Page 23 of Mike

CHAPTER TEN

With the sparse remnants of Sage’s home securely in the back of the SUV, they drove back toward Belle Fleur, all quiet in thought from their visit with Mauricio. He’d seen a great deal of history in the city. Riots, war, famine, disease, hurricanes, floods, and so much more. Through it all, he survived in his ghostly body, only to protect another generation.

Sage looked behind her in the back of the SUV. A few dozen items not destroyed by the fire were carefully packed in boxes. That was all she had left of her granny. Seeing her old wooden jewelry box, she grabbed it, setting it on her lap. The key was gone, probably melted, or fell off when the firefighters found it.

“Do you have something that can open the lock?” she asked Mike.

He nodded, taking the box from her. It was an easy little lock to pick. Opening the lid, she smiled at the meager contents. Her granny’s wedding ring was in the box, along with two photos from her wedding. Sage’s birth certificate was folded neatly, right next to the deed for the home and the store. It would be hers now. If she wanted it.

Handing Mike the items, she dug in further to see what else was there. In a small white envelope, she felt something rough. Opening it, a key for a lock fell out.

“What’s that for?” asked Mike.

“I’m not sure. There’s a note.All of this belongs to you, Sage. I love you. Granny. It’s on a notecard from a storage facility on Chartres.”

“Let’s see what is there before we leave the city,” said Noah. He made a U-turn and headed toward the address on the notecard. With Mardi Gras in full swing, it was a nightmare to get anywhere near the storage facility. Parking the car a few blocks away, they walked the rest of the distance.

“Unit 923,” said Mike.

“That’s my birthday,” smiled Sage. “September 23rd.”

“She wanted to be sure you would know where it was.” Inserting the key into the padlock, he and Noah pushed the rolling door upwards and flipped on the light switch. “Holy fuck.”

“Oh, my God,” whispered Sage. “What is all of this?”

Julia stepped inside, feeling the spirits all around her. Although there were none haunting the space, their essence was imprinted on the items, calling out to her. And there were dozens.

“I think I need to step out,” said Julia, holding her stomach. “Just for a moment.” Joseph pulled his wife from the storage room, holding her tightly to his body. Within moments, she was calm and breathing normally. He looked at Noah.

“I feel it as well, just not as intensely.”

“What is all of this?” asked Mike.

“I have no idea. I’ve never seen any of this before.” She ran her fingers along the top of the antique dresser, the carved birds and fruits along the finials holding up the mirror. In the corner were several statues that looked to be Greek or Roman. In another corner, standing on top of a marble table, was a Nubian figure.

Pulling out a drawer on the armoire, she gasped, seeing the black velvet boxes. Grabbing the first one, she opened it to reveal an enormous cameo broach. In another was an early Civil War era pearl earring set.

“Sage, there’s a letter here,” said Mike, pulling the envelope from the drawer. “It has your name on it.”

Sage took the letter and opened it. Her granny’s fine handwriting stared back at her. Looking up at the others, she read the note aloud.

Sage,

I know this will shock you when you find it, but I couldn’t figure out a way to handle this, knowing how it might impact your future. I found this storage unit a few weeks after you left for college. Your parents had been stealing antiquities for several years, although I couldn’t truly prove it. Until now. At first, I thought they were only stealing jewelry from my store. Then I discovered this and realized they’d been stealing items from our neighbors. The antique and art dealerships all along our quaint little street.

I had every intention of returning the items, but I just couldn’t figure out how. I thought to ask Irene, but I didn’t want her to think any less of you. She wouldn’t. That’s not who she is. I’m just being an old silly woman.

Recently, two men have been snooping around the shop, asking me to sell things for them or buy things from them. When they first came in, they asked for your mother and father. I knew then what kind of people they were. I think this is what they were looking for.

I’m gone if you’re reading this. Find a way to get everything back to those it belongs to. I don’t know how to do it, and I’m sorry that I’m placing the burden on you. You’re the most capable, amazing woman I know, and it’s been my honor to be your granny.

I was always uncomfortable around the two men coming into the store. One had an evil about him that set my skin on fire. His name is the only one I know. Farid Sharif. I’m sorry to leave this with you. I’m proud of you and the woman you have become.

Forever your Granny – I love you.

“My parents did this,” she whispered, staring at everything. “All of this trouble. Clara getting killed. It all started with my parents.”

“We’ll get some trucks in here and empty the unit,” said Joseph.

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