Page 8 of Monkey Business

“Oh, oh. Damn,” smirked Gaspar.

“Shut up, asshole. Somebody is stealing our stuff. But everyone on the island belongs here. Do we have more ghosts?” asked Ghost.

“Only one way to find out,” said Gaspar. He cupped his hands over his mouth. “MAMA!”

His mother’s head popped out her front door, and she smiled at him, giving him a wiggling finger wave.

“You called, or should I say screamed?” she frowned.

“Sorry, Mama. But are there any new ghosts on the property? Franklin said there was something strange, but maybe not a ghost.”

“I’m afraid that’s what I’m feelin’ as well. It isn’t a ghost, but yet it feels like it might be,” she frowned.

“We need to find out what is happening. Ghost’s coffee mug was taken this morning,” he said, nodding to his friend.

“Oh. Oh, no,” said Mama Irene with a serious expression.

“It’s not like I’m gonna kill someone. Not immediately anyway,” frowned Ghost. “I have other mugs.” Irene and Gaspar both looked wide-eyed at him with a skeptical glance.

“Brother,” murmured Gaspar. Ghost just raised his hands, slapping them against his thighs.

“Fine. I want my fucking mug back, and if I don’t get it, I’m gonna be pissed.”

CHAPTER FOUR

“This is strange as fuck,” muttered Miller. “Everyone here has something that’s missing from their home, office, porch, somewhere. Yet we didn’t see a damn thing on the cameras. Whatever this is, it approaches the objects, and then they’re gone. Is it possible that someone stole some stealth netting, or one of our own kids is doing this?”

“That doesn’t seem feasible. The kids know better than to screw around with the equipment. A magician?” asked Angel.

“It’s not a bad suggestion,” said Nine, “but why take scraps of cloth, a coffee mug? And why would a magician come out here?”

“A coffee mug full of hot, delicious coffee,” frowned Ghost. The others all grinned at him, shaking their heads.

“It’s a fair point, though,” said Gaspar. “A human, who is a magician, wouldn’t need all these random objects. If they were going to steal, they’d go to the Garden District or mansions on the lake.”

There was a soft knock on the door, and Victoria entered the room with Archie and Charity.

“Good morning. Sorry if we’re disturbing you,” she smiled.

“Nonsense,” grinned Bull. “A beautiful young woman is always welcome among these animals. I should say, two beautiful young women.”

“I should remind you, Bull, that I am at least a hundred years older than you,” grinned Charity.

“Semantics,” he smiled.

“Before we get to whatever it is you came here for, how are you doing with Mo and Ophelia?” asked Gaspar.

“Oh,” smiled Victoria. “It’s amazing. They’re absolutely the best, and they’re both so cool. They thought they weren’t very smart, but they are! They’re both just brilliant in their own ways, and they’re really good parents. I love them. Thank you. Thank you for giving me a chance to have a normal home.”

“That’s what we like to hear,” said Nine. “What about you two? Archie? Charity? All good?”

“We’re perfect,” smiled the young woman. “I feel a bit like I’m in a fairy tale most days, but it’s a beautiful fairy tale with no dragons or wicked stepmothers. I don’t know how long it will last, but I’m going to soak it up until there is nothing left.”

“Good for you,” grinned Ian. “So, what is it we can do for the three of you?”

“Actually, it’s what we might be able to do for you. Or I should say what they can do for you,” said Victoria. “I’ve been fascinated with the high number of ghosts at Belle Fleur and, in fact, all over the property. There is an alarmingly high energy that is not visible to the eye when this many ghosts are present.”

“Okay. That’s fascinating,” said Ghost, nodding at the threesome. He had no clue what she was talking about, but he was good at pretending.

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