“I didn’t know we’d be greeted by the Martin crime family,” Whit said.
Nanny Berta walked out onto the porch. “What in the world is going on out here?”
“They are taking Mom to the hoosegow,” Brian said.
Nanny drew herself up. “Not on my watch.”
Tom looked up at the birdwoman and almost dropped Varden, who still held his pose. Tom delivered Varden to Nanny and backed down the steps.
Mia giggled.
“Cooper, honestly,” Tom said. “Call off your thugs.”
Ted poured Tom a lemonade. “Nanny, we are just having fun at Tom’s expense. Would you like a lemonade?”
“Who’s this?” She pointed at Whit.
“Whitney Martin.”
“You’re his brother?”
“No.”
“Cousin?”
“No. We just have the same last name. I used to be a deputy in these here parts.”
“Have you come to see the babies?”
“I guess.”
“Go in and wash up. You too, Tom.”
“Yes, Nanny.”
Nanny waited until they were inside. “How’d I do?”
“Great!” Ted said and handed her five dollars.
“You knew they were coming,” Mia accused Ted.
“Yup.”
The kids got their lemonade and ran back out to play. Dieter and Mark pocketed their thug money and headed upstairs.
Tom came out first and picked up Genevieve. “Oh, my little darling, you look so much happier than when I pulled you out.”
Whit walked out and timidly accepted Maeve. Maeve looked him over before farting.
“That’s your fault, excessive consumption of pizza and beer.” Nanny pointed at Mia.
“Then it’s not a diaper change,” Whit said, relieved.
“Soon. I’ll take the girls upstairs so you can have your meeting,” Nanny said.
Whit handed her Maeve, and Tom shook his head. “I’m not needed. I’ll help.”
“Where’s Murphy?” Whit asked.
“Behind you.”
Whit jumped and winced.
Mia got up and pointed to a chair. “Sit.”
Mia unbuttoned his shirt and took off her glove. “Did you go to the ER?”
“No.”
“How did you break a rib on both sides?”
“Murphy saved me from dying by hitting me with his axe.”
Mia turned her head to hide her amusement.
Whit felt a warming followed by an itching.
“The itching is the tissue healing,” Mia said. “Button your shirt.”
Whit did as he was told.
Ted didn’t see any warmth in Mia’s actions. To her, Whit was a stranger, and she treated him as such.
She sat back down. “So, why are you here?”
“I’ve come for your and Murphy’s help in locating the power source for Macario Franco.”
“First his tether and now his power source?” Mia questioned. “To what end?”
“That’s birdman for, what’s in it for us?” Ted said.
“I’ll pull some strings and get Paula released immediately. If we’re able to corner the Franco family, collect them, and deport or imprison them, then I’ll make sure she and her son can continue to live in Big Bear Lake.”
Mia looked over at Murphy and he nodded. “Pull up your suit jacket sleeves.”
“Why?”
“Do it,” Mia said, getting up. “Your cuff links, are they sentimental?”
“What?”
“Did someone give them to you?”
“No, I bought them myself.”
“Give them to me.”
“Mia, they’re gold.”
“Give them to me,” Mia repeated.
Whit reluctantly gave up the expensive gift to himself. “Why do you need my cuff links?”
“Murph and I need to gather more intel. Crossroads demons are snazzy dressers. I’m going to buy some information with these.”
“Couldn’t you just pay him?” Whit drew out his wallet.
“Demons love gold, they trust gold, gold is forever,” Mia said distractedly. “Tonight, Murph and I will go to the cemetery. Did you get ahold of the briefcase yet?”
“No, Paula’s with Homeland.”
“Get it or the Francos will find her.”
“What do I do once I get it?” Whit asked.
“Put it in a big plastic bag. Put that bag in a larger one and fill it with salt. It may slow Macario down some. We’ll use it as bait when the time comes.” She walked in the house without looking back.
Ted looked at Whit. “Did you get what you wanted?” he asked.
“Does she really hate me?”
“I honestly don’t know. She’s not the same person you artfully maneuvered when you lived here.”
“That’s cruel.”
“No, cruel is you trading on your past together to involve her in something dangerous. Cruel is you showing up here using that little boy out there to get what you want out of Mia. If we weren’t already working on the problem when you waltzed in, I think she would have said no.”
“Waltzed in? I was sent here by the federal government to deal with these supposed paranormal assaults on the Glynn family. If it weren’t for my manpower on the ground, you’d be a piece of meat in a morgue.”
“I think that was Mia too. How quickly you rewrite history. I’ve tried to wrap my head around why she ever liked you in the first place. I grew up with guys like you. Guys with natural sports talent, good looks, and charm. Everything goes your way in high school and maybe college. But now, you’re out in the real world where you must compete with all the other Whits. Soon, the younger Whits will overshadow you. And then when your looks fail and people forget who threw the winning touchdown, what are you going to do? Don’t try to climb on the back of Mia’s accomplishments, which you shunned previously, in order to further your career. You need to earn your place in the world. Don’t expect anything more to be handed to you.”
“I don’t have to stand here and listen to you,” Whit said, turning around. “You got Mia because I fucked up, nothing more.”
“No,” Mia said from the doorway. “I was headed out the door long before you slept with Beth. We weren’t suited. I thank my lucky stars for Ted. It was always going to be Ted. I was just too stupid to know it then.”
“I’m sorry you can so easily toss away all I did for you.”
“Did for me? What did you do for me? I’ve forgotten.”
“I stopped kids from picking on you.”
“Only when it suited you. Acalan physically fought them and never traded on that. I don’t want to fight with you. There is a little boy missing his mother. I’m going to use whatever talents I have to change this. All I ask in return is, after this, stay away from me and my family. I don’t appreciate you coming around when you want someone to do your work for you.”
“This bitterness does nothing for your looks. All the posters and nude paintings you do will never disguise what a fucking freak you are.”
Mia grabbed Ted before he could swing a punch. Murphy, however, was another matter. He materialized and handed Mia his axe. “No, Murph, it wouldn’t be a fair fight. I don’t need defending. I am a freak and proud of it. Whit, get in your car and leave. All communication from now on will be liaised through Tom’s office. If he’s not available, Vincent Chambers will be your contact. Please leave. Murphy is his own man, as is my husband. I’ll not be able to hold either of them back for long.”
Whit glared at Mia but took in the situation and knew he really didn’t have a choice. He walked down to his government SUV and got in.
Burt looked out the window, and although puzzled as to why Whit didn’t come into the office, he was pleased just the same.
“What happened out there?” Burt asked Jake.
“Mia stood up for herself.”
“Good. I expect I’m next for a tongue-lashing.”
“I expect so.”
Chapter Twenty
Takemi was a dapper demon. Being a crossroads demon was all about the show. The show included a Kiton classic wool suit in blue, a white shirt with one button open at his neck and Italian leather shoes. He had a fedora pulled low over his eyes, covering medium length black hair. His weapon was his sales pitch. He almost always closed the deal.
Mia watched him from the shadows. She had arrived just before sundown and sat still as a concrete angel two rows in from the crossroads.
Takemi was picking up pieces of granite left from Mia’s impact with the Veterans memorial.
“What are you doing? she asked in high Demon.
“I like a clean work surface,” Takemi replied in kind, tossing the tiny stones into the grassy area. “Why have you come, Mia? Roumain paid your debt.”
“But I do my own thanking,” Mia said, walking over, making sure she didn’t stand on the smooth dirt lane.
Takemi looked at the booted woman and bowed.
“Thank you for rescuing Sariel,” Mia said.
Takemi waved the gratitude away. “He was gumming up the works, bleeding all over my chute.”
“You could have dragged him to Hell, but instead, you brought him up. For this, I am thanking you.”
“I accept your thanks. Now leave, I’m expecting converts.”
“Converts?”
“Silly people trading their eternal souls to have youthful looks and trim bodies.”
“Not everyone can look like you, Takemi,” Mia said honestly. “Why the hat?”
“Eight out of ten people distrust salespeople wearing sunglasses, especially at night,” he said, raising the brim of his hat to show Mia his orange and black demon eyes.
Mia put her hand on her chest. “I find your eyes beautiful.”
“You’re a rare thing. Maybe you’d like to bargain away your freedom for a get-out-of-Purgatory card? I could find a collector for you posthaste.”
“I’m very happy being in the Ted Martin collection.”
“Does he put you on the shelf with his other dolls?”
“He calls them action figures, and no I’m not allowed on the shelf.”
“Pity.”
“I do have a trade for you though.”
Takemi’s eyes lit up. “Do tell.”
Mia opened her hand. “I noticed you had on tatty cufflinks. These are gold.”
“May I see them?”
Mia tossed them to the demon. He moved them from one hand to the other, judging their carat weight.
“They aren’t all gold. Solid gold would be too soft to hold your cuffs together, but I think they are very tasteful,” Mia said.
“What is the trade?”
“Slow down Macario Franco next time he drifts through here.”
“How do you know he will?”
“He’s a point A to point B type of guy. He’ll trod upon your crossroads without a care.”
“Ah, you’re setting up a trap. What if he doesn’t bite?”
“I’ll have your portrait painted and hung in Michael’s dining room.”
“You’re that sure.”
Mia smiled. “I’m paying you in advance.”
“Mia, we have a deal.”
“Thank you, Takemi, it’s a pleasure doing business with you.” Mia brought forth her wings. “Why did you really save Sariel?”
“I didn’t get to serve in the frost giant war. I was just doing my part.”
“Sariel didn’t serve either,” Mia said.
“But you, my general, did.”
“I’m no one’s general anymore.”
“In a heartbeat, I could change that.”
“And what do I forfeit?”
“Your relationship with Abigor.”
“I’d never do that. And I like being retired.”
“What is it about Abigor?”
“He has the most beautiful eyes,” Mia said and shot into the sky.
~
Murphy was waiting for Mia when she returned. She landed on her patio, and he materialized.
“How’d I do?” she asked.
“You almost charmed the pants off of him,” Murphy scolded.
“It’s part of the game.”
“Do you think he’ll follow through?” Murphy asked.
“Yes. Takemi is bound by the rules of the crossroads. He was standing in the middle. A contract was made.”
“I noticed you didn’t set a foot on the crossroads.”
“Yes,” Mia said, smiling. “My aunt is a horrible person, but she taught me how to create loopholes if I ever need them.”
“What’s next?”
“Until we have that briefcase, we have to cool our heels. I’m going to start training. I need to be faster OOBing and be able to hold more weight while I do. Will you work with me?”
“Are you going to tell me I have pretty eyes?” Murphy teased.
“No.”
“Well then you’re on your own.”
Mia lifted an eyebrow. “How can I tell you you’ve got pretty eyes when you’re rolling them all the time,” Mia said and walked into the house.
~
Ted waited for her on the landing of the second floor. He smiled and kissed her. “Our daughters are just waking up. I let Nanny know that we’ve got this. You will be doing all the diaper changing, feeding, and burping while I look on adoringly.”
“I think you’ve been taking more lessons from Reg.”
“He’s a great role model.”
Mia told him about her meeting.
“I wondered why you used Whit’s cuff links?”
“Because crossroads demons can use your possessions to track you. You see, they let the hellhounds sniff the items and then let them loose. Aside from Fluffy, I’m not really in love with hellhounds. If Whit betrays us, or in some way makes Takemi upset, the demon will act upon it.”
“So, there is a chance Whit may in the future meet up with a hellhound?”
“I’m sure he’s already bedded one,”
Ted’s eyes went wide and pointed to his girls. “Remember, they could be smarter than Brian.”
“Yikes.”
“I know the situation isn’t ideal, but Brian is really enjoying having Noah here.”
“Noah needs his mother. We’re just a distraction. Ted, I need you to build me a tracker I can hold onto in OOB form.”
“You move how fast?”
“Six times faster than a ghost. I have to slow down for Murphy to see me.”
Ted jotted down some notes into his smart phone.
“But…”
He looked up.
“I’m going to train myself to go faster.”
“Maybe I can only track you when you stop.”
“Fine, good, great,” Mia said.
“Next question is, why?”
“I’m going to follow Macario to his lair.”
“Can he hurt you?”
“I don’t know. I’d have to speak with a ghost who was powered up on Quimbanda. I’m not sure if I have time. But I’m bringing Murphy with me.”
Ted sighed. “I’ll build two trackers.”
Mia smiled. “Did you talk to your sisters?”
“Oh yes! They are honored and will be here a week from Sunday. My parents are going to leave tomorrow and go up and tour Wisconsin and meet up with some old friends, so they will be out from under our feet until the Saturday before.”
“If we make this casual, then maybe it won’t be too disruptive.”
“It’s not going to be here.”
“Whoa. Father Santos didn’t pull the rug out from under us, did he? Your mother isn’t going to be happy about having the girls baptized in a Catholic church.”
“How about out on a patio with a private Lake Michigan view, a ballroom just in ca
se there is bad weather.”
“It sounds like Quentin’s, but they’re still in England.”
“Quentin called Ralph and offered the mansion for this venue. Ralph is taking the week off to pull it all together. Father Santos is happy. We can have all our friends there.”
Mia started to cry tears of relief.
Ted put his arms around her and the twins. He kissed Mia. “I know this isn’t the simple affair you were looking forward to.”
“Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m so happy. With this investigation looming, I thought I’d have to cancel it, and you know how touchy Paolo can get when he thinks I’m trying to get out of things.”
“When you have a family, sometimes family can get in the way. But isn’t it better than not having a family?” Ted asked.
“When you PEEPs pulled into my life, I had absentee parents. Ralph and Bernard were my only family, and I did my best to stay away from them. Even Murphy will tell you I rarely visited him. Now I have Polish, French, Cahokian, Birdman, and Midwestern family. Plus, my own family. You, Cid, Dieter, Brian, Noah, Genevieve, and Maeve. I think this blessing is something I will never take for granted.”
Ted eased the sleeping Genevieve away, and Mia finished nursing Maeve. They put them down and walked to check on Brian and Noah, who were suspiciously already in in the same bed. Mia pulled back the covers and saw two fully dressed children.
“And where were you two going?”
“Grandpop Cooper is going to come and take us up to the aerie so we can see the meteor shower,” Brian answered.
“That’s fine, but you don’t have to lay here with your shoes on,” Mia said.
“He said to take a nap so we wouldn’t fall asleep before the show was over,” Noah said.
“Oh, I guess it makes sense. But, next time, leave your shoes on the floor, ready to hop into,” Mia advised.
~
Chambers was winding up his reports when a bruised man walked into the lobby of the sheriff’s station. The deputy recognized him as the driver of the tree hauler. Chambers waved him back.
“I didn’t think I’d see you up and around for a couple of days, Mr. Klein,” Chambers said, pointing to the chair beside his desk. Chambers turned and pulled together his papers, tapping them several times, and leaving them in a pile on the far corner of his desk.
Crossroads Page 21