Leading them to the crate, Julian gingerly lifted the lid and exposed the skeleton.
Beckett went to pick up the skull, and his hand shook. Julian watched him carefully. Maybe it was nerves, but something was off.
“She was definitely murdered,” he said, running his fingers over the skull. Suddenly, he jumped as if burned, and the skull fell from his fingers.
Julian managed to catch it with one hand. “Holy shit! You have to be careful,” he hissed. Yeah, something was definitely wrong. The sheriff was acting strange.
“Okay, I’ve seen enough. I think we need to get out of here. We’ll keep this quiet until the rest of this is all wrapped up. As for me taking credit, I’m going to keep it quiet.”
Julian was a little surprised. This was something that could make the man’s career. Solving a murder this old was like a notch in the belt for someone in law enforcement.
“However you want to play it,” he said.
“Can we get out of here?” Beckett asked again. There were nerves in his voice and a cold sweat was breaking out across his forehead.
“Hey! You look pale. Are you okay?” Julian asked, touching the man’s arm. His whole body felt cold.
Oh hell!
“I’m fine,” he said, shaking off the man’s touch.
“You can hear and see her!” Julian accused.
Kane stared at him.
Beckett denied it. “No, I don’t,” he stated. Yeah, it was ten million times worse. When he touched her skull, he could relive the past. He saw her death, and he wanted to get as far away from it as possible.
They stared at him.
“Seriously, she’s not talking to me.” He wasn’t going to say anything more. It was scary enough to him, so why even go there?
Kane gave his boss a look, and the men let it drop before they began moving out of the area. “I hope no one disturbs her,” he stated. “She deserves her final resting place.”
Julian wasn’t about to argue with that.
Not in the least.
Right now, he had another mystery.
Beckett Rand and what secrets he was hiding.
* * *
Tori had to admit that her hat was pretty awesome. She didn't think it would look this good, but when Tori saw it, she was impressed. The dark blue and crisp white of the flower were spot on. Then, the black feather was a statement piece. It wasn’t like she could wear it anywhere but the Kentucky Derby, but she might be caught sporting it around their apartment.
She was sure Julian would understand.
When Christina pulled hers out of the hat box, Tori really hoped that Lorelei did the woman justice. When she saw the different shades of pink, she really hoped that Christina would love it. They all needed a few positive memories to take away from this case. She had her hat, and it was silly, but Tori wanted the same for Christina.
“Oh, Lorelei,” Christina gushed. “It’s gorgeous! Thank you for creating this for me.”
Tori watched as Christina ran her fingers over the ornate accents and bright flowers. Lorelei went with a sunny yellow ribbon. True to form, there was a festive colored feather accenting it.
“I hope you all love them,” stated Lorelei, pulling her own hat out. “When you take them home and see them, I hope that you fondly remember Hesser House and the good times you had here.”
Candy pulled out her hat and like her name, it reminded Tori of some sweet explosion. Well, someone liked chaos. As she dropped it on her head, Christina snickered.
“I’m missing a book from my room,” Bev said nonchalantly. “I was reading about the Hesser family. Has anyone seen it?” she asked.
Everyone looked around.
“Is it in the chest upstairs?” Tori offered. “I know that we were reading books we found in there.”
Ahhhh, it looked like their ghost alibi was only going to hold out for so long. While they may believe that energy deleted the videos and pictures, moving that heavy book was another story.
“No, I checked.”
Christina spoke, “Well, you can always just grab a new one. There were lots of them in the trunk.”
The woman didn't seem mollified.
“Oh well,” stated Lorelei. “We need to discuss the events tonight, and then the plans for Saturday. It’s time to focus on celebrating, and not a silly book.”
Tori sipped the bubbly water in her glass and winked at Christina. So far, everything was going as planned.
Now, she only needed to hope it stayed that way.
* * *
Beckett sat in his office with his boots up on the corner of his desk. He was still disturbed by the day’s events. He could get over the hundred year old dead woman, but what he couldn’t shake was when he touched the skull.
He saw it all.
It ricocheted through his mind, making his body tense with the shock of it all. He saw the woman sneaking through the house, and then heard her final screams. There was the bone crushing sound of her skull meeting cast iron skillet.
Beckett didn't understand it.
He never did.
This bizarre little development as he liked to call it popped up at the oddest times. It had been a while since he had felt the uncomfortable feeling and the flash of recognition.
Now, he was praying that it would disappear again. Deep down, he resented and feared it at the same time.
Running his hands through his hair, he took a moment to close his eyes. At the creak of his door, he nearly jumped out of his skin.
“Sorry, boss man, but we just wanted to tell you that we cleared the next section of book shelves, and we’re about to start working on Mr. Macavoy’s files,” Tadd Marston stated.
Beckett tried to relax. He was jumpier than a frog on a hot road. Maybe he needed a little hiatus from work when this was done. A little fishing trip might calm him down and give him some peace.
“Thanks. Keep me apprised.”
When the deputy was gone, he whipped out an email to the mayor, putting in for his vacation. It would do him good to get away.
Unfortunately, he knew better and could feel it coming.
Something bad was on the horizon.
It was only a matter of time.
* * *
Tuesday Evening
Julian really didn't want to go to the BBQ. In his mind, they should be working on the case at hand, but what choice did he have?
There was a journal to finish.
A dead woman in the wall.
Oh, and a very sexy wife to chase around their room.
All three of those things ranked over sitting by a pool, eating food, and trying to blend in.
Then, he saw her leave the bathroom in her swimsuit, and he immediately changed his mind. “Hello, my wife!” he declared, grinning lecherously.
Julian was now focused on something completely different. Tori, parading around in a swimsuit was something that demanded his entire attention. The black crocheted creation had some sexy embellishments hanging down from the vee between her breasts. What he wouldn’t do to yank on the ties at her hips to set her free.
She snapped her fingers, getting his attention back up to her face. “Yeah, your wife says get your ass in your swim trunks. It’s like four hundred degrees outside, and I’m not baking in the heat alone.”
She didn't have to ask twice. Julian began digging through his suitcase until he found his board shorts. When his wife came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso, he was officially in heaven.
“Mmmmmm. We can stay in if you want,” he offered, as she rubbed against the back of him.
“We can’t and you know it, Jules.”
Reaching behind him, he held her body firmly to his. “You feel really great, Tori. When she pulled his hair to the side and nibbled on his neck, he wanted to melt right there. “Really, Victoria? You’re going to stir me up and make me head down to the pool with nothing but swim trunks on?”
She snickered but released him. “Okay, point taken.
I’ll behave until later,” she stated, slapping him on the ass as she walked away.
There was nothing like a feisty woman in his book, and he was grateful he snagged one.
At the knock at the door, Tori pulled her dress over her head. Julian stood there waiting, unwilling to let anyone see her in the bikini. He couldn’t help it, he was territorial.
It made her laugh, since she was planning on going swimming. Soon, the entire estate would be privy to it.
Opening the door, Christina stood there in a wrap. It was obvious that she planned on taking a dip too.
“Are you both ready?” she asked, peeking inside.
“Yes, we are,” Tori replied, grabbing her husband’s hand as he finished pulling on his shirt.
“I can’t wait to go swimming,” stated Christina. “It’s hot out today! If I don’t cool down, I might cook the fetus!”
Kane mumbled something under his breath about her in a bikini, and Julian knew exactly how he felt.
The women ignored them.
Once outside, they headed down to the big patio. It was lit with lights, and there was the smell of cooking meat wafting in the air. Their hosts were walking around, greeting everyone and being friendly.
Tori noticed that all the staff was in relaxation mode and not working. It appeared that they were going to be enjoying one big night of fun.
When Lorelei approached, Tori noticed that she was in her swimsuit and trying to have a good time. Yet, there was something in her eyes that gave away her unhappiness.
“I’m glad you’re joining us,” she stated, hugging them.
“We are too,” Tori replied. “Are you okay?”
The woman shrugged. “My dad isn’t doing so well tonight. I’m just a little distracted,” she said softly.
“If you need anything, just let me know,” Tori offered.
The woman smiled warmly. “I saved you all some chairs over by the pool. The water is perfect. I’d join you, but I can’t get my cast wet.”
Tori waved as she walked away.
Julian had remained quiet the entire time. It wasn’t that he didn't have anything to say, but because he was watching Fredrick, checking out his wife.
He wanted to poke out the man’s eyes.
As they headed to their seats, Tori kicked off her shoes and prepared to take off her dress.
“Can I talk you into swimming in your clothes?” he asked.
She started laughing. “Jules, you’re out of control.”
Kane leaned over and whispered to his boss. “I feel your pain. I asked actually offered to buy Christina anything she wanted if she would wear a parka to the pool.”
At least misery had company.
Pulling off his own shirt, he watched as his wife stripped down. When she was there in just her bikini, he was torn between wanting to grab her to orally assault her mouth with his, or cover her with his shirt.
“Want to swim?” she asked, offering him her hand before leading him to the diving board. It wasn’t lost on Tori that they had people watching them.
“I’ll go first, so I can make sure that when you surface, your bikini is still intact.”
Tori was amused.
When Julian took his place on the diving board, she couldn’t help but admire his body. It made her mouth water as she took in the lean lines and muscle. Yeah, later she was going to climb all over him.
When he turned to face her, it was apparent that he was going to do a back flip off the board.
“Show off,” she teased.
Kane sat on the side of the pool with Christina, watching them. He loved how Julian and Tori had such a happy marriage. It gave him hope that he would have that kind of happiness one day.
“My money is on him,” he said, grinning at Christina.
“No way,” she said. “Tori was a soldier. She’s going to burn him on her dive.”
“Want to bet?” he asked.
She held out her hand. “Deal.”
They both grinned, taking the moment to enjoy the evening. After death, the ghost, and everything else, this was something to look forward to after all.
Tori waited for him to dive. “Hurry it up, Jules,” she urged. “The longer I stand here, the more men check me out,” she teased, hoping to throw him off his game.
“Patience is a virtue,” he said, ignoring her. When he was ready, he took the bounce and flipped backwards into the pool. He barely made a splash.
When he surfaced, Kane held up eight fingers and Christina held up seven.
It made him laugh.
Tori climbed up on the board and stared down at him. “What do I get if I beat that?” she asked.
“Whatever you want,” he answered. “Notice I’m not worried,” he added, floating on his back. “Do your worst, Victoria Rose.”
She took a few steps back. Tori and Julian were very competitive. From racing the mares, to their endless pranks-once they got started, it was a free for all.
Tori glanced over at everyone watching her. “I hope I can still do this,” she said, earning Julian’s laughter, and then some chicken sound effects.
It made her snort.
Stepping back, she gave herself room. When she was completely calm, she went up into a handstand.
It stopped Julian from laughing. The look on his face was dead serious. She knew that he was praying she didn't fall out of her bikini.
Hand walking to the end of the board, she slowly lifted one arm out to the side, balancing on her palm.
There were cheers and clapping as she pushed off and slid into the water effortlessly.
Under the water, she saw him dive down to meet her. As he headed right for her, Tori went willingly into his embrace.
Together, they floated to the surface.
Yeah, this was exactly what she wanted to win in the bet.
Julian was the best prize ever.
For that brief moment, the Littlemoons let it all float away. They simply stayed locked together in endless bliss.
Chapter Twenty Seven
When they surfaced, it was to cheers. Tori slowly broke away as she and Julian treaded water together. The love in his eyes overwhelmed her as she stayed against him.
Holding his wife close, he was never more enthralled by her strength and grace. Where she saw herself as a beat up soldier, Julian saw her as a butterfly, escaping from the cocoon to find her way.
Yes, she was definitely far from broken.
Tori glanced over at Kane and Christina. Both were holding up tens and laughing uproariously. Yeah, this round was all hers.
“I love you, Tori,” Julian whispered, as they both kicked in syncopation. “You’re my heart.”
She nuzzled his throat, knowing that she was the luckiest woman alive. Julian was why she survived.
Tori was just about to suggest they share a lounge chair, when there was a loud screech from poolside. Then, it was followed up by some yelling.
“Uh oh,” stated Julian, as everyone cleared out of the way. A very angry Lorelei was heading straight toward her cousin with some blonde tucked under her arm in a headlock.
“Who do you think you are?” she shouted, pointing at Fredrick.
“Do you think you have any right to invite hookers into our home? You want to screw every woman in town, you do it elsewhere. As long as I’m alive, you’re not going to desecrate our legacy by your loose morals and skanky women!”
Tori gasped as Lorelei pushed the call girl into the pool. Julian and Tori swam to her side in case she couldn’t swim in all her clothes and heels.
“This is my home too, Lorelei! I can have women here if I want! No one stops you from carousing with that scumbag boy toy you keep hanging out with!”
It only made her angrier.
“It is your home, and we’re Hessers. We have a name to live up to, and you’re an embarrassment!”
Everyone was staring in fascinated horror. It was like watching a train wreck. You couldn’t help but stare.
“
No more hookers in our home!” she demanded, and then turned on Chef Kilpatrick. “And you! Stop being the pimp in this house, or you’re going to find yourself looking for a new job. While my father would overlook the shit you’re pulling, I won’t!”
Chef Kirkpatrick had the decency to look embarrassed. Obviously, the gig was up. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, nervously chugging his beer.
“Oh please!” stated Fredrick. “This house is a den of lies. You would think that I’m the only one doing secretive things. Open your eyes, Lorelei! This place isn’t as innocent and pure as you wish. In fact, you’re just as sullied as the rest of us, and you know it. The Hesser family isn’t all that high and mighty, so stop living in your medicated la-la land.”
Again, everyone gasped.
She moved toward him, shoving him backwards into the pool, fully dressed.
No one moved as the man came sputtering to the surface.
“Drop dead, Fredrick!” she shouted before spinning on her heel.
A heavy embarrassment settled over all the party guests. Finally, Jamie tried to get everything back on track by apologizing profusely.
Fredrick angrily swam to the pool edge. Once there, he hauled the drenched woman out. Shoving her, he took his rage out on her. “Get out!”
Then, he too headed into the house to escape.
“Well, holy shit,” muttered Tori, looking at her husband.
“I don’t have words for that,” he said.
Tori just shook her head.
Yeah, neither did she.
* * *
Nineteen Fifteen
Today was their anniversary, and it would be the first they’d celebrated in the years they’d been married. As of late, things had been really great. Her husband was really trying to give their marriage a chance, and she was grateful.
After all, they did have a child to raise together.
Lost & Broken (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 2) Page 40
