Miss Gee looked at Arnold. “Do you want to confront him here in the hall or in the - what is he calling it these days…”
“Media room,” Cid supplied.
“No, in the library,” Arnold said. “Mr. Garrett, you may bring your priest.”
“Father Santos is his own man,” Cid said.
“Oh, I was talking about the other priest lurking in the shadows.”
“I guess this is my cue to enter,” Father Simon said.
“Congressman, Miss Gee, may I introduce good friends of mine, Father Santos and Father Simon.”
The congressman reached out his hand and shook the priests’ hands. Miss Gee just glared.
Father Santos looked at Gadus who said, “You really are out of your depth here. I suggest you go back to where you peddle your indulgences.”
“I assure you that is no longer so,” Father Santos snapped.
“I seem to have hit a nerve,” Miss Gee said.
“Excuse me. But if the two of you could put aside your vast differences for a moment and concentrate on what is about to walk in the door,” Cid warned.
Faye manifested. “Bridgeton is staring at the pieces of broken jar you left on the steps.”
“Is it at all possible that he isn’t aware of his actions?” Cid asked.
Miss Gee looked back at Cid and shrugged. “Possession isn’t my thing.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Jesse ducked behind an arborvitae seconds before Kiki and Alan rounded the house. Prior to that, he only missed being seen by Bridgeton because the uber driver was wary of driving into a private drive with a guy who was obviously wearing someone else’s clothes and dropped him off at the gate. Jesse walked in, sticking to the grove side of the house.
The only thing going for you right now, thought Jesse, is that Wayne and I have the same boot size.
“Am I going to have to cut you out of the ice again?”
Jesse jumped and clutched his chest with one hand. He whirled around, and Murphy was standing there with his axe on his shoulder. He looked different to Jesse, more solid. He reached out to touch the ghost.
Murphy let himself be solid. He felt the light push of the contractor’s fingers upon his chest. “Why are you here?” Murphy asked.
“I escaped the hospital. They were going to put me through all these tests because there is a very suspicious bruise around my heart.”
“Hand shaped?” Murphy asked.
“Yes. I feel that is between you and me.”
“Mia’s bruise isn’t there anymore.”
“She doesn’t need it because you are in her heart, old man,” Jesse said. “Thank you for saving my life.”
“Why were you out there on the ice?”
“Keys. Bridgeton was going to toss the keys into the water.”
“Cid used these keys to release spirits in the walnut grove.”
“Please, tell me more,” Jesse asked.
Murphy did so, and the contractor scratched his beard. “I guess Father Santos knows what he’s doing…”
“I don’t think he does,” Murphy said, crossing his arms. “Mia would know, but she’s far away.”
“I don’t have my phone. It was lost in the lake,” Jesse explained.
“We will have to muddle through without her then,” Murphy said, his eyes twinkling. “Maybe you can think like her.”
“I’ll try.”
“Say whatever comes to your mind when I present an idea.”
“I can do that.”
“I think that we should get the keys and unlock the boxes in the attic before Arnold confronts Bridgeton.”
“I agree.”
“Mia doesn’t agree right away. If I’m wrong, she calls me a dumb farmer. But if I’m right, she makes me earn it.”
“Well, Stephen, I don’t know…” Jesse said. “Let’s try it your way and see how far it goes.”
“Much better,” Murphy said, picking up his axe.
“I know a back way into the attic. I was responsible for examining the structure, and I found an opening from one of the wings into the main attic. I’ll climb to the attic. You bring the keys.”
“If someone else brings you the keys, it’s important you open the north box first, then the south, east, and finally west,” Murphy said and disappeared.
Jesse ran across the courtyard and let himself in the old servants’ entrance.
Cid watched as Bridgeton walked into the entrance hall. He didn’t immediately acknowledge Cid. He looked around first and said without making eye contact, “Are you aware there is broken glass on the porch? I wonder if my uncle knows how sloppy you contractors are?”
“You could ask him yourself. He’s in the library.”
“I thought I recognized the driver. The car is new though…” Bridgeton said distracted. “Why are you standing around?”
“I’m here to answer any questions you may have.”
“Not dressed like that,” Bridgeton sniffed, looking at the ill-fitting work clothes. “Go and change into something more appropriate for a business meeting. If you see my uncle, tell him I’ll be checking out the foundation problem.” Bridgeton walked down the hall in the direction of the kitchen and the entrance to the basement.
“I need keys,” Murphy whispered behind Cid.
“They are iron keys. You can’t touch them.”
“I have someone who can turn them.”
Cid pulled the prayer beads, from which the keys still were attached, from his neck. “Hold on to them from the beads. Remember, you won’t be able to travel like a ghost.”
“I think I can remember how to climb a stair,” Murphy said, pushing his hat back.
Cid waited until Murphy had made the second flight of stairs before calling out, “Faye!”
Faye appeared.
“Be aware that Bridgeton is in the house, and I fear August has gone to feed.”
“I’ll warn the others,” she said and disappeared.
Cid walked quickly to the library. He opened the door slightly and slid inside. “Bridgeton is headed to the basement.”
“August is feeding then,” Miss Gee said. “This gives us time, but also handicaps us. He will be strong, and Arnold grows weaker by the minute.”
Cid looked over at the congressman who was sitting
