Showdown in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #3)(33)

Helena sat in the passenger seat of Raissa’s car, wearing a black leather outfit and dark sunglasses. Raissa wasn’t sure whether she was going for Lara Croft or The Matrix, but she’d missed the mark on both counts. Raissa found herself longing for the days that she could only communicate with Helena through writing or holograms. Maryse may have been dead wrong about the MTV years being worse.

“I don’t understand why you have to do this in New Orleans,” Helena complained. “You’re supposed to stay out of sight. And while I’ll give you that the disguise is good, it’s still not safe.”

“It’s not safe to do what I have to do in Mudbug, either.”

“Why not? I thought you were some sort of computer whiz. They have the Internet in Mudbug.”

“I am a whiz, but it would take time to create a diversion good enough to cloak the origin of the Internet signal. I simply don’t have the time. So the safest way is to do my hacking at a public site and toss the computer when I leave. That way, no one can trace it to me.”

Helena’s expression cleared in understanding. “And no one will show up in Mudbug.”

“Exactly. The last thing I want to do is put anyone in Mudbug in jeopardy, especially Mildred or Maryse.”

“Well, I still think it’s dangerous, but I guess that’s what I’m here for, right? Lookout extraordinaire.”

Raissa didn’t miss the sarcasm in Helena’s voice. “You’re a great help. Maryse and Sabine wouldn’t be around if not for your help. Your methods may be questionable, but your heart is usually in the right place.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Her face brightened and she turned in her seat to face Raissa. “I don’t suppose you’d stop at the grocery store on the way home and buy me a cheesecake?”

Raissa laughed. “What happened to the diet?”

“Hell, I didn’t diet when I was alive. What’s the point now?”

“Maybe the point is you’re expensive to feed and don’t need to eat, so it’s a waste of money.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Helena waved a hand in dismissal. “So are wine, cigarettes, and gym memberships, and there’s still plenty of those around.”

Raissa glanced in her rearview mirror and frowned. There was a black car about a hundred yards behind them. It was tucked in behind a van, but Raissa caught a glimpse of it as the driver edged the car over, probably trying to see around the van. The thing that bothered Raissa was that the lane next to the van was completely clear. The car could easily pull around.

“What’s wrong?” Helena asked. “You’ve got this weird look on your face, and you keep looking in the rearview mirror.”

“I think someone is following us.”

Helena spun around in her seat and peered out the back window of the car. “The van?”

“No. There’s a black sedan behind the van, but it won’t pass. It’s been there for the last three miles.”

“Do you recognize the car?”

“No, but I’m getting a bad feeling.”

Helena turned around and fastened her seat belt. “That’s not good.”

“Why are you fastening your seat belt? You do know you’re already dead, right?”

“God, everyone is always saying that. You’re like a bunch of broken records. Of course, I know, but I’d still duck if someone was pointing a gun. It doesn’t matter if it’s irrational. Fear is fear.”

Helena’s logic never ceased to boggle Raissa’s mind. So many variables with ghosts, and boy, did Hollywood have it all wrong. She glanced in her rearview mirror again and saw the blinker flashing on the van. She felt her stomach tighten. “The van is exiting.” Raissa checked her mirrors and the highway in front of her, but there was no other car for miles.

Helena sat frozen in the passenger’s seat. “Is the car following?” She clenched her eyes shut. “I can’t look.”

Raissa watched as the van eased off the highway at the last exit Raissa had passed. The black car slowed and Raissa felt her breath catch in her throat, but then the car sped back up and remained on the highway, now exposed. “Shit.”

“They didn’t exit?”

“No.” Raissa pulled her pistol out of her purse, turned the safety off, then clutched the gun in her right hand. She checked her mirror again and realized the car was picking up speed. They were half the distance from her now that they had been just seconds ago. “This is bad.”

Helena bit her bottom lip and Raissa could swear the ghost grew paler. “How far away is the next exit?” Helena asked.

“Five miles. We’re sitting ducks. I should have taken the last exit and tried to shake them. Stupid! I’m losing my edge.” She checked the mirror. Another thirty yards and the car would be on top of them, and it showed no signs of slowing.

“Hold on, Helena. This is about to get ugly.”

She’d barely finished her statement when the other car struck them from behind, then dropped back. Helena curled up in a ball with her head between her legs and arms wrapped over her head. Raissa gripped the steering wheel with her free hand and just managed to keep the car on the road. “Damn it, Helena, I need help here.”

Helena peeked out from under her arms. “What kind of help?”