| General Fiction posted June 30, 2024 | Chapters: |
...39 40 -41- 42... 
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The plan begins
A chapter in the book The Unwilling Heir
The Unwilling Heir - Chap 41
by Begin Again
ENDING OF CHAPTER 40
Terrence shrank backward from Louie, but Tony beamed. "It's the treasure, boss. I'm telling you, we found the whole mother lode."
Tony's flashlight beam flickered across the floor, spotting a few loose diamonds remaining on the floor. "See, Louie, they dropped some when they were leaving."
"They who?" Marcos snapped.
"Two guys who live upstairs. They said they weren't going to tell the others. They want it for themselves."
Tony opened the door and let it swing open wide. Louie stepped inside, his eyes widening at the sight. He let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Well, I'll be damned."
Terrence beamed with pride while Tony shot a smirk in Marcos's direction. "We thought you'd like it."
Louie nodded, a rare smile spreading across his face. "You did good. Real good. We're gonna get all of this out of here tonight. I'll arrange for the panel vans to come in under the cover of darkness. We'll be rich men by morning."
Tony and Terrence exchanged triumphant looks. They had finally got back in Louie's good graces, and they couldn't wait to see the payoff.
As they headed back to the surface to make the arrangements, Marcos couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that settled in the pit of his stomach. But the lure of the loot was too strong, and he pushed the doubt aside. This was their ticket to fortune, and nothing was going to stand in their way. Not even these bumbling idiots.
******
CHAPTER 41
Dusk was settling on the mansion and its surroundings as the sun kissed the horizon. The air was thick with anticipation in the confines of the mansion's upper floors. The future redemption of so many hung in the balance, and some figures drifted about the rooms, hovering nearby. Their translucent forms flickered in and out as they worried. They were unsure of all the details but understood this would be a pivotal moment tonight.
In town, Jack, Michael, and Tyler worked feverishly to devise a plan to apprehend the gangsters when they escaped from the mansion.
"There's just not enough of us." Tyler tossed his hat onto the desk. "Even with the guys at the lodge and those that have been filtering into town, I don't see how we can do it."
"There's got to be a way. We just need to stay calm and think it out." Jack hoped he sounded reassuring.
"Listen, Jack, I know I'm not a big city detective like you, but even I know these guys aren't going down without a fight. We don't even know how many of them are up there or what kind of firepower they're packing."
"My grandfather —" The thought of Patrick continued to catch Jack off-guard. He cleared his throat and continued, "Maybe Patrick or one of the other guys can get us that information."
"Depending on ghosts —" Tyler shook his head and walked over to the window, staring out at the street. "I must be losing my mind, wondering who's real and who's not. I'm new to the town, but until you arrived, I never suspected anything suspicious. Now, I learned that one of the biggest mobsters in the area is planning a heist right under my nose, and the only way to take him down is with ghosts."
"Tyler, I know all this is difficult. I'm having trouble myself. But I know Patrick is my grandfather, and dead or not, he will not let this go down without a fight. Take it for what it's worth, but those people, ghosts, or figures of our imagination, whatever you want to call them, have dropped this in our laps. From what I understand from my grandfather, they have a hell of a lot at stake."
Michael had sat quietly, listening and thinking. He leaned forward in his chair, clearing his throat before speaking. "I know I'm the rookie here, but I have an idea."
Tyler scowled, "We aren't dealing with petty ante crime, son. Do you think you know more than Jack or me?"
Jack smiled at Michael. "Give the kid a chance? What can it hurt to listen? Neither of us is coming up with a plan."
Tyler nodded. "Sorry, kid. I guess my nerves are on edge. What's your idea?"
"It's not original, but it worked on the Western movie I watched."
Tyler groaned. "This isn't the Wild West, and the Cavalry will not rescue us."
"Hear him out, Sheriff." Jack snapped, his nerves buckling under the pressure as well. "What's your idea, Michael?"
"I noticed a lot of forest surrounds the cemetery and the mansion. There are stacks of cut branches everywhere."
"Yeah, they're clearing out an area. Town's planning to build a park by the river, but how does that help us?"
"We build a fire ring out of the branches. We're far enough away from the mansion. Those vans are going to leave the mansion under the cover of darkness. They aren't familiar with the lay of the land, and I doubt they'll take much notice of branches, especially if we hide them behind the tall weeds."
"I get it. We can make a clearing so the fire doesn't spread, but leave tall weeds to hide it from anyone coming from the back of the mansion."
"Right! They'll be in it before they know it, and then we will set it on fire, blocking their getaway route."
"Well, I gotta admit it sounds like a good plan, but how do we go about building this wall of fire without anyone seeing all our activity moving from the forests to our spot?"
"I can answer that!"
All of them spun around to face the direction the voice came from. Jack recovered first.
"Grandfather! You've got to stop sneaking up on people like that."
"Sorry! I'm like a kid with a new toy. It's fun." Seeing the skeptical looks on the three mortals staring at him, Patrick changed his tactics. "I sensed you needed help, and I popped in to offer my — well, our services."
The sheriff slumped into his chair. "The kid told me how to crack this case, and now it's a ghost. I need to wake up if this is some awful nightmare."
"If you don't want my help —" Patrick's earthly form faded.
"No, wait! You got to understand how difficult this is to believe —"
Patrick's form brightened again. "Trust me, I know."
"So, what's your idea, grandfather?"
"There's a mansion of unsettled spirits — people up on the hill who are itching to do something besides float around the cemetery. They can build your ring, and no one will see them."
Michael laughed. "If they see floating limbs and branches, I doubt those hoods will tell anyone."
"What do you say, Tyler? Do we put the plan into action?" Jack smiled at his grandfather.
"Might as well, because I sure as heck don't have a better one."
Patrick nodded, and his figure faded, leaving as his voice trailed off. "In case you didn't notice, I'm out of here. There's work to do." His laughter filled the room and made the men smile.
******
The aroma of Lorrie's baked goods hung in the air throughout the mansion. The housekeeper dusted the flour from her hands and moved toward the doorway.
"Would you like some tea?" She'd seen Madeline standing on the porch, staring off into the distance. Despite their ups and downs, they had become friends, bonded by the trials they had faced together.
Startled, Madeline jumped, knocking a flowerpot off the railing. "Oh, dear." She locked up at Lorrie. "I'm sorry for being so clumsy."
Lorrie knelt and picked up the broken pieces. "Don't fret, child. We're all a little on edge." She gave Madeline a reassuring smile. "We've faced troubled times before and got through it. We will again."
Tears shimmered in Madeline's eyes. "I know, but —"
"Come on, child. Tell me what's bothering you."
"It's just — well, when this is all over, each of you will find your eternity. Don't get me wrong — I'll be thrilled for you, but I'll be left here alone. Sandra will probably go back to the city and —" Her voice trailed off, and she turned away.
"And Noah will be gone. Is that what you were going to say?"
Madeline nodded, wiping away a stray tear. "Why couldn't I have realized how much he meant to me before now? I was so foolish."
Lorrie stood and hugged her. "Noah knows how you feel, and I'm sure he feels the same." Lorrie smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I don't think that story has ended." Fearing she might have said too much, she patted Madeline's arm and exclaimed, "Oh! I've got cookies in the oven. Gotta go."
Madeline leaned against the railing, peering at the sky, whispering, "I hope you're right, Lorrie."
*****
In the study, William stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the world outside. He turned to face the group, his voice steady despite the underlying tension. "Patrick has told me that law enforcement has a plan underway. Both exits will be covered. All most of us can do now is wait.
Terrence shrank backward from Louie, but Tony beamed. "It's the treasure, boss. I'm telling you, we found the whole mother lode."
Tony's flashlight beam flickered across the floor, spotting a few loose diamonds remaining on the floor. "See, Louie, they dropped some when they were leaving."
"They who?" Marcos snapped.
"Two guys who live upstairs. They said they weren't going to tell the others. They want it for themselves."
Tony opened the door and let it swing open wide. Louie stepped inside, his eyes widening at the sight. He let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Well, I'll be damned."
Terrence beamed with pride while Tony shot a smirk in Marcos's direction. "We thought you'd like it."
Louie nodded, a rare smile spreading across his face. "You did good. Real good. We're gonna get all of this out of here tonight. I'll arrange for the panel vans to come in under the cover of darkness. We'll be rich men by morning."
Tony and Terrence exchanged triumphant looks. They had finally got back in Louie's good graces, and they couldn't wait to see the payoff.
As they headed back to the surface to make the arrangements, Marcos couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that settled in the pit of his stomach. But the lure of the loot was too strong, and he pushed the doubt aside. This was their ticket to fortune, and nothing was going to stand in their way. Not even these bumbling idiots.
******
CHAPTER 41
Dusk was settling on the mansion and its surroundings as the sun kissed the horizon. The air was thick with anticipation in the confines of the mansion's upper floors. The future redemption of so many hung in the balance, and some figures drifted about the rooms, hovering nearby. Their translucent forms flickered in and out as they worried. They were unsure of all the details but understood this would be a pivotal moment tonight.
In town, Jack, Michael, and Tyler worked feverishly to devise a plan to apprehend the gangsters when they escaped from the mansion.
"There's just not enough of us." Tyler tossed his hat onto the desk. "Even with the guys at the lodge and those that have been filtering into town, I don't see how we can do it."
"There's got to be a way. We just need to stay calm and think it out." Jack hoped he sounded reassuring.
"Listen, Jack, I know I'm not a big city detective like you, but even I know these guys aren't going down without a fight. We don't even know how many of them are up there or what kind of firepower they're packing."
"My grandfather —" The thought of Patrick continued to catch Jack off-guard. He cleared his throat and continued, "Maybe Patrick or one of the other guys can get us that information."
"Depending on ghosts —" Tyler shook his head and walked over to the window, staring out at the street. "I must be losing my mind, wondering who's real and who's not. I'm new to the town, but until you arrived, I never suspected anything suspicious. Now, I learned that one of the biggest mobsters in the area is planning a heist right under my nose, and the only way to take him down is with ghosts."
"Tyler, I know all this is difficult. I'm having trouble myself. But I know Patrick is my grandfather, and dead or not, he will not let this go down without a fight. Take it for what it's worth, but those people, ghosts, or figures of our imagination, whatever you want to call them, have dropped this in our laps. From what I understand from my grandfather, they have a hell of a lot at stake."
Michael had sat quietly, listening and thinking. He leaned forward in his chair, clearing his throat before speaking. "I know I'm the rookie here, but I have an idea."
Tyler scowled, "We aren't dealing with petty ante crime, son. Do you think you know more than Jack or me?"
Jack smiled at Michael. "Give the kid a chance? What can it hurt to listen? Neither of us is coming up with a plan."
Tyler nodded. "Sorry, kid. I guess my nerves are on edge. What's your idea?"
"It's not original, but it worked on the Western movie I watched."
Tyler groaned. "This isn't the Wild West, and the Cavalry will not rescue us."
"Hear him out, Sheriff." Jack snapped, his nerves buckling under the pressure as well. "What's your idea, Michael?"
"I noticed a lot of forest surrounds the cemetery and the mansion. There are stacks of cut branches everywhere."
"Yeah, they're clearing out an area. Town's planning to build a park by the river, but how does that help us?"
"We build a fire ring out of the branches. We're far enough away from the mansion. Those vans are going to leave the mansion under the cover of darkness. They aren't familiar with the lay of the land, and I doubt they'll take much notice of branches, especially if we hide them behind the tall weeds."
"I get it. We can make a clearing so the fire doesn't spread, but leave tall weeds to hide it from anyone coming from the back of the mansion."
"Right! They'll be in it before they know it, and then we will set it on fire, blocking their getaway route."
"Well, I gotta admit it sounds like a good plan, but how do we go about building this wall of fire without anyone seeing all our activity moving from the forests to our spot?"
"I can answer that!"
All of them spun around to face the direction the voice came from. Jack recovered first.
"Grandfather! You've got to stop sneaking up on people like that."
"Sorry! I'm like a kid with a new toy. It's fun." Seeing the skeptical looks on the three mortals staring at him, Patrick changed his tactics. "I sensed you needed help, and I popped in to offer my — well, our services."
The sheriff slumped into his chair. "The kid told me how to crack this case, and now it's a ghost. I need to wake up if this is some awful nightmare."
"If you don't want my help —" Patrick's earthly form faded.
"No, wait! You got to understand how difficult this is to believe —"
Patrick's form brightened again. "Trust me, I know."
"So, what's your idea, grandfather?"
"There's a mansion of unsettled spirits — people up on the hill who are itching to do something besides float around the cemetery. They can build your ring, and no one will see them."
Michael laughed. "If they see floating limbs and branches, I doubt those hoods will tell anyone."
"What do you say, Tyler? Do we put the plan into action?" Jack smiled at his grandfather.
"Might as well, because I sure as heck don't have a better one."
Patrick nodded, and his figure faded, leaving as his voice trailed off. "In case you didn't notice, I'm out of here. There's work to do." His laughter filled the room and made the men smile.
******
The aroma of Lorrie's baked goods hung in the air throughout the mansion. The housekeeper dusted the flour from her hands and moved toward the doorway.
"Would you like some tea?" She'd seen Madeline standing on the porch, staring off into the distance. Despite their ups and downs, they had become friends, bonded by the trials they had faced together.
Startled, Madeline jumped, knocking a flowerpot off the railing. "Oh, dear." She locked up at Lorrie. "I'm sorry for being so clumsy."
Lorrie knelt and picked up the broken pieces. "Don't fret, child. We're all a little on edge." She gave Madeline a reassuring smile. "We've faced troubled times before and got through it. We will again."
Tears shimmered in Madeline's eyes. "I know, but —"
"Come on, child. Tell me what's bothering you."
"It's just — well, when this is all over, each of you will find your eternity. Don't get me wrong — I'll be thrilled for you, but I'll be left here alone. Sandra will probably go back to the city and —" Her voice trailed off, and she turned away.
"And Noah will be gone. Is that what you were going to say?"
Madeline nodded, wiping away a stray tear. "Why couldn't I have realized how much he meant to me before now? I was so foolish."
Lorrie stood and hugged her. "Noah knows how you feel, and I'm sure he feels the same." Lorrie smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I don't think that story has ended." Fearing she might have said too much, she patted Madeline's arm and exclaimed, "Oh! I've got cookies in the oven. Gotta go."
Madeline leaned against the railing, peering at the sky, whispering, "I hope you're right, Lorrie."
*****
In the study, William stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the world outside. He turned to face the group, his voice steady despite the underlying tension. "Patrick has told me that law enforcement has a plan underway. Both exits will be covered. All most of us can do now is wait.
Still feeling awkward among the others, Esther moved to William's side and touched his hand. Their fingers intertwined. "William," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Do you think this will work?"
He turned to her, his eyes softening. "It has to," he replied. "We've come too far to fail now." William's thumb gently brushed over Esther's knuckles, a silent promise of his commitment.
Across the room, Sandra paced the floor, her steps muffled by the thick carpet. Her mind raced with the possibilities of what could go wrong. She glanced at the clock, its ticking growing louder with each passing second. "I hope all our efforts pay off," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible.
"It will."
Sandra lifted her eyes to greet her father. His translucent form materialized as she spoke. "How can you be sure?"
"I can't imagine I was allowed to find you, even after my death, only to be swept away into damnation. Sebastian said what's meant to be will be. I believe you and I were meant to meet despite the strange circumstances. I've always watched over you, but of course, you weren't aware."
Sandra smiled. "But, in a way, I think I did know. I would talk to you when I was upset, and a strange calmness would come over me. I'd like to think that your presence comforted me."
"Me too!"
*****
Out in the moonlit forest, the spirits had banded together and were busy at work. James, Benny, and Ryan were working side by side, all of them eager to build the fire ring.
"I never thought I'd see a day when everyone would work side by side for one common cause." He watched as hundreds of spectral forms glided silently among the trees.
Ryan nodded. "Guess this is part of our redemption process. Finding common ground." His eyes widened, and laughter rolled off his lips. "Even that guy is pitching in."
Benny had carried the largest branch he could find. The result was he looked like a disembodied monster, swaying in the wind. Stumbling under the weight of the branch, his footing was anything but graceful.
Across the field, Tony and Terrence were taking a break from loading the vans when Terrence glanced up and saw Benny's antics and all the other floating branches.
His eyes widened with fear as he tugged on Tony's sleeve. "Tony! Tony!" he whispered. "Something strange is happening."
"In case you haven't noticed, something strange is always happening around this place. Let's just get this stuff loaded so we can get out of here."
Terrence pointed across the field. "Tony, just look. There's a — dancing tree."
Tony looked toward where Terrence pointed. Blinking, he found himself speechless.
"Louie ain't going to take kindly to you two wasting time. Let's get a move on." Marcos's gruff voice broke the spell.
Tony's face paled as he stammered, "It's just the wind. You got ghosts on the brain." He turned and headed back into the mansion. "Come on. Did you forget we're going to be rich?"
Meanwhile, the ghosts arranged the branches in a large area, circling the left and right sides of the mansion. The river would serve as a barrier in the back. As the final branch was placed, Benny, feeling mischievous, bellowed a ghostly groan into the wind. The sound echoed through the night.
Terrence stopped walking, his entire body trembling. "That does it! I'm outta here."
Marcos grabbed him, lifting him off his feet. "Shut up and keep loading!" As he released him, Terrence stumbled and fell to the ground.
Tony grabbed his friend, literally dragging him back into the tunnel. "We ain't dying tonight, Terrence. If you wanna die, fine! I'll take your share."
He turned to her, his eyes softening. "It has to," he replied. "We've come too far to fail now." William's thumb gently brushed over Esther's knuckles, a silent promise of his commitment.
Across the room, Sandra paced the floor, her steps muffled by the thick carpet. Her mind raced with the possibilities of what could go wrong. She glanced at the clock, its ticking growing louder with each passing second. "I hope all our efforts pay off," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible.
"It will."
Sandra lifted her eyes to greet her father. His translucent form materialized as she spoke. "How can you be sure?"
"I can't imagine I was allowed to find you, even after my death, only to be swept away into damnation. Sebastian said what's meant to be will be. I believe you and I were meant to meet despite the strange circumstances. I've always watched over you, but of course, you weren't aware."
Sandra smiled. "But, in a way, I think I did know. I would talk to you when I was upset, and a strange calmness would come over me. I'd like to think that your presence comforted me."
"Me too!"
*****
Out in the moonlit forest, the spirits had banded together and were busy at work. James, Benny, and Ryan were working side by side, all of them eager to build the fire ring.
"I never thought I'd see a day when everyone would work side by side for one common cause." He watched as hundreds of spectral forms glided silently among the trees.
Ryan nodded. "Guess this is part of our redemption process. Finding common ground." His eyes widened, and laughter rolled off his lips. "Even that guy is pitching in."
Benny had carried the largest branch he could find. The result was he looked like a disembodied monster, swaying in the wind. Stumbling under the weight of the branch, his footing was anything but graceful.
Across the field, Tony and Terrence were taking a break from loading the vans when Terrence glanced up and saw Benny's antics and all the other floating branches.
His eyes widened with fear as he tugged on Tony's sleeve. "Tony! Tony!" he whispered. "Something strange is happening."
"In case you haven't noticed, something strange is always happening around this place. Let's just get this stuff loaded so we can get out of here."
Terrence pointed across the field. "Tony, just look. There's a — dancing tree."
Tony looked toward where Terrence pointed. Blinking, he found himself speechless.
"Louie ain't going to take kindly to you two wasting time. Let's get a move on." Marcos's gruff voice broke the spell.
Tony's face paled as he stammered, "It's just the wind. You got ghosts on the brain." He turned and headed back into the mansion. "Come on. Did you forget we're going to be rich?"
Meanwhile, the ghosts arranged the branches in a large area, circling the left and right sides of the mansion. The river would serve as a barrier in the back. As the final branch was placed, Benny, feeling mischievous, bellowed a ghostly groan into the wind. The sound echoed through the night.
Terrence stopped walking, his entire body trembling. "That does it! I'm outta here."
Marcos grabbed him, lifting him off his feet. "Shut up and keep loading!" As he released him, Terrence stumbled and fell to the ground.
Tony grabbed his friend, literally dragging him back into the tunnel. "We ain't dying tonight, Terrence. If you wanna die, fine! I'll take your share."
*****
Benny, ever the comedian, floated above. "Guess they couldn't handle the haunting truth."
The other ghosts groaned but couldn't help grinning with satisfaction at scaring the gangsters and completing their job.
Benny, ever the comedian, floated above. "Guess they couldn't handle the haunting truth."
The other ghosts groaned but couldn't help grinning with satisfaction at scaring the gangsters and completing their job.
Sandra Monroe - fledgling crime investigative reporter
Detective Ryan Hamilton - a ghost
Judge William Parker - the grandfather and ghost
Will Parker - the father and ghost
Judge William Parker (Billy) - the grandson and ghost
Benny Gonzales - The Hitman - a ghost
Lorrie - the housekeeper - a ghost
James Matthews - writer living in the mansion's carriage house - a ghost
Noah Wakefield - deceased
Madeline Wakefield - widow
Tim - Sandra's father and a ghost
Victoria - the ghostly FORMER mistress in the 1800s
Esther - a female ghost from the 1800s, hoping to reclaim what's rightfully hers
Sebastian - once a lover and friend of Victoria's but now a celestial being
Frankie Saladino - mobster boss
Louie Frisella - Frankie's #1 man
Marco - a wanna-be fighting his way up the ranks
Maurice - head of a rival crew
Vinny - a ghost of William's past
Sgt. Patrick O'Rielly - William's friend from the past and a ghost
Jack O'Rielly - police officer and grandson of Patrick (a mortal)
Michael Sullivan - a rookie with the police force (a mortal)
Les Miller - CEO of Crime Stoppers Gazette and Sandra's boss
Annie - Sandra's assistant
Tyler - the local sheriff
Tony and Terrence - two bumbling wanna-be gangsters
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Detective Ryan Hamilton - a ghost
Judge William Parker - the grandfather and ghost
Will Parker - the father and ghost
Judge William Parker (Billy) - the grandson and ghost
Benny Gonzales - The Hitman - a ghost
Lorrie - the housekeeper - a ghost
James Matthews - writer living in the mansion's carriage house - a ghost
Noah Wakefield - deceased
Madeline Wakefield - widow
Tim - Sandra's father and a ghost
Victoria - the ghostly FORMER mistress in the 1800s
Esther - a female ghost from the 1800s, hoping to reclaim what's rightfully hers
Sebastian - once a lover and friend of Victoria's but now a celestial being
Frankie Saladino - mobster boss
Louie Frisella - Frankie's #1 man
Marco - a wanna-be fighting his way up the ranks
Maurice - head of a rival crew
Vinny - a ghost of William's past
Sgt. Patrick O'Rielly - William's friend from the past and a ghost
Jack O'Rielly - police officer and grandson of Patrick (a mortal)
Michael Sullivan - a rookie with the police force (a mortal)
Les Miller - CEO of Crime Stoppers Gazette and Sandra's boss
Annie - Sandra's assistant
Tyler - the local sheriff
Tony and Terrence - two bumbling wanna-be gangsters
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