“I guess so,” Nick said, rubbing the spot Olivia touched. “I felt something … kind of like a light wind blowing past my cheek. Was that really her?”
“Ooh, if Olivia is touching people, I want her to do me next,” Maude said, slapping the spoon she held into Nick’s hand. “Watch the soup, Romeo.”
Maddie watched with unveiled interest as Olivia leaned close and hugged her mother. Maude sighed, pressing her eyes shut.
“It feels as if she’s hugging me.”
“She is,” Maddie said, her eyes filling with tears.
“Oh, Mad, don’t cry,” Nick chided, grabbing her arm and drawing her to him. “This is a good thing. Please don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying because I’m upset,” Maddie said, surreptitiously wiping away a tear. “It’s just … how are you doing this, Mom?”
“I don’t know,” Olivia answered. “I feel strong lately. I can control my comings and goings more often. That’s how I knew to come when Cooper was bothering you.”
“This, though, Granny and Nick can’t generally feel you,” Maddie challenged. “How can they do it now?”
“Maybe their hearts are more open today,” Olivia suggested. “Mom didn’t hear me whispering about the soup, and yet somehow she knew what to do.”
“I’ve heard your mom before, Mad,” Nick reminded her. “You’ve been in trouble a few times and she’s been strong enough to force me to hear her. Maybe she’s a special kind of ghost.”
“She’s definitely special,” Maddie said, smiling. “This is a nice surprise after a particularly awful day.”
“What’s awful about your day?” John asked, walking into the kitchen and sitting at the table. “Is that soup? Great. I’m starving.”
Nick frowned as he stared down his brother. “Do you knock?”
“This is a store,” John reminded him.
“The store is closed for the festival and I know I locked that door when I came in,” Nick said. “How did you get in?”
“I used the spare key on top of the door.”
“We really need to move that key,” Nick said, shaking his head. “Everyone knows to look for a spare key there.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter now,” Maddie said. “Granny made chicken noodle soup and we’re all here together. That’s all that matters.”
“He has to leave before our nap,” Nick warned. “I need my nap.”
“Is that code for something else?” John teased.
“Yeah. It’s code for sex,” Maude replied dryly, grinning as John uncomfortably shifted on his chair. “Has it been so long for you that you’ve forgotten what couples do when they’re taking naps?” Maude used air quotes to tease John.
“I know what a nap means,” John countered. “I would think you’re too old to know what a nap is, though.”
Maude cuffed the back of his head. “I’ll bet I get more action than you.”
“Well, that is a frightening thought,” John muttered, shaking his head.
Maddie watched as Olivia moved to the spot behind John and extended her finger, poking his ear. John absentmindedly scratched the spot she touched.
“How long until the soup is ready?” John asked. “I have a few things to discuss with you guys and I figure we can do that before your nap.”
Olivia poked John’s other ear and John swiftly slapped it.
“Is there a fly in here? It’s a little late in the season for flies.”
“What’s going on?” Nick asked, following Maddie’s gaze. “Is that your mom?”
Maddie nodded, amused. “Apparently she really is getting stronger.”
“What are you talking about?” John asked, annoyed. “Stop standing around and feed me, people. Do you know anything about being good hosts?”
“I know you’re supposed to knock before you accuse someone of being bad hosts,” Nick shot back.
Maddie smiled, the engaging conversation – however juvenile – warming her. This was family. This was home. She’d never been so happy to be anywhere in her entire life.
“It’s okay, Sunshine,” Olivia said, smiling at Maddie’s expression. “Your world is complete now. It’s okay to be happy. This is what I’ve always wanted for you.”
Maddie giggled. “Thanks, Mom. Mess with John some more. It’s fun.”
“What the heck is going on?” John asked, glancing around. “Is your mother really here? If so, tell her I always thought she was hot.”
Olivia flicked the end of John’s nose, causing him to hop to his feet.
“Holy crap! Was that her?”
Maddie nodded.
“This brings a whole new meaning to family forever, doesn’t it?” Nick whispered, kissing Maddie’s cheek.
“It makes me happy.”
“Good, Mad. That’s the only thing I ever want for you.”
“Us,” Maddie corrected. “It’s what we want for us.”
“Us,” Nick agreed. “Family comes in different shapes and sizes – and even with dumb brothers making fools of themselves – but love lasts forever.”
“Hurry up,” Maddie prodded, shooting Nick a mischievous smile. “We need energy for your nap.”
“You really are my favorite person, Mad.”
13
Thirteen
“That was the best nap ever, Mad,” Nick said, lacing his fingers with Maddie’s as they walked back toward the fairgrounds shortly before five. “You kind of missed your afternoon readings, though.”
“Some things are just more important.”
“You’re too cute for words,” Nick said, grabbing Maddie around the waist and twirling her around, enjoying the way she squealed. He’d been worried earlier in the day, afraid guilt over Cathy Winchester’s death would weigh her down. Olivia’s surprise and Maude’s soup snapped her out of her doldrums, though, and Nick couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.
“You two look as if you’re in a good mood,” Kreskin said, detaching from the police station wall as they approached. He had a cup of coffee in his hand, and even though he tried to appear stern he couldn’t help but smile at the couple. “John said I shouldn’t plan on seeing you for the rest of the day because you were napping.”
Maddie’s cheeks colored while Nick remained unruffled.
“We were tired,” Nick said, not missing a beat. “We didn’t sleep well last night. We feel better now.”
“That’s good,” Kreskin said, shifting his kind eyes to Maddie. “You definitely look better, young lady.”
“I’m sorry for keeping Nick away when he should’ve been working,” Maddie said. “I … he was tired, though.”
“You know I’m aware of the fact that you weren’t really napping, right?”
Maddie furiously blushed and averted her eyes as Nick snorted.
“My brother has a huge mouth,” Nick said. “For the record, though, we did nap. The sleep did wonders for us.”
“Well, if that’s your story, who am I to argue?” Kreskin pulled open the station door. “We have a few things to discuss.”
“I figured,” Nick said. “John was in a hurry to leave after lunch and we didn’t get a chance to talk about whatever he wanted to tell us.”
“I was in a hurry?” John challenged, his feet resting on Nick’s desk as he reclined in his brother’s office chair. “You gave me the bum’s rush. I could hear Maddie giggling as you chased her upstairs.”
“You have an absolutely huge mouth,” Nick complained, slapping John’s feet off his desk. “Do you mind?”
“Actually, I do,” John replied, lifting his feet back up and resting them where they were before. “When you snooze – or do whatever you two were doing – you lose. I was a good boy and returned to work.”
“Well, we’re working late tonight,” Nick replied, taking the chair across from his desk and tumbling Maddie into his lap. “Maddie wants to follow Cooper around. He approached her at the fairgrounds this morning.”
Kreskin leaned forward, intrigued
. “What did he say?”
“He just wanted to know if I was really psychic,” Maddie answered. “It was annoying because Cathy Winchester was there and I wanted to talk to her, but I obviously couldn’t do that in front of Cooper.”
“Obviously not,” Kreskin agreed. “Did Cathy tell you anything?”
“Just that she wandered out to the fountain and she was waiting for friends there. After that she doesn’t know what happened to her.”
“She could remember later, though, right?” Kreskin pressed.
“She could,” Maddie confirmed. “She didn’t remember being in the alley until I told her that’s where her body was found. She’s going to be weak, though. New ghosts can’t control when they pop up or how long they hang around.”
“Okay,” Kreskin said, rubbing his chin. “As much as I want to believe Cooper is behind this, I don’t think we can focus on him and rule everyone else out. That would be misguided, and I wouldn’t forgive myself if he’s not guilty.”
“He could just be a douche,” Maddie said, causing Nick to snicker.
“You are a mouthy thing today,” Nick said, tickling her ribs. “You need to watch that if you don’t want me to drag you home for another nap.”
“Don’t make me separate you two,” Kreskin warned, wagging a finger. “I’ll get the hose if I have to.”
“And I’ll laugh,” John added.
“What do you want me to do?” Maddie asked, turning serious. “We were going to follow Cooper, but if you think that’s a waste of time, what do you want me to do?”
“You said you got a flash when you touched Cathy outside of the bathroom,” Kreskin said. “How often does that happen?”
Maddie shrugged, noncommittal. “Not often.”
“I don’t think that’s a fair question,” Nick interjected. “Maddie got a flash off Cathy because she was a potential victim. How often is Maddie touching potential victims?”
“Calm down,” Kreskin chided. “I wasn’t casting aspersions on Maddie’s abilities. I was trying to figure a way to use them to our advantage.”
“Wait … are you saying you want me to touch as many people as possible at the fair?” Maddie asked. She wasn’t thrilled with the prospect.
“I don’t think you need to touch everyone,” Kreskin clarified. “Younger women and men would be good, though. The killer would have to be physically fit to hoist Samantha Bradshaw up on that pike, and I think we have to assume we’re dealing with one killer here.”
Maddie glanced at Nick, still unsure. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s an excuse for us to spend the night at the fair and have fun while we’re supposed to be working,” Nick replied. “It can’t hurt. If you don’t want to do it, though, I’m not going to ask you to go against your instincts. It’s up to you.”
Maddie sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck. “Okay,” she said finally. “Let’s give it a shot.”
“TRY NOT to look so obvious, Mad,” Nick said an hour later, fighting the urge to laugh at the stiff set of Maddie’s shoulders as she studied the busy fairgrounds. It was a warm night for late October, so the crowd was thicker than it had been previous nights. “We’re a happy couple enjoying our time at a festival.”
“I do not look obvious,” Maddie argued, keeping her voice low. “I would be a master spy if I wanted to be.”
Nick chuckled. “You’re feisty today. I like it.”
“Does that mean you don’t like me other days?”
“That is a trap and we both know it,” Nick said. “I like you every single day … every moment I breathe … every second I’m alive.”
“Don’t lay it on so thick, Nicky,” Maddie said. “I was just joking.”
“Well, I wasn’t,” Nick said. “You’re my entire heart and soul, Maddie Graves. You might as well get used to it.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Maddie said, frowning when she saw a furtive figure hiding behind the wall next to one of the balloon games. “That’s Granny.”
Nick followed her gaze, scowling and shaking his head when he realized she had a camera in her hand and it was pointed at Harriet Proctor as she made her way through the carnival midway with two other women flanking her. “Well, this won’t end well,” he said. “What do you think she has planned?”
Maddie shrugged. “The good news is that she doesn’t look armed.”
Nick made an exasperated face. “That doesn’t make me feel better. I just … she looks like she’s one of those TMZ reporters following around a celebrity trying to get fodder for a scandal.”
“I had no idea you were so up on celebrity gossip techniques, Nicky. Have you been keeping a deep and dark secret from me?”
“Cute, Mad,” Nick said, pinching her cheek and giving it a little jiggle. “You’re really full of yourself today. I love it.”
“I feel good,” Maddie admitted. “I mean, I don’t feel good about not being able to help Cathy. I realize you’re right, though. I can’t do everything. I can only do what I can do and I have to let the rest go.”
“I’m glad, Mad,” Nick said, pressing a soft kiss to her mouth. “I was a little worried earlier. I’m not going to lie.”
“I was a little worried, too,” Maddie said. “I spent forever trying to hide who I am and yet Cooper Ashton came to town and announced who I am and no one has treated me differently. Either they don’t believe him, or they don’t care.”
“I think it might be a mixture of both,” Nick said. “People are always going to whisper because you’re special, but anyone who knows you is aware that you’re a good person. I don’t want you hiding, Mad. You’re the best person I know.”
“Well, I’m not going to go around announcing it, but I’m tired of being afraid,” Maddie said. “Let’s start feeling people out and see if I can find an unobtrusive way to put my hands on them.”
“That’s … a delightful way of putting it, love,” Nick said, shaking his head. “For the record, I really only want you putting your hands on me.”
Maddie took Nick by surprised when she reached around his waist and offered him a quick squeeze on his rear end. “Like that?”
“Holy crap, Mad,” Nick said, widening his eyes as he glanced around. “I think you might be possessed.”
“My mother reached out from beyond the grave today,” Maddie said. “I figure if she can find the strength to do it, so can I.”
“Good for you,” Nick said. “If you grab anyone else’s butt, though, we’re going to have a huge fight.”
“Duly noted,” Maddie said, giggling as Nick tickled her ribs. “Let’s go over and check out the games. I figure I can pat a few people on the shoulder to wish them luck. That might be a good test.”
“That’s a good idea,” Nick said, glancing back toward the spot where Maude crouched a few moments before. “Your grandmother is missing.”
“Don’t worry, if she does something we’ll be able to follow the screams.”
“My Maddie, you’re full of surprises tonight,” Nick said, following his blonde as she cut a striking swath through the crowd. “You really are the love of my life.”
“And don’t you forget it.”
AFTER TWO hours of playing undercover lovers and touching as many people as she could, Maddie was exhausted. She’d come up empty at every turn.
“I don’t think this is going to work, Nicky,” she said, resting her head against his shoulder as he sipped a cup of hot chocolate. “I’ve tried so many times I’ve lost count.”
“I think that’s the problem, Mad,” Nick said, handing the hot chocolate over. “You’re trying too hard.”
Maddie sipped the warm beverage, her mind busy as she absorbed Nick’s words. “What do you mean?”
“You saw the flashes of Cathy Winchester the first time when you were distracted by Cooper and his minions,” Nick explained. “You saw the flashes the second time when you were distracted by your swirling skirt.”
Maddie frowned. “That ma
kes me sound like a dingbat.”
“Quite the contrary, love,” Nick said. “You were adorable in that skirt and I enjoyed watching you twirl. I was going to join you when I was done talking to Steve. I wasn’t saying you were being goofy, just that your mind was open because you were focused on something else.”
“Huh.”
“I think that’s why your dreams are so vivid sometimes, too,” Nick added. “You let go when you sleep. Sometimes you sleep really hard. That’s how the flashes invade then, too.”
“So, what should I do?”
“I’m not sure you can do anything, Mad,” Nick replied. “You’re trying as hard as you can and it’s leaving you frustrated. That’s not going to work.”
“So … nothing?”
“I guess so,” Nick said, retrieving the hot chocolate and wiping the remnants from the side of Maddie’s mouth. “You really are adorable tonight.”
Maddie wrinkled her nose. “You’re adorable every night.”
“I’m feeling the need for another nap, Mad.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” Maddie said brightly, giggling when Nick grabbed her hand.
“Ugh. Seriously? You guys belong on a bubble gum commercial or something.” Marla shot the couple a disdainful look as she moved to cut off their path of retreat.
“Oh, geez. Why?” Maddie made a disgusted face. “We should’ve run when we had the chance. Now we’re stuck with her.”
Nick bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. “What do you want, Marla? We don’t have patience for your shenanigans tonight. If you’re looking for trouble, well, look elsewhere.”
Marla made an exaggerated face that almost made Maddie giggle. “I’m not here to mess with you,” she said, tossing a scarf in Maddie’s direction. Maddie caught the scarf mid-air, frowning when she realized who it belonged to.
“This is Christy’s,” Maddie said, running the material through her fingers. “Why do you have it?”
“Because she stole my man and I was going to strangle her with it,” Marla replied, unruffled by Nick’s dirty look. “What? Cooper Ashton was mine and everyone knew it. Christy took off with him tonight, though, and I’m declaring war. I just thought you should know, since she’s your friend and all. I will not put up with this.”
Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) Page 11
