“How horrible,” Faye said.
“Let’s put that behind us for tonight,” Jon said. “Tonight, we want to hear all about you, Faye.”
“My story is an incomplete one. I can tell you my activities since finding my way out of the well, but alas, my life is a mystery.”
“How sad,” Blue Daniel said. “Tell us of your exploits.”
“Well, at first I thought I was being robbed of my emerald pin…” Faye began.
Jon and Blue Daniel were captivated by Faye’s adventures. They also were beginning to form an opinion on Cid Garrett and the other contractors.
“Stephen Murphy?” Jon asked when he first heard the ghost’s name. “There are a lot of Murphys in the old country.”
“His father’s mother is a Callen if it narrows things down.”
“Farmers. They were farmers,” Blue Daniel said. “Most had a bit of a problem with alcohol.”
“And how would you know that?” Faye asked amazed.
“I was taught by the holy fathers,” Blue Daniel said. “I was underfoot when things like this were discussed.”
“I’m very envious of your memory. Do you know how you died?”
“Yes. But the circumstances are still not completely clear,” Blue Daniel admitted.
Faye nodded sadly.
“I remember lips upon mine, and hands holding my head still, and fingers holding my nose closed. The lips sucked the air out of my lungs, and when I had no more air to expel, the sucking didn’t cease until I felt my lungs wither in my chest. Only then was I released. As the light faded, I felt my head hit the floor. That was it until I woke up in this state.”
“How horrible,” Faye said. “I could see you died from lack of air, but that is probably the most horrendous death. Did you know who did this to you?”
“I think it wasn’t a who but a what. The same what that took Jon’s heart.”
“There is a consensus among those who are helping us that dark magic is involved,” Faye said.
“I would agree,” Daniel said.
“Your book is being read and taken most seriously,” Faye reported.
Daniel allowed himself a moment of hope.
“The woman reading it mentioned to me that it’s written scholarly and in a style that gives her insight into the caliber of the man writing it.”
Jon angled his head and looked at Daniel. “See, all those hours were not a waste.”
“You said they were,” Blue Daniel reminded Jon.
“I was wrong, I’m sorry,” Jon said.
“Tell me about the woman reading it,” Blue Daniel asked Faye.
“She’s the woman who stood between you and Cid. I’ve only just met her, but she is a veteran, a former foot soldier,” Faye said, pointing to the pawns on the chessboard. “She was injured and suffers a nerve disorder because of it.”
“That is most unfortunate. Wars should never happen,” Blue Daniel said.
“I agree,” Faye said.
“I hope that my account will not bring back the horrors she has escaped,” Blue Daniel worried.
“If it does, I expect Cid will help her.”
Chapter Fourteen
Sally slid out of her room and gathered her things, including the book, before leaving the trailer. The sun was just cresting the eastern hills when she opened the door and climbed the stairs. She listened, and aside from the chorus of snoring men, there were no other sounds. She put a breakfast together that would keep for a few hours. She wasn’t sure exactly when the crew had finished for the night, but she knew it was late. The aroma of coffee brewing seemed to enliven her step. She rolled out some sweet rolls before she got off her feet and looked at her notes from the evening before.
There, nestled next to her bookmark, was a note.
Dear Sally,
Have a good morning. I will enjoy speaking with you about the book when I can put two good brain cells together. Jesse thinks I will have to order at least one brain cell from the internet.
Love,
Cid
Sally smiled. She was just about ready to continue to read when she heard a footfall. Carl stood there sleepily in the doorway.
“Well, it looks like you’ve forgotten where you put your teddy bear,” Sally said.
“I’m just checking in. You look well.”
“I think I’m the only one who has gotten a full night’s sleep,” she commented.
Carl fumbled along the counter and secured himself a mug.
Sally poured him a cup of coffee and one for herself. “Sit.”
Carl did as he was told.
“Tell me about your night,” she pressed.
“I’ve never seen anything like it. We worked like a well-oiled machine. No egos, even though each of us is a master at our craft.”
“You have a common goal.”
“Yes, get this job behind us,” Carl said. “How are things with you?”
“And he casts his line into the water…” Sally said.
“Yes, I’m fishing. Cid was very happy. Too happy.”
“That is none of your business.”
“Do you like him?”
“Very much. I know it’s too soon, and my head says one thing, but the rest of me says another. When we are through here, I’ve decided to go to Big Bear Lake for a while.”
Carl lifted an eyebrow.
“It’s not what you think. There is a veterans facility that Cid has some pull with. Sarah Leighton is a family friend. I’d like to try some therapy for my PTSD. I had another spell…”
“I know, I saw.”
“It’s the first time I let anyone touch me during one,” Sally said. “I’m thinking this is a good sign.”
“I’m thinking it’s the man who was touching you,” Carl said. “I can’t protect you forever, and I have no warnings to give you, except, please understand that, like we all, Cid isn’t perfect. He will make mistakes. He thinks with his heart, and sometimes, he’s very slow in making up his mind.”
“He’s worth waiting for.”
“He’ll never be a rich man.”
“I’m
