Puzzle (Haunted Series) Read online

  “Care to share, sweet pea?” Ted asked.

  She opened the tailgate and hopped up and sat down facing them. “I can see that whatever it is in there has some kind of protection against either us getting in, or to stop another ghost from getting in, but what’s keeping all of us out but you, Ted?”

  “It’s a mystery to me, too. Problem is, going in there with the axe man is one thing but alone is another. I better wait until the guys get here. Dave, tell me everything that happened from the start again. Leave nothing out. We’re not the cops.”

  “Speaking of cops, where’s your boyfriend?” Dave asked Mia.

  “I traded up, not that it’s any of your business,” Mia answered.

  He motioned his head towards Ted.

  “Yes,” she answered simply.

  “I don’t get you, but I like you better now. Couldn’t see you with the Ken doll. He was too stiff, all ruley-ruley. This one’s got balls.”

  Mia suppressed her laughter, choosing instead to go in another direction. “I’m glad you approve. Now, spill it. We need to know everything.”

  Chapter Four

  “Plan A is to go in and get the kids out,” Burt started his list. “Plan B is to take a wall down if we don’t make it out. I’m hoping Plan B isn’t going to happen. Homely says the law on this side of the county has a problem with destruction of any kind.”

  “Filming may be a problem,” Ted warned. “If we are dealing with something that doesn’t want to be seen, then I’m sure cameras are out.”

  “What about the wayfarers?” Burt asked.

  “We are of one mind, Kreskin,” Ted said and handed Mike the glasses. “I dropped the infrared and substituted an audio microphone. I have the glasses adjusted to film and pick up audio, but whether it can make it out of the building is another matter. So, I’m going to give each one of us a receiver to carry.” Ted held up four credit cards. He handed one to Burt.

  Burt turned it sideways. There was a slight difference in thickness, but unless someone was going to put it through a card reader, it wouldn’t be detected. The face of it was basically a bank card. PEEPs was the cardholder, and the bank listed was the Theodore Martin Bank of Ideas. “So you’re telling us this is a receiver?”

  “And a recorder. It will give us approximately four hours of battery life. We will be able to hear each other too. I’m going to set this up so we’re live. I don’t want anyone to touch the ear com to send. It’s too obvious. If this thing can tell whether or not someone can see ghosts, it certainly will notice us talking to ourselves and touching our ears.”

  “Who’s wearing the glasses?” Mike asked as he scrutinized the pair. “I’d like to be in a few camera shots. Damn, these look familiar.”

  Ted snatched them and handed them to Burt before Mike could recognize them as the pair of sunglasses he left a while back in Ted’s car.

  “I can’t wear them,” Cid spoke up and explained, “With just the one surgery, I need to wear my own glasses.”

  The guys looked at him. The handsome young investigator, normally hidden by coke-bottle lenses, was wearing a strange pair. One lens was clear, the other the thick corrective lens he was used to. It made his bad eye seem huge.

  “Cyclops here can’t do it. It’s either you or me, Burt,” Ted said.

  “I’ll do it. I’m used to being the camera man,” Burt offered and put on the glasses. “They’re heavy and full of fingerprints.” He took them off and started to clean the lenses with the tail of his flannel shirt.

  Ted smacked his hand away and took the glasses. “You’re going to scratch the lenses.” He pulled out a special cloth and began polishing away the smudges. Ted handed it back and said, “The right lens is special, very expensive. Put them on.”

  Burt did as he was told.

  “There’s an EMF detector built in. Look over here at the electronics.”

  Burt moved his head and nodded as a wave of green static filled the lens. “Why green? There’s no color in electromagnetic fields.”

  “I put in a film so you could see it, otherwise what’s the point of the lens,” Ted pointed out, trying his best not to talk down to his boss.

  Burt nodded and smiled. “Good thinking. How much did this cost PEEPs?”

  Ted waved his hand. “I covered it. My patent, my cost. I’m going to market them to contractors, building inspectors and ghost hunters.”

  “You’re going to be richer than Midas, my friend,” Cid said proudly.

  There was a subtle bang on the side of the truck. Cid pulled the door up overhead, exposing Mia and Dave.

  “We just finished the perimeter. Are you ready to go?” Mia asked.

  “Just about. I’ve put Homely’s number on speed dial and adjusted the receiver on the Bluetooth, but I doubt it’s going to reach inside that building. That’s sound-proof construction, solid thick walls, no windows, fireproof metal doors. I think you and Dave should be wired so that at least you two can hear each other. No sense in both of you making the circuit. Your job is to find a way in. Don’t OOB unless Murphy can go where you’re going,” Ted finished.

  “Yes, Daddy,” Mia said.

  The three guys stifled their laughter, and Dave just looked uncomfortable. Cid gave Dave a hand up into the truck and assisted him with the ear com. Mike got out, giving the people inside more room.

  Mia handed Burt a list of the teens inside. Next to each name was a notation from Dave. “He hopes it will help you identify the kids.”

  Richie Delgado - tall guy - damaged - afraid of the dark - blue streak in hair

  John Larsson – gamer - big guy

  Mason Callen - tough guy - last seen beat to a pulp

  Troy Lang - young guy - high on mommy’s pills

  Chuck Dupont – rich - big and dumb

  Josh Jansen – follower - smokes too much

  Burt looked at the list. “Descriptions could have been better, but it’ll do. Find a way into the building, Mia. If we don’t come out in a reasonable time, call the cops. Homely is heading over here to give you some support. I think he’s bringing Doc too.”

  “I don’t know how happy Dave’s going to be with his shrink here, but I’m glad he’s coming. Richie is going to either come out of this stronger or a mess. Doc may be needed for him and for the others.”

  “Who’s talking about Richie?” Dave asked, walking over, fiddling with his ear.

  “I am. You wanna make something of it?” Mia challenged.

  Burt was surprised at her harsh tone, but kept his mouth shut.

  “No. Just, no slander, the kid’s been through enough,” Dave compromised.

  “I’m not going to feed you bullshit that I’m not concerned about the guy,” Mia said. “Doc, your shrink from the hospital, is on his way here with another friend of ours. They are going to help us find a way into the building if the guys don’t make it out.”

  “Are you worried about your guys? They’re fucking professionals.”

  “I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t. Whatever or whoever is controlling that building has to be strong. I can’t help them in there. Burt and the guys have been through a lot, but each time is different. You know what I’m talking about. You and Richie have dealt with violent ghosts, hell-bent on killing. Speaking of Richie, I have a strong feeling that he is our ace in the hole in there,” Mia said to comfort him.

  “I hope so,” Dave said.

  “He did get away from two invisible biker gangs,” Burt said. “I was in his shoes, not an easy thing.”

  This seemed to help Dave, and he stood a little taller.

  Burt wondered if being a sensitive caused the boy to be smaller than his peers. Mia, Sabine and Bev had petite statures. He put this thought on the backburner for another time. Burt moved by Dave and patted Ted on the shoulder. “Showtime.”

  Mia and Dave followed the PEEPs team to the door. Before they went in, Mia cleared her voice. They looked at her, and she smiled broadly and said, “Each of you has strengths that ar
e awesome. Mike, pay attention to your gut, and remember to block if you feel ill. Use the discomfort as a warning when an entity is present. You guys may not have the sight, but you have all your other senses, use them.”

  Dave watched their faces as she gave the men instructions. Their expressions told him that none of them minded. He also saw a moment of fear cross Mike’s face, but he smiled it away.

  Ted gave Mia a kiss for luck. He walked over and opened the door saying, “All aboard for the Clinton Cougar express. First stop, homeroom.”

  Mia watched as they walked in. As the door shut behind them, she grabbed Dave’s hand.

  “You’re not so tough, are you?” he accused and squeezed her hand.

  Mia turned to him and said, “Concern is never a weakness. Fear doesn’t mean you’re not brave. Running away when you can is always the right move when it comes to the paranormal.” She let it sink in a moment before she urged, “Come on, let’s see if we can hear them.”

  Dave followed her into the command truck, stopping only to nod to Murphy as he passed him.

  ~

  The door to the first classroom was unlocked. They walked in and found the room not only lit but empty. Mike walked over to the other door, and it was locked. The backdoor slammed shut. A scratching sound of chalk on slate came from the front of the room. Just as Dave had reported, words formed on the chalkboard in front of their eyes.

  Take a seat. This is a test of your caliber. Only the smartest will continue.

  Prepped with Dave’s info, the four of them sat down obediently.

  More scratching produced a list to be read.

  No one leaves unless they pass the test!

  If you are clever, you will move on.

  If you are not, you will stay here.

  If you break the rules, you will die!

  “What are the rules?” Ted asked, making sure he showed reverence.

  The scratching began again.

  No cheating!

  No going backwards.

  “Is that all?” he asked.

  The board remained inactive. There was the loud click of a lock disengaging.

  Get up.

  You passed the first test.

  Move on.

  The men stood up and moved slowly towards the door. Mike pointed out the blood smear. “They must have dragged one of them with them.”

  “Maybe Mason,” Burt said softly.

  “So we passed the test. I’m puzzled, what was the test?” Cid inquired.

  “Obedience was the first test,” Burt said and opened the door.

  “Has anyone heard from Mia?” Ted asked quietly.

  No one answered.

  “I thought so. This place is a wi-fi block.”

  “Not to be confused with cock block,” Cid said as he passed by Burt out into the hall.

  “Don’t look at me, I didn’t give birth to him,” Ted said as Burt glared.

  Mike patted Burt on the shoulder as he passed. “Come on, by the amount of blood that kid has lost already, time is not our friend.”

  Burt stepped through the door and followed the others down the hall.

  ~

  “Well, no use hanging out here,” Mia said. “No communication is coming through that cube of community classrooms.”

  “Clever,” was all Dave said before following Mia out of the command center.

  She pulled the door down and showed Dave the trick for opening it quick if he had to get in. “Otherwise it is locked up, and no one, not even Mason with his lockpicks, will be able to get in.”

  “Mason got them for his birthday from his brother. That’s messed up.”

  “I can do most older doors with a couple of paperclips or a bobby pin,” Mia bragged.

  They walked around the building in the direction of the side door. Dave checked his trap, and they continued around front. Mia stopped and surveyed the front of the building. Someone had decided that an angle of decorative brick in a contrasting color would enhance the otherwise bland exterior. She followed the bricks as they moved upwards. One of the center windows of the second story was accessible from the façade. She whistled. Murphy appeared, scaring the crap out of Dave.

  “Sorry, I should have warned you,” she said, putting a calming hand on his arm. She turned to Murphy and asked, “Could you follow me up there and make sure I don’t fall to my death?”

  Murphy nodded. He put his hand to his chest and pointed to Mia.

  “Me too, Murph, me too,” she said before she stepped on the end of the angle and started to walk, using her hands to balance her, up the front of the building. Murphy put his hand to the middle of her back to give her support the higher she went. When she reached the window she carefully turned and sat down, bracing herself with heels of her boots. She twisted and carefully examined the inlay of bricks into the space a window once held. She reached inside one of her cargo pockets, drew out a small common-head screwdriver and picked at the mortar in between the siding and the window. She smiled as she was able to extract a piece. “Shoddy workmanship,” she said. “Murph, please see if you can use that axe and run it along the edge here and here,” she pointed out the weak areas to Murphy.

  Murphy ran the axe along the crumbling mortar, and as the material fell away, the structure of the patch job began to lose stability. Mia scooted upwards as bricks started to fall. “Watch out down there. Move away from the building,” Mia called to Dave.

  More and more bricks fell away under Murphy’s axe until the window was free of its filler. Mia scooted back down and onto the sill. She couldn’t see into the room. There seemed to be a partition or paneling of some kind in the way. She pushed her hand into the opening and was rewarded with the same invisible shield that banned her from the door. “What the hell?”

  Murphy made a move towards the window.

  “Stop!”

  He did and looked at her oddly.

  “Remember the door?” she said looking at him.

  He put his hand to his head and nodded.

  “If we can’t get in, maybe the boys will be able to get out,” she reasoned. “Let’s get some of Ted’s light disks up here and put them here and here. Maybe they’ll illuminate the exit through whatever is blocking it on the other side.”

  Mia turned around and descended the façade. When she got to the bottom, Dave shook his head at her. “What?” she challenged.

  “You are some kind of crazy.”

  “Guano loco?” she asked.

  “Muy,” Dave said and patted her on the back. They walked around the front and checked the side door, no change. Dave turned to Mia and told her, “I saw him. Manny.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “Yes,” he said earnestly. “He didn’t talk to me, and he wasn’t exactly, you know, like axe man. But he was Manny. I was hanging outside of the school smoking with the other addicted by the steam vent of the heating system. Great place to hide the smoke. I found it by following a teacher there one day. Cool guy, loaned me a ciggy.”

  Mia waited patiently. She knew everyone had a way of telling a story. Some got right to the point; others painted the backdrop before running the lines with you.

  “The lunch bell rang, and I had the place to myself. Out of the steam, I saw grayness. It didn’t really look like anything more than a column, a mass of thicker steam. It moved towards me, and as it did, an arm folded out. Then another, and as if he had his head folded up into his body, he raised it. It was all so two dimensional. I was freaked out. But I held on, and within seconds I was looking into the face of Manuel Ramirez.”

  Weighing her words carefully, Mia said, “He had quite a horrible end. He was killed by ghosts. I think this may be why he wasn’t whole.”

  “I don’t know, but it was just this side of horrible, but yet beautiful. He didn’t talk to me but pointed in the distance. He nodded and moved his eyes like he used to when he didn’t want to say goodbye, and then he was gone,” Dave’s voice broke. His eyes filled up. “
I haven’t seen him since. I think that was goodbye.”

  “How do you feel about it?”

  Dave angled his head and squinted. “What do you mean?”

  “Happy he’s moved on? Lonely?”

  Dave drew in a deep breath. “That’s it, lonely. I feel like a creep, but I want him to be here always. Even like a freaking cutout doll. I’m here alone dealing with Richie’s phobias. Protecting the kid, cuz he can’t even run anymore.”

  “Richie saved you, you owe him,” Mia said, knowing she took the unorthodox route.

  “I know. It’s just so hard being me, the walking freak show, as it is. Now it’s the freak couple. I wonder if they’re going to prom together?”

  “Is that what they’re saying?”

  “That and a whole lot of other shit. I can’t stay here, but I can’t leave Richie.”

  “Have you talked to Richie, maybe he wants to leave but is worried about you? Did you ever consider he may feel a responsibility for you because he saved your ass?”

  “That’s bizarre, kind of like a comic book reality or something. Twisted.”

  “Hey, I never said I was a role model,” Mia joked.

  “Nah, you didn’t. Good thing or I’d be more fucked up than I am right now.”

  “Thanks for the compliment.”

  “No problem.”

  They reached the truck, and Mia had him open the back. When the door was up, Dave asked, “What do we do now?”

  “Wait. I need some card-carrying adults here before I try to get into that building another way.”

  Dave looked at her. “There isn’t another way.”

  “Maybe not for you,” Mia said and climbed in the truck. “For now, we wait. You may want to get some shuteye, I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.”

  Chapter Five

  Cid stopped suddenly, causing Ted to walk into the back of him. “I’m getting the overwhelming scent of the sea. I noticed it when we first entered the building.”