Given Enough Rope (Haunted Series Book 20)

by Alexie Aaron

“But who would watch my things?” Edwin asked.

  “Tom, or that nice Deputy Chambers. We could have them house sit.”

  “I always wanted to find out if my mother’s stories were true. Yes, let’s go.”

  Bea smiled. “It’s great to have you back, Edwin.”

  “Mia said you were going to trade my mother’s fortune for me.”

  “Yes, I was and would still,” Bea said.

  Edwin smiled.

  Chapter Forty-one

  Mia held tight to Brian’s hand as they sat on a crate and waited for Barb and Nietzsche to open the door of McNally’s.

  They watched Murphy and the other ghosts go into the bar and come out with eleven other ghosts. Father Santos walked down and addressed each man. He pointed out the bright light that came for them. Most of the men rushed into it, including Roy and Grady. Dieter opened his jar and Aosoth’s guard swirled around and around, finally taking human form. They were a mixed bunch from several different centuries. The twenty-one moved upward into the light.

  Kevin stood next to his son with Fergus at his side, watching the show.

  “Are you moving on, Da?” Murphy asked.

  “No, son. Fergus and I want to hang around for a while. Maybe accompany those Callens on their treasure hunt. Make sure they don’t get into any trouble.”

  Murphy shook his hand and patted him on the back. He nodded to Fergus and told him, “Watch over my da.”

  “I will, Stevie.”

  “And watch out for those fellows in black,” Murphy indicated Father Santos to both ghosts. “They are tricky buggers. One moment you’re enjoying a good haunt, and the next, you’ll be explaining yourself to Saint Peter.”

  “Thanks for the warning. Stephen, would you like to come with us?” Kevin asked.

  “No, I have my trees…”

  “And his lady,” Fergus added.

  Murphy looked around him quickly to see if anyone overheard.

  “Don’t worry, son. Your secret is safe with us.”

  “What are they talking about? “Ted asked Cid who was on the other end of the stretcher bringing down some body bags so Barb could sort out the bones of McNally’s customers.

  “I’m sorry. I wasn’t listening,” Cid lied.

  Cid nodded to Murphy as they passed. He could keep a secret too.

  ***

  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.

  Stavros, Audrey: Researcher and investigator, married to Orion.

  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.

  Aosoth: Evil female force in the pantheon of the Order of the Nine Angels. Enjoys participation in passion and death.

  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.

  Callen, Mason: One of the juvenile delinquents that broke into the middle school in Puzzle.

  Callen, Patrick: Older brother and guardian of Mason Callen. He was a fence in Puzzle.

  Cerise, Tauni: Nurse and nanny for Sabine Norwood’s three daughters. First appeared in Ghostly Attachments.

  Cooper, Amanda: Mia’s mother. Sociologist.

  Cooper, Charles: Mia’s father. Archeologist.

  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.

  Dieter: Teenage attrpeur-âme (a catcher of souls) from Nigeria, foster son of Mia and Ted Martin.

  Dis Pater: The Roman god of the underworld. Protects the paupers’ remains from being interfered with.

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

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

  Hult, Dave: Sensitive. First appeared in Sand Trap as stoner Dave.

  Jefferies, Alan: Attorney for the Martins and PEEPs.

  Jones, Edward: Small high-end thief who forces ghosts to work for him as his henchmen and accomplices.

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

  Komal: Master of bilocation. Lives in spirit form on hidden island in Lake Michigan.

  Leighton, Mark: Teenager who can see angels. Son of a veteran with Locked-in Syndrome.

  Levisohn, Ira (Inky): Bilocated student that became trapped in the floor of the middle school in Puzzle.

  M & Ms: Nickname for Margaret Mary, Green Ridge Hospital nurse.

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

  Martin, Brian: Son of Mia and Ted Martin.

  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.

  Michael, aka Saint Michael: Prince of Angels, leader of angel winged army, Mia’s boss.

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

  Monroe, Ed: Farmer who farms the land east of 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.

  Reynolds, Quentin: Mia’s half uncle, son of her grandmother Fredericka and a fallen angel, Nephilim.

  Roumain, Judge: Judge of Purgatory.

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

  Sariel: Archangel.

  Seeley, Naomi: Elderly eccentric and wealthy friend of Mia’s grandmother, and sister of Sissy who lives in a prestigious downtown seniors’ condo. First appeared in Ice and Steel PEEPs 9.2.

  Seeley, Sissy: Elderly eccentric and wealthy friend of Mia’s grandmother, and sister of Naomi who lives in a prestigious downtown seniors’ condo. First appeared in Ice and Steel PEEPs 9.2.

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

  Simon, Father: Assistant to Father Santos.

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

  Sticks: Teenage demon.

  Varden: Part of Angelo’s birdmen guard, brother of Victor, killed in the battle of the witch trees.

  Victor: Angelo’s birdman General, brother of the fallen Varden.

  Walters, Doctor: Emergency physician for Green Ridge Hospital.

  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:

  Attrpeur-âme: A catcher of souls.

  Big Bear Lake Cemetery: Graveyard that was built on unconsecrated ground. Evil tends to thrive there fueled
by the corrupted ground.

  Dark Vault: Vault where information, relics, and entities of Dark Magic are contained.

  Di inferi: Humanoids that are subjects of Dis Pater the king of the underworld.

  Earcom: Communication device worn inside the ear while investigating.

  EMF: Electromagnetic field.

  Gray Lady: Female birdwoman whose vocation is healing.

  Hellfire Club: A group of individuals who flaunted their sexual and political intrigues in eighteenth-century England.

  Locked-in syndrome: a medical condition, usually resulting from a stroke that damages part of the brainstem, in which the body and most of the facial muscles are paralyzed but consciousness remains, and the ability to perform certain eye movements is preserved.

  Other: Paranormal contract negotiators and enforcers.

  Opticals: Worm like robots with one lens. Used for recon by PEEPs.

  OOB: Out of body. State of bilocation.

  Red shirt: Last PEEPs hired. In homage to Star Trek’s red shirted crewmen and women who were the first sacrificed.

  Rem-Pod: Monitors changes in the electromagnetic environment.

  Sentinel Woods: A nature preserve that is the domain of an ancient deadly entity that appears in the form of twisted branches. She protects the wood and uses sinkholes to trap intruders. She travels underground like the roots of trees.

  Starved Rock State Park: Wilderness area on the Illinois River in the U.S. state of Illinois. It’s known for its steep sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater.

  Wanderers: Spirits that aren’t held to any particular place. They move with the energy of the storm fronts.

  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 at the top of the mitt 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 traces 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.