The Ghosts Of New Orleans (A PARANORMAL RESEARCH AND CONTAINMENT DIVISION (PRCD) CASE FILE) by Terri Reid Page B

you if you are weak.”
    Eloise took a deep breath. “I have been
told that I have enough power to win.  I have been told that I must have
faith.”
    Maria stopped and considered Eloise’s
comments and then looked beyond Eloise towards the walls of the cemetery.
    “You do have the power,” she finally
said, “But do you have the courage, I wonder?”
    “I am not afraid,” Eloise stated firmly.
    Maria smiled gently, “Of spirits and
death you are not afraid, but perhaps it is of life that you are timid.”
    Eloise shook her head in confusion. “I
don’t understand…”
    Maria held up her hand to stay Eloise’s
question. “No, this is not the time to worry, this is the time to prepare,” she
said, “You must learn about your adversary and you must find where she is weak
and strike her there.  I will help you if I can, but my powers have become
limited because of the pain of my people.”
    “Who am I searching for?  Who should I
research?”
    Maria started to slowly fade from
Eloise’s view, but before she disappeared she whispered, “Lalaurie.”
    “Lalaurie,” Eloise repeated.
    She looked around and found herself
standing in front of Maria’s tomb. It was a tall stone tomb, about six feet
tall and ten feet long.  All around the outside of the tomb there were scratch
marks.
    “When others ask a favor, they mark an x
three times on my tomb,” a soft voice whispered, “But for you, I grant your
favor without such a tribute.”
    “Thank you for the name,” Eloise
responded.
    Maria laughed, her voice echoing
throughout the empty cemetery.  “That is not the favor I give,” she mocked.
“The Queen of Voodoo, her favors are always about love.”
    Eloise shook her head.
    “I do not need that kind of favor,” she
stated.
    “Do you have the courage?” the voice
mocked.
    Maria’s soft laughter followed Eloise
throughout her brisk walk back to the cemetery gate, the ever darkening sky
hurrying her footsteps.  She was nearly out of breath when she stepped out from
beyond the gate.
    “There are a couple of issues that we
have to work out.”
    Startled, Eloise nearly screamed as
she spun around to see Paul leaning up against the side of the cemetery wall.
    “What do you think you’re doing?”
she asked, her hand pressed against her heart.
    Paul straightened and walked up to
her. “I thought we agreed that we were partners.”
    Eloise shrugged. “I wouldn’t call
it an agreement, more like coercion.”
    “Whatever you want to call it –
unless you want to be sent back to D.C., you and I work this operation
together,” he stated firmly.
    “Fine,” Eloise said indifferently,
“Whatever you say, Major.”
    Eloise started toward her parked
SUV.  Paul was a few steps behind her and when she reached her car, he moved in
front of her and leaned against the door, blocking her way.
    “And what does that mean, Eloise?”
he asked, “That as soon as my back is turned, you’re out the door working on
your own leads?”
    Eloise turned and looked up at
Paul. “Listen, Major, I’ve been running my own operations for quite a long time
now. I have never needed a babysitter and I don’t need one now. I will take
precautions, if that will make you happy.  I appreciate your help, but, quite
frankly, I don’t need it.”
    “No, you listen, Eloise, we’ve
received three more bulletins about missing women in the New Orleans area. That’s
brought the number up to twelve,” Paul said, “These women are missing days and
sometimes weeks before the police can even get the information out.  They are
all close to your age and were all by themselves.”
    “Well, maybe I’ll be lucky number
thirteen and you won’t have to worry about me anymore,” she replied
sarcastically.
    Eloise nearly stepped back when she
saw the anger in his eyes, but pride had her holding her ground.  Too late, she
realized that she should have run when she had the chance. Paul’s hands shot
out and grabbed her arms, pulling her