Baton Rouge Twilight

By Liz Kilger

Baton Rouge Twilight is the true continuation of the storyline begun in Krewes Knight. This book in the series is actually book three for me. I did do a separate book, Monona Days, a home town girl in Madison, WI only to come back to my original series. Krewes Knight introduced the Devereaux Clan of New Orleans, LA. Lucian and Alexix Thorndyke Devereaux was the starting place for this series. This book continues on with Langley Devereaux, the real hero of book one. Here Langley accepts a position with the FBI to take over and operate the new Baton Rouge branch of the FBI. With a crew of his own, he tackles the latest influx of Male Noche bandis from South America. But Langley has met and invited a new doctor into his home to save her from these vicious thugs. Romance is in the air with this beautiful down to earth woman that has stirred his interests. They marry, even leave on a honeymoon, shortened by the escape then capture of the escapees in Indiana where they are honeymooning. With the wonderful help of his brother and father, Langley flies up to Indiana. Then rent a huge Motor Home to tour the State of Alicias birth. The escape of Courtney Anderson and Tritan Nobels and their capture by Indianna State Police brought the jet from Devereaux family right back up to Indianna.
But more surprises were in store for these newlyweds. The introduction of four young children into their new marriage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503562295

Liz Kilger

I was born right here in Middle America, the Bread Basket of the USA, Wisconsin. I am an old farm girl at heart, watching and working odd jobs on my grandparent’s farm until my grandfather’s retirement when I was 14 years old. Afterward, I decided I really did not like the work on the farm: work too hard and no vacation time either! I guess writing has become my lazy profession since my forced retirement from my 40 year career in accounting and finance. I say forced retirement because I developed MS--Multiple Sclerosis which cost me most of my sight in 1997. Some has returned, but much is permanently gone. This keeps me busy.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Liz Kilger.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015905921

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5035-6228-8

                Softcover        978-1-5035-6230-1

                eBook             978-1-5035-6229-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 04/12/2015

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CAST OF CHARACTERS

CHAPTER ONE

Langley Allen Devereaux drove around the block in Baton Rouge, LA. He was checking out the newly expanded office of the FBI. The office located in Baton Rouge because of a request from the Governor. He had been on a previous investigation that included his brother Lucian, his sister and as it turned out his sister-in –law Alex, the State Patrol, the FBI, and the Governor’s office. It took a lot of enforcement officials to clean up the problems growing out of the Port of New Orleans.

The drug smuggling operation revealed and secured by the State Police, his brother Lucian and Alex, fellow FBI team members, and yes the Governor’s office too. The local provocateurs turned out to be Lucian’s old college classmate and friend, Charles Delacourt. And also Lucian’s Executive Secretary, Courtney Anderson. Also included was an old ignored classmate in need of revenge. Langley agreed to go undercover for the FBI to resolve the Port problem.

Langley had been working out of the Atlanta, GA office of the FBI. He had just finished his training at Quantico when he was assigned to the Atlanta office for more training. He had gone on his first undercover assignment for the Atlanta office. Three years had passed now since that terrible and frightening time. He had learned he had a sister. A sister he did not know about, and a mother he had never known. He learned his mother and father were not really his parents, he was adopted! His father gunned down by police outside a bank he had just robbed.

That information had given him some street creds while he was undercover. He was still trying to decide how he felt about that information. Alex turned out to be a great sister though, and now as his sister-in-law she had filled in the spaces about her mother and the rest of her family. He genuinely liked her and they were becoming fast friends. While Langley had begun his career in the Atlanta office three years ago, he had not gone undercover in New Orleans until a year and a half ago. His sister was now married to his brother, making her his sister-in-law. He had had problems with Lucian since he was a kid. Sibling rivalry could be, but he didn’t want to acknowledge any part of that yet.

Now at the Governor’s request, he had been transferred to the Baton Rouge office. In point of fact he was the youngest director in any FBI office in Louisiana’s history. He thought he had found the girl of his dreams two years ago, but that had come to nothing. Then Lucian and Alicia had been married a year and a half ago. Now they had a brand new baby boy of their own. He was an uncle almost completely reconciled with his older brother, and his father. Now he just had to find the right girl to advance his career with a blessed marriage. He was on the look-out. Their little boy was the apple of his father’s eye.

Langley had been hearing whispers about new thugs moving into the area. These thugs had come out of Miami and crossed the gulf into New Orleans. These thugs did not speak Spanish as he had previously learned, but instead Portuguese. Now he had to familiarize with that language. Yes working with Lucian and Alex in the Port case had gone really well, but where those guys’ bad guys shot you, whereas these new guys dismembered the enemy and the families too!

‘Mala Noche’ meant ‘Bad Night’ in Brazil So far, it looked as if these bad boys were coming out of Sao’ Paulo, Brazil. Their favella, meaning squatter settlement, Jaidem Angela was referred to as the triangle of death and was named the most dangerous neighborhood in the world in the 2000’s. Now it appeared, a man named Claudio Miranda, had made it his business to tame the once savage neighborhood. He made it his purpose in life to steer youth away from the drugs and crime with a self-sustaining regimen of music and education programming.

Unfortunately, many of the older Mala Noche members were already vested in their lives of crime. He did not believe the creds he’d earned on the last case would do him much good this time around. Wonderful, now they’ve decided to move north, first to Miami, and now it seems they’ve crossed the gulf into New Orleans. He needed to speak with Lucian and his State Patrol liaison. As a new parent, he subjectively knew Lucian might not want to get involved in this fight again. These guys were a new kind of vicious, a definite menace.

His little sister Lucinda was now in the University and was doing well, but did not know her area of study. She had always been such an airhead, she probably would not even know her major until graduation day! He needed to notify his brother and his family as well as the State Patrol headquarters of this unnerving info. They needed to know, as did his father, his Aunt, even Charles Thorndyke. Everyone would have to strategize to keep safe and corral these desperados.

He got back to his car and set out for New Orleans. He really needed to speak with his brother. He knew Lucian had involved their father and State Police Officials, along with the FBI.

He needed those connections now. He wanted any information they might already have. He needed to hear of any possible current malefactors residing in the city already. The State Police would probably have noticed an uptick in violent crime already. Had they already discovered the Mala Noche? He had more questions about current criminal activity in New Orleans. They had more to strategize if they were already here. The Gotti Boys located in New Orleans these last 10 years would not give up their territory easily. There would be a lot of blood spilled

Langley sped down Interstate 10 toward New Orleans. He went straight to the State Patrol Substation to talk with the officers on duty. He heard about the five new Gotti Boys killed just last night. So in gathering the facts, Langley related the facts he already knew about the Mala Noche from Sao’ Paulo, Brazil. I clarified things for the city police and the State Police!

The corpses discovered had been horribly mutilated, A sure sign of the presence of Mala Noche.

They really are a brutal bunch! the division commander noted aggrieved. That is a given, commander. Langley agreed. I want to speak with my brother at the Port. All this is about drug territories and boundaries. They will eliminate anyone who stands in their way! Langley concurred. I do not want to involve civilians in this very dangerous business, Agent Devereaux. the commander insisted. All right, I’ll just check in on a family visit this time and will not let any of them in on this distressing information. Langley commented with an edge to his voice. He drove to the Garden District on his way to the family Mansion. He would stop in and see exactly who occupied the house now. It was mostly verification.

His father and Aunt Aimee’ were both very receptive to his abrupt return home. He let them know about his recent assignment to the FBI office in Baton Rouge. The family was very excited about his return to Louisiana. His father congratulated him on his recent promotion.

Aunt Aimee’ went upstairs to include Charles Thorndyke in the good news. He still occupied the guest bedroom on the second floor. They returned to the sitting room by way of the newly installed elevator. Great news Langley! We can have another family reunion right here as soon as Lucian and Alex arrive with their little boy, Charley. He is such a cute little guy and smart as a whip too, he bragged. Jean-Claude went back into his office to bring out a bottle of brandy to celebrate his promotion and his homecoming. He was quite proud of his younger son.

A few minutes later, Lucian drove into the drive accompanied by Alex and little Charley, too. Lex put Charley on the floor, so they could watch little Charley take his first steps. There’s just something so universal about watching a baby take his first steps. Of course Lucian and Lex were brimming with pride in their little boy! Jean-Claude’s eyes lit with excitement at the sight of his new grandson making his way across the entry floor. He brought out a box of soft toys to place on the floor for Charley. His little face lit up at the sight of this box of toys. A hands on child, to be sure.

A clasping and shaking of hands followed the acknowledging of brothers, then a brother and a sister. Congratulations on his promotion and the move to Baton Rouge! What about a place to live yet, no he didn’t have one yet, but wanted to find a house in a secluded area of Baton Rouge. He would send his new address as soon as he found a place. He had some very serious thoughts on the kind of place he would be able to sleep safely every night. He had a consulting realtor on the problem now!

Langley dined with his family, eating a five course meal enjoying an occasional cocktail before desert was served. He sat back thinking how much better things were now that he was an adult. He liked playing with his nephew, and taking Lucian’s congratulations instead of his ridicule as he had as a child. He was actually beginning to enjoy his big brothers’ recognition!

They all enjoyed a light hearted, happy, quiet time together, Much lighter than many other past meetings of past years. Are you thinking about moving back to the Mansion from the apartment, now that you need the space for a little boy to do some actual running around? Langley inquired thoughtfully. The Mansion has such lush green acres to explore for little guys, Langley added. That got Lucian thinking about moving back to the main house. Though he and Lex truly loved living in the apartment, but with only one extra bedroom, they would not be able to stay there too long.

At dusk, Langley made his way out to his car. Saying his good-bye’s, he aimed the car back to Baton Rouge. He would be staying in the approved motel/hotel the Bureau used. Nothing fancy, but comfortable. He had gotten the phone numbers of everyone he needed to stay in touch with- the local police precinct in New Orleans, the State Police office, Lucian at the Port office and at the business office in the Trade Center. He closed his notebook, deciding to make more inquiries in the morning. Arriving at the motel’ Langley quickly piled out of the car steering straight ahead to the reservation counter. Taking the elevator up to his Fifth floor room, he tossed his luggage into the room from his trunk. It had been a strenuous day for him and he just wanted to shower and collapse on the bed.

Toweling off as he left the bathroom, he grabbed a light weight pair of seersucker pajamas out of his suitcase. He just slipped on the bottoms of the pjs to wisk away the humidity of the room. He out in a call to his father letting him know he had arrived safely, and then Lucian at the apartment. Everything settled, he switched on the set located on the dresser to catch the night’s news. Stretching out on the bed he watched the news, carefully processing and correlating the information with what he already knew. He barely had time to click off the set before falling asleep on his bed.

Rising early, Langley dressed slowly choosing his attire carefully for his first day as Director of the new Baton Rouge FBI office. An Ivory voile light-weight, long sleeve shirt under a Navy seersucker dress suit, was his only response to the city’s humid climate. Picking up his briefcase, he rode the elevator down to the continental breakfast lounge. Helping himself to coffee, juice, a couple of pieces of fruit, then yogurt, a coffee re-fill, a couple of Danish, and he claimed a small table in the corner of the breakfast hook. A light breakfast with enough coffee to keep him going for the morning. He tossed the makings, napkins, plates, and cups into the trash and walked out the door to his car.

Walking into the remodeled federal office, he quickly found his office and took his seat behind the desk. A secretary, Hannah Brisbane, had been provided by the home office. Langley observed his new team as they arrived in the office. He called the five new members into his office one at a time. He wanted to get to know each one of his teammates, alone watching the interactions of the players in the outside office. Allan Peterson was the senior agent in the office. In his late forties, he was still fit and looked ready for action. Bill Roberts, his second in command, arrived looking dapper in his work attire. Joseph Plane, A thirty-something was another very athletic member of the team. Jim Burns, the youngest team member at thirty-three, he appeared the most stable, calmest member so far.

Bringing the full team together in the outer office, Langley went into the new problems that could be coming at them. He briefly explained the information he had gleaned from the Atlanta office. But the problem would be coming out of Miami. These Mala Noche outsiders were a new breed of threat. They were vicious, cruel, even savage with their enemies. He told his fellow members to hide their living arrangements, or at least keep them quiet. These guys had a reputation for taking out all family members of their perceived enemies. This was not an idle threat,

How do we know these guys are here? Is there any evidence to say they are here? Bill inquired hastily. Well yesterday, I went down to New Orleans to the State Police headquarters to ask some questions. The commander told me at least three Gotti Boys members that were found dead and dismembered on the edge of the city. That was the only answer they had come up with recently. It had to be outsiders, they reasoned. "I realize Allen already has a home and ties to the local schools and churches, please try to pull in your tentacles to the community. Don’t list you phone number or address in the telephone book. That made it too easy for these guys to see and find.

Always take care of yourselves and your families that is your most important concern, Allan. Bill, Jim, and Joe readily dismissed his warnings. They were after all FBI agents with some experience with malefactors like these. At least watch your back then, he warned again. Each tuned back to his dossier provided by the home office and scanned the details. Shaking their heads as they finished reading the particulars of each murder. They tossed all their files onto the desk again. On Bill Roberts or Joe Plane’s desk. But they did it softly, thinking about what each of them has read in the paperwork.

Langley made the call down the New Orleans State Patrol precinct and requested information on the most recent murders of the Gotti Boys. Informed that copies of the reports would be faxed to them. He decided at this point to go over the details contained in the reports minutely. He read each report, then reread each one. He had to come up with an MO. A detailed storyline, and statements of witnesses. He looked for similarities, something that would identify the perpetrators of these vicious occurrences. Nothing yet. He would have to wait a little longer gathering more convincing evidence for arrest, much less conviction.

His team was looking for similarities, discrepancies anything they could tie together. Like Langley, they came up with very little. But his team members began having second thoughts about this situation and their own safety issues. They had to agree with Langley about the depraved methods used by these new criminals. They worried silently about their own place in this strange chronicle of events. Most decided to send their wives, children, and families out of town for their safety at least for the time being. It was one thing to put their own lives in jeopardy; none could do the same to their wives, children, or families. They were starting to take the threat more seriously now.

They went home deciding to make changes in their lives, at least temporarily. At the end of this case, they could reunite. The families were not happy about any of this, but they went home to their families anyway. Agreeing on the common answer to all their problems, they walked to the front door to make their way home. Langley followed, first telephoning the State Police Commander in New Orleans one more time before leaving for the motel. It seemed he might be living in the motel for a long time. Maybe he would be calling the real estate woman for a long talk about his housing needs, and the reasons for his needs for secrecy. He got pretty specific about what he wanted and needed in a home. He wanted to buy!

Pulling out the real estate woman’s business card, he dialed the number on the card. He made his pitch and explanations to the realtor for what he wanted and needed in a house. If possible, he wanted a 3 to 5 acre piece of property with a house on it. He would remodel.

He was getting fairly proficient in working with his hands, and looked forward to making the house his home. A couple of acres for a dog run, then maybe a space for a garden, a pool, or a hot tub. He started feeling more confident in his decision and the possibility of actually purchasing this piece of property as he spoke to the realtor.

Terminating the call, he switched on the evening news, planning on a dinner close to the motel. Changing clothes, he put aside the suite for some lighter chinos and a short sleeve T-Shirt. Transferring his wallet to the back pocket of his chinos, he placed his weapon into a special pocket made for a weapon below the regular pants pocket. He took his key card and put it in the waistband pocket of said chinos. Now he walked out of his room and strolled down to elevator to go out the main exit of the motel.

He had a choice of the fast food restaurants, KFC, Popeye’s, Wendy’s, and Hardees’s. even a seafood place most tourists seemed to love. But, he just could not bring himself to eat at a fast food place. So looking down both sides of the street he found a small place he had heard of before. That was a foregone conclusion. He had a full sit down dinner before paying his bill and leaving the restaurant. He returned leisurely to the motel, enjoying the mild weather and gentle breezes. Reaching the motel, he went straight to the elevator and pushed the button for the fifth floor. Taking out the key card, he strolled back down the hall to his room, and used the key card to open his door.

Opening the door fully, he got a look at an incredible sight. His room and belongings were in complete disarray! The clothes and furnishings had been pulled off and thrown about, but then slashed besides, too. Now, who was sending this message to his team? Now he would have to replace his wardrobe in a hurry. The bureau was not going to like getting this bill!

His first call was to the front desk, which immediately arrived to investigate the damage. Being at the restaurant had not given the very long time to cause this much damage, demanding a new room for the night, he inquired about any visitors inquiring about his room. Was there no security in the building at all? He received a few concessions from the manager by staging an abrupt scene in front of the front desk staff, and a few passing guests. The Manager supplied another room on the third floor, a larger suite for the inconvenience. Taking another precaution, he filled out another room check in card in the name of Devon Lang. He then stormed out of the room, palming his new key card.

Once inside the new room, he started making calls to replace his ruined apparel. The clothes would be delivered as soon as possible. A few of them would be coming right over. All billed to the Bureau as case replacements. So far that was a stretch, but what else could it be?

The first ones were delivered within two hours. Langley/ Devon put the clothes in the closet and then the dresser. The rest of his clothing would be delivered within the week. He took his shower after putting the clothes he was wearing into the closet. He pulled out a pair of light-weight pajama bottoms and threw on a half robe for possible excursions down the hall or to front desk. He removed a thick pair of clear glasses he would be using as a disguise. He always found it funny how easily people could be fooled or misguided.

Then he had to put a call through to Atlanta and then Quantico, a call he truly did not want to make at this time. He needed more information, and he waited for police to supply some of that info. So far the Intel was almost nil. He had no idea who could have gotten into his room or why! He let them know of the further protections he had taken at least until he got some answers himself. He rang off after several more minutes, and decided to get ready for bed. Maybe he could get some of the news on the all night news program or on the late news tonight.

Langley/Devon reset the channels on the motel set to go straight to the news channels. The program did not provide any further knowledge on local news or the break-in on his old room, not that he thought there would be. The motel was protecting its reputation, the FBI was protecting its reputation too. This would not look good for anybody. Going into the bedroom of his suite, he chose his bed and pillow for a comfortable nights sleep.

The next morning, Langley/Devon disguised himself before leaving his suite to go down for his Continental breakfast. Not as good as the breakfasts served at home, but they were as nutritious as you chose to make them. He had some experience in nutrition and wellness. Nearly every college grad had had a course in wellness before finishing a Baccalaureate. Medical students, nursing students, fitness majors were all involved with nutrition courses besides. As an FBI Agent, he had taken courses in basic coursework before ending up in Forensics, Criminal behavior, and Psychology and all the final courses needed for graduation at Quantico.

He greeted his new team as they arrived for work that day. He listened to comments of their activities last night, any strange occurrences, anything at all. Then he filled them in on his evening at the motel. He had his secretary type up cards for each member of the tear. On each card was printed his false name, motel and room number due to last night’s motel invasion.

Allen Peterson volunteered some strange information about upsetting calls made to his wife before he’d gotten home last night. He had sent his family out of town to stay with his wife’s parents because of that. We just don’t know who is behind these juvenile and spiteful activities. The other three agents had nothing to report at all. But it did give the rest more to think about. Langley began looking for the schematics for the new expanded offices here for the FBI. He needed to know just how safe it really was. Would it withstand an extended siege attack? Other members of the team put in their comments and double checked all code requirements. At that moment a call came in from Langley’s realtor. She had found the perfect piece of property just a stone’s throw outside Baton Rouge. It was an older property on almost 30 acres semi hidden in an old oak stand of trees. Was he interested? How much? was his first question. And when can I see it? he prodded. It was now Tuesday, but it would be ready for an extended inspection over the weekend. The realtor spoke back. Send me the complete instructions and anything else I will need to know by Fax. Just by your descriptions, I will put half down as a down payment. Langley answered with a snap decision.

He suddenly felt more light-hearted than he had since first hearing about the Mala Noche. Now he could start working on his own home. Something that would give him both pleasure and a sense of accomplishment. He could actually pay attention to detail and install all the extra protection he would be needing.

Laying his cell down on the desk, he ended his call. It’s always in the details, he thought to himself. His team members pronounced the expanded office safe and tight as a drum. It was a safe place and bug free. Important to know, but not earth shattering.

CHAPTER TWO

His two youngest agents, Joe and Jim asked to do a bit of snooping around to see if they could pick something up on the street. Langley elicited promises not to attempt anything too dangerous right away, but collected commitments to gather as much intelligence as possible.

Langley, Allen, and Bill manned the phones. The contacted local and State law enforcement officials and rapidly advised the team of some very horrific details concerning the families of two of the Gotti Boys families. It seemed Langley and the Atlanta bureau may have been right after all. They were invited in to the scene to make their own assessments.

All three agents filed into Langley’s vehicle for a quick trip down to the northern suburbs of New Orleans. This must have been an impromptu and fast dump site for these family members. Even Langley and his team members were taken aback by the viciousness of the attacks. It appeared even children as young as two were not spared the savagery. It left visions the agents had a