“Basically, he said that the elemental promised that if they killed the men working on the house, they would be released. They tried, but they are not killers. The elemental, however, is a killer,” Cid told Faye and Jesse.
Salvatore pointed to either side of his head and shook it, saying, “Pazzo.”
“Salvatore just warned us that he is the sanest of the bunch,” Blue Daniel said.
“Ask him if we can see the artisan with their work so we can admire it and ask questions,” Jesse asked.
Salvatore listened. He seemed in deep thought. He warned, “Pericolosi.” Then he relented, “Mezzogiorno.”
“He warns us that it is dangerous, but tomorrow at noon would be best,” Cid said.
“Grazie,” Jesse said.
Salvatore disappeared.
“I think you should leave,” Jon said, looking at the shadows around them. “They have heard you and understand that tomorrow at noon they will get to show their work to you and the other builders.”
Cid and Jesse turn to leave. Jesse turned back around and teased, “Faye, don’t stay out too late.”
“Oh you!”
~
Kiki was having trouble sleeping. Each time she closed her eyes, she saw something she couldn’t explain. Being a practical woman, she tried to reason it away, and soon she could close her eyes without the horror, but she could not get her brain to shut off. She slid out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweats and eased herself out of the hotel room. She walked down and entered the abandoned business suite. Kiki pulled out her phone and dialed.
“Hello?” answered a very sleepy Cid.
“It’s Kiki.”
“That’s what the phone says. Are you okay?”
“Cid, is it possible to retain the memories of the entity who possessed you?”
“Honestly, I don’t know? I’ll be speaking with Father Santos in the morning. I’ll ask him. Why?”
“I’m seeing snatches of a ceremony when I close my eyes. The floor is the same as the one we’re converting into a media room, but I know it’s not in Walnut Grove House. The light coming in the windows is all wrong, and the furnishings aren’t the same era. A lot of horsehair.”
“It does seem you’ve retained some of the elemental’s memories. It brings into question, could the negative elemental be August and not Arnold?”
“I didn’t know that it could be either,” Kiki said.
“It’s a new theory I’ve been working on. Let me tell you about the account one of the ghosts wrote after the fact.” Cid went on to tell Kiki about Daniel’s story and also about communicating with the Italian workman hours before.
“I think it’s time we had a three-way with Father Santos.”
“I beg your pardon?” Cid squeaked. “You are talking about a conference call.”
“Yes. Oh!” Kiki giggled. “What does Mia say, oh yes, embarrassment factor twelve!”
“I want to communicate with more of the workmen before I feel that I can make more of an educated guess. Let’s try to set up a conference call for three in the afternoon.”
“Sounds good to me. Alan and I are finished here, but I’m going to go back to Chicago with him. We should be there in his office by then.”
“You’re very wise to stay away. Also, it would be a good idea to have Father Santos look you over. Ask him to show you how to close the door in your mind so something else doesn’t wander in, in the meantime.”
“Great, now I’m going to have nightmares,” Kiki complained.
“Glad to be of service,” Cid said wryly. “Goodbye.”
Kiki walked back to her room and entered to find a half-dressed, very upset Alan.
“Where were you?”
“I made a phone call. I went down to the business suite. I didn’t want to wake you up. I’m sorry, I should have left a note.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Alan said, walking over and picking her up in his arms. “I probably wouldn’t have seen the note. I’m a big goof.”
“You’re my big goof. Where did you think I was?”
“On your way to let the negative elemental out of the safe to challenge it to a fight.”
“You have a spectacular imagination. My skill set isn’t up for a demon/damsel duel. Unless it’s caulking guns at ten feet.”
Alan nuzzled her neck. “I’m going to make sure I put my caulk out of harm’s reach.”
“C A U L K?” Kiki confirmed.
“Why yes, what were you thinking?” Alan asked slyly.
“I’m not the best for word usage tonight. Instead of requesting a conference call, I asked Cid for a three-way with Father Santos.”
Alan’s eyes opened wide. “I’m going to Hell for the picture that just flashed into my mind.”
Kiki gave him a little dirty laugh. “Cid was rather surprised.”
“I bet he was,” Alan said. “Before I get caulk-blocked by further speculation, I’m going to make you forget a three-way was ever mentioned.”
“Ooh la la.”
Chapter Nineteen
Just after ten, Sally walked into the dining hall. She had just finished with her physical and was hungry. Sally was assured that if they weren’t serving a meal, there would be snacks or sandwiches available. She approached the serving counter and found fruit and a selection of healthy-looking cookies. Also, there was a small cooler with wrapped sandwiches inside. The sandwiches weren’t labeled. Sally couldn’t tell if they were tuna fish or chicken salad.
“What’s holding up the line?” a very large, scrubs-wearing man asked.
Sally looked behind the man and asked, “What line?”
He turned around. “Gee, I must have lost my entourage. I’m Tub. I have a name, but we’ll have to save that for our second date.”
“Contemplating sniffing wrapped sandwiches does not constitute a date,” Sally said. “I’m Sally Wright, and I’m in a serious relationship.”
“All the good ones are,” Tub complained.
“Plus, I’m a patient.”
Tub raised his hands and backed away.
Sally couldn’t help laughing.
“Tub, are you hitting on the