It’s the painkillers. I told you not to give them to me.

“Ms. Fontenot,” Larry began, glancing up at Wyatt.

“I’m over here,” Nonny stated.

She had let the pipe go out. There was never smoking in the house. It was forbidden, especially in the front parlor. She had sacrificed her rigid rule in order to cover the scent of the two fugitives from the dog. The tobacco, combined with the cat scent and Wyatt’s firm hold on it, prevented the dog from doing its job.

Wyatt waggled his finger at Larry and the guard whipped his head back around to face Nonny.

Someone’s at the window, Pepper said. They’re trying to open it. I can hear them cursing.

It was difficult not to laugh. The stinging nettles were carefully cultivated by a woman who had a gift for the land. The plants were tall, thick and spread out, climbing up the side of the house and looking innocent. By now they had wrapped themselves around whoever had stepped up to that window.

I’ll bet they’re cursing. He allowed laughter to show in his voice.

Wyatt wanted Pepper to relax and realize they could do this. They hadn’t even been prepared, but they’d send the guards home empty-handed with no more knowledge of Pepper and Ginger’s whereabouts than they had before they came.

“I’m sorry for what I did back there in the swamp, ma’am,” Larry said in a little rush. “I’ve regretted it ever since, and when your grandson came to let me know just how he felt about it, I have to admit, I thought I deserved what I got.”

To Wyatt’s utter astonishment, Larry’s voice rang with honesty. He might be embarrassed to come and apologize to Nonny, but he was more embarrassed that he’d treated her the way he had.

“I don’t know what came over me that day. There was a leak in one of the labs and the dog went crazy and I took him out to settle him down. He isn’t vicious. He does his job, but he doesn’t just attack without provocation. The alarms went off and I don’t half remember what happened, other than when I shoved you. It felt like I was moving through heavy fog – that someone else had done it, not me.”

Wyatt stiffened. What kind of chemicals were they testing in that laboratory? Whatever they were, they had affected both the dog and the guard. Had it been on purpose? More than ever he wanted to get into that lab.

“I mostly wanted my knife back,” Nonny said. “It’s been in ma famille for over a hundred years.”

A faint smile appeared. “I really liked that knife.” His smile faded. “I never saw anything like it, but every time I looked at it, I remembered what I’d done to you.” Larry shook his head. “That’s no excuse, but I was raised better than that.” He glanced out the window as if he didn’t want the other guards to hear him. “I really am sorry, ma’am, and I hope I didn’t cause you any real harm.”

“I accept your apology,” Nonny said. “You’re a good boy.”

Larry started to rise and then subsided, once again glancing outside, before turning back and leaning toward her, lowering his voice even more. “Ma’am, I’ve heard you’re kind and people around here trust you. There are things, dangerous things around right now. Be careful.”

“I’ve been in the swamp my entire life,” Nonny said. “I’m always careful, but thanks for the warnin’.”

Larry looked as if he wanted to say something else, but he stopped himself and stood. Instantly the dog came to its feet as well.

“I’m glad I came, ma’am. If you come back out to the swamp to harvest, you won’t get the same reception from me,” Larry assured. “I’ll look out for you.”

Nonny smiled at him for the first time. “I’ll bring you some beignets and café.”

Larry nodded and followed Wyatt back outside. On the porch he stopped. “There really is something dangerous loose in the swamp. She shouldn’t be out there.”

Wyatt studied the man’s face. “Did somethin’ get out of that lab that could hurt her or anyone else?” he prompted.

Larry shrugged. “Just watch her. I can’t say more.”

Wyatt nodded toward the two men trying to get into the locked garage. “I understand. Is that why the others are lookin’ around my property?”

“Yes.” Larry’s voice went clipped. Tight. “What’s in the garage?”

“I’m a doctor. My equipment and lab are in there. And no one’s goin’ to go through my things. It’s a sterile environment.” Wyatt put a little hard-ass into his voice.

Larry and the dog stepped off the porch. He whistled. The two men by the garage turned and noticed Wyatt watching them from the porch. They didn’t move.

“You might want to warn them, there’s a high-powered rifle trained on them right this moment and the man behind the trigger doesn’ miss. Not ever. They break that lock and he’ll kill them.” Wyatt’s tone was back to mild.

Larry visibly paled. He hurried over to the two men. They argued for a moment, and then one of them, Blake, took a careful look around, still shaking his head, clearly not believing.

Put one right in front of his boot. In front, Wyatt emphasized, not in his boot.

The bullet hit dead center, less than an inch from Blake’s boot. The sound of the single shot echoed through the bayou. The three men froze, raising their hands slowly. Two more men rushed around the corner of the house and skidded to a halt. One was limping and his clothes were torn up. Wyatt would have bet any amount of money that he would be pulling nettles out of his legs for some days to come. He was going to be one uncomfortable man for a while – and that was if he wasn’t allergic.