“I was out there yesterday,” smirked Hex. “Your dad is finally coming into his role out there. I think, anyway. He seemed happy. He was talking to Rusty, the bison, who was unhappy because apparently the flamingoes have been using his back as a space to keep their feet warm.”
“You’re screwing with me now,” said Luke with a shocked expression.
“Nope. Your father was quite diplomatic. Explained to the flamingoes that they couldn’t use Rusty’s back without his permission but as a compromise, he would ensure they had warm spaces to stick their feet and warm themselves, in their own habitat.”
“I’m getting this really odd feeling that one day that’s going to be my life,” said Luke looking slightly frightened. “Damn. One day you’re a SEAL, then a retired SEAL but part of an elite team of operatives, then you’re talking to bison and birds. Life is weird.”
“No,” laughed Eric. “Life is weird at Belle Fleur. The cool thing is, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
“Same, brother,” smirked Cam.
“Okay, let’s see if the SW team is still meeting and we can see who might be able to help us with this list.”
As they left the office building, they turned onto the paths leading to the larger space now occupied by the SW team. Headed toward them was one of their friendly spirits, Tony.
Tony was a bonafide genius that hacked into nearly every federal databases in his time. Even now, as a ghost, he advised the tech boys on things they could try, and they were usually successful. He prided himself on keeping up with the technology and continuing to learn.
But Tony was stuck right where he was. Never getting older. Never getting sick. Never moving on. He seemed happy with that but they wondered if he was truly alright with his situation.
Having given his life to save Rachelle and Alexandra, he was rewarded with eternal, blissful happiness at Belle Fleur. Not yet twenty when he died, in death he found the love of his life in little Claudette. Had they been alive, they would have been told they were too young for one another.
But how do you tell two ghosts, one more than two-hundred years old, that they can’t love one another in the after-life? It didn’t seem fair. So, with the wisdom sought by others, Irene and Matthew spoke to the two young ghosts and they found a happy space where they could have a life together.
“Tony! What’s up, man?” asked Eric. Tony’s facial expression was unreadable. “Hey. Tony?”
“Oh, hi, sorry. I was lost in thought.”
“Are you okay, brother?” asked Cam.
“Yes. I’m not sure. I’ve got a feeling that something is about to happen. Something big.”
“Tony, please brother, if you know anything at all please tell us. We do not like surprises and we damn sure don’t want one popping up during the celebrations.”
“I wish I could tell you more,” said the young man. “It’s like noise in my head but I have no idea what’s causing it.”
“I heard that,” said Spook walking toward them.
Spook arrived with Kane and his team. After being exposed to the odd pink dust like the others, Spook seemed able to tune into any phone, computer, or other technology and see it in his head.
“Spook? You too, brother?” asked Luke.
“I’m the expert on noises in your head,” he smirked. “I’ve been fortunate that the security measures and dome you have here seem to block most of the noise for me. But this is different. It’s small, like a constant buzzing from a hive.”
“Did Grandma put bee hives on the island?” asked Luke. The others laughed but he stared at them. “Y’all, I’m serious. That would be something she would do. Bees, hornets, wasps, anything alive that she thinks is of value to us she would put out there.”
“No, it’s not alive,” said Spook. “Or I don’t think it is. It’s more of a feeling of something or someone that needs us.”
“I’m not sure,” said Tony shaking his head. “I just know that it’s like something or someone is searching. But I have no idea what they’re searching for or looking for.”
“Well, that’s been extremely helpful,” frowned Eric. Spook just laughed, gripping the young Tony’s shoulder.
“Listen, just know that we’re both hearing and feeling something. If we hear anything else or feel anything else, we’ll let you know.” The two men walked away, Spook seeing his wife off in the distance and Tony seeing Claudette waiting for him in the gardens.
“What do you suppose all that was about?” asked Eric.
“I don’t know,” said Luke, “but if the two of them are telling us that something is off, we need to listen.”
CHAPTER TWO
