Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

father had already moved the large farm equipment into some of the large outbuildings.
Mia suggested that they consult with Audrey on the best way to make the adjustments the building would need to be considered a home, and Cid volunteered some of his spare time to help draw up building plans so they could get the go-ahead from the county.  Presently, Ted and Mia were staying out of anything Popov after finding out that the family didn’t approve of Lazar’s relationship with them.
“We’re notorious,” Ted said, hugging his wife.  “Get used to it.”
“As long as it’s we and not just you or me,” Mia said with a giggle.
Mia looked out onto the field and saw how much her adopted son loved what he was doing.  She too liked sports, but her diminutive height and oddness had left her on the sidelines when she was in school.  Mia thought about how well she was doing learning to fight.  She liked the athleticism of it more and more. Mia wondered if she should consider a fencing class, something less barbaric that she could do in her spare time.
She laughed at the thought.  “Here I am, thinking about ways to do battle in my spare time.”
“Whatcha doing?” a voice she hadn’t heard in years asked her.
Mia turned and couldn’t believe her eyes.  “Whit?”
“The one and only.  Come on, give me a hug that will start the gossips up,” he said, pulling her to her feet.
The tall, handsome, former lover of Mia wrapped his strong arms around her and squeezed her hard.  Mia pushed him away after enjoying a minute of the embrace.
“Whoa, mister, I’m a married lady,” she said, smiling.
“I heard you’re still with the string bean.  Whatcha doing here?”
“My son Dieter is practicing.  I thought it was easier to stay and watch the practice than killing time in town.”
“I thought you just had little ones.”
“I thought Tom would have said something.  See that tall, black drink of water running into the end zone.  That’s my adopted son, Dieter.”
“He’s got good hands,” Whit said.  “Mind if I sit and watch with you?”
Mia looked at the nearly deserted stands and said, “Well, it is the only available seat.”
He laughed.
“How are you?” Mia asked.
“I’m well.  I had business out this way and thought I’d stop in and watch the practice.”
“Do you miss playing?”
“Yes and no.  No, I don’t miss the aching muscles, but yes, I miss the adoration of all my fans.”
Mia shook her head.  “I’m sure you have fans.  You can’t walk down the street without making the females swoon.”
“I need to hire you as my PR person.”
“Are you still with the Feds?”
“Yes.  Actually, I’ve been asked to do a little international work.”
“Aha!  You’re investigating Beverly.  Is she still ripping off the lords and ladies of the UK?”
“Not that has come to my attention.  Actually, I’m working on a disappearance in the Caribbean.”
“Oh my god, Sabine is in the Caribbean.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“We’ve been monitoring the satellite-phone calls coming out of the area where my group of missing persons were heard from last.  My team mentioned that two calls came from there just today.”
“To me.  Wow, you guys work fast.  How’d you know where to find me?”
Whit lifted an eyebrow.  “Your phone.  Why is she there?”
“How far is this going?” Mia asked.
“Depends on how it impacts my case.”
Mia thought a while.  “Sabine is there with two other friends looking for clues on a pirate treasure of all things.”
Whit laughed.  “Pirate treasure?”
“Yup.”
“How credible is the information?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.  I assumed that Gerald Shem, who is partially financing the endeavor, is just trying to lure Sabine away from raising her triplets full-time and back into business.  But her last call bothers me.”
“How so?”
“She said that the island they are presently looking at has so much negative energy flowing off it that it’s making her ill.  She’s never had a strong stomach.  Evil makes her ill.”
“She wasn’t much of a help in the hollow,” Whit said.
“But she was strong enough to transport Sherry to the MoMA,” Mia reminded him.  “Speaking of, is she still there?”
“Don’t know.  I haven’t been there in a while.”
Mia watched Whit’s face for any sign he wanted to talk about Sherry.
He didn’t.  “Back to the Caribbean.  What do you know about the island?”
“Ah, gee.  Let me think.  It’s called Lucifer’s Lip.  It has a very bad reputation. The locals call it Lanfè which means…”
“Hell.”
“You speak French?” Mia asked.
“Spent some time there recently.  I’d tell you more, but I’d have to kill you.”
“You could try,” Mia said, her eyes on the field.  “But you wouldn’t succeed.”
“You must be talking about your bodyguard Murphy.  How is the old fella?”
“He still has my back.”
“How’s Ted handling that?”
“Ask him,” Mia suggested.  “If this is your roundabout way of prying into my personal life, let me help you out.  I love my husband. He is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me.  We had two amazing sons together and adopted a third.  He supports what I do, and I love him, Whit.  Not sort of love.  Love, love.”
“Shit, Mia.  You don’t have to rub it in.  String bean got lucky.”
“No.  I’m the lucky one.”
“He stole you from me.”
Mia thought a moment.  “If it makes you feel better to think that, then go for it.  What do I care?”
“Ouch, Mia, you’re really being a bitch.”
“Gee, Whitney Pee Pants, I am, aren’t I?” Mia said, standing up.  “If you will excuse me, I’m going to relocate to a less ego-laden part of the stands.”
“Wait.  I’m sorry.  You just bring out the bad in me.”
Mia turned and looked down.  “We gave it a