Spooked on the Gulf Coast (Gulf Coast Paranormal Trilogy Book 3)

by M. L. Bullock

  We walked into Sierra’s room, and I was not surprised to find it full of well-wishers. Even Joshua’s parents had spent most of the day waiting on the birth of their grandchild. Sierra’s parents had been there too but left soon after the baby’s arrival. Mr. and Mrs. McBride were polite but standoffish, and I wasn’t one to push my presence on anyone. Sierra saw Helen and me immediately and smiled. “You guys too? Dry the tears, y’all. I didn’t die, even though I thought I was going to. Did you see her? Isn’t she beautiful?”

  “She’s the prettiest baby in that nursery,” I said as I hugged her. Sierra looked remarkably happy and even beautiful. They say new mommies have a glow about them, but I never believed it until today. She was lovely even in a turquoise hospital gown. Joshua was wearing his It’s A Girl badge and holding Sierra’s hand with a big smile on his face.

  “One last thing, Sierra and Josh. I got Emily something.” Midas handed Sierra the bag, and she tugged out the tissue and removed a tiny Gulf Coast Paranormal t-shirt. I couldn’t help but notice the expression on Mrs. McBride’s face. She made it no secret that she thought the gift wasn’t classy at all, but nobody paid attention to her.

  And now Sierra was crying. “Thank you, Midas.”

  “You’re welcome. I’ll wait until she’s one to give her the whole paranormal toolkit.”

  “How about we wait on that?” Sierra responded with a laugh. A nurse arrived in the room with the baby, and Joshua went to retrieve her. He was like an old pro already.

  Yeah, that’s a happy guy. I’m so glad they made it work.

  We chitchatted for a little while, but I didn’t want to linger too long. I mean, the girl just had a baby. Pete had his phone out and was taking pictures of everyone. I don’t think I’d want my pictures taken during a time like this, despite what Helen said. Midas hovered in the doorway, and once I looked in his direction, I realized that he was trying to get my attention. I left Helen to visit with Sierra and ducked out into the hallway.

  “Hey, how does it feel to be an uncle? Imagine that. Uncle Midas. Great t-shirt, by the way.”

  “Thanks. It feels pretty good. I’m ready to grab a bite to eat; what about you?”

  I hesitated, but not because I didn’t enjoy Midas’ company or want to spend time with him. I had reasons of my own to want to be alone. I had a painting beckoning to me. I’d begun working on it just a few days ago but hadn’t told anyone about it because as Sierra reminded me during our last investigation together, it was important to remember that I worked with a team. However, I couldn’t help but suspect that we were headed to a new investigation because my paintings seemed to coincide with them. I didn’t understand why, but it was a fact.

  “I could go for something light. What did you have in mind, Midas?”

  “Actually, I was thinking of catfish. There is a place in George County I wanted to take you to, but if you’d rather not…”

  Okay, Cassidy. Don’t be so intense. Is it really going to hurt you if you postpone your painting a few more hours?

  “I like catfish. I don’t eat it very often, but I’m game.”

  A smile crept across Midas’ face. “I’ve asked Aaron and his grandmother Nina to meet us there. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Hmm, I’m getting the feeling that we will be talking about an investigation. Is the site in George County?” The elevator began to move, and in just a few seconds we were walking out the door and into the parking lot.

  “You know me so well. Yes, it’s actually a case involving Nina. I’ve been talking to her for a while, but the recent disappearance of a hunter friend of hers has moved the case up.”

  I couldn’t hide my concern. “Someone is missing? What’s going on out there?” We walked to Midas’ SUV and climbed inside. “Is this her house or someone else’s?”

  “It’s her property, but it’s a hunting lease. There’s a small lodge out there that’s had some strange activity happen in and around it.”

  To say I had goose pimples would be an understatement. Actually, it wasn’t so much the heebie-jeebies I was experiencing as a touch of déjà vu. It was almost as if Midas and I had had this conversation before. And I knew exactly what he was gonna say. “It’s been happening a while, hasn’t it?”

  He put the vehicle in gear and gave me a sidelong glance. “Have you been painting, Cassidy?”

  “Yes, I have. Nothing is quite clear yet, just impressions. But I can’t help but feel as if someone is about to emerge soon.”

  “Interesting.” Midas enjoyed saying that. It was kind of an indicator that he had a thought he wasn’t quite ready to share with me. Before I could dig any more information out of him, his phone rang.

  “Gulf Coast Paranormal. This is Midas.”

  I listened to him talk to Mrs. Wilkerson again. She was a regular caller who had been referred to us by the Mobile Police Department. The senior citizen lived by herself, was a tad paranoid and was convinced there were ghosts in her shower. As always, Midas was patient with her. That was one of the things I loved about him.

  Although he was the epitome of physical fitness, too quiet and sometimes broody, he had one of the gentlest hearts I’d ever witnessed in a man, as he was proving right now. For the next forty-five minutes, I sat quietly and watched the rain splash on the windshield as Midas assured Mrs. Wilkerson that he would come see her soon, that the ghosts couldn’t travel through the drain pipes and that it was safe to take a bath.

  By the time he ended his call, we had arrived at the Crenshaw Catfish House and Aaron and Nina were standing outside waiting for us. His grandmother was a nice lady, if a bit reserved. But then again, I supposed that a lot of people who worked for the government were a bit aloof. I was never clear on what her job was, something to do with the Forestry Department.

  But the look on her face let me know that she was glad to see us. This was more than a dinner out with friends, more than a social call. Something was going down, and it wasn’t good.

  Chapter Two—Cassidy

  Before the hushpuppies had even arrived, I was fascinated by Nina’s story. Apparently, she and Midas had been talking extensively about the activity at the lodge, but she was kind enough to give me the Cliffs Notes version.

  “A few of the hunters in our club offered to come up to make some repairs at the lodge in exchange for a discount on this year’s lease. I was happy to do it because good help is hard to find and I trust these three guys with my property. I’ve known them for years, and they aren’t the kind to get spooked over a few noises. For what it’s worth, they aren’t the first to tell me that something was going on up there. I’ve experienced weirdness too, but as Aaron’s mother tells me, I have quite an imagination.”

  I was curious now. “Has the lodge been in your family for long, or did you acquire it recently?”

  She shook her head, her dark eyes focused on me. “It’s been in our family for more years than I’ve been alive. The original structure was about half an acre away from where the new one is, but there hasn’t been any real development in that patch of acreage. It’s pristine, with springs and creeks and some hilly areas. It’s great for hunting deer, raccoons and even wild hogs.”

  “It’s a beautiful place,” Aaron added, “but it’s got a creepy vibe to it now. And we can’t figure out why. There was talk that maybe a skin—”

  “Don’t say that word.” Nina’s face took on a tense expression.

  Aaron sighed and said, “Talk that there was some type of shaman magic happening, but there’s no proof of that. If any of the shamans in our community had a grudge against Nina or our family, they would tell us. They aren’t a sneaky bunch.”

  “Yes, and now Dale is missing. He went up with Les and Bobby, and he was only outside a few minutes before the guys went looking for him. And now there’s nothing, not a trace of him. Not even tracks.”

  A round-faced waitress arrived with coleslaw, hushpuppies and our drinks. She took our orders, and Nina picked up her story as soon as she
walked away. Only quieter now. I had to lean forward to hear her. I didn’t blame her because I could tell that we were drawing a little bit of attention, but then again, I was used to that. Midas always drew attention.

  “He’s been gone for two days now. I’m worried that we won’t find him in time to help him if he’s hurt. Of course, law enforcement knows all about it; they’ve even been out with the dogs, but so far there has not been a trace of Dale.”

  I glanced at Midas and said, “Wait. I thought you guys have been talking about this case for a while. So, you already knew there was something strange going on at the camp? Dale disappeared after the activity began?”

  Aaron interrupted, “Right, but we had no idea that someone would go missing. The activity at the camp was nothing threatening. Lights were flickering, there were power surges, and one room in particular has a lot of shadow play. But there was nothing to indicate that anyone was in danger.”

  Why are they being so defensive? I’m just asking questions like any good investigator would.

  “I hope you don’t think I was insinuating that you are responsible for Dale’s disappearance. I’m just trying to get a clear timeline because…” I looked at Midas again, who nodded, “because I’ve been painting again. I’ve seen a man, and he was in trouble, but I got the impression that it wasn’t modern times. The setting isn’t right. Wait a minute. Is the lodge kind of rustic? With oil lamps and old-fashioned furniture?”

  “Actually, it’s very modern now. But that older home place was quite rustic. I’d be interested in seeing what it is you painted, Cassidy.”

  I nodded as I dipped a hushpuppy in melted cheese. “I’m not quite done with it yet, but I will send you a picture when I’m finished.”

  We got our entrees in just a few minutes; I wasn’t really hungry but took a few bites and toyed with the rest of my food as I listened to Midas and Nina discuss options for the upcoming investigation. Obviously, we were going to take it on, but we’d be doing so down a few investigators. No way were Sierra and Josh going to make it, not with the new baby to take care of.

  “Is there any way we can take a look at the cabin tonight? I mean, it’s not off-limits or anything, is it?” I asked.

  Nina glanced at Aaron, and the two of them exchanged worried looks. “I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to be there at night. I would prefer that you come during daylight hours. It’s got a bad feeling about it now. If you fell in a hole or got lost in a cave…I would hate for anything to happen to you or Midas.”

  “How about tomorrow?” Midas asked Nina.

  “That would be great. Just give me a call when you’re on your way, and I’ll meet you there.”

  I had to know more about the history of the property. “Tell me about the previous home place. You say the property has been in your family a long time. What can you tell me about those early days?”

  Nina cleared her throat. “The camp belonged to one of my great-grandfathers, Tobias Arthur. He bought the property a little before the turn of the last century. For him, it was a home and not merely a hunting lodge. After his disappearance, his wife didn’t have the heart to sell the place, and her son later returned and made it a lodge. That was my grandfather, Charles, who spent many years out here searching for his father.” She sipped her iced tea and looked a little nervous to talk about this, but if we wanted to get to the bottom of this mystery, I felt like it was important to get all of the information. All of the history.

  “That’s heartbreaking. So, did Charles ever find any clues about his father’s whereabouts?”

  “Nothing, but he did find his gun and boots. It was such a strange disappearance. What man in those days would go anywhere without his gun and boots? Grandfather Charles tried to drum up a posse to go in search of whatever animal had taken him, but nobody was interested in investigating those woods. They’ve always had a bad reputation.”

  “You’re saying that the woods and the house are haunted?”

  Why did it suddenly get quiet? Oh yeah, because we have some nosy folks in here. I really need to keep my voice down.

  “We think so. As far as the land goes, rumors have been flying for years about Crenshaw Road, Cassidy. Some people say there’s a creature out there. We’ve even had poachers come out during the offseason to track whatever it is that lives out there. It’s destroyed corn feeders, disturbed gardens and stolen livestock. But there’s also activity inside the house. It’s a puzzle. A puzzle we need your help solving.”

  I swallowed my hushpuppy and sipped my tea. “I’ll do whatever I can, of course, but I don’t think we’ve ever searched for a creature before. How do we start?” I asked Midas.

  “I’ve been thinking about that. I think we go at this like we always do. Let’s treat this like it’s a paranormal investigation. Let’s collect evidence. If it gets to looking like it’s not in our wheelhouse, I have someone we can call for help.”

  Nina nodded and said, “That’s all I can ask, Midas. Thank you. And you, Cassidy. Please, whatever you see, let me know. I’m hoping we can find Dale soon.”

  “I hope so too,” I replied, my appetite completely gone now. No pressure at all. Gosh, I didn’t want to let Nina and Aaron down, but I also didn’t want to see any creatures.

  Well, it wouldn’t really be the first time. I’d seen some horrible things during my time as a paranormal investigator. But I’d have to be extra careful during my painting sessions. No touching wet paint if I did paint a creature of some type.

  A cold blast of air hit me as I listened to the three of them talk. I realized it was the air conditioning coming on, but that didn’t help me feel better.

  Whatever lived in the woods off Crenshaw Road knew we were coming.

  And it was waiting for us.

  Chapter Three—Cassidy

  Surprisingly, Midas seemed energized by the dinner meeting. It was rare to see him so talkative, so excited about an investigation. I mean, he was always excited to investigate the paranormal, but he was usually much more low-key about it.

  “Pack the mosquito spray, Cassidy. We’re heading back to the woods,” he joked with me as we headed toward the highway. Geesh. Were there no street lights out here?

  “I kind of figured that. Hey, do me a favor. Is this Crenshaw Road on the way home? Could we at least ride by it?”

  “Yes, it is. As a matter of fact, it’s right there.”

  I leaned forward in the seat and dug in my purse for my camera. As we turned onto the road, I was relieved to see that it was paved, but it was very obvious that there were few homes out here. The sun had vanished, and it was dark out except for the occasional porch light. We drove down one hill and up another until Midas slowed down.

  “It’s that way. Just down the drive.” He glanced at me, but I didn’t waste any time chatting. I got out of the car with my phone in hand and walked to the edge of the woods. Even though it was dark, I took a few pictures, just on the off chance that I would capture something unusual. I didn’t sense anything, but then again, I wasn’t the sensitive in our group. I was a strange sort of psychic who painted the things I saw. Midas saw ghosts occasionally—full-bodied apparitions, in fact, including the ghost of his late cousin when he was very young. He’d even experienced time-lapse once or twice. I heard his door close as he walked to join me.

  “I’d love nothing more than to head in there and start exploring, but I can’t. Nina is not someone who jokes around; when she says no about something, she means it.”

  “Sounds like you’re a little intimidated by her, Midas Demopolis. I’ll have to ask her what her secret is,” I joked as I snapped a few more pictures. “How far does this go back?”

  “This parcel is about 75 acres. The camp is slap dab in the middle of it. I think with a little persuasion we can arrange to spend the night tomorrow night if you’re up to it.”

  I grinned up at him. “I don’t know about that, Midas. I don’t think she wants anyone up here after dark.” I heard shuffling i
n the leaves, but it was only a squirrel. For some reason, the sound conjured up images from my very first investigation on Kali Oka Road. Sara Springfield had been with us then, Midas’ ex. And Midas and I weren’t an item at that point. Why was I thinking about Sara?

  “Let’s see, there will be five of us there. I think she’ll agree to that. The more the merrier.”

  “Five of us?” I counted Midas, Aaron, Pete and me. “I don’t think Josh and Sierra are up for an investigation right now. Helen’s laying low during her treatment, and Bruce wouldn’t want to go on an investigation without her.”

  “I wasn’t referring to them. An old team member of mine contacted me. I thought it might be good if she tagged along on this one. It’s only for a few days, and then she goes back home.”

  I snapped one more picture and slid my phone in my back pocket. “Who might that be?”

  “Jocelyn Graves. We worked together in Pensacola for a while. Pete knows her.”

  I wasn’t one to be jealous, but what did I care if Pete knew her? That didn’t qualify her to join us on an investigation. “Great. I guess we’d better get back.”

  “Okay,” Midas said slowly. He shook his head as we walked back to the vehicle, and we didn’t talk on the way. I couldn’t fathom why the prospect of adding this Jocelyn Graves to our team, even temporarily, would bother me so much, but it did. I felt off-kilter. Something was wrong. Something bad was headed our way.

  No phones rang, and there were no interruptions on our hour drive home, but we didn’t talk much either. It felt weird, the silence between us, but I didn’t do anything to bridge the gap. I had things to think about.

  Images to paint.

  With every passing mile, I saw him more clearly.