NOLA

by Alexie Aaron

  Sean popped his head up. “Can I get out now?”

  “Yes, Sean,” Mia said, holding back a giggle.

  “I hope you never have to inhabit your dead body, Mia,” he said good-naturedly.

  “Me too,” Mia said and walked over and knelt down next to Father Peter and started to check him for broken bones. “You know you have to go to the hospital.”

  “Oh, I expect so. I was knocked out, and then I hallucinated. I’d say I have an MRI and a CAT scan in my future. I had a CAT scan recently, and I didn’t like the results.”

  “Really? What did they find?”

  “It’s what they didn’t find,” Father Peter admitted.

  Concerned Mia leaned in. “What didn’t they find?”

  “No cats,” he said with an evil look on his face.

  Mia groaned and shook her head. “Um, back to the real world, you said you had a hallucination. What did you see?”

  “An angel.”

  Mia looked at Murphy and back at the priest. “Did he look Italian? Good looking guy with black feathers?”

  “From my perspective, on the floor with a desiccated corpse and bricks over me, I thought it was all bright and shiny, not white as I’ve seen in paintings. I got the idea I was looking at the image of a warrior. It had a determined look on its face, and once Sticks was freed, it looked over at me, sized me up, and then left.”

  “Hell, excuse me… Heck of a hallucination,” Mia said.

  Alexei appeared in the doorway. “Is it all over?” he asked.

  “Yes,” Mia said. “I’ve got to call for an ambulance, and then I’ll have to explain all of this,” she pointed to the new skylight.

  “What the hell, excuse me Father, heck did that?”

  “Not sure,” Mia said honestly.

  “Why don’t you not explain it,” Alexei suggested. “Susannah has a private physician who uses a private hospital. We could say that Father Peter was helping her bring some boxes down from the attic and fell.”

  “That wouldn’t be honest,” Mia said, looking at the priest with big, round, puppy dog eyes.

  “I think that’s what happened. This is all a hallucination I had after I bumped my head,” he said, returning Mia’s stare.

  “What about Sean’s body?” she asked.

  “The ceiling collapsed, and it will be found amongst the rubble. Could have been in the attic the entire time,” Alexei said.

  “You are too good at this lying,” Mia said. “You’re going to have to spend some time with Judge Roumain if you ever tire of N’awlins.”

  “Probably so.”

  Mia and Murphy waited until Susannah’s maid arrived with a private ambulance. Mia made sure the EMTs didn’t see her face. She assumed that these gentlemen would be paid off, but she wasn’t taking any chances. After the priest was carried out, Mia picked up the box.

  “What are you going to do with it?” Alexei asked.

  “It has to be secured somewhere where no man can get his hands on it.”

  “Where is that?”

  “I don’t even know,” she admitted. “But I know a guy.”

  “Well, I guess this is it, Mia,” Alexei said. He bent down and kissed her gloved hand. “It has been a pleasure,” he said and disappeared.

  Mia and Murphy found their way out and walked up Bourbon Street. The hour was late, but the street was still full of revelers. The little masked woman lugging the large carved box blended right in.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Mia nodded to Sean as she entered the private suite. Father Peter was sitting up with a lot of wires attached to him. Mia plopped in the chair beside the bed and said, “You look like a third grader’s science fair entry.”

  Father Peter’s laugh was a little restrained. “Sorry, but laughing makes my ribs hurt.”

  “Oops. So what are the damages?”

  “I have two broken ribs, a mild concussion, and a dislocated shoulder that they set right after they pumped me full of morphine.”

  “Still hurt, didn’t it?”

  “Yes. I see you’ve been in my shoes.”

  “Paranormal investigation has higher injury counts than the NFL. I won’t give you my list, as it is too long with too many tall tales attached to each one of them.”

  “I take it you’re not staying.”

  “I’ve got to get back to my husband and baby. I trust the Guiding Lights can handle anything that comes along.”

  “Where’s Ralph?”

  “He said he had some business to see to. George dropped me off before driving him to his meeting.”

  “The box?”

  “Secure, with Murphy. I’ll be taking it back to Chicago with me. I’ve arranged for it to be picked up and safeguarded until it can either be destroyed or buried so deep that it will never see the light of day.”

  “I expect there are more of them out there,” Father Peter worried.

  “Yes, but now that we know what they look like, they can be gathered and neutralized. At least that’s my hope.” Mia nodded towards Sean. “Is he staying or going?”

  “Sean is staying for a while. He wants to make amends before leaving. It’s not just this little caper that he’s worried about.”

  “Father Peter says I can stay with him until I feel strong enough to venture out and tie up some loose ends,” Sean explained.

  “If there is anything that PEEPs can do to help, just let us know. There isn’t a job too big or too small. As long as Burt can film it, we’re game.”

  “Sounds like you’re anxious to get back to PEEPs too,” Father Peter observed.

  “After this, PEEPs is going to be a walk in the park. I’ve learned so much, and I’m still processing some things. N’awlins has presented me with problems but also with answers. I’ve met you fine folks and been treated very well. I’d like to return one day with Ted and Brian. Well, maybe not Brian, not yet,” she corrected. “I’m sure that he won’t be able to appreciate the Big Easy until he grows up.”

  “Yes, it’s not Disneyworld. Although we do have our own style of kings and queens.”

  It was Mia’s turn to laugh. “I wonder how Lucky Pierre’s is doing with Miss Georgia Peach around.”

  “I expect they are embracing the idea that the place is haunted. N’awlins, as you have noticed, appreciates its dead.”

  “No place like it,” Mia agreed.

  ~

  George pulled the sedan through the gate and up to the jet. He got out, and Mia quickly asked the ghost in the front seat, “Is there anything you want me to tell George?”

  Surprised, the old man just shook his head.

  “He’s doing a great job, sir,” Mia said before she got out of the car.

  Murphy followed her and turned green as he contemplated the flight to come. Ralph was the last to leave the car. He placed an envelope on the front seat. “I know he’s being taken care of by the man that hired him, but that’s a thank you from Mia and me,” Ralph said to the ghost Mia told him about. “Give him some room, and you’ll be proud of him.”

  George waited at the door and helped Ralph out of the car.

  “Who are you talking to? Is it that ghost Murphy?”

  “I was just talking to myself, George,” Ralph lied.

  Mia wouldn’t let George handle the wooden case. She carried it onto the plane and secured it where she could keep an eye on it during the flight home. She also insisted that Murphy sit next to her. “Do you want the window seat?” she teased.

  Murphy glared at her. “I’d rather take the ley lines home.”

  “No, you’re coming with me. I don’t want to have to spend my time finding you when you get lost.”

  “I won’t get lost.”

  Mia lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps not, but I’d like you to come with us all the same. Sticks is still out there. He may decide to take you for a souvenir.”

  “Or you,” Murphy countered.

  “Saw right through me, didn’t you?” Mia said and laughed. “I hav
e to admit to being a bit puzzled by the attraction, but I’m happy he came to our aid when he did. He saved my bacon.”

  “And then you saved him,” Murphy reminded her. “Why?”

  “I don’t really know. It felt right at the time.”

  “Maybe you’re attracted to the demon,” Murphy teased.

  “What’s not to like? He’s tall and reminds me of a tree.”

  “You both have yellow eyes.”

  “Sometimes, not all times, I hope,” Mia said uncomfortably.

  “Ahem,” Ralph said, standing there. “Mia, honestly, can’t you be satisfied with Ted? Why must you insist on having all the guys?”

  This made Mia burst out in surprised laughter. “Oh, yes, I’m such a femme fatale. Where was everyone when I needed a prom date? Sticks would have been an interesting choice,” Mia mused. “Or you,” Mia said, looking at Murphy. “Oh, how about you Ralph? Want to trip the light fantastic with your goddaughter?”

  “It would be a pleasure, as long as you let me wear that blue sequined suit.”

  “Never! I’ve had my fill of sequins this trip. Nothing shiny in my future.”

  Ralph sat down and buckled his seatbelt. He watched as Mia went through the motions of belting Murphy in before herself. He saw her grab what Ralph assumed was Murphy’s hand as the jet rolled out onto the taxiway. Mia had told him of Murphy’s problem with flying, but he didn’t like the intimacy of the way she held the ghost’s hand. He worried about Mia and hoped that Murphy would be moving on one day. Mia had a husband and a child. This should be more than enough for any woman. Bernard told him that Mia’s capacity to love was endless. “Don’t fault her for little flirtations from time to time. She has a good head on her shoulders. She will always come around to what is right in the end.”

  ~

  The creature moved through the trees, taking delight in dropping nuts and twigs on the picnickers underneath. Sticks leaned back against the old oak, taking time to figure a few things out. He decided that he would continue to cause trouble until Father Peter caught up with him and sent him back. He didn’t know why the door opened so soon or who opened it in the first place. He initially thought it was a trap, but when he had walked out into the N’awlins night, he sensed the squishy human with the yellow eyes was in trouble. He followed his instincts and embarrassed himself by getting into more trouble. But the female chose to fight for him. A human fighting to save a demon was an interesting occurrence. One in a million, he figured.

  Sticks heard the sound of a jet engine overhead. He looked up and sensed that Mia was leaving on that aircraft. He didn’t blame her. NOLA wasn’t for everyone.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  The counter attendant smiled at the tall man carrying the infant in identical clothing. The little Chiefs hat on the baby was so cute. She made a note to see if they had something similar in a Bears cap for her new nephew. What was it about new fathers that she found so damn sexy?

  “Ah am ah am,” babbled Brian.

  “Yes, Minnie Mommy’s plane is landing.”

  “Ooh ooh.”

  “Murphy too. I expect he isn’t too happy. Murphy doesn’t like to fly.”

  “Ah am ah am, ooh ooh.”

  “Yes, Mommy made him.”

  “Pblssp.”

  “You’re too young to swear, kiddo,” Ted said.

  Bernard walked into the lobby and straight over to Ted. “He’s getting so big. May I?”

  Ted reluctantly handed Brian over to Bernard, unsure what his reaction would be. The kid’s eyes got really big, but he smiled.

  “See, he remembers me. Ted, you’ve got a genius on your hands.”

  “It runs in the family,” Ted said proudly.

  “Yes, Mia is pretty smart,” Bernard teased.

  “Everybody’s a comedian today. Well, except for those guys.” Ted indicated the somber looking men in suits that Gerald sent.

  “Who?”

  “They’re artifact retrieval guys. They handled the pistols until Angelo could take them to the birdman vault.”

  “Phew, I thought they were the IRS,” Bernard said. “Ralph’s been a little too creative with his deductible expenses.”

  Ted nodded and accepted Brian back so Bernard could answer his phone.

  The plane was moving in front of the FBO. Ted waited until the steps came down to leave the protection and heat of the building. The wind caused Brian to gasp and sputter a bit, but he still was in good humor by the time Ted reached the stairs.

  Mia almost flew down the steps. She launched herself at Ted, and he bore both her and Brian’s weight like a champ.

  “I missed you so much,” Mia said, kissing Ted’s face all over before she tenderly kissed her son’s forehead. “Brian, you’ve grown. You promised Mommy not to grow.”

  “Pblssp.”

  Mia’s eyes opened wide. “Did our three-month-old just swear at me?”

  Ted looked guilty.

  “Ah am ah am,” Brian burbled.

  “I love you too.”

  Ted set Mia down and handed her Brian. He stepped aside so Bernard could give his goddaughter a hug.

  “There she goes again, stealing the attention of all the men,” Ralph said, feigning irritation from the top step.

  Bernard walked up and hugged his fiancé. “Come on, you. Let’s get your luggage, and you can spill all the dirt about Mia and her so-called business trip.”

  “Hey now, what happens in NOLA stays in NOLA,” Mia reminded Ralph. “Where’s Murphy?”

  “Ooh ooh,” Brian said, looking up. “Ooh ooh, pblssp.”

  “He’s trying to tell you that Murphy looks a little put out,” Ted said, looking at the green-tinged ghost. “Although, he looked worse coming back from Haiti.”

  “Shorter trip. Could you hold Brian a minute? I’ve got to deliver the ticking time B O M B to the suits,” Mia said.

  “TSA can spell. At least I think they can?” Ted asked Brian.

  Mia climbed the stairs, walking by a wobbly Murphy, and unfastened the box. She examined the clasp to make sure it was holding before lifting it down and carrying it out of the jet and down the stairs. She was approached by two vaguely familiar men. She waited until they gave her the code words Bernard had told her before letting go of the box.

  “Under no circumstances is that to be opened,” Mia ordered. “It almost destroyed New Orleans.”

  The senior of the two nodded. They walked back into the building.

  “That bad?” asked Ted.

  “Did I ever tell you that I hate ancient beings?” Mia asked, leading them toward the building.

  “Really? Do tell.”

  “They don’t speak the language, have no reverence for the clergy, and have the manners of charging rhinos.”

  “Well, it’s over now. Isn’t it?” Ted said, opening the door for her.

  “Oh yes,” Mia said, brightening up. “And I’m done with favors. Unless PEEPs has been dealing with Gerald?”

  “I assure you, Burt has made it clear that we are on a no Gerald diet.”

  “Mia, Mia!” Ralph called. “Come over here a minute, please.”

  “Excuse me,” Mia said. She walked up to Ralph who handed her a large manila envelope. “What’s this?”

  “It’s your take of the reward on the Mardi Gras mask. I took 15% as your agent.”

  “Um, I told Alexei that I wasn’t helping him for money, and besides, you should get half.”

  “Fifteen percent is all I need, believe me. You take that money, put some away for Brian’s college, and then blow it on something for you and Ted. That’s an order.”

  “Yes, sir. Aren’t you coming over to see Brian before you leave?” she asked.

  “Oh yes, I have a present for the little man,” Ralph said, reaching into his carry-on bag.

  Ralph walked over to Ted and handed him the gift to open for Brian, while Ralph held on to the boy. Mia worried that her son was going to feel like a toy pretty soon being passed around. She d
idn’t like being picked up. She was surprised that her son was so agreeable.

  Ted tore off the wrappings and was flabbergasted. He held on to an abacus.

  “I had the beads tested to make sure they were baby safe,” Ralph said. “I thought that it was never too early to start on math skills. Mia was pretty behind by the time she hit kindergarten.”

  Mia opened her mouth but couldn’t really disagree since it was the truth.

  Brian reached his arms out and began moving the beads.

  “See, the kid’s a genius,” Ralph said proudly.

  The flight attendant walked through and let Mia know that their packages and suitcases were being taken to where the cars were parked.

  Mia thanked her, and when she tried to tip her, the woman refused. “All taken care of.”

  “Ted, I guess we can load up the baggage and go home. I can’t wait to be at the farm again. I expect Murphy is already waiting by the van.”

  Mia retrieved Brian and bundled him into his little Chiefs coat.

  “Mia, you better get that kid a Bears coat before the other babies beat the crap out of him,” Bernard teased.

  “I applaud his going against the grain, but I, too, wince when I see the crimson colors,” she admitted.

  “Pblssp Ah am ah am.”

  “There it is again. Bernard, I think the kid just swore at me again. I leave Ted alone with Brian for four days, and look, he’s a hoodlum.”

  “I think he takes after his mum, dear,” Bernard replied.

  Ted picked up the large, heavy, wrapped package and shook it to figure out what Mia was bringing back from N’awlins. He didn’t remember her having all these clothes with her either. He supposed Ralph was responsible. It was a good thing Burt still let them use the PEEPs van until they found a family friendly car because there was no way the three of them and all this baggage would fit in Mia’s truck or his old car.

  Mia put Brian in the baby seat, and he smiled as Murphy got in and sat next to him. Mia sat in the front with Ted. They no sooner got out of the parking lot when Mia looked back and Brian was asleep.

  “I guess the trip tuckered him out.”