by Alexie Aaron
Mansueto was trying to translate full-bodied apparitions.
“Ghosts with heads, bodies, and feet,” Cid explained. “Come, I’ll show you.” Cid led the bespectacled Mansueto out of the room and pointed up the stairs. “What do you see?”
“I see a smudge. Is this a ghost?”
“This is how science lets us see a ghost. When a ghost manifests, it’s how the ghost wants us to see it.”
“Ah, so if one of us were to be on watch with these glasses…”
“You could work on the east sitting room,” Cid finished.
“And you said salt and iron... What about holy water?”
“If the ghost was raised a Christian… Do you have holy water?”
“This isn’t our first haunted house,” Mansueto said slyly.
“If you had holy water, why would you not enter the room?” Cid asked.
“My crew needed a break,” Mansueto whispered. “They work hard and make a good wage, but this signora, she is tough, drives us hard. Sometimes we have to play the fool to get some rest.”
Cid smiled. “Consider these glasses a gift.”
“Grazie.”
Gary looked at Cid as he entered. His face was full of questions. Cid winked, and the stress fell from his face.
Mansueto talked in rapid-fire Italian, making it impossible to translate. The men stood and began moving their equipment.
Gary waited for them to leave before asking, “What did you do?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I think Mansueto thought his men needed a breather. I’m no manager, but think about, after each large job, giving the crew the next day off. I think it’s good for them to breathe fresh air and relax. I think you’ll find that no ghost will stop them in the future.”
Gary nodded thoughtfully. “I guess we may push them too hard. They are artists and not drywallers.”
“Save that for when the boss is stamping her foot,” Cid said.
“It’s my job to get the best work out of my crew. If it means a day off so the product is fabulous, then I’ll take the heat.”
Cid watched him leave the little library. He looked around and noticed a few books misaligned. He pulled over the new rolling ladder Pete had installed and climbed to the top shelf.
He pulled out the books before replacing them. The titles were classics.
“You won’t find it there,” a female voice told him.
Without turning around Cid asked, “What won’t I find?”
“My diary. To be honest, I’m not even sure I wrote one,” Faye said.
Cid turned around and looked down at the female ghost. “I tried keeping a diary. My sister found it and read it to her friends.”
“What a nasty Nelly.”
“I thought so. Hello, my name is Cid Garrett,” Cid said, not moving off the ladder. He didn’t want to frighten the ghost.
“I know who you are. I just don’t know who I am,” Faye admitted. “All I have is Faye.”
“Faye is a pretty name. Unfortunately, it’s been around for some time, so it’s not enough to pinpoint the time when you were born.”
“Hold on there, cowboy, who invited you into my problems?” Faye sniped.
Cid climbed down the ladder and slowly approached the apparition. “I can help you. I’ve done it before. I have friends who do this for a living, quite successfully.”
Faye looked up at the tall man and scrutinized his facial features. “You have squint lines, but you don’t wear glasses.”
“I used to. I have an indent where the heavy glasses used to settle onto my nose.”
“Really?”
Cid took out his wallet and pulled out his contractor license. “This is me before they fixed my eyes.”
“Wee-doggies, you look different.”
“Faye, you’re dressed differently since I spied you in Kiki’s office.”
“So?”
“So, ghosts usually settle on one outfit. Usually the one they died or were buried in.”
“They have no imagination.”
Cid chuckled, thinking of Stephen Murphy’s dusty ensemble.
“I can’t dress how I died, because I don’t remember dying… And yes, I know I’m dead.”
“What were you doing in Kiki’s office?” Cid asked.
“I was trying to retrieve my broach. I don’t know a heck of a lot, but I do know that I’m tied to that thing.”
“How so?”
“When you snatched it from the well, you pulled me along with you. Let’s see, I’ve been in your truck, and then the laundromat, and here. The one thing that is consistent is that darn pin.”
“It’s a ghostly attachment,” he explained. “For some reason, you’re not tied to your bones. That broach has absorbed part of your soul.”
“I think my bones are in the well, and I don’t think they are the only ones.”
“Could be. There is a mystery afoot, Watson.”
Faye giggled and quoted, “I could not wish anything better than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular adventures…”
“That’s an excellent memory, Faye.”
“I think I had to read it over and over again. And it’s a game afoot.”
“Actually, Sherlock Holmes was not the first to say it. Try Henry V.”
“Yee gods, you’re right. How come, with your brain, you’re pounding nails?”
“Are you telling me it doesn’t take great intelligence to hit the top of a nail?”
“That’s what I said,” Faye challenged.
“It takes great intelligence to know when to hit the nail,” Cid said smugly.
“I’m not sure I like you,” Faye said, looking at her hands.
“You don’t have to. I’m just offering you my help, if you want it.”
“I’ll think on it. If you see a diary or something with ‘Faye’ written on it, could you set it aside, Mr. Garrett?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Cid said, watching Faye fade away.
Chapter Fourteen
Cid found himself standing at the door of Cindy Jenkins’s home. Jake had promised him that Mrs. Jenkins had lost her husband Roger, six months prior, to a fourteen-vehicle pileup on I 94 in Michigan. Cindy lived a half-day’s drive from the jobsite. Kiki decided, after listening to Jake, to send Cid. If she arrived with the ring, it may throw suspicion on Roger. Why is this woman returning his ring? If Cindy cried because he wasn’t wearing his ring, thinking he was unfaithful, having her hand the ring over would only confirm Cindy’s fears.
Kiki wanted to go, but a problem with the cell tower kept her rooted to the jobsite.
Jesse accompanied Cid. It gave them a chance to put work behind them and converse on whatever subject came to mind. Cid and he originally became friends over a spirited conversation involving summer camps for kids. Cid was against, and Jesse was for. They still, from time to time, reentered the debate with new statistics and horror stories. Neither one ever saw the other’s point of view, but they did enjoy the conversation.
The door opened. An older man stood there.
“I’m looking for Cindy Jenkins, wife of Roger Jenkins,” Cid said. “I’m Cid Garrett. I talked to someone on the phone, a Margaret Clemson?”
“That would be my wife. Come in, young man. I’m Russell Clemson, Cindy’s father.”
Cid followed the man into the modest ranch home. He was escorted beyond the neat-as-a-pin living room into a more comfortable great room. A very thin woman, a little older than Cid, sat on the couch next to who he assumed was Margaret, Cindy’s mother.
Margaret smiled at Cid and said, “Thank you for coming all this way.”
Cid stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag. He handed it to Margaret. “I found it in the trap of the kitchenette sink in the cabin I was staying in at the Highway Ranches.”
Cindy’s head lifted. “Roger stayed there a few times.”
Margaret opened the bag and handed Cindy the ring.
�
��I had a friend of mine research who had stayed there, and he came up with Roger Jenkins. I’m sorry to hear of his passing,” Cid sympathized.
“Thank you, Mr. Garrett,” Margaret said.
Cindy lifted the ring to the light and read the inscription. Tears sprang from her eyes. She clutched the ring to her chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Cid felt a hearty pat on his back and looked around but saw no one.
Russell escorted Cid out and offered him a reward. He refused and shook the man’s hand.
“I hope the ring will help her mourn. It’s been horrible watching her waste away like that,” Russell said. “She got this crazy idea in her head that my son-in-law was cheating on her.”
“It must be hard having a spouse who travels,” Cid commiserated. “My friend and I have to be getting back. Can you direct us to a good diner?”
“I’ll do better than that. Follow me,” he said.
Cid got in, and Jesse waited for the older man to pull his car out of the drive. They followed him to a resturaunt overlooking a river valley.
“Looks kinda expensive,” Jesse said. “I’m not sure we’re dressed for this place.”
“Couldn’t hurt to go in,” Cid said and got out of the truck.
Jesse followed and was introduced to Russell Clemson. He walked them into the place. A hostess walked quickly around the reservation desk. “Mr. Clemson, I didn’t expect you here today.”
“I wanted you to feed these boys a king’s feast, and don’t let them pay. Have Arturo pack a meal for the long ride home too.”
Cid tried to say they could pay but was stopped midsentence.
“You don’t know it, but you probably saved my daughter’s life. You’re going to be gracious and dine on the best steak you’ll ever eat, and that’s the end of it.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jesse said, stopping Cid’s objections.
Cid and Jesse were escorted to the best table in the house, and two waiters appeared and treated the contractors like royalty.
When they left with their order, Cid confided, “He was there in the room.”
“Who?”
“Roger, the dead man. He patted me on the back. It was such a good feeling.”
Jesse smiled. “You and your ghosts. Give me a flesh-and-blood person, with a mind not corrupted by basketball camp horrors, and I’m fine. Speaking of, they now have summer camps for adults. Tell you what, why don’t I spring for…”
“No way in heck. I’m seeing a cabin full of sweaty men, and you running around screaming because someone put a clown doll in your bed. Not for me.”
Jesse laughed.
~
Kiki sat back and drummed her fingers on her desk. She kept glancing at her laptop and at the door. She should be checking up on What the Fuck and Holy Shit. They were excellent contractors, but sometimes they didn’t see the big picture. Still, over-managing the managers was usually fruitless. Someone else was on her mind. She picked up the laptop and took off the Post-it note she had covering the camera. Kiki took her Knock before Entering sign out and hung it on the knob before shutting the door firmly.
She turned the laptop on and waited. Her normal home screen popped up. She saw the camera light turn green, and she waved.
“You may as well show yourself. I know you’re there, Jake.”
He showed up as a cartoon puppy with the biggest, saddest eyes.
Kiki laughed. “That’s not playing fair.”
The dog smiled.
“How do the PEEPs normally see you?” she asked.
A giant eyeball looked back at her for a few seconds before the screen went white and out walked Marvin the Martian.
“Greetings, earthling.”
“I can deal with this,” Kiki said.
“Actually,” the voice changed and a softer voice filled the speakers, “this is the closest I can come to my own voice.”
“What did you look like?”
A series of childhood photos someone had saved to the cloud moved across the screen until the face of a handsome graduate, standing with his parents, filled the screen. He was Hispanic with soulful brown eyes. He had a shadow of a beard showing. His smile was wide, as if the picture was taken right as a laugh was forming.
“I can show you what I would look like now if I had lived. I will use age progression,” he explained.
Kiki watched as the baby fat melted away from his cheeks and smile lines formed at the edges of his lips and eyes. His face was kind.
“Is this how you want me to see you?” Kiki asked, spellbound by the face before her.
“I didn’t know if you still wanted to see me.”
“I know this is crazy, but I really enjoy your company. Can we just be pals and see where this takes us?”
“I would love to have you as a friend, Kiki.”
“Great!” Kiki said a bit too loudly and blushed.
“I hate to repeat myself, but how would you like to see me?”
“I’m very fond of the Martian, Jake. I always thought he got the bum’s rush from Bugs.”
Marvin stood before her.
“That is so cool. But don’t lose that picture of yourself, Jake. Life may have stopped for you, but your soul continues to grow.”
“But not mature. I’m still a pretty geeky guy,” Jake admitted.
“But smart and funny. Great assets for a friend. And you seem connected. Can you tell me how the boys are doing with the ring delivery?”
“Heading back now. I overheard that the ring was received well. Don’t worry, Kiki, the ghost won’t be visiting you again.”
“Phew! I have enough problems with the ones I have in this place.”
“And me.”
“Yes, you. Okay, here’s the rules, Jake. No spying on me. I’ll contact you or you can message me. I need to be able to go about life without looking over my shoulder.”
“I understand. I was just worried about you.”
“I’m a big girl.”
“But you’re in a dangerous mansion.”
“Am I?”
“I keep finding stories. Just stories, no facts, mind you. But they have a common thread. People go missing in that house.”
“So…”
“When you’re there, please let me monitor you from your phone from time to time. This way I can get ahold of Cid if you’re in trouble. And you if Cid’s in trouble,” he said quickly.
“Let me think on it.”
“In the meanwhile, I have a pirated copy of…”
Kiki smiled as Jake was happily planning a movie night. She could enjoy this, couldn’t she?
~
Cid drove while Jesse worked on his laptop.
“I’ve got the roofers coming tomorrow. Crap.”
“I’ll be putting in a few forests full of new maple trim in the west wing. I see a very busy few days,” Cid said.
“No rest for the wicked,” Jesse commented.
“Let’s just hope the wicked continues to rest or we’ll never make Kiki’s deadlines.”
Chapter Fifteen
Jesse and Cid sat on the roof of Hidden Meadow and watched the fireworks from the towns and cities to the south. They had a cooler of beer and snacks courtesy of Kiki. She had given everyone the day off but asked for two volunteers to watch the house. Jesse and Cid raised their hands.
“Well, you survived the Espinas,” Cid said, looking at the impressive new shingles.
“They have become more professional. I offered them a bonus for finishing on time, and that left them little time to pick on me,” Jesse said.
“You sound disappointed.”
“Do I? Am I? Maybe a little. Life on the road is lonely sometimes,” Jesse admitted.
“I have to admit to being a little homesick,” Cid said. “Not for my parents but for the Martins.”
“I think they are more your family than anyone else.”
“Mia calls me the other wife.”
Jesse laughed. “I still find it
amazing she puts up with you underfoot.”
“She’s a different kind of person. Mia told me that she knew, when she married Ted, she was actually taking on the both of us. Just like Ted assumed that Mia and Murphy were a matched set.”
“You’re a modern paranormal family,” Jesse reasoned.
“Are you homesick?” Cid asked.
“Me? Well, since Dad got remarried, he’s very involved with my stepmother’s family. There are a lot of kids and grandkids to be with. I don’t really mind; they just assume that I’m part of their family. I get invites to graduations and birthday parties. After the cancer took Mom, it was Dad and me. Now, I have thirty-four relatives.”
“What are you going to do after this job is completed?” Cid asked.
“If Kiki doesn’t have something else lined up, I’m going to start building on that property I invested in when we were in Wisconsin. I want to at least get the foundation poured and cured before the first snow. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going back to the Martins, and I’ll do some more investigating. Also, Ted and I have this household robot we’ve been working on. This winter, we hope to launch it at the Chicago trade show. But if you see an opportunity for me to make some quick cash, please call.”
“I will.”
Cid heard the steady ping of someone climbing the metal ladder. “I think we have company.”
The aroma of smoky meat hit before they saw Kiki clear the roofline.
“Ahoy, permission to come aboard,” she said, inching her way down to the guys.
“Permission granted.”
Kiki slid off her backpack and sat down. She opened it and produced three foil pans. “I made my sister’s recipe for ribs. They have been smoked first, dipped in a pineapple glaze, and then broiled until the glaze is crispy,” she said, handing each man a pan.
Cid lifted the cover and the aroma wafted up. “Smells heavenly.”
“I hope they’re okay. I followed Mimi’s recipe to the letter,” Kiki said.
Jesse took a bite. “Mmmmm, these are great!”
Kiki smiled. “So who’s got the best show?”
“I think it’s the racetrack over at Milltown,” Cid said.
