“I went with Landon to talk to Vicky’s sister,” I replied, my heart giving a small jolt at the memory. “She named her oldest daughter after Vicky. She knew she wasn’t coming back.”
“She said she was convinced she wasn’t coming back,” Landon corrected. “She also acted sad because she could no longer imagine Vicky out in the world having adventures. She might’ve known the truth, but part of her still had a sliver of hope Vicky was out there and just took off for no apparent reason.”
“Not knowing is the worst,” Thistle mused. “Still, there’s hope. Once you know the horrible truth, that hope evaporates, so the not knowing seems preferable in that case. Still, she’ll be able to move forward and bury her sister. That has to make her feel better.”
“She was strong,” I noted. “She had a toddler in the room. A little girl who kept making eyes at Landon. She didn’t break down in front of her daughter because she said she didn’t want her children to associate Vicky’s memory with tears. I think that’s a remarkable feat.”
“It’s pretty good,” Thistle agreed, leaning back in her chair as I sipped my martini. “Did anything else happen?”
“We know that Vicky mentioned she didn’t like one of her male co-workers,” Landon replied. “She didn’t say it was for a sexual or violent reason, though. Stephanie kept all Vicky’s letters from that summer. They’re in a safety deposit box. She’s going to read them again and tell us if there’s anything of interest. We’re heading back out to the camp in the morning.”
“We’re going to spend the night,” I added.
Thistle made a face. “Why would you possibly want to spend the night?”
“I want to make contact with Vicky’s ghost,” I replied without hesitation. “And, before you suggest that I simply force her to answer questions, I’m not going to do that.”
Landon rested his hand on my knee. “Bay has made her decision on this and I think it’s a good one. She doesn’t want to force Vicky. I’m behind her. That means spending a lot of time at the camp so Vicky can settle down and feel comfortable approaching her.”
“I thought maybe you and Clove might want to tag along,” I added hopefully. “If she sees the three of us together, it might jog her memory.”
Thistle didn’t look thrilled with the suggestion. “Why would we possibly want to do that? You know how I feel about camping.”
“It won’t technically be camping,” I hedged. “We have cabins. Landon and I are taking an air mattress. I figured you and Clove might want to do the same. You can bring Marcus and Sam if you want.”
Thistle narrowed her eyes. “Camping is stupid.”
“It is, but we liked Vicky.” I refused to back down. “I don’t think spending one night at our old camp is too much to ask. I mean ... she’s been dead for ten years and we didn’t bother to notice.”
“Oh, geez.” Thistle’s face turned mottled red. “I hate it when you do things like this. I mean ... seriously. How am I supposed to say no when you put it that way?”
“Don’t say no.”
Instead of immediately answering, Thistle merely shook her head and averted her gaze.
“I can’t take the afternoon off tomorrow,” Marcus interjected, drawing my eyes to him. “We have a big group of tourists hitting in the afternoon and I guarantee I’ll be busy. I can spend the night there if it helps. In fact, to save on the food situation, because I know how Thistle hates cooking by a campfire, I can pick up takeout and bring it with me.”
“Now we’re talking.” Landon brightened considerably. “Burgers, fries and s’mores. That sounds like the perfect combination. I’ll be there with Bay all afternoon if the others need to work. You don’t have to come right away, Thistle. Bay would like it if you’re there later. She really wants to contact Vicky and thinks you and Clove are her best shot of doing that.”
“No, she’s the best shot of doing that,” Thistle argued. “She’s the one with the power to bend the will of ghosts. I don’t understand why she’s not using it.”
“You understand,” Landon snapped. “She doesn’t want to. It makes her feel bad. In this particular case, it will give her nightmares because she knew Vicky. We both know it. Stop being a pain and just agree to help. You’re going to do it. You’re only arguing so you can say you put up a fight.”
“I’m arguing because camping is stupid,” Thistle fired back.
“Oh, suck it up.” Landon gave my knee a reassuring squeeze. “You’re not going to leave Bay to do this on her own. I’m not either. Clove will whine so much we’ll feel like gagging her, but she’ll be there.
“Whether you guys come in the morning or later in the afternoon, it doesn’t matter,” he continued. “I’ll be with her from start to finish and you guys will show up as soon as you can swing it.”
“Which won’t be until later in the afternoon because of the tour,” Thistle said.
“That’s fine.” Landon kept his tone light. “Just message us when you have a firm schedule and we’ll make it work.”
“Fine,” Thistle grumbled as Marcus offered her a soothing pat and private whispers.
“You kind of bullied her into doing that,” I noted to Landon as I got comfortable. “I’m impressed with the way you handled it. You didn’t manipulate and instead took her head-on. That was the opposite of how Aunt Tillie would’ve handled it.”
“Which is why she responded. If Aunt Tillie would’ve been the one handling negotiations, there would’ve been no chance of sleep. The arguments would’ve carried on well into the night. That’s not how things needed to go this time.”
“You still have to convince Clove.”
“She’ll be the easy one.”
“How do you figure?”
“Clove has a soft heart and she’ll want to help Vicky,” Landon replied without hesitation. “All we have to do is tell her that Vicky’s soul can’t be put to rest until this is solved and we need to be at the camp for an extended period to solve it. Easy-peasy.”
“I don’t think it’s going to be as easy as you think.”
“Just you watch. I’m awesome when it comes to negotiations.”
I was almost looking forward to watching him work. Of course, that could’ve been the martini talking.
Fifteen
Chief Terry was already seated at the expansive table talking with Clove and Sam when we entered the dining room. I hadn’t heard him when he arrived, so I was understandably surprised ... until I realized he’d entered through the back door.
“Terry, I put the bag you brought in my room in case you’re looking for it,” Mom announced as she breezed through the swinging door. She shot me an absent look as I sat in my usual chair. “I didn’t realize you guys were here. Dinner is about ten minutes out.”
That was it. She didn’t say another word. She didn’t mention that she was sorry for traumatizing me earlier. She also didn’t say that she’d thought long and hard about what had happened and was sorry for being a hypocrite and sleeping with Chief Terry on the first date.
None of that occurred.
“Thanks.” Chief Terry’s cheeks burned bright when I shifted my gaze to him. He sat to my right — that was the usual configuration — and Landon to my left. Apparently Chief Terry wasn’t quite ready to meet my gaze, because he opted to continue his previous conversation rather than say anything to me. “I definitely think we can work something out with patrols around the Dandridge during busy festivals, Sam. I’ll talk to my men.”
“What’s happening out at the Dandridge?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Sam replied hurriedly. “It’s just ... I found some weird footprints by the tanker and there are new tire prints in the mud on the road that leads to the Dandridge. I think it’s obvious someone parked out there and walked around. It must have been last night after we went to bed. I want to make sure it’s not someone planning something dangerous.”
“I told him it was probably kids,” Clove offered. “He agrees, but we want to m
ake sure.”
“That used to be a party area,” Chief Terry said. “I’ll send a few patrols out just to be on the safe side.”
“I would appreciate it.” Sam rubbed his hands over Clove’s shoulder. “Now that I’m getting married to the prettiest woman in the world, I want to make sure she’s safe at all times.”
Clove beamed at him as Thistle mimed throwing up.
“Oh, that’s sweet,” Landon intoned. “He’s going out of his way to make sure his woman is safe and I’m taking mine to spend the night at a camp where a killer might be hanging out. That makes me feel like a bit of a dolt.”
I frowned. “Did you just refer to me as your woman?”
“No. You’re hearing things.” He didn’t meet my gaze. “But speaking of that, I need to talk to you guys.” He launched into his spiel, which took only a few minutes, and by the time he was finished Sam was already bobbing his head.
“That’s a great idea,” Sam enthused. “I haven’t seen a ghost myself in some time and I’ve yet to see Bay in action with her new powers.” Sam’s mother was a witch and he, too, could see ghosts. “I won’t be able to help until the afternoon because I have some deliveries arriving at the tanker tomorrow morning, but we’ll definitely be there.”
I didn’t miss the way Clove moved her jaw. She didn’t argue, but it was obvious she wanted to.
“I already told them we need to be at the store for the tour, Clove,” Thistle offered. “We’ll pick up dinner and head out there once we’re finished.”
“Right.” Clove’s expression would’ve been hard for a stranger to read. She was trying to figure a way out of this conundrum. “Are we sure it’s safe to stay at the camp? I mean ... two bodies have been found out there. That doesn’t sound safe.”
“There will be six of us,” Landon pointed out. “One killer would be stupid to take on six of us ... especially when three of you are magical and I’m armed.”
“Of course.” Clove made a face. “Still, what if the killer decides to hide in the woods and shoot at us?”
“Then we’ll duck and run,” Landon replied without hesitation.
“But ... .” Clove slid her eyes to Sam, looking for help. He was either oblivious or purposely ignoring her. I had no idea which. “I don’t want to camp,” she said finally, saying the one thing everyone at the table already knew. “I hate camping. It’s one thing to sleep on the bluff after a night of drinking and dancing. It’s quite another to purposely stay at the haunted campground with no electricity that’s housing a killer.”
“You’ll be fine.” Landon refused to back down. “Speaking of that, I understand you have generators in your greenhouse, Aunt Tillie. We need to borrow one for tomorrow. I want to fire up the electrical out at the campground and see if that helps with the search. I’m also going to need to take some lightbulbs for those old fixtures.”
“We have old lightbulbs in the basement,” Twila offered “They’re just sitting there since we switched over to LED bulbs. You can take them.”
Landon grinned. “Thank you very much. That will save some time.”
“I don’t understand,” Chief Terry argued. “Why would you possibly want to spend the night out there?”
“Because Bay thinks it’s important,” Landon replied simply. “I’m with her, so I think it’s important, too.”
I felt warm all over. “Thank you.”
Landon smirked. “What did you think I was going to say? You need to talk to her. I want to make sure you’re safe and look around. It’s a meeting of the minds, so to speak. Everyone else will be there to spend the night. No one would dare move on a group like that. Everything will be fine.”
“Yeah, but ... .” Chief Terry trailed off and shifted his eyes to me. “What do you think she’s going to tell you, Bay?” He looked plaintive. “Do you really think she’s going to help?”
“I think she’s the only one who can help,” I replied without hesitation. I’d given this a lot of thought during the drive back from Stephanie’s house. “She’s stuck out there for a reason. She wasn’t at her sister’s house. That means she’s probably emotionally anchored to the camp.
“I want to talk to her, figure out what happened and then free her,” I continued. “I remember her as a nice young woman. She had a lot of energy and was fun. She didn’t bully anyone ... or judge anyone. She was welcoming to all the girls.”
“She was also mean to Lila,” Thistle added. “That’s why I’m going. She caught Lila being mean to Bay that first summer and took her down a peg or two. Like Bay said, she was welcoming to everyone ... but she recognized Lila for what she was. To me, that means she was a good person, and I want to help her.”
“And there will be s’mores,” Landon added. “We’ll build a fire and have a good time while helping a woman who helped you a decade ago.”
“Oh, geez.” Clove whined as she dropped her head into her hands. “Did you have to put it that way? Now I’ll look like a jerk if I don’t go.”
“You will,” Landon agreed. “Do you want to be the family jerk?”
“Not particularly.”
“Then we’ll see you in time for dinner.”
“I guess.” Clove huffed and glared at Sam. “I blame this on you.”
He didn’t appear bothered by the statement. “You’ll be fine. I want to see the ghost.”
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but it’s not as if you guys will be out there alone,” Chief Terry said. “I guess it’s not the worst idea.”
“Oh, such high praise.” Landon rested his hand on my back and smiled. “So ... you’re spending another night, huh? You guys aren’t wasting any time. Does that mean we’re on our own for breakfast again tomorrow? What? I’m just asking so we can plan accordingly. Bay and I have a busy day tomorrow and it’s going to require nourishment. I’m not trying to be a jerk. No, really. Oh, don’t look at me that way.”
Even though I was uncomfortable with the turn of events — mostly that it happened so fast and I didn’t have a chance to brace myself — I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. Landon always knew how to lighten a mood.
“Don’t get between him and his bacon,” I warned. “He’ll never let it go.”
“You’ve got that right.” He winked at me and leaned closer when the table occupants started talking about other topics. “I told you it was going to be okay. Everyone will be there. All you have to worry about is doing your own thing. We’ll handle the rest.”
“Thanks. You always know exactly what I need.”
“Not always, no. In this particular case, yes. We’ll figure this all out and help Vicky. None of us will rest until it’s done. I promise you that.”
I believed him. Tomorrow was going to be a big day.
“EXCUSE ME BUT ... what?”
Mom ambushed me in the kitchen when I arrived for breakfast the next morning. The back of Landon’s Explorer was already packed with things we needed and all we had to do was load up on breakfast (and pack a basket full of snacks to see us through until everyone else showed up with dinner) before saying goodbye and heading out.
My mother had other plans.
“You’re taking Aunt Tillie with you,” she repeated. “It will be good for her ... and you. Think of it as a bonding exercise.”
I could think of a few more ways to look at it. “But ... why?”
“Because I said so.”
I glanced over my shoulder, hoping to find Landon ready to help, but he wasn’t there. He was in the dining room talking over a few things with Chief Terry, making sure he would be available if something popped up. Mom knew what she was doing when she waited for me to be alone to broach the Aunt Tillie subject.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” I licked my lips and searched for a way to gracefully bow out of this situation. “She’ll be stuck up there all day with us and there’s no comfortable place for her to sit.” I decided to go with her advanced age first. “Plus, what if she trips or something? We�
�ll be far away from a doctor. That can’t possibly be good for her.”
Mom was blasé as she whipped her pancake batter. “Your aunt has been walking for a very long time. She doesn’t trip. Even when she’s drunk, she doesn’t trip. She’s the steadiest member of this family on her feet ... which is a sad, sad fact.”
“Yes, but she could trip. I don’t want to be the one who is supposed to be watching her when she finally breaks her streak. I think she should stay here.”
“She wants to go ... so I think she should go.”
I sucked in a calming breath. Yelling at my mother would only cause her to dig her heels in. If I wanted to escape the inn without Aunt Tillie in tow, I would have to appeal to her keen love of family ... or simply trick her. I was fine with either option.
“I don’t think it’s smart for us to keep Aunt Tillie with us all night,” I persisted. “It’s barely getting out of the forties once the sun sets. We’ll have a fire, but that won’t be enough to warm her and keeping her warm inside the cabins is going to be uncomfortable. I don’t think Landon is up to cuddling with her.”
Mom’s expression never changed as she started ladling the batter onto the griddle. “Take extra blankets.”
She was killing me! “What about Peg?” I hoped I sounded rational instead of desperate. “If Aunt Tillie comes with us you’ll have to take care of Peg. You don’t like her and that will be a hardship.”
Mom scowled. “I don’t dislike Peg. I think she’s a lovely animal. I just happen to believe Aunt Tillie should’ve asked before bringing an animal into the home. Teacup pigs live about five years. That’s not a long lifespan, and she’ll be devastated when the pig dies.
“Of course, there is the off chance that your aunt will go before Peg,” she continued. “Then we will be left to care for Peg, and she didn’t bother asking if we would be up to that. Our problems are not with Peg but the manner in which your aunt brought her into this house.”
Wicked Witches of the Midwest Mystery Box Set Page 44
