A Cemetery, a Cannibal, and the Day of the Dead Read online

  I laughed. “What?”

  “What color is your shirt?” he asked.

  I looked down. “Green,” I answered.

  “Yeah, I have deuteranopia.”

  It was a quiz. “You’re a little color blind.”

  “If I said your shirt was red instead of green, some might think I was crazy. Anyone with good vision could see it’s green.” He looked me in the eye.

  “Color blindness is common. Nothing scary about it,” I said.

  “No, but you can’t see colors the way I do. I can’t see visions the way you do. But you believe color blindness exists. Why shouldn’t I believe you?” he asked.

  I could accept his argument. “Fine. But I don’t need your help. I’ve been dealing with this for all of my life.”

  “Fair enough. Still, I’m going to be around you while we work together. Knowing what’s going on in that head of yours can’t hurt.” He moved in a little closer.

  Gunnar opened the club door. “Ivy and Brandy are going on,” he said.

  “Right. Sorry.” I headed in before things got awkward with LeBlanc.

  That night I found myself tossing and turning. I couldn’t get to sleep. At some point I must have but I’m not sure how long it lasted.

  I woke to a hissing Tish. My black cat was arched up like a Halloween decoration on the bed next to me. My lavender sheets were rumpled. The room was filled with old oak furniture so heavy it’d better last because carrying it out would take four strong men.

  Glancing across the room, I saw a dark figure. Tossing off the blanket, I gathered my strength.

  “Hell. Amy? Moe, Larry, Curly...get in here.” I rubbed my eyes with one hand and reached for the bottle of holy water with the other.

  My angel appeared on cue. The other three, which I preferred to stay in the guest room because they had a lot of energy pulsing, came in through the walls.

  “Who sent you?” I asked.

  Demonic laughter filled the room. I sprayed the holy water around the room as the angels did the real battling. I put a blessed rosary around the cat’s neck just in case. I could hear Greg praying on the other side of the door. My Latin wasn’t so great but I prayed in English. Catholic school was a lot of routine but in times like this, I could calmly pray like it was the Pledge of Allegiance.

  Tish batted at the rosary and tried to shake it off, not because she was possessed but because she was a cat and everything was a toy or annoying to her. Either way, she wanted it off her neck.

  I picked up Tish and scratched her chin to soothe her.

  The angels won; it was easy for them. The demon was outnumbered.

  “Thank you,” I said once the black figure was gone.

  The trio left immediately.

  Amy stared at me for a second.

  “Why do they keep coming?” I asked.

  “The fight will never end.” She faded from view.

  “Thanks, Mary Sunshine.” I didn’t want to hear that I’d be fighting forever. I knew she was still there. It was sort of creepy but then Gran showed up. I let Tish go, putting the rosary back on the nightstand with the holy water.

  “Hi Gran, what is going on?” I asked.

  “You’re just on the radar more now. There are some vulnerabilities that could be strengthened but you’ll never be free of attack. Most humans are under attack by demons and they don’t even know it.” The spirit of my grandmother smiled.

  “Great. What do you think of Ivy’s boyfriend?” I asked.

  Gran scrunched her face. “You think that’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know. Is he okay?”

  “He’s okay. He’s good for her. LeBlanc is worrying you too,” she said.

  “He’s analyzing me. I don’t need that. That bedside manner of his definitely needs work. Gunnar is right. He’s got a Darcy thing going.” I shuddered.

  “I don’t get the sense he’s treating typical people with basic depression or who just want to talk about their feelings all the time like a therapist,” she said.

  “No, he’s more hospital-based. Addictions and more debilitating disorders. But still, he has to be good with patients,” I said.

  “Maybe part of being good with them is being tough on them when they need it. He must push people to be true with themselves about things they don’t want to face. It’s hard to be the rock. Like Greg. Like you. You relate to people but you don’t let them in too far.”

  “How far can I let someone in? I have angels and ghosts in my bedroom. Plus, the demon attacks. That’s always fun for a relationship,” I pointed out.

  “The right person will understand and fight on your side. Greg is blocking anyone from his life. You? You’ve been waiting for the right person to show up. Don’t miss out just because it takes some effort,” Gran scolded.

  “Don’t tell me LeBlanc is the one,” I said.

  “You could do worse. I can’t say he’s it or not. You always have a choice. Free will is a gift and a curse. I just don’t want you to opt out of love because you have a bigger job here than most people realize. Strengthen yourself. Be sure you can trust people before you let them in too close. But you will always be attacked. I do like the cat. Early warning detection, honestly. Brilliant.” Gran waved at the cat.

  Tish meowed and pawed at the air as though she saw Gran.

  “Thanks. Maybe I’ll get some sleep now.” I fell back asleep wondering what it would be like not to see the color green. Or not to see ghosts. One made life harder, the other easier. I couldn’t trade with anyone but I could meet them halfway.

  Chapter Four

  The early morning text really wasn’t necessary. Ambrose had options and budgets and Brimlow wanted to meet for breakfast. LeBlanc would be there. I texted that I’d join them.

  I was on autopilot until I had my third cup of coffee. The choice of café had me a little freaked out. The walls were done in charcoal sketches of people. Some famous and some not. It was like they were staring at me. Finally, the caffeine kicked in. Then my food looked good. I ate half of my waffle before I could focus on the sketches.

  “Rough night?” Brimlow asked.

  “Couldn’t sleep,” I admitted.

  Ambrose went over the plans. “All have the broken-out options but this one has a large room that could include everyone for meeting or announcements,” he said.

  “In addition to the common room and the dining hall? I think it’s overkill,” I said.

  “Probably,” Brimlow agreed.

  LeBlanc leaned back and frowned.

  “Paul?” Brimlow said.

  “Two out of three is a majority,” LeBlanc said.

  “No, we want your thoughts,” I said.

  He cocked his head to the side. “We’re starting with one building. But when you want to expand, you might wish you’d had this space added. It’s more money upfront but less than adding another building on later. Expansion plans are good but when we’re ready to take on more, this gives us room without a huge delay or expense down the road.”

  “An excellent point,” Ambrose said.

  I looked at Brimlow. “The budget still works. It’s within our range.”

  Brimlow nodded. “We’re committed to it. It’s your money but if we can help more people—I’m on board.”

  “Fine. Do that. I’ll get you my accountant’s contact information and she can get you access to the funds.”

  My phone chimed. It was Matt.

  Call me when you can.

  I typed a quick reply. Give me a few minutes.

  “We’ll need a purchase account for construction costs. I’ll set it up and your accountant can transfer in the funds. I know you’re busy so I don’t want to keep you. I’ll get on that now.” Ambrose rolled up his blueprints.

  “Thanks.” I started texting Matt to find out where he was.

  “We have some meetings scheduled back at the hospital. Great progress, everyone.” Brimlow signaled for the check.

  “Breakfast is on me. Y
ou guys go.” I waved him off.

  “Another cemetery issue?” LeBlanc asked.

  “I’ve got it. Just texting Gunnar to meet me there once I know which one it is. New Orleans has a few cemeteries,” I said.

  “I can’t let a lady pay.” Brimlow handed over his credit card to the server.

  I shrugged. “Your money. Thanks.” I took a few more bites as I continued texting.

  “You’re footing the bill for an entire clinic. It’s the least we can do,” Brimlow said.

  I smiled. “It’s not like I have to sell my Garden District mansion to fund it.” It came out a tad snarkier than I meant it but I had more money than they did combined.

  The guilt of having all of this wealth had always nagged at me. Finally, I was doing something good with it and knew it was the right move. Still, men had to be men and pay for breakfast.

  I should be grateful but it felt weird. Like I was taking a bite out of their manhood by funding the whole project. Or that’s what they felt. Men.

  All the texts lined up. “Thanks for breakfast. I have to go. Bye.”

  I walked away confidently and hopped into my SUV.

  I found the cemetery and Gunnar had beat me there.

  “Men,” I huffed.

  “LeBlanc asked you out?” Gunnar shot back. “Hi to you too.”

  “Sorry, hi. No. He didn’t ask me out. It was a meeting about the clinic—there were four of us. No, Brimlow insisted on paying. It was weird. Seriously, I don’t get men.” I hit the button to lock my car and started following Gunnar.

  “They just want to feel like men. In charge, the protector, and needed.” Gunnar made it sound easy.

  “So, they can’t take orders from a woman?” I asked.

  “They can. But do you want a military-style relationship? Is it business or pleasure?” Gunnar shrugged. He was in tight jeans and a t-shirt from a local bar.

  “Business, so far. Either I’m respected and feared or I have to be the helpless female? Now I know why I’ve avoided this stuff before. No wonder I surround myself with mostly gay men.” I shook my head.

  “Gay men are easier?” he asked.

  “They don’t take it personally if I try to pay for lunch or are their boss.” I shrugged.

  “Brimlow is a bit older than you. He’s probably trying but his ego won’t let him. LeBlanc is interested and doesn’t want to appear weak to you,” Gunnar explained.

  “I have multiple PhDs in psychology and a mansion. A guy has to be secure to face that,” I shot back.

  “And I’m not mansplaining the male psyche to you. I’m giving you my objective observation of these two men and their interactions with you. You know better than I do that we never see a situation objectively when we’re in it. They’re not bad guys,” he said.

  “I know. I just thought by the time I was pushing forty I’d be respected. Feel equal. Maybe men would mature. Money and education, I have. I have life experience. I don’t get why men have to one up me all the time.” I spotted Matt and shifted my focus to the matter at hand.

  This cemetery was a bit newer than the other but it had suffered the same graffiti and more serious damage to some of the tombs.

  “Someone took a damn sledgehammer to the side of this one.” He pointed to the big concrete box that held the vault the coffin was placed inside. It was all so much simpler when people got buried underground. But obviously it wasn’t easy to get into graves either way.

  “Any surveillance? I asked.

  “No. A tour heard the noise. I guess they had a jackhammer too. By the time the tour found the source of the noise, they’d run off. We’re running all the names of all the graves that have been attacked or even disrupted to see if there is a link.” Matt watched as the crime scene was documented.

  “Grave robbers, maybe? Maybe they’re trying to get in to steal jewelry. Were the families all wealthy?” I asked.

  “We’ll look at that angle. We’re checking out everything—religion, sexuality, or anything that’ll connect them. It might just be random and unconnected but it’s worse than it’s been in prior years,” Matt confirmed.

  “No offense, Detective, but I grew up here. We did stuff like that. You know, lighting off fireworks in graveyards to freak out the ghost tours. Seriously. I saw a Walking Dead tour the other day. Everyone was dressed like walkers. It might be just kids being stupid and trying to have fun. Or drunk college kids.” Gunnar shrugged.

  “Drunk tourists might do some dumb stuff. But a jackhammer? That’s planned and crazy. Not that there is any proof,” I said.

  “There is, actually. The sledgehammer made the big dent. The jackhammer marks are over to the side. Eventually it would’ve worked if they hadn’t been interrupted,” Matt confirmed.

  “Any cemetery that thinks they don’t need security cameras is crazy.” I wasn’t sure what else to do. “The police can’t stake out every cemetery. Patrol every grave.”

  “Yeah, I mean, they’re dead. It’s not like they can be hurt. It’s disrespectful but police have to stop actual violence,” Gunnar agreed.

  “We need to do it all on a budget. But there’s another problem that was called in. We need to head to the hospital and check it out. I wanted you with me for this one, De,” Matt said.

  “A hospital. Was someone attacked?” I asked.

  “Not exactly. Follow me. Park by the ER and I’ll get you in.” He headed for the entrance.

  “Want me along or somewhere else?” Gunnar asked.

  “Come along. I’m not sure what Matt’s being so quiet about but I might need the extra hands,” I said.

  We all got in our respective vehicles and I followed Matt, since he never told me exactly where we were going. Just great, it was the hospital where Brimlow and LeBlanc worked.

  ***

  Walking into the ER, Gunnar and I hung back as Matt found the right people to talk to. We were escorted back down a dark hall that was clearly marked Staff Only.

  The hall was wide but the lightly was low, as though we weren’t supposed to be there.

  “Where are we going?” Gunnar whispered.

  I felt death ahead. “Morgue, I think,” I replied softly.

  Sure enough, another turn and there was a big sign warning about authorized people only. The grim color on the walls signaled this wasn’t public. The lack of pictures or directional signs was another clue.

  Matt shook hands with a man in a security uniform. Two detectives were there already. Matt waved me closer.

  “These are Detectives Hart and Carson. Dr. Oscar needs to be briefed as well,” Matt said.

  The two men nodded to me.

  “Apparently, someone broke in here and handled a body or two,” Hart began.

  “Handled?” I asked.

  “They were moved. Posed, sort of. They are investigating the bodies internally if anything was damaged or removed but there were no signs of cuts or mutilation. But they’re checking all the bodies to be sure. No one is missing,” Carson explained.

  “How did they get in?” I asked.

  “Nothing was broken. No alarms tripped. Odds are they have a badge. But someone could’ve been stolen a badge to gain access. We’ll put the word out if anyone’s badge is missing. It’ll take time. The hospital wants to keep it quiet. We don’t need people panicking,” Hart said.

  “Get anything?” Matt asked.

  I looked around. “Nothing jumps out. Can I touch something?” I asked.

  Carson pointed to a female corpse under a sheet. “That woman was turned on her side. Propped up with a stack of sheets. She’s been checked over.”

  I nodded and walked up to the gurney. I touched her foot through the sheet. Cold. Lifeless. It felt odd. I let go and stepped back.

  “Well?” Matt asked.

  I shook my head. “Someone is obsessed with death. They want a dead body. But I can’t pin down if it’s a male or female. Or why they’re obsessed.”

  “Give it a little time,” Gunnar said.
/>   I nodded but I knew that wasn’t it. Any jobs in the morgue would attract people who weren’t troubled by working with dead bodies or who wanted to be around them. Some were fascinated by the dead. Separating the curious and those with darker end games was my goal, but for some reason I couldn’t quite manage that.

  “Need anything else?” I asked Matt.

  “No, call me if you find anything else. Get a vision or something,” he said.

  “I will. Is this rare?” I asked.

  “People get more fascinated with the dead this time of year but there are cameras in the hall. Only those with a badge should be able to get in. No, they don’t usually have people get in and mess with the bodies. Any visitors needed to identify bodies are escorted in like you were by an employee. No one has admitted to badging anyone else in. All morgue employees on duty are accounted for, as are their badges,” Hart said.

  “Are the badges department specific or can anyone access the morgue?” I asked.

  “All badges would allow an employee to access the morgue. Transport and even housekeeping need to have access but they have background checks. And people assigned to routinely work the morgue aren’t new to their jobs,” Carson replied.

  Matt sighed. “Sounds like they got a rogue employee who slipped past the checks and snuck down here. Stay on it.”

  “Yes, sir,” the two men replied.

  As we left, Matt kept looking at me.

  “I didn’t get anything. It’s weird,” I admitted.

  Matt nodded. “For you, it is. Feeling okay?”

  “She didn’t sleep well,” Gunnar replied.

  “Well, go home and take a nap. If you want to get back in there or if something pops up, just call me,” Matt said.

  He headed for the elevators and so did we.

  “Need something else?” Matt asked.

  “I have to check on something while I’m here. Then I’ll get that nap,” I promised.

  We entered the elevators and I hit the button for the psychiatric floor. Matt punched the button for admin.

  My floor came first and Gunnar followed me out.

  I found LeBlanc’s office and knocked.

  “Come in,” he replied.