Page 10 of Monkey Business

“Archie, what’s going on?” asked Cruz.

“He can see us, and we can see him. But I don’t think he’s recognized what he is, which is why you can’t see him.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” frowned the ghost. “Tell them to talk to me directly. I’m right here!”

“Sir, do you know where you are?” asked Charity.

“I’m on my island. Now, get off.”

“Sir, do you know what state you’re in?” asked Archie.

“State? N-no. But it doesn’t matter.”

“Sir, listen to me,” said Archie. “Will you do me the kindness of reaching for my hand?”

The cranky ghost reached out for his hand and fell backwards as his hand passed through Archie’s. Suddenly, the others could see him.

“Damn, he is here,” said Angel.

“Of course I am! You walked right by me the other day. Fool ignored me like you were better than me or something.”

“Archie, what’s going on?” asked Trak.

“I think once we touched, he became visible to all of you. But I don’t think he knows that he’s dead.”

“Dead? What the hell are you talking about?” The poor man looked panicked, but also as if he might actually believe the men.

“You are dead, sir,” said Cruz.

The man gave a fierce expression and moved toward Cruz with his fist doubled. He swung at the man, his arm fading into a mist and then reappearing as it passed through his massive body.

“Wh-what did you do? Are you some sort of magician?”

“No, sir. I am not. I’m afraid my friend is correct. You’re a ghost, but I don’t think you knew that which is why we couldn’t see you before.”

“A ghost,” he whispered.

“Archie, why couldn’t he touch me? You all can touch me or any of us now. What’s going on that he can’t touch anyone,” said Cruz.

“I’m not sure, sir. This is new for me too, but it might have something to do with what state he’s in as a ghost. Or, it could have something to do with him not understanding what he is now.”

“I’m a ghost,” said the man again, looking up at all the people in front of him.

“Yes, sir,” said Charity, giving a smile.

“Damn. I’m dead.”

CHAPTER FIVE

“Do you remember your name?” asked Angel.

“Gus. Gus Presley.”

“What’s the last thing you remember, Gus?” asked Cruz.

“You all walking up on my island,” he frowned.

“I think we have to go back further than that,” smirked Angel. “And just so that we’re clear, everything you see, for as far as the eye can see, belongs to the Robicheaux family. Including this island.”

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