Restitution (Haunted Series Book 17)

by Alexie Aaron

  “I’m not it. You are,” Sariel said and flew away.

  Angelo laughed, taking a moment to thank God before chasing after his friends.

  ~

  Mia landed on the hillside where Cid had staked out the foundation for the new building that would house the aerie. She took a moment to look down upon the house below and saw her family waiting for her on the porch. She waved, and Ted and Brian waved back at her. She started down the hill and was intercepted by Maggie. She knelt down and let the dog wash her face.

  “You smell like bacon,” she told the happy dog.

  “You and Cid spoil her,” Murphy said from behind her.

  “Hey, Murph.”

  “Did you get restitution?”

  “No, I got closure. It’s better.”

  “Tonight’s Devil’s Night. Do you want to go out and frighten the townspeople?” he asked.

  “It’s been years since we did that. Tell you what, if Cid and Ted can come along and I can bring Brian, then yes. I believe it’s time to teach them how to properly TP a house.”

  “Who is first?”

  “That snotty librarian.”

  “Then Burt,” Murphy said.

  “Really? That surprises me. Didn’t he just give you a promotion?”

  “With no raise.”

  “I’m in. Hey, after, I’ll fly you to Mike’s so we can soap his windows.”

  Murphy declined. “I don’t like flying, and you’ll get me killed.”

  “You’re already dead.”

  “I keep forgetting that.”

  This made Mia laugh. They arrived at the porch.

  “What were you two conspiring about?”

  “Nothing, Murph’s just being Charmin, but I’m not Cottenelle to any of that nonsense.”

  “You’ve just got Angel Soft,” Murphy told her.

  “Hey, you guys aren’t thinking about going out tonight?” Ted asked suspiciously.

  “It was Brian’s idea. He wants to break a few eggs,” Mia lied.

  “You’re going to lead our son down a life of crime, Cooper.”

  “He wouldn’t be the first Martin arrested on Devil’s Night.”

  Ted winced. “Cid, that gossiping bastard.”

  “Did someone call my name?” Cid asked, carrying a pumpkin pie.

  Mia forgot all about Devil’s Night, soap and toilet paper. She walked inside the house, following Cid.

  “Will you marry me, Cid?” Mia asked.

  “Hey, Cooper, you’re already married, or have you forgotten me already?” Ted griped, following her.

  “He’s got whipped cream,” Mia answered.

  “Ask him if he’ll marry me too?” Ted asked.

  “You guys are seriously weird,” Cid said, dishing up the pie.

  Mia took a spoon, scooped up a little pie and whipped cream, and fed it to Brian. He started chewing, and his face lit up. “Marry me, Id.”

  “I give up,” Cid said, laughing.

  Murphy moved outside, but not without first raiding the bathrooms for toilet paper. He was headed to Burt’s. “Let them eat pie…”

  ***

  Glossary

  PEEPS: Paranormal Entity Exposure Partners.

  Dupree, Mike: Founding partner of PEEPs and on-camera personality.

  Garrett, Cid: Contractor, investigator, cameraman, and technician.

  Hicks, Burt: Founding partner of PEEPs, lead investigator, and cameraman.

  Jake: Ghost, research and computers.

  Martin, Mia Cooper: Sensitive, lead investigator, and security. Ted’s wife and Brian Martin’s mother.

  Martin, Ted: Lead technician, computers, and communications. Mia’s husband and Brian Martin’s father.

  McCarthy, Audrey: Researcher and investigator.

  Murphy, Stephen: Ghost, translator and security.

  Recurring Characters:

  Alessandro, Father: Jesuit Priest, mind reader, exorcist, sensitive, and friend of Father Santos.

  Altair: Fallen archangel. Also known as Wyatt Wayne.

  Bainbridge, Matt: Pediatric doctor, Audrey McCarthy’s boyfriend, has ghost of his great-uncle in his home.

  Bouvier, Beth: Former PEEPs researcher, fired for trying to sabotage Mia. Actively working to ruin Ted and Mia’s marriage.

  Braverman, Susan: Mega Chicago Bears fan, housewife, Tom Braverman’s mother and Brian Martin’s babysitter.

  Braverman, Tom: Deputy Sheriff, school friend of Mia. Murphy brought him back to life, inadvertently giving him the sight.

  Cerice, Tauni: Nurse schooled in treating paranormal situations, nanny for Sabine’s girls.

  Cerice, Laran: Neurosurgeon, Tauni’s father.

  Cooper, Amanda: Mia’s mother.

  Cooper, Charles: Mia’s father.

  Cooper, Beverly: Professional Sensitive, associate of Father Santos, Mia’s aunt.

  Curly: Machine constructed by Ted Martin. Resembles a rolling track until settled, then rolls into a ball and films in several spectrums.

  Day, Amber: Former PEEPs investigator, once thought to be a phony sensitive.

  Dupree, Glenda: Mike Dupree’s mother, supporter of PEEPs, recent millionaire.

  Ed, aka He-who-walks-through-time: Superhuman, Judy’s partner.

  Elizabeth: Birdwoman. Head Gray Lady, healer and associate of Angelo Michaels.

  Jefferies, Alan: Attorney for the Martins and PEEPs.

  Judy, aka Refugia: Birdwoman, former Gray Lady, independent healer, and Ed’s partner.

  Maggie Mae: Mixed breed dog of PEEPs who can see ghosts.

  Maria: Countess of Sardinia. Angelo’s plus one.

  Martin, Brian: Son of Mia and Ted Martin.

  Martin, Millie: Ted’s mother.

  Martin, Reg (Reginhard): Ted’s father.

  Martin, Whitney: Former Deputy Sheriff, Mia’s high school crush and ex-boyfriend.

  Mendelssohn, Ralph: Musical stage designer, Mia’s godfather, married to Bernard Wesley.

  Michaels, Angelo: Birdman and associate of Father Santos. Lead warrior and librarian for the Brotherhood of the Wing.

  Monroe, Carl: Farmer, lives next to Sentinel Woods, son of Ed Monroe.

  Monroe, Ed: Farmer, lives next to Sentinel Woods.

  Murphy, Chastity: Deceased wife of Stephen Murphy.

  Norwood, Sabine: Sensitive, clairvoyant, and medium, associate of Father Santos, widow, cousin of Mia, and mother of triplets.

  Roumain, Judge: Judge of Purgatory.

  Ryan, John: Sheriff, neighbor of Burt Hicks and friend of Father Santos.

  Santos, Father (Paolo): Roman Catholic priest, exorcist, mind reader, and leader of a professional group of paranormal investigators.

  Sariel: Archangel.

  Shem, Gerald: Associate of Father Santos, businessman who trades in favors, Beverly Cooper’s paramour.

  Stavros, Orion: Birdman, scribe, researcher, field medic, Mia’s grandfather, and Angelo Michaels’s friend.

  Sticks: Teenage demon.

  Two Face Tony: Demon of the Anderson Mill.

  Walters, Doctor: Emergency MD, Mia’s doctor.

  Wayne, Wyatt: Demon, also known as Altair.

  Wesley, Dr. Bernard: Director of the Culture Department of Chicago’s Field Museum, friend of Father Santos, Mia’s godfather, and married to Ralph Mendelssohn.

  Terms:

  Gray Lady: Female birdwoman whose vocation is healing.

  OOB: Out of body. State of bilocation.

  PERT: Paranormal Entity Research Team.

  Earcom: Communication device worn inside the ear while investigating.

  Alexie Aaron

  After traveling the world, Alexie Aaron, a Midwestern native, returned to her roots where she’s been haunting for years. She now lives in a village outside of Chicago with her husband and family.

  Her popular Haunted Series was born from her memories of fleeting shapes rushing around doorways, an heirloom chair that rocked itself, cold feelings of mysterious dread, and warm feelings from the tra
ces of loved ones long gone.

  Alexie also writes the Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries. These mysteries, set in England and south Florida, combine action and intrigue with a liberal dose of humor.

  Want more information? Visit www.alexieaaron.com for updates, blog posts, podcasts, and much, much more.