“You’re annoying!”
“I’m rubber and you’re glue … .”
“Okay,” Molly said, holding up her hands to still the argument and stepping between Zander and the desk. “Why don’t you go and … help Eric with the tech from today’s job, Zander?”
Zander frowned. “I’m nowhere near done yelling at Harper yet.”
“You guys live together, though,” Molly pointed out. “Wouldn’t it be more fun to yell at her when you’re home? I know it would be more fun for me.”
“How? You don’t live with us. You wouldn’t be able to hear it.”
“Exactly,” Molly said. “Just … leave me alone with Harper for a few minutes. I’ll bandage up her knee while you two cool down. In a half hour you won’t even remember why you were sniping at each other.”
“I’ll remember,” Zander announced, moving toward the back of the office. “I’ll remember forever the day that I saved Harper from certain death and she didn’t even thank me for it.”
“Thank you, Zander!” Harper screeched at his back.
“You’re welcome!”
“THAT was … interesting,” Molly said a few minutes later, wisely opting to give Harper space to collect her breath – and rein in her anger – before treating her knee. “Are you going to kick me if I try to help you?”
Harper frowned. “Of course not.”
Molly arched a challenging eyebrow. “Are you sure? You just kicked Zander and he was trying to help you. I’m not in the mood to be kicked.”
Harper sighed, resigned, and leaned back in her chair so she could study the ceiling. “I’m sorry if you and Eric are tired of listening to Zander and me fight. It’s just … we’re going through a rough patch right now.”
“I don’t think Zander is the one having a rough patch,” Molly pointed out. “I think you’re the one having a rough patch because of the whole Jared thing.”
“I don’t want to hear his name!”
“Well, I’m not in middle school so I don’t play that game,” Molly countered, dabbing some peroxide on a cotton ball and gingerly pressing it to Harper’s torn skin. “When was the last time you had a tetanus shot? I don’t want you to get lockjaw and die. Well … the lockjaw actually wouldn’t be so bad right about now.”
“I had one six months ago. I’m fine.”
“You keep saying that you’re fine, but I’m not sure you really are,” Molly said. “In fact, if I had to put a name to what you’re feeling, I think the correct one would be hurt.”
“That’s preposterous.”
Molly pursed her lips and continued cleaning Harper’s wound. “Zander loves you more than anything and he’s really upset,” she said. “What you did today was stupid. We all saw it. I have no idea why you’re denying it.”
“I … something had to be done.” Harper was flustered. “What should we have done?”
“Figured out another way to draw Dennis into the dreamcatcher,” Molly replied, not missing a beat. “There were several other options. You could’ve tossed the dreamcatcher out into the middle of the hallway and then raced back to be with Zander, for one. Instead you decided to take on an angry ghost by yourself, and the only rationale I can come up with is that you wanted to … feel … something.”
“Are you taking psychology classes again this semester?”
Now it was Molly’s turn to frown. “You’ve been lashing out at people for days now,” she said. “You can say it’s not because of Jared, but we all know it is. Maybe if you talk about it … .”
Harper cut Molly off. “There’s nothing to talk about,” she said. “We shared exactly one kiss and two flirty calls and then he left town. It’s not like he was my boyfriend. I have absolutely no reason to be angry with him. He didn’t promise me anything.”
“That doesn’t mean that cutting off contact between the two of you didn’t hurt your feelings,” Molly chided. “It’s okay to have feelings. It’s okay to be upset. You’re entitled to feel how you feel. Jared made a stupid decision. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t like you.”
“I know exactly what it means,” Harper said. “It means he’s changed his mind.”
Molly knit her eyebrows together. “How do you figure that?”
“Once he spent a few days away he realized I was too much work and he doesn’t want to date the freak who can see ghosts. It’s pretty obvious what happened.”
“I think you’re making a very broad leap there,” Molly said. “Maybe he was just busy taking care of his mother. Did you ever think of that?”
“Yes. That’s what got me through the first five days. The second five days were different. I couldn’t keep lying to myself that he was too busy to send a ten-second text.”
“I … .” Molly didn’t know what to say. “Harper, you know that I saw you and Jared together the day it … happened, right?” She didn’t want to talk about her ordeal so she cleared her throat and moved on. “He didn’t seem like a guy who was going to change his mind. In fact, he seemed thrilled to be around you. He was excited. I think you should wait to talk to him before you convince yourself of the worst possible scenario.”
“Whatever,” Harper said, crossing her arms over her chest. “I know the truth. You don’t want to hurt my feelings so you’re telling me what you think I want to hear. I’m over Jared Monroe. I barely liked him anyway.”
Molly didn’t believe that for a second. She’d never seen her boss show interest in a man until Jared walked into her life. She didn’t think now was the time to press the issue, though. “Well, if that’s your decision, then I’m not going to try and change your mind,” she said.
“That’s good. It can’t be changed.”
“Do you want to hear about me?” Molly asked, her eyes sparkling.
“Always,” Harper said. “What’s new with you?”
“I’ve finally decided to ask Eric out,” Molly replied. “I’m going to do it today … or maybe tomorrow if I can’t get my courage up.”
Harper’s blue eyes widened. “Seriously? I thought you were going to let him come to you. That’s a big change in strategy.” Molly had boasted a crush on Eric since the first day she was hired as an intern. Eric, in turn, had a crush on Harper and barely knew Molly was alive – except when she irritated him. Everyone ignored the dueling crush situation and pretended it wasn’t happening … until now apparently.
“If I’ve learned anything from what happened to me it’s that I don’t want to wait for Eric to come to me,” Molly replied. “I’m going to ask him out. If he doesn’t want to do it, well, at least I’ll know and I can move on. I don’t want to live in limbo. I want to try to find someone who will make me happy.”
“Good for you.”
“WHY is Harper being such a pill?” Eric asked, moving to Zander’s side and watching Harper and Molly chat in the next room. “She’s been extremely crabby the past few days.”
“I would say it’s PMS, but that was last week,” Zander answered, causing Eric to grimace and squirm. “She’s upset and taking it out on me because she knows I’ll always forgive her.”
“You don’t look like you want to forgive her.”
“It’s not on top of my to-do list right now,” Zander admitted. “I know she’s hurt and upset, but … she’s being a real B-I-T-C-H.”
“Why are you spelling?” Eric asked, glancing around.
“Harper doesn’t like it when I say that word in conjunction with her attitude,” Zander explained. “I started spelling it when we were in high school sometimes to make her laugh. Now I kind of want to punch her with it.”
Eric raised his eyebrows. “This must be serious. You two never fight for more than a few hours.”
“That’s because she’s turning into the Devil.”
“Do you really think it’s about that cop dumping her?” Eric asked, his eyes trained on Harper as she and Molly whispered to one another. “Do you think she’s … vulnerable?”
Zander flicked Eric’s ea
r. “I think you’re barking up the wrong tree,” he said. “I know that look on your face. Harper and Jared didn’t break up. Jared had to leave town to take care of his mother. Harper is making a mountain out of a molehill. She always does. The second she sees Jared again they’re going to be smacking lips and rattling headboards. Mark my words.”
“So maybe I should ask her out before Jared gets back to town,” Eric mused. “Now could be the perfect time for me to slide in and charm her.”
“You’re an idiot,” Zander said. “No offense, man, but you don’t have a shot.”
“Why not?” Eric looked pained.
“Because Harper has a thing for Jared,” Zander answered. “I haven’t seen her react to a man in that manner in … years. In fact, everything else I’ve ever seen her do regarding a man has been lame in comparison to Jared.”
“Yes, but … if we go out she might realize Jared is all wrong for her,” Eric suggested. “She’ll realize I’m the one for her and forget all about him.”
“I like you, Eric,” Zander said, choosing his words carefully. “You’re not right for Harper, though. Jared is right for her. She’s going to realize that the second he comes back to town.”
“Not if I go out with her first.”
“She won’t go out with you,” Zander said. “She’ll find a nice way to let you down easy and then everyone will be uncomfortable around the office for weeks after you do it. I’m begging you, man, just … don’t.”
“You don’t know,” Eric protested. “She could have a secret thing for me.”
“We live together. She doesn’t.”
“But … .”
Zander wagged a finger in front of Eric’s face. “Don’t even think about it,” he said. “You’re going to end up crushed and she’s going to feel awful about shooting you down. This is a losing situation for everyone. If you want to ask someone out, ask Molly. She adores you.”
“Molly is a kid,” Eric countered. “She’s nice enough, but she’s not my type.”
“That’s exactly how Harper feels about you.”
Eric mulled the words and then squared his shoulders. “I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it right now and prove you wrong.”
Zander lunged at Eric’s elbow to still him and missed. “Don’t do it,” he hissed.
Thankfully, Harper’s dramatic announcement to Molly put the kibosh on everything so Zander didn’t have to think of a way to fake a fire alarm before Eric walked twenty feet.
“I am completely done with men,” Harper said, her voice carrying. “I’m going to set the next one who asks me out on fire. That’s how done I am with men.”
Eric swiveled quickly and moved back in Zander’s direction. “Now probably isn’t the best time.”
“That’s a wise choice.”
Three
“There he is, my wayward partner. I thought you changed your mind about moving to Whisper Cove and decided to stay on the west side of the state.”
Mel Kelsey leaned back in his desk chair, his fingers linked as he rested his head against the palms of his hands.
Jared shot his partner a rueful smile and moved toward his desk. “I’m sorry for dropping everything on you the way I did,” he said. “My mother was in a lot of pain, though, and my sister was on a business trip so she couldn’t help. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“It’s fine,” Mel said, waving off Jared’s apology. “We haven’t had much going on. Everything has been quiet. I told you that having a murder your first week on the job was a fluke. The only thing happening last week was Donna Frisbee’s mental breakdown.”
“Who is Donna Frisbee?” Jared sat at his desk and started rummaging through the stack of accumulated paperwork and messages.
“She’s one of the big social ladies in the area,” Mel explained. “She fights with all the other social ladies. She turned up naked in the downtown square one day last week.”
Jared arched an eyebrow. “Naked?”
“Well, she had on garter belts and nothing else. It was quite the sight.”
“How old is she?”
“Seventy-five.”
Jared made a face. “Nice. That’s going to give me nightmares.”
“She had a gun, too,” Mel added. “She was looking for her husband. The sad thing is Big Bart died about twenty years ago. We took her over to that mental hospital in Mount Clemens and they’re running some tests.”
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that,” Jared said, although his grin said otherwise. “At least the talk of the town wasn’t murder or something truly awful.”
“Yes. You look broken up about it,” Mel teased. “So, why did you come to the office today? I thought you were due back tomorrow.”
“Well, I thought I would get a start on all of this paperwork,” Jared replied. “I also thought it would give me an excuse to be in town so I could stop at Harper’s house on my way home. I want to surprise her.”
Mel snickered, causing Jared to shift a wary look in his direction.
“What was that?” Jared asked.
“What?”
“You cackled like a witch there when I mentioned Harper,” Jared pressed. “What’s going on?”
“Why do you think anything is going on?” Mel asked, faux innocence and light practically wafting off of him. As Whisper Cove’s longest serving cop, he was up on all of the hamlet’s gossip. He was also Zander’s favorite uncle, and he knew a thing or two about Harper’s state of mind that Jared was obviously missing.
“Did something happen to Harper?” Jared asked, leaning forward. “I … she’s okay, isn’t she?”
“Last time I heard – which was about an hour ago – the only thing wrong with Harper Harlow is her attitude,” Mel replied, holding his hand up to caution Jared about getting ahead of himself. “Well, that’s not entirely true. I guess something went wrong at their ghost-busting extravaganza down in Detroit today. She just skinned her knee, though.”
“See, your tone tells me something else is going on,” Jared said. “I don’t like the look on your face.”
“You’re not the first person to tell me that.”
“I’m going to be the last if you don’t tell me what’s going on,” Jared threatened. “I’m worried now. Maybe I should go over to her house instead of playing games with you.”
“I think that’s a good way to get yourself shot,” Mel said, enjoying the power he had over his younger partner. Harper’s bad mood had been Zander’s favorite gossip topic for days. Since Zander enjoyed gossiping with his mother – and his mother happened to be Mel’s favorite sister – that meant Mel was up on all of Harper’s meltdowns and shenanigans. He’d known Harper since she was a child. He’d seen her vicious streak up close and personal when she wanted revenge on someone.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Jared admitted, his frustration showing. “Why would I get shot if I go to see Harper?”
“Because she’s not speaking to you.”
Jared frowned. “Why?”
“She’s mad as a zombie without human intestines to munch on,” Mel replied, tapping his fingers on his desk. He didn’t know Jared well yet, but he was enjoying sampling as many methods as possible to torture the young police officer.
“How is that even possible?” Jared asked, confused. “She was in a good mood when I left. I mean … she wasn’t happy that we were going to have to delay our first date … but she was fine.”
“That was ten days ago.”
“Thanks. I’m so glad to know you can count.” Jared’s tone was snarky and irritated. He had no idea what he could’ve possibly done to upset Harper.
“Son, as much as I’m enjoying this, I have to ask you an honest question now,” Mel said. “The thing is … well … I’ve been hearing a lot of gossip because Harper has been taking her mood out on Zander. My nephew and Harper have always been codependent, but he can’t take it when she’s upset … and right now she’s really upset.”
“
At me?” Jared’s voice was unnaturally squeaky. “I haven’t done a thing to upset her. I swear I … .” He broke off, racking his brain. “I haven’t done anything to upset Harper. If she’s saying I’ve done something to her, well, she’s mistaken.”
Mel licked his lips. “Well, let’s retrace your steps,” he said, enjoying the game. In truth, he’d been bored during Jared’s absence. Whisper Cove wasn’t known as a hotbed of illegal activity. At least with Jared back he could torture his partner to break up the afternoon ennui. “What did she say to you the last time you called her?”
Jared faltered. “I … well … .” Jared pressed the heel of his hand against his forehead, not stopping until he dragged it completely through the top of his dark hair. “I didn’t talk to her while I was out of town.”
Mel feigned surprise. “What? I thought you liked her.”
“I do like her!”
“Then why didn’t you call her for ten days?” Mel asked.
“I … my mother was hurt and … um … crap.” Jared realized too late what he’d done.
“Well, let’s not panic,” Mel cautioned, refusing to let go of the game. “I’m sure you texted her, right?”
Jared dejectedly shook his head.
“Messaged her on Facebook?”
“I didn’t do anything,” Jared said. “I … .” He made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “What is she saying?”
“Oh, well, she’s saying a whole heck of a lot,” Mel said, delighted with Jared’s hangdog expression.
“Just … lay it on me,” Jared said. “I need to know what I’m up against if I’m going to get her to forgive me.”
“First off, I think you should probably know that Harper is hurt more than anything else,” Mel said, sobering. “She’s not used to dating. She hasn’t done it in a long time … not since Quinn.”
Quinn Jackson was Harper’s last serious boyfriend. He’d died in a car accident years before and his body was never recovered. Jared knew the story. He knew how upset Harper was thinking his ghost wandered the woods looking for closure. He did not want to be the reason for causing her more pain.
Ghostly Issues (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 2) Page 2
