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“If you’d all shut up, things will become clear soon. I would like to introduce a legend in the Paranormal Investigation world. Somebody who has flown in, especially for this event. He is as interested as me in this place, and when he heard I’d got a special dispensation to allow an overnight investigation, he leapt at the chance of joining us.”
“With a hefty bribe, no doubt,” Ace muttered.
Drake couldn’t disagree.
“Please welcome Dave Schrader, paranormal investigator supreme,” Phoe said smugly.
By the sounds some of those present made, Dave Schrader was a big deal. But Drake had no idea who he was until he appeared. Tall and solidly built, the familiar friendly face, gentle brown eyes and shaved head jogged Drake’s memory. The square-framed glasses and grey goatee confirmed the man in his memory. He’d seen the guy on TV on some of the paranormal programmes Phoe watched. And Phoe loved him to bits. She thought he was one of the only truly genuine investigators out there!
Dave himself looked bemused as he was surrounded by fans. Not all the old ladies either; Drake noticed there were a few Hellfire and Rage brothers fangirling over the big man. Dave was pleasant as he spoke to each of them, making them all feel special.
Drake silently nodded in approval and then froze.
Dave Schrader was a paranormal investigator. Phoe had said he’d flown in to check this place over. Oh shit, Phoe wasn’t thinking what he thought she was thinking, right?
“Tell me, you’re not expecting us to investigate here!” Drake exclaimed, appalled. Silence fell as everyone turned to face him, and his brothers from Rage and Hellfire looked horrified.
“Go in there?” Chatter asked.
“Not on my fuckin’ life!” Apache bellowed.
“Nope, I’m walking home,” Diesel announced.
“You can all shush and put on your big boy panties. We’re all investigating this, and Dave is about to explain everything. This is somewhere Dave’s always wanted to investigate, and now he’s got a chance. And even better, there’s another surprise!” Phoe replied with a grin.
“What damn surprise?” Chance demanded.
“Shut up, asshole, and you’ll find out!” Phoe snapped.
Drake felt his gut clench. Phoe had a nightmare planned for them; he knew it.
“Well, thanks, Phoe, for your kind introduction. As the lady said, I’ve been wanting to get into the Andrews Institute for a long time, but the state closed it down and even placed guards on it. This was to ensure the public’s safety. I’m going to give you a history and then the legends and rumours of what has happened or been seen here. But first, an announcement.
“The institute is so big that we can’t cover everything in one night. So, we’re gonna be here for two nights. Phoe has told me sleeping arrangements have been made for during the day, but nobody can escape!” Dave broke off with a wicked smile as, around Drake, the men erupted.
Phoe and Dave looked bemused at the horrified shouts aimed in their direction. Meanwhile, Drake noted half the women seemed excited and the others appalled. Again, a small group of his brothers were just as happy.
“Sorry, Phoe told me you’re all big, brave men. I guess that’s not so?” Dave taunted, and everyone shut up and glowered. Drake gave Dave his due. He didn’t seem phased by the looks aimed at him.
“All the businesses are covered, so work is not an excuse to get out of this,” Phoe announced sweetly.
“Aw fuck,” Ace muttered.
“Totally agree,” Drake murmured.
“And to ensure there are no accidents… Gunner! Before you enter, the guards will search all of you for weapons,” Phoe said firmly.
“Guns can’t shoot ghosts anyway,” Dave added and received more dark looks. But none as bad as the look aimed at Phoe by Gunner.
Grumbling arose from most of the brothers and some of the women, including Artemis, Lindsey, and Autumn.
Dave regained everyone’s attention. “So, the history. The Andrews Institute was built in 1785 as a single building meant to house those who were mentally ill. Depression, schizophrenia, paranoid delusions—they were all placed here and left. Some victims of the institute were women who had severe PMS, post-natal depression and also included children who harmed animals or suffered epilepsy. Remember, in those days, the conditions existed but not the diagnosis.
“Many of these are curable or managed today, but back then, having someone suffering from one of those or similar was a blot to the family. So they were shunted off to places like this. Most institutes started off actually wanting to help ease the suffering but morphed into something else. Sadly, the Andrews Institute was bad from the moment it opened. The doctors weren’t all qualified, and most could be called quacks. The nurses were often cruel and impatient.
“But the Andrews Institute grew at a frightening rate, and within twenty years, it had six wings added to it to cope with the growing influx of individuals. The other buildings were built over the years, and while many lay to ruin, some still stand. Don’t get me wrong, this was a prison for mentally ill people or the unwanted. Thick walls surrounded the compound, which it turned into. There was only one way in and out, through the gatehouse, and that was heavily guarded.
“Doctors had no problems drugging patients to keep them quiet or using the equivalent of straight jackets. Rooms were overcrowded, the food bad, and care basically was none. Death was a mercy to those trapped here. There were tunnels running from the main building to the others. The remaining buildings intact and in good repair are the mortuary, the crematorium, the children’s quarters, the mess hall, and the main block. The tunnels also are in great condition.
