Mary Kendall, A Ghost Story

Mary Kendall, A Ghost Story
Headquarters

Jamie and Lee exchange wry glances before looking back at the detective. Jamie shrugs his shoulders and acknowledges the question with his cheerful grin.
“I suppose that's why you're a detective and the lead investigator on this case. You have a keen sense of observation and are able to make intelligent deductions. Yes, the key informants are ghosts, and several of them are involved in Damien's case. Only one accompanied Damien to the headquarters. This particular ghost was a former employee of the syndicate and should prove useful in keeping Damien safe and finding the evidence if it is there."
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Detective Abbott sighs and rubs his temple. "I had a feeling something was going on. I need assurance that he will not cause any problems or disrupt our operation. I don't want vigilante justice from ghosts or my inside man compromised. This operation has been in place for several months and will be concluding soon. We have a few more vital pieces of proof to obtain before arresting them."
"Hey, wait a minute, that's not going to happen! Damien laid all this out to the chief. He is aware of the ghosts that help Damien. I guess he didn't know you knew about ghosts. Not everyone believes. This ghost simply wants to help find proof of who ordered the deaths of the couple that died in the building fire. He can search this place easily compared to Damien. When he finds the files he will lead Damien to them. Damien will provide the proof to his clients and hopefully the police will provide the justice in the court system. Damien trusts him or he wouldn't be here.”
"I used to live in Midnight Hollow so, yeah, I know what is out there. I guess I will have to just wait and see what happens. Let me show you the equipment you will be using."
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The detective demonstrates how to use the software programs that are tracking Damien and the criminals. "An alarm will sound if he clicks for help using his watch. The program monitors his vital signs as well and will also let us know if it detects any signs of stress from him."
He explains the equipment that records conversations using devices placed by their undercover agent. “The devices record conversations in the various rooms, and we have technicians at the station monitoring the other rooms. We will monitor Damien and whichever room he is in. He can communicate with us at any time. Of course, he has to be careful if others are nearby and we cannot communicate back. The other technicians will alert us to any concerns they overhear.
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“Two of us will monitor Damien at all times while the third rests. I will take the first watch with one of you.”
Lee and Jamie play rock, paper, scissors to determine who monitors. Jamie wins and decides to monitor while Lee sleeps.
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Jamie takes a seat in front of the computer and opens his mind. He searches for Damien and easily senses him because of their close relationship. He keeps the connection between them open as he puts headphones on and turns on the computer. The technology will monitor Damien’s vital signs and conversation. He will notice any changes in Damien's energy immediately, probably before the techno stuff does.
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Elias finds his way to the opulent and richly designed leader's office. Clearly, the boss feels a touch above his underlings in his comfortable art filled, and mold free office. The computer is password protected and Elias looks under the computer and in the desk drawer and does not find any possible password. He peers around the room trying to decide where to look next. The door to the room begins to open, and he shuts the lid of the computer with a quiet click.
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Bert Alto, leader of the local criminal organization strolls in the room, sits at his desk and opens the laptop. He slips a finger under his collar as the room feels a little warm and the air smells of smoke and fire. He makes a mental note to check the unit that filters his office from the rest of the building.
Elias is in the perfect place to observe Bert input his password. He will have to find another opportunity to check the computer. He knows from his time in the syndicate a vault was off the leaders room. He recalls Bert was just a scrawny kid looking for trouble back in those days.
Looking at the security system and heavy doors it appears as if they have improved on the multiple lock system they had in the past. He chuckles to himself. That won’t stop me, and he floats easily through the wall, leaving the scent of fire behind.
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The vault is overflowing with priceless gems, works of art, collectibles and rare nectar. Elias gazes about in admiration and wonders why the wealth is not shared as it was back in his day. It wasn't perfect by any means, but the leaders were not hoarders. The dazzling display amazes him considering how filthy the main rooms look. He finds a couple of chests and file cabinets in the back and he must figure out how to get Damien into this room.
When he hears Bert leave the office, he sits down at the computer and logs in. He uses the thumb drive Damien gave him and downloads the files. He opens up the ones pertaining to the vault and finds a way to get Damien into the vault.
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Other members of the syndicate arrive once their jobs are completed. Damien is introduced to Jewel Song, Eunice Partridge, Blake Grayson and Brent Hopkins.
Mack suggests a hand or two of poker while waiting for the boss. They sit down at the tables and play until Bert texts for them to come to the meeting room.
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Bert arrives with several boxes of pizza and places them on the counter.
“Dig in, but listen while you eat.”
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“I want to welcome Dominic (Damien's alias) to our little group. He is here temporarily from our brethren in Bridgeport. He will be able to assist us on a few of our upcoming jobs. His qualifications are excellent."
"Eunice and Blake brought in an impressive haul tonight. Jewel and Brent had to abandon their job due to private security in place that we did not anticipate. I will adjust our plans accordingly as I want those goods."
"Dave, I need you to use your computer skills to hack into their systems and determine exactly why we were not aware of the security ahead of time. I want your report as soon as possible. You are excused from any jobs for the time being because your hacking skills are more important. I also have a list of businesses I need you to evaluate security on as well as information on the owners.”
"Yes sir." Dave responds, smirking a little since he knows exactly why and how that business had security in place since he was the one that notified the chief of the pending job. Dave also knows that the goods obtained by Eunice and Blake are counterfeit and hopes Bert does not discover that too soon. He knows they can't prevent every robbery as he does not always have advanced notice, but when he does the chief is able to tip the business to hire security or provide fake goods.
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“We will soon have enough funds to start some renovations to the building. Everyone must continue to work hard to bring in the goods. We still have to pay our bribes, and our stipends to the national and global syndicates.”
“I will have your assignments for tomorrow by 8 pm. Be here before that so you can be ready to go once it is fully dark and the town is quiet."
“Starting now, Mack and Dave, you will be staying on site for the next 48 hours. The rest of you are dismissed. Dominic let Mack or Dave know if you need anything. I may require your talents on a job next shift. As you know most of our jobs are done late at night so get some rest so you will be fresh. I’m still finalizing the details. If you want fresh air, Dave or Mack will accompany you otherwise you will be unable to get back in. If you are here longer than a few days and prove yourself as an asset, you will be printed.”
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As the others prepare to leave, Damien signals Elias who just floated into the room to report once everyone disperses.
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Elias meets Damien in the shower room. Damien turns the shower on in case Mack comes in. The others have left for the night.
“I logged into Bert's computer and copied the contents onto the thumb drive you gave me. I’ll drop it off at the safe house while you are asleep.”
“There is a vault next to the leader's office. I can get you into the vault as well. A safety feature allows the vault to be opened from the inside, so no one will get trapped. Bert has lied to his minions about how much they are worth. The gems I saw in the vault are worth millions and that is not counting the paintings and other works of art. The nectar stored is probably worth a considerable sum as well. I never considered there was much loyalty in the syndicate even in my day. Keeping them living and working in that nasty set of rooms while his room is clean and the air is filtered is just not right!” Elias exclaims indignantly.
"I've generally seen no loyalty in the criminal organizations I've investigated. Even the ones with family members are at each other's throats and need to watch their backs at all times. I need to look at his computer as well to find out about this job he wants me to help with so we can let the police know. I asked Dave but he didn't know about it. He said sometimes Bert keeps things to himself for private jobs but it should be in the computer."
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