“That’s a lot of explosives,” Lazar commented. “It only took a tiny amount to blow up my vehicle. That amount would have killed you.”
“I’m already dead, so that wasn’t an issue, but I was blown into another dimension where I was alive. I could eat, drink, pee, poop, sleep, all the things I used to be able to do before I died.”
“Where?” Dieter questioned.
“It’s called the Ghost Ship Dimension or the GSD…” Murphy went on to describe being fished out of the ocean and being put to work. He described Mia’s arrival and his decision to stay. “All was fine until the new captain started to notice I was aging. So, Harley, the navigator, found a place for us to cross over that would put me near a ley line so I could travel home quickly.”
“And here you are,” Lazar said. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“Where are the little ones?” he asked.
“Still on the archeological dig with Mia’s parents and godfathers.”
“The fresh air will be good for them,” Murphy said. “Would you excuse me? I’d like to check out the farm. I’m concerned about the willows since the dry season has started.”
“Thanks for stopping in,” Lazar said and watched Murphy leave through the door.
“Who was that?” Dieter asked. “It was like talking to a stranger.”
“No emotions. No twinkle. Maybe this will come back in time, Dieter. Your mother said that the GSD sucked the highs and lows out of the ghosts’ emotions.”
“He talked about my mother as if she was nothing more than a taxi driver.”
“He could be holding things back, on account that you’re her son. Did I tell you who came to visit this morning?”
“No. I hope it wasn’t another Robo Murphy.”
“No, quite the opposite. Did your mother ever talk about Abigor…”
Dieter’s face became alarmed. “You do know who he is, don’t you?”
“The Grand Duke of Hades. He introduced himself. He was fishing for information.”
“He’s the creature my mother’s genes were developed and her nature was nurtured in order to be able to kill.”
“Mia doesn’t hold anything back, does she?”
“I ask a lot of questions and have learned to listen at doorways.”
“That’s not good manners, but I understand,” Lazar said. “I got the feeling that he was here against his will, investigating.”
“I think he likes my mother. You’ll get used to it. If the entities aren’t trying to kill her, it’s because they like her.”
Lazar laughed. “I like her.”
“Me too. Murphy used to like her too much. Now he’s a robot. Is this a good thing?”
“I don’t know.”
“Would you mind if I asked Roumain?”
“The King of Purgatory?” Lazar confirmed.
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure. I’m supposed to be watching you.”
“Then come along,” a deep buttery voice told him as time stopped around them.
Dieter looked at Lazar.
“Alright, I’m coming.”
“Welcome, Lazar,” Judge Roumain said, giving a hand to steady the veteran on the sandy shore.
“This is a beautiful place. I can’t believe this is anyone’s purgatory?”
“Maybe it’s mine,” Roumain sighed. He opened up his jacket and fanned his face.
“I love this place!” Dieter said, running down the edge of the beach, splashing water.
“His mother complains about it. I’m not sure she sees the beauty.”
“Mia?”
“Oh, you were thinking Dieter’s birth mother. I never had the opportunity to meet her.”
“Mia’s had a lot of forced island life recently,” Lazar said.
“Dieter!” Roumain called. “Didn’t you have a question to ask me?”
Dieter dropped the shell he was looking at and ran over. “Sorry. Murphy has returned. He’s like a robot. He has the emotions of a single-celled organism. His eyes used to twinkle when he talked about Mia. There is only the faintest of recognition. Not happy, not mad, nothing.”
“A victim of the Ghost Ship Dimension or a ghost keeping secrets?” Roumain wondered.
“Abigor was snooping around,” Lazar told Roumain.
Roumain nodded. “How was he?”
“Friendly but inquisitive. Did something happen in Hell that has radiating repercussions?”
“I wasn’t there. But they would not have allowed Mia to leave if they had a problem with her,” Roumain counseled. “I understand she saved their butts. This demon-with-no-name, aka Ruax, was a mind reader before he was a mind eater. He had dirt on most of the generals and Altair. Maybe he is looking to see if Mia was told anything?” he offered. “Dirty little secrets are great leverage in Hell.”
“And my mother’s stuck in the middle, again. How can one person have so many problems?” Dieter asked Roumain.
“Mia doesn’t cause most of her problems,” Roumain said. “She attracts powerful creatures, men, and women. Her blind acceptance of each entity endears her to a lot of us. She, also, is a very dangerous person in her own right.”
“You wouldn’t think so now,” Lazar said. “She’s timid, sad, and waiting…” He stooped down and scooped up some sand and brought it to the light. “I’ve seen this sand before…”
“Do you think she’s waiting for Murphy?” Dieter asked.
“Not in the way you think,” Roumain said. “I would feel better if I knew he was going to stay and have her back. Right now, she’s a target. She killed the most dangerous fallen aside from Abigor and Lucifer. She received a reward for this service, and she says she’s already used it. She is worried that the big secret is going to come out, so she is waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’s worried that Abigor is going to discover it.”
“We can’t let that happen,” Lazar said.
“You’re right. I have done all I can to help her. Any more, she will look guilty of whatever she has done.”
“So, we should forget it,” Dieter said. “Give Murphy time to get used to being back, and maybe give him a few nudges in the right direction.”
“That’s very wise.”
