The Return (Haunted Series Book 21) Read online

  “I take it, he can’t disappear with it?”

  “No, it will be visible, but I think he can still manipulate it. Or Mia could carry it for him. I hate to add to her burden. She’s commented on feeling like a packhorse lately.”

  “That’s just all the baby and toddler stuff she has to carry. Speaking of the next generation, who’s got them today?”

  “Ralph and Bernard. They volunteered. The museum is on a half day, and Brian really wants to see the traveling exhibit.”

  “And that is?”

  “Prehistoric birds,” Ted said. “He’s got an idea which bird the birdmen evolved from. He’s wrong, but we may as well let him find out.”

  “And you’re an expert on prehistoric birds and birdmen…”

  “I have inside information,” Ted said. “I’ve been communicating with Jeff.”

  “Jeff the gargoyle?”

  “That’s the fella. He helped me figure out the size of the honeycomb wire.”

  “What made you think of asking Jeff for help?” Cid asked.

  “Well, you asked the gargoyle downtown for book help…”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “You mean, you didn’t know that Mr. Calcar was a disguised gargoyle? Mia picked up on it right away.”

  Cid blushed. “I don’t have the sight.”

  “Dieter could tell by Mr. Calcar’s coffee-brown aura.”

  “I’m not a soul catcher,” Cid pointed out gruffly.

  “Calcar is the connective tissue of bat and gargoyle wings,” Ted said. “That’s a dead giveaway.”

  “Damn,” Cid said.

  “Anyway, Jeff’s always been pretty friendly, so I had Orion hook me up with a direct line, and now we have this,” Ted said, holding up the shield proudly.

  “You’re proud of that, aren’t you?”

  “Anything to take the worry off Mia,” Ted said. “That seismic monitor is going to help too. We are so going to be out of the doghouse and back in favor.”

  Cid smiled. “I don’t like being in Mia’s doghouse.”

  “None of us do.”

  “So you follow the diagram right here,” Mia said, pointing to the belt diagram on the surface of the jeep’s frame. Mia watched as Ethan did so. “Now loosen the tension with this,” she said, handing him the borrowed tool. “That’s right. Now you can easily put it around here. Yup. Now we recheck that the belt is perfectly set… yes, yes. K. Now tighten the tension. Cool beans. We’re done. Go and start it.”

  Ethan handed her the tool, squeezed past the heap of junk that was stored in the garage, and hopped up into the seat of the jeep and turned the key.

  The engine protested once, then it started. Mia looked at things while she listened. The engine was still a little rough, but it would serve the kid for a few years. An oil change, new plugs and filters would extend the life. She knew Ethan’s funds were scant, so she jotted down a maintenance schedule that would stretch over the next two months for him.

  “We did it!” Ethan said.

  “Now all we have to do is get the title transferred over.”

  “Fuck!”

  “Whoa.”

  “Sorry, my father’s lawyer isn’t going to do nada for me anymore.”

  “Don’t worry, I know a guy,” Mia said, dialing a number she hadn’t used in a long time. “Hello, may I speak to Gerald Shem please? Tell him Mia Martin wants him to return a favor. Yes, I’ll wait.”

  Ethan watched his newfound mechanical buddy wheel and deal over the phone.

  “What I’m saying is this, tell Mr. Aldridge that he will sell Ethan the jeep for a dollar. That’s all it’s worth. And I want him to purchase a year’s medical and dental insurance for the kid. I don’t give a damn. It’s my favor and I expect… Sure, I’ll shut up and listen. Hey, that’s a better idea. Sorry for the strong arming. It must be all the testosterone at my place. Dinner’s a great idea, but until my babysitter is up and around, we’ll have to go to someplace around here. Bring Ethan? Um, I’ll have to ask him and Tom. I think he’s got to stay in this county. Long story. She didn’t? Oh, save it for dinner. Thanks, Gerald.”

  Mia put her phone away and walked over. “Your father will sell you the jeep for a dollar, and there is a contract that he will pay for your medical and dental expenses until you’re twenty-six. You have to continue to stay away from all that is Aldridge.”

  “I was going to do that anyway.”

  “Gerald knows your grandmother on your mother’s side of the family. He’s going to have a talk with her about your college education. He can’t promise anything, but she’s got a soft spot for rascals. I think you qualify.”

  “How in the world can you make this happen?” Ethan asked.

  “Gerald owed me a favor. Favors are very valuable. Don’t ask for them if you can find any other way. Collect them until you need something big,” Mia advised. “Oh, Gerald wants to meet you. Probably at a dinner someplace fancy. Don’t worry, Ted and I’ll be there so you won’t find yourself owing the man who knows a man anything.”

  “I appreciate that. I thought you were just some chick who I heard screamed in graveyards, but low and behold, you turn out to be one of the finest people I’ve ever met.”

  “Gee, throw around more of that flattery, and I may get you a deal on some new tires.”

  Ethan laughed.

  Mia looked at her watch. “Crap, I’ve got to get moving. I promised to work with Dieter on his poetry project.”

  “Thank you again, Mia,” Ethan said and hugged her. “If you’re ever short a babysitter, I think I can handle the con artist. The flying boy may be beyond me.”

  “The flying boy better not sprout feathers for a while or I’m going to trade him in for a goat,” Mia said, getting in the truck.

  Ethan watched her pull away. He closed up the garage and went inside. The ancient answering machine was blinking. He hit play.

  “So they let you out. Give me a call,” Blair said and hung up.

  Ethan pressed delete. He ripped the machine out of the wall and smashed it. By the time he was finished with his anger, Ethan had nothing but plastic shards and coiled tape. He pulled out the phone Tom had given him.

  “Tom, Blair just contacted me.”

  “What did he say?” Tom asked calmly.

  Ethan repeated the message. “I looked at the number. It’s a Chicago area code, so I assume he’s at his dad’s Chicago address. I destroyed the machine.”

  “Why?”

  “I needed to take out a little anger.”

  “How about going with me to the gym or letting Mia’s friend Ed help you to use your anger to learn a little self-defense?”

  “I hate to owe a favor,” Ethan said.

  “I see Mia has schooled you on favors. Tell you what, if there is a favor involved, I’ll take it on my account.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really, that’s what friends are for.”

  “Thanks, Tom.”

  “Thanks for alerting me, regarding Blair Summerfield. We’ll get your landline changed. Shame about the machine.”

  “I don’t need it or the landline.”

  “I think you need the landline for your parole.”

  “Well then, let’s get that number changed,” Ethan said, irritated. “Mia helped me fix the old jeep in the garage. Am I allowed to drive it?”

  “Do you have a license?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then, as long as you stay in the county, go ahead. So, Mia’s hanging around your place?”

  “I wouldn’t say hanging around. She came over to ask me why I changed my mind about Sentinel Woods. I was working on the old caretaker’s jeep in the garage, and she helped me.”

  “You’re not hitting on her?”

  “No because she’d tear me limb from limb. Besides, I get a mother vibe from her. Am I stepping into your territory?” Ethan asked.

  “Mia and I’ve been friends for a long time. She’s more like my sister. I’m just looking
out for both of you. This town is ripe with gossips. At one time, I was supposed to be Brian’s father.”

  “The kid’s way too smart to be yours.”

  “Ouch.”

  “Hey, sorry, I didn’t think that was an insult. I’m just used to saying it like it is. I have no tact.”

  “That will get you a few black eyes if you don’t learn to curb some of your comments.”

  “Only if I hang out in bars.”

  “I was talking about Mia,” Tom teased and hung up.

  “Well, hot damn,” Ethan said and went into the kitchen for a broom.

  Tom called Orion. “I don’t mean to disturb you, sir, but Blair Summerfield just tried to contact Ethan Aldridge.”

  “From what number?” Orion asked.

  “It was a Chicago phone number, maybe the Summerfield penthouse,” Tom said.

  “I’ll contact the Brotherhood and have their watch doubled. If he makes a physical move towards Big Bear Lake, we’ll know about it.”

  “I’m glad you clued me in on the Brotherhood’s concerns,” Tom said. “I’ll have to alert the deputies about the possibility that Blair could return to Big Bear Lake. After all, his parents still have that big yellow monstrosity at the end of the sandbar.”

  “What do they call that place?”

  “A Twist of Lemon. Rich people have no sense… Oh, sorry, Orion.”

  Orion laughed. “Funny thing is, when I’m in Greece, I’m that poor man with the grumpy wife. Here, I’m a rich man with a trophy wife.”

  “Labels. They’re just labels. In Big Bear Lake, I’ll always be a mama’s boy, even when I’m sheriff.”

  “That’s because you still live at home,” Orion reminded him.

  “I like living at home.”

  “Now that we’ve established ourselves, we can now concentrate on eliminating the real threat to Big Bear Lake.”

  “Blair Summerfield or the creature?” Tom asked.

  “Oh, I doubt the creature can be killed. She’s organic. You can no more kill her than you can the earth.”

  “Seems to me we’re doing our best to do old mother earth in,” Tom commented.

  “Tom, I’ve been around for some time. Believe me, when mother earth feels threatened, she fights back. And the dame fights dirty.”

  Tom felt a chill move up and down his spine. “I’m going to go over and inform Rory that Ethan has made parole and is living in his hometown.”

  “I don’t envy you that conversation.”

  “I was hoping Sheriff Ryan would have been back before now to do this.”

  “He’s doing a very important job right now.”

  “This new group taking power has us all scared. It’s nice to know we have a man on the inside,” Tom acknowledged.

  “It’s where Ryan shines, according to Father Santos and Gerald Shem. So enjoy your new job. I doubt he’ll be back to challenge you for it anytime soon.”

  Chapter Ten

  Rory Kline had maintained his job at the Big Bear Lake Ace Hardware while he was still in school. After his graduation last year, he started at the store full time, and he had yet to decide whether he would accept the military scholarship offered to him or go to junior college until he had things figured out. His father had been back for a few months, and even though Rory was ecstatic that he was rotating to the states, he was feeling the house was becoming a bit cramped. Gone was the one-parent household. Rory’s mom had tried to turn over some of the major decision making to her husband, but Rory soon found out that he had to ask each parent before he did anything these days. Each had an opinion, and they usually ended up siding with each other. Rory was left to toe the Kline line.

  Rory still had nightmares about Sentinel Woods. The creature and his treatment by the other boys had scarred his psyche. He was unable to find a balance socially. He was moved from being the football star who could no longer play to “the kidnapped kid.” He suspected his prom date was arranged. He hated that he had been singled out by the bullies. What really burned him was that three of them had gotten away with it.

  He tried a few times to go to the woods but never got closer than a mile. He broke out in a sweat and turned his parents’ car around. He only discovered that Ethan Aldridge had tried to contact him because he listened in on a phone conversation between his mother and the county prosecutor. He didn’t feel it was right, his mother intercepting his mail. But he was a minor at the time and had no choice in the matter. The incident in Sentinel Woods had done more than scare the crap out of him; it cut his balls off.

  Acting Sheriff Braverman had inquired with Deb Booker if it would be alright to speak with Rory at the hardware store. Rory had a feeling that Braverman didn’t want to deal with his parents, especially now that Rory was eighteen.

  Deb was pleased to see Tom. Tom’s mother was her best friend and cohort in all things Chicago Bears. “How’s your mother?”

  “She’s on the mend. Very impatient to get back to her volunteering,” Tom said. He looked around. “Is Rory Kline here?”

  “Yes, he’s in the break room. I’ve cleaned my office so you can use it. I approve that you’re talking to Rory directly. He’s been overwhelmed lately by his parents making all his decisions for him. I wish I had the gall to tell them not to baby Rory, that he’s just fine.”

  “I’m not a parent, so I’ll take your word for it.”

  “I’ll go and get Rory. Why don’t you wait in my office. It’s between plumbing and electrical,” Deb directed.

  Rory walked into the office. Tom stood and shook his hand. “It’s great to see you, Rory. I swear you’ve grown ten inches.”

  “Six,” Rory corrected. Tom Braverman’s hand held Rory’s a moment longer as if he was stalling. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Ethan Aldridge has been released and is serving his parole here in Big Bear Lake. I’ve talked to him, and he knows better than to approach you.”

  “That’s not a problem. It wasn’t my decision to send his letters back or stop him from writing.”

  “I gathered that was the case. If you ever do want to give Ethan the opportunity to make amends, please don’t hesitate to call me, and I’ll set it up.”

  “I’m not sure I’m strong enough to face Ethan and not bloody his nose.”

  “That’s understandable. I’m sure he would like to apologize to you in person and explain himself. He’s paid dearly for his part in your torture.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it. Rich boys get rich-boy justice.”

  “Ethan had a lawyer supplied by the court. His family didn’t lift a finger to support him, and afterwards, they disowned him.”

  “I’m not sure my parents wouldn’t have done the same thing had I been guilty of the crimes he committed,” Rory said honestly.

  “Come on, have a little more faith in them,” Tom said. “Your mother did the best she could while your father was away. Sure, she got overwhelmed when you were kidnapped. What parent wouldn’t?”

  “I was the victim, yet I’m being punished. No phone, no car, no venturing outside the house unless it’s to go to work. My paychecks are turned over to my mother. I’m given no allowance.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Tom commiserated.

  “All I wanted was some friends. I was tickled by Keith’s invitation. I thought he was being earnest about having a great time that Saturday. Instead, it was a nightmare.”

  “Keith’s paid the ultimate price for his part,” Tom reminded Rory.

  “No, he hasn’t. He’s dead. Jason’s dead. They don’t have to look at the embarrassed looks on their parents’ faces each and every time someone brings up what happened to me.”

  “Yet, you survived. You didn’t give in to hysterics. You survived the night and got out before things went south.”

  “Why did you save Ethan?” Rory asked.

  “It was my job.”

  “I heard you risked your life saving him. Why?” Rory demanded.

&nbs
p; “Again, Rory, it was my job. Saving him was the right thing to do. You know it too. There comes a time in your life where you’re going to be faced with turning away and becoming one of the crowd, taking the easy way out, or stepping up. I know that you’re the kind of guy who steps up.”

  Rory blushed, although his face was still set in a scowl. “How can you know that?”

  “It’s who you are. You just haven’t figured that out yet.”

  “I don’t want to speak with Ethan.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll make sure he makes no attempt to see you. Also, do not accept a call from Blair Summerfield. He’s not your friend.”

  “You didn’t have to tell me that. I have had two years of nightmares reminding me.”

  “There’s something going on,” Blair said to Vince who was looking through the penthouse telescope at a lady changing clothes in the next building. The Smithe brother was decked out in a hipster outfit and looking like Buddy Holly had decided to haunt the Summerfield penthouse.

  Vince, who knew better than to voice any sort of comment when Blair was in one of his moods, stayed silent.

  Sean however didn’t. “Who, what, where, old chap? Blair, you’re rambling again.”

  “Fuck you, Sean,” Blair said. “Okay, I’ll play your game. Who? Ethan. What? I’m not sure, but I get the idea the kid is avoiding his old friends. Where? That’s a good question. I left a message with his parents’ butler in the Lincoln Park mansion, at the summer house, and in the guest cottage where Ethan used to go to get high. Here, I go to all this expense bringing you guys back from that godforsaken place…”

  “Monaco is hardly godforsaken,” Vince pointed out.

  “It’s full of old rich people, hardly a place to have spring break.”

  “He’s got you there,” Sean commented. “But why did you insist we come back?”

  “Ethan’s out of jail. It’s time to resume our fun and games.”