“That may be pushing it.”
“Then we’re off to Best Buy. But first, I’m going to see if I can reserve a room so we can actually speak above a whisper while we’re working.”
“You’re amazing,” Kiki said.
Alan smiled.
“I’m going outside to call Cid to tell him that I’m spending a day…” she looked at the drawer and corrected… “two days at the library. It’ll piss him off.”
“That’ll fix him. That man loves his libraries.”
Cid picked up his phone from where he was mending a section of carved wood cornice. “Kiki, let me walk outside… There, I can hear you better. What’s up?”
Kiki explained what she and Alan were going to do.
“Really? And you’re telling me instead of Wayne because you want to rub it in.”
“Exactly.”
“Do you need Sally or me to drive your truck over with some clothes?”
“Nope, going to buy local, eat local, sleep local. I hear the hotel puts on the high thread count sheets in the expensive rooms.”
“PEEPs is lucky to give me room to unroll my sleeping bag. You know I can hear you smiling,” Cid lied.
“Mind telling me how things are going?” Kiki asked.
“Wayne’s in charge. We finished the media room. We’re going to move on and tackle the three bathrooms since they are on the same floor. We’re going to split up and have two of us per bathroom.”
“Good idea.”
“It’s Wayne’s idea. He gave me and Jesse the bathroom with the least amount of tile work to do. Evidently, Jesse uses too much grout.”
“He does,” Kiki agreed. “He slabs it on, and cleanup takes twice as long as any of the other guys.”
“I’ll remember that,” Cid said.
“Cid, could you do me a favor?”
“Sure, what?”
“Could you smooth things over with Audrey? I’m not sure I was nice when I told her I didn’t need her services, and now I do.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Shall I call you…”
“No, have her call me if she’s still interested in doing research.”
“Will do. Audrey has had to work with grumpy Burt, impatient Mia, and pedantic me. You’ll find she’s very professional and forgiving.”
“Phew, that just took some stress away. Alan’s here. We’re going to find the car and then check into the hotel.”
“I’ll tell Wayne not to expect you for a few days.”
“He can call me anytime if he has a problem or if Bridgeton Atwater shows up.”
“I’ll give him the information immediately. Boss…”
“Yes?”
“Have a great time.”
“I will, Cid,” she said and hung up.
Cid walked back into the workshop. Work stopped, and he raised his hands up. Where all the jocks understood it as the sign for touchdown, nerdy Cid used it as the victory symbol. “She’s gone for a couple of days.” He looked around, and Faye nodded it was clear. “Kiki found a library with a card catalog full of Atwater information. Alan suggested they investigate it together. She’s going to spend time in the city doing just that.”
“Does she know that she was possessed?”
“I don’t think so. If Kiki knew a ghost had taken advantage of her, she’d be back pronto with her fists raised ready to have some one-on-one time with the creature,” Cid said.
“Is Alan going to tell her?” Wayne asked.
“That’s up to him. He’s there - losing revenue - making sure the love of his life is safe from herself. I say, until Father Santos has a solution, then let Alan make the hard decisions,” Cid said. “Am I wrong?”
“What if it were me?” Sally asked from the doorway.
“I would tell you,” Cid promised.
“Good.” Sally looked at the others. “Gentlemen, to celebrate the possessed cat being away, we’re having a big poker night in the common room. Cid, you may have to sit this one out unless you’ve gone to the bank.”
“Ted sent me my allowance,” Cid lied.
“Good. Any takers?”
“I’m in,” Jesse said.
“I’ll be bartender,” Pete said. “My wife monitors my debit card.”
The other three contractors were in.
“Next question. What do you want to eat? I know, no food on the card table, but how about before, and to nibble on whilst I take your money?”
“Sliders,” Jesse said.
“I can do sliders. Sides?”
“Is it too late for potato salad?” Carl asked. “She makes the best potato salad.”
“I already boiled the potatoes,” Sally told them. She enjoyed seeing the stress melt off the men. “I’ll handle all the cooking. Pete, give me a list of what you need to get these guys drunk so I can take their money.”
He drew out his notebook and jotted down a few things. He handed it to Sally.
“Looks good, now get back to work,” Sally said leaving them.
Carl looked at Cid. “That’s her on a mild day.”
Chapter Twelve
Faye couldn’t stand the screaming. She moved to the house and witnessed the horror of a ghost feeding off one of the beasts from below stairs. It was gross, and it was unholy. She retreated quickly to Jesse’s trailer. She opened the box containing the emerald and drew as much power as she could stand. She smiled when she saw something that gave her an idea. Faye pulled on two oven mitts before she gathered some of Cid’s possessions and walked out the trailer and moved over to the house. Carrying the tangible items meant she had to open the door physically to get into the house. She wasn’t used to turning knobs, let alone with a mitted hand, but she managed.
She sought out Jon. When she found him in the east sitting room, he was barely able to function.
“He’s coming for me, Faye. It’s just me and Blue Daniel left. We’re always last because he needs the most strength
