Risen (Haunted Series Book 22)

shot, and it didn’t work out.  Ted didn’t steal me.  I’m not anyone’s property to steal.  I just realized that you and I weren’t a good match.  We each need to be adored and not by each other.”
“You’re probably right,” he conceded.
Dieter sipped on a Gatorade while watching his mother in the stands.  Mark walked up.
“Mark, do you have any idea who that guy is?” Dieter asked.
“No.  Why?”
“He’s been arguing with my mother for a while now.”
“Want me to go up there?” Mark asked.  “The coach told me I was finished for the day.  I’m afraid I may be finished for good.”
“Why?”
“This is Varsity.  I’m not going to make the team.”
“Then I don’t want to play,” Dieter said.
“But our team needs you.  Tell you what, if I don’t make the cut, I’ll try to get the stat position.  I’m not going to be the water boy, but keeping the stats sounds like fun.”
“Wouldn’t you rather play?”
“And get pounded by linebackers? No.”
“Martin, start warming up,” the coach called over.  “I want to see how good Bentley’s arm is.”
“Yes, sir,” Dieter said.  He turned to Mark.  “Go up there.  I don’t want anybody upsetting my mom.”
Mark smiled.  He grabbed his gear and started climbing the stands.  He got within earshot and slowed his progress.  Mia hadn’t seen him yet.
“I can tell you want something from me, Whit.  Just come out with it and save us both a lot of time.”
“I want you to come down to the Caribbean with me.”
“Fat chance.”
“You can bring hubby.  He would probably come in very handy.”
“He’s too expensive. You can’t afford him,” Mia said.
“I’m not paying either of you.”
“Then you can fu…  Hello, Mark,” Mia said, spotting him.  “Is practice over?”
“It is for me.  Would you mind if I sat with you?  It’s humiliating when you get told to hit the showers halfway through.”
“Kid, it just means the coach has already evaluated you.  He’s just clearing the field so he can check out the quarterbacks,” Whit said.
“Mister, you’re being kind.  Thank you,” Mark said.
“Oh, Mark, this is Whitney Martin.  Whit, this is a good friend of the family Mark Leighton.”
“Leighton?  Now why have I heard that name before?”
“My family owns the Leighton VA facility.”
“Nope.  It will come to me.”
“Are you related to Ted?” Mark asked.
“No.  There are a lot of Martins around in these parts,” Whit answered.  “I’m an old friend of Mia’s from school.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“If you will excuse me, I’m going to go down and see if I can give the coach some pointers,” Whit said.  “Mia, I’m serious.  I think you should reconsider coming with me.”
Mia didn’t say anything.  She watched until Whit was conversing with the coach before she spoke, “Mark, remember the pirate map we worked out together?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it seems that Sabine, Patrick, and Mason are in the Caribbean right now checking things out.  Problem is, it’s led them to an island that would be better left undisturbed.  Whitney works for the Feds, and he seems to think that there are several dozen missing people that may have visited that island before vanishing.  To top it off, Angelo Michaels wanted me to go and protect Sabine.”
“I take it, you don’t want to go.”
“No.  But I’m not sure if it’s just because two arrogant imbeciles all but ordered me to go.  Is this only reason that I’m not going?  What if she’s in trouble, and my rebellious nature is getting in the way of me seeing straight?”
“What if Ted asked you to go?”
“I’d go.”
“What if Michael asked you?”
“I’d go.”
“Ah, it’s because you don’t trust this guy or Angelo,” Mark reasoned.
“You’re one smart kid, Leighton.”
Mark smiled widely.  “I’m glad you think so, Mia.  But I think maybe you should talk to someone more comfortable in the Caribbean before you decide.”
“So, Dieter has told you about the judge?” Mia confirmed.
“Yes.”
“Problem is, I’m not sure I can trust him either,” Mia said.
“Would these three entities work in concert with the others?” Mark asked.
“No, I’m sure, in two of the cases, they hate each other.”
“So, look at them as three independent sources of information.  Two of them, so far, feel you would be a valuable asset in the Caribbean.  If the third confirms it, then…”
“I’ll go,” Mia said, getting up.  “I’m going to see if I can have a brief chat.  If I don’t return before the end of the practice, call Ted.  He’ll pick you up and, hopefully, send out a search party for me.”
“I will,” Mark promised and watched Mia descend the steps before she descended into Purgatory.

Chapter Four
Instead of the beach Mia was used to being brought to, Roumain had chosen the pool of sorrows.  Mia looked around and saw Guillaume Bouché sitting under one of the large palm trees.
“He should be told of Sabine’s situation,” Judge Roumain said from behind Mia.
She turned and looked up into the handsome visage.  The deep brown eyes held hers in their liquid pool.  The first time she had looked into them, she saw herself naked rising from a pool of water that she assumed was the pool of sorrows.  Today, she just saw her reflection in the tall black man’s eyes.
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.  I could use your advice.  But, first, I want to thank you for saving my life.”
“I didn’t save your life. He-who-walks-through-time did,” the elegantly attired Haitian king of Purgatory proclaimed.
“He did it with your help.  Please accept my thanks and esteem.”
“Careful, Mia, you are stirring things in me…”
“Nonsense, you’re flattering me again,” she dismissed.  “What can you tell me of Lucifer’s Lip?”
“You’ve seen it.  Maybe even kissed it?”
“I didn’t