by Alexie Aaron
Burt nodded and said, “A girl’s got to eat.”
Ted just shrugged and nodded. “I’m just surprised that she didn’t say anything, just walked off. Not like her.”
“Ah, that might be my fault, actually,” Burt confessed.
“Go on.”
“I confronted her about Beth’s phone call in the elevator.”
“Fuck.”
“It’s my job to…”
“It’s your job to be a founding partner of PEEPs. Your job to guide and protect our interests. You and Mike put this group together and get the biggest cut of the pie. I get it, you’re in charge. I shouldn’t have mentioned Beth’s message to you.” Ted grabbed a roll of cables off the last trolley and moved it over with the others.
“Why did she let you hear it?”
“She was puzzled, worried, confused. She’s being torn apart bit by bit being in this building. There are things in here that can pull her soul out of her body. She doesn’t sleep because of the nightmares. You should know, more than any of us, the pain and torment she goes through just walking down the fucking street.”
“It’ll blow over. Mia will punish you with silence, but she forgives easily. This is her way of slapping your wrist.”
Ted rolled his head to move the tension out of his neck. “I’m learning a few things this time out.”
Burt smiled at his tech. “I’m still learning things too, founding member or not.”
“What’s up with Beth?”
“Do you want my honest opinion or my best guess?”
“Both.”
“Beth got rattled when she was taken and trussed up like a turkey. When I was dragged into the pit in the hollow, it messed me up for quite a while. Evil kind of leaves a residue. She was all a twitter when it was you riding in the ambulance and spending time with her in the hospital. She built up a fantasy of you and her together.”
“Ah, we are co-workers and friends,” Ted said flatly.
“Part of her knows this. But the little girl part had you two walking down the aisle, and instead you go off with Mia. She retaliates and takes a job away from her rival. When Mia doesn’t react - no surprise, she hates research - Beth looks for something else to hurt her with, so she finds another area that Mia is vulnerable.”
“That’s plain nasty and not our Bethy.”
“Exactly.”
“Oh.”
“I think Mia had it right from the beginning. I shouldn’t have called Beth. I made the problem worse,” Burt said. “It made it look like Mia ran to me with her problems.”
“Which she wouldn’t do.”
“Nah, not even when we were together.”
“Are you going to be able to work with Mia?” Ted asked seriously.
“Yes, I guess so. We’re not fighting, just at odds.”
“Good, because I need both of you on this investigation.”
Burt looked at his tech taking control of the situation with pride. Ted had come a long way from playing video games. He had taken the initiative and lead on a high profile investigation. True, Mia could have done the same thing but decided, quite rightly, that Ted was the best person for the job. Burt studied the trap and found something wasn’t quite right about it. He cleared his voice and pointed out, “Your design is a good one, but you may have a flaw.”
Ted pushed his hat to the back of his head and nodded. “You noticed the same thing Mia did. I have no containment. The original thought was to get old Courtney into position and just communicate with her. But…”
Burt spotted something on a shelf and walked over and picked it up. He brought it back to Ted.
Ted watched him as he placed the large flat-bottomed boiling flask in the center of the trap.
“Now all we need is a rubber stopper and we…”
“Have a Courtney in a bottle,” Ted finished.
Chapter Twenty-six
Ralph was pleased as punch with what he had accomplished in such a short period of time at Mia’s house. With the exception of the raccoon and flea fiasco, the redesign went off without a hitch. Mia had yet to come home, but when she did, she would either love it or take Ralph to task for once again interfering with her life. He couldn’t help it. He loved her as a parent loves their child. Bernard reported that Whitney had arrived looking all dapper and handsome. Ralph liked Whit. He looked good next to Mia. Sure it was just window dressing, but he could tell that the boy cared deeply for her too. Good looks and love, ah to be young again, Ralph thought.
He suspected that Bernard was supporting the lanky technician Theodore. He had to listen to his praises of the young man all during dinner last evening. Bernard wasn’t going to be home tonight. They were going to try to eradicate the ghost from the premises of the museum. No, he wasn’t invited. Not that it would have stopped him had he wanted to be there. Ralph wasn’t interested in ghosts and would not have been able to sit still while his baby was used as bait. He decided that he would drop by, but only to bring Mia some clean underwear and clothes. He was quite putout that Mary and Bernard got to dress his doll, but Ralph had to be satisfied with dressing her windows.
He got out of the cab and went in through the main entrance. Ralph had a subscription to the museum. He earned good money and giving some to Bernard’s second love was fine with him. He walked by the guards and nodded to the cashiers as he breezed by, loaded down with shopping bags. The smell of coffee lured him to the café where he was surprised to see Mia and Whit sitting there.
“Fancy meeting you here,” he said, addressing the couple. He plopped his bags in a chair. “I’m going for a coffee, can I bring you back anything?”
Mia frowned at the bags, worried about what might be in them. “Sure, whatever you’re having.”
Whit smiled, and said he was fine. He waited until Ralph was out of earshot before speaking, “Mom’s here, hands on the table.”
Mia laughed. She felt so good for a change. Ralph arrived back with coffees and a plate of sweets. He set them down saying, “Don’t tell Bernard, I’m supposed to be on a diet.” Ralph sat down, put a napkin in his lap and selected a scone. “I bet you’re wondering what I’ve been up to?”
“I imagine shopping,” Mia said pointing to the bags.
“Oh that, just some clean undies, I heard you spent the night and didn’t go to the hotel to change.”
“It was getting crowded there,” Mia said dismissively. “What else have you been doing?”
“Well don’t get mad, but I did a little spring cleaning at your house.”
Mia played along, “Really, I don’t think I ever sprung clung.”
“It showed. Anyways, I added a few Ralph touches, I hope you don’t mind.”
Mia’s eyes opened wide. “Ralph touches” could mean he moved walls. “I’m sure I will love it. I hope to get home soon.”
Ralph reached across the table and put his hand on her forehead. “You look awful. Dark circles and very pale.”
“Thanks, but I feel fine, just a little tired. You know how I love this place.”
Ralph put his hand on Whit’s arm. “That’s sarcasm, she hates it here. I can’t count the amount of times she ran screaming from the place as a wee child. I don’t know why her father made her come here time and time again.”
“Hello I’m sitting right here,” Mia said, not wanting for Ralph to give Whit any more examples of her craziness.
Whit took the hint and changed the subject, “Are you staying for the festivities tonight?”
“Oh no. I’ll be waiting at home.” He looked at his watch. “I’m just going to see if Bernard has time to go out for a bite to eat before you start. You know how cranky he gets when his blood sugar’s low.”
“I’m sure he would love to get away for a while. We have to wait until the museum clears out of visitors and staff. Although, you may want to stick around for a while, Burt and Mike are going to film an introduction. You could get your face on television…” Mia trailed off, baiting Ralph.
; His face brightened, and his hand automatically checked his hair. “Really, how interesting. Where?”
“I think they are going through the Ancient Americas just after closing,” Mia said.
Ralph looked at his watch again. “I better get Bernard moving. I wouldn’t want to miss that. If you two will excuse me. Don’t forget your clothes,” Ralph reminded her before hurrying off.
Mia reached for an oatmeal cookie and bit into it smiling. “More for me.”
Whit laughed asking, “Did you just do that to get the man’s cookies?”
“You’d be surprised what I’ll do for a cookie.”
“Duly noted,” Whit said in a dirty voice.
~
Mia waltzed into the lab on Whit’s arm. Ted pretended not to notice. Burt shook his head, and Mike fumed. She disengaged her arm, walked over to Ted and handed him a bag of cookies and Twizzlers. “Sorry, but they didn’t have any Red Vines.”
“Twizzlers lack the NOA seal of approval, but thank you anyway.”
“What’s NOA?” Mike asked, looking up from the wiring job he was doing on the trap.
Burt looked over at the man aghast and answered, “Nerds of America.”
Mike, unfazed, asked, “Since when?”
“Dude, since you went Hollywood. You lost your nerd status, or you’d know.”
“Well if you nerds will excuse me,” Mia interjected, “Ralph dropped off some clothes, and I better change.”
“You need any help?” Ted asked.
“I think I can manage,” Mia said blushing. She left the lab and headed for the ladies room.
The three other men looked at him.
“What? She’s got broken ribs, it can’t be easy. She’s all bruised and scratched up. The glass window exploding did a number too.”
“When you guys were at the farm I took a look at her ribs, they looked pretty nasty,” Whit commented, holding steady a piece of Acrylic glass for Burt to screw into place. “I told her to go to the doctor, but she refused.”
“All blue and purple last time I looked,” Ted said causally.
Mike looked stunned. He walked over to the lab door and shut it, giving them privacy. He looked at Burt who had been Mia’s lover. Well that’s one. Whit had history with Mia, so perhaps that’s two. But for cripes sake, Ted? “Ted, did you see Mia naked?”
“Someone had to bandage her and wrap her ribs.” Ted looked over at Whit and Burt and back at Mike. “Is there a problem?”
The other two men just shrugged.
“Raise your hand if you’ve seen Mia Cooper naked,” Mike coached.
Burt, Whit and Ted raised their hands. Ted was the only one that blushed.
“I cannot believe that I’m the only one that hasn’t seen Mia naked. Me? It makes no sense. Two nerds, and, well Whit I can see it, but you two?”
Burt coughed, and with a twinkle in his eye asked, “Who has made love to our Mia?” He raised his hand and looked directly at Ted, who didn’t raise his hand. Whit didn’t either.
Plump, nerdy Burt stood a little taller as he realized that he was the only one of the boys that Mia had chosen as her lover. This also cleared Ted of any wrong doing. Beth was way off base. Whit probably, if he played his cards right, would end up with the girl, but Mike never stood a chance.
Mike sat down and put his head in his hands.
Murphy had raised his hand with the others on the naked question, but he too was puzzled by Burt being the only one who scored with the fair Mia.
~
Mia felt her ears burning. She sensed something was up. She was having difficulty in extracting herself from her bra but managed after a bit. Her body was very sore. She wondered if Burt had any Vicodin on him. She pulled on the lingerie that Ralph purchased. They were pretty little silky things that felt good on the skin, but probably wouldn’t hold up in the washer. Maybe this was the date underwear that her aunt Bev mentioned she should have, a time or two.
Ralph had respected her need for function over fashion by including an expensive pair of jeans and a figure hugging, black cashmere sweater that ended just above her belted waist.
Mia checked herself out in the mirror. Her hair was shaggy and too white. The circles under her eyes were puffy. She thought she looked like something from a Dr. Seuss book. Well, they didn’t have her here for her looks, she reconciled. She dumped out the rest of the shopping bags’ contents and grinned at the little ghost barrettes. She twisted her two-day hair back in a French braid and used the barrettes to secure it. Just before she jammed the old clothes into the shopping bag, she transferred two saltshakers and a bottle of holy water into her new jeans.
Mia felt a tingle run along the back of her arm. She turned around and saw Murphy behind her. He looked at her and smiled slightly. He seemed almost shy.
“Is everything okay, Murph?”
He nodded but stared intently into her eyes. He reached forward and brushed her face with his hand. Mia felt the expected tingle, but it was mixed with something else. A sadness, a longing. She reached her hand up to his and sighed as she only contacted her skin. “Not much of a life not being able to feel things is it?”
Murphy shrugged and traced her neck with his finger. She felt the tingle and closed her eyes as the tingle moved lower, too low. Her eyes snapped open, and she took a step backwards. He looked at her. In his eyes were promises of things Father Santos said were not to happen between them.
“Stephen, you tempt me, but life doesn’t work this way. As long as I breathe, I need to try to have a life amongst the living. I know that I’m caught in between your world and mine. I will always love you, but I can’t make love to you. You can’t feel it. And if you could, what kind of cosmic laws would we violate?”
Murphy was done with listening and moved quickly into her body. Mia felt his mind in hers. They shared the same space. The possession was brief. He just wanted to make a point that he could do amazing and scary things too. But it wasn’t what he would choose. He lived by the code of do onto others, help your neighbor, and respect. He breathed her air, and she felt the cold of the ether. This all took seconds. And then he was gone. Mia sunk to her knees and then lay on the floor, spent of energy. She let sleep take her.
“Mia,” a woman’s voice called from far away. “Mia, are you alright?”
She opened her eyes and was puzzled to find herself on the floor of the ladies bathroom. Mary knelt beside her. Mia raised her head and asked, “What happened?”
“I think you may have fainted. Are you pregnant?”
Mia rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I must have passed out. I feel okay now. What time is it?”
“Four o-clock. Ted’s been looking for you.”
“Ted’s always looking for me,” Mia said getting to her feet. She walked over to the sink and splashed cold water in her face.
“Are you going to be alright?”
Mia looked at her eyes and only saw herself looking back. “I think so. I have a bone to pick with one of my friends, but otherwise I’m fine.”
“Before we leave here, can I ask you about Mike?”
Mia picked up her bags and nodded. “Sure, but I’m going to tell you the truth.”
“That’s what I want.” Mary put her hands on her hips. “What do you think of him and me?”
“Together? Temporarily or forever?”
“As a couple,” she qualified.
“Mike loves women. He loves sex, dinners for two, lounging in bed reading papers and romance novels. He bores quickly and moves on to the next woman. He’s had a lot of sex with a lot of women, so if you are in it for the fun, wear protection. Oh, and don’t expect him to be there for you.”
“Have you?”
“Good god, no! Didn’t I answer this before? I must not have made myself clear. I don’t like him. I have to work with him, but he makes my flesh crawl. There. I’ll not judge you if you want some of that Kansas corn, but I will say I told you so when he leaves you high and dry.”
Mary nodded. “Thanks for being honest.”
“You’re going to screw him, aren’t you?”
“Oh yes, I’m not into relationships either.”
Mia laughed and walked out the door. For some people it was just sex. Mary followed her as far as the lab. She took Mia’s bags from her and winked at Mike through the window before leaving. An amused Mia opened the door.
“Where the hell have you been?” Ted questioned her.
“I fell asleep in the bathroom,” she said simply.
Not ever having been in a ladies room, Ted visualized fainting couches and chairs along with the porcelain facilities. “Feeling refreshed?”
“One could say so. So what did I miss?”
Ted brought Mia over and showed her the completed trap. “The entity makes the jump. Mike and Whit push the other plastic into place.” He moved the panels. “She bounces off the walls and seeks out the only glass.” He pointed to the bottle in the middle of the sand.
“How are you going to get the stopper in?” Mia asked.
“We thought you could manage in your OOB form,” he said slowly.
Mia thought a moment. “How heavy is the stopper?”
Ted picked one off the table and placed it in her hand.
She felt the slight weight and knew that it would take a lot of energy for her to move something from this dimension being in the ether. Even if she could, there was the sand. “I can’t OOB through the sand,” she said flatly and added, “Neither can Murph.”
“Someone is going to have to open the trap and put the stopper in the bottle without getting electrocuted,” Ted surmised.
“Rubber mat, tennis shoes, gloves, and a prayer,” Whit said behind them.
Mia whirled around with her eyes big. “No.”
“I can do this.”
“No.”
“These guys would do the same for me. It’s my turn to step up.”
“Mia, you just have to keep her attention outside the glass,” Ted said.
Mia looked over at Mike and Burt and back at Whit. “Someone better have a belt on him and yank him out of the way. We aren’t talking 220 here, we’re talking a lightning bolt.”
