Wicked Decisions

by Lily Harper Hart

  “And you’re the most whipped person I know.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  IVY WAS LOST INSIDE HER HEAD as she trudged down the sidewalk. She wasn’t really angry at Brian. He had a job to do and he was following the rules — at least as closely as he could — to make sure that job was done correctly. It was an important job and she knew better than inserting herself into the middle of it.

  That didn’t mean she was giving up. As much as the notion that Brian thought she was capable of murder hurt, she recognized that he was trying to protect Jack. In the grand scheme of things, they both wanted to protect Jack. That meant they would have to come to a meeting of the minds, even if Ivy was officially annoyed by Brian’s stance. It was a police investigation. It was important. That meant she should mind her own business.

  Should and would were two entirely different things.

  Even though she’d ended Susan’s class early out of frustration, Ivy found herself thinking about the possibility of using magic to solve her problems now. It seemed ludicrous to think about. A little over a year before she thought — like everybody else — that she was a normal woman living in a tiny town.

  She got up in the morning, showered, had breakfast and then headed to work. She did all those things alone. And, even though she wasn’t an unhappy person at the time, she realized now she’d been missing something. Once Jack entered her life, everything changed.

  It started as dream walking. She and Jack shared dreams without realizing it. It was only after one of them let something slip that Ivy realized they were legitimately interacting in their sleep even though they both assumed they were the one controlling the dreams.

  After that, things happened quickly. Ivy understood she was providing the power for the dream walking, but Jack was the one calling to her. She helped him get over the trauma of what happened to him — face the memory of his former partner shooting him in a grimy alley and leaving him for dead — and when they emerged from that dark time in their lives they were united.

  Since then, things had been happening relatively quickly. Slowly, Ivy’s magic was beginning to manifest. Little things like prophetic dreams, seeing through the eyes of a killer, communicating with a ghost, and psychic flashes were becoming everyday occurrences. She fought the term “witch” as hard as she could.

  And then she embraced it.

  “Witch,” Ivy muttered under her breath, exhaling heavily. The word didn’t frighten her like it used to. That didn’t mean she understood how to use the magic to her benefit. So far, everything she’d done had pretty much been by accident. She hadn’t controlled anything.

  She wanted that to change.

  With that in mind, Ivy plopped down on one of the metal benches in the middle of the town square area. She gave a cursory glance to her surroundings — it was the middle of the afternoon on a work day. The only people out and about had business in town. That meant she was on her own.

  She blew out a breath and closed her eyes, leaning back on the bench and lifting her face. Susan tried explaining things to her, but Ivy’s frustration stood as a barrier to enlightenment. Now that she was alone, and had a bit of space between her and the ghostly witch, she recognized the problem.

  She was afraid to fail. She’d always been that way. She wanted to be the best at everything, which was only one of the reasons she and Max were so competitive. It was easier for her to give up before really trying than to fail. It was something she hated about herself and wanted to overcome.

  There was no time like the present.

  After another glance around the town square to make sure she wasn’t being watched, Ivy screwed her eyes shut and rested her hands on her knees. Susan told her to relax, let her mind wander, and allow the magic to come to her rather than try to force it. That’s what she attempted now.

  At first, she was convinced it wasn’t working. She let her inner doubts take over and that internal voice everybody has, the one that fuels the fire — or provides the wet blanket in certain circumstances — started issuing complex doubts. Ivy didn’t give up, though. She remained rigid in her seat, her eyes unfocused, and slowly let her mind drift.

  Ivy wasn’t sure when it started to happen. She became aware of it when she realized the tips of her fingers were numb. Surprised, she looked down. That’s when she saw the magical trail cutting across the town square.

  Her first glance was enough to cause her to gulp. Surely someone would notice a glowing purple line resting on the grass. Once Ivy realized people were crossing the line and paying it zero mind, though, she figured that she was the only one who could see it. That was a good thing, of course, but her nerves remained frazzled as she stood.

  The line was clear, obvious. It cut across the park area and seemed to beckon to Ivy. It was almost as if the line wanted to speak, hold a conversation with her, but instead it just twinkled and offered a low hum for her benefit.

  Another look over her shoulder to make sure nobody was paying attention and Ivy found she was on her way. She’d actually managed to tap into the magic. Now was the time to use that power for something good ... like clearing her aunt. The sooner that happened, the sooner life would go back to normal.

  It didn’t take Ivy long to get to her destination. The line, which never faltered, led her around the block and stopped in front of the library. There, it came to an abrupt end in front of the main door.

  “Oh, well ... .” Ivy wasn’t sure what to make of the new development. She didn’t get a chance to give it a lot of thought, because at that exact moment, the door opened to allow a pretty woman with pouty features to exit the building. Ivy recognized her on sight.

  “Well, well, well. What have we here?” Maisie Washington, her hair drawn back in a loose bun, pulled up short when she got to the spot in front of Ivy. Her tone was mocking. “The rumor going around town is that you took out Zelda. Personally, I never liked the old bat, but I can’t believe you would kill her that way. I’m so ashamed of you.”

  Ivy’s eyes slitted in response and she remembered where she was ... and why she was there. “Maisie.” She studied the woman for a beat to see if she would comment on the glowing line, but she didn’t as much as glance at it. To Ivy, that seemed to indicate she didn’t see it. That was a good thing for everyone involved. “How’s it going?”

  Maisie chuckled at the question. “Seriously? Like you care.”

  Truthfully, Ivy didn’t care about Maisie. Much like Ava, she’d been at odds with the woman for as long as she could remember. Since she was different from the “normal” girls — enjoyed playing in the woods and hunting for morels rather than obsessing over boys and dances — Ivy was often shunned. Small towns were cliquey and Shadow Lake was no exception. Ivy learned a long time before that she didn’t care what others thought ... but that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be the occasional uncomfortable interaction because of it.

  “It was just a simple question.” Ivy shifted from one foot to the other, uncomfortable.

  “Why are you talking to me at all?” Maisie was imperious. “It’s not as if we have anything in common. Or ... wait. Do you want to kill me like you did Zelda? I wouldn’t put it past you.”

  Ivy tried to keep it together ... and failed. “You know darned well I didn’t kill Zelda. Why would you even suggest anything of the sort?”

  “Because everyone knows you were at the dress shop when she died. Everyone is talking about it.” Maisie’s eyes gleamed. “People are saying you saw it happen.”

  “That is ridiculous,” Ivy snapped, annoyance coming out to play. “Why would I kill Zelda? I have no motive.”

  Maisie shrugged. “I heard it’s because Jack is going to call off your wedding and you want to make him feel sorry for you and stick around.”

  Ivy gripped her hands into fists at her sides. “I see you’ve been hanging around with Ava. That’s kind of interesting. I didn’t realize you guys were so close.”

  “Oh, we’re not cl
ose. I pretty much hate her. She occasionally has good information, though.”

  “Well, whatever information she’s spreading now, it isn’t true.” Ivy was firm. She didn’t want to be drawn into an unnecessary fight, but she had no intention of sitting back while Maisie and Ava maligned her. “I liked Zelda. I feel guilty about what happened to her. If I’d known ... well ... I would’ve gone back there and helped her. I simply didn’t know she was in trouble.”

  Maisie drew her eyebrows together, surprised. “Wait ... are you saying you were actually in the store when it happened? I thought Ava was making that part up for dramatic effect.”

  “I was there. I didn’t hear anything, though.”

  “Then why aren’t you in jail? You’re obviously guilty. I mean ... that store is small. You had to have heard something.”

  “Well, I didn’t.”

  “And let me guess, you’re being allowed to wander around and act as a threat to the public because you’re engaged to a police officer. Isn’t that just typical?”

  “No, I’m not in jail because I’m innocent. I didn’t kill Zelda.”

  “So you say. It seems to me that you don’t have an alibi and you had means and opportunity.”

  “Who says I don’t have an alibi? I wasn’t in the shop alone. I was with someone and neither one of us heard a sound. I had no reason to kill Zelda. I don’t care what you say.”

  “You were in there with someone?” Maisie was like a dog with a bone. She either wouldn’t or couldn’t switch gears. “I don’t understand. No one mentioned that you were with someone.”

  “Well, I don’t know what to tell you. I was with someone. I didn’t kill Zelda.”

  “Well ... how great for you.” Maisie’s eyes flashed with something Ivy couldn’t quite identify. If she didn’t know better, she would think it was worry. That was ridiculous, though. What did Maisie have to worry about?

  “I didn’t realize you were close with Zelda,” Ivy supplied, her mind working overtime. “I’m surprised you’re so worked up over her death.”

  “Everyone in town liked Zelda,” Maisie shot back. “She kept to herself and was a nice lady. Even I’m not heartless.”

  Ivy had decades of sharp words and evil glares to look back upon when it came to Maisie that said otherwise. Still, there was something off about the entire conversation ... and she couldn’t put her finger on what. “Well ... I don’t know what to tell you. Jack and Brian are plugging away and expect to have someone in custody soon.” That was a lie, but Ivy figured there was no harm in uttering it. “I think they’re getting close.”

  “Well, that’s great.” Maisie flashed a flat smile. “I should be going. I need to grab a cup of coffee.”

  “Okay.” Ivy stepped to the side so Maisie could skirt around her. She watched as the other woman disappeared in the direction of Main Street, and then turned her attention to another woman who was walking down the sidewalk. It was Shirley Appleby, and she had a stack of books in her hand. “Hello.”

  Shirley was her parents’ age. She was retired and spent all of her time volunteering at the library. She was a big fan of reading — something Ivy understood — and when Ivy visited the library as a child, Shirley worked weekends and always helped her pick out new books. Ivy was genuinely fond of the woman.

  “Hey, Ivy.” Shirley flashed a genuine smile as she clutched the books to her chest. “I didn’t realize you were the one down here talking to Maisie. I thought it was one of her friends. I guess I should be grateful you’re both still standing, huh?”

  Most everyone in town was aware of Ivy’s tempestuous relationships with both Maisie and Ava. She was used to people commenting. “Actually, she wasn’t nearly as bad as usual. She seemed distracted.”

  “Oh, yeah? She’s been talking about Zelda’s death nonstop. Is that what she was questioning you about?”

  “Pretty much. I guess I didn’t realize she was that close with Zelda. She seemed genuinely upset.”

  “Oh, she wasn’t close with Zelda.” Shirley made a face. “She’s been complaining about Zelda for weeks.”

  “How come?”

  “I have no idea. I wouldn’t think that Maisie and Zelda had much occasion to cross paths. Maisie is always complaining about someone, though. You should’ve heard her when you and Jack first got together. Before then she’d been telling anyone who would listen that it was only a matter of time before she snagged Jack. Then you did and ... well ... she didn’t handle it like the prim and proper lady she pretends to be.”

  Ivy made a face. “I bet. I don’t even know who Maisie is dating these days. I usually hear gossip spreading around town because half the time the men she picks are married. It’s been a bit since I heard an update, though.”

  “I don’t know who she’s dating. She’s keeping that information close to the vest for a change, which makes me think it must be someone really embarrassing. All I know is that it’s an old guy and she’s trying something different this time.”

  Something sizzled in the back of Ivy’s brain. “An old guy?”

  “Yeah. I haven’t heard who, but I guess he’s old enough to be her father … and not married. Oh, and she’s determined to get him to stop wearing Hawaiian shirts. That’s all I know.”

  It took everything Ivy had not to pump her fist when she connected the dots. She remained calm, though, and flashed Shirley a friendly smile. “Well, I should let you get to it. It was nice to see you.”

  “You, too. Whatever Maisie said to you, ignore it. She’s not happy unless she’s making everyone around her miserable.”

  “Don’t worry. I figured that out a long time ago.”

  Thirteen

  Ivy couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d stumbled across an interesting tidbit, one that Jack and Brian should be made aware of. Since she’d made such a big deal upon her exit only forty-five minutes before, she decided to text Jack and ask him to meet her in the town square rather than return to the department.

  He appeared curious when he joined her.

  “Hey.” He gave her another kiss because he thought she needed it. “Are you okay? I figured you were upset when you left. I’m sorry about how all of this has shaken out.”

  Ivy furrowed her brow. “I’m not upset about that. I mean ... I’m annoyed. I want this to be over so we can go back to our actual lives, but that’s not why I texted you. Something happened.”

  His eyebrows winged up. “Something happened since the last time I saw you?”

  “Yeah. I’m not so needy and insecure that I need constant reinforcement. I know it might feel that way sometimes but ... I’m actually pretty independent.”

  “I would never say otherwise.” He gently brushed a flyaway hair from her face. “I guess I was projecting. I don’t like cutting you out.”

  “Yes, well, you can’t cut me out now. I have information that you’re going to need and my price for sharing it with you is inclusion in the investigation.”

  Whatever he was expecting, that wasn’t it. Jack’s confused reaction was enough to make Ivy grin.

  “You’re blackmailing your way onto the team?”

  She shrugged. “That’s an ugly word. I prefer saying that I’m negotiating.”

  “But ... .” Jack was at a loss. “Tell me what’s going on,” he prodded after a beat. “I can’t make any promises until I know what’s happening.”

  “I can’t tell you until you promise. I won’t have negotiating power if I tell you first.”

  “Ivy ... .”

  “Jack.” She mimicked his tone to perfection. “I think you’re going to need me on this one. Brian might not want to believe it — and I understand what he’s worried about — but we’ve been working as a team for more than a year. I’m not going to screw up your case.”

  “I know that. I never believed you would. Brian doesn’t believe it either. He simply feels it’s best for us if you take a step back this go-around.”

  “I don’t happen to agree.”


  “Well ... I don’t know what to tell you. Brian is the senior member of our partnership. He has a right to keep you out of the mix. I’m sorry.”

  Annoyance bubbled up and threatened to spill over. Ivy managed to maintain her temper ... but just barely. “I’m not asking you to overrule him or break the rules. I’m simply suggesting that you’re going to need me.”

  “Honey, I always need you. Always.”

  “Yes, but you have a specific reason to need me this time. I’m not joking. I just stumbled across something really good.”

  “I’m almost afraid to ask.” He scrubbed his strong jaw and then held out his hands. “Tell me what you have and I’ll see if I can work Brian around to our way of thinking. It’s the best I can do.”

  Ivy eyed him coolly. She wanted more. She understood he couldn’t simply give her what she wanted, though. Compromise was the name of the game. “Fair enough. So ... I did this thing.”

  As calmly as she could manage, she related what happened. When it came to explaining the magical trail, things became difficult. She had to slow down and backtrack five different times as he tried to comprehend what she was saying.

  “And no one else saw it?”

  Ivy tugged on her limited patience. “I already told you they didn’t. I think I’m the only one who saw it. No one else reacted to it at all.”

  “Then how do you know it was really there?”

  Ivy slanted her eyes. “Are you suggesting I imagined it?”

  “I don’t like that word in this particular context. You don’t want to use the word ‘blackmail’ and that’s fine. I’m not using the word ‘imagined.’ This is new for me. I’m simply trying to get a better feel for what you’re saying.”

  “Because I might be imagining things.”

  “Don’t go there.” Jack extended a warning finger. “We’re a unit. If you imagine things, I imagine things, too. That is not what I’m saying.”

  Ivy choked out a laugh, genuinely amused. “I don’t think it works that way, but I appreciate the back-up.”

  “I’m nothing if not a dedicated boyfriend. Go back to your story.”