“I was so scared I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t leave him there so I passed through the old gate and followed. But there was no scream, no call for help. Nothing.”
“How old were you Jordie?” asked Sean.
“I was eleven. Brian was seventeen.”
“Eleven,” repeated Marc. “You were too young. According to all the records of those that disappeared, they were over sixteen and under sixty. You weren’t the right person.”
“But me brother was,” he said quietly. “I rode me bike home and told everyone who would listen. Da and the other men came back with me. Some crossed the line, others refused but there was no sign of Brian. After a while, it was just easier for them all to say he’d run away. But I know he didn’t. I just know it.”
“We’re so sorry,” said Rory. Joseph froze in that moment. He stared at the rain-soaked window panes, his face completely white. He rarely saw spirits unless Julia was near him. “Joseph? Brother what’s wrong?”
“Y-your brother. Did he have dark hair and blue eyes? Was he wearing a brown sweater?” he asked.
“How could you know that? Did you tell him that Conor?”
“I told him nothing,” said Conor.
“He’s here,” whispered Joseph. Slowly he stood and walked to the window. He placed a hand on the pane and theghost did the same. Joseph felt nothing except the cold, frigid air from the rain storm outside.
“H-he’s here? What foolishness is this?” said Jordie standing, staring at all the men.
“Jordie, I assure you that our friend is able to see your brother,” said Rory. “His father, and most of his ancestors, were connected to the spirit world on their land.”
“Brian says to tell you his savings was in the old cigarette tin,” said Joseph turning to look at the man. Jordie’s eyes filled with tears knowing that only his brother would have known that.
“W-we were saving to take a trip, him and me, on our bikes.”
“He says someone hit him with something and then dragged him into the castle. He woke up in a dark place but couldn’t see where,” said Joseph. “He was hurting everywhere and when he yelled, nothing came out. He screamed for a long time and then others, other ghosts, told him that he wasn’t what the master wanted but he was dead all the same.”
“God,” whispered Jordie.
“He says to know that he loved you dearly. You were his best friend. He’s proud of the man you’ve become, running the family business. He says to stop grieving for his death and celebrate his life.” Joseph’s hand came off the glass and he stumbled back, Rory holding him upright.
“I’ve got you old friend,” he whispered to Joseph. Joseph nodded, turning to Jordie.
“I think I’ll take that whiskey now.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Fitz, Liffey, Wes, and JT nodded at the middle-aged woman behind the bar. Middle-aged. Liffey had to laugh and shake his head. They were all middle-aged or older, depending on who you spoke to.
“Good mornin’,” she nodded. “Fine mess of a day out there isn’t it?”
“It is,” smiled Fitz. “Do you have coffee?”
“Aye,” she nodded. “Sorry, you two had me confused. I thought you were Irish lads with those good looks.”
“I suppose we are,” smirked Liffey. “I’m Sean Liffey, that’s my friend Alex Fitzhenry. Those two are Wes Jordan and JT Stanton.”
“Well,” she laughed, “sounds to me like three of the four of ‘ya are Irish indeed. Are ‘ya here looking for your ancestors?” She set the coffee cups down with cream and sugar, but none of the men took it. They drank their coffee black and strong and this woman’s coffee was perfect.
“No, ma’am,” said Fitz. “We’d like to ask you some questions about Castle O’Shan.”
“I see,” she nodded taking a seat beside them. “This have anything to do with the American girl found dead? I saw it on the news this morning. Terrible thing.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded.
“No ma’am,” she grinned. “My name is Ailish. I’ve lived here my entire life. Fifty-seven years. You’re told from the time that you’re a babe not to enter the grounds of that relic. Honestly, I don’t know why someone hasn’t just torn it to the ground.”
