Father Santos sat down next to Cid on the steps. “It isn’t often we get a peek into the pasts of working men. Histories are written to laud the rich and famous. But it was these men who built this country.”
“How are you getting along with the…”
“Eye-talians?” Father Santos filled in with mirth in his eyes. “Slowly. First, it’s my being Spanish that they object to. Then there’s the issue with Father Simon. They called him a pirate at one point.”
“But they had no issue with you not being in vestments?”
“No. But by the time we were really communicating, we were interrupted by Jesse’s little adventure, so we haven’t given anyone last rites yet.”
“It was almost his last adventure. Fortunately, Murphy was there to restart his heart.”
“I wonder what the repercussions will be…” Father Santos mused.
“Stephen saved Tom Braverman that way, and now Braverman sees ghosts,” Cid said. “Ted said that Murphy saved Mia twice this way. The second time, Mia woke up and asked if he’d mind removing his hand from her chest.”
“I used to mind her irreverence, now I just smile,” Father Santos said. “Stephen’s a lot of things, but today he was a miracle. I’m glad I asked him to come along.”
“So you asked him. It wasn’t Mia sending him?”
“No, I’ve been the only one besides yourself in contact with Mia. Murphy was helping Ethan clear off the truck when we arrived. We spoke a few minutes, sharing information. I wanted to pick his brain about negative elementals. I asked him to come down to help. I hope you don’t mind.”
“He saved Jesse and, I suspect, my bacon out there on the ice.”
“I thought that ghosts weren’t fond of moving water,” Father Santos said.
“Maybe the ice helped, or he was motivated. Can you imagine him explaining to Mia how he lost me and Jesse because he didn’t want to get his feet wet?”
“The scorn of a good woman is a powerful motivator. Not that it has worked with me.”
“Well, you have a different power to answer to.”
“Stephen mentioned that you have a sweetheart,” Santos probed.
“Her name is Sally Wright, and she’s Carl’s foster sister. I can’t explain it, but the moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one.”
“Physical attraction can be a tricky thing,” warned Santos.
“Being with her just increased my ardor. Ted always said, when the right one comes along, you know instantly.”
“Ted the scientist?” Santos confirmed.
“Yes.”
“The man who is convinced a spaceship is going to pick him up when he dies.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll remind him of this next time we have an argument about faith,” Santos said. “Tell me about Sally.”
“She is sweet, kind and stubborn. We have cooking and reading in common. She was in the Army and suffers from PTSD. Right now, she’s getting help in the Leighton rehab facility.”
“That where Stephen said he’d met her. He said she was a beautiful person who wasn’t judgmental.”
“I envy he’s had all those conversations with her.”
“Do you trust Sally to know her heart?” Santos asked.
“Yes.”
“Then don’t worry about Stephen. He’s just being a good friend.”
Murphy moved over to the men. “Excuse me, Father, I think there is something in the woods that you should see before we lose the light of day.”
“I would feel better if Father Simon were with us.”
“Will I do?” Carl asked walking up. “I wasn’t raised in the faith but attended Catholic school.”
Father Santos looked at the size of the man and nodded. “I think you will serve the Lord well with your brawn.”
Murphy manifested fully so Carl could see him. Gary, who was with Pete in the hall, whistled and said, “Look at the size of the axe he is carrying.”
“He cracked the lake open with it,” Pete said. “I only saw the ice break away, but I imagine it was something to see.”
Murphy fidgeted.
“Don’t embarrass the ghost. Anyone can see he’s a humble man,” Carl scolded.
Father Santos got up and said under his breath, “Stephen, your secret is safe with me. Lead the way.”
After the three had left, Faye moved to Cid. “What did the priest mean by Murphy’s secret was safe with him?”
“Stephen isn’t humble. You should hear him and Mia talk about each’s conquests in battle. He can keep up with an archangel.”
“Archangels battle?” Faye questioned.
“They fight for us, Faye. But when called upon, Stephen fights harder.”
Chapter Twenty-five
Murphy took the time to let the energy from the trees refuel him. He moved slowly as to not rush the priest and the burly contractor. He listened to the harmonics of nature. It was quieter in the winter, but it was still there. Under the snow, things were getting ready to sprout. The limbs of the trees moved nutrients through the twigs to the tight buds that awaited the coming spring. The young pines that had infiltrated the walnut grove shook off the snow from their boughs. Murphy could hear the wind as it swirled between the trees, kicking up little whirlwinds of late-falling leaves.
Carl and Father Santos moved at a steady pace until they reached the old clearing. There were standing stones not much taller than gravestones set in a circle. Murphy moved the standing snow to show them the four vaults.
“Under each slab is a wooden box that doesn’t rot,” Murphy said. “Inside is what is left of a man who is chained with iron chains and has a black crystal in his mouth. All the skulls are open in the back as if bashed in with an iron spike or maybe the head of a hammer.”
Father Santos brushed off the standing stones and studied what remained of the carvings.
“It’s warm here,” Carl said, unbuttoning his coat.
“It’s not warm, you
