CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Did you guys find anything?” asked Hex standing over the table of items. They’d brought back three boxes of things found inside the shack of Casimir Costello.
“Hardly anything,” said Torro. “We were thinking we’d fix that place up like he planned to do. Maybe the owner will let others that are down on their luck stay there.”
“Let’s do it,” nodded Hex.
The team drove the short-distance to the shack, calling the owner while they drove so he could meet them there. He was thrilled with the idea of securing the small space for others that might need a helping hand.
The small little place was only about seven-hundred square feet but it was enough for one man or woman to get back on their feet. Grant sent two men from his team to ensure the foundation was solid and they were relieved to hear that it was. Shocked. But relieved.
“Let’s shore up the walls and ceiling, then we can work on the roof,” said Tommy, from Grant’s team.
They watched the men work, much faster than they could have and then Tommy walked out with something in his hand.
“What’s that?”
“A bible. It was hidden under the sink,” he said. “It must have been important to him.”
Chase took the bible, tucking it into the backseat of their car. He’d look through it for any clues as to why it was so important to hide later. When the walls and ceiling were solid, straight, and secure, the men attacked the roof, replacing it in less than five hours.
“Well, that’s a great place to start,” said Hex. His phone rang and he looked down at the number. “Hello?”
“Yes, is this Legacy Security? This is Tamara Costello.”
“Mrs. Costello, thank you for returning my call. I’m sorry for your family’s loss.”
“Yes. Thank you for that. I don’t understand it but thank you. The kids are obviously struggling but we’re seeing a family counselor and doing all the right things, I think.”
“Mrs. Costello -.”
“Tamara.”
“Tamara. We understand that you met with your husband at a diner across the street from a lumber yard where he was interviewing. Can you tell us anything about that exchange?”
“Y-yes,” she stammered. “I’m sorry, it’s still very emotional for me.
Casimir called and said he had a promising interview and he wanted to take me and the kids to lunch.
We were in town because we were moving permanently out of the city and I had some things to tie up.
I also wanted the children to see their father before we left.
I didn’t have the heart to tell him on the phone so I agreed. ”
“Tell him what on the phone?” asked Hex.
“That I was determined to proceed with the divorce and the kids and I would be moving to Ohio to be closer to family.”
“I see. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s not your fault. In many ways, it wasn’t Casimir’s fault.
He just couldn’t seem to get his feet beneath him.
Every time he started a new job, it never lasted.
He was working hard, doing what they asked but it was never enough.
I know I shouldn’t have judged him for that but we needed an income coming into the house and he refused to allow me to work outside the home.
He was a very proud man but pride doesn’t pay the bills.
Plus, he’d go to work for a company, get moving and feeling good and there would be massive layoffs.
It just wasn’t fair and it wasn’t his fault. It’s the economy.”
“I understand,” said Hex. “So, when he told you that he had the job, it didn’t matter to you?”
“It mattered. He’d be able to help with the kids and come and visit them. I told him that. I just couldn’t do the up and down any longer. He said it was a good job, a great job, but I’d heard that before.”
“Did he say anything else?” asked Hex.
“He said he had other good news for me and that I should stick around for a while, hold off on going to Ohio. But I couldn’t. Our things were packed and we were headed out.”
“I’m sorry about all of this,” said Hex. He couldn’t blame her and he didn’t know how to blame anyone. Yet something was holding Casimir to this place. “Do you and the children need any help?”
“Thank you, but we’re fine. We’re staying with my parents until I can find something.”
“Alright. Well, I wish you the best,” said Hex.
When the call was done, he looked toward the small shack, now standing straight with a new metal roof and a fresh coat of paint going on it. Hovering to the right was the ghost of Casimir Costello not looking any happier than he had the last time they saw him.
“This fucking sucks,” said Torro. “How do we make this right for him?”
“Brother, I’m not sure but I’m not about to give up.”
With darkness settling in, they returned to Belle Fleur for the evening. They’d return to the small house, no longer a shack, the next day and try to make it a beautiful little home for someone.
“What’s that?” asked Eric.
“Costello’s bible,” said Hex setting it on the table. “It was hidden under the sink.”
“Hidden? A man doesn’t hide a bible unless there’s something of value inside it.”
Hex turned the bible upside down, shaking the spine, the pages flipping to and fro. When a slip of paper fell out, they all gasped.
“Is that…” whispered Hex.
“Yep. A fucking lottery ticket. Check the date and winning numbers,” he said handing it to AJ. It took AJ only seconds. He held the ticket up, his hands shaking.
“It’s a winner. Seven million dollars.”
The image of Casimir Costello appeared in front of them. Suddenly, his silent cries were loud and floating through the trees. They could hear his heart cracking with the information now known, said aloud.
“It’s alright, Casimir. We’ll make sure that your wife gets the money. Your children will be taken care of. They won’t have to worry about anything,” said Hex.
“S-sorry,” he whispered. “Tell them I’m sorry and that I love them. I was just so sad to know they would be far away and I couldn’t do anything.”
“Casimir, the world was going your way son,” said Hex. “Why kill yourself?”
“I couldn’t live without them. I just couldn’t and I knew that someone would find that ticket and make sure they got the money. You will give them the money, won’t you?”
“We will, son,” said Hex with a sad expression.
Matthew suddenly appeared, surrounded by his warmth and golden light. He smiled at the man, reaching his hand out to him.
“It’s time, if you’re ready, Casimir. My boys will take care of your family for you.” He nodded, turning to the men.
“I shouldn’t have done it. I know that and I’m sorry for them. I just wanted my family back.”
“It’s alright, Casimir. They’ll be alright,” said Hex.
In a fading orb of golden light, Matthew and Casimir disappeared and the heaviness that was once on their chests was suddenly gone.
“What now?” asked Torro. Hex smirked at the two men.
“How about the three of us make a trip to Ohio?”
“This isn’t real,” whispered Tamara.
“I assure you, ma’am, it is,” said Torro. “We’ve double checked the numbers. One thing that Casimir did for you was that he didn’t sign the ticket. If he had, you’d have a long legal battle. You need to sign that ticket and take it to your state’s lottery office.”
“I don’t have to go to Louisiana?” she asked, the ticket shaking in her hands.
“No. It was a national lottery game. You and your children are set for life if you’re careful with the money.”
She stared at the ticket, taking the pen offered to her. Signing her name, she held it once again, her hands shaking so violently Chase worried she would tear the ticket.
“Tamara?”
“H-he wasn’t lying. He was telling the truth. Oh, God what have I done,” she sobbed into her hands. Her mother and father reached for her, comforting her as she let the realization wash over her.
“Tamara, I know this won’t make any sense to you but we know he only wanted the best for all of you. Take comfort in knowing that he loved you and the children.”
She wiped her eyes, blowing her nose and nodded.
“What do I do now?” she asked.
“Invest the money wisely. Put some in trust for the kids for their futures and live your lives. Live them fully, completely and say a thank you to Casimir every night in your prayers,” said Hex.
“I’ll definitely do that,” she nodded. “Thank you. Thank you all for being honest and bringing me this ticket. I’m not sure other men would have done the same.” Chase nodded, smiling at the woman.
“They would have if they knew Casimir would be whispering in their ears for the next thousand years.”