“So Cooper cut you loose, too, huh?” Nick wasn’t surprised. “I guess that means he’s getting ready to make his way out of town. He must’ve figured everyone would find out he was a fraud sooner rather than later.”
“He’s not a fraud,” Marla countered. “Unlike Maddie, he’s the real deal. I’m just angry because Christy has been whispering lies whenever I’m not looking. There can be no other explanation for why he would pick that … fatty … over me.”
“She is not fat,” Maddie snapped, her eyes flashing. “Don’t say that about her.”
“I find it hilarious that you’re still standing up for her when she’s turned on you,” Marla countered. “Whatever, though. Tell your friend I’m going to ruin her for stealing my man. I’ve got some very … specific … things planned for her.”
“Why don’t you do us all a favor and pick up some loser at the bar,” Nick suggested. “If Cooper did choose Christy over you, I think it’s the only smart thing he’s done since he hit town. Either way, you’re out of the love loop. Suck it up and move on.”
“Bite me,” Marla shot back, puffing her chest out as she huffed away in the direction of the beer tent.
“She’s going to make some man really miserable one day if she ever finds someone dumb enough to marry her,” Nick mused, watching her go.
“Uh-huh,” Maddie said, absentmindedly squeezing the scarf. “I … .” She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence because a picture flashed in her head, and it wasn’t a pretty one. Maddie grabbed Nick’s arm to keep her balance and Nick dropped the cup of hot chocolate to hold her steady.
“What is it, Mad? Did you just see something?”
Maddie nodded, fear coursing through her. “It’s Christy,” she said. “She’s the next victim.”
14
Fourteen
“I need you to tell me exactly what you saw, Mad,” Nick said, resting his hands on Maddie’s shoulders to hold her steady. In truth, he worried she would bolt into the night to save Christy and he would lose her in the crowd.
“We have to get to her, Nicky,” Maddie said, panic practically overwhelming her. “We need to find her right now. She’s in trouble.”
“Okay, Mad. I believe you.” Nick brushed Maddie’s hair away from her face. “Tell me what you saw first, though. I need to know.”
“I saw Christy,” Maddie said, her voice cracking. “She was huddled on the floor in the corner of her bedroom and she was screaming. Someone was moving closer to her … and he had a knife. I didn’t see his face or any identifying features … just the knife.”
“Okay, Mad. Let’s go.” Nick gripped Maddie’s hand, making sure she couldn’t get away from him, and then hurried toward the parking lot. He was halfway there when he realized they’d walked and his vehicle was back at the house. “Crap! How are we going to get to Christy’s house?”
“We’ll have to run.” Maddie’s tone was no-nonsense. “We don’t have time to go back and get your truck.”
“Mad, that’s a full mile,” Nick argued. “It’s cold.”
Maddie jerked her hand away, frustrated. “Then go get your truck and I’ll wait here.”
“We both know you’re not going to wait here,” Nick snapped. “You’re going to wait until I’m out of sight and then run straight to Christy’s house on your own. Don’t even think about trying something that stupid.”
“I won’t abandon her, Nick. I … can’t.”
“I know, Mad,” Nick said, giving in. “Come on. I guess there’s a reason we run so often, and it’s not just so you can grab my butt in public.”
It was a lame joke and Maddie couldn’t muster a smile. “Please, Nicky.”
“Come on.”
Nick and Maddie broke into a run, earning a few odd stares from revelers. Maddie was in terrific condition, running five miles a day whenever the weather allowed. In addition to that, when it was warm out, she added another five-mile swim and the occasional hike. Her body was a masterpiece.
Nick was in impressive shape, too, although he often struggled to keep up when Maddie was in the zone. He would never admit that his girlfriend was in better shape than him, but tonight he refused to fall behind.
By the time they got to Christy’s house they found the small two-story bungalow dark. Nick grabbed Maddie’s arm and forced her to remain in the driveway while he caught his breath. When his heart returned to a more normal rhythm, he lifted his finger to his mouth to warn Maddie to be quiet.
“What do you want to do?” Maddie asked, her gaze shifting to the two vehicles in the driveway. The kitschy Volkswagen belonged to Christy. She had no idea who the large SUV belonged to, but it was a good guess Cooper Ashton was the owner.
“I want to circle the house,” Nick said, keeping his voice low. “I want to see if I can hear something first. I don’t have justification for kicking her front door down.”
Maddie dug in her purse and returned with her key ring. “We don’t have to kick the door down. I can let us inside without drawing attention.”
Nick was torn. “I don’t know, Mad. That’s still breaking and entering. Can’t you just … walk around the house with me first? I would feel so much better if you would agree to that before flying off the handle.”
“And if she’s dying in there, Nicky? Would you feel good about that, too.”
She was stubborn when she wanted to be, and Nick knew his hands were tied. “Fine, Mad,” he said, blowing out a frustrated sigh. “If nothing is happening and she files a complaint, though, I could lose my job.”
Stark realization washed over Maddie as she absorbed his words. “Okay, we’ll circle the house,” she said. “We have to be quick, though. I’m not joking, Nicky. I won’t get over it if something happens to her.”
“I know you won’t,” Nick said, grabbing the sides of Maddie’s head and pressing a warm kiss to her forehead. “You stay right behind me and be quiet. No matter what happens, don’t separate from me.”
“I never want to separate from you.”
“That’s good,” Nick said. “Because if I lose my job over this, you’re going to have to support us both. The good news for you is that I think I would make a fabulous house boyfriend.”
This time Maddie offered Nick a wan smile for the joke attempt. “Move.”
Nick crouched low, making sure to keep his head below the windows as he circled the house. Maddie remained close to him, being as quiet as possible so he could listen.
The house was silent, eerily so. Maddie didn’t visit often, opting to chat with Christy at her salon or the Victorian when Christy decided to visit, so she had no idea how late Christy generally stayed up.
When they got to the back of the house, Nick tilted his head to the side and pressed his ear closer to the siding. The window above them belonged to Christy’s bedroom, and a low moan from inside hit the night air and caused Maddie to race toward the back door.
“Maddie, wait,” Nick hissed, scrambling after her.
Maddie didn’t wait, though, instead shoving her key in the door and opening it before Nick caught up. She raced toward the bedroom, flicking the light on and rearing back in horror when she realized what she’d interrupted.
Cooper Ashton, all hard muscles and glistening sweat, was on top of Christy as they rolled around on the bed. When the light switched on, Christy grabbed the sheet to cover herself.
“What are you doing?”
“I … .” Maddie’s mouth hung open as she searched for words to explain her entry into Christy’s home.
“We thought … um … .” Nick averted his eyes from Cooper’s nakedness. The man didn’t seem bothered by the interruption, or in a hurry to cover himself.
“What are you doing here?” Christy screeched, her red hair standing on end from what looked like hours of strenuous activity.
“Maddie thought you were in trouble,” Nick said, finally finding his voice. “She insisted on checking on you. When we got here, the house was dark and I told
Maddie she couldn’t go barreling inside without a reason.
“We circled the house and we heard a few noises,” he continued. “Maddie was convinced your life was in danger and raced inside to save you. I apologize for the … misunderstanding.”
“Misunderstanding?” Christy was positively apoplectic. “Misunderstanding? I have never been this embarrassed in my entire life!”
“I think it’s good we’re all here together,” Cooper said, taking everyone by surprise. “Perhaps now we can talk about Maddie’s issues.”
“Get dressed,” Nick ordered, making a face. “I think Christy and Maddie have some things to discuss and you … well … you can find your own way home.”
“You can’t kick him out of my house,” Christy snapped. “That’s not part of your job description.”
“You and Maddie need to talk,” Nick said, refusing to back down. “I don’t think this guy needs to be part of it.”
“I just don’t think you like your girlfriend seeing me in the manner God intended,” Cooper replied, reclining on the bed. “Are you worried about a little competition?”
“Ugh. I can’t look,” Maddie said, covering her eyes.
“Get out,” Nick repeated. “If you don’t, I’ll throw you out. I don’t care if you’re naked or not.”
“This is without a doubt the worst night of my life!” Christy shrieked.
“Don’t worry, red,” Cooper said, winking. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.”
“I CAN’T believe you did this, Maddie.” Christy threw a pillow across the room, causing Maddie to flinch even though it bounced harmlessly against the wall and fell to the floor. “What were you thinking?”
Nick left the two women alone to talk, sitting at the kitchen table and allowing Christy to get dressed without outside interference. He wanted to stand by Maddie, but he knew this was something she had to do on her own.
Maddie licked her lips as she tried to gather her thoughts. “We were at the festival and Marla came storming up to us,” she explained. “She was angry and she threw your scarf at me. She said you stole her man and stomped off.”
“So? Why do you care what Marla thinks?”
“I didn’t care what Marla thought,” Maddie clarified. “When I touched your scarf, though, I got a … flash.”
“A flash of what?” Christy was confused. “Like a psychic flash?”
Maddie nodded. “You were on the floor in the corner of the bedroom and you were screaming. Someone had a knife and … I had to get to you.”
Christy expression softened. “Thank you for looking out for me, Maddie, but have you considered you didn’t really have a psychic flash? You probably just imagined it.”
Maddie frowned. “I didn’t imagine it. This isn’t the first flash I’ve had. I had one yesterday when I accidentally touched Cathy Winchester as I was hurrying toward the bathroom.”
“Who is Cathy Winchester?”
“The woman they found dead behind the bank.”
“Oh,” Christy intoned, sadness washing over her features. “I didn’t know she’d been identified. It’s terrible how she died, but I don’t see what that has to do with me.”
“When I had the flash about you, I knew you were in danger,” Maddie argued. “I ran here to get to you in time. Nick and I walked to the fair and I insisted we didn’t have time to waste.”
“That’s very sweet, Maddie,” Christy said, her tone clipped. “As you can see, though, the only thing I was in danger of doing was having a good time.”
“But … I saw it.”
“I don’t think you did,” Christy said, adopting a gentle tone. “I think you wanted to see something because you’re jealous of Cooper stealing your thunder so you tricked your mind into believing it.
“I’m not angry, Maddie,” Christy said, smoothing the front of her T-shirt. “I just … you need to let it go. Cooper is a strong psychic. That doesn’t mean he’s better than you.”
“He’s not psychic,” Maddie snapped, causing Christy’s eyes to narrow. “He’s not anything but a fraud. He’s been pumping people for information so he can do fake readings on them. He’s been pumping you for information.”
“I’m sure you want to believe that, but it’s simply not true.”
“Cassidy told us it was true this afternoon,” Maddie argued.
“Now you suddenly believe Cassidy? When did this happen? She’s done nothing but tell lies about you since you got back to town.”
“I know that,” Maddie said, pinching the bridge of her nose. “She was telling the truth this afternoon, though. She said she’d given Cooper all of the information she could so he cut her loose. He kept you around because you have a lot more gossip to give.”
“Do you want to know what I think?” Christy asked.
“Not really,” Maddie replied, her temper flaring as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“I think your nose is out of joint because you’ve spent years hiding who you are and what you can do,” Christy said, her voice even. “Your mother was afraid for you, and I don’t blame her. She held you back, though, Maddie. If you’d embraced your gifts you could be as strong as Cooper.”
“This is … unbelievable,” Maddie muttered.
Christy ignored the gripe. “I love you, Maddie, and you’re a good friend, but you’re not seeing this situation for what it really is.”
“And what’s that?”
“Cooper told the world about his gift and he’s benefitting from it,” Christy answered. “He’s famous and you’re still hiding. He told me he confronted you about your ability and you lied to him. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell him you were lying. I would never do that to you.
“He knows, though,” she continued. “I’m sorry, Maddie, but I can’t sit back and let you sabotage my happiness. I think you’re jealous of Cooper’s ability and the fact that he can be open about it. I also think you’re jealous because you’re not the only one with a hot boyfriend now.”
Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
“You liked it when I was your plump friend and I followed you everywhere and told you how lucky you were to have Nick,” Christy said. “Well, I’m lucky now. I have Cooper. He’s even talking about taking me with him when he leaves town.”
“To do what?” Maddie challenged.
“Just … go with him.”
“And what? Give up your business? Give up your friends? Give up the only life you’ve ever known?”
“I’m not giving up anything, Maddie,” Christy spat. “I’m looking toward a different future. It might not be something you’d want. I know you’re happy with Nick and you two will never leave here. I might want to see different things, though. As my friend, I thought you would be happy for me.”
“If I thought Cooper was a decent guy, I would be thrilled for you,” Maddie said. “He’s not, though. He’s a fraud and he’s using you.”
“He’s not.”
“He is.”
Christy licked her lips and glanced at the window before turning her dark eyes on Maddie. “I think we’re at an impasse, Maddie,” she said. “We should call it a night before things get out of hand.”
“What about my vision? You could be in danger.”
“I’m not in danger, Maddie,” Christy said. “You’re in danger of losing your mind apparently, but I’m not in danger. I’ll lock the door after you leave. I’ll be fine.”
“But … .”
“No, Maddie,” Christy said, shaking her head. “I won’t allow you to control my life. Cooper told me you would try and turn me against him. That’s not going to happen. I … think we could be happy together. I really do.”
Maddie was at her wit’s end. “Christy, I want you to be happy. I want that for you more than you’re willing to believe right now. Cooper isn’t going to make you happy, though. He’s a user. He’s going to put Blackstone Bay in his rearview mirror when he’s done this week and never look back. You won’t be with him.”
<
br /> “I think you’re wrong.”
“I’m not wrong. I wish I was, but I’m not.”
Christy pressed the heel of her hand against her forehead, frustration overwhelming her. “You know your way out.”
15
Fifteen
Nick worried Maddie would cry … or pout … or do anything other than what she did when they got outside Christy’s house. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, or even guilty, she fumed. She didn’t say anything, instead pacing a small strip of land while they waited for John to show, but her anger was evident.
John agreed to park outside Christy’s house and watch for signs of trouble and Nick and Maddie walked back to their house. Maddie never said a word, instead strolling into the bathroom, washing her face, and climbing into bed.
By the time morning rolled around, Nick was convinced he would open his eyes to find tears. Instead, Maddie was bright and chipper.
“What are you doing today?” Maddie asked, resting her head on Nick’s chest as he petted the back of her head.
“I’m going to do an in-depth background check on Cooper Ashton,” Nick replied. “I don’t trust him and he bothers me. What are you going to do?”
“I have readings at the festival.”
“Okay,” Nick said, licking his lips as he decided how to proceed. “Do you want to talk about last night?”
“I’m sorry our plans got ruined, but I’m not sorry we checked on Christy. I promise to make it up to you tonight.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, Mad,” Nick said, pulling his head far enough back to study Maddie’s features. He honestly had no idea what to think. She was either putting on the world’s best act, or this new tougher and stronger Maddie was about to take the world by storm. “Are you upset by what Christy said?”
“I’m … annoyed,” Maddie admitted, pursing her lips. “Christy has been a good friend, though, so I’m not holding it against her. Cooper Asshat has bamboozled her and once she sees the truth she’s going to be upset. I think that’s punishment enough.”
“She said some rotten things to you last night, Mad,” Nick said. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk about that?”
Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) Page 12
