Grave Holiday (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 9)

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Well, those are words I never thought I would hear you say,” Ruby said dryly, her voice gravelly as she shook her head. “I’ve never met anyone who purposely wants to talk to Marla. Is it backward day?”

  Maddie didn’t want to snicker, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “It’s just important that we find her.”

  “It has to do with a case we’re working on,” Nick added. “If you see her, we need to speak with her as soon as possible.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Ruby said. “She doesn’t hang out here much these days, though. I told her she had to be nice to the other guests if she wanted to keep getting food without spit in it. She’s been eating elsewhere ever since.”

  “Where?” Nick asked, curious.

  “She goes to that little deli out on the highway from time to time. I think she also goes to that Thai place over in Williamsburg. I honestly don’t know where else she spends her time, although I’ve never figured out a reason to care.”

  “Well, that gives us a few other places to check,” Nick said. “Thanks for that.”

  “No problem.”

  Nick rubbed the back of Maddie’s neck as he considered their situation. “We really need to find her before dark.”

  “Definitely,” Maddie said, bobbing her head.

  “I might know where she is.”

  Nick shifted his eyes two tables over and locked gazes with Wanda Hodges. She sipped a mug of coffee, a few of Maude’s Pink Ladies sitting across the table from her, and smiled at the couple.

  “You know where Marla is?” Maddie asked hopefully.

  “I know she’s been going to that nail place over on the highway,” Wanda replied. “She likes to get her toes done when she’s in a mood … which is pretty much every week.”

  “I didn’t know she went there,” Maddie mused.

  “I think it’s recent because she’s not allowed in Christy’s salon any longer,” Wanda said. “I mean, I don’t know for sure she’s there, but she’s been known to hang out there a time or two.”

  “Thanks,” Nick said, returning the smile. “That’s a big help.”

  “No problem,” Wanda said. “Just out of curiosity, why are you looking for her?”

  “We just need to talk to her about a few things,” Nick said evasively. “It’s nothing important.”

  “Well, if you can’t find her there, I don’t know what to tell you. That’s the only idea I’ve got.”

  “We appreciate it,” Maddie said. “Thank you.”

  “WELL, SHE’S definitely not here,” Christy said, hopping down Harriet’s front steps in dramatic fashion. “Harriet is even more gross than Marla. I didn’t think that was possible.”

  “I remember Harriet being a total pain when I was kid,” John said, smirking as he watched the way Christy moved. He loved the animated swagger she added to her hips as she strode down the sidewalk. “She seems worse now. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with her on a regular basis.”

  “Yeah, it’s been easier for me since I banned her from my salon. She didn’t take it well.”

  “I noticed,” John said dryly, his eyes keen as they roamed Christy’s face. “Why did you ban her?”

  “Because Marla and Harriet were being mean to Maddie and I refuse to put up with that level of bullying. We’re adults, for crying out loud. We shouldn’t have to take crap like that. Then I realized I owned the business and I didn’t have to take crap like that. It was easy to kick them out, and it’s been nice and relaxing in the salon since they’ve been banned.”

  “Did Maddie stand up to them?”

  “Not at the time. She was still pretty shy when all of this went down. I thought about letting Marla and Harriet return – they were good for a decent amount of business every week, after all – but Maddie is more relaxed when she knows she doesn’t have to worry about them stopping in.”

  “You shouldn’t base your business decisions on Maddie’s whims.”

  Christy shrugged, unbothered. “She’s my best friend. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable.”

  “She’s also an adult and should fight her own battles.”

  “And she’s getting better about it,” Christy said. “Don’t tell me how to run my business. I’m fine with the way things are. If I want to be loyal to Maddie, I’ll be loyal to Maddie.”

  “That seems to be the mantra around these parts,” John noted, sneaking out a hand so he could snag Christy’s fingers as they made their way back to his cruiser. “Everyone wants to be loyal to Maddie.”

  “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “No, I genuinely like Maddie,” John replied. “I know that my brother is crazy about her and I want him to be happy. She makes him happy. That doesn’t change the fact that she made him miserable for ten years.”

  “And that clearly bothers you.”

  “It does,” John confirmed. “Nick was a shell of himself for a long time. I made excuses to my mother because I saw that he was kind of … I guess tortured would be the right word. She was really worried about him, though, and I swear they were planning some sort of dating intervention because everyone was sick of his six-month schedule.

  “Then Maddie appeared out of nowhere and Nick was a new man,” he continued. “He was happier. There was a spring in his step. And this is before he and Maddie officially got together.”

  “I don’t understand why that bothers you,” Christy admitted. “Nick and Maddie love each other. They should be able to choose their own future.”

  “And I want that, too,” John said. “I want my brother to be happy – and I’m pretty sure Maddie is the only one who can do that for him – but I can’t help but wonder why everyone feels the need to protect her.”

  “It’s because she’s fragile at times. Her gift makes her that way. She’s still getting used to the fact that she can tell people about her abilities and they won’t try to stone her in the town square. Give her a little time. She’s already ten times stronger now than she was when she returned to town.”

  “I guess.” John rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand as he stared at his cruiser. “Her self-esteem is growing in leaps and bounds. Even I can see that. I’m guessing once Nick gives her that ring of his things are going to get even better for her.”

  John didn’t realize what he said until he shifted his eyes to Christy. He was about to ask her if she wanted to grab lunch but the way her mouth hung open made him realize that he’d blabbed the proposal secret instead.

  “Wait a second … .”

  “Nick is proposing to Maddie? I knew it!” Christy rubbed her hands together, delighted. “When is this blessed event happening? It’s soon, isn’t it? Is it her Christmas gift? Oh, I hope he got her a good ring.”

  John licked his lips as he tilted his head to the side, annoyance rippling through him. Unfortunately, he had no one to be agitated with but himself. “You can’t say anything. Nick will kill me if this proposal is ruined. I know you’re friends with Maddie but … .”

  Christy waved off his concerns, her mind busy with potential proposal scenarios. “I would never ruin this for Maddie. This is the thing she’s dreamed about since she started dreaming. Don’t be an idiot.”

  “Okay.” John couldn’t help but be wary. “Maybe you should do your best to hide from Maddie until it happens. I’m worried you’re going to let something slip.”

  Christy wanted to be offended by the suggestion, but she couldn’t muster the energy. “That’s probably not a bad idea. I’ll give it some thought. Now, tell me about the ring. Is it white gold? Tell me it’s white gold. Yellow gold is tacky and will look terrible with her skin tone.”

  “Ugh.” John rolled his eyes and stared at the sky. “What did I do to deserve this horror?”

  “You opened your big mouth,” Christy replied. “I have absolutely zero sympathy for you. Now tell me how Nick is going to pop the question. Is he going to get on one knee? Has he prepared a speech? Please tell me he’s not going
to recite a poem.”

  20

  Twenty

  “I need to get back to the festival.”

  Maddie and Nick stood on the walkway in front of the diner, their comfort food sitting heavy in their stomachs. Maddie knew Nick would put up a fight when she announced her intentions, but she had no inclination to change her mind despite the obstinate tilt of his chin.

  “We have several new leads,” Nick pointed out. “We need to check on them.”

  “And someone needs to be at the festival in case Marla returns,” Maddie countered. “She’s not going to miss the big festival tonight. It’s not in her nature. She likes being the center of attention and she can’t do that if she’s not there.”

  “You have a point,” Nick conceded. “I still don’t want you there alone.”

  “I won’t be alone,” Maddie said, inclining her head in the direction of the street where John and Christy were parking. “I’ll head over now and Christy can join me when she’s done with lunch. We’ll be together.”

  That was a better suggestion, but only marginally. “I would feel better if I knew where you were.”

  “You will know where I am. I’m going to be at the festival.”

  “But … .”

  Maddie shook her head to cut him off. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Nicky. I’ll be at the festival, for crying out loud. What do you think is going to happen?”

  “Two people have been murdered on the festival grounds in the past week.”

  “And now you have a point,” Maddie said, exhaling heavily. “Nicky, I have to run my booth for the festival. I promised.”

  “Then I’ll go with you.”

  “You have to look for Marla.”

  “You said yourself that she’ll show up at the festival on her own,” Nick reminded her. “I can watch for her while you work.”

  “Unless she’s already in danger and it’s in a spot away from the festival grounds.”

  Nick pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead, frustrated. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  “No more than you’re going to let go of the bossy game we’re playing.”

  “If I promise to let that go, will you promise to let this go?”

  “No.”

  “I didn’t figure it would be that easy,” Nick grumbled, annoyed. “Fine. You go straight to the festival. You text me every thirty minutes so I know you’re safe. You don’t go anywhere alone. If you go to the bathroom, I want Christy with you. If you step outside that tent, I want you to remain close to a bunch of people and not wander off alone.”

  “Sir, yes, sir!” Maddie kicked her heels together and mock saluted. “Now who’s being bossy?”

  “You’re clearly still the boss,” Nick said dryly, slipping an arm around her waist as he tugged her closer. “I love you. Be careful.”

  “I’m always careful.”

  “Be more careful than that.” Nick dropped a kiss on Maddie’s mouth before turning his attention to an approaching John and Christy. “Hurry up and eat. Maddie is going back to the festival so she can run her booth. I figure you can drop Christy off there when you’re done and we can join forces to finish our search for Marla. I got a few tips from people inside.”

  “That sounds like a plan,” John said. “I’m starving, though. I want something gooey and warm.”

  “Try the hot beef,” Nick suggested. “It will sit in your stomach like a heavy brick. I feel toasty and warm, though, so that’s a plus.”

  “That sounds like a plan to me.”

  Maddie smiled at Christy, the corners of her mouth tipping down when she realized her friend was trying to avoid eye contact. “Is something wrong?”

  “What? No.” Christy shook her head. “Nothing is wrong. I’m just starving.”

  “Yes,” John intoned. “She definitely needs something to fill her mouth so she doesn’t say something stupid.”

  “Hot beef sounds great,” Christy enthused, gripping John’s hand as she skirted around Maddie. “It sounds simply divine.”

  Nick wrinkled his nose as he shook his head. “Okay, well, great. I’ll take Maddie back to the festival and meet you in this spot as soon as I’m done.”

  “I’ll be waiting,” John said, pasting a fake smile on his face.

  “Uh-huh.” Nick wasn’t convinced – and for good reason. Christy and John were both acting like imbeciles, and he had a sneaking suspicion why. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes. Don’t dawdle while you eat.”

  “Sir, yes, sir.” Christy smiled prettily as she kicked her feet together.

  Even though he was annoyed, Nick couldn’t help but smile. “I’m guessing you taught that to Maddie. Thanks for that, by the way. We’re going to play a little game later and that snarky response is going to be a big part of it.”

  “Oh, you’re so gross,” John complained. “Did you have to tell me that?”

  “Obviously so,” Nick said, grabbing Maddie’s hand. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. It’s important that we find Marla before dark. I have a bad feeling about what’s going to happen if we don’t.”

  John sobered. “I get that. We’ll eat quickly.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  “YOU TOLD HER, didn’t you?”

  Nick stared out the front window of his patrol cruiser an hour later, his hands clenching the steering wheel as he navigated the highway that led to the nail salon Wanda mentioned. He was beyond annoyed as John fidgeted in the passenger seat.

  “Told who what?” John asked evasively, staring out the window. “Is it hot in here, or is it just me?”

  Nick slapped John’s hand away when the man reached for the temperature controls. “It’s just you. Stop being a moron and talk. I know you told her.”

  “Told her what?”

  “That I’m planning on proposing to Maddie.” Nick saw no reason to lie. “You told her and now she’s going to blab to Maddie.”

  “You’re going to propose to Maddie?” John widened his eyes to comical proportions. “Congratulations, man!”

  Nick remained dour. “We’ve already had this discussion and I’m in no mood to play games.”

  “I’m sorry,” John said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You’ll never know how sorry. It just sort of slipped out when Christy and I were talking about Maddie and her self-esteem issues.”

  Nick balked. “What self-esteem issues? Maddie has been great lately.”

  “She’s been better,” John clarified. “She’s not perfect.”

  “Oh, she’s perfect.”

  “And that right there is why I still have this niggling bit of concern in the back of my head,” John said, extending a finger. “You love Maddie so much you’re blind to her faults. Before you say that Maddie doesn’t have any faults, keep in mind that everyone has faults.”

  “Maddie has faults,” Nick conceded. “She’s not perfect.”

  “I’m surprised to hear you say that.”

  “Although she’s as close to perfect as any one person can be,” Nick added, smirking when he caught sight of John’s scowl. “Suck it up. My Maddie is an angel.”

  “Your Maddie crushed your heart and left you in pieces for ten years.”

  “Stop bringing that up,” Nick barked. “It’s over and done with. Move on. I have.”

  “Fine. I’m moving on.”

  “Let’s go back to you blabbing about my proposal plan,” Nick prodded. “What possessed you to do it?”

  “It was an accident,” John said. “I honestly didn’t think before I said it – which means it’s probably good that you’re proposing soon because I have a horribly big mouth. I think it’s genetic. Anyway, we were talking about how Maddie’s self-esteem keeps getting better and I said I thought your proposal would make her even stronger. It just slipped out.”

  “And what did Christy say?”

  “Ugh. She erupted in this volcano of chick stuff. What kind of ring did he buy? Is he going to get down on
one knee? It better be white gold and not yellow gold.” John mimicked Christy’s voice, causing Nick to crack a smile. “Did you get the white gold? I had no idea that was a thing.”

  “I got the white gold,” Nick confirmed. “Maddie doesn’t like yellow gold.”

  “How did you even know to ask about something like that?”

  “I listen when the women in my life talk,” Nick replied dryly, hitting his turn signal as he pulled into the strip mall where the nail salon was located. The parking lot was dotted with cars but none of them belonged to Marla. “She’s not going to say anything to Maddie, right?”

  “I’m not an idiot,” John said. “I warned her. I told her it was a big deal.”

  “She’d better not say anything.” Nick chewed on his bottom lip as he drove past the storefronts, frowning when he caught sight of the “for rent” sign in the spot where the nail salon used to be located. “Well, Marla definitely isn’t here.”

  “I think this place looks as if it’s been out of business for a few weeks,” John said, narrowing his eyes. “I don’t think Marla has been here in quite some time.”

  “I guess Wanda must’ve been mistaken.”

  “I guess so.”

  “HEY, GRANNY. What are you up to?”

  Maddie couldn’t help but smile fondly at her grandmother when she caught the woman going through her storage trunk in the tent shortly before three. Maddie left briefly to run to the bathroom – going alone even though she told Nick she wouldn’t – and when she returned she found her favorite busybody searching for … something. Maddie had an idea she knew exactly what that “something” was.

  “Hello, my Maddie,” Maude said, her spine stiffening as she plastered a wide smile on her face and swiveled. “Would you believe I’m looking for the Christmas linens?”

  “Not for a second.”

  “I didn’t think it was worth it to drag out that lie for another go,” Maude admitted, her knees cracking as she got to her feet. “I was looking for my Christmas gift.”

  “I figured,” Maddie said, smirking as she skirted around her grandmother’s hip and moved toward her chair. “It’s not here.”

  “I can see that,” Maude said, her eyes flashing. “Where is it?”