The Miami Broncos

Chapter 7: Across the New World

Written by Francois Guint-Riel (FGR)

The last week at the Banco had been something of a flurry of activity while also a phase-out for me, Estrela and Ulrich. The black panther had almost grown despondent until having obtained a job offer from a hotel in Tijuana, Mexico, but after that, his sight seemed to have turned towards that new goal, but had also left his formerly favorite okapi and jaguar behind him, as if we were part of a chapter that had closed for him. It was understandable, after all, for both Estrela and me had been in something of a playful relationship with him, though when we became closer to one another then him, he seemed to take it quite harshly. Cassa, a gazelle with whom we’d all gone to college with and for whom Ulrich had kept a special place for, had been forced to return to America on family business, and the cat had already taken a harsh hit. Our divergence had perhaps been another hit that he hadn’t been ready to absorb, but whatever the case may be, the two of us were left to fend. Banco’s proprietor had given us the option of staying onboard for a while longer, but both of us knew that it was nothing more then a polite offer, and that to accept it would have been out of place. After all, even if I’d truly liked the experience, I missed the northern continent, and somewhat longed to return further towards the pole. Estrela had been ambitiously thinking the same thing even before he’d met me, but the opportunity to do so just hadn’t come along at the right time. He’d applied for citizenship when he’d finished his post-secondary education, but hadn’t heard a peep back until four days before the end of our placement, a happy and somewhat amazing coincidence that worked to our advantage to insure that we could concretize our plans. I would have felt terrible to return without him, especially after having had to leave another good friend back in Miami, a ram by the name of Chris, with whom I’d gotten quite close to before the placement, and for who my placement in a faraway land had been synonymous with my departure into the world far from him as well as an end to our relations. I hadn’t agreed at the time, and still didn’t. My regrets were real when I told him about my departure, but he’d polarized them into an exit statement. Whatever the case may be, now I had a future with my jaguar and we seemed to get along even better still. I’d busied myself job-hunting in both Florida and New Orleans, coming up deuces until I was contacted back by a commercial real estate company, which adamantly insisted that I was exactly what they were looking for in a hire, and sent me an offer that I couldn’t refuse, to cheaply coin a phrase. The deal included not only a six-figure salary and a modest expense account, but also an apartment in a tower they owned. I didn’t have to think before signing their letter and mailing it back, getting a happy pounce from Estrela as soon as he’d found out. We’d packed it in by the Friday of our last workweek, and I bade a fond farewell to the resort and Estrela the same to his uncle the proprietor.

The landing at the US airport had been wonderfully fun, as we hung out like playboys at the bar there and Estrela had refused to speak anything by Portuguese until we decided to go on our way and hire a cab to the tower. I’d gotten a name to refer myself to for the place, and with the crate we’d packed with our worldly belongings only due the next week, I was in something of a hurry to know what we had to call home. I couldn’t have expected such raw luxury as what we were presented, as the tower was a very nice, secure community in itself with a small mall in the basement, as well as an underground parking and a massive list of amenities at our disposal. I fetched our key with something of a straight face, though the jaguar was another story, his dark eyes shooting about with long purrs escaping his vigilant restraint. I checked the address on the proprietor’s package, figuring that my workplace was literally up the street, maybe three blocks at the most, which tore a ‘yes’ from me as I read further on. The flat itself was a huge studio, more then enough room for two modern guys to live in comfort.

-Holy cow, said Estrela as he looked around the place, this’ll take a while to decorate, but I’m thinking modern industrial.
-Stainless Steel and black, I completed, that would look nice. Not much of our stuff would match that, though.
-With two salaries coming in, we’ll make it work, assured the cat, giving me a hug. As soon as I find my own little nook to work in, that is.
-That shouldn’t be hard, I shrugged. A smart little kitty always gets what he wants.
-Indeed? So in that case…
-Hey there, we need a bed first, I pointed out.
-Then how’s about we take a little walk and go see your employer, eh? They’ll be glad to know you made it here alive and well, and we’ll be able to shop around for some basics.
-That’s the spirit! Get you runners on, Star-man, we got some hiking to do.
It was barely a ten minute walk to my workplace, at a very lazy tourist’s pace, just like I’d hoped. I introduced myself at the reception of the office, and the secretary called the good man who’d hired me from his office to meet me, something that he’d apparently very much looked forward to. Minutes later, a tall crow came out of the elevators to the left of the lobby with a joyous expression
-Mister Vitter, how good to met you at last! My name is Parks, Alistair Parks. I take it you had a pleasant flight?
-It was, most definitely, I said as I gave the bird a firm handshake. This is my partner, Estrela Callao.
-A pleasure to meet you, Estrela, greeted the crow as he took the cat’s paw. I’m so very pleased that you decided to come by today. I was just putting together a few folders on the properties I was considering to hand to your for sale. Some of them a bit tricky, location and all, but then again, it would be a good proof of your business magic to get them sold. If you’ll come with me, I’ll show them to you, if you wish.
-I’d hate to cut into your day.
-Oh, but you don’t, you don’t, Hermann. Please, this way.

We rode the elevator with the talkative crow to the topmost floor, where his executive office was located, decorated in a Native American theme, which complimented the place tastefully. He let us take out places as he strode to a large wall-mounted filing cabinet and pulled out a few folders, putting them on the desk in front of me and motioning for me to look at them.
-The first of the properties is a warehouse in the east end, which we had to renovate somewhat for it to be a viable sell - Rust and all that, you see. It shouldn’t be too bad, but we’ve just had it lying around for a while without much interest. The second is a mini-mall with a history of bad credence with the renters. Because of that, we’ve decided to sell it off, but it’s up to you to decide how to approach the situation. The third and fourth are luxury homes in different states of disrepair, which need to have a little TLC applied, once more to your discretion. And this last one is a head-scratcher. You see, as superstitious as I can be, I wouldn’t live there myself.
-Why so?
-Its haunted, said the crow, knocking two claws on his desk. Apparently, there were a few strange incidents there through the ages, because this place dates to the turn of the century, some that no one ever looked into. I’ve run out of ideas for it, and frankly, guts as well.
-Haunted?
-A single nocturnal visit was enough to convince me, pressed Alistair.
-Then that one’s my top priority, I said.
-If you pull this off, I’ll make you a partner, offered the crow. Yes, I want it gone that badly. I fired the fool who bought it, fact aside that he’d gotten it dirt cheap, but I couldn’t find a way to get rid of it with him.
-I’ll go take a look, I commented as I took the keys from the folder. Estrela, are you up for it?
-My grandfather was a medium, smiled the cat. Anytime.
-It’s in the downtown, you have the address, said Alistair. Good luck… but I sincerely hope you don’t need it.

We talked with my employer for a while longer before taking off for the reportedly haunted house, reading the stories and newspaper clippings in the folder that the crow had put in as he’d stewed over the project. There had been nothing short of a massacre during the time of the second world war, where a family of German descent had been killed by an angry mob that had besieged their home, but some of the bodies where never recovered. Then, there was a case of a queen of poisons that had occupied it in the sixties, and had passed on there, apparently from testing one of her concoctions. Recently, the last owner had been driven mad by the ghosts of the home, and had taken a swan dive off the roof. All and all, there was no shortage of circumstances for spirits to have taken up residence there. I’d delved into the occult when I was in high school, and cursed the fact I’d packed my books in our crate, disallowing for me to refer o them for guidance. Instead, we poked around the old part of French Quarter, in which our mysterious residence was located in search of some ‘inside help’, as Estrela called it.
-My gramps always said that if you didn’t know about a place, you didn’t walk into it, stated the cat.
-Hearing Alistair, I think that it isn’t an understatement. So who are we looking for, someone in the business?
-You got it, said Estrela. There has to be a grotto somewhere in this old place...
-There is, said a voice behind us.
-Who was that?
-Me, said a cobalt-furred cat queen who was standing in front of a small boutique. So you two want to rid this world of some weary souls?
-Actually yes, I said. Who are..?
-We can talk inside, said the queen, waving a finger inside. Come, we’ll have a nice tea.
The cat was a gypsy from looks, style and speech. It was a sure bet that she’d grown up on mysticism, and practiced it with the expertise that it had brought her. She didn’t look that old though, for I wouldn’t have placed her a day over twenty-five. We didn’t argue with her and followed her inside, where she sat us at a large, heavy wood table, where her paraphernalia waited, as well as an electric kettle and three cups.
-I knew you were coming, said the cat. I dreamed of this meeting last night, and my cards told me that I should trust that dream to be true.
-There’s no such thing as coincidence, Estrela said as he accepted his cup from her. My name is Estrela Callao, and this is my friend Hermann Vitter.
-You may call me Catherine, said the cat. It’s my common name.
-So you do have gypsy in your blood, I smiled as I took my cup.
-There’s nothing in my veins but that, chuckled Catherine as she took a desk of Tarot from the table. You can also call me Cat, I don’t mind. Now, about this house, I sense that there was much death in it.
-There was, yes, I said as I saw her turn the card of the Reaper from the top of the deck. There was a terrible mass murder and then a few more after that.
-Very dangerous place, said Cat, pulling a few more cards. There are some very powerful ghosts there, but they mean no harm. They are lost, that is all. Tell me, to confirm, for I feel it already, do you two believe in that which the eyes cannot see?
-Yes, answered Estrela.
-And you, okapi?
-As well, I replied.
-Good, then you will understand that I think it foolish that you should go to this place alone. I would help you, if you would like.
-But a gypsy’s vision does not come without something in return, I said, getting something from my wallet.
-You cannot buy my sight, retorted Cat with a somewhat vexed air. I am not a petty prostitute, unlike some literature would have my people.
-I know that full well and would not imply it, I said as I took a golden dollar from behind my credit cards. Buy when gold crosses your palm...
-A long tradition which few know that well, said the queen, holding out her hand as I drew a line in her fur with the coin before placing it in her hand and closing her fingers. I like you two. Few Gaujo come here with their minds open to the world around them. Here, have your coin back.
-And that’s terrible luck, to take money from a gypsy, I said, blocking her hand.
-Well now, said Cat with a purr, you are well versed indeed. Now, tonight is a new moon, and would be the ideal time to visit the house, if you are ready for such. Night will fall soon, and we should head there if we are to make any contact.
-We are, stated Estrela, taking my hand under the table. Can we do anything to help?
-Just take that box aside you, said Cat, pointing to a small chest aside the table. Before we go though...
-Yes?
-I need to be inspired to be able to work in such conditions, announced Cat, walking to the door and locking it, cutting the only source of light in the shop, save for the torch lamp aside her table.
-So you need to meditate?
-In sorts, purred the queen. Actually, I need to feel love, so that the darkness there does nothing to me. Therefore...
Catherine put a hand on the sides of our faces and caressed them as she kissed each of us in turn. Taking a step back, she undid the laces of her dress and let it drop, revealing nothing but soft, warm, cobalt fur, with a white bird-like spot on her chest. I looked over to Estrela, who shrugged with a dumb grin as he started undoing his shirt. Cat was the definition of romance as the three of us played around, batting ours tails about and felt each other’s furry confines. The queen got Estrela to sit as she performed fellation on him while I stimulated her as best I could with my prodigal tongue, getting her into climax twice before she turned her head and nodded for me to penetrate her. I hesitated, but the look in her eyes was that of reassurance and approval, and caressing her softly, I lifted her tail aside and eased myself into her, though soon found myself encountering virginal resistance. Nonetheless, I overcame it, and experienced the most enjoyable intercourse that I’d find myself in with a woman. Cat must have loved it too, pushing back towards me every time that I pulled out too far, and feeling me flood her, pulled me down over her while she continued to work on the jaguar. Holding her against me, I took over for her and gutted my cat’s load, not an extraordinary thing for me, to be honest.
-Oh well now, said Cat, getting up as she escaped my grasp, that was wonderful indeed! I usually get quite good contacts when I just play around a bit myself, but I can imagine how good tonight will be with this on my mind!
-So this was your first time, I underlined. I felt it, but I wasn’t too sure...
-I just moved here a year ago from Lithuania, said the queen, and it wouldn’t have been with my parents that I would have been able to get anyone close enough to. One does what one can... Plus, this shop isn’t a month old.
-The incense hides the new paint smell quite well, I kidded. So, anyone else need a bit of inspiration?
-Nope, I’m good, said Estrela as he rose to his paws. Cat?
-The box, the flashlight there, and that’s it, answered the feline. Lead the way, Hermann.
It was a generous half hour’s walk before we found the stately home we’d been assigned to sell, and the quickest of looks told us that anything we’d heard about it was plausible. There were no exterior signs of ageing on the place, as if the wood, brick and mortar had simply been set and stayed as the day they had taken. But there was something unworldly to it that none of us felt too hot about. The sun had gone on its merry way, and there didn’t seem to be much traffic on the street at all, as if the very reputation of the place was enough to keep anyone away. I noticed something just flicker on the top floor, near a window, but as soon as I’d turned to take a better look, it had gone.
-Saw that too, asked Cat, or was it just me?
-No, there was something at the window.
-And there, asked Estrela, isn’t there like a fog or something?
-On the front balcony, yes, I replied, seeing a mist-like cloud hang in the air before vanishing as well. Watch your step everyone, this is someone’s place yet.
I unlocked the door and pushed the whining wood open to reveal the stuffy lobby of the large domain, Estrela orienting himself with a floor plan from the folder. There was something else about the place, more oppressive then the dust, as if the air was being sucked out of the room, and grew colder as Cat closed the front door. She pointed to the box, and as Estrela gave it to her, she opened it and took out what seemed to be a feline skull, which made our hearts skip a beat for the shortest instant. She read into it and smiled in reassurance.
-This is my grandmother, Samantha, said Cat, holding the skull from the back. She protects me and those I care for from things beyond.
-Good to hear, I replied. Greetings, Samantha.
-Wow, guys, look there, whispered the jaguar, at the top of the stairs.
-A light again, I commented, seeing the flickering glow. Is it benevolent, Cat?
-Completely innocent, replied the queen, feeling the skull. It wants to talk to us though, but no, no it, someone with it. We should follow it, I think.
-My vote of confidence is with you, I said. I’ll take point.
-No offence, smiled the gypsy, but grandmother can do much more to protect us then you could in these circumstances.
-Ah, yes, point taken. I’ll be right behind you. Oh, and Estrela?
-Yes?
-Get your hand off my butt for a minute, eh?
-Sorry, nervous reflex.
With Samantha the grinning skull leading the group, we strode up the stairs to see the light hadn’t moved, but as soon as we reached the second floor, it glided towards us, stopping just short of touching us, then turned back and glided into a nearby corridor. We shrugged and followed it until it passed through the door to a room, the master bedroom, from the floor plan. I took out the key and unlocked it, and we found ourselves looking at the light again, but this time, three more danced around it, immobilizing as we entered.
-This would be a good time to make contact, I commented. Are you up for it, wonderful queen?
-Of course! Spirits, we can see you before us in manifestation. If you are...
-...the Zampf family...
-...then make a sound now, please.
A hard knock sounded under the lights in front of us.
-Right, said Cat. Where you murdered?
Three knocks.
-Are you at peace here? Knock twice if yes, once otherwise.
One knock.
-So you are stranded here, I asked.
Two knocks.
-Is there something we can do to help you move on, asked Cat, to release you?
Two knocks.
-Wow, I said as I saw the wall aside us started to bulge and streams of blood seemed to pour from it. Bleeding wall.
-Oh, that’s just nice, said Estrela, taking a step back. You do the honours, okapi boy?
-If there aren’t any other volunteers...
I felt a nudged as I said the last sentence, and taking a breath, sounded the wall for beams, finding a hollow spot to start. Thankfully, the blood had disappeared, though the lights still waited for us on the other side of the room, eternally patient. Getting a good swing, I slammed my left hoof into it in a scissor kick, making a sizable hole in the partition. I hit it a few more times until there was a good hole, Cat passed me the floodlight and I took a peek at the hole. I almost fainted when I saw what the wall had hidden: two skeletons, and from their size, children.
-Their... their bo... bones, I stammered as I motioned to the hole.
Two knocks.
-Your children, asked Cat, getting an affirmative answer. Would you like us to have them buried with you?
Two knocks.
-Very well, we will have that done when the proper people are awake, I promised. Until then, can you help us here?
Two knocks.
-Are there more spirits here?
Two knocks.
-Can you tell us how many?
Two knocks spaced by a silence.
-Other then yourselves?
Two knocks, yes.
-Oh goody, sighed Estrela. Are they all benevolent?
One knock.
-I sense one coming, said Cat, turning to the doorway. It’s from over there. Can you all see it?
-Nothing right now, I replied, but I do hear something like footsteps.
-Get ready, said Cat, this one’s not a friend!
The queen held her ancestor’s skull tight as she repeated a few words in her native tongue, while Estrela held his crucifix and prayed his heart out, eyes wide open like I’d rarely seen his shiny orbs. I looked on as the four orbs in the room seemed to form a line in front of us, which seemed to slow the entity’s trajectory, but how long it would last was up in the air. I thought back, way back, to a curse from my occult-crazed days, and taking a pen from my fanny pack, I drew a Pentagram on the back of the house’s folder, reciting the hell-sending curse with fervor, almost breaking Cat’s concentration as I used the pen to poke my hand to get a drop of blood, dropping it as close to the center of the sigil as possible. The air seemed to warm up considerably from what it had been before, and Cat called the she sensed the entity being pulled away.
-It’s being drawn off, said the queen. Something’s taken hold of it and is taking it away. It’s... it’s gone now.
-I never thought these things worked, I commented, rubbing my intentional pinprick.
-You used a curse, stated the gypsy as she turned and looked at my drawing. That’s not Wicca! That’s the closed hand, Hermann, the path of the fallen. Be weary how you use what you see.
-Well, I say that spirit wasn’t anything short of going home then, I replied. It certainly wasn’t a friendly sort. I wonder if it was the queen of poisons...
Two knocks.
-Ah, well, it’s for the better, Cat said with a sigh, giving me a hug with one hand. Good okapi, good boy!
I gave a little honk before we continued our tour, eager to find out the last of the spectral entities of the house. The four lights followed us in single file, slowing as we did, hurrying when we took too much lead. Cat didn’t pick anything up until we got to the reading room on the topmost floor, where we caught an unsettling chill as we entered the room. There was most definitively something there, and seeing the balcony outside the French doors, I concurred that it must have been from there that the last owner had taken his faithful leap.
-He must still be here, said Estrela.
-He didn’t want to die, commented Cat, feeling the spirit’s essence. He just couldn’t take it anymore, and that night, the poison lady wouldn’t leave him alone, until he ran to the window to cry for help, and he was pushed, by her, out and over the balcony.
-So she killed him? Wow, thank God she’s in Hell now, I said.
-He heard that, exclaimed Cat. He’s going to see for himself if she’s still here.
-Can he sense her?
-No, he can’t, replied the queen. And he’s back, with the light behind him. There he goes!
-Whoa, it’s warm again, sighed Estrela. I take it that there’s only our family to help now?
Two knocks.
-Well in that case, I say that we head back home and get them their peace tomorrow morning, I commented.
-They would like to be sure that we do it, added Cat. They invite us to stay here for the night. They’re... they’re not untrusting, but they want to be very sure.
-I’m all for it, grinned the jaguar. O-kappa?
-All in, I answered. I say we look around a bit. This place is huge!
-They’re offering to guide us around, giggled Cat. The kids are really excited to have someone to play with.
-Lead on, friends, I called.
Two of the lights moved ahead to guide us as the other pair seemed to hover about it, one of us feeling a poke or jab once in a while as the ghosts gave us a royal tour of the home, which had not only the three levels and cellar he had plans of, but a second cellar we discovered as we wandered in the basement, which was nothing short of the biggest wine cellar I’d ever found myself in, packed with turn of the century bottles from what would be the first proprietor of the residence. The door leading to it had been obstructed by firewood, which seemed to also have been placed at about that time. Sunlight soon crept in through the windows and our friends faded out of sight, apparently returning to another state as their haunting time ran out. As soon as seven had rolled around, I called Alistair from a telephone booth outside, the bird picking up and listening with passionate attention to the story I told about our night at the home.
-So as soon as we get the skeletons in their permanent residence, things will be fine there?
-That’s the idea, I replied. I think that it shouldn’t be much of a problem, the Zampf didn’t have any living relatives here, so we won’t be running into any problems with permissions. Maybe the police department would have something to say though.
-I suppose they’d be the ones who would be taking care of the disposal anyway, said the crow. After, this may be a few decades old, but it still remains that it was a murder and everything. I’ll have them come by with the coroner. How are you holding up?
-Oh, we’re just kind of sleep-depraved, but that’s not much to bicker at.
-Then consider today a little holiday for having pulled a double shift, eh? Call me back when you can, I look forwards to you, miracle okapi.

I hung up, and we headed outside to get some fresh air. Ten minutes later, a police cruiser and an ambulance pulled in front of the place, two representatives from the coroner’s office showing their credentials as they and the paramedics walked up to us. We showed them to the bodies, which seemed to surprise the policemen very little. They’d apparently expected this to be the conclusion of the matter from the historical notes on the case, and taking a few pictures for the file, motioned to the paramedics to take them to be buried with their parents.
-We’ll take them straight to the cemetery, said the paramedic. The crypt keeper is also an ordained minister, so he’ll take care of them with all the proper respects.
-Would it bother you if we tagged along, I asked. We made some promises, and well, we’d like to see them through.
-Suit yourself, but you’d be hitching a ride in the back with them, we’re short on seats.
-That’s not a problem, assured Cat.
-Here, I’ll give you a hand, offered Estrela, getting a pair of gloves from one of the medical officers as we started the task of removing the last Kampfs from the residence.
Half an hour later, we had the skeletons in two hygienic bags, ready for transport, and one of the paramedics condemned the wall, taping it for demolition and rebuild at the earliest convenience. The paramedics seemed to keep a sense of humor about the enterprise, and traded wit with us all the way to the graveyard. The keeper was already in his robes when we arrived and flagged us to the older part of the lot, where an anonymous-looking headstone read our ghosts’ names. As in the older style, there was a stone slab sealing the hole, which was very, very convenient, as it meant little work to put the dead to rest. We strong young men put our shoulders to the task and once we’d reached what the crypt keeper deemed to be the proper depth, the bags were lowered into position and we replaced the disturbed earth while the attendant recited the rituals. Cat seemed touched by the heart-warming task, and as soon as the slab was returned to it’s rightful place, she placed a single silver coin the headstone for luck.
-Well, that just makes anyone feel good, commented Estrela.
-Especially them, underlined Cat. It’s good to know that a few more souls enter the light. Now, do you have anything else to do today?
-Not really, I said with a shrug, turning to my jaguar. You?
-Nothing comes to mind, answered the cat.
-My place is about twenty minutes from here, stated our mystic. You’re both quite welcome, if you don’t mind the company. I certainly enjoy it, personally.
-We wouldn’t want to intrude. After all, we’ve already taken much of your time...
-On the contrary, insisted Cat, you’ve given me a chance to practice a part of my Art that I rarely get a chance to, and my shop? I have my regulars that come for astrology or a reading, but that gets so very routine! Please, I’d be glad to have you.
-I’d hate to offend, I said.
-Then it’s this way, motioned the queen.

The gypsy took our hands with a gentle smile and insisted on knowing how we felt about magic and occultism, mostly my part of in, while we walked to a duplex that served as her residence. She opened the front door for us and waved us in, closing and bolting it behind her.
-I’m not locking you in, she joked. It’s a habit for a lone woman, if you can understand.
-Oh yes! It’s good to know you take precautions, I said. After all, this can be a very interesting city, from what I know of it.
-On the odd night, it can get reasonably wild, acquiesced the cat as she stretched against the wall. Sorry, another habit, it’s a cat thing, though I take it you’d know, Estrela?
-Do I ever. That and sudden envies for a nap, that is. May I ask a question, though?
-But of course, go ahead!
-Why are all your curtains drawn?
-Ah, grinned Catherine, that’s a little secret of mine. Seeing as how you’re such curious and open-minded people, I’ll tell you though. I really like to enjoy living as the world saw me enter, and well, I only wear this dress outside.
-And also why you didn’t have any undergarments, I commented.
-My whim. Do you mind?
-No, I suppose not, though it would be quite rude if we didn’t participate.
-Quite, confirmed the queen with a devious smile as she took off her dress.
Seeing little alternative, we hopped into our birthday suits and joined the queen on the sofa. She liked the attention, whether she admitted it or not, and let us fondle her while she closed her eyes and threw her head back, purring loudly while her tail waved around slowly. Without much warning, she rolled over to crouch over me and taking my cock, opened her legs and slid it in her, moaning low as she started to move on me.
-I hope you don’t mind, she said as she gave me a kiss.
-Oh, nope, not in the least. Estrela...
-Estrela, stated Cat, get in the back way, kitty.
-Are you sure?
-No questions, eh? Just hop on...
The jaguar didn’t protest further as she queen lay on me and he eased himself into the gypsy’s cheeks. Catherine was besides herself, letting everything overtake her as she switched between laughs and giggles and kissing one of us. After but a few short minutes of complete ecstasy, our three mortal frames fell in a heap, long moans and sighs all to be heard until the queen laughed once more.
-I think I might be changing my mind about locking you both in here, she said.
-We wouldn’t mind too much, returned Estrela. When do we stop being gaujo?
-Either when you marry into a gypsy family, or when one tell you his or her real name, replied Cat. I have to know I can trust you something fierce before that can happen, though.
-I could understand, I stated. After all, it does give anyone who know it a lot of authority...
-Very true indeed. Stay here tonight with me, and I’ll perhaps consider it. To spend a night with a gypsy, to trust enough to lay asleep and helpless within reach, would qualify as that measure of trust. What do you say?
-Aye, called Estrela.
-Double aye, I added. Is anyone against ordering in? My treat.
Cat shook her head in negation, and pushed me towards the phone, giving me just enough peace to be able to order in a generous Chinese dinner over from a place I saw a publicity for on the table. After having emptied the brown paper bag the delivery boy had dropped off, we lay back with the gypsy in the living room, the two cats purring warmly while I gave the odd low hinny to compliment. The conversation soon shifted towards our previous night’s experience, and the feeling of accomplishment we’d experienced.
-I wonder if they’ve left already, I asked. After all, we did hold our promise true, and they should be able to.
-There’s a way to check, shrugged Cat. Have either of you ever held a séance?
-None where anything actually happened, chuckled the jaguar.
-We might have to change that, then. I’ll get my ball.
-You have another one here?
-Never know when you’ll need one, laughed the queen, pacing to her bedroom to get a glass sphere. All right, to the kitchen table, fellow gypsies!
-If the table levitates, I’m passing out, warned Estrela.
Every light in the apartment was turned off, letting the total obscurity of night overtake us. We sat at the table and solidly planted our feet on the ground and held hands as Cat lit a candle aside the crystal sphere, glowing translucently through it. One by one, we called out for any members of the Kampf family still in this world to come forth and make contact. We waited patiently, over an hour’s worth of it, but there was little more then the street noise and the usual nighttime droning that could be heard anytime. I was the first to break the silence, though there were no protests to my conclusion.
-There’s no one home today, I said with a grin. Looks like they took their leave.
-I can’t feel anything from them, confirmed Cat. It’s like they packed their bags and made a run for the light!
-Man, I’m glad to know they’re in heaven, said Estrela, or wherever we go when our living days are through.
-Hear hear, replied the queen. I’m spent. Anyone else ready to turn it in?
-I’m buying the farm, I chuckled. Estrela, you staying up?
-Not any longer then it takes for me to lose consciousness.
-Then come, gaujo, said Cat as she flexed her beautiful slim body. The bed’s this way.
-Within arm’s reach, I laughed, I thought that’s what it meant.
-Hermann, am I so terrible to look at, asked the gypsy, flaunting her curves for a moment before batting me with her tail, or could you stand it for a few hours?
-Hours, days, chose the time measure of your choice, I grinned, picking her up off her paws. This way you said...
-Yep, down that way, pointed the queen, enjoying the ride. Giddy up, kapi!
Estrela put the candle out and followed us as we walked to the cat’s bedroom, where I put her down on the queen-sized, as humorous as the name could be in the context, and we lay down with her, the gypsy pulling us close to cuddle, the jaguar looking at me with the same kindness as he did when we shared the sheets. Cat gave us both a gentle goodnight kiss, huddling against the Estrela, from who I also stole a sweet embrace, a bit to her curious discomfort.
-So you two were that way, asked the queen. Are you still... you know.
-Well, we’re open-minded, to say the least, retorted Estrela. Does it weight heavily on you?
-Hmm, muttered the queen, taking a deck of Tarot cards from under her cushion and drawing the Gemini and then the Moon, not really. Actually, not at all. Hermann?
-Yes?
-Move over here and gab my butt, won’t you?
-Honk honk, I said, moving closer and taking hold of the queen’s posterior.
-Ohh, I like that...
-I can hear the purring, I replied.

We woke up with the queen sprawled over us and with a hand on Estrela’s anatomy. He looked down as she released him, then tested himself to find that she’d had her way with him sometime during the night.
-You were asleep, smirked Cat, I didn’t want to bother you. You were very, very good, to answer you next question.
-Ah, well in that case, imagine what I can do when I’m awake.
-And in my case, said the gypsy, looking at her chest, who was nibbling my bosom?
-My bad, I confessed. They’re sooo soooft...
-Are they, laughed Cat, rolling over and putting her left tit in my mouth. That does feel nice though. Maybe that’s why I felt like taking poor Estrela there...
-Hermann, feel free to nibble Cat at any time, commented the jaguar.
-I’m famished, said the queen. Come, my fellow traveling nomads, we must seek out breakfast.
-I’ll just give Alistair a ring, I announced. He’s my boss, after all, and he’ll be glad to know that we can get the wall fixed up and the place back on the market without it’s old stigmata.
Cat tossed me the phone receiver and dialed to crow as I gave her the number, and the bird answered promptly, telling his secretary in the background to get in touch with their general contractor for the renovation job.
-I have this insane idea, said the crow, but I’d like to make the offer over a good set of eggs and bacon. Have you have your?
-Not as of yet.
-Then let’s say, an hour, at the corner of Second and Main? That’s walking distance of the office.
-We’ll try to make it for then, I replied. See you then, sir.
-Call me Alistair, Hermann, oh good upcoming partner.
-So you meant that...
-Of course! Anyway, later, okapi!
We hurried out of bed to take a shower and get under way, feeling strangely uncomfortable in our clothes. Cat looked at us with a knowing air and reminded us how much she disliked having to as well.
-That really is a nice dress though, I insisted. It fits you like a glove.
-Made it myself, so it should indeed. So your boss had a proposal for us?
-Apparently. There he is, the crow at the door.
Alistair greeted us as we joined him at the entrance of the restaurant, somewhat surprised by Catherine’s presence and mystified by the explanation of the part she’d played in our work. As we ordered, he fetched a few papers from his briefcase and started his pitch.
-Look, I’m just besides myself how well you worked out this affair, said the crow. You know, of course, that there isn’t a shortage of haunted places here in the city. As such, when one of them has to be sold, it’s a pariah dog that no realtor wants to have a leash on. If you’re confident that you can deal with that kind of business, I’d be ready to start passing capital onto you to take care of them, the three of you, you Hermann, as partner in the company and the other two of you as long-term contractors. What do you say?
-Does anyone object, I asked.
-Hey, we’re in a caravan now, reminded the gypsy. If one of us goes, all go. For my part, I wouldn’t mind the excitement or the business.
-To us, offered the jaguar, and our merry dead!
-Aye, toasted Alistair. A caravan, huh?
It was quite discouraging to try and get the crow to understand what we had meant by our comment without spilling the beans about our activities, which Cat seemed to insist not to do at the time, therefore we switched the conversation over to the topic of the places that the bird thought we’d be working on. There were a lot of older homes in the downtown that had been for sale by their owners for some time, and that no company had taken to, due to their reputation, and the capital investment for them would be minimal, as their titles had dropped in value every time it had changed hands, each time substantiating the rumors that surrounded them. All in all, it would be a massive stroke of luck if we’d succeed. As Alistair returned a paid bill to our server, somehow having been able to smokescreen us long enough to take care of it without our knowledge, he placed a few phone calls to his offices, and invited us to return to the company’s locales to look over the first group of properties he had authorized the purchase of. A car ride was appreciated, considering the good distance that we’d walked to get to the restaurant, and cooling our paws in the vehicle, we rose out of it fresh and relaxed, though quite anxious to learn what else destiny would toss in our hands. The receptionist in the lobby had a few messages for Alistair, all of them responses from the once-proud owners of the ghost-packed properties to the affirmative, some even lowing their original asking price in exchange for a waiver of any problems encountered with their holding. The crow nodded with a grin as we took the elevator, and as soon as we were in his office, he pounced on his filing cabinet again and took out a number of folders much like we’d gotten concerning the other lots, tossing the purchase acknowledgements into them with some satisfaction and changing their position form the ‘prospect’ category to the ‘on sale’ section in the upper drawers. He gave us the addresses, ground plans and such and insisted that we investigate them before starting a campaign to sell them off.
-Anyway, I sent a general contractor to fix that wall up in the formerly haunted place, said the crow. Would you mind taking a look today?
-Sure thing, I answered. Cat, Estrela are you on?
-Behind you, affirmed the gypsy. The crow caws, the caravan passes.
Alistair laughed at the comment and let a solid caw out with a friendly wave, leaving us free to roam out into the city and accomplish our work.
-So you don’t mind leaving your shop closed for the day, I asked Cat. I’m sorry if we’re taking you away from it.
-Bah! It was just something in the meantime, an excuse to practice a bit before I found some real roots to live off. Parlor tricks and run-of-the-mill readings are fun, but oh so boring. This, this is what I really like!
-Hey, there’s someone else at the place, commented the jaguar, pointing to a limousine parked aside the contractor’s van in front of the stately home.
-A limo? Hot damn, that means someone with deep pockets, I commented. Shall we investigate?
-We shall, we shall, insisted Cat.
We doubled our rhythm to cut the distance between us and the place, to find four men in suits coming out of it, followed by the contractor in person, looking giddy as anything. Three of the first seemed more like bodyguards then just the average Joes, but the fourth, a tall hare, wore a very nice and properly fitted suit that announced he was most probably the owner of the luxury vehicle parked in front of the residence. His guards turned their attention to us as we approached, but he signaled for us to come closer and for them to let us be.
-Good morning, I said in a cool voice. My name is Hermann Vitter, from Lagoon Estates, owners of this fine, historical property, and there are my friends, Catherine and Estrela.
-My name is Philip Gagne, replied the lagomorph, shaking my hand with a good grip, Don of the Voodoo Family.
-Ah, I said, remembering every conversation I’d had with Ulrich back in the days, it’s an honor to make your acquaintance, sir. I take it you visited the grounds?
-Pardon my intrusion, but yes, I did. Your contractor here in known by a friend of a friend of the Family, and word was out that our clan was looking for a new residence.
-And would this building fit that need?
-It would, nodded the Don, but that all depends of the price and your... discretion.
-The market value is of one million, I said, remembering the file. But then, it’s obvious there is some work to be done on the place therefore we would certainly lower that. Have you seen the wine cellar?
-Wine cellar? No, I didn’t said Philip.
-A full cellar, with old bottles across its walls! Would you like to? It’s hard to find.
-I’m quite the amateur when in comes to reds, nodded the hare. First though, I need the assurance that you are not armed.
-I give you our words that we are not, I declared. On my name, I swear it.
-So you seem to know the Family way, grinned Philip. I’d be curious to know how that could be...
-I was a friend of the Don-heir to the Bronco Family in Miami. This way, please...
The hare raised an eyebrow and grunted in curiosity as we led the way to the basement and opened the cellar for him. With our words that we had no ill intent against him, he’d let his guards in the lobby, and confidently wandered into the hidden room, picking up a few bottles to look at their labels more carefully, letting out a few whistles as he did.
-Do you throw this in as well, he said with a smile, or is it extra?
-Well, we didn’t have this inventoried of evaluated, said Estrela, therefore it would be difficult to put a price on it. You seem to know them however, and would appreciate them more then we could. Therefore, well, consider them a housewarming gift, eh?
-I like you people, chuckled the Don, giving Estrela and me a pat on the back. You know, if you’re this nice, I might have to find a way to pay you back. Real estate is a good market, and if you have friends to lend you capital at a good rate when you need it, it helps.
-So you’re offering to be a financer? I’d welcome the idea, but of course we’d still consider a proper interest rate. One does not tinker with the Family.
-Ah, you keep getting better! Listen, if you can get me a formal quote on this place and a contract written up, I’ll sign it the moment it falls on my lap.
-I believe I should be able to do such by tomorrow, I offered. Would that be too soon?
-None too soon, none too late, replied Philip, getting an otherwise blank card with a phone number on it from his pocket. Call it a date, tomorrow morning around ten, at Tuesday’s Hero. I’ll be there with a pen and I can assure prompt payment.
-Then we’ll be there as well, sir. It’s a pleasure to do business with you, without question.
-On my part as well, be assured. You’re a pleasant surprise to have run into, Hermann.
The Don followed his guards out of the home to his limo and drove off with a wave of his hand, and as he left our sight, the three of us gave a few respectable hoots of celebration as we returned to the real estate offices and had the contract drafted by one of the legal secretaries, ready and approved for signing by the end of the day. With the document in hand, we returned to Cat’s place at the queen’s insistence to retire for the night. The feline seemed ecstatic about the new homes we were to investigate, and babbled about all the kinds of phenomena she’d seen in her time in such places, eyes sparkling almost as much as our jaguar’s. As we dropped off the radar into her place, she gave a long meow as she arched her back, staying in position as she instructed for one of us to pull the strings of her dress.
-Yank me, she said.
-We’ll share, I said as Estrela took one of the ends of the cord and I took the other.
-One, two, three...
-No more dress on the kitty, I finished as Cat’s garment fell.
-And how good it feels, she purred, fluffing herself. My turn, against the wall, boys...
The queen took her time as she undid every button and zip on our clothes before throwing them to the ground. ‘Not like you’ll need them here’, she said. With our natural looks back in full swing, she offered that we try to come in contact with the different locations that Alistair had given us.
-We might as well seek out a bit about them, I said. Is that how you knew what you did about the Kampf place?
-Some of it, yes, but like I said, without some good inspiration, I’m not at my best.
-Sofa, you, the okapi, and me offered Estrela.
-You lie down, the okapi on my back, right now, replied the queen, just as clear in her purpose.
After some worthwhile meditation, we took our places back at the kitchen table with the familiar crystal ball and candle. This time, we let Cat do the summoning, as I’d never tried to get anything off a simple mental image of an address, let alone just a street number and a floor plan. She seemed to be able to pull it off, and as I held her hands, Estrela took down notes for further use.
-You have a lot of energy, Hermann. I think you’d be surprised how well you’d do it I was to show you around my art, said the queen. Do you feel like trying?
-I never say no the first time, I said, remembering my friend Chris’ usual overture.
-Then look at this plan, she said, pushing forwards one of the folders, think of it, the address, keep in it your mind, then let yourself go, just relax. Your mind’s eye is like a telescope: if you can look somewhere, it’ll focus to try and give you as good a picture as you can get.
-There’s a chimney that doesn’t show on here, I commented out of the blue, on the left of the place. It’s recent, maybe this century.
-How many souls are there, asked Cat, her voice softer then ever. Can you tell?
-Two, two souls, two... women, yes! Two women, both grounded. They died there peacefully, but they were waiting for someone, and still are...
-That’s good enough, assured the gypsy, rubbing my hands. Next one?
-Why not?
Catherine seemed as surprised as I was that I was able to give a general read on two of our five places. I felt drained though, tired like I’d never felt before, even in the times I used to try out the hocus-pocus I researched. The feline seemed to understand me when I expressed my concern and insisted that we get some sleep for me to recover as I put the files back in my brevet case.
-It’s heavy the first time, she explained. After that, you get more and more used to it, but every time, you get sleepy after you’re done.
-How about me, asked the jaguar. Would I be able?
-It’s weak in you, said Cat, looking at him. Your father didn’t believe in any of this, did he?
-No, he didn’t. He was very religious and thought that this was all out of line...
-He blocked much of it, I’m sorry.
-Bah, you both need an Igor, laughed the jag.
I took Cat and carried her to bed again, the queen loving the ride just as much as the previous day. She managed to catch me off balance as we hit the bed though, pushed us down on it as Estrela got on the other side of it. Having held her for a while had certainly gotten the better of me, and as I let a hand wander on her, I found she’d enjoyed being carried just as much.
-Yes I’m ready, said Cat, feeling me rub the insides of her loins. Wet, wet, wet.
-And right now I’d win photo finish if any part of the runner would count as it crossed.
-Just lay back, whispered the cat, pushing me down as she mounted me. It’s big, oohmmff...
The gypsy rose and fell like the ocean tide as she rode me, her breasts bouncing in tempo in my face. Twice over she came in high-pitched yowls as my member massaged every part of her fruit. She soon wasn’t able to sit steady, too relaxed and overtaken by sensual fireworks, and so gently, I turned her around to lie on the bed while I took her from behind, continuing my performance, the queen squirming and even slightly drooling as I finished in her with a long moan. Estrela watched on with a evil grin, and as soon as Cat had fallen over and contemplated the experience with pause, the jaguar pounced on me, knocked me flat on the mattress and rammed himself into my rear, getting a sharp hinny from me as he worked me over before ending his surprise ride and falling in a heap on me. The gypsy took an obscene pleasure in watching us and urging Estrela on, but turning to my glazed air, placed an apologetic kiss on me.
-I don’t know why, but seeing you guys go at it very, very hot, admitted the queen. It’s like seeing all that muscle and strength just converge...
-You should see us when we’re really, I mean, really, hungry for it, I laughed.
-He doesn’t play fair, muttered the jaguar.
-I bet he doesn’t, chuckled Cat. All right you two, enough for today, eh? Come grope the kitty and sleep...

We woke up just like we’d fallen asleep, with our gypsy queen sandwiched between us under the covers. I quietly got up and out, silently making my way to the jaguar’s side, and lifting up the covers, found his member, placing it in my mouth as I gave him one of the longest and most passionate BJs I’d given in a while, feeling his hand caress my face as he opened his eyes and came. Cat had just risen in time to see my muzzle leave him, but gave a jealous stare with a small hiss. I shook my head, jumped under the bed covers, and pushing her legs open, ate her out like a madman.
-Oh Goddess, oh Goddess, Hermann, she cried out. Oh just there, oh, that’s right!
-Mmm, gypsy pussy, I hummed as I sent my long tongue into her. Good stuff that is.
-Aaaah! Wow, she let out, oh meow that was wonderful! You beast, how gifted you are!
-I’ll take that as a compliment, I laughed, wiping her juices from my chin.

The three of us stayed in for a few hours while I raided the queen’s fridge and scoured out what I needed to make us something to last until our meeting with the Don, both of my bedfellows quite satisfied by the result of my work. With that taken of, little was left for us to do other then make our way to our meeting place, though we took a few detours as Cat wished to kill the time. The same limousine as we’d seen the previous day was parked outside the place, and we came in time to see the Don getting out of the vehicle, a few of his good men with him to insure his safety. He caught a glance of us in the corner of his eye and nodded as he paused to let us catch up and enter as a group. The hare was a bit more chipper then before, and with him was another rabbit, a black-furred specimen a bit shorter then him but with a good six inches in shoulders more.
-This is my best friend, Midnight, introduced the Don. Midnight, this is Hermann, Estrela and Catherine.
-A pleasure, said the rabbit in a deep voice. So you were the gentle souls that played Philip into buying our new residence? I thank you for it.
-Do you have the contract, asked the Don, I’m very anxious to take care of this matter. Securing such a building will require some work, and the sooner I have ownership, the better indeed.
-Personal touches, eh, I said as I pulled out the documentation. Here you go, for your approval.
-Seven-eighty, that’s fair, nodded the lagomorph. Here, Midnight, you brought the money?
-Certainly, replied the black rabbit, putting a suitcase on the table. You’ll find it all here, of course. If you wish to count it, please do so.
-I trust you enough not to do that, I replied, putting the case aside my leg. So, are there any other properties that you would require?
-A few perhaps, announced Philip. A few self-storage units, a warehouse somewhere convenient and a condominium all come to mind.
-So you’re settling in, I commented.
-Indeed. You see, this city was run through proxy for a while, but things have gotten a bit more active then such a stance allows dealing with, therefore it was decided that in the interest of our involvement, a Family would be organized here.
 -I could see how a distant liaison like that could have certain disadvantages. As for those properties, I’ll see what I can do as soon as possible.
-I couldn’t ask for anything better then that, smiled the Don. Midnight, did you bring the rings?
-Rings, I asked, what for?
-Ah, these, said the Don, getting three silver bands from his friend. Consider these perennial invitations to our home: Just show them to the guards and you’ll be let in as our treasured guests. Now, a round of orange juice! You don’t toast with coffee, it’s just too common...
The Don spoke with just as much passion about his projects for his new Family then any manager I’d ever knew. He didn’t want to just built it up, but rather sweep in and slam things into place so he’d be able to run the place as if they had always been in the city. It would be a sign of weakness to just send a few people in at a time and start up a meager empire with a few properties here and there.
-I want everyone to know that we’re here, said the hare. I want to be sure that anyone who thinks that they can push us over and wreck the place gets a good earful, pardon the joke.
-Have you contacted the police department, in your own ways, I asked with curiosity, or is that still to come?
-We wouldn’t be this bold if we had any suspicion that they would try to make a move against us, replied Midnight. No, they’re fine with us. You see, there was some trouble with biker on the coast a while back, and certain deals were struck between the Families and the States, which worked out so well that no one minds having us anymore. Actually, they sort of appreciate our cooperation on the odd occasion.
-I could imagine, I chuckled.
-Well, we’ll move into our new home today, said the Don. We have a few contractors to call to make certain modifications for our special needs, and you have to find us a few more places, eh okapi?
-You’ve got it, I said with a grin. I’ll get to you with this number?
-Yep. Keep it close!
-Alistair will freak out, said Estrela as the group left the restaurant. Looks like we’ve just become the official one-stop-shop for Family properties.
-All and all not a bad thing, I shrugged. When it comes to business, there’s nobody more straightforward then them and they shoot it to you straight when they need something. Then again, it’s delicate as anything, and you never want to say something rude or dishonest, because you hit the top of their black list.
-Obviously, commented Cat. It’s common courtesy both ways, right? Anyway, how about we get this little box to the crow?
-Man, money can be heavy, I kidded as we got up and I took the briefcase.

Alistair let out a sharp craw as I opened the case on his desk and explained the sale of the home, rubbing his beak with a distracted air to him.
-So you sold this place to the mob? My God, they sure don’t play around for time when it comes to payment! Hard, cold cash. Is it all real? Does it add up?
-Bricks of ten thousand, in hundreds, I said, picking one up, marked with all the fixings insofar as I can tell, it’s the real McCoy.
-Then I’m ready to bend over and kiss my tail feathers for these guys, said the crow. Find what they needed in the files, first and foremost and though I said it not so long ago already, you’re three big pearls set in gold!
I turned and scrimmaged through the folders to pick out the best placed and most attractive warehouse, storage building and apartment tower that the company had on file, trading them with some from the first batch that the crow had given me to even out the numbers. In the meanwhile, Alistair called his secretary to have a secure carrier bring the small fortune to the bank, a Brinks agent coming shortly to pick it up as Estrela located the tower. With the documents in hand, we saluted the top bird and headed for my office, which I was visiting for the first time, as strange as it could be. Before I sat, Cat took a moment to sanctify it, sealing the blessing with a short kiss on my muzzle.
-Inspiration?
-Inspiration, she smiled. So you’ll call mister Gagne?
-It’s been two hours, I said. After all, there’s no use in keeping up his plans if we can make it easier for him.
-Favors in high places, added the jaguar, massaging my shoulders as I sat and took the phone. Hello, this is Hermann Vitter of Lagoon Estates. Is Don Gagne available?
-He is, answered the voice. One moment.
-Good morning again, Hermann, called the hare over the line, sounding quite relaxed. What can I do for you?
-Actually, it’s quite the opposite, I replied. I went over our files, and found a number of properties that you mentioned you needed as well as the home.
-Well! Talk about service! Could you come to meet me? I’ll give you the address.
-Absolutely, I answered. See you soon!
As the Don gave us the address of the residence where he was staying, I grinned wide, realizing that he had actually been my floor neighbor in the nearby apartment tower where I was supposed to be staying, gladder still that we didn’t have to take another foot-wrecking walk though the city. A short while later, we took the elevator up to the hare’s floor, welcomed by a few of the Family’s guards, who summarily searched me and Estrela, but left Catherine alone after I’d given a scathing glare at one of them as he’d advanced to do so, motioning for us to show our rings to underline our negation. The sight of the bands seemed to change the guard’s approach to us, as if we’d become untouchable, and careful to stay out of our way, led us to the apartment where Philip was staying. None else then Midnight opened the door for us from the inside, smiling as he saw me carrying my brevet case with me.
-Well, Don Gagne, our friendly realtors are back, he said.
-Show them in, Midnight, called the hare from deeper in the room, sitting on a sofa in front of a wide-screen television.
-Kubrick, I commented, seeing the movie the Don had been watching before he turned off the picture.
-Clockwork Orange, nodded Philip, one of my personal favorites. I have a taste for the absurd maybe, but I love this movie. Is there any candy in that bag of yours?
-Candy for the eyes, I replied as we sat down and I pulled the files out and showed the Don some pictures of the properties. All and all, we could bundle them for twenty-five million, including the condominium tower.
-These are very nice, commented the hare, reading the descriptions with plenty of attention. Midnight, have these surveyed and give me your call on them.
-Sure thing, said the black rabbit as he left the room.
-You’re good people, said Philip. I never personally met Don Ulrich, but I’m stealing some great souls from him.
Gagne talked on about the underground life and times of New Orleans, which made us somewhat more comfortable as we realized that he was as fair as anyone in his position could be. He hated to use a heavy hand, and rather make sure there was no other way before calling for a hit. There was some foreshadowing in the situation, as it would be, for as we chatted, for a moment while he was talking about his thoughts on the traditional beliefs of the locals to Cat, I looked out the window, gazing out to the other buildings with some lazy thoughts of value and interest. One of them seemed taller; six stories, and pretty good-looking. How was the roof, I wondered, would it leak? There was something though, someone, maybe, walking on it.
-Guys, is there someone on the roof there, I asked. I thought I saw something move.
-Yeah, added Estrela, his shining eyes cutting to the form on the gravel, nod stopping and hunkering down, it seemed.
-You two! Get back into the kitchen, said the Don in a cold voice. That’s a sniper setting up, and from his line of sight, I’m his target. Nightshade! There’s a sniper on the building north of here! Get him, right now!
-Yes sir, answered the guard that had stayed in the room, now running out to get a few of his associates to help him.
-Philip, give me your shirt, I called. Cat, give me those cushions and that lampshade.
The Don and queen obeyed, and in a flash, I made a rough-looking dummy sitting where Philip had been, with his ‘head’ and ‘torso’ pretty much the same size as to fool the shooter for a while, I hoped. The time he’d need to set up and take his shot would, hopefully, be enough for the guards to get to him and take him out. We waited nervously in the kitchen, looking out to the dummy, waiting for something to happen. A few moments later, the window shattered and the dummy’s head fell apart as a projectile hit the lampshade toppled over with Philip’s ‘ears’. The Don looked pale in the face, unconsciously putting a hand on my shoulder as if thanking me for the life-saving idea. We didn’t dare move still until the phone rang in the apartment, and staying out of the window’s range, the Don took the receiver, soon turning to us with an air mixed between relief and disappointment. I gave him an interrogative look, and he announced the news with a hardening face, turning his vexation into anger.
-It was Midnight, said the hare, putting down the phone with vigor. He was the one on the roof. He betrayed me, him, of all people! I tell you, Hermann, trust is hard to earn, but easy to lose, but is just as soon replaced with a knife in the back! I wasn’t sure if he planned to do anything before we settled in, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d be after my title.
-So he’s...
-Toast, snarled Philip. He’ll be backing up the levy by sundown, but that’s no longer of your concern.
-But you don’t have a lieutenant anymore, commented Estrela, almost innocently.
-I know, sighed the Don, and as this proves, a person of trust is hard to find indeed! Who to trust indeed...
-If there’s anything we can do, offered Cat with a compassionate smile, please do tell.
-That depends how deep you’re willing to place yourselves in the business. If you’re willing, I’d have you and some of my men take a look at the properties that you showed me. After that, if they’re good, I’ll take them. In the meantime, I need to place a few calls to fix this mess up.
-We’ll go, insisted Cat.
-Then God bless your hearts, just talk to the men next door at the ’16. One of them is my head of security; he’ll drive you in and take a look around.

We left the hare to his dilemma and visited the file locations with a trio quintet if made men in two cars, which took the rest of the afternoon, though the professionalism in the security expert’s method was unparalleled, every worst-case scenario he could run through us proof of his vast experience. None of the places had any significant problem, just little things that the Family would have to build or renovate to reach a better standard of protection. Once our run was over with, the man called Philip, and the hare asked us to have contracts ready for the places’ purchase as soon as we could, the urgency of setting up more and more evident.
-Let’s say tomorrow, for supper, said the Don as he gave us a business card, here.
-Not a problem. Were you able to clear things out with your people?
-Yes, yes, I did. I had a friend back in Tampa, where I used to live, that was in the family too. I think he’ll be a better man then Midnight ever could be.
-If we could meet him, said Cat, we could read him and make sure he is.
-I forgot, you’re psychics, noted Philip as he said his goodbyes. He’ll be here tomorrow, so at supper, why not? Mojo time in the city!
-Speaking of which, said Cat as I hung up the cell and returned it to the security guard, is anyone in for a little ghost chasing?
-Aye, Estrela said with a wave of his paw. I need to take my mind from this plane for a while...
-Same here, I returned, searching through my files. One of the places is near here, another residence, the one you said had that pixie fire in.
-Oh, that one, smiled Cat. Nice and peaceful, just one nasty soul to expedite, and the two others are just lonely. Could we be dropped off?
-I’ll ask, I said, tapping the shoulder of the security guard. Could get something at a store and be let off at this address?
-Hey, my aunt used to live there, commented the driver, seeing the number. It’s haunted, you know that? There’s like this frigging fireball that shoots around like crazy all over the place, and you swear you get hot all the time when you’re in there, like you’re burning up or something!
-Ah, really? Are there any other ghosts?
-Shit yeah, nodded the driver as he talked all the way to Cat’s shop to get Samantha the Skull and then to the home.
The home was a candidate for an architectural digest, a typical two-story wooden place, and turn of the century. It looked great, and Catherine seemed confident as she took out her ancestor as I unlocked the front door and ushered us inside. It was dark, dusk having overtaken the land while we were at the gypsy’s boutique, and the queen’s eyes blinked as she looked around. She motioned to me to come over for a second and offered the skull to me.
-Hold Samantha with me, she said. See if you can hear her...
-Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to do anything to interfere.
-No, no, she likes you, smiled Cat. Actually, she likes you, the jaguar and me. Come on...
I hesitated as I put a hand on the smooth bone, but it didn’t feel out of place. If anything, something of a peaceful presence seemed to be standing between Catherine and me.
-I feel her, I said to the queen. Nice one, isn’t she?
-Oh yes! She was a wonderful kitten in her time. Now, to find that fairy fire...
-Right there, called Estrela, pointing to a dot of fire that hovered in the hallway in front of us.
-It’s growing, I commented.
-Wow, it’s hot here, grumbled the jaguar. Like the driver said, you know?
-Come here Estrela, I said as I put an arm around him. It’s hostile, very, very hostile.
-It doesn’t want us here, said Cat. It knows we’re here to get rid of it, and all I feel is hate.
-I know, I added, also feeling the negative energy from the fire.
-Banish it, Hermann, where it should be.
-To Hell?
-To Hell, hole in one.
I nodded and released the pair to take a paper from my case and hastily drew my symbols before poking my finger again and sealing the curse. Cat and I both looked at the free-floating fire for a moment before it sparked out of existence.
-Whew, sighed Cat. That was a bad egg.
-The others are somewhere else, up there, I said, feeling a drawing to climb to the second level.
-Up and away, smirked Estrela.

We spent the rest of the night chasing the two ghostly women periodically appeared to us in the form of a gray mist, séance in the wee hours of morning in the living room. Cat and I had a good time summoning their responses, the jaguar taking notes as we worked. Finally, we convinced them to leave for their well-deserved rest, using the chap that the two were in a love triangle with as a lure. Packing in Samantha, we hurried back for a good night’s rest and relaxation, as well as a nice game of hide the sausage with the gypsy queen before falling asleep. I was the first to come about as the phone rang, and fumbled across to catch it before the fourth ring sounded.
-Hi, er, hello?
-Hermann? I thought that might be you, replied Alistair. Just meaning to tell you, the contracts for your Family are ready here. Is everything all right?
-Oh yes, we just ran after a few ghosts last night, some that were really reluctant to cooperate.
-Coming from anyone else, I’d think that that comment was strange, replied the crow. Is the gang all right?
-Yep, no worries, just another hour’s sleep, if you could spare us that long...
-Still in bed? Well, a good mind needs its rest. Take care!
-Back at you, sir. Hasta l’heugo.
I dropped the device back quickly enough to feel Cat snuggling up to me with half-opened eyes as well as really messed-up fur, though that only made her that much cuter. I wrapped an arm around her with a grunt, then felt Estrela do the same to me as we bundled up and played sardines for the next sixty minutes. Surrendering the bed, we finally got it into our heads that work was calling loud and clear, and proceeded to pick up the contracts at the office around noon. I took the time to make a few phone calls for take care of the place we’d basically cleaned up during the night, and put it on the market with a description I found most suiting: ‘beautiful home, two stories and cellar, no longer true to reputed unusual occurrences’. By three I’d had a call for it, and Estrela took the phone to give the kind of sales pitch only the feline hype guru could muster, eyes glittering just like back in Brazil as he took the potential buyer on for a ride and closed the deal with him. I took the phone back to give the gentleman the particulars on price and payment before contacting the legal department and having someone set up a meeting with the buyer for change of ownership.
-You rat, you’re stealing my job, I kidded as I took the jaguar in a hug.
-Hey, that’s what I studied how to do while you were playing with spreadsheets, retorted Estrela, catching me in a headlock and rubbing my head. Gotcha-kapi!
-Cat, do something, I asked the queen.
-Done, she grinned, discretely groping the jag from behind as he gave a yowl and released me. Effective!
-Sorry madam, but those are mine, said Estrela. Might I have them back, as soon as you’re done with them?
Catherine released him and we changed our minds towards our meeting with Philip who, we hoped, would have recovered from yesterday’s disappointing turn of events in his organization. I packed in all the stuff we’d gathered on the locations, including rough notes from the security expert in some incomprehensible writ that could have been either someone trying out a new pen or some code that the Family used to trade more confidential information. Whatever it was, the soul had seemed quite adamant that his superior should see it when we’d present him the properties, and I had nothing against it whatsoever. Just as a little luxury and to spare our feet, I hired a cab to take us to the restaurant where the Don would be meeting us, and as we hopped off, we noticed our all-too-familiar limo parked behind the place in the alleyway, a sure sign that Philip was already inside.
-Casually late or princely punctual, commented Estrela. I guess we’re right in the middle of both?
-Hopefully! Ah, there he is, I said as I showed our credentials to the attendant at the door, who seemed to scrutinize it quite closely before letting us enter and take our places at the Don’s table.
-Sorry about that, the hare apologized, but I’m a little more paranoid then usual. Gyra, these are our friends from the real estate company.
-A pleasure, said a tall female giraffe, appearing out of thin air, it seemed. My name is Gyra Bambina, an old compadre of our good Don here.
-Gyra and I grew up in the same neighbourhood, said Philip. She was the one I was talking about, from Tampa.
-You had some places for us to take off your hands, asked Gyra.
-Yes here, I answered, emptying my briefcase. These are from your man...
-In shorthand? Wow! He liked them, laughed Philip.
-Was that sarcastic, or... started Estrela.
-Not in the least, I assure you. Shorthand is for anything that we keep a long time, so we’re sure that no one else can read it quickly enough that we don’t notice. Secure, solid, and the price..?
-For the lot, I said, putting forwards the contract that the secretaries had pieced together with the financial department.
-Holy sh- look, this is too low, really, said the Don, waving the papers. At least...
-No, not anything over that, I assured him. There’s a lot of work to be put into them, and we appreciate the business you procure.
-All right, it’s your bottom line, shrugged Philip.
-On that subject, I’m looking for a place myself, said Gyra. Point men, or women, in my case, usually have somewhere a bit special to hang their hat, near their Don but safely out of sight... any suggestions?
-How about this one, I said, passing a picture of another of the haunted places we hadn’t visited yet. Does this hit the target?
-Wow, and it’s big too, nodded Gyra. And the ceilings?
-Cathedral, replied Cat. Nice and out of the way.
-Good to hear! I have a lot of neck to stick out for my friends, but that also gets in the way sometimes...
We laughed at the comment and promised to get the place checked out for her as soon as we could, exchanging a wink to signal that it would be on our agenda for later. With the contract signed, I took it back to have it ratified by the legal and Philip invited to come along with them to the mansion when we’d finish the meal. Even weighed down by the piles of cannelloni that we received, we enjoyed the ride to the Family homestead, which was already being furnished, all matter of goods flowing in from a few moving trucks parked near it.
-Yesterday was a bit of a kick in the rear, said Philip. I was in a hurry to get this place fixed up so there wouldn’t be a chance for a repeat performance.
-All good sense, I said. So we’re no longer neighbours?
-Sorry, grinned the hare, I don’t think we are. On the other hand, you’re welcome to visit anytime, and don’t be strangers. I know that it’s a bit of a commute from your place, but still...
-We need a car, stated Cat.
-It’s not like we can’t afford it, I said. With the cut from our recent sales, no worries!
-Boy, you’re all business today, laughed Philip. Come in, the bar’s already in place in the reading room.
-Prioritizing?
-Somewhat, exploded the Don. Man you’re good people...
The hare led us through the renaissance-style rooms, still being decorated by a few contracts as we passed through them to his office, where a bookcase bar was open, a few intriguing bottles waited to be consumed by appreciating patrons. We toasted the sale of the properties, Gyra showing off by craning down her neck to pick up the glass in her teeth and swinging it back before returning it to the hare.
-Show-off, I said, I have the same vertebrae as you do...
-Just not as many, she replied with a smile. So where are you staying right now?
-We’re kind of between places, answered Estrela, between our up to now completely bare apartment where the Don here used to kick up his paws and our unfortunate hostess’ here.
-I have a little idea, I said. Catherine, not meaning to sound to forwards, but what would you say to moving in? There’s more then enough space for three people in our condominium and the rent’s not anyone’s concern.
-That sounds like a very, very nice offer, said Cat. As long as my special rules apply, I don’t have any problem with it, and thankfully, that means I could consider closing my shop.
-You had a shop, asked Philip, to practice your... talents?
-Yes, for revenue more then fun, replied Cat. Why?
-Well, if you’re looking for clientele and a free place to work your magic, I can officially tell you that there’s none more superstitious then members of this Family, said Philip. If you want, you can book reading here, in the lounge across the way. You won’t be short of regulars, I can assure you!
-Tempting, smiled the queen. In that case, say hello to Mademoiselle Catherine of Lithuania...

The queen had taken our offer quite to heart, and within the week, we’d moved her apartment into our place, and she closed the buy on the place. Our original modern design idea went out the window in favour of a warm slavish style, which actually felt much more homey then our metal-coloured scheme could have been. Augmented by the former furniture from her shop, the living room seemed like a gypsy caravan’s interior, though we absolutely loved the feeling it gave, and Estrela took advantage of the times where both me and Cat were off on business to do some antique-hunting, returning home with a few unbelievable pieces in our brand new mid-range sedan. The queen loved our ghost hunting almost as much as the readings she gave at the Family home, where all matter of their members hung on to her words like their Bible, their exactitude and charming delivery the perfect match to their unfortunately gullible and somewhat fearful nature.

Personally, I loved our new live back across the expanse of the new world. Cat, Estrela and me just worked out to be the perfect family group, and the jaguar didn’t mind working as part-time publicist with me at Lagoon and playing homemaker behind our backs. Catherine loved having a fellow mystic with her to strengthen our skills, and to the jaguar’s childish excitement, we got quite proficient at our work with the haunted homes.

As for Samantha the Skull, she had her place too, in a bookcase in the living room. Oh, if she could still talk aloud, she would have told some pretty tales about us three indeed, but she still cherished the three mental cases she looked over...