CHAPTER SIX

They left Gus on the island, happy that he was alone and could get off the island space if he wanted to. But what they needed to know was who he killed and why. Having more ghosts was bad enough, but having a murderer wasn't something they were used to, and they had no idea of the capabilities of a murdering ghost.

"Hey," nodded Cruz to the seniors as they entered the boardroom. Archie and Charity sat against the wall listening and hoping to help.

"What's the deal?" asked Trak.

"Gus Presley was fifty-nine years old. He owned his own tractor-trailer and hired out to haul goods anywhere in North America, Mexico, or Central America. Seventeen years ago, his trailer was found in the desert near Ruby, Arizona, a small town northwest of Nogales."

"No. No, don't tell me," said Ghost, shaking his head.

"The trailer had sixty-three men, women, and children in it. All dead from heat. It was clear they were illegals and had been left in the desert to die. Gus was nowhere to be found. No leads. No body. Nothing."

"Did he strike you as someone who would do that?" asked Ghost.

"He's confused. It's hard to tell whether or not he could do something so terrible when I just met him, and he's not alive. He didn't even know he was dead and didn't know where he was," said Angel. "I'm not sure if he died seventeen years ago or not, but if he was fifty-nine, that's how old he looks now."

"So, he could have died and not known it. Maybe he was murdered as well," said Charity. They all smiled at her. "Sorry. Am I not supposed to speak."

"You can always speak up in our meetings, Charity. Your input could be extremely valuable. You're right. Perhaps he was murdered as well. Maybe because he hauled the cargo, and they didn't want him to speak, or maybe because he didn't know he was hauling it and threatened to tell. Either way, we need to figure this out."

"If he murdered those people, is he dangerous?" asked Charity.

"That's a great question, honey," said Ian. "I'm not sure how any of this works. Maybe we need to speak with Matthew. I'm sure there are good ghosts and bad ghosts. But if he's a bad ghost, just what exactly does that mean?"

"What about Julia or Noah?" asked Cruz. "They might be able to get a feel for him."

"It's a thought," said Nine. "Trak? Can you take Noah out there and see what he can find out?"

Trak nodded, standing to leave the room. He turned back, setting the mug in front of Ghost.

"He said he was sorry," smirked the man.

"My mug!" said Ghost excitedly, hugging the mug to his chest like a long, lost toy. "I've got my security back."

The others only laughed, shaking their head at him. Trak grabbed Noah, the big Swede, and headed back out to Devil's Island. This time, as they approached, Trak could clearly see Gus as the man waved at him.

"You're back," he smiled.

"Yes, Gus. This is my friend, Noah. He wanted to meet you." Gus frowned, shaking his head.

"No. No, I don't think I'm supposed to meet him." Gus appeared almost panicked, filled with anxiety and uncertainty.

"Noah?"

"I'm not sure what's happening," he whispered to Trak. "Gus, I only wish to speak with you. I'd like to try and help you remember your life before you died."

"I-I don't want to remember," he said, shaking his head. "No. No, you can't make me remember. You don't know me. You don't know me! Leave me alone."

"Gus."

"No!" Gus disappeared, and Noah stared at Trak.

"I've never seen anything like that," said the big Viking. "It's as if he has dementia or Alzheimer's."

"Is that possible for a ghost?"

"It's possible he had it in his living body, but usually, in death, that all goes away. The ghost doesn't usually experience pain. I felt pain when he ran away."

"Something is very wrong," said Trak. "We need to find out more about the victims in the truck and whether or not he is capable of harming anyone here. So far, it's been harmless pranks of stealing items, but…"

"What?"

"He said he couldn't board the boat the other day. He said he tried but was left on the island."

"Alright. So?"

"So, how did he steal the items at Belle Fleur? How did he steal the tools, fabric, all of it? He is able to get to the main property."

"He doesn't remember," said Noah. "He truly doesn't remember, or he's pretending."

"I don't think he's pretending," said Trak.