“Are you sure you want to trust your home to a kid?”
“Burt and Tom said they would be stopping by. I think it will be good for Ethan. Mia trusts him, and that’s good enough for me.”
“I don’t know why you have to take Jake with you?”
“Mia wants him to integrate himself into the sanctuary’s security system. If she’s going to stand a chance of selling the idea of building a sanctuary here like die Zuflucht to the Brotherhood of the Wing, she needs proof that it can be protected from prying eyes.”
“So, this isn’t just a pleasure trip.”
“No. But it will get us all away together. We’ll show off the kids, bond with family, gather intel, and come back ready for our next adventure.”
“You’re brave to make a trip with five kids…”
“Six, Mark is taking your spot.”
“Two teenagers and four kids under six. I don’t think you should be as concerned with getting all your luggage there in one piece as keeping track of your tribe.”
“I wanted to put trackers on them, and I almost had Nanny on my side, but Mia said no.”
“Maybe if you hadn’t insisted that dog trackers would be just fine.”
“Varden was very keen because his collar would have had little bones on it.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t suggest implanting RFID transponder chips.”
“Mia would have skinned me alive.”
“So that’s why she asked to borrow my filet knife,” Cid teased.
“When do you have to be on the job?” Ted asked.
“Kiki wants us there the day after tomorrow. I’m going to wait for Jessie, and we’ll drive in together. He’s offered to put me up in his fifth wheel instead of us having to bunk in the carriage house with the rest. He said he didn’t have fond memories of dorm life and felt the less he saw of Gut, Walrus, What the Fuck, and Holy Shit the better. He told me, ‘It’s not just their looks, it’s the smell.’”
Ted imagined two grown men alone in a fifth wheel would be worse but kept his mouth shut. “Couldn’t you stay in the mansion?”
“It’s haunted. That’s the reason we’re getting the job and being paid a premium. I’m going to make more in two weeks than I did the whole of last year.”
“Someone has deep pockets.”
“I not sure why exactly but the homeowner needs to be installed in this house by March,” Cid said. “Kiki said she’d give us the lowdown when we got there. Meanwhile, I have to purchase the standard ghost deterrents for everyone. Mia gave me a list. Tom gave me the little iron-ball shooting pistol he frisked off Whitney before he left.”
“Careful with that. It will seriously hurt a live being. What reason did Tom give Whit for taking it?”
“Tom was sheriff and the gun was unlicensed in his county. He was going to give it to Mia for her birthday but thought better of it. He licensed it to me as a hobby gun. Mia doesn’t like guns. Although, she’s quite a good shot with the sawed-off shotgun that we load with rock salt. You better take that too,” Ted said, walking over to the wall safe.
“I think that may be overkill.”
“When the house is haunted is brought up in the first sentence, then we’re not talking white ladies drifting down staircases,” Ted said. “Have Audrey do some research on the property before you leave.”
“Already requested. Kiki’s paying her,” Cid said, taking the shotgun from Ted. He looked down the scope.
“Its aim is off. If you want dead center, aim a little right and a little down from where you want the spray of rock salt to land,” Mia said, walking into the garage.
Cid nodded and placed the weapon on the workbench. “This is the last resort. There is very expensive rare wallpaper on those walls.”
“If it’s between your life and bloody wallpaper…” Mia started.
“The wallpaper goes,” Cid promised. He leaned down and hugged Ted’s wife. “No getting used to all that French cuisine and bringing back a French chef. That kitchen is mine.”
Mia released him. “There is no replacing you - Lazar in a heartbeat, but never you.” Mia turned to Ted. “The kids are ready and waiting for us to pick them up at the house. Nanny has her best hat on. Lazar is still trying to weasel out of the trip.”
“I’ll load Jake into the laptop, and I’ll be ready,” Ted said and walked into the office.
“I’ll pull the SUV around and start loading the kids,” Cid said.
“Thanks for taking us to the airport,” Mia said. “We would have had to rent a bus to get this crew there in one vehicle.”
“Next question. Do you want the SUV or the truck to sit there at the airport?”
“Neither. Ethan is coming along to bring back the SUV.”
“Who’s going to watch this place while…”
“I am,” Murphy said, materializing beside them.
“Well, that’s sorted,” Cid said eyeing the ghost. “Jesse may arrive while I’m gone.”
Murphy grinned wickedly.
“Try not to scare him until I get back so I can get pictures of it,” Cid said.
“Give Jesse our best,” Mia said to Cid. She turned to Murphy. “Maybe save the clown face you have been practicing for when he and Cid return from this job.”
This was the first time he saw Murphy pout.
Mia softened. “Remember, I’m counting on you to help Ethan. You were my savior and have shared good words when I needed them. Maybe
