CHAPTER TEN
It took nearly an hour for Priscilla to calm down enough for River and the others to talk her off the ledge of leaving Belle Fleur. When she was convinced that the security on the property would never allow anyone to find them, she finally gave in.
“Okay. Okay, I can see now that no one can find this place or get on the property. Although at some point I’d like to understand that technology better. Should I call someone about suspecting that Todd is dead?” she asked.
“We’ve taken care of that,” said Ham. “We have some friends that notified the bureau and they’re sending a special team out there. We’ve also ensured that River has extended leave due to all of this. So don’t worry about him.”
“I don’t know what I would have done without all of you.
In fact, I don’t know what I would have done had River not insisted that I go to dinner with him that night.
Obviously, she never expected that.” She looked at River and then the others with a pensive, thoughtful gaze.
“We were a little late that night because of having coffee and then the traffic. Do you think that whoever killed her was waiting for us?”
“At the very least they were probably waiting for me,” said River. He turned to AJ watching as he was scrolling through two tablets at once. “Anything on voice recognition?”
“I’m close but nothing yet. He mentioned that he had interaction, most likely, with us at some point. That might help.” AJ never raised his head from the tablets, just a constant clicking of the keys echoing in the space.
“So far, we have a woman that was a spy for multiple countries, moved stolen goods, and was connected in some way to my deputy director. Right?”
“That’s right, honey,” said Patrick. “There’s not a lot for you to do right now.
The comms boys will get all the information, we’ll monitor the noise on the web, and we’ll get our contacts in D.C.
to feed us anything we need to know. Let River show you around the property and introduce you to some of our, uh, guests. ”
“This isn’t everyone?” she asked waving at the throngs of people.
“Well. Mostly,” smirked River. “Come on, let’s take a walk.”
Ham watched as River left with Priscilla, then turned to AJ who was still working. AJ held up a hand indicating he was still working on it, signifying that his boss should have a little more patience. When he looked at the others, they all thought the same thing.
“Something is seriously fucked up. As usual.”
“I don’t think I realized how big this property is,” said Priscilla as they followed the path behind the big house. “Is that a cemetery?”
“It is. The Robicheaux Family cemetery, which includes everyone here.”
“It’s beautifully maintained. I love how they’ve preserved the history of the land and the people who have lived here.” River nodded, seeing Matthew and Irene walking toward them in the distance.
“Priscilla, I want you to know something. I would never, ever lie to you. Ever. What I’m about to tell you now will make you think I’m lying to you or at the very least, I’m crazy.”
“Well, that gives me all the warm and fuzzy feelings I need,” she frowned.
“Oh, he’s been like that since he was a baby,” said Irene.
Priscilla turned to see the woman, hazy but there, then suddenly in full blown color. She had a beautiful head of white hair, her sparkling eyes full of mischief and secrets. She was tiny in every way but there was a light to her face that instantly made her feel safe.
The man beside her glowed like a ring of golden fire.
He was tall, over six feet and his shoulders were broad and straight.
His salt and pepper hair seemed to have a sheen to it that she couldn’t place.
The golden, whiskey-colored eyes smiled and yet were serious at the same time.
Slowly, others with the same glowing aura about them, walked up behind the older couple.
“Did you drug me?” she whispered.
“No,” he laughed. “I would never do that. Belle Fleur is a special place, Priscilla. It has secrets and wonders that even I’m not fully aware of.”
“Yet,” grinned Matthew. “Not yet. But you will be aware soon enough. Don’t be afraid child. This is as it should be. We live safely among one another providing love and support for our family.”
“I-I see. So, you’re all ghosts? Will you be haunting me?” They all chuckled, smiling at her.
“No, my sweet girl,” said Franklin. “We don’t haunt anyone unless they deserve it.
We serve as a resource between the worlds of the livin’ and the dead.
We’re not sure why we were selected for these roles but it appears this place is acceptin’ of us bein’ here and we always welcome those like us who mean no harm. ”
“I’m. What’s the word? Stunned.”
“That would be normal,” said Yori. “Most of us have family here on the property. My grandson is Hiro. Nathan’s grandson is Trak. Martha and Claudette are related to Matthew, which of course makes them related to all of the Robicheauxs.”
“This is fascinating, terrifying, and comforting all at the same time,” said Priscilla. “I’m curious. Can you see, can you speak to those that have passed in other locations?”
“Like your father?” asked Matthew. She nodded. “Your father left nothing undone. He happily passed into the next world. He is well and watches over you.” She smiled, nodding.
“Thank you for that. I always hoped he would be watching out for me.”
“You have me to watch out for you as well,” said River. “I won’t ever leave your side unless the government makes me do it.”
“They will eventually, River. You know that the SEALs are going to come calling for you to return soon.”
“Or not,” frowned Irene.
“River!” called his father. “Come quick.”
“May I stay and speak with the ghosts?” asked Priscilla.
“Of course,” said River giving her a kiss and a hug. “They’ll show you the rest of the property and answer all your questions. Miss Ruby? I’d appreciate it if you didn’t give away all your secrets.” He winked at Ruby and ran back toward his father.
“Secrets?” frowned Priscilla.
“Oh, baby, I got secrets that every woman, and man, wants to know. Come on. We got a lot to cover in a short period of time.”