65 Duane Visits Joy
.
Duane got out of his limo and walked up to the front door of the Lass residence with his men in step behind. He was altogether too familiar with these humble little dwellings and hoped his grandson wouldn't be scarred for life. There was an old battered pick up truck in the driveway. Not something he expected Ms. Lass to drive.
He knocked on the door and the petty thief answered. "Aah, we're not taking visitors now."
He heard Ms. Lass call out from inside. "It's OK, Mason. Let him in. But just him. No henchmen."
He nodded to his men to remain outside. Mason stepped aside and he entered the foyer. Ms. Lass greeted him there. She did not invite him beyond. A new man he knew nothing about stepped into the foyer as did a priest. It seemed like every time he came here there was some new weird wrinkle, some new person no doubt influencing the upbringing of his grandson. The boy must be terribly confused. "Ms. Lass, I just heard, and I came to say that I'm very sorry for your loss." She looked better than he had expected, just receiving confirmation that her only remaining daughter was now dead, and by a horrible means.
She stood still and show no intention of allowing him inside. She said, "Thank you, Mr. Ferguson."
He saw Daisy come out from a back bedroom, but without the boy. That other man stepped forward and said, "Glad to meet you, Mr. Ferguson. My name is Rube, Rube Sofer." He indicated the priest. "And this is Father Adair."
"I'm sorry to meet you at a time like this." Father Adair? He looked towards Daisy, who was showing just the tiniest of smiles. Odd. "Are you related to Ms. Adair?"
Father Adair said, "Perhaps, sir, perhaps we are distant cousins. We are all God's children, whatever labels we happen to carry."
And yet another person he had not met, a woman, came out from the back rooms of the house. She was wearing what appeared to be a nurse's uniform. He turned to her and smiled. "And you are?"
"I'm a friend of the family. You can call me Penny."
"I'm glad to meet you Penny."
Rube said, "It's very nice of you to stop by, Mr. Ferguson. But as you might expect. We…are waiting for news…". Rube stopped talking to look out the window. Duane followed his line of sight. A police car pulled up. Well, that would complicate matters. One uniformed officer and a woman in plain clothes got out and walked up and into the house, without knocking. That was odd. This was like some tribal meeting place where the natives come and go as they please and no doubt communal eating bowls.
Penny said, "Andy, Roxy, good to see you." She hugged both.
Officer Andy said, "We're on our way out to see the Grandmother and I thought we would stop by to express…"
This Rube touched the side of his nose and Officer Andy dropped whatever he was going to say. Duane was feeling not wanted. "Well, Ms. Lass. If there is anything I can do, please feel free to ask."
"Thank you, Mr. Ferguson." And then she just stood there. Obviously they wanted him to leave.
"Perhaps I could see my grandson before I leave?"
Rube stepped in, why he had no idea this stranger thought his grandson was any of his business. "Actually, Mr. Ferguson, we've placed him somewhere safe. He won't be available for visits for the next several days."
He could not believe the audacity of these people. He only wanted to protect his own flesh and blood and they wouldn't even allow him to say hello. He nodded and without another word left. He would see what legal filings given the changed circumstances might be in order. And he would leave a few of his men just down the street.
.
.
George said, "I thought he would never leave." George allowed herself and the other ghosts to be seen by Joy.
Mason seconded, "Me too. But I bet he's not gone. His people will be watching."
Joy said, "Let's go sit down." She led the way from the foyer into the living room. Roxy pulled a chair in from the dining room. Mabel came out from the back bedroom with Tommy.
Tommy ran to George and asked, "So, Reggie is OK? And Uncle John? And Uncle Trip, and Aunt Charlotte…?"
"Absolutely. They're all fine, but…". And she looked around to the gathering. "It is extremely important that the world believes they're all dead, for now."
George caught Benny's attention. "You did really well, Benny, really well. Dave turned right on cue. I was a bit late though. I had to force things to a conclusion." She glanced at Tommy.
Ray and Lin were hovering close by.
Ray laughed and said, "So Dave is on the good guy team now." And he looked at Tommy.
"Well, after Marsha brought him down into the refuge room he stood there not shooting anybody. Then he started taking the gun apart. Meigan went crazy, well more crazy, and started whaling on him. Marsha ran over and picked up the gun pieces and tried to fit them together. She had no idea how those two pieces fit together. That's when I showed up dropping in just behind them."
Rube asked, "And…where are they now?"
Everyone dropped the smiles and grew quiet. "The Dark took Meigan."
Ray said, "Long overdue."
"And Marsha is no longer a reaper."
Andy said, "No longer a reaper?"
"She's a ghost. A ghost that cannot cross over."
Penny put her hand to her mouth and said, "Oh my."
Rube asked, "You said they're at a cabin…The same one I told you to visit?"
"Rube. Henry said you reaped a mother and two kids near there way back in 1927."
Rube got quiet, he closed his eyes briefly. "Yes. I remember that well, too well. I know that place." But he didn't offer to say more at least about that.
"Rube."
"Yes?"
"Could you do me a favor?"
He looked up at George.
"Could you go over and talk to Delores?" She paused. "Tell her I didn't suffer. That it was quick."
Roxy said, "I'll go with him. Make it more official. And let's bring the Father, if he's willing."