Ghost Knights Of New Orleans by David Althouse

Author:David Althouse [Althouse, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creativia
Published: 2019-05-28T22:00:00+00:00

12

Unfinished Business

With disguises finally discarded, many were the suspicious glances aimed at Loreta and me as we walked the streets of the Vieux Carre, as we dined in the evening and as we played poker and faro with the gaming crowd on the riverboats and at any number of New Orleans’ gambling establishments until the early morning hours.

One night at Tujague’s, in the charming company of Loreta, we enjoyed delicious servings of spicy shrimp smoldered with a piquant remoulade sauce and glasses of Sazerac. As the hours of enjoying fine food, drink and conversation passed, a sense of foreboding enveloped me.

Despite the pleasant evening, I could not help but notice shadow people lurking about in the corners.

I settled with Guilliaume, the proprietor, and spoke my adieus, but not before asking him to watch over Loreta as I stepped out to reconnoiter the cobblestone thoroughfares, recessed doorways and dark alleyways along Decatur and the nearby thoroughfares of Madison, Chartres, and Dumaine. Before heading back toward Tujague’s, I decided to walk about halfway down to the river and look over the area. After standing motionless for several minutes to ascertain any unusual movement or sound, and detecting nothing, I turned and began walking back toward Tujague’s.

Just then, a dark silhouette emerged from behind a live oak and ran pell-mell straight in the direction of one Drouet Broussard, transforming a perfectly serene moment to one of impending death. The silhouette’s grunts and heavy breathing drew ever closer, and I fathomed at once that the time lay upon me.

As I whirled to confront my pursuer, I glimpsed the shine of steel coming my way in the moonlight. The blade’s owner came at my arm as if to maim, but not fancying loss of limb, I pulled my right-side Bowie and slashed to kill, going for the gullet and taking down the dark figure with only two thrusts, in low and up fast. The gurgling heap lay there dying as I made straightaway for Tujague’s and Loreta.

In the safety of the apartment, I related to Loreta my close call with the assailant, both of us now fully understanding the vigilance necessary for our continued longevity.

The weeks passed with no lively event, and I guessed the number of my enemies had possibly thinned down to single digits, but I remained ever watchful of possible assailants lurking in the darkness. I refused to fall into a false sense of security until I knew for certain that the streets of the Crescent City were safe for Loreta and myself once again.

One moonless night on our balcony in the Vieux Carre while watching the lively street below, Loreta suggested making the short walk to Bourbon Street for an absinthe frappe at Aleix’s Coffee House, an establishment actually more of a public house than the name implied. Regarding her proposition as a model idea, I agreed, donned my hat and cape, and we departed straightaway.

We sought to attract as little attention as possible on each of our jaunts, with such the case on this night as we passed through the streets and near the dark alleyways.

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