“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.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
River ran inside the offices, following his father, uncles, and grandfather. Inside the large theater style meeting room, the rest of the team was already seated.
“What’s up?” he asked staring at the faces.
“River, SEAL command called. They’re pissed off that you didn’t tell them you were involved in the issues with Priscilla,” said Jak.
“I haven’t exactly had the time. Besides, I’m on leave for another four days.”
“Fifteen,” said Wes.
“What?”
“You’re on mandatory leave for another fifteen days until they can figure out what the fuck is happening. Command is claiming that you kept the incidents from them.”
“Kept it from them? When the fuck was I supposed to have the time to tell them? I’ll call them.”
“River? Don’t, son,” said Patrick. “Let us take care of this. They’re pissed at you but we’re providing evidence that you knew nothing of the events until in the moment, as they transpired.”
He paced the front of the room, Jak, Patrick, Kev and Gator watching him carefully.
“This is why you retired early, isn’t it? Some bullshit happens that we get dragged into and because we all actually have a conscience, a moral code that won’t allow us to look the other way, we get shit on!”
“River. We’ve all been there,” said Christopher. “We do what we know is right. You have to do what you think is right for you.”
