“Bridgeton is supposed to be the person overseeing this type of thing,” Congressman Atwater said.
“When I was hired, I dealt with your law firm. The contract wasn’t specific to whom I was to contact if I ran into work that wasn’t on the list that I was given to complete. The only stipulation was that I, or my contractors, was not to disturb the ghosts in residence. This made it a very challenging project, especially when said ghosts started attacking my contractors. And possessing me.”
To give the man credit, Congressman Atwater frowned. He looked over at Miss Gee before asking Kiki, “Are you still possessed?”
“No.”
“That has never happened before,” Miss Gee acknowledged.
“I think your negative elemental has become stronger and more dangerous,” Alan said, just managing to keep the edge out of his voice.
“Negative elemental?” Atwater asked.
“I don’t think we need to play this game anymore,” Kiki said. “You have over a dozen men buried in the house. Men whose souls are feasted on by a negative elemental with the last name of Atwater.”
“You were not to investigate the building. That was in the contract,” Miss Gee said.
“We didn’t. Fortunately for us, one of your ghosts wrote a memoir. Unfortunately, he didn’t know which one of you Atwaters was killed. Are you August or are you Arnold the grandson?” Kiki asked. “Before you bring out the heritage demon in you, Miss Gee, we are aware that the congressman is a good man and don’t wish any harm to him or his reputation. We aren’t seeking any funds that aren’t mentioned in the contract.”
“Then why are you here?” Miss Gee asked.
“To inform you that you have a broken foundation that needs to be repaired this spring. We can patch it. I have contractors on site looking at it so we can give you an estimate.”
“All that could have been communicated on the phone,” Atwater said.
“Yes. But we ran into a few questions that we would like answered. They are just for our personal knowledge,” Alan said. “We will keep the information between the four of us.”
“I can make them take a walk across the lake…” Miss Gee said evenly. “No one will find their bodies until spring.”
“No! This is not who we are now,” Atwater stressed. “Ask your questions."
“Are you August or are you Arnold?” Alan asked.
“Who do you think I am?” Atwater challenged.
“Arnold,” Kiki said.
“Why do you think that is?” Atwater asked.
“Because we could find no evidence that the elder Atwater was a good person before you took over, Arnold.”
“You weren’t supposed to investigate!”
“We weren’t supposed to investigate the ghosts. No one said anything about you,” Alan said.
“I’m Arnold Atwater. I was the designated heir and sacrifice so August could continue. I have lived a full and satisfying life. I will not seek another lifetime.”
Miss Gee sniffled.
“Gee, I can’t live forever.”
“You can if you take over Bridgeton’s body as we discussed,” Miss Gee argued.
“No!” Arnold exclaimed. “I have so enjoyed these years with you, Gee, but I’m tired. Let me go.”
“I thought it was you who held Miss Gee captive,” Kiki said, tiptoeing around the heritage demon’s real name. Cid had stressed not to use the name Gadus. To do so would be reckless.
“No one owns me. I’m not bound to anyone. Not to August, not to Arnold.”
“I disagree,” Alan said in a soft voice. “I think you’re bound to Arnold because you love him. I think you fell in love with him all those years ago. You saved him from August, and in doing so…”
“Damned both of us,” Miss Gee finished.
“And the workers whose souls are imprisoned in Walnut Grove House,” Kiki said.
“It was necessary. Arnold didn’t want his grandfather to starve. Essential sacrifices,” Miss Gee said.
“We compensated their families, and I’ve worked hard to do good works to make up for it,” Arnold professed.
“I’m not going to judge you,” Alan said. “That’s not what we’re here for.”
Kiki thought a moment before apologizing, “Forgive me.”
Miss Gee looked at the pair. They shared attributes that Arnold had when she had protected him. To condemn them would make her personal sacrifice to save Arnold questionable.
“When was the last time you were at the house?” Alan asked.
“Years ago,” Arnold said. “I didn’t go in. I’ve never liked the house. I was only there long enough to receive the report from the custodian while Miss Gee made sure August was still contained.”
“He can exist beyond the house for hundreds of miles,” Kiki said. “If Alan didn’t drive over three rivers with iron bridges, I fear August would be with me still. And he left memories which took two priests to remove.”
“Why did you seek out the priests?” Miss Gee asked.
“So I could have my own mind back. Good old August took over my body in order to maintain control of the contractors and to kill one in particular. I had the wire in my hands. I fear I would have garroted the employee had I not been interrupted by another.”
“If you’re looking for a breach of contract,” Alan said, “I could find no clause in it that deals with self-preservation.”
“Thank you for this information,” Arnold said. “I will confer with Miss Gee about this new development. I’ll have Bridgeton look over the projects, and if he is satisfied with the work, then I’ll consider the job finished and you will be paid your bonus. I expect you to not speak of your experience to anyone not bound by this contract, your priests excluded.”
Kiki and Alan left the room.
Miss Gee went to the window.
“Did you know this was happening?” Arnold questioned her.
“No. I knew there was a possibility.”
“Are you in love with Bridgeton?” Arnold asked.
“How could you say that?”
