by Alexie Aaron
"There has been something paranormal that followed us from Schumachers’. It was with Bilbo before we got there. I think that it's haunting him."
"Oh. Well, I don't know exactly what to say. I suppose it's possible. Is it another animal?"
"I get the idea that it was human."
"Let me look into Bilbo's records. Maybe I'll find a clue there. He's been in a lot of places, a lot of shows, and has had a lot of trainers... Wait, that's it. Harvey Batch. He was Bilbo's first trainer. A beast of a man by all accounts. He died in Nevada. Does that help?"
Mia wished that Audrey was available. She picked up her phone and called the PEEPs line. She didn't expect Ted to answer; she knew he would have already turned around to come back. She waited until the machine picked up. "Jake, this is Mia. I need you to find out all you can about an elephant trainer named Harvey Batch. That's B A T C H. Email me the results. Thanks," she said and hung up.
Jane looked at her oddly. "Did I meet this Jake?"
"Maybe not. He's our computer guy," Mia said, dancing around the real answer.
"I have to admit to being a bit focused on my elephants and Burt."
"Burt?" Mia asked, amused.
"Did I say that out loud?" Jane asked, her face turning beet red.
"Yes. I take it you're interested in my boss."
"Does it show? I'm trying to be professional, but there is something about him that is so so..."
"So Burt," Mia finished. "He's a nice guy. He’s gone through his share of problems, but I think, basically, Burt's an all right guy."
"I know I'm not here for long, but I'd like to get to know him."
Mia appreciated Jane's openness. She wondered how Burt was dealing with the situation.
Burt had just seen the last of the ATV riders off when Ted pulled in. Together, they grabbed the cooler and other supplies Ted had brought with him and hustled into the safety of the old mill.
Mia was waiting for them. She grabbed the light discs from Ted and began to place them throughout the old building. The support people had managed to erect several blue tarps over the elephants before they left. They would act as large umbrellas, taking any moisture that made it through the old shingles and direct it away from the elephants.
The sky lit up around them, and Jane instructed the big doors to be closed. Mia and Ted poured a thick salt line, sealing the door. The interior of the mill lit up when the lightning hit, and the thunder shook the building.
Ted put a comforting arm around Mia's shoulders, remembering her tale about the Wanderers. After one particularly loud crash, he felt her body spasm. He turned her into him and held her close. "I'm here, Mia, I'm here," he cooed.
Mia didn't say anything. She just enjoyed being taken care of by Ted.
Burt walked by the couple on his way to setting up the refreshments, for the caregivers, that Susan Braverman insisted Ted bring. He hefted the large cooler up on the low wall near the millstone. He placed one of Ted's lights next to it so the others would be able to find their way easily to the snacks.
He turned around and took in the scene before him. Bilbo had moved his hay around but remained standing. Little Suzy had laid down on her right side and was sleeping. Jane had pulled up a camp chair and was sitting next to the cow, monitoring her breathing. Two of the support people, who volunteered to stay, were busy moving manure away from the stable area and over to the north side of the building where the rain continued to find its way in. Mia, dressed in oversized sweats, stayed huddled against Ted. Burt ignored the pang of regret that he felt when he observed the two together. He heard a scratching behind him. Turning around, he heard a low whistle. Burt smudged the salt for a moment. He picked up the box and filled in the broken area before addressing Murphy, "You made it back."
Murphy responded with a few taps of his axe.
"The weather out there is not fit for anyone."
"Evil lurks in the rain and in this mill," Murphy said. "Keep an eye on Mia."
"Ted's here."
"Ted can't stop what is coming for her."
Burt felt a chill move over him.
Tom walked up. "Looks like my mother has been cooking."
"She has been very generous," Burt said.
"She just wants to do her part. I went off shift an hour ago, and she sent me back here to represent the family."
"Moms. My mother would have me shoveling manure," Burt commented.
"Mine too," Murphy said.
Tom looked over at Murphy and nodded his head in commiseration.
"Murphy is concerned about Mia," Burt told Tom.
"Oh, Murphy, Mia took care of that little problem while you were away."
Murphy looked at Tom, pushing back his hat. "No more Two Face Tony?"
"She sent him to hell. I admit, I sure wish you were here when it happened. The poor girl had to depend on me. I was shaking in my boots," Tom admitted.
"Any problems?" Burt asked.
"Yes, but you may want to ask her yourself. She's not going to appreciate me telling tales outside of school."
Burt looked at Tom and asked, "What the hell does that mean?"
Tom started laughing. "I don't really know. Something my mom's always saying. She says, ‘Tommy, don't you go telling tales outside of school.’ And I'm thinking, what the fuck is she talking about? But I smile and say, 'Yes mom,' anyway."
The three erupted in laughter.
Mia and Ted looked over at the trio.
"I see Murphy's back," Ted said.
"Damn, I forgot him when I was pouring the salt line," Mia said. "Burt probably let him in," she said, observing the big blue box Burt was holding.
"I'm sure he's not offended."
"I hope so. Because when he's got his overalls in a twist, he can be a pisser."
Lightning cracked overhead. The sound upset Little Suzy. She rolled to her middle and stood up. Bilbo walked over and moved his trunk along the cow’s face. She seemed to settle down, but she didn't lie back down. Instead, she allowed Jane to encourage her to eat. Mia watched as Bilbo looked warily into the corners of the mill.
"I wish I could talk to him," Mia said.
"Why?" Ted asked.
"He's definitely disturbed by something. I fear it's the thing that's shadowing him. If I could find out why, Murphy and I could seek it out and insist on it leaving Bilbo alone."
"Have you talked to Jane about it?"
"Yes, she gave me the name of Bilbo’s old trainer. I asked Jake to research it for me."
Ted looked down at his marvelous wife. "How?"
"I put a message on the PEEPs answering machine. You know he listens in."
"What a way to think outside the box, Mighty Mouse."
"I figured that he'd work on it or Cid would get the message when he got back. I wonder how the inspection is going."
"It's kind of Audrey to include him."
"Nonsense, Audrey said she was so lucky that Cid was available. I feel safer that Cid is with her. I know she does this for a living, but still, she's our Audrey and must be protected."
"I love it when you get all mommy," Ted said. "Come on, Boo Boo, let's raid the pic-a-nic basket."
"Right behind you, Yogi."
Chapter Seven
Audrey moved down the old, frozen escalator stairs, wary of the moss that had grown over the metal treads, making them slick. She firmly held onto the rotting rubber handrail as she descended. The birds in the large tree stopped their song as Cid and the security guards followed her down the steps.
The air was warm and still. The humid environment, fed by the open ceiling, made breathing difficult. Audrey took a moment to pull out a scarf from her bag and tie it around her lower face. Her faint perfume that clung to the silk helped her to shake the feeling that she had just stepped into another world.
The tree had been the centerpiece of the central courtyard. Originally, it had been surrounded by colorful stones, but time and rain had faded the treated rock to soft pastels. The roots of th
e tree had long ago escaped the confines of the ten by ten foot planter. Audrey pointed out to the men how the tenacious oak had tried again and again to find purchase in the tile and cement flooring. Where it had succeeded, it created vast cracks that expanded as the roots had grown.
"Nature finds a way," Audrey said, pulling a camera out and taking pictures of the courtyard from this vantage point.
Cid noted that most of the flora was very similar to what he had found deep in the swampy woods in the lowland of the Martin property. "You would think that, without a natural spring, the plants would have starved by now."
"How cold did it get in here in the winter?" Audrey asked.
"We were able to keep the central heating unit at fifty-five degrees," Norm answered. "Otherwise, the pipes would have frozen and burst."
"Still, this courtyard must have been cold," Audrey commented.
"The upper level did have ice patches near the open courtyard," Dev reported.
"You said the pipes would have burst. I find it surprising that water is still flowing through the pipes after all this time," Cid said.
"You'd have to ask the prior security team, but I assure you that not only does this place have access to fresh water, but most of the bathrooms are functioning," Norm told them.
Audrey nodded, writing this information down. She pulled out an assessment check-off sheet and attached it to a clipboard. She handed it to Cid, explaining, "I use this as a crutch mostly. Sometimes I get so enchanted by some of the old buildings I visit that I forget that I'm supposed to be working."
Cid scanned the list and started to place marks and comments where he deemed necessary. "You said that the pipes were sound. Is that everywhere or just in the outer buildings?" he asked Norm.
"I haven't come across any places that didn't have flowing water or working drain pipes. Have you, Dev?" Norm asked his colleague.
"I think that the old toy store may have some sewer problems. It smells like death in there. I can't vouch for that place because I refuse to enter. I get the feeling of disease."
Norm nodded and admitted, "I don't go in there. I know I'm supposed to visit each store on a rotating basis, but that place gives me the creeps."
"Why?" Audrey asked.
"They left the toys," Dev said. "Expensive robots, china-faced dolls and large stuffed animals that I'm certain mice have burrowed into. I got three feet in the door, and it seemed like the place was teeming with life. I swear three doll heads turned and looked at me. I know, I know, you think crazy Dev is telling you tales, but hook me up to a lie detector and see if I'm lying. Or better yet, go in there yourselves," he challenged.
Audrey's eyes locked with Cid's. They tacitly communicated that the toy store would have to be visited, but not without the help of PEEPs.
~
Mia sat on a camp chair and enjoyed the meatloaf sandwich she had taken from the cooler. Susan Braverman had outdone herself in providing for the team of people that sat inside the mill while the thunderstorm raged around them. Mia worried that Brian would be frightened, but at the same time, aside from her or Ted, he could not be in better hands.
"This is really good," Jane said, walking over. "I haven't had homemade anything in so long that I've forgotten that food actually can taste good."
Mia, who thought all food tasted good, was amused by this. "You must have eaten in some pretty bad places on the road."
"We tend to eat at places that can handle the big rig. Some of the truck stops have had pretty good cuisine, but I yearn to sit down at an actual table. I've been boothed and countered to death."
Jane's penchant for turning nouns into verbs was interesting. She and Cid would have butted heads, but Mia found her refreshing. On one hand, Jane was pragmatic and overly literal, but she did have a delightful side too.
"When PEEPs is investigating, we eat whatever is handy. At home though, Cid - he's a fellow investigator and my husband's best friend - makes the most glorious meals. He's been trying to teach me to cook. I can manage the basics now. However, baking is my forte."
"What's your favorite thing to bake?" Jane asked.
"Cookies. I like to put as much flavor as I can into the smallest bite. They aren't good for diets, but they will give you a hell of a lot of energy."
"You have beautiful teeth and a nice complexion; the cookies must not be too lethal," Jane observed.
"I burn off the calories, and I brush and floss," Mia said. "I'm trying to be a good example for Brian."
Jane nodded.
Burt walked over, leaned down and whispered in Mia's ear, "I found a break in the salt line on the north wall. The rain coming in has washed it away."
"I was afraid of that. But I had to try it anyway," she said in low voice to Burt. Mia got up and excused herself.
Jane watched the two walk away. What had Burt said to Mia that made her face turn so white?
Mia stepped over the small rivulet of water and shook her head. "I don't think salt is going to work here. Normally, this amount of water would discourage your average ghost." She pivoted around on her heel and looked for any indication that the shadow man had entered the mill. Even though the light discs had sufficiently lit the interior of the mill, there still were dark corners and areas behind the old machinery where a spirit could hide. She rubbed her neck while she thought.
Burt watched the sensitive. Mia was different since she came back from New Orleans. She was quieter. Whether it was the responsibility of being a mother that had calmed the normally foul-mouthed hoyden or something deeper, Mia had become almost secretive at times.
"What are you thinking?" he asked finally.
Mia turned and looked up at Burt. She saw concern in his eyes. She suspected it wasn't about the possibility that the shadow man or any other ghost had penetrated their defenses. It was her. Burt's keen eye could tell that something was deeply wrong with her. The man in front of her was still the same man who drew her out of her seclusion years ago. Now that he was no longer plagued by the flitch, he was open-minded and eager to embrace whatever presented itself. But Mia had to resist opening up. Ted knew, and that was enough. He was her rock. Mia had to push away the feelings that not even Angelo could take away from her. "I'm in a bit of a quandary," she started, choosing her words carefully. "I was injured down south, and the injury hasn't gone away. Judy says that I should speak to Angelo, but..."
"Say no more," Burt said. "You don't know if you can trust him. From what I've seen, he has tried to win your regard, Mia. He's let Ralph take over his penthouse, which has got to drive the birdman cuckoo. He's also trying to stay out of your life."
Mia considered Burt's words. "I'm surprised you're so generous considering..."
"What he's done to us? Oh, Mia, I think that we would have butted heads regardless of flitches and brainwashers. We're too alike."
Mia held back the words she wanted to say to her former lover. "Thank you for that and the advice on Angelo," she said evenly. "Now, let's get back to the matter at hand. I need to find Murph and do a thorough search of the place. We don't need any ghosts upsetting the elephants."
"No, we don't. But don't push yourself, Mia. Let Tom help. After all, he can see them too."
"You know, I keep forgetting that," Mia admitted.
"You have a lot on your mind. I don't know how you do all that you do."
"Caffeine, Ted and Cid. They come in handy from time to time," Mia said and gave Burt a wink before she headed over to where Tom was conversing with one of Jane's team.
Bilbo sensed the old trainer before he felt the sting of his hook. He batted away the unseen torturer with his ears.
Jane got to her feet, sensing the bull's distress. "Bilbo," she said softly. She approached the bull but felt herself being shoved backwards. She staggered, her arms flailing to keep her balance.
Unseen hands caught the caregiver. Murphy had come too late to stop the abuse of the elephant but soon enough to save Jane. He moved Jane out of harm's way before letting th
e shadow man know of his presence.
CRACK!
Mia's head turned sharply to see Murphy challenge the black shadow that was wielding a long pole with a nasty hook on the end. "Tom, the trainer is inside with Bilbo," Mia called, running for her backpack. She knew that she couldn't use the shotgun so near the elephants. She grabbed a handful of throwing stars and tossed a box of salt to Tom, instructing, "Circle Little Suzy if you can. Bilbo is too active for the salt to save him."
Thunder boomed, shaking the building. Mia ran over and watched as the shadow solidified and became a very angry man. He stood six feet tall and wore an old blue jean jacket over a uniform of dark blue pants and a lighter blue shirt. He swung the hook at Bilbo again.
CRACK! The hook was blocked by Murphy, inches from the bull's face.
Bilbo felt the disturbance of the air but could see nothing before the last assault of lightning. The scent of the trainer was strong, but another smell of springtime and fresh earth was there too.
The electricity of the storm flooded the mill. The hairs on the back of everyone’s necks raised a bit. Murphy gained strength, but so did the trainer. They now appeared to Bilbo solid as live people but twice as deadly.
Jane saw the wild look in Bilbo's eyes and resignedly went for her tranquilizer gun. Tom stopped her, instructing, "See that Little Suzy doesn’t leave the salt circle. We've got this."
Jane waved over her crew and repeated the instructions.
Bilbo saw the small woman approach his tormentor.
"Harvey Batch," she said and waited.
The trainer turned around and looked upon the small woman.
"I ask you to leave here and hurt Bilbo no longer. He is no longer yours. Your time has come and gone. Leave here," Mia commanded.
The trainer spat, but his ether-bound gob never touched the ground. "He’s my elephant. I will do with him as I see fit!"
"You will no longer be permitted to harm this gentle giant. Go!" Mia said with such ferocity that it echoed off the walls.