Grave Haunting (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 10)

by Lily Harper Hart

“I can’t stop asking that because I love you,” Nick countered. “When you love someone you always ask them that question.”

  Maddie tilted her head to the side, conflicted. “I don’t ask you that question on a daily basis.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “You do it when you kiss me each morning,” Nick argued. “You give me a kiss, stare into my eyes as if reading my mind, and that makes me happy. It’s the same as asking how I’m doing.”

  “Uh-huh.” Maddie wasn’t even remotely convinced. “How is me kissing you the same as you badgering me about what I’m feeling?”

  “I’m not badgering you.”

  “You sound like you’re badgering her,” Kreskin interjected from somewhere behind Nick, causing Maddie to smile.

  “See. You should listen to Dale.”

  “I’m going to pretend you never said that,” Nick said, faux outrage practically dripping from his tongue. “You’re supposed to be my girl … and I’m right.”

  “You’re just talking to hear yourself talk at this point,” Maddie countered. “It’s fine. You have a nice voice.”

  “Thank you very much.”

  They lapsed into momentary silence, Nick breaking it first.

  “So, how are you feeling?”

  Maddie blew out a dramatic sigh rather than scream, sucking in a breath before answering. “Nicky, I really am okay.”

  “You’re not, but you’re doing your very best to prove to others that you are,” Nick countered. “Did you talk to your mother?”

  “I did and she admitted he tried to see me.”

  Maddie said it in such a matter-of-fact manner that Nick couldn’t help being surprised. “What did you say?”

  “I said that it wasn’t fair and she explained that she didn’t care about being fair as much she cared about protecting me.”

  “Do you believe that?”

  “Should I call my dead mother a liar?”

  “Mad, that’s not what I’m suggesting.” Nick chose his words carefully because he knew he was about to fall through some very thin ice if he let his mouth get ahead of him. “I know your mother wanted to protect you more than anything. Sometimes she made errors in judgment, though.

  “That’s not necessarily a bad thing,” he added hurriedly. “No one is perfect, Mad, or infallible. Your mother was as close to perfect as you can get, but she still wasn’t perfect. She was desperate to protect you … and what you can do … but not everything she did was without reproach.”

  “You’re talking about the fact that she told me to keep my ability a secret,” Maddie murmured. “You wish she wouldn’t have done that so I would’ve told you the truth and never left Blackstone Bay.”

  “That’s only half true,” Nick countered. “If you expect me to be thrilled about the fact that we spent ten years apart – and that you simply stopped talking to me out of the blue – I’m not.”

  “Nicky … .”

  “Shh.” Nick wasn’t in the mood to revisit their earlier strife, but he couldn’t ignore it either. “Your mother stressed how it important it was to protect yourself. She knew that I would never purposely hurt you, though, and she wanted you to tell me the truth. That was a dichotomy within her. Maybe something similar happened with your father.”

  “Like?”

  “I don’t know,” Nick replied. “What did Olivia say?”

  “She said that she couldn’t rely on him to hang around so she didn’t want him showing up in my life in case I got attached to him and he took off again.”

  “I think that’s fairly pragmatic.”

  “But? I can hear the ‘but’ in your voice, Nicky You might as well tell me.”

  “I’m not going to get into a fight with you, Maddie, mostly because I can tell you’re spoiling for one,” Nick said. “You don’t want to fight with me. You want to fight with your mother. Did she take off before you could do that?”

  “Kind of,” Maddie admitted, annoyed. “We were in the kitchen and someone came into the store. I told Mom I wasn’t done talking to her, but she insisted on finding Granny.”

  “I’m starting to get a little worried about Maude, too,” Nick admitted. “I think you and I should track her down tonight once my shift is over. We need to check in.”

  “She’s hiding because she doesn’t want me to question her,” Maddie countered. “She knows the truth and she doesn’t want to let anything slip because she’s protecting Mom.”

  “Yeah, I figured that out myself.”

  “Quite frankly, this is all Lola Livingston’s fault,” Maddie complained. “If she hadn’t come into the store when she did I could’ve kept digging at Mom until she told me everything.”

  “I … Lola Livingston? Wait … go back to your mother first.” Nick was clearly confused. “You said she admitted that George Hunter tried to modify the custody agreement.”

  “She did, but I know she’s holding something more back,” Maddie explained. “I just can’t figure out what it is. She’s already admitted to the bulk of it – although reluctantly, of course. That must mean that what’s left is the worst of it.”

  Nick swallowed hard. He hadn’t considered that. “Whatever it is, I’m with you.”

  “I know that.”

  “Good. Now tell me about Lola Livingston. Why do you blame her for not questioning Olivia further?”

  “Oh, yeah, I guess you would probably be interested in that part of the story,” Maddie conceded, realization dawning. “I should’ve thought about that sooner. Sorry.”

  “It’s fine, Mad. Just tell me now.”

  “She came into the shop,” Maddie said. “She’s the one who interrupted my conversation with Mom.”

  “She came into Magicks? Why?”

  “She wanted a reading.”

  “But … why?”

  “Well, long story short, she wanted me to tell her that you were lying to her and that she was about to become rich and purchase a mansion,” Maddie replied. “She was also keen to make sure that her brother got nothing and she got everything.”

  “Really?” Nick wasn’t surprised, but he had to admire the woman’s gall. “How did she think you were going to ensure that for her?”

  “That’s a very good question and I have no idea. She got angry and I told her she could leave.”

  “You kicked her out?” Nick was understandably amused by the visual. “Well, that sounds fun. I’m sorry I missed it.”

  “I’m sorry, too.” Maddie heaved out a sighed before straightening. “So … um … I know you don’t want me wandering around because you think I’m going to fall down under the weight of George Hunter’s return, but I was thinking I might head over to the salon.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want you wandering around, Mad,” Nick clarified. “I’m just a little worried about you running into George when I’m not with you. For some reason his presence seems to render you mute and I don’t like that.”

  “That makes two of us,” Maddie said. “I don’t want to hang around here alone right now, though. I doubt very much that George Hunter is going to track me down in Cuts & Curls.”

  Nick pursed his lips. She was right. He knew that. “Okay, well, thank you for calling. If you need me, don’t hesitate to call again. I promise if you do I won’t ask how you’re doing.”

  “That would be great,” Maddie enthused. “I’ll still kiss you senseless when I see you because you seem to like it so much.”

  “That sounds like a plan.” Nick almost disconnected, but then something occurred to him. “By the way, while you’re in the salon, ask the gossip queen if he knows anything about Fran being a lesbian.”

  “Okay. Sure. I … wait. What?”

  CHRISTY WAS holding court in the middle of the salon when Maddie entered, telling some story from earlier in the week when John decided to romance her with a raw chicken and a recipe he found on the internet. Maddie had heard the story at least twice, but she wasn’t opposed to he
aring it again because the ending was hilarious.

  “And I told him that as much as I enjoy chicken, roses and chocolates would be preferred the next time he decides to get amorous,” Christy said, waving as Maddie sat at one of the empty workstations. “He decided that he was going to prove the chicken was romantic so he cooked it. He even put on an apron. At a certain point, he wore nothing but the apron – and then things really did get romantic.”

  The roomful of women broke out in riotous guffaws. Maddie knew Christy wasn’t quite done yet.

  “The chicken was delicious,” Christy said. “My recipe was better. So much better.”

  The laughter doubled and Maddie snickered as she relaxed in the chair, the weight of the last few days lifting from her diminutive shoulders. She needed this, she realized. She needed time away from the worries zipping around in her head. Relaxation and mindless gossip were key to making things better.

  The light feeling only lasted a few moments and then she realized that Cassidy was in the salon, sitting in a chair located at the back corner of the over-sized room. She had foil in her hair, suggesting she was getting highlights, and the look on her face when she locked gazes with Maddie was unreadable.

  “So, how was your day, Maddie?” Christy asked, sensing Maddie’s good mood had shifted and knowing perfectly well why. She couldn’t very well kick Cassidy out of the salon before rinsing her hair so she had no choice but to alleviate the tension.

  “It’s been quiet,” Maddie said, shifting. “Other than a visit from Lola Livingston, I’ve been on my own most of the day.”

  “I’m surprised Nick let you out of his sight for that long.” Cassidy said the words in a low tone but there was no mistaking the fact that she expected people to hear her. If she was going for laughs, she failed miserably.

  “Nick is at work,” Maddie said simply. “He has his hands full with Fran Livingston’s murder.”

  “Yeah, what’s going on with that?” Christy asked, thankful to have something else to focus the group’s attention on. “When we had dinner with you the other night Nick had barely gotten into the investigation.”

  “I’m not sure what’s going on,” Maddie admitted. “There seems to be a lot of innuendo where Fran was concerned. You’re the queen of Blackstone Bay’s gossip circle. Tell me what you know about Fran.”

  “Fran?” Christy didn’t bother to hide her amusement. “Well, Fran was a unique soul, that’s for sure. She was generally pretty easy to get along with … as long as you didn’t buy something she wanted from the flea market at the summer festival.”

  The room filled with the sound of chuckles again, causing Maddie to arch an eyebrow. “I don’t understand. What does the summer festival have to do with anything?”

  “It’s not specifically the summer festival,” Christy explained, her hands busy with scissors as she worked on Agnes Rutherford’s hair. “It’s just … Fran enjoyed shopping.”

  “Oh, boy, did she ever,” Agnes enthused.

  “She didn’t much care if it was at the supermarket or flea market,” Christy continued. “She kept the UPS and FedEx delivery people busy, too. I guess it was three summers ago, though, when she found some antique lamp she wanted. Does everyone remember this story?”

  “I do,” Agnes confirmed. “It was the talk of the Pink Ladies circle for weeks.”

  “Fran wasn’t a Pink Lady, though,” Maddie argued. “Granny said so.” Before she disappeared, she silently added. She definitely needed to track down her grandmother tonight. She hated to admit it – Maude was feisty and could take care of herself, after all – but Maddie was definitely starting to get worried about her grandmother.

  “No, but you don’t have to be a Pink Lady to get swept up in the gossip,” Agnes said.

  “Anyway, Fran found a lamp she loved, but the vendor would only take cash and Fran kept trying to force a credit card on him,” Christy said. “He agreed to hold the lamp for her while she ran back to the bed and breakfast for some cash.

  “While the seller waited, Harriet Proctor showed up and fell in love with the lamp, too,” she continued. “I’m sure you can see where this story is going.”

  Maddie could indeed. “Harriet bought the lamp.”

  “The guy told Harriet he was holding the lamp for Fran and Harriet outbid her by a dollar and took the lamp,” Christy clarified. “Then she proceeded to tell anyone who would listen that she stole the lamp right out from under Fran.

  “Needless to say, Fran was livid when she got back and had a complete and total meltdown,” she continued. “She pulled Harriet’s hair and everything. They got down and dirty on the ground and threw a few punches, although they were chick punches so they didn’t do any real damage. Ever since then, Fran has been a cautionary tale reminding people to bring cash to the flea market.”

  Maddie didn’t want to laugh – Fran was dead, after all – but she couldn’t help herself. “Yes, well, only in Blackstone Bay could that be a story people still tell.”

  “It’s a quiet place and that kept us in gossip for weeks,” Christy conceded. “Is that what you were looking for when you asked me for Fran gossip?”

  “It’s a very intriguing story,” Maddie said. “I was more interested in the one about her being a lesbian.” Maddie expected the women to whisper or balk, but not one of them so much as batted an eyelash. “Er, wait, is that true? I told Nicky that had to be made up. I mean … Fran was married for almost thirty years.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything,” Christy countered. “Back when Fran was getting married it wasn’t okay to be a lesbian.”

  “It’s still not okay,” Agnes argued.

  “Says you,” Christy shot back. “I don’t care what anyone does in their personal life as long as they’re not raping, killing, stealing, or kicking puppies. Now face the mirror and don’t say anything obnoxious.”

  Agnes made a “harrumphing” sound but did as she was told as Christy turned her full attention to Maddie.

  “Are you upset because Fran was a lesbian or because no one told you?”

  “I have no idea,” Maddie admitted. “I’m not sure what to make of the entire thing. I never even thought about it but apparently Fran was in the midst of changing her will to leave the bed and breakfast to a … um … friend. She was going to cut her kids out of the will.”

  “Well, her kids were always jerks so I’m glad she finally came to her senses on them,” Christy said. “As for the bed and breakfast – let me guess – she was going to leave it to Dora Walker.”

  Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “So they were together? I’m so confused. I thought that had to be some made-up gossip.”

  “Most gossip has a ring of truth,” Christy noted. “For example, for years everyone knew that Nick was off limits because he was pining for you. We had no proof of it but look how things turned out. You’re engaged and getting married.”

  “Yes, but … .” Maddie wasn’t sure why Christy changed the subject so suddenly, especially with Cassidy in attendance.

  “While we’re on that subject,” Christy continued, unbothered by Maddie’s warning look. “I want to pick out my own bridesmaid dress. I think that should be allowed for the maid of honor.”

  Maddie pursed her lips. “Who said you’re going to be maid of honor?”

  “I did. We both know I am so there’s no sense in pretending otherwise.”

  She wasn’t wrong but that didn’t stop Maddie from being agitated. “Can we return to the topic at hand? I promise to involve you in every wedding decision when we get to that point. We haven’t even picked a date yet.”

  “Oh, you still want to talk about Fran and Dora being lesbians?” Christy was disappointed. “That’s old news. It’s not like they were lipstick lesbians or anything. They didn’t do anything trashy. They kept to themselves and knitted a lot while watching QVC.”

  “I understand that,” Maddie said. “What I don’t understand is why I never knew this. Nick seemed surprised, too.”
<
br />   Christy was blasé. “Yes, but you and Nick are in your own little world. Does Fran being a lesbian have something to do with her murder?”

  “I … don’t know.” Maddie honestly didn’t. “I think it’s simply another angle to pursue.”

  “Well, that sounds fun for you and Nick to do together when you’re not reading your dirty books,” Christy said. “I want to talk about you, though, since you’re the one with the really big gossip. Tell me about your father and his sudden appearance. I haven’t seen you in days to get the skinny on him.”

  Maddie’s heart flopped as momentary panic overtook her. “Um, yeah, on that note … I think I should be going.”

  Christy was petulant. “But you just got here.”

  “And yet I can’t get away fast enough. That’s a credit to you.”

  Christy beamed. “Thank you.”

  “I’m not sure that was a compliment,” Agnes noted.

  “You’re still in quiet mode,” Christy admonished. “I can’t help it if I like gossip. It’s in my genes.”

  19

  Nineteen

  Maddie couldn’t get out of Cuts & Curls fast enough, catching her breath on the front walk before turning toward the coffee shop. She needed a distraction, a break from talk of George Hunter and what his return meant for her life going forward. Going home wasn’t the answer because the house was empty and Maddie wasn’t keen on being alone with nothing but her oppressive thoughts.

  So, what was the answer? Maddie decided, for now, it was coffee.

  Once she completed her purchase, Maddie decided to walk around town. It was February so it was far from warm, but it wasn’t cold enough to dissuade her. She had mittens and a coat, the sun was shining, and she was happy for a bit of fresh air as she traversed the town.

  She didn’t make it far before she heard someone calling her name. She swiveled quickly, terrified for a moment that her mother had tracked her down and meant to have their showdown in public. Instead she found Cassidy Dunham closing the distance, her freshly highlighted hair gleaming in the sun.

  “What do you want?” Maddie asked, her frustration evident. “I’m not in the mood for a fight.”

  “Who said I want to fight?” Cassidy challenged, running a hand through her hair as she caught up. “I wasn’t sure I would catch you.”