Ivy Morgan Mystery Box Set 5

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Max, you can’t blame him,” Ivy squeaked out. “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. You’ll never know how sorry I am. You have to let him do his job now, though. There’s nothing you can do for her.”

  Max didn’t respond. Instead, hands clenched into fists at his sides, he let out a series of exaggerated breaths that made Ivy realize he was trying to talk himself out of attacking Jack. She recognized the calming technique from when they were kids and he had to force himself from going after the individuals who bullied her on a regular basis.

  Sensing he had a bit of breathing room, Jack lowered the lantern closer to the woman’s features. He was trying to ascertain if there was any clear indication of violence, but he lost his train of thought when he noticed movement from the other side of the clearing.

  “What’s going on?” The voice asking the question was low and clearly female.

  Max snapped his head in the woman’s direction, his voice cracking when he finally found it. “Amy?”

  “Of course it’s Amy. Who else did you expect? Did something happen?”

  Max didn’t respond, instead swooping toward her and pulling her small body into his arms. He burst into tears as he held her, forcing her to lean around his tall frame to get a better look.

  “I don’t understand—” she broke off when she realized Jack was kneeling over a body. “Who is that?”

  “We thought it was you.” Ivy mustered a wan smile. “I’m happy it’s not, for the record.”

  “Me, too.” Max stroked his hand over the back of Amy’s head. He seemed to be lost in her, something Ivy had never seen from her brother. It was fascinating. Of course, the dead body they assumed was Amy was also fascinating … just in a different way.

  “Does anyone know who she is?” Jack asked, extending his finger toward Ivy. “Place that call, honey. We need help out here.”

  Ivy finally remembered Jack had given her a task to complete and wordlessly nodded. She checked her cell phone for bars and was relieved to find she had three.

  “I think she might’ve been staying at the camp over there,” the mustached man gestured vaguely into the darkness behind him. “If it’s the woman I’m thinking of, she was with her husband … or maybe a boyfriend. It was just the two of them. No kids.”

  “That’s helpful.” Jack smiled in gratitude at the man. “Ivy, make the call.”

  She was already doing it. Even though she felt relief at the fact that Amy was well and whole, that didn’t change the fact that there was a dead woman at the campground.

  “So much for a quiet weekend,” she muttered as she lifted the phone to her ear. “This wasn’t what we expected.”

  “No,” Jack agreed. “It is what it is, though. We have to do what we can for her.”

  Ivy wholeheartedly agreed.

  THE STATE POLICE BROUGHT PORTABLE lighting and multiple investigators with them when they landed. Within the blink of an eye, the area surrounding the registration office was illuminated. Ivy found that the light managed to take the edge off her fear.

  “Maybe you should take Amy back to the campsite,” she suggested as the lead investigator, Trooper John Winters, pulled Jack aside to get a full report.

  “Not yet,” Winters ordered, extending a finger in their direction. “We need to question everyone before we allow anyone to leave.”

  “Okay. Sorry.” Ivy sent Jack an apologetic glance and then moved closer to her brother and his girlfriend. “Did you see anything, Amy?”

  The woman was white as a sheet. If Ivy didn’t know better, she would believe she was only on her feet because Max was holding her up. As for her brother, he seemed to be stronger now, closer to his normal self. He didn’t look happy, though.

  “Of course she didn’t see anything,” Max snapped. “She would’ve said something if she saw it going down. What are you thinking?”

  Ivy held up her hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. I’m just trying to get the time to pass faster.”

  “It’s okay,” Amy said quickly, shaking her head at Max before focusing on Ivy. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I was just looking around by the trees over there. They have raspberries I noticed earlier and I was tasting a few.” She looked sheepish. “I was over there longer than I intended and then I realized I was hearing voices and I thought I recognized Max’s voice but couldn’t be sure.”

  It was a weird time to be picking raspberries, but Ivy kept that comment to herself. “Did you see that woman earlier?”

  “I don’t know.” Amy shrugged, seemingly helpless. “I think I saw a blond woman about four campsites away from where we’re staying. The first time I went down for water I saw her with a man. I only remember because they seemed to be arguing over putting up the tent. I just assumed they were like you and Jack, though.”

  Ivy wasn’t thrilled with the comparison. “Well … she’s dead now.”

  “Which isn’t Amy’s fault,” Max hissed.

  “You need to calm down,” Ivy shot back, the first hints of anger taking hold. “I’m not trying to be mean but … come on. I never said any of this was Amy’s fault. Why are you jumping all over me?”

  “Because you let her walk down here alone,” Max replied without hesitation. “That could’ve been her. I thought it was her.” His voice cracked again, telling Ivy he was back to being morose.

  “Max, I understand this has been an ordeal for you.” Ivy kept her voice low so Winters wouldn’t overhear her. “I’m sorry you’re upset. I mean it. I’m truly sorry. You can’t act like this, though. It’s not my fault.”

  “It’s Jack’s fault. He should’ve walked her down to the spigot.”

  “We both should’ve walked her down here. If you want to be mad, aim it at me. We didn’t think about it and that’s on us. She’s safe, though. You need to pull it together.”

  The look Max shot her was withering. “Maybe you need to pull it together,” he countered. “Maybe you’re the one who is acting like a jerk. Have you ever considered that?”

  Rather than respond, Ivy waved a hand in his direction and turned back to Jack. She was done dealing with her brother and his horrible mass of moods this evening. It was good timing because Winters was cutting across to talk to her.

  “Detective Harker explained what happened,” he started. “I just need corroboration from you.”

  Ivy was familiar with how police investigators worked so she ran through the story from the beginning, leaving nothing out. When she was finished, Winters moved on to Max and Amy to question them. Since Amy was separated from the small group, Winters’ questions for her were different.

  “Did you hear any noises when you entered the area?” he asked.

  “No. I wasn’t really listening for anything, though. I mean … I was in my own little world. We had a wonderful dinner and I was getting water. I just planned on having a few berries because they looked so good earlier and then heading back. Although … I put down that huge jug thing over there somewhere when I heard Max’s voice. I’m afraid I still don’t have the water.”

  “That’s okay,” Jack offered quickly. “I’ll find it and bring it back. You don’t have to worry about it.”

  “You definitely don’t have to worry about it,” Max echoed darkly.

  Ivy pressed her lips together to keep from exploding at her brother. She figured that was the last thing the trooper needed to bear witness to. She wasn’t sure how long she could contain her annoyance, though.

  “Do any of you remember seeing this woman earlier in the evening?” Winters asked. “I’m talking about when it was still light out.”

  “I didn’t,” Ivy replied. “I stuck close to camp, though.”

  “I think I might have seen her,” Amy offered. “She was over in that direction with a man. I don’t know if he was her husband or boyfriend.”

  “Did you witness them saying anything to one another?”

  “Oh, well … .” Amy looked decidedly uncomfortable as she shifted from one foot to the other.


  “It’s okay, Amy,” Jack prodded. “Just tell Trooper Winters what you saw and that will be the end of it.”

  Amy nodded and heaved out a sigh. “They looked to be fighting,” she said finally. “Not like really fighting or anything. I mean … there was no physical violence and they weren’t screaming at one another. As far as I could tell, they were arguing about how best to erect the tent.”

  “Which is the same argument Ivy and I had when we arrived,” Jack volunteered. “It doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”

  “It doesn’t,” Winters agreed. “I can’t ignore it either.”

  JACK SENT IVY BACK TO CAMP with Max and Amy. He opted to stay behind and help as long as he could. He promised Ivy he wouldn’t be long, fixed Max with a heavy stare that warned retribution if he put up a fuss, and then sent them on their way.

  Max groused about Jack’s attitude the entire way back.

  “He acts like he’s smarter than everybody else … and stronger than everybody else … and the boss of everyone.”

  Ivy, who had managed to keep her mouth shut for longer than she envisioned, finally lost it. “I’m sick of your crap,” she hissed, poking her brother in the chest … hard. “I’m so sick of it you have no idea. You can’t blame Jack for this. He didn’t do anything and he doesn’t deserve your ire.”

  “He let Amy walk to the spigot by herself,” Max shot back. “That could have been her and not that poor woman.”

  “You don’t know that.” Ivy wasn’t in the mood for Max’s attitude. “We don’t know why she was killed. We don’t even know if she was killed. She could’ve tripped and hit her head for all we know. It’s not as if there was blood or a knife sticking out of her.”

  Max slid his arm around Amy’s shoulders as she shuddered. “And thank you for that visual right before we go to bed. I can see Jack has been a tremendous influence on you.”

  Ivy continued stomping when they hit the campground. They’d left the fire roaring and she knew she had to douse it before sleep. “I can’t even look at you right now,” she muttered. “Go to bed. Maybe you’ll resemble the brother I grew up with in the morning.”

  “I am the brother you grew up with,” he spat. “I’m the same brother that stood up for you when the bullies were picking on you … and stayed home from dances simply because you didn’t have a date. That’s why I’m so angry. I never would’ve let you walk down there alone. The fact that you let Amy is just … I can’t even find the right words.”

  “You don’t need to find the right words,” Amy interjected, giving him a small shove toward their tent. “I’m fine. I’m right here. I think you should lay down and get some rest. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

  “No. I want you to stay with me.” Max grabbed her hand. “We’ve been separated enough for one night.”

  “It will just be a few minutes.” Amy didn’t back down, instead giving Max another shove. “I will be right behind you. I promise.”

  He was reticent but did as she asked, his eyes briefly locking with those of his sister. There was a warning there that wasn’t missed by Ivy. She didn’t acknowledge it, though. Instead she merely exhaled and rubbed her forehead as Amy fixed her with a sympathetic look.

  “I’ve never seen him this way before,” she started, apology lacing her words.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Ivy found she was glad to have the woman on her side. “He’s just … worked up. We really did think that was you. He fell apart.”

  “I can see that. It’s not okay for him to take out his anger on you, though. If I felt I needed someone to walk to the spigot with me, I would’ve asked.”

  “Yeah, but we shouldn’t have let you go. Our lives are weird enough that we knew better. I’m sorry I didn’t volunteer to go with you.”

  “It wouldn’t have changed anything. Literally. I wasn’t hurt. I don’t plan on being hurt. I’m fine.”

  “I’m really glad you are.” Ivy reached over and clasped the woman’s hand. “I know I don’t know you well, but my brother really likes you. I mean … really likes you. Please forgive him for acting like a fool this evening.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I understand that he’s upset. I would be upset in his shoes. I’m going to see he gets some sleep and hopefully he’ll be back to his normal self in the morning.”

  “That would be nice.” Ivy released her hand. “Sweet dreams.”

  “You, too. Although … are you okay sleeping alone? You’re more than welcome to come inside with us if you’re afraid to sleep alone.”

  “No, she’s not,” Max called from inside the tent.

  For the first time in hours, Ivy found herself laughing. “I’ll be fine. Jack won’t be long. Someone would have to be crazy to stick around with all these cops on site.”

  “Good point. Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight to you, too.”

  IVY WAS CONVINCED SHE WOULDN’T be able to sleep, but she slipped under within a few minutes of crawling between the sleeping bags. She was out cold when Jack finally joined her well after midnight. He stripped down to his boxer shorts and slid in beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist as she murmured and shifted.

  “I’m sorry I woke you,” he whispered, kissing her on the forehead when she wrapped herself around him, resting her head on his chest. “I didn’t mean to be so long.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, struggling to make her brain catch up. “Do you know anything?”

  “Very little. Her name is Stacy Shepherd. She’s twenty-five, was here with her husband, and her neck was snapped.”

  Ivy’s eyes flew open. “Was it an accident?”

  He shrugged. “We don’t know yet. The medical examiner seems to think that’s unlikely but there’s always the chance that she tripped headfirst going down that little hill. He won’t know more until he has a chance to really get in there and look at things.”

  Ivy wrinkled her nose. “That’s … lovely.”

  “I’m sorry.” He gave her a soft kiss. “The husband showed up not long after you left. His name is Gordon Shepherd. He said he was out night fishing in the creek and had no idea anything happened. Trooper Winters opted to take him in for questioning. I don’t know if his story will stand up.”

  “It sounds a little weak, huh?”

  “It does, but no one saw them together in the two hours leading up to her death. Everyone who saw her right before and after dinner said she was up there alone. He could’ve gone night fishing. It’s an actual thing.”

  “Yeah.” Ivy kissed his strong jaw and wrapped her arms tightly around him. “Max is still angry. He didn’t stop complaining the entire way back to the campground. Amy promised to talk to him but … I don’t know. I don’t like that he blames us.”

  “I’m not exactly happy about that either. That being said, if you’d walked down there alone and he hadn’t gone with you, I would be put out. He has a right to his anger.”

  “Even though he’s only here because he pushed his way into our vacation?”

  “I’m trying to be the bigger man.”

  Ivy laughed despite herself. “You’re definitely the bigger man.”

  “Thank you.” He gave her another kiss and snuggled her close. “Now I think we should go to sleep. We’ll know more about what happened tomorrow. I mean … it’s still possible that it was an accident.”

  Ivy could tell by his tone that he didn’t believe that. “Yeah. Sleep sounds good.” She brushed her lips against his. “I love you, Jack. I’m not angry with you for anything that happened … and I’m sorry that this vacation is already going like the last one.”

  “Don’t remind me. I’m starting to think we’re not meant to camp.”

  “Don’t give up just yet. Tomorrow is another day.”

  “And I’m looking forward to it.”

  Six

  The sun shining through the tent window Ivy forgot to close the night before woke her and Jack several hours later. Jack made a groaning sound
as he shifted and brought his arm up to cover his eyes.

  “Can someone turn off the light?” he groused.

  Ivy chuckled as she rolled to her knees and grabbed the hanging piece of canvas. She slipped it back into place, which immediately made the tent ten shades darker, and flopped back onto the sleeping bag with Jack. “Better?”

  “I have you. My life is perfect.” He slipped his arm around her back and nestled her close. “Did you sleep okay? I was down for the count so fast I didn’t even check to make sure you were out before shutting down.”

  Ivy furrowed her brow. “Do you always wait for me to fall asleep first?”

  “Not always. Just when I think there’s a chance you might be upset.”

  “I’m not upset.”

  Jack cocked an eyebrow and forced open an eye. “You’re not upset, huh?” He didn’t believe that for a second. He knew her too well. “So, that means you’re going to throw your arms around your brother and give him a long hug when you see him this morning, right?”

  Ivy wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know if I would go that far,” she hedged. “It’s not because I’m upset, though. I’m simply not much of a hugger.”

  He snorted, genuinely amused. “Yes, you withhold affection with the best of them.” He poked her side and grinned. “Do you know why I fell in love with you?”

  “Because I’m sugar and spice and everything nice.”

  “I know you meant that as a joke, but in a way, it’s true. You are one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. You’re also feisty. Your heart is bigger than a skyscraper, too.”

  “Oh, geez. You’re laying it on a bit thick.”

  He chuckled. “I fell in love with you because you have a giving heart and you love freely. I saw the way you were with Max — the way you joked and adored him without giving it a thought — and I knew I wanted to be loved by you, too.”

  Ivy stared hard into his eyes. “Please.” She let loose an inelegant snort. “You fell in love with me because I cooked for you and we started sharing dreams. We were connected from the start. This little manipulative thing you’re trying here to get me to make up with Max isn’t going to work. I know darned well my relationship with him didn’t have a thing to do with why we bonded.”