Occult and Battery

by Lena Gregory

  “Cass?”

  Her cheeks heated. “Oh, sorry. Jim brought me to the estate; he said he was on his way there to clean up and pick up a few things he forgot. Then I sent him back to the car to look for my phone, ran up and looked in Conrad’s room—which is where I found the soap—and the cupola—which is where I found Joan Wellington.” Cass swallowed hard, wishing she hadn’t drank so much coffee or eaten anything. Her stomach lurched. “Her body.”

  Tank jerked upright. “You found Joan Wellington’s body?”

  Cass nodded.

  He jumped up and pulled a phone from the pocket of his pajama pants.

  “No. Wait.”

  He paused and stared at her.

  “Please, you can’t tell anyone I found her.”

  “What?”

  How could she explain that she didn’t want Jim to think she’d lied to him? Okay, that would probably look bad. “Uh . . .”

  “Tell me, quickly, where is she? Are you sure she was dead?”

  Cass was already nodding. “She’s definitely dead. I checked her pulse, and her skin was ice cold. There’s no doubt. She was curled up, kind of, by the window in the cupola.”

  “What were you looking for up there?” Tank wiped a hand across his mouth.

  “When Joan came in for the reading, she—”

  “When? What reading?”

  “She came into the shop this afternoon. Uh . . . well, I guess yesterday afternoon, and she was looking for something. She wanted me to contact Conrad and ask him where it was.”

  “What was she looking for?”

  Cass shrugged. “She wouldn’t tell me.”

  “All right. I’m going to have to check it out. You realize that, right?”

  Cass shrugged. “I guess.”

  Bee put a hand on her arm. He looked at Tank pleadingly. “Maybe you could wait till morning and then just go back and look around the cupola again. Then you wouldn’t have to say Cass found the body.”

  Cass shuddered, the thought of dealing with the questions and the police investigation more than she could deal with right now.

  Tank just stared at Bee as if he had ten heads.

  “What?” Bee feigned innocence. “It’s not like she’s going anywhere.”

  Massaging his temples between his thumb and forefinger, Tank closed his eyes. The phone rang in his hand, and he checked the screen before answering. “Yeah, Emmett?” He glanced at Cass. “It’s all right. She’s here . . . a little banged up, but okay.” He listened for a few more minutes. “Calm down, Emmett. What ghost?”

  Cass sat up straighter, the exhaustion weighing on her only moments ago suddenly lifted.

  “Wait there. I’m on my way.” Tucking the phone back into his pocket, he met Cass’s gaze. “That was Emmett, in a panic because he found your car on his way back from the Madison Estate, where he’d gone to plow out the driveway and lot.” He heaved in a deep breath, and his expression softened. “Which he didn’t do, because he saw a ghost.”

  “A ghost?”

  “The cupola lights were on, and he could see a body hanging. He thinks it’s Conrad’s ghost, so he won’t plow up there.”

  Fear clenched Cass’s gut. An urgent whisper was all she could manage. “There was a coil of rope on top of Joan’s body.”

  “Looks like someone either went back to finish the job, or was there the whole time you and Jim Wellington were.” Tank strode from the room, leaving Cass, Bee, and Stephanie staring after him.

  Exhaustion finally got the better of her, and Cass folded her arms on the table and laid her head down.

  “Come on, Cass. You can lie down in the guest bedroom for a while.” Stephanie emptied the remainder of Cass’s coffee down the drain and tossed the cup in the garbage.

  Cass reluctantly lifted her head. “Thanks, Steph, but I have to go home and take a shower.”

  “There’s a shower in the guest room.”

  Cass looked at the coffee staining her shirt and jeans. She slid her jacket—also stained with coffee—from the back of the chair. Bee took it from her and helped her into it. “I need a change of clothes and stuff, too. Besides, I only have a few hours before I have to be at the shop for the individual readings. I’d like to at least close my eyes for a little while.”

  “You’re going to do the readings?”

  Cass shrugged. “If I don’t do the readings and set up the group reading for tonight, I’ll have to refund all of the money.”

  “You didn’t set that up yet?”

  “I never got a chance.” She rubbed her eyes.

  “I’ll tell you what. Go get some sleep. I’ll call Henry in a little while and work something out.” Stephanie frowned. “I don’t really think you should be alone.”

  “I’ll be okay.”

  “I’ll take care of her.” Bee put an arm around her shoulder. “Come on. I’ll take you home and hang out on the couch while you sleep for a little while. I’ll make sure you get up in time and take you to the shop.”

  “You’re a sweetheart, Bee. Thank you. You too, Stephanie.”

  Squeezing her shoulder, Bee led her toward the door. “No problem. Now let’s go. But you’re getting up in time to eat a real breakfast.” He turned to Stephanie. “Why don’t you meet us at the diner at eight? Then we can figure out what to do next.”

  14

  A shower, three ibuprofen, a few hours of sleep, and a good makeup job worked wonders. Other than some residual achiness and stiffness, Cass didn’t feel too bad, all things considered. Rubbing her lower back, she stood waiting by the front door of the diner with Bee and Stephanie, while the hostess ran around trying to find seats for the steady stream of customers. A few people cast discreet stares in her direction, and she gingerly touched her bandaged forehead. No doubt the whole town already knew she’d wrecked her car. “I can’t believe they’re this crowded at eight o’clock on a Tuesday morning.”

  Bee leaned close, pitching his voice low. “Two murders—though I’ve only heard Conrad’s mentioned so far—and two ghost sightings, in four days. The deli and Tony’s are probably mobbed too.” The diner, deli, and bakery were the town’s central gathering points. When there was good dirt to be had, you could always expect a long line and a group of people who didn’t mind waiting in each establishment.

  “Two ghosts?”

  “Yeah, yours and the one Emmett saw.” Bee had a knack for deciphering gossip, weeding through what was important and what was too far-fetched to be relevant, and coming up with a fairly accurate summary within seconds of walking into a room. Bee’s bushy eyebrows drew together, creasing his brow. “But there’s another undercurrent buzzing I can’t quite pick up on yet.”

  “Hey, guys. I have your usual table in the back with Elaina.”

  The back of the diner had a small room that could be reserved for parties, but they often used it for extra seating at busier times. Cass couldn’t ever remember it being open on a Tuesday morning. “Thanks, Gabby.”

  They squeezed through the crowd, dodging harried waitresses as they crossed the main section on their way to the back. Chrome and mirrors filled the space, reflecting the animated conversations and adding to the excitement. A frosted glass wall etched with the image of a lighthouse separated the back from the main section of the diner. Bee slid into one side of the booth facing the open doorway—wouldn’t want to miss anything—and Cass and Stephanie slid into the other.

  Elaina Stevens ran over with a coffeepot in each hand. She poured Stephanie and Cass regular coffee and Bee decaf. Everyone knew Bee only drank decaf in the morning before he went to bed. “Do you guys know what you want yet?”

  They ate at the diner often enough none of them needed to look at a menu, but Bee obviously wanted to linger. He opened his menu on the table. “Could you give us a few minutes, dear?”

  “Sure. Just y
ell when you’re ready.” She leaned over the table and pointed to a random spot on the menu. “Have you guys heard the news?”

  “Which news?”

  “Guess who’s back in town?”

  Bingo. There was the undercurrent Bee had picked up on. He nodded discreetly to Cass, his expression smug.

  “Elaina?”

  The young girl turned as Frankie Mandola, the diner’s owner, entered the room. “Yes?”

  “Could you do me a favor and quick set up table three back here?” The older man rolled his eyes. “The Talbots just parked.”

  “Be right back.” Elaina rushed to set up the table before Joe and Marie Talbot made it to the front door with their pack of brats. Everyone knew not to let those four boys run free in the main room. One set of eight-year-old twins, a six year old, and a four year old, who was following right in his brothers’ footsteps. Cass would bet her last dollar their parents had never once said the word no to them.

  The paper placemats on the table were covered with ads for local businesses. Cass traced a finger around her small ad in the top right corner. “Do you think maybe I should try a bigger ad next time?”

  Bee slid his menu over to check out the ad he’d no doubt seen a million times already. “I don’t think it needs to be bigger, but maybe you should add some color, or a logo or something. You know, a little something to make it pop off the page and stand out among the others.”

  Exactly. “Good idea. Any suggestions?”

  Stephanie studied her placemat too. “What about a lighthouse? Your shop is really close to the lighthouse, and you sell lighthouse souvenirs.”

  “I don’t know.” She scanned the placemat. “There are three other ads featuring lighthouses.”

  “Four.” Bee pointed out a small silhouette of a lighthouse in the background of one ad. “This one’s kind of hard to see.”

  “How about a crystal ball?”

  “Maybe.” Cass shrugged.

  “Hi, guys. Ready to order yet?” Elaina held a pen poised over her pad.

  “Sure. Can I have a vegetable omelet with whole wheat toast?” Since Cass couldn’t get her daily exercise walking down the beach from her house to the shop in this weather, she really had to watch what she ate. “And a diet coke, please.”

  “Got it. Stephanie?”

  “Umm . . . I’ll have hash and eggs, over easy, and an orange juice.”

  “Sure. Bee?”

  “I’ll have a bacon cheeseburger—medium-well—with fries and a root beer.” He closed his menu and handed it to Elaina, but he didn’t release it when she grabbed hold. “Who’s in town?”

  Elaina laughed and glanced over her shoulder then leaned closer. “Horatio Madison’s widow and son.”

  “Get out of here.” Bee released the menu. “What for?”

  Elaina shrugged and collected the menus from Stephanie and Cass. “No one knows. Supposedly, they arrived sometime really early this morning.”

  “The ferry’s running again?”

  “Nah. They showed up in a small, private boat.”

  Cass wracked her brain for any reason the Madisons could have returned. “That’s all you know?”

  “That’s it. But if I hear anything else, I’ll be sure to let you know.” She pulled the top page from her pad and tucked the pad into the front of her apron. On her way to the back, she stopped to grab ketchup for another table.

  The hostess led the Talbots back and seated them at the other side of the room.

  “It’s not going to be far enough.”

  “Huh? What’s not?” Cass scanned the room. Had she missed something?

  “The Talbots.” Bee gestured toward the boys, two of whom were already fighting over some kind of handheld video game. “They are definitely not far enough away.”

  The youngest boy started running around the room, weaving between the tables, arms extended like an airplane. One of his brothers made banging noises as he tried to shoot the little guy down.

  “Okay, that’s enough.” Bee leaned over out of the booth, and crooked a finger at the two oldest boys.

  They approached the table warily.

  “How’d you like to each earn a dollar?” Bee smiled.

  The twins looked at each other before shrugging. “Sure,” they answered together.

  “You stay calm and keep your brothers calm, and I’ll give each of you a dollar on my way out.”

  The two hooted and high-fived each other.

  Bee held up a finger. “Uh-uh . . . I said calm. I want to eat my dinner in peace and quiet.”

  “Dinner?”

  “Yes, dinner. I haven’t gone to bed yet, so this is my dinner.”

  The boys shrugged again and ran off to whisper with their brothers. All of them stared at Bee.

  He pulled four dollar bills from his pocket and waved them back and forth then laid them on the table.

  The boys conferred again then sat in their seats.

  “See. They’re good boys. They just need a little incentive.”

  Cass laughed. More likely, they just didn’t know what to make of Bee.

  Stephanie leaned forward and spoke quietly. “So what do you think the Madisons are doing back?”

  Sipping her coffee, Cass shook her head. “I have no idea.” She looked at Bee.

  “Nope. Me neither.”

  “Hmmm . . . Anyway, I was able to get in touch with Henry, and the group reading is all set up for tonight. He’s giving you the ballroom. Some of the guys are going to take the big table from the mansion and bring it to the hotel for you.”

  “That’s great, Stephanie. Thank you.”

  Stephanie waved her off. “No problem. I also called Isabella. She’s going to cater it for you. She said she may as well since she already had all the food. No sense letting it all go to waste.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Hey!” One of the Talbot twins ripped the game from his brother’s hands then glanced over at Bee.

  Bee lifted a dollar from the table, folded it, and started to stick it back into his pocket.

  Kurt or Kyle—they were identical twins—quieted instantly.

  Bee tossed the bill back on top of the others.

  Cass turned to Stephanie. “Have you heard from Tank?”

  Stephanie shook her head. “No. Not since he left.”

  “That’s a long time.”

  “Yeah.”

  That didn’t bode well for Joan. If Tank had found anything, he’d have already called Stephanie. The fact that he hadn’t probably meant Joan was dead. Which Cass already knew; though, she desperately wanted to be wrong.

  Elaina returned and placed a small bowl of coleslaw and a pickle in front of Bee.

  “Thanks, hon.”

  “You’re welcome.” She hurried off.

  Stephanie turned back to Cass. “I talked to Emmett, though. He towed your car to the shop, and he has a loaner for you. I’ll take you by to pick it up when we leave here.”

  “Awesome. Thanks.”

  Bee bit into his pickle.

  “No problem.”

  Gesturing toward Cass with the remainder of the pickle, Bee frowned. “Who do you think inherits Conrad’s share of the fortune now that Joan and Conrad are both dead?”

  “I don’t know. Why?”

  “Just thinking.” He leaned close, keeping his voice low. “Joan would have inherited it if she lived. Now that she’s gone, too, someone’s going to be pretty rich.”

  Cass hadn’t thought of that.

  Stephanie leaned in too. “You can’t assume the motivation for killing them is money.”

  “Why not?” Bee lifted a brow.

  “Could just as easily be jealousy, especially if Joan was having an affair.” Stephanie slid back to her spot with a shrug. “Who knows? Maybe sh
e was having more than one.”

  Try as she might, Cass just couldn’t imagine Joan in the role of Jezebel—even the new, nasty Joan she’d met in the shop.

  “Let’s say, for argument’s sake, she had one lover,” Bee said. “Jealousy makes sense when Conrad got knocked off—her lover killed him—but how does Joan’s death figure in?” He stopped talking as Elaina crossed the room with their food.

  Why would Joan’s lover kill her? It didn’t really make sense. Unless they were the ones arguing in her room. Maybe he killed her over whatever they were arguing about someone taking. Cass was definitely going to have to chat with Emmett again.

  Elaina slid their orders in front of them.

  Cass eyed Bee’s plate—a thick hamburger piled high with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and two big, fat onion rings. He doused the entire thing in ketchup. How on earth did he manage to stay in shape? She returned her gaze to her plate and sighed.

  Elaina returned with extra napkins and bent close. “Rumor has it the Madisons and Wellingtons had a meeting at the Bay Side Hotel early this morning.”

  Bee’s eyes widened. “Do you know what it was about?”

  “No idea. No one seems to know, but they were in there a long time.” Elaina turned when someone called her and hurried off.

  “Wonder what they could possibly be meeting about?” Cass broke off a piece of toast.

  “No idea.” Bee waggled his eyebrows. “But I’ll definitely try to find out.”

  Cass laughed. She turned to Stephanie and caught a glimpse of the Talbot boys quietly shoveling pancakes into their mouths. “I can’t believe those boys are sitting so quietly.”

  Bee winked at her. “Works every time.”

  • • •

  Stephanie pulled up in front of Emmett’s Garage. “I’ll meet you at the shop in a little while.”

  “Thanks, Stephanie. If I’m not there yet, can you open? I want to talk to Emmett for a few minutes, and I have to pick up Beast.”

  “No problem.”

  “Thank you.” Cass climbed out of the car, wincing at the ache in her back.

  Stephanie leaned over the passenger seat and glanced up at her through the still open door. “Are you all right?”