Ice and Steel

by Alexie Aaron

  “What’s up in the world of doors?” she asked.

  “Mr. Stewart’s been here all night and day. I decided I should spell David and let Mr. Stewart have his dinner in peace. After, I’m going to look in on Sissy and Naomi,” he explained.

  “We were just headed up there,” Audrey said, walking over.

  “What happened to your hair?” he asked. “It’s all fuzzy on one side.”

  Audrey flushed in embarrassment. “I’ll explain later. Let’s just say someone decided to give me a trim, and thank God he didn’t get to finish the job.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Mia left Audrey in the care of the Seeley sisters. They liked Mia’s hairdo but agreed that Audrey should seek out a hairdresser tout de suite.

  “Teddy Bear, are you on the air?” she asked, touching the ear com.

  “When we kiss, I’m floating on air,” he replied.

  “Can you take me off all com and speak to me privately?”

  “Done and done. Are we going to talk dirty?” he teased.

  “Not in front of M U R P H Y,” she said, winking at the ghost.

  “He can spell, Mia,” Ted reminded her.

  “I know. I need you to listen in to what I’m doing. Record it, and send in the cavalry when needed.”

  “It’s going to be hard to get those horses on the elevators, but I’m your man. You want to enlighten me to what you and Murphy are up to?”

  “We are going to smoke out a rat or two.”

  “I’m not partial to smoked rat, but I understand,” he said. “Be careful, Mighty Mouse.”

  “I promise,” Mia said and nodded to Murphy.

  Murphy mimed catching a rat, skewering it on his axe and holding it above an imaginary fire. Mia laughed. “You, sir, are scary weird.”

  They decided to take the stairs down to four. She wanted to surprise the mysterious Edward Jones and didn’t need the chime of the arriving elevator to announce their presence on the fourth floor.

  Mia stopped on the landing and spoke to Murphy, “If Mr. Jones is controlling Benny and Skinny, he will be able to see you. I suggest you hitchhike,” Mia said, touching her temple. They had used this method of transport for Murphy before. It was disconcerting to both Mia and the ghost, but the present situation warranted it.

  Murphy moved into Mia. She shuddered a bit at the feeling of having two people under one skin. He traveled to her mind and settled in.

  Mia swallowed loudly, took a deep breath, opened the door, and entered the corridor of the fourth floor. She walked down to the Jones condo and banged hard on the door. “Come on, Eddie, I know you’re in there. Open the door or I’ll just kick it in,” she said boldly.

  The doorknob turned, and the door opened inwards. Mia strode in, smiling into the eyes of the cigar-smoking man as she passed him. Edward Jones wasn’t a senior citizen. She didn’t know how he fooled the condo board or the realtor for that matter, but before her stood a very vital forty-something male.

  “Oh, where are my manners? Would you like to come in? Oh wait, you’re already in,” he said. “I expect you have your reasons for bothering me.”

  “You need to control your ghost,” Mia said. “Skinny is getting dangerous. If you kill someone, I’ll see to it you’ll fry here, and in hell, Eddie, if that’s your real name.”

  “I assure you it’s not,” he said. He looked Mia over and shook his head. “What are you doing with these ghost hunting clowns? With your talent and attributes, you could have so much more.”

  Mia walked into the living room and looked around. The layout of the room was similar to the Seeleys’ open plan. The kitchen was open to the living space, although she doubted if it had been used much. Aside from a pair of salt and pepper shakers, there was nothing else on the counter. The place was furnished expensively but held the air of being temporary. No paintings hung on the walls, and there were no personal mementos anywhere to be seen. However, there was a padlocked sea chest that dominated the corner of the living room. It didn’t go with the sparse décor. It either had sentimental value or held something of importance to the occupant.

  “What brought you here to the Uptown?” she asked, sitting down on one of the two chairs in the room.

  “It was Harvey McConaughey,” he replied. Eddie sat down across from her and crossed his legs. “You seem surprised by that. He and I share the same agent. I’m a crime writer by trade, you see. He and I met at an agency party, I can’t remember which. Anyway, he gets a few under his belt and starts talking about the history of the building he’s living in. It was boring until he got to the part about the diamonds.”

  “Does he know you’re here?”

  “I doubt it. He’s got his head stuck in his book. No time to socialize, around here that is. How’d you figure out it was my ghosts?” he asked, getting straight to the point.

  “Prior to attacking my associate, Skinny made the mistake of getting on the elevator at your floor. You made the mistake of tossing your sooty clothes in the dumpster.”

  “Bad move on my part. But how was I to know you liked to wallow in the trash?”

  Mia ignored the wallow comment and stayed on target by mentioning, “I don’t fault you for searching for the diamonds, but your methods are hurtful. I can’t let you frighten these people anymore. Someone is going to get hurt.”

  “They’re rich; they can go somewhere else. Why in god’s name would they prefer to spend the winter in Chicago of all places?”

  “This is their home. They have their reasons,” Mia said.

  “So are you going to call the cops?” Eddie asked.

  “I thought about it and dismissed the idea. At this point they could only charge you with fraud. You pretended to be a senior citizen to buy yourself a condo in this building. I’m sure you have some forged IDs around here somewhere. Why go to all this trouble and expense?”

  “The security here is too hard to elude unless you live here, for one. Two, I assumed incorrectly that I would have an empty building in which to do my searching. My original plan was that after I secured the diamonds, I thought I’d have a look around and perhaps relieve some of the other residents of their valuable baubles. Naomi Seeley has a Seurat hanging in her bedroom, a real Seurat for cripes sake. Who in their right mind hangs a museum piece over the bed?”

  The realization that this creep had been in the Seeley apartment made Mia’s stomach turn. Where did he come from? Did Father Santos know of his existence? He was a criminal with the sight. How would he have gone so long under the radar? A thought came to Mia. She would toss in her line and see if she could pull in a fish.

  “I take it you became a crime writer while you were incarcerated,” she ventured.

  Eddie lifted his eyebrows. “My, I made the mistake of underestimating you. You are one insightful, dangerous woman.”

  “I’m not here to bust your chops, Eddie. I want you to vacate this building and take your ghosts with you.”

  “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

  “Why?”

  “I have a million and a half reasons not to,” he said.

  “Then I’ll have to report you. It’ll take them a while, but you will be asked to leave Uptown Senior Living Condominiums. The governing board has many connections. I’m sure the DA’s office would be interested in your recent activities.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “That’s a promise. I’ll give you until the end of the day to free your ghosts and leave.”

  “You’re quite a ballbuster. You’re here in my apartment making threats. I could cease your existence in minutes. Stuff you in the walls, and no one would be the wiser.”

  “I’m not stupid. I didn’t come alone,” Mia said.

  Murphy moved out of her and stood axe in hand beside her.

  Eddie couldn’t hide his surprise, but he could fight fire with fire. “You forget I have a few ghosts of my own. Skinny, Benny, come out and play.”

  Only the large ghost appeared. Eddie was puzzle
d.

  “Murphy already took out Skinny,” Mia informed him. “Benny, you don’t want to harm me do you?” Mia asked in a sweet voice.

  The large creature shook his head.

  “You really don’t have a choice. I control you,” Eddie said to the monster beside him.

  “With what?” Mia asked curious. “I have no control over Murph here. He is an independent spirit.”

  “Bones, I have his bones,” his eyes darted towards the chest. It was a quick unconscious movement, but Mia caught it.

  “Bones just lock a spirit to a place. They don’t control them,” Mia said directly to Benny.

  “Tell me where my bones are!” the large ghost screamed.

  Eddie paled but stood his ground. “Not until you rid me of these guests.”

  Benny looked from Murphy who stood in front of Mia to his boss and back again.

  “If your bones are in this building, Benny, I promise to find them and release you,” Mia offered.

  “She’s just a girl. What can she possibly do?”

  Mia lifted an eyebrow but didn’t take the bait.

  “I dug up Benny. He was just where the con who killed him said he was buried. He’s mine, babe.”

  “Where did you find Skinny?”

  “He’s my brother. He’s been haunting me since he made the error of scamming his suppliers. All that was left after they got through with him was his knife.”

  Mia watched Eddie who made the error of looking in the direction of the trunk this time, confirming the location of Benny’s bones and the real knife. She knew that having the spectral knife slowed Skinny’s reemergence. Having the real artifact would stop him. Mia needed to stall. She was sure Ted was rallying the troops, but she needed to buy him time.

  “How long?” Mia asked.

  “How long what?”

  “Have you been seeing spirits?” she clarified.

  “High school, maybe sooner. It wasn’t a quick thing. First, I thought it was something added to the pot I was smoking. Then I figured it out. Used it. Used them. Not successfully at first. That’s how I ended up in the lockup. Did my time there, gaining strength. I had two or three dead cons acting on my orders by the time I left Joliet. Once I figured out the bone thing, then I knew I was in business. You don’t need all their bones, just a big one. A couple words chanted over it, then the chump is yours to control.”

  “How long have you been doing this?”

  “Seven, eight years, now. The ghosts peter out after a while. You just set them adrift, chuck their bones in the river and get a new one. The streets are full of the suckers.”

  Murphy watched Benny take in what Jones was saying. The ruined face may have caused the ghost to talk as if he was stupid, but that was hardly the case.

  “Do you think it’s fair to use them this way?”

  “Are you any better?” he asked.

  “I am very fortunate to have Murphy as a friend of mine and a PEEPs team member. But I assure you I have no control, nor want any control, over him. He is an independent entity that chooses to help me help others to cross over.”

  “But what awaits them? My ghosts are criminals. They surely would have it worse once they are faced with their crimes.”

  “Gee, that explanation is way over my pay grade,” Mia admitted.

  Murphy could sense Mia’s subtle movements in the direction of the old chest. He adjusted his stance to continue to stand between her and Edward Jones.

  Who’s the guy that died in the chimney?” she asked.

  “Hell if I know? That was unexpected. The diamonds have been missing for quite some time. I’m not the first to go after them. I will be the last though.”

  “How can you be so certain?”

  “I know where they are,” Eddie said. “Don’t bother asking. I’m not telling you.”

  “What if you could get the diamonds without peril? Would you leave here and leave the residents alone? Free Benny and Skinny?” she asked, backing up.

  “The pickings are too good here. I think I’ll stick around a while,” he said, moving towards Mia.

  Albert stood at the door with the universal key. “Are you sure she’s in danger, Mr. Hicks? I could get fired for this.”

  “I assure you that when you open this door, all will become clear,” he said.

  Ted heard something moving in the rafters over him. He looked up and was stunned to see an overhead light fixture come crashing downwards. He dove out of the way just in time for it to explode on the console table.

  Ted got to his feet, spinning around to see what may have perpetrated the fall. The support bolts were missing. It wasn’t accidental. He started to clear off the table. The keyboard was toast. He ran outside and returned with a replacement.

  He connected the keyboard to the computer and was relieved that he could still hear Mia and the other PEEPs talking. Burt was in position, and Cid and Mike were alerted and on their way. He pulled away the rest of the debris and took stock of the damage. Something was missing. Something important.

  “The salt box!” he no sooner said the words when the container came crashing down on his head.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Benny reluctantly moved towards Murphy. Mia, sensing that Murphy needed room, moved to the side. Eddie smiled and reached out for Mia.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Jones, Albert the doorman here. We feared you were in…” Albert stopped speaking as he took in the man in front of him. “Who are you?”

  “Edward Jones, owner of this condo,” Eddie spat. “I demand you leave my place.”

  “Oh, I can’t do that until I see some ID,” Albert improvised.

  Burt moved down the hall, looking for another way into the living area.

  “Shit, I forgot the camera,” Cid explained as he turned around and jogged into the storeroom. Mike was at his heels.

  “Leave it,” Mike called. “We’ve got enough film.”

  “Burt was serious that we get all of this on record,” Cid said, turning the corner. “Mike, get over here, now!”

  Mike took off running and was stunned to see Ted lying face down on the ground, covered with salt.

  Cid was kneeling next to him, searching for vitals. “He’s alive. There’s a big bump on the top of his head though. Why all the salt?” he asked. Cid delicately removed the headset and heard Mia’s voice briefly, “He’ll show you some ID, Albert, but it’s forged.” He put on the headset and spoke, “Mia, this is Cid. Ted’s down and covered in salt, over.”

  Mia turned around and, with her back to Albert and Eddie, hissed, “Salt? How is he?” she asked, a knot forming in her stomach, fearing the worst. How could this have happened?

  “He’s coming around, mumbling about a blue box,” Cid reported.

  “Is there a box of kosher salt on the console table?”

  “No. Wait, it’s on the ground. Its broken open, probably by bashing Ted’s head with it,” Cid guessed.

  “Warn the others that Skinny is up and running. Make sure someone has an eye on Audrey.”

  “Mike’s on his way. I haven’t heard from Burt.”

  “Albert’s here so Burt has to be too,” Mia whispered.

  Mia had to get to Ted, but she couldn’t find a way to leave the corner she had backed into aside from oobing.

  “I’ll get there as soon as I can,” Mia said, turning around. She scanned the room, and the only ghosts she saw were Murphy and Benny, the latter advancing, Murphy moving the axe from one hand to the other, not wanting to injure the enslaved spirit.

  “Looking for me, bitch?” Skinny said from behind her. He slid the spectral blade across Mia’s neck drawing a small bead of blood. He gripped her shoulder with his free hand. “Hold still or you’ll be speaking to the ferryman.”

  “Skinny’s here,” Mia said before the pressure of the blade stopped her.

  Murphy spun around.

  “Don’t hurb da lady,” Benny insisted.

  “Who the fuck are you to give me orders?” Skinn
y spat.

  Albert looked over at Mia who was standing funny. Her back was arched and her neck had a small stream of blood running down it.

  “Benny, get the doorman. Skinny’s got the girl,” Eddie ordered.

  “But wad aboud the axeman?” he said, walking past Murphy who was circling Skinny, looking for an opportunity.

  “The boob won’t let his ladylove get hurt,” Eddie said.

  Albert didn’t know who the man was talking to, but he sensed he needed to retreat. He felt himself being shoved out of the way.

  Mia watched as Albert’s grandmother walked boldly into the room and up to Benny. She put her finger on the large man’s chest and said, “You leave my grandson alone. Don’t you be thinking I can’t take you because I’m a lady. I’ve handled worse than you just trying to get my Sunday paper in the morning.”

  Skinny’s grasp eased as he watched the formidable female spirit dressed in purple back down the monster before her.

  Mia let herself fall to the floor. As she dropped down, Murphy took a swing of his axe, sinking it into Skinny’s upper arm.

  Mia scuttled behind the sea chest, searching for anything that would give Murphy an edge as he battled Skinny.

  Skinny lunged out with his knife, only to have it knocked away with the head of the axe.

  “And for another thing. What are you doing hanging around criminals? What would your mother say!” Albert’s grandmother scolded Benny.

  Benny lurched around, tears spilling from his eyes.

  CRACK! Murphy connected with Skinny’s torso. The hooligan faltered but managed to reform. He picked up his knife and attacked Murphy.

  Mia looked around and knew she had to stop cowering behind the trunk and do something. Murphy wasn’t getting any stronger, but Skinny was. She had to get to Skinny’s point of power and remove it from use.

  Skinny sunk the blade into Murphy’s shoulder, causing the axeman to drop his weapon.

  Mia lunged for the axe, jumped to her feet and brought the mighty weapon down as hard as she could on padlock before shouting, “Murphy, here!” She tossed the axe back to her friend who caught it with his sound arm.