Leopard's Prey

visit because it inspires me, but I couldn’t live here all year-round. The mosquitoes alone would drive me to drink.”
    He laughed at himself, making her smile.
    “I enjoy New York. The nightlife, the way the city makes its own music. I feel inspired there. I enjoy Paris, and believe it or not, Istanbul. I like to travel and see the world, but in the end, my studio is where I need to be.”
    “Do you have secret places you get rocks everywhere you go?” she teased.
    “Of course.” He finished off his coffee. “How about you come rock hunting with me?”
    “I have a show to do tonight at the club, but it isn’t for hours. As long as this doesn’t take too long,” she said.
    There was safety in numbers. Whoever was murdering people caught them alone—at least so far that seemed to be the way. In any case, she didn’t want to go back to the Inn, see her manager or Remy. Playing hooky in the swamp with Arnaud might be the cure.
    “I’ll tell you what,
chere
, do some climbing with me and I’ll go to your show tonight and buy you dinner.”
    What else did she have to do, but feel sorry for herself? She could spend the day in Arnaud’s company, have a good time and then do her show. Singing always made her feel better.
    “Sounds good to me,” she said and finished off her coffee as well. “But I’m not usin’ that hitch to tie off my rope. I’m using that very strong tree trunk.”
    “You’re such a chicken,” Arnaud protested. “I use the hitch all the time.”
    “I’m not fallin’ into the disgustin’ water,” Bijou said with a small shudder. “Laugh it up, Arnaud, I’m not smellin’ for a month to prove a point. That water has enough germs in it to kill half of Louisiana.”
    “You really are a girl,” he teased. He slapped at his arm. “Damn mosquitoes. How come they aren’t eating you alive?”
    “ ’Cuz I’m a girl, not a mean Frenchman,” Bijou said and folded up her chair. She had no idea why mosquitoes didn’t ever bite her, but even as a child, when everyone else was getting attacked, the insects veered away from her and went after someone else.
    She sent him a smug look. “Louisiana mosquitos know the natives and just go after the tourists, especially hot French tourists.”
    “At least you think I’m hot.” He made a face at her as he put her folding chair in the back of his rented SUV. “Let’s hope your climbing skills haven’t been affected by your sense of humor.”
    She peered over the ledge. “I don’ have any intention of endin’ up in that water. I’ve got my own equipment in the trunk of my car.”
    “A girl after my own heart. If you have a helmet, you might want to use it. The bank is unstable and juts out in places overhead,” he cautioned. “I get debris falling at times.”
    The wind shifted, blowing a slight breeze through the trees. She felt the now familiar itch rising like a wave under her skin and took a deep breath trying to control the need to scratch. For a brief moment, a scent drifted to her and just that quickly was gone. Elusive. She knew it, and yet she hadn’t gotten enough time before the capricious wind changed direction again to identify it. A chill crept down her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.
    Bijou swung around, looking slowly. “Arnaud, do you feel as if someone is watchin’ us?”
    Arnaud didn’t snicker or act as if she was crazy. He took her seriously, stepping out from behind the vehicle to inspect the road running along the bayou with a slow, careful perusal. Bijou rubbed at the itch racing up and down her arm. Just that fast the sensation faded, along with the odd feeling they were being watched, leaving her feeling foolish. Whatever strange thing was taking place in her body, was making her moody, edgy and jumpy.
    “I don’t see anything, Bijou,” Arnaud said. “But if you’re worried, we can skip getting the rocks and I can come back another day.”
    “No, that would be silly. We’re already here,” Bijou replied. “I was looking forward to seeing your cache.” She took one more careful look around and drew in a lungful of air. Nothing. She had no idea what had set her off, making her so uncomfortable, but there was nothing to indicate they weren’t alone.

8
    “ Y OU don’t want a lot of stretch in your line,” Arnaud cautioned. “Use a static line, maybe ten to twenty meters. I use a Grigri. It’s simple, and I don’t like a fuss when I’m working. I rappel down,