by Alexie Aaron
“That’s some claim. What’s your proof?”
“She sent me an angel named Faye to save me.”
“Don’t be daft. Faye’s just another ghost.”
“No, she’s more than that. We just have to look out for her until she figures out how to free us.”
Chapter Ten
Father Santos and Father Simon arrived together at Alan’s office. His secretary, Brenda Wells, escorted the priests into the conference room and offered them refreshments.
“Thank you, coffee would be appreciated,” Father Santos said. He set his briefcase down.
Father Simon declined. The black priest stood at the window of the high-rise and looked out over the city. “I will never get used to this view. The city looks so clean from up here.”
“How was your night?” Father Santos asked. “The windchill must have made things difficult to administer to your flock.”
“Fortunately, Ben Whittle’s volunteers were at hand. We managed to get most of the homeless under a roof last night.”
“I’m surprised you still want to be involved in this. You have so much on your plate.”
“Mr. Garrett and Mr. Jefferies have been good to my parish. Neither man would ever ask a favor in return. If I can help in any way, it would make me feel good inside.”
Father Santos nodded, pleased with the motivations of his protégé.
Alan walked in behind Ms. Wells who was pushing a cart laden with coffee carafes and pastries. “Forgive the excess, but there was a meeting upstairs that cancelled,” Alan explained. “I haven’t eaten.” He walked over and shook the priests’ hands. Father Santos didn’t need to read the concern from Alan; it rolled off him in waves.
“Did you get a chance to look at the video?” Alan asked, pouring himself a coffee.
“I did not,” Father Simon admitted.
Alan picked up a tablet and cued up the video for the priest.
Father Santos sipped his coffee and enjoyed a croissant while they waited on Father Simon.
“It’s too dark but…” He stopped and moved the video backwards and paused it. “Do you see the red flash in her eyes?” Father Simon asked.
Father Santos was pleased. “I saw the same thing. But what puzzles me is that the nature of a heritage demon isn’t to cower inside of a human who isn’t part of the family.”
“Cower?” Alan questioned.
“Heritage demons are high demons. They have infinite power. One could be in the next room and be influencing Father Simon to do a cartwheel without much effort. There is no reason to possess a living being. If this is Gadus, it’s doubly disturbing.”
“Why?”
“It had been feeding off the Borgia family. When the direct line ended, Gadus had no choice but to look for others. The only reason we know about Gadus at all is because of Lucrezia Borgia’s secret journals. Gadus would have amassed a significant amount of gold. With gold comes power. Power brings gold. It is a vicious cycle and the Achilles’ heel of many demons.”
“Forgive me, Father Santos, but I thought heritage demons dealt with souls.”
“Hell pays for souls with gold,” Father Santos answered. “The longer the line, the richer the heritage demon becomes. We rarely step in because you can’t kill them. Once they are imbedded in a family rich with heirs, they won’t leave. If the line hasn’t died out, the principal of the family has to release the demon. I’ve been able to do so successfully a few times. But I assure you both, the principal and the demon were ready to part ways.”
“But you do exorcisms,” Alan confirmed.
“Yes, but rarely, and even more rare involving a heritage demon. They are easy to communicate with once you know their names. But they are extremely dangerous if you don’t,” Santos told him.
“Could we be dealing with a lower level demon?” Father Simon asked. “Audrey mentioned negative elementals. I confess I have never heard of them before.”
“They are rare. Even rarer on their own.”
“She said her husband Orion told her that ‘on the rare occurrence of a demon death, they are offered rebirth as an elemental. It’s a demon ghost.’ Can a corrupted human, upon their death, be offered the same deal?” Father Simon asked.
“I would have to consult a black magic practitioner,” Father Santos said and made a note. He turned and asked Father Simon, “I can see your wheels turning, Berhanu. What are you considering?”
“What if more than a heritage demon is involved? If there is also a negative elemental, then it would explain why they are keeping ghosts trapped inside the house.”
“A negative elemental doesn’t have infinite power; they need to feed…” Father Santos said, rubbing his chin. “A demon ghost can possess a living being. I wonder if I can find an account of one.” He stopped and wrote down another note. “Alan, we need to find out as much as possible on August Atwater and his grandson Arnold. But we have to be very careful not to show our hand too soon.”
“What happens to Kiki in the meanwhile?” Alan asked.
“With negative elementals, distance is a factor. They need to recharge or feed by draining the ghosts. If you are worried about the negative elemental draining Kiki, don’t. It doesn’t happen. But they can’t be too far from their food. It may be miles or hundreds of miles. The longer they are away, their hold on the living diminishes. Drive down and surprise Kiki with a dinner out in the neighboring city. Put at least three rivers between you and the Atwater Estate. Think of a negative elemental as a demon ghost. They have similar problems with salt, moving water, iron, holy water. My hope is to stretch the hold on Kiki to such a demanding point that the negative elemental will release her and return to the Atwater Estate.”
“What happens once she is freed?”
“She is susceptible to possession again by this demon ghost. You’ll have to keep her away from the project without her knowing why.”
“That’s going to be impossible. Why can’t she know?”
“If she returns knowing what happened to her, the negative elemental will read her mind, and if we aren’t prepared…”
“All hell is going to break loose?” Alan guessed.
“I wouldn’t have used those words, but yes.” Father Santos said.
~
Sally arrived to find the kitchen showing signs of midnight munchers. She set everything to rights before putting together a hearty breakfast. Carl was the first contractor to walk in and inquire about her night.
“We played poker. I’m up five dollars after I pay Jesse back, so I’d say it went well. You look a little tired.”
“Wayne talks in his sleep. Last night, it was about a puppy stuck in a toilet or some such nonsense.”
“Coffee?” she asked, reaching for a mug.
“Yes, please.”
Carl helped Sally bring out the trays of sausages and scrambled eggs to put on the sideboard. Once that was accomplished, Sally set up a toasting station. She put out an array of breads and butters.
Pete wandered out. His hair stuck up on one side. He served himself and sat down to eat in silence. Sally went back into the kitchen. There she prepped for lunch and sat down with a cup of coffee to start to plan supper. Cid walked in, kissed her on the cheek, and left with a smile.
Kiki walked in. She didn’t say a word. She just stared at Sally.
“Yes?” Sally asked.
“You’re not doing your reputation any good sleeping in a trailer with two bachelors.”
“Duly noted. I used to sleep in a tent with twelve bachelors. I know how to take care of myself. Your concern is appreciated but not warranted.”
“I thought we got off on a good foot.”
“Kiki, I have no problem with you except for how you treat your contractors. You need to get away from here and get a little perspective.”
“And let Cid take my company away from me?”
“How exactly would he do that? He doesn’t have the
connections. Plus, Cid doesn’t have two nickels to rub together.”
Kiki frowned.
“You’re under stress here. It’s not the ideal working conditions. We’re all stuck together and not allowed to go into town. The isolation is enough to breed odd thoughts.”
Kiki shrugged and walked out of the kitchen without a word.
Jesse was the last in the common room. He filled his plate with whatever was left in the warming trays. It was enough for three people.
Kiki stood up. “What is your focus this morning?” she asked the group.
“Media room,” Pete answered. “We’re going to run the wires using conduit encased in decorative trim board, cleverly designed by Cid and Jesse. This way, we only have to disturb the room by coming up from underneath. Carl will tie it into the new fuse box.”
“How are you attaching the trim board?” Kiki asked.
“To the floor mostly.”
“Why not the walls?” she asked.
“Polished limestone. We could drill it, but every time you disturb something like that, you risk cracking it, and I don’t think we have the budget or time to replace it. I noticed there weren’t any slabs in the basement with the other odds and ends.”
“Sounds good. Do you need a full crew for this?” Kiki asked.
“Yes.”
“Keep me updated,” Kiki said.
“I will, Boss,” Pete responded.
Kiki’s phone rang. She looked down. “Pete’s in charge today over at the house. Excuse me, I have to take this.”
Kiki walked out of the room into her bedroom and shut the door.
The contractors looked at each other. Kiki seemed to have returned to being reasonable overnight.
“I can’t leave here!” Kiki said, loud enough for the men to hear from down the hall. “Are you out of your mind?”
“Ahem,” Sally said from the doorway. “Give the girl some privacy or I’ll put aprons on the lot of you and you can scrub pans.”
There was a quick exodus from the common room.
Cid waited until everyone had left before walking over and kissing Sally lightly. “Have a good day, dear,” he said, turned heel, and walked swiftly down the steps.
Sally methodically emptied the sideboard of its contents. She washed and reassembled the steam pans to use for the dinner service. She almost walked into Kiki on a return trip to collect any errant mugs.
“Whoa Nelly! Sorry, Boss. Is there something I can get you?”
“Alan Jefferies is on his way here.”
“Would you like me to include him in the lunch count, or perhaps put together a nice meal for the two of you?”
“No and no. He wants to take me into the city for a business lunch.”
“So I won’t include you in the lunch count,” Sally said, making a note.
“Yes. Do you know anything about this?” Kiki asked her through her teeth.
“I’ve never met Alan.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Kiki said, massaging the back of her neck. “I’m sorry, I’m going to take a shower.”
“I left my salt scrub in our bathroom. You’re welcome to use it. It helps get off the grime.”
“What grime?”
Sally picked up one of her omelet pans, turned it to the shiny bottom, and handed it to Kiki. “You look like you’ve rolled in ashes.”
Kiki didn’t recognize the woman reflected in the pan. Her straight black hair was half caught up in the neck of her sweatshirt. Her face was dirty.
“Do you have something clean to wear?” Sally asked.
“Yes, I think so.”
“How about letting me look your outfit over. I found an iron in the laundry.”
“I don’t pay you to iron.”
“I know. I’m just trying to help.”
“Don’t try to bond with me, Sally. It makes me comfortable.”
Sally tossed up her hands. “Go ahead and be a bitch. See how far that gets you down the road.”
Kiki narrowed her eyes but refrained from saying something that might result in the taller, stronger woman giving her a black eye. She turned heel and walked out of the kitchen.
Sally texted Cid, not sure he would get the text before he started working.
Kiki is meeting with Alan today away from the property. She’s in the shower now.
Cid responded:
Thank you for the info. Give Kiki a wide berth until she leaves.
Sally put a thumbs-up, and Cid responded with a heart.
Inside the bathroom, Kiki started the shower. Part of her didn’t want to have anything to do with the water. “Since when have I been aquaphobic?” she questioned herself. She forced herself under the shower head and felt the warm water on her skin. It eased the knots in her shoulders. She reached for the offered salt scrub and put some in her hands. She closed her eyes and scrubbed her face.
Kiki didn’t see the black ooze that flowed out of her body and over the edge of the ledge of the shower. Nor did she see its rapid retreat out of the steamy bathroom from under the door.
Sally, who was passing with a handful of dishtowels, stopped, thinking she was going to step in a puddle of tar. She backed away and took a picture and sent it to Cid as the tar moved into the shadows of the hall.
There was a pounding of footsteps, and she felt herself gently moved out of the way. Cid drew a salt line between them and the shadowy hallway.
“What’s going on?” Cid asked.
“Kiki’s in the shower.”
“Running water isn’t a ghost’s best friend, but this seemed like an active retreat.”
“Oh, oh!” Sally said excitedly. “I gave her a salt scrub to use on her face.”
“That would do it.” Cid drew Sally away into the common room. “Don’t go anywhere near that hallway. I suspect whatever has attached itself to Kiki may look for another host after it fuels.” Cid picked Sally up off her feet as the shadow thickened around the mopboard. The condensed shadow moved towards the stairwell. Cid picked up his radio. “Heads up, we have a ghost exiting the upper floors. Draw a salt line across the entrance to the workroom and stay in there until further notice.”
“Aye aye, Cap’n,” Jesse said.
Cid was still holding Sally. She was torn between wanting him to carry her into a bedroom and reminding him that he was still holding her. Once the shadow passed, Cid set her down.
“My hero,” Sally said and kissed Cid on the cheek.
Cid stammered, “I don’t want to leave but…”
“Go. I’ll be fine. I’m wearing your gift. I’ll be careful,” she promised.
Cid moved quickly to the stairs. He took out his light and directed the beam as he descended. Once he was sure the shadow was out of the building, he walked into the workshop and reported, “The ghost has left the building.”
“That’s no ghost,” Faye said. “It’s oozy.”
“It’s a negative elemental,” Cid said. “Think demon ghost.”
“Well, okay,” Faye said. “I don’t know what that is, but fine.”
The other contractors looked at Cid. They knew from their wives and girlfriends that when a woman said fine, it didn’t mean fine.
“Faye, our friends in Chicago think there may be a negative elemental involved too. It’s most likely the reason the other ghosts are trapped in the house. The negative elemental needs them to draw power. Just like you need the emerald to fuel all the wonderment that you are, the negative elemental needs the souls of the trapped dead workers.”
Jesse saw that Faye was happy the moment Cid said, “all the wonderment that you are.”
“What can I do?” Faye asked.
“Stay away from the shadows. We don’t need that thing drawing any of your superpower,” Cid told her.
“Yes, sir,” Faye said blushing.
Jesse would ask Cid later if ghosts blushed, and did he know that Faye had a wee bit of a crush on the ghost
hunter?
Kiki exited the bathroom feeling wonderful. She walked into the kitchen and asked, “Where did you get that scrub?”
“Target, but I’ve seen it in the major drugstores too,” Sally said, staring at the woman who was comfortable holding a conversation wearing a towel. Sally knew the towels the estate provided would not fit totally around Sally’s hips, but there was her boss completely covered.
“Where did you say the iron was?” Kiki asked.
“In the cupboard over the dryer, and the ironing board is hanging behind the door.”
“Thank you,” Kiki said and walked off.
Faye materialized just after Sally heard Kiki’s door shut.
“Hello, Faye. Don’t go in the bathroom. There may be some salty footprints.”
“How in the world did you convince her to rub salt on her body?”
“Honestly, I didn’t think beyond that the woman smelled bad and her face was dirty,” Sally said.
“Well, you’re a hero downstairs.”
Sally laughed. “She still scares me.”
“She’s a ballbuster,” Faye said.
Sally looked at the ghost. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with contractors.”
“Oh, you mean my colorful language?”
“Yes.”
“That’s from hanging around spirit guides in New Orleans. One died from a stripper pole that wasn’t grounded in an electrical storm.”
“Ouch!”
“At least she knows how she died.”
“I take it you don’t.”
“I was murdered, body tossed in a well, and that’s about it. I can’t remember who I was, let alone who done me in,” Faye said, her eyebrows knitting together. “I hate not having a memory before waking up in Hidden Meadow.”
“I’m sorry this has happened to you. I’ve always wanted to forget the traumas in my life, and now, I see it as not a good thing.”
“In my case, no,” Faye said. “What’s going on with her majesty?”
“Someone named Alan is going to take her into the city for a lunch meeting. She’s probably ironing her blouse.”
