All Things Lost

by Josh Aterovis

  “You mean the house in Amityville?”

  “Yes, well, someone mentioned something about a ghost but I've found that many of ghost stories are just romantic ideas and overactive imaginations. We'll see. But really dear, couldn't you have done something with this room?”

  “I've only been here a few weeks,” I protested.

  “A few weeks? I could transform this place in a few hours.”

  “But that's your job now, or so I understand. But I'm sure you didn't come all the way here to give me decorating tips. What's up?”

  “Does something have to be up to see an old friend?”

  “No, I guess not.”

  “I wanted to see how you were. I could see how Asher was and I could guess how you were, but I wanted to see for myself.”

  “How is Asher?” I said as nonchalant as possible.

  “You can go see for yourself.”

  “I've tried. He won't see me.”

  “Ah. Well, it's not exactly my place to say really.”

  I frowned, “How am I then?”

  “You're confused.”

  “I hate how you do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “How you're always right.”

  “I'm not always right. Besides, this has nothing to do with any special perception on my part. Confusion is written all over your face. Especially when I mentioned Asher. See, there it goes again. You don't know how you feel about him do you?”

  “Yes, I mean no. I mean…I know I love him…”

  “You're just not sure if that's enough anymore.”

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  “It isn't always enough for some people, you know. And then for some people it's too much. For some it's everything, and those are the most blessed.”

  “I don't understand what's happening. I thought we were perfect.”

  “No relationship is perfect, Killian. In every relationship there will be rough patches; fights, misunderstandings, periods of confusion. The true test of a couple is if they are strong enough to fight through these places and come out stronger on the other side.”

  “But Asher doesn't seem to want to fight through this. He just gave up.”

  “It takes two to give up. It doesn't seem to me like you've been doing much fighting either.”

  “How can I fight when he doesn't want the same things I do?”

  “First you have to know what you are fighting for. Right now, I don't think either of you knows what you want.”

  “Will we get back together?”

  “Sweetie, I'm not a fortune-telling gypsy at a carnival sideshow. I can't look into some magic crystal ball and see whatever I want. Sometimes things are shown to me, I can't explain it and I don't really have a lot of control over it. I try to respond to what is shown to me as best I can, because I figure it's shown to me for a reason. Some time I'm quite lost as to what that reason is.”

  This was starting to remind me of my conversation with Steve that day after looking at the house for the first time. “Do you believe in ghosts?” I asked.

  “Where did that come from? Are you trying to change the subject?”

  “No. Maybe. What you were saying made me think of the ghost though. I said I didn't really believe in ghosts and Steve said it wasn't that big a jump from you to ghosts.”

  “Gee, that really makes a girl feel special. I remind him of dead folk?”

  “I don't think that's what he meant.”

  “I know, dear. I'm teasing. To answer your question, yes, I do believe in ghosts, but I guess that really depends on what your definition of a ghost is. We use the term pretty broadly you know. Some are spirits left behind from a sudden, often violent death. They are confused and don't fully realize they are dead. Some seem to have unfinished business to attend to and they simply can't move on. Some are simply emotional impressions left behind after someone dies.”

  “Which of those do you think Amalie is?”

  “Who?”

  “The ghost in the house that Steve is buying.”

  “I don't really know the whole story; Steve just mentioned in passing that it was supposedly haunted.” She frowned, “He actually seemed a bit jazzed at the idea.”

  “Yeah, he's been like that ever since we saw it for the first time.”

  “Must be some house.”

  “It is, but I think he's more excited about the ghost than the house.”

  “Tell me about this ghost. What did you say her name was, Emily?”

  “Amalie,” I corrected. I told her the whole story as best I could recall it from Victoria's account. When I finished, Judy thought for a moment.

  “I'd like to do some research on this Amalie. It sounds a trifle too romantic to be a real ghost story. I'd like some clearer history and of course I'll have to go out to the house.”

  “Well you'll be there anyway if you're going to be helping decorate. I guess that'll be your first big job out here, huh?”

  “Yes, I'm hoping to use that as advertisement. A showplace like that could be quite a feather in my cap.”

  We were interrupted by the arrival of my boss.

  “Judy Davis, this is my boss Shane Novak,” I said making the requisite introductions.

  “It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Novak,” Judy said with a bright smile.

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Novak said, “And please, call me Shane.”

  The phone rang, distracting me from their conversation, although I overheard Judy offering to redecorate the office.

  “Hello, Novak Investigations. How can I help you?” I said into the phone.

  “Killian?” It was Asher.

  “Hi,” I said uncertainly.

  “I need your help.”

  “What?”

  “There's been a murder.”

  Chapter 6

  My first discernable thought was, “Oh no, not another one.” It had been less than six months since Aidan's murder and only a little over a year and a half since the harrowing events that eventually led to me shooting a serial killer. It didn't seem possible that death had once again struck close to me and it had to be close to me or Asher wouldn't be calling me.

  “Who?” I asked when I finally found my voice. My dread must have been evident in my voice because both Judy and Novak turned to look at me.

  “Do you remember the kid I was telling you about, Caleb?”

  “The one whose dad beat him up?”

  “Yeah.”

  “His dad killed him?”

  “No, Caleb's ok. It's his dad.”

  “His dad was killed?” Why was Asher calling to tell me this? I didn't even know Caleb, let alone his dad. Why did he think I would care? I didn't dare say that though, at least Asher was talking to me.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Judy motion Novak into his office. He followed her in with a slightly bewildered expression and she closed the door behind them.

  “Have you been watching the news lately?”

  “No, why?”

  “Have you heard about that murder?”

  “I guess not.”

  “How could you miss it? It's been all over the news. It was Caleb's dad. He was hacked up with an ax and then burned up with the house.”

  “Lovely, thanks for calling and sharing such a wonderful mental image with me. I couldn't have got through my day without hearing that.”

  “Killian, this is serious. The police think Caleb did it.”

  “Did he?” I asked automatically.

  “No, of course not!”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because he told me and I believe him.”

  “Then why do the police think he did it?”

  “You know how he was taken away from his dad a few weeks ago? They decided not to charge his dad with anything because he told the investigators that Caleb attacked him and it was self-defense. So instead of his dad going to jail Caleb got sent to a group home for troubled kids. He ran away a few days ago, just before the murd
er, so the police just assume he did it.”

  “Asher, you don't know that he didn't. Maybe it happened just like his dad said. Maybe Caleb did attack his dad and it was self-defense. Maybe he did go back and kill him.”

  “No, Killian. Listen to me; Caleb is little. I mean, smaller than Will even. And his dad was big, over 6'. If you'd seen Caleb you would know he couldn't have done this.”

  “You've seen Caleb?” I felt a sudden pang of something, jealousy maybe?

  “Yes, a couple times I went and saw him at the group home. It was awful there. The other kids pushed him around because they heard he's gay. He even got beat up a couple times. No one does anything about it.”

  “Why are you telling me all this?”

  “I thought maybe…you work for that detective now, right?”

  “You thought what?”

  “I thought maybe you could…investigate this, find the real killer.”

  “You what?”

  “I thought maybe…”

  “The last time I wanted to help someone look into a murder you almost broke up with me. And that was your cousin! Now you're asking me to help Caleb? You who said it was too dangerous? You who said it was stupid to go after a killer? And now you want me to help get your new boyfriend off?”

  “He's not my boyfriend. Look, maybe this was a mistake, but he is my friend and he needs help. Please, Killian.”

  “What do you want me to do? I'm a secretary for this guy. I'm not a real detective.”

  “Then ask him to help. I have to do something. If you won't help then I'll have to do this by myself.”

  I sighed. “No, don't do that. I'll help. But don't expect Novak to help. He gets paid for this. He's not going to just do this on his spare time.”

  “Thanks, Killian. I mean it.”

  “Yeah, whatever. It's not a big deal, I'm not promising anything. What do you want to do?”

  “It is a big deal, especially to Caleb. I don't know what to do first. You're better at this than I am.”

  “Well, I guess I need to know as much about what happened as possible. And I'll need to meet Caleb. And probably I'll need to see where it happened too. Not that I know what I'm looking for, but they always do that on TV. This is stupid. Like I'm going to find something the police missed.”

  “Ask your boss; maybe he'll be able to give you some pointers.”

  “Yeah, pointers, sure.”

  “Killian, thanks. I mean it.”

  “You've already said that.”

  “You're mad aren't you?”

  “Asher, I have to get back to work,” I said looking at my empty desk and the paperback book I'd been reading before Judy came in.

  He sighed, “Ok, I'll talk to you later, right?”

  “Yeah. Bye.” I hung up and slumped forward onto my desk. What was I getting myself into? How was I going to catch a killer? I hadn't been so successful at that particular endeavor the other times I'd tried. I'd almost ended up dead the first time and the second time someone I cared about did die. And then there was Novak. How was I going to bring this up to him without looking like a total dork? And most importantly, why had I been such a jerk to Asher?

  “Why me?” I moaned softly.

  “It's your destiny, love,” Judy murmured sympathetically into my ear. I jumped, sitting up with a jolt and just narrowly missing giving Judy a crack in the nose with the back of my skull.

  “You scared me,” I said accusingly.

  “Sorry, dear,” she said.

  “What do you mean it's my destiny?”

  “Surely you've noticed by now.”

  “Noticed what?”

  “That you are a seeker.”

  “A what?”

  “A seeker. You seek the truth. You weren't satisfied with a lie when your friend Seth died and you sought the truth despite the very real dangers that waited on your chosen path.”

  “Why do you always talk in riddles,” I said testily.

  She smiled. “I'll be seeing you.” She waggled her fingers at me and breezed out the door.

  “Your friend is a very unique lady,” Novak said from behind me.

  “No kidding,” I said sourly.

  “I couldn't help but overhear part of your conversation on the phone there. Someone you know died?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “They didn't exactly die?”

  “I didn't exactly know them. Did you hear about the guy who got chopped up and then burned?”

  “Yeah, his kid did it, right?”

  “So the police are saying. He's saying he didn't do it.”

  “Wow, now there's a first. What's your involvement?”

  “My friend knows the kid. He doesn't think he did it either.”

  “And?”

  “He wants me to find who really killed him.”

  “Don't you think that's what the police are for?”

  “That's what I told Asher.”

  “Good.”

  “But he didn't listen. So I kind of agreed to help him.”

  “Not good. Look kid, I would have thought you would have learned your lesson when it comes to messing with psycho killers. The lesson, in case you missed it, is you don't mess with psycho killers. They're psycho, that's why they call them psycho killers. And this kid is a bona fide psycho. Anyone who can chop up their own father and then set him on fire is certifiably nutso. Besides you don't have any real experience.”

  “But you do.”

  “Uh-uh, no way José. You want advice? I'll give it to you for free. Stay out of this.”

  “It's not that simple,” I said miserably.

  “Sure it is. Just say no.”

  “Thank you, Nancy Reagan. If I don't do this Asher will do it himself. I can't let him do that.”

  “Why is this so important to Ashley?”

  “Asher,” I corrected, “and it's complicated.”

  “Try me. I'm a detective, remember? I bet I can follow.”

  I shifted uncomfortably. I wasn't sure how he would take the news that I was gay. From my observations of him during the brief time I'd worked there he seemed to be a pretty open minded, fair guy. But he was of a different generation too, a generation that wasn't as comfortable with homosexuality. I decided to be as vague as possible.

  “Asher and I have a long history. We've been friends since we were little kids.”

  “That still doesn't explain why he's so keen on getting this kid off.”

  I sighed and fumbled around in my mind, looking for the right words.

  “Let me guess, you and this Asher were romantically involved?”

  I felt my eyes widen in surprise and my heart began to hammer in my chest.

  “Did you think I wouldn't approve? Hey, it's none of my business; it's your private life. But for the record, my grandson is gay and I've done my research. I can't say I totally understand it, but then I don't have to. I do know I love my grandson and it doesn't make a bit of difference who he loves.”

  “I didn't know you had grandkids,” I said weakly.

  “Just two. My wife and I had one daughter and she has two children. Shane, named after me,” he said with a proud grin, “is the one I was talking about. He's about your age I'd guess. And then there's Paige, she's 15. The live in Alexandria, that's in Virginia, near DC.”

  “Oh.”

  “Was I right?”

  “About Asher and I? Yeah. We dated for over a year and half.”

  “Dated? As in past tense?”

  “Yeah, past tense. We broke up a few weeks ago.”

  “None of my business but did it have anything to do with this other kid? The psycho?”

  “No, at least I don't think so. It was just…stuff.”

  “Ok, butt out Shane.”

  “I didn't mean…”

  “Sure you did, and you're right. It's none of my business. I didn't mean to be a buttinsky. I don't get to see my grandkids very often and you remind me a bit of Little Shane. I guess I'm just being overly pater
nal”

  “It's ok.”

  “Tell you what; if you're hell-bent on looking into this mess, against my advice I might add, I'm not gonna send you to the lions without some training. I don't have a lot of spare time, as you know my caseload is a little heavy right now, but when I do get a few minutes I'll help you out. Start teaching you some tricks of the trade and all that. What do you say?”

  “What do you get out of it?” I asked cautiously.

  He grinned, “As soon as you get some experience under your belt I'll dump some of this shit work on you.”

  “You mean I'd actually handle cases?” I said in amazement.

  “Don't get too excited. For the most part, as I'm sure you couldn't help but notice, detective work is one big yawn. Lots of research, lots of grunt work, lots of sitting around doing nothing. It's not what you see on TV. But if you work hard and show an aptitude for it, I'd be more than happy to take you on as an apprentice. In Maryland, you have to have three years of experience as an investigator before you can be licensed, so you won't be out on your own right off the bat; if that's even what you want.”

  “But I'd be a detective?”

  Novak laughed, “Yes, you'd be a real live detective. What courses are you taking at college this fall?”

  “Well, I hadn't decided on a major yet, just general studies.”

  “Think about taking some criminal justice or journalism courses. A photography course would be very helpful. Our business is collecting data and it's important to be able to document that information. If they have any courses on electronic equipment that might be good too.”

  “I don't know if they offer all those where I'm going. I'll look into it.”

  “Good, we'll make a PI out of you before it's all over.”

  I'm sure I was grinning like an idiot but I didn't care. I knew then that this was what I wanted more than anything. I wanted to be a detective.

  “So, tell me more about this murder case?” Novak continued, “What do you know about it?”

  “Next to nothing.”

  “Good, there's no time like the present to begin learning research techniques. You can start by going to the newspaper and seeing what they have on file. I'll make a couple calls to my PD connections and see what the ground level buzz is on the case.”