As her majestic ship reached a crowded New Orleans dock, a sacred peace awakened her long suffering senses. The fragrance of post-Civil War New Orleans was unbelievably spicy and the spirit of the city was incredible. Claire knew she had found her new home.
For so very long, Claire had lived in great fear, and the anticipation of starting a new unburdened life, titillated her young desires so much she could hardly breathe. It was the year 1877. Claire's life in Paris had begun very well as the daughter of a wealthy and gentle businessman.
After her kind, but fragile mother died, her lonely father married a wicked stepmother type who took especially hideous pleasure in tormenting her every waking hour. For four torrential and lingering years before her 18 birthday, Claire lived a horrible and dark existence.
Claire's quality of life improved after her stepmother persuaded her father to let her marry a rich, middle-aged restaurant franchise owner, who had lusted for her since she was 16 years old. The widower was an average looking man, not ugly, not handsome, tall with long flowing black hair and blue eyes.
Claire had no idea what she was getting herself into and what a traumatizing experience it would be to marry such a man. Jean Pierre Dubernard was a crafty and efficient businessman and great salesman. He was accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. Claire would make a wonderful trophy for him. After all, she was blessed with her mother's beautiful long flowing blonde hair, naturally curly, that rested on her perfect body. She would give him many handsome sons to carry on his business and legacy.
Claire was naive at first, but that soon ended on her wedding night. Her new husband took his young virgin wife in a rude manner -- flagrantly crushing Claire's dream of a handsome knight rescuing her. The seven years that followed, were filled with privilege and pain. Claire was the mistress of a vast estate, servants, and countless other treasures, the best money could buy. Jean took her on countless vacations to neighboring European countries.
Jean kept several mistresses in Paris. He wasn't unkind to her, even worse, he was completely indifferent. The only time he seemed especially happy Claire existed, was when she gave birth to their son, Louis. Louis was the joy of both Claire and Jean's life. Both loved him tremendously, but Jean wanted more sons and six long years had passed since his son's heralded birth. He was putting ever increasing pressure on Claire to accommodate.
One night when Claire was sleeping, Jean woke Claire, she assumed, for meaningless sex which Claire had tolerated, but Jean beat her severely saying, "It is time you gave me a new son." Each night the beatings continued and Claire decided she would do anything she had to escape her brutal husband. Had it not been for Louis, she could probably just leave. But, Jean would kill her before he let his son leave. For the next few weeks, Claire planned her, and Louis's escape.
Claire's childless stepmother died of cancer and her grief-stricken father died two years later. He left his considerable holdings to Claire. For the first time, Claire didn't have to ask her husband for money. Claire arranged to transfer her money to a New Orleans bank and secured falsified documents, needed to enter America. When Jean was on a business trip, Claire and Louis set sail.
Claire's transition to New Orleans was smooth. She had planned it very well. She bought a small estate in an exclusive New Orleans neighborhood and concocted a clever cover story. She changed their last names to Reno
The next three years were the best years of Claire's life. Louis learned English well, and he was doing fantastic in school, and finally, Claire had met a young man her own age. He wasn't rich, but he was exceptionally handsome. Just when things seemed fairy tale-like, Claire received a note, slipped to one of her servants,
The cryptic message had enough personal information
about her, that Claire considered it seriously.
The last part said, "Be at the corner of Third and Main
at 10:30 with the recipe and the child or you will be sorry."
Claire's world collapsed. Jean Pierre Dubernard had found her. Her life was over. He would surely kill her. She looked at her watch. It was already 10:00! She summoned Benjamin Wakefield, her fiancee, and told him her story. Benjamin asked,
"Why does the note mention a recipe?"
"Jean had developed a secret recipe for a new French pastry," responded Claire. "I decided I would try to introduce it to America when we escaped."
"I'll follow you to the meeting," assured Benjamin.
That morning, Claire feared would be her last day on Earth. She waited trembling on the park bench as instructed, when suddenly a man approached. As he drew nearer, Claire began to recognize his shape. Near and nearer he came. Suddenly. Claire's heart dropped to the soggy New Orleans soil. The humidity was too much for her and she fainted. When Claire awoke, Benjamin, Louis, and her husband's business partner, Jon Franco stood quietly concerned. Benjamin explained that Jean threw a temper tantrum and suffered a heart attack.
"Before he died," said Jon, "Jean asked me to give you this document in exchange for my pastry recipe."
Claire was flabbergasted. She was totally free. She glanced down at her purse, and slowly removed the recipe. She handed it to Jon. Jon handed her a letter. Claire began to read:
"Claire, I apologize that I made your life so miserable. This is my last will and testament. I Jean Pierre Dubernard leave my entire fortune to my son Louis. I declare his mother, Claire Dubernard, his executor until he reaches the age of 21. Claire, tell my son everyday that I loved him, much more than words could possibly say. Signed Jean Pierre Dubernard."
In this Silver Sisters Mystery it's trouble at sea when Goldie and Godiva's eighty year old mother and uncle are invied on a relaxing cruise. Magic turns to mayhem for these former vaudeville magicians when a star magician is murdered on board.
