by Alexie Aaron
“Now you know what I see in Ted.”
The girls giggled briefly, sobering up as the guard opened the door to Hagan Fowler’s room.
He lay there on his back. Mia sensed another presence in the room with them. She turned around and saw nothing. As they approached the bed, she swallowed hard. There intertwined in the body of Hagan was what Mia assumed correctly to be a demon. Mia grabbed Audrey and pulled her back sharply.
“Stay away from the bed,” she hissed.
Audrey open her mouth to protest, but one look at Mia’s face shut it and moved her a few feet back.
Mia had never seen this before. Sure Hollywood did its best to promote the idea of lizard skin and goat like eyes, but in this instance they were wrong. The thing that wound its way in a Möbius strip through Hagan Fowler’s body had no skin or scales. It was milky gray in substance, and its eyes were black orbs with a pulse of red in them which Mia guessed to be its pupils.
“Who is there?” a weak male voice asked.
Audrey started to answer, and Mia waved her off mouthing, “No names.” She turned to Fowler and said, “Hagan, Alan asked me and my associate to come here to talk to you.”
“You see it, don’t you?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m standing back here. Is it mobile?”
“No, it stays with me until I die. It is my curse, and I am its.”
Mia motioned Audrey to come closer.
“We are trying to understand a few things, so we can abide by your wishes and clear the Gruber mansion of the paranormal activity there,” Mia explained. “But first tell me what happened this morning.”
“In my sleep it ripped off my sheet, twisted it and made a slipknot. It put the loop over my head around my neck. It, next, rolled me onto my stomach and wrapped the rest around my ankles as my knees were bent. It then choked me by straightening my legs. I would have died if it weren’t for an alert guard.”
“I’m sorry, Hagan,” Mia said honestly. “Isn’t there anything that can be done to free you from this demon?”
“No. He is my punishment. I would, however, like to be moved out of my present situation into another one where I can pay to be watched better. Maybe have a few privileges to make the next seventy-years easier to bear. To do this, the deal with the DA must go through.”
Audrey touched Mia’s arm and whispered, “May I?”
Mia nodded and moved away from the bed. She pulled herself onto the windowsill to get a better look at Hagan and to watch the demon as it fought him for control.
“I understand that you had several letters from Eleanor Bonner Gruber before she killed herself.”
“Yes, I had been getting fan mail from the twisted and curious for some time. At first I thought it was more of the same.”
“Did you keep them?”
“We aren’t allowed to. Choking hazard.”
“Do you know if they were kept by the prison?”
“I don’t know. I doubt it.”
“What did she tell you that convinced you that her original heirs should not have the house?”
He laughed a sad little laugh. “She and her relatives were physically abused by her father and uncle. These men were abused by her grandmother. I felt that with the history of abuse, her heirs would already be damaged, and I didn’t want them to have a place that thrives on the screams and tears of little children.”
“I understand that is your history too.”
“Yes, if my mother had had a place to go then maybe I wouldn’t have invited the demon in. I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t see my dead family every time I close my eyes. That is why you must succeed. My strength is waning. I can’t fight the inmates and control the beast at the same time. I murdered my family. I deserve this punishment, but I have to stay alive. The longer I live, the longer this beast is trapped inside me. When I die it moves on, more people die. At least I can postpone this.”
Mia watched the demon twist and claw at Hagan’s insides. It had no power to rip away his vital organs, but it did cause him pain. Twice it moved into Hagan’s face and his eyes changed. His head being encased in the neck brace gave the demon no way to look directly at her or Audrey. For this Mia was grateful.
“Mia, ask him about the garden?” Burt asked softly in her ear.
“Hagan, what did Eleanor tell you about the garden?” Mia asked.
“She wanted me to trim the dead wood off the roses. She wanted me to follow the method her family had used for generations.”
“Did she tell you what that was?” Audrey asked.
“No, I don’t think so. Perhaps she wrote it down somewhere. She seemed pretty sure I was the man for the job. This sickened me. I think murder may be involved. Why else give your house and garden to a man who as a youth chopped up his family with an axe and buried them in the vegetable patch.”
“Perhaps we will never know why,” Mia mused.
“Tell me, did something happen in the garden?” Hagan asked.
Mia nodded to Audrey.
“My friend here was overcome by bad feelings. I personally saw despair amongst the awakening rose bushes. Another investigator became ill. The overwhelming consensus is that the garden is evil. Why do you want it untouched?”
“I was misunderstood. I demanded that they not use it as a playground for children. You can scrape it off the earth as far as I’m concerned. But find out what happened there first.”
“Hagan, did Eleanor mention the subbasement of the house with the barred doorway?” Audrey asked.
“No, I didn’t know there was one,” he answered her honestly. “I’ve never been there.”
Mia got down and walked over and put her hand on Audrey’s arm.
“Hagan, thank you for talking to us. We’re going to do our best to get your house set up as an abuse shelter,” Audrey said.
“Please hurry,” he said to them.
“Would you like me to send someone to comfort you?” Mia asked. “I have a friend who is very good at this kind of thing.”
“I’ve had other offers. Thank you for your concern, but this is my punishment, my weight to bear.”
They somberly exited the room. Mia stopped and put her hand on the wall to steady herself as the demon connected with her mentally. Words of hate and vileness assaulted her. She closed the flower in her mind fast. Soon all she could hear was her heartbeat.
Audrey placed a concerned hand on her back.
Mia opened her eyes. “Sorry, just a little weak spell,” she explained. “What a brave man.”
“Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”
“You know, I’d like that, but I better go see what Dr. Walters wants. Can I have a rain check?”
Audrey looked disappointed but seemed to understand. “I’ll give you guys a call as soon as I talk to Alan. I think we better start soon. I’ll continue with whatever I can find on the net this weekend. But Monday, I want to be in that library. I’m sure the key to everything is somewhere in that house. She wouldn’t have left it to chance. She wanted him to continue her work. It’s there, or it was there. Maybe I should interview the heirs. Maybe one of them is sitting on auntie’s journals.”
Mia looked at her and said, “I think you may have something there. But let’s check the house first. You may want to check with Alan’s secretary Brenda. She has at least a partial inventory of the books in that library. It may be a place to start.”
They were now at the elevators. Mia was going up and Audrey down. They hugged and parted.
As soon as Audrey was out of earshot, Mia touched her com and suggested, “You may want to leave the parking lot and circle back for me. If Audrey sees you...”
“Good idea. Text me when you finish with Doc Walters,” Burt said.
“Will do,” Mia said before pulling her ear com out and taking her glasses off and stuffing them in her jacket pocket. She exited the elevator and walked down the hall towards the residents’ offices. Finding his office, she knocked on the door.
“It�
��s open,” Dr. Walters called.
Mia opened the door and stuck her head in. “I’m on my way out.”
“Not so fast. Come in and close the door behind you.”
“Why do I feel like I’m in the principal’s office,” Mia said as she plopped in the chair in front of the desk he was sitting at.
“Guilty conscience.”
“Well, there’s that.”
“Tell me what’s new with you?” he said, closing the file on his desk.
“I have a new boyfriend.”
“You always have a new boyfriend, anyone I know?”
“Theodore Martin, he works with me,” she explained.
“Doesn’t he also work with Burt Hicks? Which means you’re still involved with the paranormal group.”
“Bright guy,” Mia said sarcastically. “Yes, I’m getting paid now too.”
“You better, considering your hospital bills. I had an update from your neurosurgeon, and he’s been telling me some amazing things. Says your tumor is gone.”
“I know.”
“Your orthopedic doctor says your stress fractures are gone.”
“Hey, I’ve been eating yogurt, calcium, and…”
“You look ten years younger.”
“I’m getting laid. It was all that pent-up desire. Speaking of which, are you getting any, because you’re not your normal handsome self,” Mia criticized, trying to divert attention away from her.
He looked at her, started laughing and shook his head. “I know you have to play the hand you’re given, Miss Cooper, but please think before you play each card. You aren’t a machine. You will expire if you keep up the pace you have been at for the last year.”
“Actually, I have been thinking more. I have more to lose than I used to. But I appreciate your concern.”
“One last question. When did you start wearing glasses? You have twenty-twenty vision.”
“I don’t need them. I put them on to look smarter.”
She could tell he wasn’t buying the answer but was too tired to continue the conversation. “I don’t want to see you in this hospital again. I don’t want to have to piece you or your cohorts back together again. Stay safe, I mean it.”
“Yes, sir. Can I go now?”
“Sure, get out. And, Mia, the glasses don’t make you look smart. They make you look like a naughty librarian.”
Mia groaned and let herself out of the office. She could hear him chuckle to himself in the office. Mia took out her phone and texted Burt. As she rode the elevator down, she thought about the scolding she just got. It was kind of nice.
Chapter Sixteen
Mia was concerned that even though Father Santos knew of Hagan’s problem, he had yet to act upon it.
“It is a difficult thing to believe, but there are some cases where even God’s disciples have no control. The weather for instance,” Santos said trying to lighten the mood.
Mia’s fists were white as she directed her anger away from her voice. She sat on the picnic table by the woodpile. She didn’t want her conversation with the priest to be overheard by the men in the house. “Have you seen him?”
“No. I have been sending him messages through a young friend of mine.”
Mia described what she had seen.
“I’m sure it showed you what it wanted you to see. Parasitical demons don’t really have form, in my experience.”
“You can’t expel it?”
“I don’t think so, but if I could, he would be free to possess another. We can’t kill him because he isn’t alive,” Santos explained, “He - I use the male gender as a placeholder because it seems wrong somehow. If he leaves Hagan, he will enter someone else. This demon is bloodthirsty and entertains itself in the most gruesome and destructive ways.”
“Have you asked others? Angelo’s group? There has to be something that can be done. Hagan is in so much pain.”
“Mia, I assure you I will continue to explore this. Hagan has made his feelings known to me. He doesn’t want my help in removing the demon. But I do want to help him, perhaps by aiding you in your investigation. I’m staying in Chicago. I will be available to do what I am trained to do best.”
“Giving the departed peace,” Mia said softly.
“Maybe also guiding and comforting the living.”
Mia sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, Father.”
“Your passion is honest, I felt no disrespect.”
“Thank you for taking my call,” Mia said.
“Before you hang up, will you do me the courtesy of answering a few questions of mine?”
Mia’s eyes widened in alarm, but she controlled her voice, “If I can.”
“I had lunch with Bernard, and he mentioned your young man.”
“Ted. Theodore Martin, you’ve met him.”
“The enthusiastic young man with the technical abilities.”
“Yes.”
“I like him. Just thought I would stick my nose in and tell you that I approve. Not that you need my approval. Seems to me you Cooper women are very single-minded. I just thought since you lack a father…”
“He’s not dead, just not interested,” Mia interrupted.
“What I was saying. You lack a father to give you advice. Bernard and Ralph are like a double shot of mom.”
This caused Mia to laugh.
“If I may continue,” he said sternly, “I would prefer you conduct yourself within the rules of the church and consider marrying Ted.”
“He hasn’t asked me. I haven’t met his parents. He hasn’t offered Bernard a flock of sheep or even one camel. I have to be worth at least one camel,” Mia joked.
“Two camels and six casks of wine,” Father Santos suggested.
“Not that I don’t appreciate your enthusiasm,” Mia said. “I just would prefer all of my well-intentioned friends give Ted and I time to discover each other first.”
“Well put. But remember the jump rope chant.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Ted and Mia kissing in the tree. K I S S I N G. First comes love. Then comes marriage…”
“Hold on, I get you,” Mia said as the heat of embarrassment warmed her. “I have you on speed dial, Father Santos. I or Burt will call when the time is right. Until then, give me and Ted space. I don’t want the gang to scare off the first decent suitor I’ve been able to attract.”
Father Santos promised and bade her a fond farewell before disconnecting the call.
Mia tucked the phone away and asked, “How long have you been here, Murph?”
He didn’t need to answer. She figured out he’d probably been there the whole time. Murphy did give her an awkward smile though.
“Do you want to weigh in on my and Ted’s relationship. Because if you do, then do it now before my patience runs out.”
Murphy stared at her. He appeared to be weighing his thoughts. He cradled his arms and swung them side to side.
“I’m not pregnant.”
He shook his head and looked fondly down at the imaginary infant.
“Oh, do I want children? Yes, I do. I think I’ll be a lousy mother, but I’d like to give motherhood a try.”
Murphy put his hand on his heart and nodded to Mia.
“I love you too.”
He then put his other hand over his head and nodded.
“Ted loves me too. I love you both. I think that you’re saying that if you and I can’t be, then Ted and I should be?”
He nodded and reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, gathered energy and spoke, “Risk. Try. Be.”
“Are you taking lessons from Yoda?” Mia asked wrinkling her brow. “What the fuck are you trying to say?”
“Give the boy a try. I’ll always be here for you,” Murphy said softly and disappeared.
“Thanks,” Mia said to the empty forest in front of her. “I wonder if every girl has a priest, a ghost, a formerly dead aunt, and two gay godfathers in her business like I do?”
> ~
Cid and Ted loaded up the PEEPs vehicles while Burt sat down with Mia at Ted’s chipped-enamel, hand-me-down kitchen table. “I went over the data we have gathered so far, and I want to go over some things with you. I value your opinion if not experience.”
“You don’t have to kiss my ass. I wasn’t the one you pissed off yesterday.”
Burt sighed. “I do value you. I just don’t always tell you, so shut up and let me share what we caught.” He picked up his iPad and handed it to Mia after he started the recording.
It was a distant but scratchy voice responding after she said, “I’m Mia, and I’m here with people that wish you no harm.”
“Lost and cold.”
“If you are able, please talk to us. This is Burt beside me.”
“Fee fie fo fum.”
The recording stopped. Mia looped it and listened to it several more times. “I smell the blood of an Englishman… But you’re not English. Isn’t there something about grinding one’s bones to make bread?” she asked Burt.
His face lit up but fell just as quickly. “Unfortunately we have a case of preconceived notions. We all think the old broad has made use of people in her horticultural endeavors, but we have no proof. Far as I know – and Audrey is researching this – no one has been reported missing after visiting with Eleanor. My worry is that if we have already made up our minds, then we may miss something important.”
Mia nodded. “You make a good case for being more open. But would you be against the idea of me getting a hold of a GPR system?”
“GPR?”
“Sorry, ground penetrating radar.”
“This wouldn’t involve Gerald and a favor would it?”
“No, Bernard. The Field Museum has several different kinds. The geology department, the archeology department and several others have been using them since the seventies. My father and mother have sworn it cuts down on the digging time.”
“You talked to your parents about this?”
“No, I read one of Amanda’s papers while I was exiled to their apartment near the university. I had nothing to read in the john,” Mia said crudely.
Burt laughed. “Okay, bring in the science. You know if you find a body…”
