Then again... if they found Aaron’s killer, he’d be able to pass over. What would she do with him gone?
EIGHTEEN
ELIZABETH MISSED NOT talking to Aaron since yesterday morning. He’d explained that his energy was running out quite often lately. She worried that it was because he talked with her – and had texted Chad. It scared her that his days might be numbered. Although he would pass over once the case was solved, now she wondered if he would get to a point in his existence where he’d just run completely out of energy and just fade into nothingness.
Nolan and Chad had been chatting over breakfast this morning. She had made them pancakes and bacon. But she wasn’t hungry. There was too much worry and stress twisting her insides to worry about food right now.
Nolan took a paper out of his wallet and unfolded it before laying it flat on the dining room table. He slid it toward Chad. “This is a list of everyone close to Aaron and who had access to the stage and to his props.”
She frowned. Why hadn’t Aaron given that list to her? But then, his mind hadn’t been on making lists. And it made sense to have Aaron’s manager write down a list of names since he probably knew everyone Aaron had met.
Chewing on the strip of bacon as if it was jerky, Chad’s narrowed gaze moved over the list. He pulled out a pen from his pocket and jotted down notes by some names.
“Who is Carmen?” he asked Nolan.
“An assistant,” Nolan answered. “She didn’t work with him for very long.”
“Why?” Chad raised his gaze to the other man.
“Because she was taking college courses, and she had a two-year-old girl to raise.” Nolan grinned, waggling his eyebrows. “But dang, did she look good in those skimpy costumes Aaron picked out for his assistants.”
Elizabeth snorted in disgust. “Really, Nolan?”
He chuckled and shrugged. “I cannot lie. His girls were nice.”
She rolled her eyes and picked up her cup of cooling hot chocolate to sip.
Chad was silent for a second or two before pointing to another name. “Who is that?”
“Luis was just part of the crew. Aaron had hired people to take down and set up the sets.”
Chad nodded. “And this guy?”
“Joel? He was an assistant.”
Elizabeth snorted on a laugh. “Oh, let me guess. He looked good in those skimpy costumes Aaron picked out for his assistants?”
Nolan shook his head. “No. He wasn’t like that.” He turned his gaze to Chad. “Joel was needed just like ZoAnn and Gina.” He leaned over to look at the paper. “Peter and Jake were also assistants. Each one was all very important to the show.”
“Just like you?” Elizabeth asked.
Nolan nodded. “Of course. The manager is a very vital member to any magic show.” He peered curiously at her. “Why, Elizabeth? Do you honestly think that I would have something to do with my best friend’s death?”
When he said it like that, she felt guilty. “Well, no, but –”
“But what?” His voice lifted. “What have I done to make you think that way?”
Inwardly, she groaned. It was bad enough she felt as though he hit her over the head with a shovel once, but now he was just beating guilt into her. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly and reached across the table to take his hand. Immediately, his fingers entwined with hers. Her heart wrenched. Why couldn’t she have those kinds of feelings for him? “Forgive me for being so distrustful. It’s hard not knowing who to trust around here.”
“Well one thing is for sure,” Nolan said in a kind voice, “you can trust me and Chad. We’ve known Aaron for years. We were his closest friends.”
She exhaled, feeling a little more relaxed now. “Then I won’t doubt you again.”
Suddenly, the lights flickered on and off, startling the men. She smiled. “I think he’s here.”
“Aaron is here?” Chad questioned as he glanced around the room. “Can you see him?”
Warmth came over her and she could smell his cologne. “No, I can’t see him, but I can smell him.”
Chad sniffed the air, and when recognition registered on his face, he smiled. “That’s his cologne.”
She nodded. “I know.”
Chad sighed. “Aaron? I hope it’s all right if I call the people on this list and have them come to your place in a few days. I have questions to ask them.”
The lights flickered on and off, making Elizabeth’s grin widen. She loved how Aaron was always around her, even though she couldn’t see him.
She pointed to the lights. “I’m assuming that means yes.”
“Then... what means no?” Chad asked with a touch of humor in his face.
Everyone stayed quiet as they waited for some sign from Aaron. A few seconds passed with nothing happening. Then suddenly, the blinds in the windows closed simultaneously, creaking a jerking noise. She jumped from Aaron’s unexpected answer.
“That must be it,” Nolan said, laughing.
“Hey, Aaron.” Nolan took the paper from Chad. “Let me read you this list of names and you tell me – or Elizabeth – if you’re all right with Chad contacting these people.”
She waited while Nolan read the list aloud. She watched Chad, mostly, and his gaze zipped around the room as if watching for signs of Aaron. She was relieved to know she had made him believe, which of course, meant she wasn’t crazy.
And to think... a week ago, she hadn’t believed in ghosts, either.
When Nolan was finished, the lights blinked on and off again. Nolan handed the paper back to Chad. He stood and stuffed the paper inside his jeans’ pocket.
“Thank you, Elizabeth. Breakfast was very good. I wish I could stay and help you clean up, but I have people to call and plans to make.”
She stood and touched his arm, stopping him. “Chad? Will you be calling Thomas to come to the meeting?”
“Should I?”
“I’m still not sure if he’s the one who killed Aaron – only because things are happening to him, too – but I think he’d want to be here.”
“I’ll call him,” Nolan said.
Chad nodded. “That’s good. I’ll talk to you later.”
The detective turned and left the room as she started clearing the table. Nolan joined her, carrying the dishes into the kitchen. When she placed them in the sink, he took her hand and pulled her away from the sink, facing him.
“Elizabeth, I want to know something now that it’s just you and me.”
She gulped. The look in his big green eyes let her know that the topic would be personal. She wasn’t ready for that. “What do you want to know?”
“Do you really think I could have killed Aaron?”
His droopy-dog facial expression tugged on her heartstrings again. There was so much emotion in his eyes, and once again, she felt like a fool for doubting his devotion to Aaron. “Nolan,” she squeezed his hands, “there have been a few things to cause my suspicion of you, but it’s because I didn’t know you very well. And it’s because I’m questioning everyone.”
“Tell me what I did to make you suspicious.”
“Well...” She licked her dry lips. “One thing that stands out is that you were the first person to reach me after I’d been chased off the road by that truck.” She shrugged. “I found it a little coincidental that you were right there when I needed you.”
His frown slowly grew into a smile. “I suppose it’s confession time now.”
She arched an eyebrow but didn’t speak.
“I was actually following you from afar. I knew where you were heading, and so I was watching you. I had this disturbing feeling in my gut that Jethro wouldn’t believe your story and that I needed to be there to back you up.”
She wanted to believe, really she did, but there was one little glitch in his story. “Then why didn’t you see the truck that ran me off the road?”
His smile wavered... “I hesitate to answer that question.”
“Why?”
�
�Because...” He sighed and his frown returned. “Because I didn’t see a truck.”
She blinked slowly, not believing him. “How could you not see a big black truck with tinted windows and monster tires that was so close to my bumper you’d think he was my shadow?”
His breathing increased and his nostrils flared. “No, I didn’t.”
“But you saw my car – or Aaron’s Ferrari?”
“Yes.”
“The whole time until I turned off the exit and drove into a field?”
“Well, maybe not the last few minutes before you turned off, but yes, pretty much the whole way.”
An ache grew in her skull and she rubbed her head. Confusion filled her, making her want to scream, but then screaming would only make her headache worse.
Why hadn’t he seen the truck? That was a hard truck to miss. So why had he missed it?
She pinched the bridge of her nose and inhaled deeply. You’re not crazy, Elizabeth. There was a truck!
She took a deep breath and pulled back to look at Nolan. His expression was of pity. Anger shot through her and her temper snapped. She wouldn’t have him – or anyone – thinking she was out of her mind. There was a truck stuck to her bumper like glue. She just had to figure out how to prove it.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to lie down.” She moved past him, but he grasped her wrist, stopping her.
“Don’t leave. Let’s talk about it.”
She threw him a glare. “Talk about what? You obviously think I’m crazy. Well... then if I’m crazy, you’ll have to think Aaron has the same disease because the same truck had chased him. Oh, and let’s not forget Thomas, so – on the same day around the same time – had a black truck with monster wheels run him off the road.”
She huffed and pushed Nolan aside. At this moment, she couldn’t even look at him. In fact, the only thing she wanted to look at that would calm her down was Aaron.
She prayed he’d have enough energy to hold her. If not... she didn’t know what her mind would do.
NINETEEN
AARON’S GUT TWISTED in agony over Beth’s confusion. Anger rose up in him and he wanted to shake some sense into Nolan. What was his friend thinking? Of course, there had been a truck! Aaron remembered one following him, too. How dare Nolan put other thoughts into her mind.
Hurrying into her bedroom, he waited for her to come in. Instead, her footsteps moved right past the door and continued up the hallway. Seconds later, she knocked... on his bedroom door. He grinned and shook his head. They both had the same idea – but in different bedrooms.
Aaron rushed to the door, opened it, and peeked down the hall. “Beth. I’m in here.”
She spun toward him. Her eyes were filled with tears. He opened his arms, and she dashed toward him, barreling into his chest as she clutched his shirt. As she sobbed against his chest, he brought them back into the bedroom and shut the door.
“Beth, I’m so sorry Nolan had to say that.”
She lifted her tear-streaked face and gazed up into his eyes. “There was a truck chasing me.”
“I know, my sweet Beth. I had the same thing happen.”
“Why doesn’t he believe me?”
“I wish I knew.” He stroked her brown hair, loving the softness against his palm. “We’ll figure this out.” He led her to her bed, and they sat on the edge of the mattress. He wiped the tears away from her cheeks before bending and kissing her mouth briefly. “Working on this together, we can accomplish anything.”
She stared at him in the oddest way as if trying to read his thoughts.
“Aaron? Why... me?”
He shook his head slowly. “What do you mean?”
“Why did you choose me to help you?”
He shrugged. “Probably because my grandfather felt that your law firm was good enough to help him, and so when you showed up and I was able to talk to you a few times, I felt that you were good enough to help me.”
“Sometimes I wonder if I can.”
“Tell me one thing.” He brushed his knuckles over her soft cheek. “Do you believe I was murdered – or do you think it was an accident that killed me?”
She scowled. “You were definitely murdered.”
He smiled. “Then you can help me, and you will, I promise.”
She pulled away and lay back on the mattress, looking up at the mirrors. “I’m not as confident as you.”
He followed her and lay beside her, meeting her gaze through the reflection. “Now that Chad is on our side, let’s put him to work.”
“I thought he was, which is why he’ll be calling everyone on that list.”
Aaron nodded. “Yes, but there’s something else he could do to prove your story about getting run off the road.”
She narrowed her gaze. “What’s that?”
“I had my car brought here after I wrecked the car from the chase. It’s in the back side of my garage. I could have Chad check out my back bumper. I think the truck had scraped my bumper, because I remember hearing the scraping of steel.”
She grew quiet, but by the way her eyes stared off into space, he wondered if she was trying to remember what happened with her car-chase. Finally, she rolled toward him and leaned up on her elbow.
“Aaron, I think that might have happened to me. I was scared, but I might have heard that, too.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” He grinned. “Have Chad check it out.”
She nodded. “The sooner the better. I don’t like feeling crazy, but I especially don’t like when other people look at me as though I’ve grown another head. That’s how Nolan looked at me earlier.”
Aaron leaned up on his elbow, facing her. “Beth? By chance...” He hesitated to ask, only because he didn’t know how he would be able to handle her answer.
“What?”
“By chance, do you like Nolan? I mean, are you starting to really like Nolan – enough to go out with him?”
She nibbled on her bottom lip as her eyes sparkled. “Aaron, are you jealous?”
He laughed uncomfortably. “I don’t know... I just don’t like the idea of the two of you –”
“You are jealous!” she cheered, leaning against him, rolling him onto his back.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her against him. “And what if I am?”
Her expression softened. “I’m flattered that you’d be jealous, but you don’t need to be. Although I had toyed with the idea of liking Nolan that way, my heart won’t let me.”
“Why not? Aren’t you over Sam?”
She blinked with wide eyes. “Sam?” She laughed. “I was over him the second he walked out the door – or ran out the front door like a scared girl who was being chased by the boogie-man.”
Warmth filled Aaron and he cupped the side of her face. “Then why won’t your heart let you fall in love with Nolan?”
“Because my heart is busy doing other things right now.”
“Like what?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Aaron Powers, are you trying to push me toward your best friend?”
“No. I just want to know.”
“But... I think you already suspect how I feel about you.”
He stroked his thumb near her mouth. “But I want to hear it from you. Life is too short to be guessing anymore, and since I don’t have a life, I’d rather be upfront and honest from here on out.”
She pushed her fingers through his hair. “Aaron Powers, I think you’re the most remarkable man I’ve ever met. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. You are so tender and sweet, and you actually care about my feelings. Most guys I’ve dated aren’t like that.” Her fingers trailed down his face to stroke his lips. “Aaron, I like how happy I am when we’re together. You make me feel like a woman.” Her hand moved down his neck and to the first open button on his shirt. She slid her fingers underneath the cloth and rubbed gently. “And I don’t care if you’re a ghost or if we only have a few days left to be together, I want to cherish every m
oment we have, because you are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” She paused as she gave him a lazy smile. “I love you, Aaron.”
It was as if his dead, cold heart had been revived, because the excitement and happiness beating through him right now made him feel alive. He pulled her closer and leaned up to kiss her. She met his mouth eagerly. Wrapping her tighter in his arms, he rolled her to her back, kissing her with every ounce of emotion he had left in him. This would quickly drain him of strength, but it was worth it.
Her lips were so tender and sweet, and her kisses were so passionately exciting that he never wanted to stop. If he passed over into the next world right now, he’d leave a very happy man.
Breaking the kiss, he gazed down into her dreamy eyes. “Beth, I feel the same way about you. I can’t believe how much I enjoy being around you, hearing your angelic laugh and seeing your hazel eyes twinkle like stars. The only thing that upsets me is that I had never met you sooner. You are everything to me, my Beth, and I’m the luckiest man in the world to have found you – even in this kind of situation. I love you so much I ache.”
Tears filled her eyes again and ran down into her hair. “It’s really not fair.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Is it bad for me to say that...” She swallowed hard. “That I don’t want you to pass over?”
He shook his head. “No, because I don’t want to go into the light either. I want to stay here with you.”
“Do you think it’s possible?”
He shrugged. “We’ll have to take things one step at a time.”
“Yes. That’s all we can do.”
“But my lovely Beth,” he kissed her lips briefly again, “when I finally cross over, please don’t mourn for me for too long. You’re young and full of life. You need to find someone who can love you and treat you like you deserve. And, as much as I hate to admit it, Nolan might be a good choice.”
More tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “I want you and only you.”
When she pushed her mouth against his, he knew their talking was over for now. There was only one thing to do now – express his love to her without using words. And yet, the more he kissed her, the faster he began to lose his strength.
The Magic of a Billionaire Page 14
