Henry knows more than anyone that life is not fair. Life wasn't fair twenty years ago when he lost his beloved wife Sharon, and it wasn't fair three years ago when he lost his position at Toulane. Still, Henry has also had his fair share of breaks. He was one of the youngest Professors to gain tenure at Boston University in their philosophy department. He and Sharon had a great life... until she died. That catastrophic spurred Henry to move down to New Orleans, where he could be close to his true academic interest: the study of voodoo. He accepted an assistant professorship at Tulane, and after five long years of work, he was granted full professorship. He greatly enjoyed living in New Orleans -- visiting the night spots, prowling around the slums where ex-slaves practiced a blend of Catholicism and witchcraft called voodoo, and making forays into the bayou to witness the most bizarre and perverted rituals he'd ever imagined. It looked life he would continue in his ways until he comfortably retired some twenty years on.

Henry hadn't counted on meeting someone like Colette. Colette reminded Henry very much of Sharon, which probably explained how he allowed himself to fall into such an indiscreet relationship: it was as if he and Sharon were together again. Of course that was before he got to know Colette. That awareness came much too late to save his career. Once their relationship was discovered Henry was dismissed from the University and Colette abandoned him for Europe. Fortunately a dear friend of his, Professor Whitwell (a fellow New England expatriate), pulled some strings and got him appointed director of the new Museum of Natural History.

Although not as prestigious, work at the museum has its advantages. Henry is still free to roam the back streets of New Orleans, studying voodoo in its many forms, meeting local voodoo figures like Dr. John, Julia Jackson and Mona the Mojo Queen. Better still, as director of the museum Henry was introduced to Jean Picard, an "importer" of rare and difficult to find artifacts, of which the museum is in need and willing to purchase. Jean has also provided Henry with several rare voodoo artifacts, and he and Henry have become good friends, although Henry is certain that Jean must be involved in a good deal of smuggling.

Henry still keeps in touch with Colette. The poor girl returned from Europe to find her parents dead and her family fortune gone. Henry helped put Colette up in a nice suite near his place, although Colette rapidly became self sufficient and no longer in need of his aid. The two have remained good friends.

Henry is quite comfortable living in the French Quarter, but he could always use some extra cash to help fund his research.