Ghostly Interests

by Lily Harper Hart

  “It was my grandfather and I was a child,” Harper said. “I didn’t know enough to be scared. He was in my bedroom and he was saying goodbye. I thought he was really there until my mother came in and told me what happened.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I told them about our conversation, but they didn’t believe me,” Harper said. “It took a long time for them to realize I was telling the truth.”

  “Are you ever afraid?”

  “Of ghosts?”

  Jared nodded.

  “I guess,” Harper said, mulling the question over in her mind. “I’m more scared of not being able to help those who want it than I am of running into those who don’t. Does that make sense?”

  “I’m not sure any of this makes sense,” Jared said. “I’m trying to feel the situation out as best I can.”

  “I guess I should consider that forward momentum,” Harper teased, gracing him with the first real smile she’d been able to muster since he’d walked into her office. “It’s hard for people who don’t want to believe. Most of them can never cross the gap and become believers. I understand it. I do.”

  “What if I want to believe but still don’t think I can?” Jared asked.

  “Do you want to believe?”

  Jared shrugged. He didn’t have a simple answer. In truth, he found he was desperate to believe anything she told him. He was also struggling with the niggling worry in the back of his brain that she really was crazy. His heart, for whatever reason, refused to let him believe that, though. She was too earnest. She was too sweet. She was also too pretty and fiery. She was a compelling package. Unfortunately, it was one he didn’t believe was meant for him. “I don’t know what I want right now,” he said finally.

  “At least you’re honest,” Harper said, reaching for her water.

  “I think that’s my best virtue sometimes.”

  Harper couldn’t help but agree even as she found hope coursing through her chest. Was there a chance he would ultimately give in and have faith in her? And, if he did, what would that mean in the grand scheme of things?

  Seventeen

  “I can’t believe I let you talk me into coming back here,” Harper grumbled two hours later, her toe catching on the root of a tree and pitching her body forward.

  Jared instinctively reached for her, catching her slight body in his arms before she could do any real damage. She flopped against him, her chest colliding with his, and Jared’s arms were around her back before he realized what was happening.

  “Oomph,” Harper grunted, her eyes latching onto Jared’s. “I … .”

  Their mouths were only inches apart and Harper’s heart was pounding so hard she was legitimately worried she was going to pass out. Her cheeks burned at Jared’s proximity and yet she couldn’t make herself pull away from him.

  “Are you okay?” Jared asked, his voice low and husky as he rubbed his thumb against her back.

  “I’m … um … I can’t seem to remember what you just asked me,” Harper murmured.

  “Me either,” Jared said. “I … um … what was I saying?”

  Their gazes were fused together and Harper’s hands, which were planted on Jared’s firm chest, seemed to have a mind of their own as they wandered over the solid muscle under his shirt. “You work out.”

  “Five days a week.”

  If Harper didn’t know better she would swear Jared’s mouth was getting closer to hers. Her heartbeat sped up in anticipation. “I … .” She was suddenly very aware of all the garlic in her pasta dish. Oh, who cares? He had garlic in his pasta dish, too, and she couldn’t smell a thing.

  Harper’s world became myopically small and the only thing in it was Jared Monroe. The only thing she could feel were the hard muscles of his body. The only thing she could hear was blood rushing through her body. The only thing she could think about was his lips.

  He was going to kiss her. This was the moment. It was going to happen. It … .

  “You’re back,” Annie said, popping into view and causing Harper to jerk in Jared’s arms.

  Even though the police detective couldn’t see Annie he was sensitive enough to know something about Harper’s demeanor had shifted. Jared took a quick step back, running his hand through his hair as he collected his wits. “I … um … are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Harper said, mimicking his movements with her own hair merely so she would have something to do with her hands. “I … thank you for catching me.”

  “You could have hurt yourself,” Jared said. “It was instinct.”

  “It also could have been really embarrassing,” Harper said, shooting him a rueful smile. “Look at that. You saved me from possible broken limbs and your uncontrollable laughter when you saw me fall.”

  “I wouldn’t have laughed.”

  Harper arched a confrontational eyebrow.

  “Fine,” Jared conceded. “I wouldn’t have laughed until I was sure you weren’t seriously hurt. Then I probably would’ve laughed until I cried.”

  “Well, at least your honest,” Harper said, pressing her lips together.

  “Oh, this is so … hard to watch,” Annie said, rolling her eyes.

  “Do you have a problem?” Harper asked, shifting her attention to the irritated ghost.

  “Who are you talking to?” Jared asked. “Is it Annie? Is she here?”

  Harper nodded.

  “What is she saying?” Jared pressed.

  “So far she’s making fun of us,” Harper said. “The police found your car, Annie. The keys were right where you said they would be.”

  “So that wasn’t a dream?” Annie asked, her eyes clouding.

  “I’m afraid not,” Harper said. “You left the library through the east door like you always do. What do you remember?”

  “I don’t have one clear memory,” Annie replied. “It’s more like I have … several memory fragments.”

  “Tell me about them.”

  “I guess I should just stand here and let you handle this, right?” Jared asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

  Harper ignored him and kept her focus on Annie. “Tell me,” she prodded.

  “I left the library and … I remember looking up at the moon,” Annie said. “It was a crescent moon and I remember thinking how big it looked.”

  “Okay,” Harper said. “Then what?”

  “I remember arriving at the Explorer and looking for my keys,” Annie said, her eyes unfocused as she racked her tortured memory. “I think I put my bag in the back seat and then … I’m not sure … but I think I heard something behind me and that’s it.”

  “The police found your bag where you left it,” Harper said. “You told me your iPad was in it, though. Jared says it wasn’t in the bag when they found it. That would mean someone took it. Are you sure it was in the bag?”

  “I always carry it,” Annie said. “It was in the bag. I’m positive.”

  “What did she say?” Jared asked, his patience wearing thin.

  Instead of answering him Harper raised her index finger and continued talking to Annie. “Your autopsy results came back, too,” Harper said, licking her lips. “Um … do you want to know how you died?”

  Annie’s face was hard to read. She didn’t particularly look surprised by Harper’s question, but she didn’t exactly look thrilled with it either. “I was raped, wasn’t I?”

  Harper cleared her throat and shuffled from one foot to the other. “Yes.”

  “Don’t look so sad,” Annie said, her expression and tone flat. “I was found naked on a beach. I had a feeling that’s what happened. I guess I didn’t want to believe that’s what happened … but I knew.”

  “We don’t know where your clothes are and your iPad being missing could be a clue,” Harper said.

  “Ask her where she bought the iPad,” Jared suggested. “We might be able to find the serial numbers if we can track the purchase.”

  “She’s not deaf,” Harper said, shooting him a dark
look. “She can hear you.”

  “I can’t hear her, though, so it’s weird holding one end of a conversation,” Jared said. “Ask her.”

  “I heard him,” Annie said before Harper could repeat the question. “It’s a good thing he’s so hot because otherwise … .”

  “Yeah, I have a feeling he’s gotten through most of his life on his looks,” Harper agreed.

  “I heard that,” Jared said. “I have no idea if I’m supposed to be angry or flattered, though, so I’m going to let it go.”

  “He’s really adorable,” Annie gushed, reaching over with her filmy hand and miming touching the side of his face.

  Harper watched with unveiled interest as Jared swatted at his cheek. “Hurry up,” he said. “The bugs are starting to come out. I thought it was a little early in the season for that but … well … I’m not a big fan of bugs.”

  Well, that was interesting. Harper tilted her head to the side as she considered the situation.

  “He felt me,” Annie said, her eyes widening in surprise. “He … felt my hand.”

  “He did,” Harper agreed. “Do it again. Pick a different spot.”

  “Pick a different spot for what?” Jared asked, confused.

  Annie extended her index finger and poked it in the direction of Jared’s lip. Jared’s hand immediately came up and swatted the area.

  “Isn’t it too early for mosquitoes?” Jared complained. “I hate bug bites. Hurry up.”

  “It’s not bugs,” Harper said, reaching over and grabbing his hand so she could pull it away from his lip and get a better look. There was no mark there and yet he clearly felt Annie’s touch.

  “Did you know I could do that?” Annie asked.

  “No,” Harper said. “I know some spirits can affect physical things, but usually only clairvoyants and spiritualists can feel ghosts.”

  “What are you talking about?” Jared asked, frustration bubbling up.

  “Can you feel ghosts?” Annie asked.

  Harper nodded wordlessly.

  As if to prove it to herself, Annie reached over and brushed her fingertips against Harper’s forearm. Harper’s arm broke out in goose pimples and she absent-mindedly let her fingers walk to the area in question.

  “I guess it makes sense for you to feel it,” Annie said. “You can see and hear me. How come he can feel it?”

  That was a very good question. “I don’t know,” Harper said.

  “Someone needs to tell me what’s going on right now,” Jared said, his voice taking on a hint of worry.

  “You’re not being bitten by bugs,” Harper said. “Annie touched you … both times.”

  “She touched me?” Jared looked horrified. “Why?”

  “The first time she touched you was because she thought you were hot.”

  “I am,” Jared said, refusing to be charmed by the compliment. “Why did she do it the second time?”

  “Because I asked her to,” Harper replied, reaching over to grab his hand in an effort to offer comfort. “It’s okay. She won’t hurt you.”

  Instead of jerking his hand away, which was Harper’s initial worry, Jared clasped her hand tightly. “This is freaking me out,” he admitted. “I can’t decide if this is really happening or if you’re somehow hypnotizing me.”

  Harper barked out a hoarse laugh. “I can do a lot of things,” she said. “Hypnotism isn’t one of them.”

  Jared kept Harper’s hand gripped tightly in his as he gathered himself. “Where did you get your iPad, Annie?”

  Harper was bolstered by Jared’s attempt to conform to the situation. He wasn’t asking her to repeat things. He was taking it on faith that Annie could hear him, and for some reason that realization flooded Harper’s body with warmth.

  “I bought it at the Apple store at Partridge Creek,” Annie said. “It’s about six months old.”

  “Did you buy it in your name?” Harper asked.

  Annie nodded. Harper could see she was only half-listening to the conversation. Her eyes had a far off quality that Harper recognized. Annie’s mind was working hard and Harper couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking about.

  “Was there anything on the iPad that someone would want?” Jared asked.

  Annie snapped her attention back to the handsome police officer. “Like what?”

  Jared didn’t hear the question, but he must have anticipated it because he started talking before Harper could relay the message. “Was there a classroom assignment someone might have wanted? Was there financial information on it? How about any photographs that might worry people?”

  “I did most of my assignments on my laptop,” Annie said. “I don’t have any financial information on it. The only thing with any monetary ties is the music and app store. As for photos … .” Annie broke off.

  “What is it?” Harper asked, sensing a change in the young woman’s demeanor.

  “There were some photos on it that one person would have a problem with,” Annie said finally.

  “What kind of photos?”

  Jared watched what appeared to be a one-sided conversation with rapt interest and a closed mouth.

  “I was dating a man for a few weeks,” Annie started, choosing her words carefully. “He was a professor.”

  “Michael Dalton?”

  “How did you know that?” Annie asked, stunned.

  “We know about your relationship,” Harper explained. “One of the other students saw you kissing him down by the pond. Dalton admitted the dalliance when Jared questioned him.”

  “Who told you that?” Jared asked. He was annoyed, but he didn’t let go of Harper’s hand. If she didn’t know better, Harper would have thought he was using her presence to anchor him in a situation he never thought he’d find himself in.

  “Mel told his sister.”

  “I’m going to have to kill Mel,” Jared warned.

  “You’re going to have to get used to the fact that Whisper Cove is tiny and everyone gossips,” Harper countered. She turned back to Annie. “Did you have photographs on your iPad of you and Professor Dalton … doing stuff?”

  “I had photographs of us doing a lot of stuff,” Annie said. “I had photographs of us doing stuff that would be considered illegal in some countries.”

  “Oh, well, nice.”

  “What did she say?” Jared asked.

  “I’ll tell you later. Annie, did Professor Dalton know you had those photos?”

  “Oh, he knew,” Annie said. “When he dumped me in the dirt and treated me like a leper I threatened to show them to the dean. The dean looks the other way because most people don’t complain about the stuff he does.

  “I wasn’t going to let him treat me like I was no better than some random slut he picked up on the street,” she continued. “I told him I was going to show the dean the photos and get him fired.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said he was going to stop me,” Annie said. “I thought he was being his usual obnoxious self … but what if he wasn’t?”

  “I guess that officially gives him a motive,” Harper mused. She quickly related Annie’s information back to Jared. When she was done, she could practically see the gears in his mind working.

  “Annie, did you have copies of those photos anywhere else?”

  “They’re on a flash drive in the shoebox on the top shelf of my closet,” Annie said. “Everything you need is there.”

  “Annie, we don’t know it’s him,” Harper cautioned. “He looks like a good suspect but … .”

  “It’s him,” Annie said. “He’s the only piece of filth I know vile enough to do something like this. Go get the flash drive. Nail his ass to the wall.”

  “Where are you going?” Harper asked, worried.

  “I’m going to see if I can touch Professor Dalton,” Annie replied, her tone grim. “I think we have a few things to work out.”

  Before Harper could caution her about her plan of action Annie blinked out of sight. “Uh-oh.”r />
  Eighteen

  By the time Jared and Mel hit the St. Clair Community College campus the next morning the whole case had been turned on its head.

  “I don’t understand how you got this lead,” Mel pressed, struggling to keep up as Jared strode toward the building where Professor Michael Dalton’s office was housed.

  “I … it’s complicated,” Jared said, refusing to meet his partner’s studied gaze.

  “Does this have something to do with Harper Harlow?”

  Jared slowed his pace. “Why would you ask that?”

  “Because I happen to know you showed up at GHI yesterday and asked her out on a date,” Mel said.

  “I did not ask her out on a date,” Jared said. “I asked her to help me with something and it just so happened to overlap with my dinner hour so we had something to eat. What is GHI?”

  “Ghost Hunters, Inc. is the name of Zander and Harper’s business,” Mel said. “Where did you go for dinner? Was it some place romantic?”

  “It was some seafood place on the lake,” Jared said. “Ghost Hunters, Inc.? Really? That’s pretty lame name.”

  “I think Ghostbusters was already taken,” Mel said, his tone dry. “Are you and Harper a thing now?”

  “We had dinner and we talked,” Jared said firmly. “We got off on the wrong foot and I felt bad about that whole taking-her-into-custody thing after finding out about the boyfriend.”

  “Did you talk about Quinn?” Mel asked, his eyebrows lifting.

  “A little.”

  “I’m impressed,” Mel said. “Harper doesn’t usually talk about Quinn with anyone except Zander. She must trust you.”

  The words took Jared by surprise. “She was … unhappy … when I mentioned him. She talked about him a little after that, though.”

  “You like her,” Mel said, grinning. “You’ve gone from a non-believer to a believer and you like her.”

  “I do not like her. She’s a nice woman who has the potential for helping with a murder investigation. That’s all.”

  “Zander said you liked her and I thought he was making it up,” Mel said, rubbing his chin. “The boy is prone to dramatic fits sometimes so I thought he was exaggerating. He wasn’t, though. You like her.”

  “I don’t even know her,” Jared argued.