by Alexie Aaron
“Well there are cops here. Why are there cops here?”
“They came with the firemen,” Dave answered. “I didn’t arrive till sometime after that, so don’t ask me when they got here. One of them looks familiar; I think he’s the guy that pulled me off of Lucky’s roof. He keeps referring to me as Dopey Dave.”
Ted made the rounds introducing himself as Mia’s fiancé. She rolled her eyes at him. She found Burt in the command truck having a discussion with Patrick over whether or not PEEPs should have an agent.
“I’m just telling you, you could be making more money…” Patrick broke off and greeted Mia. “Nice to see you, girly girl, I expect you enjoyed the ride?”
Burt narrowed his eyes until his brain caught up. “How was the river?”
“Pretty smooth. I’m ashamed of being worried about it. Cap’n Callen had everything under control,” she answered. “And now you’re clear,” she said to Patrick.
He smiled. “Evidently we missed some exciting times here at old rancho Clinton Middle School,” he told her.
“I know. I can’t wait to hear all about it,” Mia said as she slid into the chair next to Burt.
“Mason caught some amazing evidence,” Burt said and brought the pictures up on the screen.
“Looks like the hand of God,” Mia said as she took in the shape of the smoke.
“I assure you they weren’t God’s hands,” Burt said. He pointed to the next shot with both hands in the picture.
“Is that ripping off Deville’s head?”
“Yes. It was glorious. Bastard tried to burn me in the pit with his bones. My vest saved me.”
“You’re telling me Cid’s invention worked?” Mia whistled. “Better put him to work on a curtain for the truck.”
“Already ordered,” Burt said.
“I didn’t see Mike or the van, he take off?”
“Charcoal, beer and ice run. I think he took Richie with him. The boys showed up with Doc after school, before the fire department.”
“This is the second mention of the fire department. What happened?”
“I think you should ask Murphy. He’s in the woods or what’s left of the woods.” Burt got up and walked to the edge of the truck and pointed.
Mia got up and followed him. “I get the idea someone left a few flares out…”
“And Murphy decided to see what would happen when you hit one with an axe.”
Mia shook her head.
“It exploded, sending sparks everywhere. They’ve had a dry spring, and the grass…”
“Caught fire, and then the underbrush, from the looks of things,” Mia said as she shown her flashlight in the direction of the east woods.
“We had it under control, but a passerby saw the smoke and called it in.
“So how much trouble are we in?” she asked.
“We have to replace the sod and plant a few shrubs. Mike negotiated us a deal.”
“I’ll pay for it. I left Murphy alone unsupervised,” Mia sighed.
Burt patted her on the back. “Nah, he’s part of the team. I did tell him that he was on a timeout though. Sent him into the woods to hang with Shelby and his crew,” Burt explained.
The smell of ribs wafted over from the grill. “Go on, you must be starved. I’ve got the com,” Mia said and took the headset of power off of Burt’s head.
He and Patrick hopped off the truck.
“So what was the kid like?” Cid asked from behind her.
“OMG! You scared the crap out of me. Where did you come from?” Mia asked.
“I was taking a nap back behind the shelves,” he explained.
“Ira’s a smart kid, perhaps a genius. He’s happy and enthusiastic. I don’t think he’ll let this experience stop him from achieving his dreams.”
“That’s good.”
“Cid, do you think you could help me find something?”
“Be a little more vague, and I can say no,” he teased. “What are you looking for?”
“The digital pictures Burt took of Emma Peat’s book.”
“Oh, I heard that got fried.” Cid reached over Mia and began typing. He soon found the file and stepped back so she could peruse it at her own speed.
“I’m looking for … Yes! Here it is. It’s a spell to find bones. I promised to take Shelby home, but he’s all mixed up with the others so I thought I would just…”
“I get it. But how will you get the personal item?”
Mia pushed her hand in her pocket and pulled out a scrap of rotted fabric, on it was a two barred shoulder board. “I Googled it, two bars, Captain.”
“You found that…”
“In amongst the bevy of bones,” Mia told him. “Now all I need is a few things, honeycomb…” she started to list them.
“Write down what you need, and I’ll get it for you,” Cid offered.
“You are Superman,” she said and meant it.
He smiled. “You bring Ted back with you?”
“Nah, left him at the last rest stop. I told him not to drink that last coffee…” She looked at his shocked face. “He’s making the rounds. Our Ted’s a social butterfly.”
Cid laughed, patted her on the back and left her to her conjuring list.
~
Mia found Murphy sitting alongside Sergeant Thomas Vane at the campfire. He looked up and gave her a guilty smile.
“I heard about the fire. Could have happened to anyone,” she comforted him. “Can I talk to you alone for a few minutes?”
He nodded.
“Excuse me, Sergeant, I’ll bring him right back.”
Vane tipped his hat at Mia, saving his words.
Mia walked until they were out of earshot of both camps. “I need you to broach a sensitive subject with the veterans.”
Murphy angled his head and encouraged her to speak.
“Soon I will have the means to separate Shelby’s bones from the rest and take him to St. Charles. I don’t know if he wants to be buried there or not. Find out if he just wants to visit. And I know I’m asking a lot, but find out whether the Plows and Vane want to be buried elsewhere too.”
“Morgan’s still here.” Murphy mentioned.
“Him too, I guess. I know he hasn’t been the nicest of turncoats, but he is lost like the rest of them. He deserves the same effort,” Mia stressed.
Murphy nodded. “When?”
“As soon as you know, I’ll be able to make plans. I also have the coach to deal with. I’m going to go see him now.”
Murphy touched his chest.
“No, I’ll be fine on my own. I promise.”
He nodded. “Boy?”
“He’s going to be fine. Thank them, and thank you, Murphy. You guys actually saved a life.” Mia concentrated and was able to put her hand on Murphy’s face. “You are an old softy, but I won’t let it get out.”
He put his hand on hers and felt the warmth of it. He steeled his spine so he didn’t do anything untoward. He fought the urge to be more than a friend to her. He fought it every moment he was with her. He just smiled and turned his head.
“I’ll let you get back,” she said and left him standing there.
~
She found the coach sitting on the bench of the main floor bleachers. He had his feet on the floor, and he was staring at his hands. Mia watched him for a while before she approached him. And when she did, she brought with her compassion and patience.
“Surprised to find you here,” she said. “Thought that maybe you’d like to move on now that you’re free.”
The entity tested his voice a few times, and when he was able to speak, Mia was surprised by the soft tenor of his voice. “I’ve done so much harm, took it all too far. I don’t deserve to move on, and I seriously think I’m headed the way of Deville.”
“Stewart, there was a poison that caused your madness. You were headed down the path of crazy town without a choice.”
“I don’t understand. What poison?”
Mia told him ab
out the EPA’s findings and the lawsuits that were going on. She told him the stories of the lighthouse keepers losing their nut from the liquid mercury, reflecting pools. “They were isolated and ended up killing themselves and, in some cases, their families. You’ve killed no one.”
“The boy, that smart kid, Ira something. Last I remember, he was in a coma.”
“He woke up today. I don’t think he blames you now he knows that the madness was brought on by things outside your control. Yes, your competitiveness and ego may have fueled you, but your mind was already damaged by the time Ira entered your class.”
“The book, the spells, and the horrible things I did.”
“I blame Emma Peat as much as you. She had no business mixing the recipes. I would like to give her a good talking to, but I expect she is long gone.”
“My wife, how she must have hated me,” Stewart lamented.
“Your wife is going through some pretty horrible times right now. I’m not going to lie to you. But you should know that through all this, she still loves you. She comes here every Sunday to be near you. She sensed that you were here. She was right.”
He took his hand to help raise his head. His eyes took in Mia’s. “I didn’t know she was here.”
“Tell me what you remember. We’ve read your diary, but it ends when Deville convinces you to come here and set up a power-drawing ritual spell.”
“I will try. Maybe you better sit down, it will take a while.”
Mia sat down and, as she did, drew out a digital recorder from her pocket and turned it on.
“I remember…”
Chapter Thirty-five
Mia walked back to the party and accepted a beer from Mike.
“Looks like you’re in need of a shoulder,” he said.
“No, I’ve just been one. I have been talking to Coach King. I have it on tape. I’ll have Ted enhance the audio and share it with the group once we are alone.”
Mike nodded. “We’ve got some loose ends to tie up.”
“Yup,” Mia said and looked around her. “Nice crowd. We make any friends here?”
“I think we have a few folks that are indulging our type of crazy and a few that are making sure we don’t start a wild fire when their backs are turned,” Mike admitted. “You should have seen the fireworks when Murphy hit the flare!”
Mia chuckled. “He’s a bit embarrassed about it.”
“We all make mistakes; he’s not immune just because he’s dead.”
Mia laughed harder. “You should listen to yourself sometime.”
“Well…” he thought back and admitted, “That was pretty silly, wasn’t it?”
Mia nodded. “Speaking of silly, my fiancé is missing. Have you seen him?”
“I think he and Patrick are having an intervention with Mason. I saw the two of them walking with the delinquent. I overheard college and trade school mentioned.”
“Cool. I had my own with Dave. All that is left is Richie, but I sense that he already has his head screwed on tight and will be okay.”
“Any one of these boys would be an asset to PEEPs once they get their schooling out of the way,” Mike said. “Dave especially.”
“Thinking of replacing me, Dupree?” Mia asked.
“No. But what if you’re in labor and…”
“Hold on, in labor?”
“You know, after you and Ted are married. Can’t expect you to put the kids in danger…”
“Kids?”
“I figure you Martins will have a tribe before too long,” Mike said. “I’m just making future plans, Mia, not replacing you, I promise.”
“It’s nice we have a future, isn’t it? What about you? Any wives or court-ordered childcare in your future?”
“Nah, I’m just going to enjoy being Uncle Mikey babysitting your little OOBers.”
Mia laughed. “You know, Dupree, you have unrealized talents yourself.”
“Hey, if you would have put out, you could have experienced quite a few of them.”
Mia hit him on the arm.
“But now you’re an almost married woman… Hey, almost, you still have time.”
Mia hit him again. “Honestly, you never give up.”
“I am what I am,” he said and got up. “You need a refill?”
“Nah, I’m good. What’s the plan for tonight?”
“We’ll draw straws on watching the stuff. I guess we’ll pull out of here tomorrow sometime. Audrey’s got a project starting, and I’ve got plants to water. I’ll catch a ride into the city with her. I think we can stamp the first two phases finished. I understand you want to rest the soldiers and the coach.”
“It will take a little time, but I don’t need the whole PEEPs team for that. There’s no emergency. We’ve got time. I think I’ll bring Santos in for the reburials or an understanding reverend if he isn’t available.”
Mike nodded. “Keep me apprised. Since this is my baby, I want to dot the i’s and cross the t’s.”
“Will do. When the outsiders leave, I want to play the tape for you-all. I think you will find it informative.”
Mike agreed and left.
Mia put her feet up on the vacated chair. She watched the crowd and smiled at the snatches of conversations she picked up.
A SUV pulled up, and an older woman got out. She was met by Homer. Mia guessed she was the veterans’ grave tender. She opened the back of the vehicle, extracted a few casserole dishes, and handed them to Homely. Mia sat up as they approached.
“Mia, this is Anne,” Homer said.
Mia got to her feet and shook Anne’s hand. “Thank you for the information; it helped us solve this case.”
“Where are my boys?”
“Boys? Oh the soldiers. Are you interested in their bones or spirits?”
“I have a choice?” she asked. “First the spirits. I would like to introduce myself and apologize for their treatment.”
“You aren’t…”
“I should have been on the ball. I was responsible,” she insisted.
“She brought baked beans…” Homely held out the casserole dish.
“Is this a bribe?”
“Yes,” Anne said honestly. “Homely said you were partial to baked beans, and I would stand in good favor if I baked some.”
“He’s right. Now you understand you won’t be able to see anyone, maybe Shelby, a bit. They can hear you though.” Mia took her hand and cautioned, “They don’t remember much. It took a while for them to remember their mission, and from what I hear, they completed it.”
“I just would like to have my say, and then I’ll leave them be,” Anne insisted.
“Fine, then follow me. Homer, you coming?” Mia asked.
“As soon as I set these down.”
“Would you mind putting one in my truck?” Mia asked sweetly.
Homely chuckled. “On my way. Wait for me.” He hustled towards the vehicles.
“He’s a cutie, you interested?” Mia asked bluntly.
“Have been since the second grade,” Anne admitted.
“Childhood crushes, been there done that,” Mia said wryly.
Anne’s response was cut off as Homely rejoined them.
“Captain Shelby,” Mia said as she approached the blue-lit campfire. “I have someone that wishes to talk to you and your men. Her name is Anne, and she’s been tending your graves for thirty…”
“Forty,” Anne corrected.
“Forty years now,” Mia completed.
Shelby looked at the woman and nodded. “You’re all welcome to share our fire.”
Mia guided Anne and Homely to what she could see was an unoccupied log and suggested they sit down. “Let me tell you where everyone is. It will make it easier for you to communicate,” Mia instructed. “Directly across from you is Captain William Shelby, to his right is Sergeant Thomas Vane. On Shelby’s left are the Plow brothers, Ernest and Edwin. Tied up to that tree is Andrew Morgan. Long story, I’ll explain later. And oh, my friend Stephen Murph
y is behind you.”
Anne turned around, and as expected she didn’t see anything. She turned back around and cleared her throat before speaking, “Gentlemen, I’ve been tending your graves for most of my life. I didn’t know your names but treated you as if you were my own family. I didn’t know until too late that your remains were taken from the memorial. I apologize that this has happened to you.”
“It weren’t her fault,” Ernest protested. “Tell her we Plows bear her no grudge.”
Mia repeated his words.
“Thank you, but I’m not looking for absolution. I know I should have been more attentive,” Anne insisted. “What I am here for is to promise you that if your remains are in my care again, I will watch over them until it’s my time to be planted in the ground. I will plant flowers over you and visit you there.”
“Anne, my dear friend, we will consider your offer. I would like to be buried with my kin in St. Charles, and the others may have other plans,” Captain Shelby explained.
Mia repeated his explanation to Anne.
She nodded. “I have many lost ones. Either they had no kin or their relatives are no longer alive or able to care for their graves. I just want you to know that you boys, on both sides of the battlefield, will always be remembered, if not by me, by someone else. Each time your story is repeated, another person is enriched by your bravery, your responsibility and your heart.”
Mia watched the faces of the soldiers and saw the glistening of tears in their eyes.
“Thank you kindly, ma’am,” was all Shelby could say.
Mia motioned to Anne and Homely that it was time to depart. Before Mia left, she said to Murphy, “I’m going to run a tape of Coach King’s confession after the police and firemen clear out. Let them know they are all – that includes Morgan – welcome to attend.”
Murphy nodded and patted his chest.
“Of course you too, you idiot,” Mia said, rolling her eyes. “Really, sometimes you are so thick,” she complained.
Homely took Anne’s hand and started back towards the command center.
Ted met them as they walked out of the woods. He nodded to Anne as they were introduced. He thanked her for thinking of PEEPs, and especially Mia who would eat herself sick, she loved baked beans that much. Mia didn’t argue. She knew it to be the truth. They left, and Mia handed Ted the recorder.