Grave Seasons (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 8)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Nick grinned when he saw the confused look on her face and tossed a small bag in her direction. “I think they’re kind of cute.”

  Maddie knit her eyebrows together as she opened the bag, snorting when she caught sight of the animal T-shirts. Nick got her one with a wolf while he got himself one with a bear. “Well, these definitely make a statement. We’re going to stand out like crazy.”

  “Yeah, I figured that out myself,” Nick said. “We have two choices: We can either sleep in those and pay the extra money to have our clothes washed tonight or try to run to a Target or something in the morning.”

  Maddie pursed her lips as she considered their options. “I vote for Target. At least that way we get to keep the new clothes.”

  “Sold.” Nick opened his arms and drew Maddie to him, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he settled her on his lap. “Do you want to talk?”

  Maddie shrugged. She honestly didn’t know what to say. “Do you want to talk?”

  “So much happened today I don’t even know where to start. I thought maybe you might want to direct the conversation in a specific direction and we would go from there.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say, Nicky,” Maddie said. “Seeing Dwight was like … a part of my past coming back to haunt me. It was a good part, though. When I decided to stop helping the police I hoped to never see him again. I didn’t realize how much I missed him until he showed up in our front yard.”

  “Maybe distance did you some good.”

  “I don’t think it was distance,” Maddie said. “I think it was you.”

  Nick tightened his arms around Maddie as he rocked them back and forth. It was a calming technique he utilized when she was upset. He didn’t realize until now that it soothed him as well. “I think you give me too much credit, Mad,” he said finally. “I think it was telling me the truth that freed you. I don’t think it was anything specific I did.”

  “That’s not true,” Maddie argued. “When you accepted what I told you about my abilities without calling me a liar or running as far away from me as possible, you mended my broken heart.”

  “Maddie, no matter what, I will never turn on you,” Nick said. “I know you were frightened as a teenager, but I wouldn’t have turned on you then either. You were always the most important thing to me.”

  “I should’ve told you back then. Maybe we wouldn’t have been so unhappy for such a long period of time if I did.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true, Mad,” Nick said. “We were too young to make a go of it back then. Immaturity would’ve gotten the better of us. By doing what you did, we both had the chance to mature before giving this relationship a chance. I think that benefitted both of us.”

  Maddie wordlessly nodded as she pressed her face to the hollow of Nick’s neck. He continued to rock her for a few minutes, enjoying the silence and the steady beat of her heart as he held her close. Maddie broke the comfortable quiet first.

  “Nicky, do you think Sage is dead?”

  “I don’t know.” Nick opted for honesty. “I want to believe she’s alive because Dwight seems like such a nice guy. He’s so good with you. He goes out of his way to make sure you don’t feel as if the weight of the world is on your shoulders. He deserves a good outcome.”

  “But?”

  “But she’s been missing for days, Mad,” Nick replied. “We have no idea when the last time anyone saw her was because these kids are flaky and purposely hiding information. That boy told you she was at the fraternity house four nights ago. As far as I can tell, that seems to be the last time anyone saw her, but we simply don’t know if that’s true.

  “The other thing – the possible suicide thing – that’s more troubling,” he continued. “I’m really worried that since her parents discovered her the first time she knew better to pick a remote location and her body is out there somewhere, hidden or tucked away. It could be years before we find it if she went into the woods.”

  Maddie frowned. “She didn’t kill herself.”

  Nick cocked an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

  “I don’t. I just … feel it.”

  “Mad, I think you identify with Sage because you had a lot in common with her when you were younger,” Nick said, rubbing the back of Maddie’s neck. “You don’t believe she committed suicide because you can’t wrap your head around someone doing it. She’s not you, though, love.”

  “You’re wrong.”

  “Maddie … .”

  “You’re not wrong about Sage,” Maddie clarified. “You’re wrong about me. At my lowest … when I couldn’t stand being alone anymore and my heart hurt just thinking about all I’d lost … I wondered for a little bit if the world wouldn’t be better off without me.”

  Nick’s heart clenched as he clutched Maddie tighter. “Don’t ever think. Don’t … .”

  “I never thought about it seriously, Nicky,” Maddie said. “I just … it was one of those thoughts I had when I was sad and alone. I wondered what you were doing back then. I pictured you happy with a woman and not even remembering my name.”

  “You’re such an idiot,” Nick muttered, kissing her cheek. “Your name was the only one I could remember.”

  “I would never leave you,” Maddie said. “I know you think I’m being ridiculous, but I believe Sage wouldn’t leave her father either. I have faith she learned her lesson and wanted to move forward. I feel it.”

  “Well, I have faith in you, Mad,” Nick said. “We’ll see what we can track down tomorrow. I think we should go back to the fraternity house and hammer them hard as cops tomorrow. Maybe we’ll rattle something loose.”

  “But you said … .”

  “That was before I saw Aidan in action,” Nick supplied. “He very well could be a sociopath. I want to frighten the other kids and make them think taking a deal would be the solid way to go if they know something.”

  “And if that doesn’t work?”

  Nick shrugged. “One step at a time, Mad. I can’t make a plan until we exhaust every effort in front of us. Until then, though, we need some sleep. You’re exhausted and I want to hold you.”

  “That sounds like the perfect night to me.”

  “LOOK who it is.” Aidan was smug as he sat on the fraternity house’s front porch nursing a beer the next afternoon. Maddie could read the worry behind his bravado when he caught sight of Nick and Dwight, though. He didn’t want to admit he was frightened, but their appearance shook him. “Did you change your mind about letting me gag you, blondie?”

  “If you say something like that to her again I’m going to gag you,” Nick warned. “I’m going to use my fist.”

  Aidan was clearly used to being the big man on campus. Nick was fit and active, though, and he was a good four inches taller than Aidan. His muscle mass was impressive as well, and Maddie could tell the threat bothered him.

  “Who are you?” Aidan asked, keeping his smug countenance in place as he played to his audience. “Let me guess … you get to gag her every night. Am I right?”

  “I’m sure you’re rarely right,” Nick replied. “As far as you’re concerned, though, I’m her bodyguard. If you say another derogatory comment, you’ll regret it.”

  “Oh, why? Are you going to beat me up.”

  Nick shook his head. “No, but I will arrest you.” He pulled his badge out of his pocket and flashed it. Technically he had no jurisdiction in Traverse City, but he hoped the students would be too stupid to know that. Actually, that’s what he was counting on. “I would enjoy arresting you so why don’t you keep pushing me and see what happens.”

  Aidan swallowed hard as the other boys – there were only a few present today – murmured in low voices.

  “That’s what I thought,” Nick said. “My name is Nick Winters. This is Detective Dwight Kincaid. He’s Sage Kincaid’s father. We want to know where Sage is … and we want to know right now.”

  Aidan’s mouth dropped open and Maddie could tell he had no idea Sage’s father w
as a cop. That made things worse for him and better for them. “I … what makes you think I know where Sage Kincaid is?”

  “Because you lied to Ms. Graves yesterday when you said you only slept with her one time,” Nick replied, not missing a beat. The trio talked over strategy at breakfast and Dwight agreed he should remain mostly silent and glare while Nick did most of the talking the first go around. They wanted the kids frightened and unsure what to think when it came to a tough Detroit cop on their turf. They also agreed that they should approach Aidan as if the gossip they heard was fact to throw him off his game. “We know that you dated her more than once. We also know you were jealous because she flirted with some of your fraternity brothers.”

  “That is … not true,” Aidan hissed. “Whoever told you that … .”

  Nick cut him off. “We have multiple sources.” That was another part of Nick and Dwight’s plan. They wanted Aidan paranoid. If he thought multiple fraternity brothers approached the police he would be more likely to make a mistake.

  “Who?” Aidan asked, his voice shrill. “Who told you that?”

  “I’m not at liberty to divulge my sources,” Nick replied. “The individuals in question will be getting off with a slap on the wrist because they volunteered testimony. We don’t have to reveal our sources until this goes to court.”

  “Court?” Aidan’s face drained of color.

  Nick was good. Maddie had to give him that. He gave off an air of calm egotism. He pretended that an arrest was imminent rather than a pipe dream. It was enough to make all of the boys nervous, but Aidan was positively apoplectic.

  “That’s what happens when you lie to law enforcement,” Nick said, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do you want to try this again?”

  “I didn’t lie,” Aidan sputtered. “I just … didn’t tell the whole truth.”

  “Well, to save us all some time and make sure that doesn’t happen again, we also know Sage showed up here five nights ago and made a scene,” Nick said. “Three different people told us she embarrassed you and knocked you down a peg or two.

  “The good news for you is that it sounds funny because she made you look like an idiot,” he continued. “The bad news for you is that, as far as we can tell, that was the last time Sage was seen by anyone. That means you’re a prime suspect.”

  “She didn’t make me look like an idiot,” Aidan whined. “Whoever told you that … .”

  “Multiple people told me that,” Nick clarified. “They were all laughing because you’re usually really full of yourself, but she made you look like a fool.”

  “They’re lying! Who said that?”

  “I can’t recall their names,” Nick replied, feigning innocence. “It’s just terrible how bad my memory is these days.”

  “Fine,” Aidan spat. “I was dating Sage. I liked her … until she started flirting with all of my fraternity brothers and I realized she was a slut.” Dwight remained immovable despite the words. He was intent on playing the part he and Nick designed over breakfast. “We got in a fight on the front lawn and she took off. I haven’t seen her since. If someone says I did something to her then they’re lying.”

  “The problem I have with that is you’ve lied to us several times,” Nick said. “Why would I believe you now?”

  “Because it’s the truth,” Aidan said. “I liked Sage, but I’m not putting up with a cheating girlfriend. Nobody is worth that.”

  “And how did Sage leave the premises?” Nick asked. “Did she walk or drive?”

  “She walked.” Aidan pointed to the east. “She left in that direction.”

  “If you’re lying to me, you’ll regret it,” Nick warned.

  “I’m not lying,” Aidan snapped. “I have no reason to lie. All of the girls here want me. Sage was lucky to get me at all. I didn’t touch her and I had no reason to hurt her.”

  “Yes, well, somehow I have trouble believing that,” Nick muttered, glancing at Maddie. “What do you think?”

  Maddie shrugged. “I think he’s obviously overcompensating for something. I think we can all guess what small thing that is.”

  “You shut your mouth!” Aidan exploded, jerking his head in her direction and causing Nick to extend a warning finger.

  “If you even look at her, I’ll kill you,” Nick threatened. “I’m not messing around.”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say,” Aidan said. “I’ve told you everything I know. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we have a party to get ready for.”

  “Party?” Maddie creased her forehead. “It’s the night before Thanksgiving. Shouldn’t you all be heading home to spend the holiday with your parents?”

  Aidan snorted. “It’s one of the biggest party nights of the year. Why would we go home when all of the honeys are here?”

  8

  Eight

  “I don’t understand why this is one of the biggest party nights of the year.”

  Nick shook his head as he sipped his iced tea and waited for their lunch to be delivered at a local diner. Ever since leaving the fraternity house, Maddie had been fixated on Aidan’s words – and not the ones Nick wanted her to focus on.

  “Is that a college thing?” Maddie asked, her gaze bouncing between Nick and Dwight. “Did I somehow miss that?”

  Tension weighed on Dwight in heavy doses, but he couldn’t stop himself from chuckling. “I forgot how naïve you are.”

  “I’m not naïve,” Maddie corrected. “I just didn’t know that was a thing.”

  “It’s not a bad thing, Maddie,” Dwight said. “It’s actually extremely refreshing. You’re not jaded by the world. I forget there are people out there like that. I rarely see them in my line of work.”

  Maddie shifted her attention to Nick. “What do you think?”

  “Oh, I love you more than anything, so I’m biased,” Nick said. “I thought I was going to pass out from holding my breath when you asked why they weren’t going home instead of partying, though.”

  “You’re making fun of me,” Maddie muttered, crossing her arms over her chest. “You suck.”

  “I’m not making fun of you, Mad,” Nick said. “I just … think you’re adorable.”

  “He definitely thinks you’re adorable,” Dwight confirmed. “He won’t stop staring or saying it. I understand why people are constantly threatening to puke when you two are in the room.”

  “Oh, we don’t have to be in the room,” Nick said. “We had people swearing they were going to puke at a party this summer and we were down by the river while they were on the back patio. We don’t need walls to contain our cuteness.”

  “You’re incorrigible,” Maddie muttered, shaking her head. “He didn’t need to know that.”

  “Oh, on the contrary, I did need to know that,” Dwight said, winking at Maddie. “I’ve always known you were a beautiful woman. You were so sad when I knew you that I couldn’t help but worry about you. That’s not the case now. You’ve found your place … and you’re happy.”

  “I am happy,” Maddie agreed, glancing at Nick. “I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy.”

  “Oh, you’re going to make me blush if you’re not careful, Mad,” Nick said, gripping her hand. “I’m happy, too.”

  “We’ll find Sage, Dwight,” Maddie said, her expression earnest. “She’ll have a chance to be happy.”

  “You don’t know that, Maddie,” Dwight argued. “She could be dead. She could be out there somewhere … lost.”

  “Or she could be somewhere close and we’ll find her.” Maddie was firm as she stared at the depressed police officer. “I think we should go to that weird party tonight and see what we can find out.”

  Nick’s eyebrows nearly shot off his forehead. “What?”

  “The party,” Maddie repeated. “I think we should go to it and see what the kids are doing. We might find a lead. I mean … alcohol makes kids talk.”

  “I don’t know.” Nick glanced at Dwight. “What do you think?”

  �
�I don’t think the kids are going to talk to me and I’m doubtful they’re going to talk to you,” Dwight replied. “Maddie is another story. They’re all hot for her.”

  “Yes, and that makes me want to sew her to my side,” Nick said. “They know she’s with us. They won’t talk to her because they’ve figured out she’ll repeat everything to us.”

  “I’m not sure that’s true,” Dwight said, rubbing his chin. “They know she’s with us, but she’s still so pretty they won’t be able to stop themselves from falling all over her.”

  “Oh, that’s so sweet,” Maddie said.

  “It’s not sweet, Mad,” Nick countered. “I tell you you’re pretty every day. Listen to me instead of Dwight.”

  “I understand why you don’t want her going and I don’t blame you,” Dwight said. “They could be doing something horrible to girls for all we know. It’s not like she would be alone, though. We could set up a signal for her to call for help if she needs it. We could park on the street and watch the party.”

  “And I could stay out in the open so you could always see me,” Maddie added.

  “No.” Nick was adamant. “I don’t like that scenario at all and I’m not risking Maddie in that manner. I won’t back down from that.”

  “Nicky, this isn’t your decision,” Maddie said, keeping her voice low. “I want to help Dwight.”

  “I want to help Dwight, too, but I am not putting you in danger for anything,” Nick said. “There are other ways to help Dwight.”

  “Such as?”

  “Such as we’ll all spy on the party together,” Nick replied. “We’ll look for the kid who followed you to the restaurant yesterday and see if we can talk to him. At the very least we need to get a name. We don’t need to approach the frat guys. We especially don’t need to approach Aidan.”

  “But … .”

  Dwight shook his head to cut off Maddie. “Nick is right,” he said. “We can watch everyone and approach partygoers separately … away from the house … if need be. The kids might be more likely to talk if they’re not in front of a crowd.”

  “So we’re going to hide in the bushes and watch them?” Maddie didn’t look thrilled at the prospect. “I don’t think that sounds very proactive.”