by Alexie Aaron
“There’s more,” Mia said, stopping the couple from getting up. Mia handed them a tablet. “I thought you may want to see it for yourself.”
Kim and Max squeezed together, and Burt filmed them as the video ran of Mia, Mike and Orion in their kitchen. Mia grabbed Audrey’s hand under the table as tears of joy fell from Kim’s eyes.
Max set the iPad down and struggled for words. You mean there was a treasure hidden in the house the whole time?”
“Yes.”
“We need to contact his heirs and the two other people who lived here before us. Surely, they have rights to the money,” Max said.
“We can do this for you,” Audrey offered. “I know a guy…”
~
Gerald Shem sighed as he set his luncheon napkin on the table. Beverly was forking up the remains of the triple chocolate almond tort on her plate. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t see past his heart. The woman who carelessly wheedled her way through life, not caring who she hurt, was indeed his soul mate. Beverly would never acknowledge this, and his sister would be spitting mad at him once she learned Beverly Cooper was once again associated with the Shems, but Gerald needed to live his life his way.
“I heard from Ralph that Angelo has agreed to have his and Bernard’s wedding in his penthouse. He’s not worried about hours and hours of Ralph being there measuring because he won’t be there. I suppose his driver, what’s-his-name, will get the privilege.”
“Angelo has a softening heart these days,” Gerald observed.
“Not to mention singed feathers, thanks to Mia.”
“She saved his life,” Gerald pointed out. “From my angle, it was spectacular. She’s growing exponentially. Orion assures me that she’s on the watch list.”
“I don’t think she’ll be pleased to know that,” Bev said, nodding to the waiter to refill her cup of coffee. “I think our Mia would be happier if she can live her life under the radar of the Brotherhood.”
“Well, not to spoil the mood, but I need to point out that you did have a lot to do with that, didn’t you?”
“Well, of course I did. But let’s put that behind us. Since Ralph’s pushed back his wedding, I’m thinking of hosting a Christmas party, but I lack a place to hold it in.”
Gerald mentally calculated his portfolio, waiting for her to drop the financial bomb.
“I was thinking someplace snowy. There’s that hotel what’s-its-name in the mountains.”
“It’s haunted.”
“Well yes, but by a better class of ghosts. Surely, they’d enjoy themselves too.”
“What are you up to?” Gerald asked, leaning in. “You’re not the type of person to host anything.”
“True. I’m bored.”
“You’re bored after last week?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll see what I can do. How many people are we talking about? Are they or we providing the transportation?”
“I’ll get back to you on that. Once I decide between the hotel and the castle.”
“Castle!”
“Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“Beverly, one thing I can say for you is that you never cease to surprise me.”
~
Judy looked at Angelo in full birdman form before she was satisfied. “You’re back to 100%. You can fly anytime you have the urge to do so.”
Angelo morphed and drew on the plush robe, tying it securely around his waist.
“Is Orion still visiting?” she asked.
“Matter of fact, yes. He’s over at the Chicago Library consulting with an old crony of his. I think he wants to satisfy his craving for post-fire newspapers. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but he seems quite animated by it.”
“It doesn’t take much to excite a scribe,” Judy mentioned. “So let me get this straight, how did Mia burn you again?”
Angelo told her the story, and she listened intently. “Perhaps I should look in on her. The incident could have harmed the child.”
“No, it didn’t. I checked before I left. While she was putting out my feathers, I was reading her. She’s fine. The baby’s fine, and if I may be so bold as to make a medical comment, I’ve never seen her stronger.”
“Warriors need to keep out of the medical wing,” Judy cautioned him. “Pun intended.”
Angelo laughed. “I’m more than a warrior; I’m a librarian.”
Judy coughed.
“Are you ill?” he asked.
“No, I was practicing my sounds of derision.”
“It’s harder than you think to fit in here amongst the populace.”
“Oh yes. But Ed and I are working on it every day.”
“You’ve certainly landed on your feet, Refugia,” Angelo observed.
“I have, haven’t I? How are you doing? Last time we spoke, you were working on your Mia addiction.”
“You don’t pull any punches do you, Judy? Ah, I made a funny, Punch and Judy.”
Judy frowned. “It wasn’t funny. Come on, tell me.”
“It’s none of your business.”
Judy raised her hand a moment and set it back down. “Be careful, Angelo. Mia needs you to leave her alone. She has a baby on the way, a husband that adores her, and she’s making strides socially.”
“I’m not messing with her, just keeping my eye on her. Or our friends are. Wherever Mia goes, there are friends there waiting to help her.”
“You mean birds spying on her.”
“One person’s spy is another’s security force.”
“Murphy will suss that out.”
“Could be. But until then, I’ll be able to keep my distance, so our little bird can flourish.”
Judy shook her head. “Angelo, take this as a warning. If you hurt that girl, I’ll have Ed kill you.”
Angelo raised an eyebrow. “I’d never hurt Mia.”
“If you hurt Ted, or even Murphy, it’s the same thing,” she warned.
“Refugia, rest assured, I wouldn’t do anything that rash.”
“I’ll be watching. You’re not the only one with spies.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
Mia twirled around. The dark wig fell across her shoulders. Ted was awestruck by the vision before him.
“Wonder Woman!”
“I thought I may as well wear this before I grow out of it.”
“Honey, you don’t have to dress for Halloween,” Ted said, worried at the attention his wife would receive from the trick-or-treaters.
“You are,” she argued, pulling on the black cape.
“Mia, I wear this to inspire others,” Ted said, jutting his chest out under the sculpted Caped Crusader’s armor.
“I think it’s great that Tom’s mother invited us to hand out candy at her house.”
“One person’s invite is another’s favor paid. Tom couldn’t be there, and his parents are at the Bears rally. He was afraid of the little monsters tossing eggs at the unoccupied house if no one was there passing out treats. He called Ted, reminding him of the extra time he spent at the Madisons’ investigation. You know Cid wants to go.”
“I already invited him, but he informed me that he has a date.”
Ted did a double take. “Really?”
“Do you remember that code lady?”
“The one he kissed?”
“That’s the one. Well, she invited him to a Halloween party for adults. She’s supplying the costumes. I think Superman’s not going to be able to wear his tights tonight,” Mia speculated. “Speaking of tonight, we better get a move on. The little ones start trick-or-treating in about an hour,” Mia said, handing her husband his cowl.
Murphy was on Maggie duty. He didn’t see the point of Halloween. Didn’t Mia get enough of ghosts and ghouls on the job? Ted looked really proud of her in that flashy costume. To Murphy, it looked like she was wearing her underwear on the outside. How could Ted allow that? At least she had on a cape.
Murphy had to deal with a lot of bad memories because of this last i
nvestigation. Normally, he would shove them away, but he hadn’t thought about his mother recently. He felt guilty because he hadn’t once visited her grave. Cid pointed out that, logistically, how could Murphy have visited her grave since he died before his mother passed on.
“Do you know where she’s buried?” Mia asked.
He shook his head.
Mia picked up a phone and called Audrey. Within an hour, Audrey was back in touch, telling them that Mrs. Murphy was buried in the Lutheran churchyard near the hospital. Mia volunteered to go with him, which was a big deal, considering how she felt about visiting graveyards. She suggested they bring an autumn wreath of woven maple leaves in a circle of grapevines. And after Thanksgiving, she would help him construct a grave blanket of evergreens. He protested, telling her that his mom wasn’t there; she was in the light. He had heard her calling him. Mia reminded him that it was still a nice thing to do.
Maggie would keep him company as he spent the night collecting the maple leaves and twisting the still leaf-covered grapevines into a wreath. Ted had left out an energon cube to refresh the ghost if he got tired.
Cid left on his date, and Murphy had his farm to himself. Chastity was gone. Her remains were buried up north somewhere. The hollow still had a few lingering spirits, but none he would talk to. He got up and started up the hill.
~
“This is so much fun!” Mia said, closing the door. “Those kids came back for seconds. I noticed but pretended not to.”
“They came back because their fathers wanted to get another look at you,” Ted informed her. “From now on, I hand the candy out.”
“Why?”
“Come here,” he asked. He took her hand and the candy bowl to the Bravermans’ hall mirror. “Hold this. Pretend you’re putting candy in the kids’ bags.”
Mia did this and blushed as her breasts pushed against the top of the costume. “Oh!” She put a hand up to cover her cleavage. She handed him the bowl. Maybe I’ll watch you hand out candy for a while. Put on your cowl. That should give the kiddies nightmares for a while.”
“At this time of night, the kids are much older,” Ted informed her. “Let them deal with it.”
Mia smiled. She didn’t mind Ted being a bit jealous. It showed he still cared.
The doorbell rang. Mia jumped. “I wish they wouldn’t do that. I’d rather hear them shout trick or treat.”
Ted opened the door, and the porch was empty. A mist curled along the front walk. Mia squeezed up beside him, looking for the expected children. Out of the mist came a tall being with horns. The closer it got, the more the yellow eyes seemed to catch the light. It was female. Beside her was a very large black bird. Mia pulled Ted back into the house. The woman gave a laugh, and the raven flapped his wings.
“Caw Caw, or trick or treat,” Cid’s voice rang out.
“You scared the pants off of us,” Ted said.
Cid took off his mask. “May I introduce Maleficent or, as she’s normally known, Marta Steensen.”
Mia stepped forward and held up her hand. “Are you on stilts?” she squeaked as Marta clasped her hand with her green-tinted purple-nailed one.
“No.”
“Cool beans,” Mia said. “I’m Mia Martin, come on in. Ted, stop gawking and let the woman by. Ted!”
Ted stepped aside and smiled at the cleverly made up date of Cid’s. “Great costume.”
“Thank you, it was either this or a Klingon woman,” she said, entering the house.
“Do you know how much you look like Angelo?” Ted hissed as Cid passed him.
“I know. I almost lost my lunch when Marta handed me the costume. But I must say, I make a great bird.”
Ted nodded. How did you make the fog roll over the sidewalk like that?”
“What fog?” Cid asked, looking back.
The walk was clear, and the neighborhood looked as it should. Ted stepped back and closed the door. He took off his mask and stood there a moment with his back against the door. He opened it again, and there was no change.
“What’s wrong?’ Mia asked, handing him a beer.
“You did see fog when they arrived? I didn’t imagine that, did I?”
“Sure, I thought it was dry ice or something. Maybe a neighbor tossed a tub of it out in the yard to melt. It’s stopped now,” she pointed out. “Come inside, we’re going to play something called Truth or Dare.”
Ted shut the door and turned out the light.
In the dark corner of the street, they watched the house. The people of interest were now inside and seemed unaware of their presence. The trio would continue their vigil until the other came to tell them why they were assembled.
The weather turned, and a chill came up from the depths. The other was coming.
***
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 traces of loved ones long gone.
Alexie also writes the Cin Fin-Lathen Mysteries. These cozies set in England and south Florida combine action and intrigue with a liberal dose of humor
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Want more information and updates on new releases? Please check out and like Alexie Aaron on Facebook. Alexie Aaron’s website is under construction and coming soon…
Table of Contents
Scratch Scratch
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Alexie Aaron