by Alexie Aaron
"Good. Do you mind if I ring for Murphy?"
"Sure, go ahead. You're going to take him along?" Burt asked, amused.
"If anyone knows the hollow, it's Stephen Murphy," Tom said and walked towards the bell.
Burt opened the door for Jane.
"Who's Stephen Murphy?" Jane asked as she walked into the office.
Burt was hesitant to explain to an outsider that Murphy was a ghost that only a few people, Tom Braverman included, could see. He said, "He's a colleague and a friend."
Jane looked around the office. Computers dominated most of the space, but there was a small conference table in the middle of the room with comfy chairs. Her host walked over to a small kitchenette tucked in an alcove.
"Coffee? I just made a fresh pot. We nerds run on the stuff. We also have a selection of caffeinated soft drinks in the refrigerator."
"Coffee's fine, milk and sugar if you have it. I drink it like a granny, the more sugar the better. Burt, you have an amazing setup here. My roommate would call it nerdtastic."
Burt, disappointed by the word roommate, managed a polite smile. "The investigative work my group does requires the use of a lot of computers and other gadgets. I was just editing some digital film for our next show when you arrived."
Jane accepted the coffee and looked at the posters on the wall and centered in on the logo that adorned the cup she was holding. "PEEPs, wait, I can't believe it. Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners, I've heard of you. Carol, my roommate, is gaga over your show."
Relieved that the roommate was female but still worried that maybe the woman in front of him was one half of a lesbian couple, Burt didn't allow himself to become too smitten. "We've been at it a few years."
"I’m determined to bring back an autograph. If I don’t succeed, Carol will be very upset. She recently broke up with her boyfriend, and I'm sure this will cheer her."
Burt, however, was cheered by the news of Carol's misfortune. “Tell me, Jane, are you married?"
Jane blushed. "No, sir, I am not. I have to admit that I was thinking of asking you the same question."
"I'm not married, nor in a relationship, and I’m very delighted that you're not either."
Jane laughed. "I saw you in the village," she confessed.
"When?"
"This morning, you were surrounded by women."
"I assure you that's not a common occurrence," Burt said and laughed.
"I was there to talk to the sheriff about my elephants," she explained.
The alto tones of the bell ringing drew their attention away from the mating dance momentarily.
Burt, not wanting to explain about Murphy, said, "Let me get a few maps out, and let's see if we can find your elephants."
"I have a map here," Jane said, dropping her pack off her shoulder. She set it on the table and pulled out the neatly folded map.
Burt watched her unfold the map, noticing the bitten fingernails on the end of her long, strong fingers. She bent over the map, smoothing it, and as she did, a lock of hair slid out of her meticulously braided hair.
"We found droppings here and here. What worries me the most is that contained in some of the scat was evidence of something that no doubt has already or will soon sicken my elephants. You see, Burt, northern Illinois flora has little that would satisfy and nourish an African elephant, not to mention two of them."
"So it's not just wingnuts with guns you are worried about."
"Yes, these wingnuts are a concern, but lack of water and bad food is also a worry. The sooner we find them and restrict their habitat, the better. The sanctuaries won't take sick elephants. If they're already sick, I'll have to nurse them back to health before I can transport them. If I can't make them well, I'll have to... Well, I don't want to think of that."
The bell tolled once more.
Chapter Four
Murphy moved down the hillside quickly. It never ceased to amaze Tom that he could see the farmer so clearly. It wasn't just the form of the man, but what had formed this man that stood out in his eyes. Years of uncomplaining toil lined his face and made his body strong. Murphy's dust-covered clothes bore witness to the long hours he had kept. His hat was set forward on his brow to shade him from the hot sun. Frequently, during times of mirth, that same hat sat on the back of his head. Murphy laughed as much as his partner in arms, Mia, did. Tom wasn't sure who taught whom to laugh, but he was glad that Murphy had come into Mia's life and, in turn, his.
"I have an unusual question for you," Tom said as Murphy approached.
Murphy set his axe down, angled his head and waited.
"Have you seen any elephants around here?"
The ghost lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm not pulling your leg. I swear."
Murphy shook his head.
"I have good intel that two African elephants are moving in our direction. Would you ride along with me and point out areas where the hollow could hide six tons of gray mammal?"
Murphy lifted two fingers.
"Okay, twelve tons of elephant. Geeze, you're getting as bad a Cid," Tom complained.
Murphy smiled. He moved towards the cruiser, pleased that he had developed a connection with the deputy that went beyond the appreciation for saving his life. Tom trusted Murphy enough to let him sit in the front of the squad car where all the tempting gadgets were, a place Ted was never allowed. This spoke volumes to Murphy. To be a friend was one thing, to be trusted was an honor.
"Inside, Burt is entertaining a woman who is looking for her elephants. She calls them Bilbo and Little Suzy," Tom said as they drove out in the direction of Cold Creek Hollow. "She thought her elephants would follow the power lines north across the state line, but something has moved them off the path. I venture that the helicopters that have been searching for them have scared them away from the open land."
Tom drove into Cold Creek and pulled the cruiser up to where the earthmovers had filled in the foundations of the last three houses. The graveyard was all that was left of the community of summer homes. The surrounding land had been left to nature to fill in. The first comers were the wildflowers. Berry brambles snaked out of the wooded area, and small saplings sprung up here and there.
"If I hadn't experienced the horror here myself, I would have never seen this place as anything but tranquil," Tom said as he circled back around and headed away from the hollow.
Murphy tapped his axe on the floor of the car to get his attention. He pointed west. Tom turned the car in that direction and drove until Murphy pointed south again. They drove until they ran out of road. Murphy left the car and returned almost immediately, waving for Tom to follow him.
Tom got out, and even though he would almost die before using it, pulled the shotgun out of the trunk and readied it. He followed Murphy climbing the hill before him. Spent blueberry bushes tore at his trousers, but he still maintained a steady pace upwards. When he had crested the hill, Murphy pointed down to where an old farmstead had been. Most of the bones of the old barn were still upright. Half of the roof stood without a sag. Several other outbuildings hadn't fared so well.
"There," Murphy said, pushing through the veil.
Tom followed his outstretched arm towards the east side of the property where a lazy little stream flowed by. Several giant trees fought for space, and it was there that Tom's breath was taken away. Under the trees, a small female elephant rested. Behind her, staring at Tom, was a magnificent bull elephant. He locked eyes with the creature and lowered his gun. The elephant flapped his ears but did not stop his watch.
Tom pulled out his cell phone and was pleased to see it worked out there. He dialed the number to the PEEPs office and held on, maintaining his stare with the bull.
"PEEPs , Burt Hicks speaking."
"Burt, put Jane on," Tom insisted.
"Hold on. Jane, it's Deputy Braverman," Tom heard Burt say as the phone was handed over.
"Yes?" Jane asked.
"I've found them. The bull is guarding a smaller
elephant who is lying on the ground. What do I do now?"
"Where are you?" she asked.
Tom turned to Murphy and asked. "Where are we?"
"Schumacher homestead."
"Murphy says the Schumacher homestead."
He could hear her repeat it to Burt.
"I don't know where that is," he heard Burt say.
"I do," a familiar voice said in the background. He could hear the phone handed around, and finally, he was talking to Mia. "What are you doing out at the Schumachers’? It's out of your jurisdiction."
"Elephants. Please bring the doctor out here. I'm outweighed by a few pounds."
"I imagine so. Be there in ten," Mia said and handed the phone back to Jane.
"Deputy, don't approach them. Bilbo isn't going to let you get anywhere near Little Suzy."
"I understand. I'll make sure no one else comes near the elephants. But, Jane, hurry. These animals aren't in my county, and I'm not sure how much weight my badge will have if I'm approached by the state police."
Jane turned around and said to the small woman who had walked through the office door a moment before, "How soon can we leave?"
"Now. I'll go and get the van. Burt, toss me the keys," Mia instructed.
"I'm going with you," he said.
"Room for a whole crowd of you," Mia quipped. "Jake, let Ted know his wife has run off to the circus with Burt and..."
"Jane," Burt supplied.
"Jane," Mia finished, walking out the door.
The computer monitors burst to life with all sorts of circus scenes.
Jane's mind was on her elephants, or she would have taken more notice of the computer's actions and questioned how this was possible, considering that there was no physical operator in the room.
Burt followed the women to the van. He noticed that Mia's limp was more pronounced, but she didn't seem to let it slow her down. Jane took long strides while digging in her pack for something. She pulled out a medical kit of some kind.
Burt rushed over and opened the passenger door for her. "Can I help you with something?" he asked.
"Here, hold this. I can't seem to... Ah, there it is," Jane said, pulling out a tranquilizer pistol. She got in, and Burt shut the door.
He slid open the back door and sat down as Mia put the van in gear. "Remind me to tell you about the investigation Mia and I were on where an elephant gun was involved," Burt said.
Jane looked from Mia to Burt and back again.
"Don't worry, we weren't shooting at elephants," Mia said, waving out the window at a perplexed tall man holding an infant on the porch of the farmhouse as they passed. "That's my husband Ted and my son Brian. I haven't been to the Schumacher homestead in years. Murph and I used to camp out there."
"Really?" Burt questioned.
"Yup, it's the only place around that wasn't haunted."
True to Mia's word, she pulled behind the cruiser in ten minutes. Mia tossed Burt the keys and launched herself out of the car, leaving Burt and Jane to find their own way to the top of the hill.
Mia found Tom halfway down the other side. He silently pointed out the elephants to her. Mia looked around and saw that Murphy had taken up a position a hundred yards behind the elephants.
"I was worried that someone would have taken that old road in and come up behind the creatures," Tom whispered. "Murphy volunteered to run interference if something like that happened."
"Good thinking," Mia said. "Tom, there's some kind of shadow in the distance. Look beyond Murphy. Do you see it?"
Tom pulled out a pair of binoculars and trained them in that area. "I see a shadow, a man-size shadow, but no man."
"What are you looking at?" Burt asked out of breath.
"Do you see anything down there?" Mia pointed.
He shook his head. Tom handed him the binoculars.
"No, just a field."
"The Schumacher homestead has never had a ghost before, but it does now," Mia said.
Jane had taken a route up and over the hill that brought her closer to the big trees. The three watched as she approached the elephants.
"Bilbo," she called. "It's Jane. I've been worried about you and Little Suzy."
The massive male walked towards Jane. His eyes observed the familiar human, but most humans looked alike to him. He reached out his trunk and took in her scent. It was the caregiver.
"I'm going to check on Little Suzy. She doesn't look well," Jane told him and waited until Bilbo turned around and led the way to the resting elephant.
Mia worked her way around the farm buildings, being careful not to draw the attention of the bull elephant. She needed to let Murphy know that something was approaching him from behind. He wouldn't sense the entity until it was almost on top of him as his focus was on the west road and not the south field.
Murphy felt Mia approaching and turned around. She motioned for him to come to her. He was there in seconds.
"There is an entity approaching from the south. I think he is either stalking the elephants or us or both," she said quickly. "Tom and I saw him from the hill."
"Should we challenge him?" Murphy asked, raising his axe, balancing it with both hands.
"Let's watch and see. Jane should have the elephants calmed soon. I'm going to suggest for her to move them to the Anderson Mill. It's in Tom's county, and we would be able to get cover for the large beasts. I feel a storm is brewing out west."
Murphy turned, looked at the approaching clouds and nodded.
Bilbo moved nervously, lifting one foot and the other, waiting for the chastisement that he was sure was to come.
"Bilbo, you have done a marvelous job protecting Little Suzy. I know it wasn't you who left the trailer. Artie isn't upset. He is just worried about you," Jane said, patting the bull gently on his shoulder.
He ran his trunk around the caregiver and felt the honesty of her words.
"Now let's see what is bothering our little girl," Jane said, walking carefully forward. Jane used what she called her mother's voice, aptly named because she felt she sounded just like her mother when she used it. "Little Suzy, I'm going to touch your face," she cautioned. Jane ran her hand along the thick skin and was pleased to see that the cow was adequately hydrated. "I'm going to look in your eye," she warned. Jane tsk-tsked when she saw the inflammation in the lid. "Those purple flowers looked tasty, but they aren't good for your tummy. Lie back, girl," she said, gently pushing on the cow's body.
Little Suzy did as the pressure of the hands indicated. She was feeling rather uncomfortable. The bloating from the bad grasses was making her bilious. The caregiver ran her hand along her underside and stopped. Her hands now encouraged her to get to her feet which she did.
Little Suzy noticed a small human walking towards them. She shook her head to warn the caregiver and Bilbo.
Mia stopped walking and waited until Jane noticed her. The last thing she wanted to do was surprise her or the elephants.
"Yes?" Jane asked.
"I think we need to move the elephants to a place where they can weather the storm that is approaching."
"Elephants can stay out in the rain," Jane said defensively.
"Even I can tell that the little one is sickening, and this storm will be electrical. Lightning strikes the highest trees or beasts. Murphy and I know of a place where the floor is solid stone and the roof has very few leaks in it."
"I don't know."
"This isn't Tom's county. This county is too poor to have their own Sheriff's Department, so the state police are in charge. It also has a reputation for the locals hunting anything on four legs."
That was enough for Jane. She nodded. "How do we get there? I'm not confident that Little Suzy has enough energy to climb that hill."
"Murphy knows a way through the woods. The elephants will have to cross that stream. The bottom of it is sandy, although there is some clay on the bank on the other side," she cautioned.
"I need to alert my team. We need to bring in food and med
icine. Little Suzy is having trouble with something she has ingested."
"Call them now. Have them wait at the farm. I hope we'll be able to get the elephants to the mill before the rain lets loose. I'll call over and give Ted directions for how he can guide them to the mill. The road is blocked off. They may have to walk the supplies in," Mia warned.
Jane nodded and stepped away to make the arrangements.
Mia felt the warmth of the trunk before it gently moved about her body. She had heard that the trunk of the elephant was more than a tool. Elephants remember by scent. The elephant named Bilbo was taking in her scent. Mia let herself relax and laughed as the trunk inspected her.
"Bilbo is making friends," Jane said. "Let's get moving. The team is about two hours away. I hope we'll reach this old mill before then. The weather report I got from Artie wasn't looking too good. Where's this Murphy?"
"He's standing in front of you."
Jane looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Stephen Murphy is a ghost. Didn't Burt tell you?"
"Oh no, Mr. Hicks left that out. Not that he was a paranormal investigator, but that a ghost would be our tour guide."
"I trust Murphy with my life. I assure you that he has not only our best interests in mind but those of Bilbo and Little Suzy," Mia professed.
"When you work with these beautiful creatures as I do, you see a lot of things that science can't explain. I think this Murphy is just another one of these anomalies, no offense."
"None taken," Murphy answered gruffly.
"Oh my," Jane said, putting her hand on her chest. She took a deep breath and said, "Well then, Mr. Murphy, lead the way. Mia, would you mind letting our law enforcement gentleman and Burt know what the plan is?"
Mia picked up her phone and dialed Tom.
"Braverman," Tom answered.
"Martin. We are going to move the elephants across the stream here and follow it to the east fork where the old Anderson Mill still stands. The road has been blocked off, so you may want to have something that can handle that terrain. We’ll meet you there. The doctor is going to have supplies sent up to the farm. I'll call Ted and give him directions."
