Old Bones (Haunted Series)

by Alexie Aaron

  “It could be worse I guess. Here we are gossiping about Ted and Mia’s eating habits. We have to have something better to talk about. Like Mike for example…”

  “Oh shit, I’ve got to call him,” Burt said and picked up the phone again.

  ~

  “Who was that?” Glenda asked as she piled a few more pancakes on Mike’s plate.

  “Burt. Audrey ran into some ghosties at her job and wants our opinion,” Mike said before shoveling more of his mother’s extraordinary buttermilk pancakes into his mouth. He knew he would have to work it off at the gym, but it was worth it.

  “Audrey, have I met her?” Glenda asked interested.

  “No, I don’t believe so. We’ve just taken her on as a researcher to replace Beth.”

  “You know, I saw Beth at the book fair over in Topeka last month.”

  “Really, how is she?”

  “Oh, she avoided me like the plague. She’s put on a little weight but otherwise looks fit as a fiddle. I had a little fun stalking the girl.”

  “Honestly, Ma, you take the cake.”

  “Well my feelings were hurt when she obviously knew I was there and went way out of her way to avoid me. I didn’t fire her, you did.”

  “True, but you’re very important to PEEPs, and to me, Ma.”

  Glenda hugged her son from behind, careful not to let him see the tears in her eyes. “I miss you.”

  “Miss me? You couldn’t wait to get me out of the house. I believe you packed most of my things…”

  “That’s different. I expected you to settle in the area and raise some babies.”

  “Is that why you brought Plum to the party?”

  “She’s not attached according to her father, and you…”

  “Stop right there,” Mike ordered. “Sit down where I can see you.” He waited until she sat down. “First tell me, are you and the general an item?”

  “No, he’s just an occasional dinner date,” Glenda informed her son.

  “Good, because let me enlighten you on Plum Beady,” Mike said and proceeded to fill his mother in on the reason they broke up and Plum’s moral deficiency.

  “As bad as that? Well, that’s a horse of a different color. I’m sorry, son. Had I known, I wouldn’t have put the two of you together. Shame you missed out on the Cooper girl though. I knew that cop from her hometown wasn’t going to last, but Ted? What a dark horse he turned out to be.”

  “Mia is probably the only girl immune to my charm,” Mike grumbled. “We’re lucky to be friends. I started off on the wrong foot and then continued with the other one in my mouth until she could barely stand me,” he confessed. “Don’t discount Ted though. He’s built a small fortune recently with his inventions, and the guy in her eyes is a Prince Charming/Robin Williams hybrid. He makes her laugh and feel safe. In her world this is very important.”

  “Gee, I never thought about that. I was thinking shallow as always. The boy isn’t exactly handsome.”

  “To Mia he is.”

  “What do her folks think of the match?”

  “Well there’s an interesting story. She emancipated herself from the Doctor Coopers when she was a teenager and went to care for her dying grandmother. She only has an aunt, who the IRS thinks is dead, and two gay godfathers that she calls family. As far as the godfathers, Bernard loves Ted. Ralph, who was rooting for the cop, eventually came around when he found out what a weak individual Whitney turned out to be. The aunt doesn’t approve of Mia marrying at all but sees it’s futile to try to dissuade her.”

  “Sounds like a plot in one of your romances, son,” Glenda said getting up. “I’ve got more bacon on the stove…”

  “Bring it on. I have a long drive ahead of me. I’ll need the energy.”

  ~

  “You ever feel your ears burning?” Mia asked Ted as she finished her club sandwich.

  “You mean that people are talking about you?”

  “Yes!”

  “No. I just assume they are. After all, when you have all that I’ve got…”

  Mia laughed and narrowly missed launching the root beer float she was sipping on out her nose. A napkin saved her dignity. “You are one of a kind, Ted, that’s for sure.”

  “To answer your question, I guess that if you feel guilty about something then you would assume that you are being discussed. Or maybe if it’s family then there could be a connection of sorts. My mother claims that when one of the girls is having a bad day she can feel it. She calls them, and many times she has been able to help by just listening.”

  “She’s a remarkable woman, Teddy Bear. You’re a lucky guy to have a mom like her.”

  “You have Ralph.”

  Mia laughed. “Ralph is a dear, but he can be… well… a handful at times. I’ve learned to let him have the reins when we are together. It saves tears.”

  “Yours?”

  “No his,” Mia replied. “He’s determined to shape me into his idea of a respectable, fashionable woman, and believe me, he is a force to be reckoned with. But he is generous and so loving. He’s excited about us coming to spend the night. He’s fixing up the second guestroom just in case Cid or Burt needs a place to crash.”

  “He knows we wouldn’t be there until…”

  “The cows get up for milking. Yep. He and Ralph have theater plans tonight and, after, a late dinner. It will be interesting to see who gets home first, us or them.”

  “Have you heard from your parents?”

  “No, it’s not odd, but I did think that they would have responded to my notice about nabbing myself a man.”

  “You sent them a letter?”

  “No, I found a greeting card. On it is a woman in a safari costume. She is standing by a sprung trap. Hanging from a tree is her fiancé. It says, I’ve nabbed myself a man –who’d of thunk it?” Mia looked at him a moment and admitted, “I sent them an email. Letters are tough as I don’t know exactly where they are.”

  “I’m sure they’ll get back to you soon.”

  “Ted, it doesn’t matter. Between you and PEEPs, I now have enough family to keep me happy for a lifetime.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Audrey walked into the Basso Gallery, and as the door shut behind her, the hot noisy world disappeared. Inside, the smell of polished wood and spice permeated the cool humidity-controlled air. She heard the soothing sounds of flutes from the sound system above her.

  Taking a moment to acclimate herself to the posh interior, Audrey looked at the exhibits before approaching any of the watchful staff. She was taken in by the wood sculpture of a nude woman in front of her. The full-figured woman that was brought to sensual life out of ebony wood spoke volumes with her tangled tresses and come-hither smile.

  “She is beautiful, no?” a heavily accented male voice asked.

  Audrey turned around and looked into the face of a handsome older man. His dark Italian looks belied the many years he had been on earth. He looked at her, appraising her features, yet she didn’t feel violated.

  “I love this. Is the artist local?” she asked.

  “He has a loft here, yes. He studies under my daughter, Maria Basso-Minnelli. She found Gregory at a local art fair and invited him to join the Basso family.”

  “She chose well,” Audrey commented. She smiled and introduced herself. “I’m Audrey McCarthy, I have an appointment with Mr. Drago Basso.”

  “That is I, Miss McCarthy.”

  “Please call me Audrey.”

  “Audrey, yes, and you will call me Drago, but not in front of the missus,” he said slyly. “My secretary tells me you are researching our family history, but she didn’t tell me why.”

  “I came across a Giuseppe Basso carved staircase in a house I am valuing,” Audrey told him. She watched as a momentary cloud came over his face. “I fell in love with the birds and ivy. I wanted to know more than the internet could tell me of him, and the legacy of the master craftsmen and women of the Basso family.”

  He smiled warmly, alth
ough it didn’t reach his eyes. “Giuseppe is but one of the two Basso brothers that have made their mark in this new world.”

  “I didn’t know that.”

  “Most people don’t. They see his beautiful birds and do not realize that behind the artist toiled the other brother who took care of the business so Giuseppe could concentrate on carving. Pietro Basso’s left hand was crushed as a young boy. It healed, but he lost the ability to do fine work. He had to settle for taking care of business which he did so well that most of the family was able to immigrate soon after. My father was Pietro’s son,” he explained. “Let’s walk around the gallery, and I will show you some of the other artists’ work while we continue our conversation,” he said and held out his arm.

  Audrey let herself be guided through the large gallery. They stopped at a display of clocks of all sizes. She saw the familiar bird motif on a mantel clock and asked, “Is this one of Giuseppe’s?”

  “Yes, it is. He loved birds. He studied them. Giuseppe turned his conservatory into an aviary, and he would sit there for hours, I am told, and watch the little things. He loved the American songbirds and paid high prices for live birds caught by the little boys in the neighborhood.” He looked at Audrey and sensed her disappointment. “Is there something wrong?”

  “I didn’t get the feel of caged birds when I first saw his work.”

  “They inspired him. He treated them well I am sure. Where did you find this staircase?”

  “The Adler Street Parish House.”

  Drago was surprised. “This is new information for me. Is it really a Basso? I am not familiar with the place. Although, he did a lot of work for the true religion…” his voice faded away as he thought.

  “I have a photo with me. And you’re welcome to visit the work,” Audrey added. She opened her briefcase and pulled out a large white envelope. Carefully she extracted the glossy photo and handed it to Drago.

  He looked at the staircase. She watched as his eyes traveled the picture.

  “Ah, I see there is more than Giuseppe’s staircase here. You have one of his clocks. We thought there were only five.”

  “I’m having it authenticated. No doubt they’ll be giving you a call,” Audrey told him.

  They had reached his office, and he offered her a beverage before they sat down.

  Audrey held the delicate china cup of coffee and saucer in her hands, not seeing anywhere to set it down. Unlike the immaculately organized gallery, Drago’s office was filled with clutter.

  “You mentioned to my secretary that you wanted to get some family history, ask questions that weren’t addressed on the web page.”

  “Yes.” Audrey cleared a spot for her coffee on the table beside her. She reached into her briefcase, covertly turning on the digital recorder as she pulled out her notes. “Yesterday I visited Cold Creek Hollow, up in northern Illinois. I found a grave marker with Giuseppe Basso’s name on it. Were you aware that he is buried there?”

  “No, I was not. I know he died on the job and was buried nearby, but where exactly, no. Thank you.” Drago picked up a pen and made a note. “The family was in Italy tending to an aging relative at the time. I think they heard about the loss well after the fact. Mail was spotty as you can imagine in those days. My grandfather handled the burial, I assume, as he was still in the United States at that time.”

  “I have been informed that in one of the renovated houses there is a staircase almost the twin to this one. I haven’t seen it yet. I’m waiting for an associate of mine to give me a tour,” Audrey explained.

  “Cold Creek Hollow, is it a thriving community?” Drago asked.

  “Far from it. The house stands empty. The area has been purchased by a nature conservatory. I don’t know what plans there are for the houses. A tragedy that cost the community so many lives taints the area.”

  Drago lifted an eyebrow. “Tragedy? My ancestor’s death was an accident, I am told.”

  “Years later there was a massive fire and all but three houses were destroyed. Some think it started in the church and spread outwards.”

  “Ah. So what can I tell you about Giuseppe?”

  “Was he married, did he have heirs?”

  Drago unlocked a drawer in his desk. He pulled out a plastic, sealed box and opened it with a key. He carefully handled what looked like a bible from Audrey’s perspective. He opened the first few pages. “Here it says that he married Albertina De Fiore, and they had three children, Giuseppe, Ezio and Eloisa. Giuseppe junior stayed in Italy after his father’s death. His line of the family is now in renovations specializing in churches. Ezio died of the drink. Eloisa married a French national, Michael Charbonneau. Their line resides in New Orleans. I think they had a large family, but there is no mention of it here. I recall seeing some old documents of my father’s correspondence and such. There were a few Christmas cards sent from Eloisa’s daughter Palma.”

  “So with the exception of his son Giuseppe in Italy, his line of craftsmen died with him.”

  “No. He had apprentices. My uncle Nico was working with Giuseppe, learning his craft, before he passed. This is where the line of fine woodcarvers comes from. Nico’s sons carried on after him.”

  “So the Basso name was really made by Nico Basso.”

  “Yes. It is only in the last twenty years that Giuseppe’s birds became sought after. We include his work in the history because of the value.”

  Audrey detected Drago’s disdain for Giuseppe but chose not to anger the man and ask more questions about him. According to an art critic she was familiar with, Giuseppe’s work far outshone Nico’s who, according to the critic, was an imitator without passion.

  “Thank you for your time. Here’s my card if you wish to see the staircase. The clock will be auctioned to benefit the Catholic Charities, and the viewing of it is scheduled for two weeks this Saturday.”

  Drago got up and walked her out of his office and stood there in the doorway as she made her way out of the gallery. Audrey took one last look at the clock on the display before exiting the cool showroom into the hot June sunshine.

  ~

  Despite their several stops for food, Ted and Mia arrived at the farm before Cid and Burt left. Ted headed over to help Cid with the equipment needed for the investigation. Mia walked around, spotting Burt talking to the wall while Murphy stood behind him in the barn.

  “Excuse me,” Mia said, trying not to frighten Burt but winced as he jumped anyway. “Sorry.”

  He turned around red-faced. “I was trying to locate Murphy,” he explained.

  “You found him. He’s standing behind you. Murph, honestly, where are your manners?”

  Murphy gave her a wicked look. His eyes were dancing, and he gave her a sly smile.

  “We would like to ask you if you want to go to Chicago to help Audrey out with a ghost problem,” Burt asked, directing his question to the area Mia pointed to.

  Murphy looked at Mia and pointed to her. She nodded. He smiled and nodded back.

  “He’s game,” Mia said. “Murphy will ride with me in the truck, if that’s alright?”

  Burt smiled as she didn’t have to ask him, but that she did made him happy. “Yes, by all means. I got ahold of Mike, and he won’t be with us until tomorrow afternoon. I’ve got a spare set of keys to his condo so I’ll be staying there. I understand Cid’s welcome to bunk in with you two at Ralph’s.”

  “Sounds good. Ralph will be overjoyed at the prospect of company. I thought about using my father’s apartment, but it’s on the other side of town and the parking’s crap. We can take a cab to Ralph’s high-rise.”

  “Audrey has permission for us to drive over the lawn and secure the trucks in the back paved yard. There is a fence we can lock. I still will want someone to stay there with the trucks. We can take shifts if needed.”

  “Do you expect we’ll be there long?”

  “I don’t know. Honestly, I think Audrey thinks she stirred these ghosts up. Maybe you can get a read on them. One may
be tied to the hollow. Damn, I hoped never to go back there.”

  Mia put a hand on his arm. “I know, I’m not too crazy about it myself. But I’m prepared to do whatever we need to do to help Audrey out. I expect we’ll be filming this.”

  “Yes. I’m going to put Cid in front of the camera.”

  “Mike’s not going to like this,” Mia warned.

  “It’s not for our show. Just for practice. I’m not sure the Catholic Church would want us filming for profit on their property.”

  “I think that’s a given. Do you want me to call Father Santos just in case?”

  “Let’s let Audrey make that decision if necessary. I’m going to be running this, and Audrey will act as the client,” he explained. “Still, I want you to hold her hand and show her the ropes.”

  “Sure thing. So give me the lowdown on what happened. Murph, you stick around and listen.”

  Burt repeated what Audrey had told him.

  “Did you see any funny business at the graveyard, Murph?” Mia asked.

  He shook his head. He thought a moment and mimed waving a hanky.

  “He just saw Daisy Sprigs, but that’s not unusual,” Mia told him.

  “Good, I was worried something followed her back from the hollow,” Burt admitted.

  “I wondered the same thing,” Mia confessed. “Brave girl to go out there by herself.”

  CRACK!

  Mia and Burt jumped at the loud noise.

  “Bloody hell, Murph, I know you were there,” Mia said. “Even with you there, it is a damn scary place. Don’t give me attitude,” she warned him.

  Murphy narrowed his eyes and glared at her.

  Mia glared back.

  Burt watched her and breathed a sigh of relief when she smiled.

  “Alright, I’m sorry. Murph, I know you wouldn’t let any harm come to Audrey. I’m sorry for not thinking down those lines.”

  Murphy pushed his hat to the back of his head, puzzled. Who was this new Mia? She apologized and was courteous. He assumed she had a good time with Ted and his kin. He wondered how long her good mood would last. He missed her sharp tongue and assumed it would return as soon as she acclimated back to home.