Crossroads

by Alexie Aaron [Aaron, Alexie]

“If it’s rusted…”

  “I know you can’t touch it. I’ll see if I can get a discreet word to Andy. I saw him here a minute ago.”

  Andy walked in from the woods. “I was just making sure there wasn’t anyone who may have been caught up in a blast wave.”

  “I’ll go look,” Murphy said and disappeared.

  “He can move faster than us and can see more than we can,” Mia explained. “What do you think did all of this?”

  “There was an explosion underground. Too much above my paygrade to tell you exactly what happened.”

  “Who’s in charge of unearthing this SUV?” Mia asked.

  “I don’t know. Why?”

  “There may be a lockbox and a casket inside. I fear that the contents of the lockbox shouldn’t see the light of day.”

  Andy nodded in understanding. “And the casket?”

  “Bones that need a Christian burial. Maybe in the hollow. What do you think?”

  “Depends on whether the sheriff determines if they are evidence or not.”

  “If not…”

  “I’ll give you a call.”

  “Thanks, Andy. I’ll see you Sunday.”

  Andy beamed. “I’ll be there. Mia, it’s an honor that I take very seriously.”

  “Good. Maeve will need a steady fellow like you if something happens to us.”

  “That’s what Uncle Bob said. He said, ‘Andrew, if ever there was a time for the cream of the Carmicheals to rise to the top, this was it.’”

  “Wow. What a compliment,” Mia said. “Cream of the Carmichaels.”

  “That sounds like the last thing you should name a new ice cream flavor,” Chambers said, walking up. “Mrs. Martin, time for me to escort you off the property.”

  Mia grabbed hold of his arm and allowed herself to be walked across the bridge and halfway down the street.

  Tom waited for the coroner to leave and the EMTs to clear out before he returned to the wall. He took a piece of cloth he had in the back of his cruiser and wiped more of the soot from the blast off the mosaic tiles. He worked for half an hour before he stepped back and whistled.

  There before him was a winged Cooper with a sword dangling from a scabbard. She had one hand reaching for a blue star, the other reaching out for him - or maybe whomever stood in front of the wall.

  Murphy materialized beside him. “That looks like Mia.”

  “How old do you think this wall is?”

  “Dr. Cooper would be able to tell you.”

  “Why is it here?”

  “I don’t know. I remember seeing something similar that depicted Abigor Duke of Hades in Cambodia. The people there worshipped him in ancient days.”

  “But this is Mia,” Tom said. “Mia is a wee bit older than me.”

  “Maybe it’s just someone who looks like her. Take a picture and send it to her. I bet she’ll have an explanation for you.”

  “Or a clever lie.”

  “You’ll get the truth if you ask for it. But when you don’t want to know the truth, then you’ll get a story you can put down on paper.”

  “What is the real story here?” Tom asked.

  “Living here were demons so old that they predated Lucifer’s fall from grace. They were called The Balance. They, like all demons and dragons, worshipped gold. They had amassed quite a lot of it over the years and were content to live underground, associating with no one for centuries. Unfortunately, the settlers came upon their gold, and the demons slaughtered them. Fast forward, three escaped convicts come upon this place and also tried to take the gold. They were also killed. Gloria Monroe wanted The Balance’s gold, so she worked with some local ghosts and two ghosts from New Orleans to get the gold, while pinning the theft on the townspeople of Big Bear Lake. Bear in mind that the demons would kill anyone who they thought took their gold. Mia approached The Balance and offered to move them yesterday while Burt kept Gloria Monroe and her ghosts busy. They must have taken her up on her offer.”

  “But why would they trust Mia not to just take their gold, unless her coming had been foretold,” Tom said, turning back to the mural. “This is blowing my mind.”

  “I can only image what it’s going to do to Mia.”

  Tom took a few snapshots and rubbed his chin. “Stephen, I’m not exactly a genius, but I’ve been told that I’m pretty smart. If anyone else sees this on either side of the normal/paranormal fence, it’s going to cause problems for Cooper.”

  “If I popped a few tiles off the wall, no one would think anything about it,” Murphy said, tapping the wall. “This blast was very destructive.”

  “Pop them all off and toss them in the river,” Tom instructed.

  “Are you sure?” Murphy asked.

  “Positive. Whit would have a field day.”

  “Why do you think Whit goes out of his way to hurt Mia?”

  “I doubt he thinks of it that way. She won’t toe the line, so she’s a problem. As long as he can use Mia or my department, he’s fine. He feels, because he lowered himself to be our friend in school, somehow, we owe him. Cross him and he’s a beast.”

  “I remember you as a young man. You seemed happy.”

  “I was. I got Whit’s castoffs. Despondent girls who still wanted to be near him, so they agreed to date me. It wasn’t until I joined the sheriff’s department that I discovered that I don’t need anyone’s castoffs.”

  “Life lessons with Tom and Stephen,” Murphy ruminated. “Time for me to watch out for ghosts. Mia will have my behind if one of you guys gets hurt.”

  “I’ll be leaving here when the fire department calls it a day. Then it’s off to my desk to get creative with the reports.”

  “Don’t forget to send a picture of the wall to Mia. Which I’m going to take care of right now,” Murphy promised.

  Mia looked at her phone message and groaned. She showed the photo to Ted.

  “I don’t know what your problem is. It’s a real pretty picture of you. It’s rather alarming that it came from Braverman’s phone, but he does get around.”

  “Look again.”

  Ted took her phone and transferred the picture to the big screen in the office. “It’s a mural. A mosaic. From your phone, it looked like a photo.”

  “This is why The Balance were so quick to believe me. It was prophesized, which brings up a scarier thought. Everything that has happened to me, to us, has been planned.”

  “I’m trying to give you an explanation why primal demons have been staring at your image for thousands of years, but I’m failing. I mean, how is that even possible?” Ted questioned.

  Murphy tapped on the office door.

  “Come in.”

  “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “Trying to solve a problem,” Ted said.

  Murphy dropped a handful of mosaic tiles in Ted’s hand. “Problem solved.”

  Mia looked at Murphy. “I don’t understand.”

  “Tom had me destroy the mural. Most of it rests on the bottom of the river.”

  Ted stood up and held out his hand. “Thank you, Stephen.”

  “It was Tom’s idea, and I agree with him. There are too many people who wouldn’t understand and would doubt Mia’s role in what happened to Gloria.”

  “I wasn’t there. We warned her,” Mia said. “How many of the ghosts are still there?”

  “Three. I was able to communicate with a ghost named Cecil. He says that his and Marty’s – he’s the ghost who shot at you – jawbones are in the rusted metal lockbox buried under a ton of rocks in the SUV.”

  “Whose bones are in the casket?” Mia asked.

  “Cecil calls her Elenore. I met her when we were all at the Monroe Corporate Park. I think she’s trapped in the casket because I searched, and she wasn’t anywhere near there. The singsong ghost is also missing, but as I dumped the tiles in the water, I spotted some human bones in the river.”

  “Oh dear. I fear we’re no
t finished up there.”

  “Maybe we’ll put it back in the hands of Burt, Enos, and Stephanie.”

  “Once we get possession of the lockbox,” Mia clarified.

  “Yes.”

  “What’s in that box that you’re so hot to get your hands on?” Ted asked.

  “A spell book that needs to be destroyed. We don’t need any more ghost enslavers in the world to deal with.”

  “Amen to that. One Mia is enough,” Murphy said.

  Mia’s mouth dropped open.

  “Pumpkin, he’s just kidding.”

  “Where is my salt gun?”

  “Destroyed in the fire,” Ted lied.

  Murphy tipped his hat to Ted and took off.

  Mia looked over at her husband and shook her head. “You’ve chosen the wrong person to lie to.”

  Ted put the pieces of tile on the desk. He quickly arranged them. “Come on, Mia, you can’t be mad at a ghost who saved your face.”

  Chapter Forty-one

  After the chaos of the last two weeks, Saturday’s preparation for Sunday’s events seemed docile. There were Ted’s sisters to pick up from the airport and deliver to the hotel, the Reg Martins to get settled, and the godfathers to be inspected by Ralph before he would let them be seen.

  Tom, who was used to Ralph, calmed Andy down. “He’s not upset. He’s just inspired.”

  “I thought my suit was fine.”

  “It was too short in the arms and legs. Good thing you’re Bernard’s size.”

  “If he’s not upset, why did he run away in tears after he inspected my gift to Maeve?”

  “What are you giving her?” Tom asked.

  “I didn’t want to assume a religion, so a Bible was out. Instead, I’m giving her this.” He handed Tom the expensive journal. On the first page was this inscription:

  My dearest Maeve,

  I’m not sure what path you will take in life. This journal is for you to write down your explorations.

  Whatever religion you choose or if you choose none is fine with me. I just want you to know that I’ll be here for you when you have questions. If I lack the knowledge, I will search the world in order to find the best answers. I will protect you and share with you all that I have. This promise I give to you.

  Your Godfather,

  Andrew Carmichael

  Tom’s eyes glistened. “You’re breaking my heart here.”

  “Is that a good thing?” Andy asked.

  “Yes. It makes my savings bond seem rather cheap,” Tom said.

  “Oh, man, I didn’t even think about that!” Andy exclaimed.

  Tom put a hand on Andy’s arm. “Trust me, your gift is perfect.”

  ~

  Mia and Ted watched as their daughters, dressed in white lace christening gowns, were baptized by Father Santos. The blue of Lake Michigan was an excellent backdrop for the outdoor baptism. The service was short, as was suggested by Bernard, who was sure that the little children in attendance wouldn’t have a long attention span and would start to wander around.

  In lieu of a reception line, Ralph had Mia, Ted, and the children at the far end of the ballroom on a raised dais so they could look out at their guests. The guests would file down the center of the room to give their best wishes and gifts to the twins, watched over by their parents, before being seated on either side of the ballroom. The waitstaff would then pour champagne or a beverage of the well-wisher’s choice.

  Ralph had outdone himself. The room was dressed in elegant, soft colors of petal pink, moss green, and cream. The tall windows on the front side of the house took in the dappled sunlight from the trees that shaded the mansion. Little orbs of light, reflecting off the silverware and crystal, danced through the large room. The Martin family and the girls’ godparents stopped to admire the room before they moved quickly to take their places.

  “If I believed in fairies, I would swear the room was filled with them,” Ted said.

  No sooner did they sit down when the procession of guests arrived. Soft music accompanied the groups of friends and relatives.

  Mia leaned over and spoke to Ted. “I do believe this is more extravagant than our wedding, and that was…”

  “A respectable spectacle,” Ted finished.

  The guests approached, and Mia and Ted enjoyed banter and exchanged good wishes. When everyone had been seated and their glasses had been filled, Quentin rose and addressed the assembly.

  “I wish to welcome you to this celebration of life. Two more children have come to give us joy and give Mia and Ted gray hair.”

  There was a smattering of laughter.

  “I was alone until Mia and Ted opened up their hearts and their family to me. Through them, I found friendship with Ralph, who is responsible for this party.” Quentin clapped his hand against his champagne glass. “Before we indulge in all this splendor, let us toast the universe for bringing us together to welcome Genevieve and Maeve into the fold. To Genevieve and Maeve.” Quentin raised his glass, and the room followed suit. He drank, they drank, and he turned to walk to his table.

  The doors of the ballroom burst open, hitting the walls on either side with an astounding crash. Victor moved to intercept the intruder and was waved away by Ted. Ted stood up and walked down the aisle towards the door.

  Beverly Cooper strode in, dressed in something more appropriate for a Met Gala than a summer christening. Her hair was incorporated into a headdress more suited for a young woman, and the dress, although expensive, was a style that didn’t flatter the petite curvy woman. She approached Ted.

  “Welcome, Beverly. We are delighted that you’ve chosen to come and enjoy this day of celebration with us. I think we can make room for you.”

  “I’ve not come for the food - although it smells wonderful,” Bev commented. “I’ve come to give my blessing.”

  “I find that hard to believe,” Father Santos said from behind her.

  Beverly turned around and smirked. “Paolo, your church or army of archangels can do nothing about what is about to happen.” She turned, pushed Ted aside, and walked down the aisle towards the children. Mia stood before her, He-who-walks-through-time behind Mia.

  Bev was too intent on her purpose of spreading chaos, while enjoying the fear she saw in many of Mia’s guests’ eyes, to see the shimmering portal form behind Ed.

  Mia held out her arms to stop Bev. “Leave now before your fate is judged.”

  Bev shoved her backwards into Ed’s arms as she charged forward. Ed, Mia, and Bev disappeared. The portal closed.

  The room filled with voices. Ted clapped his hands. “Please go back to your seats. Everything is under control. A little Sleeping Beauty theatrics, nothing more. Father Santos, can you lead us all in prayer?”

  Bev stumbled forward, catching her expensive heel on the cobblestones beneath her feet. The stench of the excrement flowing out of the gutters choked her. Bile rose, and she was only just able to refrain from vomiting.

  “Where am I?”

  “I thought, since you were so intent on arriving via Charles Perrault La Belle au Bois Dormat style, you may be more comfortable in France.”

  “This is not France!”

  “In October 16, 1793 it is,” Mia said. “I thought, dressed as you are, you would fit in well with the procession at the end of the street. It won’t matter they will have no name to call out, your crimes are the same.”

  “Have you gone mad? How do I deserve the guillotine?”

  “I was told that I cannot judge you. Therefore, I thought we’d let the people you trod upon do it.”

  The ground opened, and Bev fell hard upon the floor below. Mia drifted down, setting Ed gently on the ground before closing her wings. “This is a demon courtroom. It has been loaned to us for the purpose of your trial. Many of the witnesses are no longer alive. This place has made allowances for this.”

  Bev looked around at the large stone chamber. It had elevated seating encircl
ing the floor on which she stood. The light above her was too bright. She couldn’t make out the beings who were sitting in the shadows. In front of her a door opened, and a cloaked figure climbed the stone stairs and sat down at the judge’s table. The being began to push back the hood that covered most of his face.

  “STOP!” Bev demanded. “Where is my lawyer? Who will defend me?”

  “I’ll do it,” Beth Bouvier said, stepping out of the shadows. She was dressed plainly, as she had in the early days of PEEPs.

  Bev reared back. “No!”

  “Why?” Mia asked.

  “She’s… not qualified.”

  “Beth is quite intelligent. She picked up the dark craft incredibly fast after you encouraged her to open that door in her mind,” Mia explained.

  “That’s why she can’t act on my behalf. She can’t be impartial,” Bev dismissed.

  Mia’s mouth twitched slightly in amusement.

  “I think Miss Cooper thinks I would make a better witness for the prosecution,” Beth said. “I’ll get in line. I believe the line is wrapping this establishment.”

  “Where’s Gerald? He will act for me,” Bev insisted.

  “I thought you may want him,” Mia said. “Try as I may, I could not get him released from Soren’s prison, nor could I find any magic, light or dark, to do it for me.”

  “I can get him out,” Bev bragged.

  “How?”

  “He’s not guilty of half… most of the charges he confessed to.”

  “I’m sorry, you’re going to have to be clearer,” Mia said. “I was told that he signed papers to conduct the sale of my son Brian.”

  “He never signed the papers. I forged his name.”

  “But he told the Cynosura how to pressure me to send my children to Komal’s island so they could be taken to be ransomed in return for my husband reinstating the Cynosura’s bank accounts. A false terrorist report was given, and our home was destroyed.”

  “That was me!” Bev crowed. “It was rather ingenious. If you weren’t so stupid, you would have realized I was behind it when they asked for Mia Cooper. The boys would have been safe had you sent them. Ted would have his boys back, and you would have been sent to Gitmo. Maybe dissected. It really doesn’t matter. You’re not human.”