Alexie Aaron - Checking Out

Mia nodded mutely. She walked over and moved her hand along the diagonal line the red arrow points fell into. She walked backwards a few feet and stared at the map. “This looks familiar.”

“It’s Wisconsin,” Cid said.

Mia glared at him a moment. “I know it’s Wisconsin, but see this line?” She walked forward and ran her hand down the map. “It’s not a road but…”

“Au contraire, every flag is on a road.”

Mia took in each flag, and yes, there was a road intersecting the diagonal at each place the B&B was sighted. “I can see that, but step back here a minute,” she requested.

Cid did so and looked. “Oh, I see it. The flags also fall on a diagonal. It’s not a road. What is it?”

“Unless I’m mistaken, it’s a ley line or part of one.”

Cid looked at Mia’s face and saw concern. “What?” he asked.

“I’m not an expert on the North American ley line system, that would be Bev’s area. But see how the sightings fall in date order until here,” she pointed to the southernmost flag. “Then they start up again here and move upwards, ah, northwest.”

Cid studied the map and nodded. “It’s as if the line stops, and the B&B moves backwards like a train.”

“Ley lines have definite destinations. Like the one that brought me to Cahokia. They lead to areas of religious significance for the ancient peoples. They are powered by the magnetism of the earth. This one is disrupted here,” Mia pointed at the bottom Post-it. “And here,” she stood on tiptoes and touched the top tag. “Granted, he may not have all the sightings mapped, but I can say that Burt may have seen the progression of the B&B and may have predicted its next appearance. But I doubt he would have seen the ley line.”

“So he’s up in Wisconsin… Give me a minute… Here!” Cid said proudly, pointing to an area near the town of Ashville. “If he finds the place and manages to enter the building, it — if true to the legend — will spit him out after one night.”

“But it hasn’t or he’d be calling us.”

“Maybe he missed it.”

“Then he’d be here calculating the next appearance,” Mia said. “It’s the ley line I’m worried about. How long can power like that be trapped? What happens to it when it doesn’t reach its destination and has no way to release the pent up energy?”

“Scientifically?”

“K.”

“It explodes.”

Ted had all the computers up and active a few minutes after Mia’s initial call. Cid had taken pictures of the wall with his smart phone and sent them to Ted.

“What I need you to look into is what other kinds of things may have happened along this line historically,” Mia requested.

“If it is recorded, I or Audrey will find it. I called her, and she’s heading back now. Mike’s on his way. Are you sure that’s what he’s doing, hunting the FM?”

“FM? Oh we’re shortening it are we?”

“Fata Morgana is a mouthful,” Ted defended.

“It’s not a Fata Morgana, dear, not according to science,” Mia said as she walked out of Burt’s bedroom.

“You wound me with my own words, Cruella.”

“Back to your question. He’s packed a bag. Gone are his lucky shorts, bathroom supplies and…”

“Wait, go back. How do you know about his lucky shorts?”

“I plead the fifth,” Mia said, wincing. “I really must think before I speak. Anyway, he packed a bag.”

Cid walked out of the guestroom and shook his head.

“Cid didn’t find his laptop,” Mia reported. “We’re just about finished here. Be home in twenty.”

“Drive safe,” Ted said and hung up.

Mia looked at Cid. Her face told him more than her words ever would voluntarily.

“Tell me.”

“If he has somehow got caught up in this FM — for want of a better acronym — and it’s traveling a ley line…”

“Go on,” Cid encouraged.

He’s a flesh and blood human, not an oober, not a ghost. If we don’t get to him soon, I fear, he’ll perish.”

Mike navigated the turn into the driveway with the skill of a NASCAR driver. The Audi S7 wasn’t built for this kind of terrain, but it handled the road beautifully just the same. He backed the car in next to Ted’s. He got out, careful to avoid some icy patches. He was so intent on looking at the ground that he walked smack into Cid. The collision unsettled both their footing and brought them to the ground.

Mia looked out the window at the spectacle and asked her husband, “How’s our insurance?”

“We’re fully covered. Why?”

“Are we covered by act of Laurel and Hardy?” she asked, watching both men trying to help the other up and falling down again.

Ted looked out the window and grinned. “Maybe we should salt.”

“Maybe. I’ll take care of it,” Mia said, grabbing her coat.

Ted went back to the console and sat down. “I’m lucky to have you,” he called.

Mia smiled and enjoyed the warm feeling that came over her when Ted appreciated her independent ways. She walked out and helped the men to their feet. She waited until they had entered the building before salting.

“Coffee me, Jeeves,” Mike said as Cid helped him off with his coat.

Cid brushed off the snow and pointed to the pot. “Serve yourself.”

Mike walked over and stopped as he caught his reflection in the glass of a picture frame. “Mother of static, what happened to my hair?”

“I think you answered yourself. Careful, ground yourself before touching any of the computers,” Ted warned. “We really need to try to find a better humidity balance in this room.”

“Uh huh,” Mike answered, pouring milk into his mug. “So, Burt’s gone solo again, gentlemen?”

“It appears so. Funny, I always thought it would be you headed for a solo career,” Ted said, staring at the monitor.

“Me too. Alas, I have fallen into complacency. My maverick days are behind me. I now live to be part of this team,” he exaggerated. “Plus, it’s a cold world out there. No one understands me.”

Ted laughed. Cid opened his mouth to say something but shut it again.

The phone rang.

“PEEPs,” Ted said, putting the call on speaker.

“It’s Audrey. I’m five minutes from Big Bear. Do you need me to pick up anything on my way in?”

“Nope, Mia and Cid went shopping yesterday. Watch the ice on the apron of the driveway.”

“Will do.”

Mia walked in and stomped the snow off her boots. “Did I hear the phone?”

“How could you?” Ted asked.

“You have the ringer broadcasting from the sound system outside,” she said, walking over and turning off a switch by the handset. “Oh, Mike, I found this on the drive.” She handed him a shiny brass button with an anchor embossed on it.

“Not one of mine,” Mike said. “Cid?”

“Nope.”

“That’s odd,” Mia said. “I wonder where it came from?”

“It’s a mystery,” Cid said. “We could have picked it up in a tire tread.”

“Or the plow. I don’t remember plowing any sailors?” Mia said.

“Or being plowed by one?” Mike asked. “Must be the drink.”

Mia laughed and flipped him off.

Ted looked at the two and decided not to say anything. Mia didn’t need defending, and Mike was just teasing her.

“Where’s Maggie?” Mia asked, looking around.

“She’s out with Murphy,” Ted said. “He promised to wear her out so she’ll sleep while we’re working here.”

“Nice to have your own doggy sitter,” Mike said.

“Don’t let Murphy hear you say that,” Mia warned. “He already has it in for you.”

“I know, but you and I know that he’s still going to pick on me, so I may as well get a few shots into that enormous ego of his,” Mike countered.