Page 43 of Monkey Business

“That’s why you did all of this, isn’t it? You knew that one day we would feel the same way. We would want our children and grandchildren close.”

“It’s a difficult thing, letting go,” said Matthew. “It’s what saved me. Your Mama couldn’t let me go, so she fought for me. If that ain’t love, I don’t know what is. You’re fine men. All of you, and your sisters and wives are fine women. Not a day goes by that Irene and I don’t know how very lucky we are.”

“I think we’re the lucky ones,” said Ian. “I owe you everything, Matthew.”

“You owe me nothing, son. You’ve paid your debt a million times over. All of you have paid your debts a million times over. It’s why I’m still here. I needed to pay my debts at a greater level. I needed to know that my life made a difference on earth, or in between. None of you owe Irene or me anything at all.” Matthew kissed his forehead as he did with all the men when he left them. He never missed one man or woman. It was as if he and Irene needed human touch more than anything. Especially with their children. As they started to walk away, he turned back to all of them.

“Oh. Gus is innocent. You just have to prove it.”

“Right. Thanks,” smirked Gaspar. “That should be easy.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

After enjoying a lovely meal with their friends, the couples were happy to have just a bit of relief from the heat. Although the rain brought humidity, it also cooled the outside temperatures enough that they were able to sit around a small fire.

The team at G.R.I.P. had developed an amazing device that kept the mosquitoes away, so no one was eaten alive by the pesky creatures.

“I remember! I remember!” yelled Gus, running toward them.

“What did you remember, Gus?” asked Erin.

“I died! I remember. I died because Sean and Patrick were mad at me.”

“Why were they made at you, sweetie?” asked Grace.

“Because I heard a confession from Nozo. I didn’t know who he was when he confessed to me. I didn’t know they were related. He recognized me and told his dad that I was his priest. I could see that they were freaked out by that. I told them I wasn’t a priest any longer, but they didn’t care.”

“What happened, Gus?” asked Jean.

“They told me I had to go on one more run for them. So, I picked up that load. I went across the street and ate, then came back and picked up my load. But when I stopped at a truck stop for gas and food, I noticed a strange mark on my trailer. It wasn’t mine at all. They switched out the trailer. I didn’t have a sticker for the state of Utah on my trailer and this one did.

“I left the truck stop, and it really bothered me. I stopped on this dirt road and backed up the trailer. I unhooked it and left it because I couldn’t afford the gas with the load of whatever it was to go all the way back to them. When I got there, my real trailer was full of circus equipment.

“They were mad at me. Really, really mad at me. They kept asking what I did with the trailer, and I told them I left it on a road, but I couldn’t remember the name of the road. He shot me. Patrick shot me.”

“Gus,” started Ian.

“I know,” he said, looking at them. “I left those people there, and they died. It was my fault.”

“No, Gus. It wasn’t your fault. You had no idea of what you were carrying. You thought you were doing the right thing.”

“I killed them,” he whispered.

“No. Sean and Patrick killed them. I think they wanted you to take those people across the border. They wanted you to be the one at risk, not them. If you were successful, then so be it. They’d get their money and find another way to get rid of you.”

“What did they do to me? Why am I in that exhibit?” he asked.

“We’re not positive, but we think they shot you, and then they mummified your body. That way, they wouldn’t have to bury you and risk someone finding your body. They could create an entire exhibit around you,” said Ghost.

“They killed those other women. They were innocent. I’m not, but they were.”

“You’re innocent, Gus. I promise that you are, and we’re going to prove it. I’m glad you remembered everything. If we can get photos of the trailer you were driving and the one left behind, we can prove it wasn’t yours,” said Ian.

“The police took a lot of photos,” said Code. “I’ll start going through them.”

“I found it!” yelled Ace, coming toward them. “Oh, hi, Gus.”

“Hello,” he smiled. He looked at the journal in his hand and suddenly remembered it all. “You found Nozo’s confession.”

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