by Alexie Aaron
“Nothing for me, thanks.”
Alan walked forward and held out his hand first to Mia and then to Mike. Mike introduced Mia to Alan, “Mia Cooper is our lead investigator. She has been consulting with us for some time. We recently convinced her to work for us fulltime.”
“I heard some good things about you from Richard Kowalski.”
Mia smiled. “It was a pleasure to work with such an understanding client.”
“Please sit down. Perhaps over there.” Alan pointed to a seating group. “I feel like the principal sometimes sitting behind a desk. It doesn’t lend itself to a feeling of sharing, just lecturing.”
Brenda came in with Mia’s coffee and a plate of pastries. She also placed a carafe of ice water and glasses for the gentlemen on the low table between the chairs.
“Brenda,” Mia said to stop her from leaving the room. “Could you be so kind to stay a moment?”
Alan’s eyes raised, and he nodded to his assistant. He brought another chair to the sitting area, and Brenda sat down, curious.
“I understand that you’ve spent a few days alone in the mansion,” Mia confirmed.
“Yes, I have. Although, I’m curious to know how you know this? Alan?”
Alan raised his hands to indicate he was innocent of the telling.
“You see, you brought someone back with you. A young woman is sitting in your office. She is quite chatty. She started telling me things the moment she caught me looking at her.”
Brenda put her hand on her chest in shock. “I didn’t know.”
“It happens. I call them hitchhikers. They are mobile spirits that are attracted by the positive energy of some people. The reason I am telling you this is because she may follow you home.”
“Oh.”
“She is a young black woman dressed in clothes of the fifties.”
“Does she have a name?”
“I will ask when we finish this interview. She told me she knows her place and will keep to the outer office. I was a bit taken aback by this at first, but considering the times in which she lived…”
Mike cleared his voice.
Mia’s eyes opened wide. “I’m sorry, Mike.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “No problem.” He looked over at Alan and asked, “As we discussed on the phone, I understand you have a haunted house that you want to cleanse?”
“Yes, we want to put it to use as an abuse shelter, and the presence of these ghosts may not make the place suitable. I understand a peaceful atmosphere is desired.”
“There are certain types of hauntings that can be resolved. Research and communication usually works. But residual activity, an echo from the past, sometimes has to be put up with until it fades away.”
“Please explain.”
“In an area of the south, a civil war battle is seen every year. It’s like a film running over and over. The energy of the horrors of the battle is still there and fuels it.”
“There are two maids that walk the halls bringing linen down from the attic. From what Brenda has told me, they chatter while they work. I’ve seen them. They didn’t see me or my associate but walked through us on the attic stairs.”
Mia laughed. “They didn’t see you as they aren’t there.”
“How do you get rid of them?”
“Perhaps when we rid the house of the bad energy they may fade in time. I think if you mention it to the future roomers of the home, they will be nothing more than a curiosity than a scare. Once people are made aware of why they are hearing sounds then they are more accepting, in my experience,” Mia informed him.
“What we can do,” Mike continued, “is find out what is holding the spirits to the home and take care of the problem. It may take some time. Research is a key component of our work. We will need a complete history of the property and the present owner.”
“I am hesitant to speak of anything my client hasn’t okayed me to talk with you about. I will have to get his permission…”
“Could we talk to him personally?” Mia asked.
“It could be arranged. Why?”
“Sometimes, not always, things get lost in a third person exchange. Also I will be able to read your client better. He or she will be able to ask me questions that would be considered absurd to an outsider.”
“I’m worried about the confidential nature of some admissions.”
“We will sign a non-disclosure contract,” Mike informed him. “Since we would be paid for our time, I don’t see why anyone but you and your client would have to know about what happened at this property that was so horrible to cause this level of haunting.”
“Brenda will be included in the information loop.” Alan explained, “I can’t always be reached, and she has carte blanche.”
Mia and Mike nodded.
“Shall we discuss terms?” Alan said.
“If you would excuse me, this isn’t my area of expertise,” Mia said. “Brenda, let’s have a conversation with your admirer out there, shall we?” Mia stood up and held her hand out to the secretary.
Brenda smiled and took Mia’s hand a moment. Once she stood up, she let Mia’s hand go as the considerable differences in height made holding hands difficult. They walked into the outer office and closed the door.
“I’m so pleased to meet someone that is very accepting of the spirit world,” Mia confessed.
“Grandma told us stories of haints, ghosts, when we were kids. I guess I just believe that there are some things in this world that defy explanation,” Brenda explained. “Those chatty housemaids drove me nuts when I was trying to concentrate on the inventory,” she admitted.
“I can teach you some skills I’ve recently learned that may help,” Mia offered.
“I’d like that. Now tell me about our guest,” Brenda said, moving over to the red chairs.
Mia waved over the young woman. “I’m Mia Cooper and this is Brenda…”
“Wells,” Brenda supplied.
“And you are?”
The young woman smoothed her dress nervously with her gloved hands. “Abigail Jones from Cleveland, Ohio.”
“So you’re not from the Gruber mansion?”
“No, Miss.”
Mia turned to Brenda. “Our guest isn’t from the house but has attached herself to you. She says her name is Abigail Jones, and she’s from Cleveland.”
“Cleveland!” Brenda clapped her hands together. “I went to a training course in Cleveland. Are you telling me Abigail has been with me since then?”
“I think so. You ask her the questions, and I’ll do my best to interpret her answers,” Mia instructed.
“Why are you following me?” Brenda asked.
The young woman’s eyes showed concern. “My education was cut short. I wanted to learn more about law and lawyers. Brenda is quite smart and efficient.”
“She says she admires you and wants to learn from you about law and lawyers.”
“Do you follow me everywhere?” Brenda asked.
“No, just at work. That and to work related meetings outside of the office.”
“Abigail is only around when you are working,” Mia explained. She turned to the ghost and asked, “Did you go to the Gruber mansion with Brenda?”
Abigail nodded.
“Can you tell us anything about the place, things we corporal beings wouldn’t be able to see?”
“There’s a lady hanging from the window. There’s a man in the bookshelf. There is something foul in the basement. I wasn’t there that long and stuck close to Brenda.”
Mia chose her words carefully. “Abigail was there with you when you were taking the inventory. She is concerned by some entities that reside in the house.”
Brenda asked, “Who kept opening the door?”
“At first it was me, I wanted us to leave. Then the man in the bookcase decided that Brenda should leave and opened the door.”
“Let’s say that Abigail opened it the first time to get you to leave, and then another
entity decided you should leave,” Mia told Brenda. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be there alone. Well, you’re not alone, Abigail is with you, but if she is afraid, then I would pay attention to that,” Mia advised.
“I have to say, Miss Cooper, that I am amazed. I went to that course in Cleveland, twenty-five years ago - although, some things are starting to make sense. Some days I come to the office, and the books and files that I need for the day are arranged nicely on my desk. I just assumed that a junior secretary had done this, now I’m not too sure.”
“I can help you with Abigail – free of charge – if you want,” Mia said softly.
“Let me think on this. It’s kind of nice not being alone, but I would like to know how her education was interrupted.”
“Sometimes they don’t know, themselves,” Mia said sadly. “But there are other ways of finding this information.”
“Research!” Brenda smiled. “Now I have a name and location…” she trailed off. “Thank you very much, Miss Cooper.”
“You’re welcome, Ms. Wells,” Mia said.
The inner office door opened up, and Mike stuck his head out. “Excuse me, ladies, but Alan would like Brenda’s help with the contract.”
Brenda smiled and followed Mike back into the office. Mia decided instead to have a conversation with Abigail. She wanted to ask her more questions about the library in the Gruber mansion.
Chapter Five
An arm shot out and wrapped around Ted’s torso pulling him back hard. As he flew backwards, he saw part of the stone wall come crashing down into the spot where he stood seconds ago.
“Lord almighty! Murphy, you saved my life,” Ted said, ignoring the pain from his bruised ribs.
Stephen Murphy formed in front of Ted and reached out a hand. Ted grabbed it. Murphy tugged, and soon Ted was on his feet. He motioned Ted over to the wall. He pointed out spots where the renovation company had neglected to use high enough quality mortar and cracks had formed and undermined the original structure of the wall.
“I see it. I think I’m going to have to take this area down and rebuild it. Perhaps since it’s an open area now, how do you feel about a door here? It would be a more direct route to the house.”
The farmer scratched his chin. He stuck his head through the remaining structure and back again. He nodded. Murphy made a pyramid out of his hands and held them over his head.
“Gotcha, dude, a small porch to keep the rain off.” Ted walked over, picked up a piece of chalk and tossed it at the axe-carrying ghost who was the original builder of the barn they were in.
It sailed right through Murphy. The farmer shook his head and retrieved it. He began sketching out a plan on the cement floor. Ted walked over and watched him draw up a rough blueprint of the project.
“I think you’ve been watching too much This Old House with Cid. That’s more of an extension and less of a porch. But, what the hell, I think I can manage it. Maybe heat the floor. The cement’s okay for a workroom, but an office needs some level of comfort.” He tried to pat the farmer on the back and ended up smacking himself on the leg.
Murphy stood up and gave Ted a wry smile.
“I’m sorry. You need your personal space, I gets it. I’m headed in for some coffee and to find a tarp or something to cover up the hole in the wall. You wanna come along?”
Stephen shook his head and tipped his hat before disappearing.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Ted said and walked out of the barn.
~
Mike picked up his drink and said, “Here’s to you, Mia, your freak show got us a very lucrative contract.”
Mia decided to ignore the freak show comment and lifted her glass and clinked it with Mikes. “Cheers!”
They had stopped in at a neighborhood bar on the way back to Mike’s condo. Mia had been in Lincoln Park before but not in this area. When they came to Oz Park, Mia handed Mike her iPhone, and he took a picture of her next to the Tin Man. They then ducked into a corner bar and ordered old men’s-style drinks.
“It’s hard to believe that just under a year ago you PEEPs came in and destroyed my life,” Mia, having drunk one drink too many, teased Mike. “You were this overbearing Mr. Hollywood hell-bent on getting me to find you a few ghosts to film.”
Mike raised his eyebrows and finished his Manhattan and signaled for another. “I thought you were this uptight, judgmental bitch, trying to ruin my life’s ambitions.”
Mia laughed and agreed, “I was. But look how things turned out. I found a softer side to Mike Dupree and…”
“I still haven’t convinced you to sleep with me,” Mike said sleazily. “You wanna come up to my condo and see if it’s haunted?”
“No. I just want to have another drink and have you put me in a car and send me back to Big Bear Lake. But thanks for asking.”
“You won’t say anything to Ted?”
“Ted knows you hit on me. Hell, most of America knows you hit on me.”
“That’s only because Ted told them. Honestly, Mia, nothing in your life is going to be private with Ted around. But, man, I envy you two.”
“Really? Why?”
“You have this shorthand with each other. He has your back and you have his. You think he’s Batman, and he worships the ground you walk on. You don’t see that often.”
“I think he’s the most amazing man I have ever met. Don’t take it hard, you and Burt are pretty damn special too. But his enthusiasm and honesty are very rare in this world.”
“He’s a nerd, a genius nerd, but a nerd. Hell, he may even fall into the geek category,” Mike said, swirling his drink. “A geek meets a freak, and then the bedsprings squeak.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “K. It’s time I hit the road. Call me a cab or a car service and get me home.
Mike pulled out his phone and made the arrangements. “Five minutes. Finish your drink. It’s a crime to leave whisky in a glass in this neighborhood.”
“Seems to me that you’re fitting in fine with your new surroundings,” Mia observed. “Any regrets leaving Kansas, Dorothy?”
“Aside from not being able to score with the witch who’s in love with a flying monkey, none.”
“I’m a regret?”
“I’m regretting that I didn’t treat you better. Look in that mirror, Sweet Cheeks, we look so good together.”
Mia glance at their reflection amongst the bottles and smiled. They looked like opposite sides of a black and white cookie. Her light hair complimented his naturally black hair. Her petite frame fit nicely next to his gym-muscled body. But he wasn’t for her and never would be. She had found her prince, and no amount of alcohol would change her mind. She was in love with a tall, beanpole techie with dark auburn hair and a mouth that said the most ridiculous things at times. He made her laugh, and this made him handsome to Mia.
“I think that the book cover you see there hides a disaster novel, my friend.” Mia slid off the barstool and nodded to Mike that it was time to go. He paid the tab and walked her to the Town Car he ordered. Once she was inside, he paid the driver and told him, “Careful, you have precious cargo in there.” The driver nodded.
Mia waved at Mike as the car pulled away from the curb. He watched until it was out of sight before walking in the direction of home. A group of women dressed to party passed him. Two of the group gave him an inviting smile. Mike did an about-face and followed them into the bar he just left. He winked at the bartender as he charmed his way into their group. Mia was soon forgotten.
~
Mia turned on her phone and checked her messages. She knew before listening that Ralph was livid about her desertion at the spa. Once she explained the lucrative nature of the new investigation, she knew he would understand. He had been funding most of her redecoration himself, and she needed to pay him back. Just this morning before they left for the spa, she had a new bedroom set delivered. She didn’t want any memories of Whit or Burt in her bedroom. Ralph actually was the one to suggest it.
>
They had been killing time at the mall waiting for their movie to begin. The department store that anchored the mall had a furniture sale, and Ralph’s designer genes would not be sated until he checked it out. They wandered among the tasteful groupings with Mia trying to keep Ralph’s voice down as he dissed the designs. Mia and he turned the corner, and he all but shouted, “That’s a Ted-sized bed.”
It was a California King nestled on a sturdy but tasteful platform. The bedding was dark, satiny and sensual.
“Batcave, Mia, batcave,” he teased.
“It’s too long, it won’t fit,” her voice showing disappointment as she read the specs on the bed.
“Not if you turn it around. Put the head towards the windows and…”
Mia listened to Ralph and found that the movie was the last thing on her mind. She bought the bed and bedding, and Ralph ordered an automatic Roman shade to match the duvet cover. He insisted on treating Mia to some decent dressers and end tables to compliment the new purchase. By the time they left the store, Ralph was exhausted but happy, and Mia was already planning to seduce one Theodore Martin.
“Ralph, it’s Mia,” she said to Ralph’s voicemail. “We got the contract, and it looks like I’ll be able to pay you back the end of the month. Please forgive me. I’ll make it up to you. Thank you for all you do for me. I love you. Talk to you tomorrow.” She hung up and listened to the next message.
“Call me, call me, call me irresistible,” Ted’s voice sang. “Call me, Murph says hi!”
Mia laughed. The driver caught her eye in the mirror, and he smiled. They were zipping through rush hour traffic. Soon they would be leaving the highway and making their way north to Big Bear Lake.
Mia hit speed dial number one – Ted’s idea. Mia told him she could remember a bloody phone number, but he insisted.
“Ted’s house of gumbo.”
“I’d like to order a celebratory meal.”
“Wonderful! When do we start?”
“Um, I left that up to Mike. I was busy talking to a very chatty ghost in reception.”
“Do tell, Minnie Mouse,” Ted said.
