The Ghost Who Wanted Revenge (Haunting Danielle Book 4)

by Bobbi Holmes

  “Hi Lily, we’re back,” Danielle greeted when she and the chief walked into the library.

  Lily gave an absent wave yet focused her attention on the chessboard sitting on the table in front of her. “Hi. Hold on, let me just make my move.”

  “Playing chess alone?” MacDonald chuckled.

  Lily moved her chess piece. A moment later, an opposing chess piece seemingly moved on its own volition.

  “Umm…I guess not,” the chief gulped.

  “So where have you guys been?” Lily asked, turning from the board.

  “I guess we can finish this later,” Walt said, standing up and walking to the other side of the room to light up a cigar.

  “We went over to the Gusarov Estate. Long story, I’ll explain later. I didn’t see Will’s car out front. Did he say when he’ll be back?”

  “He’s not.” Lily said.

  “What do you mean, he’s not?” Danielle frowned.

  “Right after you called, Will came in, said he was going to have to leave early, something came up. Told me to tell you thanks for everything. I was wondering if the sudden departure had something to do with you seeing him at the cemetery.”

  “Did he say anything about it?” the chief asked.

  “Nothing. And I only know what Dani told me on the phone, when she called to tell me she was going with you. I didn’t mention anything to Will about it.”

  “Where’s Ian?” Danielle asked.

  “He went to get us something to eat.”

  Danielle sat down at the table. “Then let me get you up to speed on what’s going on. Before Ian gets back.”

  * * *

  “What are you going to do about Will?” Danielle asked as she walked MacDonald to the door, leaving Ian and Lily in the kitchen eating takeout burgers.

  “I still want to talk to him. Don’t imagine he’ll be too difficult to track down, considering who he is. But right now, I’m going down to the station and check on Brian.”

  “I was wondering…do you think before you do that, we could go back to the Gusarov Estate?”

  “Why?”

  “Yes, why?” Walt parroted, when he appeared the next moment, standing next to MacDonald.

  “I want to give it another try; see if she’ll tell me who she met up with at Pilgrim’s Point. There’s really nothing holding Darlene here. Once she leaves, we may never get our answers.”

  “And you said you didn’t like Brian.” The chief smiled.

  “This has nothing to do with Brian. It’s about him.” She pointed to the window next to the front door.

  MacDonald glanced in the direction she pointed. “Stoddard is standing outside the window, isn’t he?”

  “Yes he is. And it’s becoming more difficult each day to put up with him. I need some way to convince him I wasn’t involved in his murder.”

  * * *

  The chief went into the Gusarov house first, turning on the lights. He sat alone in the living room as Danielle wandered through the house, searching for Darlene. She found the spirit in the master bedroom, sitting on the edge of the king size bed.

  “You’re back?” Darlene didn’t bother standing up.

  “I was hoping we could talk again.”

  “You should have at least knocked. Rather presumptuous, just coming and going whenever you feel like it.”

  “I wasn’t sure you’d hear me.”

  “Well, no one seems to hear me. Except you, of course.”

  “Do you know why people can’t hear you?” Danielle asked gently. She stood at the side of the bed next to Darlene.

  “Yes. But I can’t figure out why you can hear me.”

  “Tell me, why can’t people hear you?”

  “Good grief, must you address me as if I am an idiot?” Darlene snapped. “I’m dead, not stupid!”

  “Okay…just wanted to make sure you understood.” Danielle glanced at the chair sitting next to the vanity. “Do you mind if I sit down?”

  “Whatever.” Darlene shrugged indifferently.

  Danielle sat down. “I’m here to help you.”

  “Help me? How can you help me? You have a magic potion that will bring me back to life?”

  “No. But I can see that whoever murdered you is punished.”

  Darlene turned to look at Danielle. She studied her a moment. “I suppose I’d like that. He was a jerk to kill me.”

  “Who?”

  “Chuck Christiansen.”

  “Your CEO?”

  “Yeah. And I bet that little weasel Bart Haston was in on it too.”

  “Why would Christiansen want to kill you?”

  “Are you saying you don’t believe me?” Darlene asked angrily.

  “No. But if I’m going to see he gets arrested, I’ll need a motive.”

  “How is murder for a motive?”

  “Murder?”

  “Sure. Wasn’t my idea to kill Stoddard. It was Chuck’s.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Christiansen and Haston helped Stoddard cover up Isabella’s death. They knew she was in the tomb. They knew it was Lily. We all did. None of us wanted Earthbound Spirits to inherit Isabella’s share of the company. And when it all fell apart, they were afraid Stoddard was about to fold and drag them into it, to reduce his sentence. They didn’t want to go to jail, lose everything; neither did I.”

  “But you ended up letting Earthbound Spirits have Isabella’s share anyway.”

  “I had no choice. That all came down after we killed Stoddard. They sent me those damming photographs in the mail. Called me up, told me if I didn’t lie about the will, they’d turn the photos into probate and I’d end up losing everything. Chuck was furious.”

  “He knew about the blackmail?”

  “Of course not! He wouldn’t have cared if my share went to KS Trust. He would have preferred it.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I don’t really know what the trust is. I just remember Stoddard saying Chuck would remain the CEO of the company if the trust ever inherited after Stoddard died.”

  “What did you tell Christiansen? How did you explain Earthbound Spirit’s claim on the estate?”

  “I told him the will was forged. He always suspected it anyway. He found it hard to believe Stoddard just happened to find Isabella’s new will conveniently shoved in a file drawer at our house.”

  “What happened the day you were killed?’

  “Chuck asked me to meet him at Pilgrim’s Point. Said he wanted to show me something, that it had to do with Isabella’s estate. The last thing I remember was looking down to pick something up off the ground, when suddenly my head felt as if it was about to explode. Everything went black. He must have hit me over the head.”

  “Who hired Smith?”

  “Chuck and Haston handled that. I’m afraid I don’t know any of the details. We needed someone convicted of Stoddard’s murder, so the police wouldn’t start looking at us. After all, we were the closest to him.”

  “So you chose me?”

  “Nothing personal.” Darlene shrugged. “But everyone in town knew you had issues with the local police. You had a motive.”

  “You took a gamble. Stoddard could have just as easily died before you brought Brian here.”

  “True. But we also made sure the trash men saw your car—or what looked like your car. And the police found you with the murder weapon. Anyway, it would have worked, had Morelli not seen you. That’s the one detail we missed. Christiansen was certain the houses on either side of the one we chose to send you to would be vacant.”

  “Is there any way we can prove Chuck and Haston were in on Stoddard’s murder? That Chuck killed you?”

  “I doubt they left any kind of paper trail. Knowing Chuck, he’s already put any incriminating evidence through the paper shredder. My diary might have helped. But when the cops were going through my things, I didn’t see it. I suspect whoever wrote that nasty letter on my computer took my diary.”

  Danielle mulled over al
l that Darlene was telling her, and then she remembered Will and Karen.

  “Do you know if Stoddard’s sister is still alive?” Danielle asked.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Isabella’s mother, Karen Strickland.”

  “She died years ago, before I ever met Stoddard. Her grave’s right next to Isabella’s. Why would you ask if she’s alive?”

  “Just something I heard,” Danielle muttered. “Do you know anything about Will Wayne?”

  “Who?” Darlene frowned.

  “He was Isabella’s father. Back then he was known as Bobby Wayne.”

  “Are you suggesting Todd’s sister wasn’t married to Isabella’s father?”

  “No. They were married.”

  Darlene shook her head. “That wasn’t Isabella’s father. Todd told me his sister was married to some guy named Strickland and he ditched her after his parents disinherited her. That was Isabella’s father.”

  Danielle didn’t bother explaining the truth about the Strickland name to Darlene. What was the point? Plus, Danielle doubted Darlene would care one way or the other. From what Darlene was telling her, Chuck and Haston were her accomplices, and it was beginning to look like Will’s trip to Frederickport, was nothing more than a coincidence.

  “I have an idea,” Danielle said. “Tell me something—a secret—something no one but you and Chuck Christiansen know.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Someone needed to loan Brian Henderson a comb. A toothbrush would also be nice. From the condition of his wrinkled shirt and slacks, it was obvious he had slept in his clothes. He stood alone by the watercooler in the back section of the police station, across the hallway from Chief MacDonald’s office. He had just been released on bail, yet the chief asked him to wait. They needed to talk.

  The door leading from the reception area opened, and in walked Danielle Boatman. By the spring in her step, it was apparent she’d had a good night’s sleep—something Brian had missed. She wore a crisply pressed lavender blouse and denim slacks. Danielle was the last person Brian wanted to see.

  “Did you have a good night’s rest?” Danielle asked with a cheeky grin. Stepping up to Brian, she looked him up and down. “That bed in lock up really sucks, doesn’t it?”

  “I bet this makes you happy,” Brian grumbled.

  “Happy? Oh not happy, exactly. Karma comes to mind.”

  “I didn’t kill Darlene. But I don’t expect you to believe that.” He glared at Danielle. “I don’t care what you believe.”

  “Really? Sheesh, you’re even a jerk when you’re on that side of the law.”

  “What are you doing here? Did you just come to gloat?”

  “No. Actually I’m here to get your sorry butt out of this mess.”

  As if on cue, Chief MacDonald opened the door to his office. “Danielle, good, you’re here. Come on in.”

  “I thought you wanted to talk to me.” Brian stammered as he watched Danielle practically skip into the chief’s office.

  “I do. Stay there. But first I need to talk to Danielle.”

  * * *

  “I think you’re enjoying this too much,” the chief said when he closed the office door, leaving Brian alone in the hallway. MacDonald sat at his desk while Danielle took a seat across from him.

  “Just a little. Although, he looks so miserable it sort of takes the fun out of it for me.”

  “This is serious, Danielle. I understand your issues with Brian. But we both know he didn’t murder Darlene.”

  “I know.” Danielle leaned toward the desk. “But considering I may have a way to help Brian, don’t be too annoyed with me.”

  “Help him, how?”

  “When I was talking with Darlene, I had an idea. I didn’t want to say anything to you about it last night, until I could work it out in my head. But I think I’ve come up with a way that will allow you to arrest Chuck and Haston, get the charges against Brian dropped and convince Stoddard I had nothing to do with his murder.”

  “What’s your idea?”

  * * *

  Danielle sat on the park bench in the side yard of Marlow House, sipping a tall glass of iced tea. Stoddard stood a few feet away, glaring at her in stony silence. Since she had come into the yard he had hurled repeated threats at her, yet she failed to respond. He was beginning to wonder if she could no longer see him.

  When he heard the side gate open, he turned to see who was entering the yard. “What are they doing here?” he asked. It was Chuck Christiansen and Bart Haston.

  Lifting her glass while remaining seated, she said, “Thank you for coming gentleman.”

  “You said you wanted to discuss an out of court settlement for Lily Miller. Although I don’t know why you insisted Haston be here. Where is she?”

  “Oh Lily? She went to Astoria today with Ian. I’m the only one here.” Danielle smiled.

  “You’re lying to them. Lily is in the house with the cops. I saw them all going in there. What’s going on?” Stoddard demanded.

  “I don’t understand?” Haston frowned. “You don’t represent Ms. Miller.”

  “No. I represent myself.” Danielle sipped her tea.

  “Yourself?” Chuck asked.

  “I know about Stoddard’s private art collection. And I want it.”

  “Who told you?” Stoddard demanded.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chuck glanced around nervously.

  “Oh don’t play dumb. You know what I’m talking about.”

  “Even if an art collection was part of the Gusarov estate, we aren’t at liberty to sell it to you.” Chuck said.

  “Oh, I don’t want to buy it!” Danielle laughed. “I want it in exchange for keeping quiet. And since no one knows about the art collection but the three of us, then there shouldn’t be a problem.”

  “Darlene knows,” Stoddard said.

  Chuck narrowed his eyes and glared at Danielle. “Are you blackmailing us?”

  “Ouch, ugly term. But yeah, pretty much. I know you conspired with Darlene to kill Stoddard, because you were afraid he’d let the world know the two of you helped him cover up Isabella’s death and Lily’s kidnapping.”

  “Darlene wouldn’t kill me. She was carrying my child.”

  Danielle prayed her next words wouldn’t send Stoddard over the edge. “I know Darlene told Stoddard she was pregnant so he’d give the cops that sworn affidavit. Of course, that was only a temporary solution. She knew once he realized she wasn’t pregnant he could throw her under the bus—with the two of you.”

  “Is this some fantasy you and Morelli cooked up?” Chuck accused.

  “Sargent Morelli? No. Joe has no idea I’m talking to you today. No one does. It will be our little secret.”

  “I don’t understand…” Stoddard looked from Danielle to Chuck.

  “You can’t prove anything,” Chuck said.

  “Sure I can. You see, I have a penchant for breaking and entering. You should know that. After all, I was the one who broke into the Gusarov Estate when Lily was held there. Of course, this time it was much easier, as the alarm wasn’t on.”

  Chuck and Haston exchanged glances.

  “Sometimes Joe tells me more than he should. He told me about the letter he found at the estate. It was considerate of you to turn off the security alarm before giving the key to Chief MacDonald. You just wanted to help out the cops, so they wouldn’t be distracted and could easily find that bogus letter you left on Darlene’s computer.”

  “So what, I gave him the key so he wouldn’t have to break down the door. They had a warrant,” Chuck said.

  “See, the thing is, whoever you sent to the house earlier didn’t do a terrific job getting rid of Darlene’s incriminating evidence. I mean gosh, that house is enormous. Of course, the cops didn’t do a terrific job either.”

  “What are you saying?” Chuck asked.

  “Being a woman, I know where women like to hide things. Didn’t take me long to find Dar
lene’s diary.”

  “That’s not true. We took…” Chuck smacked Haston’s arm before he could finish his sentence.

  “So Darlene had a second diary? Lots of women do that. They have one diary for the hubby to find, and another where they write their deepest darkest secrets.”

  “So what did this diary say?” Chuck asked.

  Danielle glanced over to Haston who looked as if he were about to pee his pants. Chuck, on the other hand, looked chillingly calm.

  “That’s how I found out about the art collection,” Danielle lied. She looked over to Stoddard who stood mute. “What I found most enlightening was her detailed account involving Stoddard’s murder. Every time she spoke on the phone or met with either of you, she made a note, with date and time, on what was said. I learned Bart Haston staked out the Sea Cliff Drive house, where he discovered Joe was my alibi witness and how after that, Chuck contacted Smith to kill us.”

  “That’s enough.” Chuck pulled something from his pocket.

  Danielle’s eyes widened in surprise when she realized what he held.

  “I didn’t see that coming,” Danielle squeaked. “You keep a gun in your pocket?”

  “It comes in handy,” Chuck said, glancing around.

  “What are you doing with that?” Bart asked nervously.

  “What does it look like? We’re going to escort Ms. Boatman into her house, and she’s going to hand over that diary.”

  “And then what?” Danielle asked.

  “This has to end! We can’t just keep killing people!” Bart blurted.

  “Shut up Bart and get a hold of yourself.”

  “This is out of control. I knew I should have refused to help Stoddard hide Isabella’s body.”

  “I said shut up!” Chuck said.

  “And what if I refuse to give you the diary?” Danielle asked.

  Chuck pointed the gun at Danielle’s face. “We don’t need you to give us the diary. I’ll make it look like a suicide. It’s a good drive from here to Astoria, plenty of time to find where you hid Darlene’s diary. And if Lily happens to show up before we’re done, then too bad for Lily.”