could be a challenge at times. 

The heat of the day hit Mia as soon as she stepped outside.  The sky was a brilliant blue without a cloud in sight and there was no breeze blowing, only a wall of humidity that made the day hazy.  She could actually see the heat steaming off the roads.  If it was this hot now, she dreaded what summer would be like.  The weatherman last night had reported there was no rain in the forecast for the next several days.  They desperately needed the rain.  It was so dry here the ground was cracking.

Walking to her car, she went over some new ideas for her bakery, Mia’s.  She was thinking of offering a variety of Italian sodas to help people quench their thirst as the summer months heated up.  The young and the old flocked indoors, desperately trying to find some relief from the oppressive Louisiana heat.  As the morning wore on in the summer, no one would be looking for coffee, but something ice cold.  Iced coffees may go over well, but the Italian sodas would be something different here. 

After picking up her dad, Mia took him to Samuel’s office.  She made it there with seconds to spare. I’m sorry Samuel.  Mom is tied up at the moment and I had to finish picking everything up before closing shop.

That’s okay Mia.  Will your mom be back to pick up your dad?

To be honest, I didn’t ask.  I just figured I would wait here and work while he was in the exam room.

Her dad looked over at her, I’m not an invalid!  If you need to go do something, I can wait around here for your mother.

Mia shook her head, That is nonsense Dad.  Besides, I can catch up on some work while I wait.  Otherwise, it probably won’t get done.

Her dad gave her a hard stare, If you say so, but I don’t need a babysitter.

Mia let out a chuckle, trying to put her dad at ease.  Have you ever thought that maybe I do?  Besides, I need to make out a grocery list and go over several other things for the bakery.

He gave her a kiss on her cheek, If you insist. I need to get back there and let this man start cracking these old bones or it will be nightfall by the time I am done.

While her dad was in the back, Mia jotted down a few new recipes she had going through her head along with a list of what she needed to get for the bakery. 

After her experience with Carl Ledet, she realized just how short life really was.  When Chad Picou asked her to marry him, she was elated with joy.  She had dreamed of finding the kind of love her parents had, and she believed she had that with Chad.  She was happy with their new life together and wanted to start a family right away.

Before Mia knew it, Samuel was escorting her dad back into the waiting room.  She gave him a smile, It looks like you had a good session today.

Samuel nodded his head, The old man did well.  See you Thursday.

HE WATCHED AS FATHER and daughter left.  Why couldn’t all families stick together through life’s turmoils?  Mr. Arnold’s diagnosis was a huge blow, and yet his wife and child continued to stick by him.  People could learn a lot from the Arnold family.

He had always loved touching people, craving that physical contact.  That was why he became a chiropractor.  He was able to touch people all day without complaint.  He inflicted pain through manipulating uncooperative joints, helping the healing process.  No one would ever suspect the real reason he pushed a little too hard, pushing the pain beyond reasonable limits.  Pain was good for the spiritual body as well.  It cleansed the body and purified the heart. 

In his professional life, he displayed a calm, controlled, and passionate concern for his patients.  No one knew what he was truly like.  He kept everyone at arm’s length and always would.

He may be considered an excellent chiropractor here, but he was so much more.  He was a healer of the soul as well as the body.

Chapter 3

He enjoyed this part of the ritual.  The perilous night gave him such a thrill.  His eyes stayed alert with the exhilaration of setting another soul free.  Like a hungry animal stalking its prey, he waited for the perfect moment to strike. 

He hid in the shadows waiting, the darkness of his car cloaking him.  A muscle spasm ran through his legs.  He had been sitting in the car longer than he would have liked, and his body was protesting.  He had hoped his intense workout from this morning would help him be nimble tonight, but he must have overworked his muscles more than he realized.  He believed in keeping his body as fit as his soul.  He adjusted his position without making too much movement.  He had been waiting for over an hour for her, but he had yet to see her.  He did not believe in tardiness, any change in his strict schedule upset him.  For a successful plan to work, everything must run like clockwork.

He had been following her for over two weeks now, had studied her routine, observed her activities just like a private investigator.  He had to be certain that she needed to confess her sins and repent before he could save her soul.  He overheard her talking one day on her phone and realized she was a sinner.  She could not stop talking about spending her husband’s money.  She flashed the ring on her hand to make sure everyone in the waiting room took notice.  She was usually such a predictable creature, but she was running late today. 

From what he had learned, Victoria Russo was only concerned about one thing, shopping.  She spent her days in and out of stores, showing off her purchases at lunch with friends. 

Victoria knew her husband had a mistress, but as long as she ignored his indiscretions, he permitted her to spend as much money as she wanted.  It was a win win situation for the both of them. 

Growing up, she did not concern herself with going to college.  She set her eyes on marrying a rich man and living the life of luxury.  She played her cards right and so far everything was working out perfectly.  She didn’t even have to sleep with the man; his mistress took care of his needs.

With tires squealing, he saw her car come zipping into the driveway.  He watched her every move as if she was beckoning him to complete his mission and save her soul.  She must atone for her sins. 

Perfect, he thought to himself when he saw her pull into the drive.  He feared he would have to wait another day before he released her soul.  He glanced at his watch and noticed she was over an hour late.  He wondered what kept her detained, no matter though, he would complete his mission tonight.  As she exited the car, he watched her every move.  Soon he would make his move. 

His heart pounded violently in his chest.  Soon he would set her soul free, cleansing her of her sins.  Not many people in town knew of her sins.  She easily deceived those who knew her.  She was guilty of the mother of all deadly sins.  Pride was from which all others were born.  Pride was an ego gone wild, a vicious beast.  Fate, though, had a way of making things right.  He became overwhelmed with a feeling of euphoria that few would ever understand.

He stood in the shadows of the trees outside of her house, waiting to enter.  Nightfall brought no relief from the heat wave that plagued the state.  His shirt clung to his back, already damp with sweat.  The rain started to fall and the wind picked up.  He ignored the elements as he was on God’s mission, one he must complete. 

God sent him to this city of decadence that needed saving.  So many people here needed purification of their sins.  He had been waiting for so long to do God’s will and now the time had come.  The people in this town needed to know what happened to sinners.  They must repent for their sins and change their ways. 

He had dressed in dark clothes to blend into the night.  He had situated himself before everyone came home from work.  He did not want to be seen driving in the neighborhood. 

He watched as the lights in her house went off.  He caught a hint of movement in her room.  Moving cautiously along the shadows to her back door, he quickly opened it and entered the house.  He headed straight to her bedroom.

He could already feel his hands on her body, releasing her.  It had been so very easy to break into her house. 

VICTORIA RUSSO HATED when her husband was away, even if they didn’t sleep in the same room.  When he was away, she tended to hear every creak and moan this old house made.  As she settled into bed, she stopped suddenly and listened.  She thought she heard a creak, as if someone was coming up the stairs.  Her heart nearly stopped. 

She got out of bed and peered out the window.  She was half-afraid she would see something sinister lurking around.  Stop it, she told herself.  She was just hearing things.  It was the wind.  She could see the moss that hung from the massive oak tree swaying in the night. 

As she crawled back in bed, she heard the noise again.  Her throat went dry.  She told herself she was being silly.  There was nothing evil in her home.  She was letting her imagination work overtime tonight!  She turned on the TV to drown out any noise she thought she might have heard.  She fell asleep to the sounds of a TV show playing in the background.

She awoke suddenly, unsure of what had startled her and looked around.  Before she could react, the intruder was on top of her.  He was impossibly strong; his nails dug into her to stop her flailing. 

He pulled out the ketamine soaked rag and held it over her mouth and nose.  The drug quickly weakened her.  The fight to flee left her body.  Everything went hazy.  Her eyelids were heavy as she succumbed to the drug.

AN URGENCY TO RELEASE her soul plagued him and he rushed home, not paying attention to the speed limit.  He reprimanded himself; it would not do his mission any good if they found an unconscious woman in the back of his SUV.  That would be difficult to explain. 

He pulled down the long narrow road that led to his house.  His plantation consisted of several acres with the house overlooking the bayou.  When he moved here, he asked the real estate agent to find him a historical home that offered privacy from the town.  The pictures were nothing like what he saw, but still if he closed his eyes, he could see the hidden potential in the house.

The first time he drove up to it, he seriously considered backing out of the purchase.  It reminded