by Lotta Smith
“We have news for you,” Clara said, then informed her about the series of events that had happened in the past few days. Jackie interjected at some parts, with Sophie chiming in with her babbles and giggles.
“What?” Christina’s eyes widened, looking seriously stunned when she learned the truth. “Are you saying Matt wasn’t in cahoots with her?”
“No,” I said. “Matt’s plan was to prompt you to fall by feeding you false information about your favorite actor walking down the street beneath the balcony, and he had a firm belief that he did it.”
“Seriously?” She slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. I noticed the huge gash on her face was disappearing. “I thought the two of them worked together to off me. So, was she after my insurance money? Of course, she should have been. No woman in her right mind would look twice at my husband—an ordinary middle-aged guy with a beer belly and receding hairline.”
“Actually, she really, really liked Matt, and she said she wanted to marry him,” Clara informed her.
“Get out! You’ve got to be kidding!” Christina threw her hands up in the air.
“No offense, but I was surprised,” Clara said sympathetically.
“Surprised is the understatement of the year. It was so very shocking.” Jackie shook her head.
“According to her, she got tired of running her business and everything all on her own, and for her, Matt seemed like a knight in a shining armor,” I said, omitting some things and exaggerating a little, but weirdly, I wasn’t really lying.
“She had a thing for a caring husband and gentle daddy,” Jackie added.
“Really?” Christina muttered, shaking her head. “They say everybody has their own taste, but….”
“You said someone sent you texts informing you about Matt’s affair, right?” I said. “Ellis admitted she did that too. According to her, she wanted to drive you mad so you’d leave him.”
“Wow. That’s so… different from what I imagined.” Christina frowned. “Are you making up this story to help me feel better?”
“No way,” Jackie and Clara said in unison, and I shook my head. “No. Your killer really had a serious crush on Matt. It’s like you were murdered by an obsessive stalker, except the stalker was after your husband and not you.”
“Really?” Christina shrugged. “Talk about someone else’s lawn looking greener. Look, my husband had an affair, and my kids used to argue with me every time they had an opportunity. On top of all that, making ends meet wasn’t an easy task, and it went on and on and on forever. In my opinion, she seemed to be dressed in pretty clothes with glamorous makeup and everything when I was struggling with the dinner menu and laundry. Seriously, had she asked me nicely, I’d have been more than happy to swap shoes with her. She’s an idiot. What a shame.”
“So true.” Jackie shook her head sadly.
After listening to my interpretation, Rick abruptly said, “Christina, I have a question.”
“Oh, sure. Go ahead.” Christina smiled. The gash and blood on her face and upper body had almost completely faded.
“Did you try to protect Ellis Goodman?” he asked. “She said her eyes met with yours when she pushed you off the balcony, but you insisted you had vertigo, right?”
“Baa!” Sophie shrieked happily when she caught her daddy saying her favorite word.
“Oh, yes. That’s the part I found odd from the beginning.” Clara nodded.
“Oh no, there’s been a serious misunderstanding.” Christina chuckled. “I’ve never tried to protect her. I’m not that much of a pathetic idiot.”
“Then why did you try to go with the vertigo excuse?” Jackie asked curiously.
“The thing is, I was worried about my kids,” Christina said sheepishly. “If it turned out that their daddy killed me in cahoots with his mistress, they’d be scarred for life. Besides that, if he was found guilty, the insurance company would never pay my death benefit money.”
“Insurance money?” My eyes widened.
“Is that why you tried to push for your cause of death being accidental?” Clara asked.
“Yes, it was,” Christina admitted. “My kids are still in school. They’ll need a ton of money ‘til they graduate from college. I know Matt had been a lousy husband since meeting that bi—” She looked at Sophie, who was intensely staring at her with her mesmerizing green eyes wide open. Christina cleared her throat and continued. “I mean that horrible woman. Anyway, he loves his kids, and he’s been a good daddy. I’m sure he’ll take good care of our kids, so I thought they’d be better off with the money. In a way, I was lying for my own insurance money.”
“Are you serious, Christina?” Rick furrowed his eyebrows. “Has it ever crossed your mind that Ellis could insure Matt and your kids and off them as well?”
“He’s right,” Clara interjected. “My husband is a former FBI agent, and he used to say those who committed a murder and got away with it would keep using the same MO until getting caught in the end.”
“Well, I did think about that risk. Yes, she could have been a black widow.” Christina wiggled her fingers. “Then again, I was going to haunt her ‘til she dropped dead if she went so far as to marry my Matt, and he was idiot enough to tie the knot with his and my kids’ future killer.”
“Oh… really?” Rick rolled his eyes as I relayed her words. “Ellis is lucky to be caught before she got seriously hexed.”
“Never underestimate the power of a mom.” Clara high-fived Christina.
As they looked at me expectantly, I help up my hand, saying, “Mom power!”
“What?” Rick quizzically raised his eyebrows.
“We came to an agreement that you should never underestimate the power of moms,” I said, pulling him close.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I already knew that,” he said, kissing me.
“That’s good to hear.” I rested my head on his shoulder, smiling like an idiot.
“Waa!” Sophie swung her arms as if to protest, “Hello? Why don’t you guys hold me?”
“So, what are your plans for the next step?” Jackie asked Christina. Her tone was lighthearted, but her face was serious.
“Well, now that all’s well, I think it’d be a good idea to move to a better world.” Christina tilted her head. “After crashing reckless cyclists for the past months, it’s been rumored that this street corner is haunted by the woman who suffered a tragic death by traffic accident.”
“That’s so wrong on so many levels.” Jackie rolled her eyes.
“I know. Then again, being exorcised won’t be fun, so I guess it’s a good time to leave.” Christina smiled, her face and body finally free of the wounds and bloodstains.
“Are you sure?” I asked her cautiously. I didn’t think being stuck in the same location where she’d suffered her premature demise would be good for her, but at the same time, I wanted her to leave this side of the world as a happy spirit.
“Yes, I’m sure.” She let out a deep breath. “To tell the truth, I want to stay here to see if my kids are doing all right, but sometimes I’m afraid that I could turn into an evil spirit if I stay here for too long. So, I’m leaving.”
“Sounds good to me.” As Clara nodded thoughtfully, a shining staircase appeared in front of Christina. “You can always come back and see your kids once you’re settled.”
“Oh, can I? That’s good to hear. Anyway, thank you for everything!” Christina waved cheerfully at us and ran up the stairs with light footsteps.
Sophie, the ghostly duo, and I all waved goodbye to her.
When Christina was gone and the stairway had disappeared, I looked up at Rick. “Let’s go for lunch. I’m famished.”
EPILOGUE
“Happy birthday to you, Sophie!” Dan exclaimed as he had his four assistants carry in a gigantic handcart of boxes.
“Wow, Dan. Thank you so much!” I said, giving a quick glance at the loads of presents gift-wrapped in paper with premier shops’ logos. He brought
a ton of gifts, but there wasn’t anything as huge as a life-size horse, so I took it as a good sign. Before Sophie was born, he brought us a life-sized robot of a thoroughbred.
“Thank you so much, Granddaddy!” Rick said in a high-toned voice, carrying his daughter in front of him like a ventriloquist doll.
“You’re so welcome, lovely!” Dan beamed, extending his hands toward Sophie and Rick. “Can I hold her?”
“Sure, but be careful. She’s getting heavier these days.” Rick handed her to Dan.
“I know, I know.” Holding Sophie in his strong arms, Dan cooed to her. “How was your first year so far? Was it fun?”
“Can you believe that? Daniel Rowling, the CEO of USCAB and the guy whose face appeared on the cover of Forbes, is cooing to a baby,” Alicia whispered in my ear.
“Dan has been such a sweet granddaddy,” I whispered back to her. “And he’s a really sweet father-in-law.”
“I can imagine that just by looking at the way he treats you and Sophie. Lucky you.” She was grinning from ear to ear.
“What are you talking about with Auntie Mandy, Mom?” Minty asked, bouncing by us.
“Oh, sweetie, I was congratulating Auntie Mandy for having such a lovely family,” Alicia replied, winking at me.
“That means we’re all wonderful, Minty,” Emma, her big sister, chimed in. “Because we’re Auntie Mandy’s nieces.”
“That’s so true!” Jackie danced around.
“Sophie, you have really fun and smart cousins, don’t you?” Clara said, prompting Sophie to giggle.
“Oh, darling, you’re having a lot of fun, aren’t you?” Dan chuckled, rocking her in his arms.
“Yes, she is,” I said, indicating Clara with my palm. “Clara just told her she has fun and smart cousins.”
“Sophie, now let’s go back to your daddy.” Handing her to Rick, Dan smiled at his late wife, whom he didn’t see. “Hey, Clara! How are you? I miss you so much.”
“I’m good. You look great, Dan.” Clara smiled graciously. “I’m wondering why you didn’t bring Jamie today. To be honest, I was looking forward to meeting her.”
“What?” His eyes widened when I passed on her statements. “Clara, when did you…?”
For the first time, I saw him at a loss for words.
“Rick, did you tell Clara about…?” Dan glared at his son.
“No way. Neither has Mandy, right?” Rick looked at me, and Sophie giggled happily in his arms.
“Of course not.” I shook my head.
“Hello? Don’t tell me you thought I had no idea about your girlfriends,” Clara teased, moving her index finger like a windshield wiper.
“Oh my.” Dan clutched his chest.
“Are you okay, Dan?” I looked at him closely.
“I’m good,” he said, then turned to Clara. “Clara, you just shocked me a bit.”
“Oops, my bad.” She giggled. “I didn’t know Jamie was such a huge secret for you.”
“Clara says she didn’t know Jamie was your secret,” I said.
“Well, she’s not a secret, but….” Dan squirmed uncomfortably.
“No worries. I won’t be jealous.” Clara moved her hand like she was stroking Dan’s shoulder. “I’m not foolish enough to compete with a living girl. Besides, I’ve been observing her, and she seems like a really good person. I’d love to meet her with either Mandy or another psychic, such as Brian Powers. Or even Alice would be good enough. The last time she joined us, I had such a lovely time borrowing her body and dancing with you.”
“Alice?” Dan’s eyebrows shot up when I shared what she’d said. “Come on, Clara. Please don’t make me have a coronary.” He let out a dry chuckle. His tone was casual, but his face was serious.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll answer that.” Rick handed me Sophie before scurrying to the entrance, and Sophie extended her arms toward Dan.
“Hey, Sophie, sweetie.” As Dan came closer, she patted his shoulder. “Wow, it’s been forever since someone did that.”
“She’s telling you not to worry. Everything’s gonna be all right,” Jackie interjected.
“Thank you, Sophie! And thanks, Jackie, for your interpretation.” Dan flashed a wide grin as I passed on her words.
“My pleasure.” She bounced in place, dressed in a sparkling platinum dress with a long sash belt. With Clara in a ruby dress, the ghostly duo looked like magnificent jewelry when they floated side by side.
“Isn’t it nice? It’s like a huge family reunion,” Mom commented.
“Can’t get any nicer,” Nana chimed in. “Unlike ordinary families, we have relatives from the other side joining us.”
“You’re right.” Dan offered them a polite smile. “I’m the luckiest father-in-law—”
Alice’s voice boomed through the room, cutting him off. “Hello, darlings! So long time no see! I was sooo looking forward to this party!”
“Speaking of the devil.” Clara giggled.
“What?” Dan looked stunned. “When I called her, she said she wasn’t coming for Sophie’s first birthday.”
“Really?” It was my turn to be surprised. “She was so keen on celebrating her first ever granddaughter’s birthday. She offered to take us all to Paris, but Rick and I politely declined, saying the atmospheric pressure changes wouldn’t be nice to Sophie’s tender ears.”
“Good job, Mandy.” Dan gave me a thumbs-up. “I owe Rick big-time too.”
Alice stormed into our living room with Rick following her, a ton of gifts in his arms. “Hello, Sophie! I brought you a lot of presents, and I’ll open one of them for you.” She opened a little brown bag with an LV logo, taking out a really cute monogrammed purse less than seven inches in width. Really, it came in a perfect size for a baby. “Look at this! You can carry it around when you go out with Mommy and Daddy. Ooh, look at you. You’re such a beauty, and you look so much like your daddy when he was your age.”
Sophie shrieked, waving her arms. And her mesmerizing green eyes were locked on the purse.
“Darling, this is your first purse,” Alice said proudly, handing Sophie the little bag about the size of a pen case. “Well, I hope it’s your first Louis Vuitton purse, anyway. Every girl needs one. I had one when I was little, and so did my mom and granny and great-grannies.”
Gripping one of the leather handles with her little palm, Sophie opened her mouth and then closed it, looking like she was about to say something.
“Are you talking, Sophie, darling?” Dan touched her cheek affectionately.
“I think she’ll say ‘Mom,’” Clara said playfully. “Ready, Mandy?”
I held my breath.
Sophie opened her mouth again, saying loud and clear, “Jackie!”
“Oh my God!” Jackie shrieked. “Did you just call my name? Oh yes, Auntie Jackie is heeere!”
My jaw dropped, and so did Rick’s.
“Jackie!” Sophie repeated proudly. “Jackie!”
“Woo-hoo!” Jackie hooted, disappearing and reappearing over and over, prompting Sophie to laugh hysterically.
“Jackie? Who’s that?” Alice tilted her head.
Rick and I exchanged glances, and then we started laughing.
As if it was contagious, everyone had a hearty laugh.
“Mandy.” Clara came closer to me. “When Sophie has blown out her first ever birthday candle, can we dance? I’m hoping to borrow Alice’s body for a little while.”
I took a quick glance at Alice and whispered to Clara, “Of course we will.”
“Thanks!” She winked and gave me a thumbs-up.
* * *
The adventures of the Rowlings and Jackie will continue, but they’re going on a vacation to have some quiet time without murders or dead bodies. Rest assured, they’re destined to be involved with another murder case as soon as they’re back. In the meantime, let me introduce a new girl in town. She’s a former princess who ended up being transported into a world we’ve never seen before. Keep re
ading for a sneak peek of The Little Café in Wonderland (coming in December, 2018) right now!
Love Mandy, Rick and Jackie, and want to stick with them? Perfect! Tap here to witness their continued fun!
CHAPTER 1
The phone by the writing desk rang, startling me from my thoughts. Trying to sound calm and composed, I answered, “Hello,” trying to add some perkiness into my voice. After all, I was no longer a princess.
“Hi, Princess Honey,” said Stephanie Moonves, the assistant director of the show. “Are you ready to rock n’ roll?”
“I am!” I giggled. “I’m coming right now.”
I put the phone back to the cradle, about to begin my first strut. Then I remembered I had a comfy flats for backup. It would be a shame if I ended up stumbling before I’d even started shooting the first scene, so I decided to go with my flats, carrying the glamorous seven-inch heels.
At this time, I had no idea how this split-second decision would turn out to be one of the best in my life.
Excitement and fear warred within me as I walked toward the suite’s foyer.
When I escaped the IH to start shooting my show, I snuck out of the historical building while security was distracted. It was actually far easier than I had expected. Under normal circumstances, a member of the IH disappearing would make the headlines back home, but so far, I’d seen no mention of this matter. A part of me was proud of my stealthy move, but I was slightly concerned about my safety. Unlike other families, killing off our relatives was something we’d been casually doing for the past twenty-seven centuries. Back in the good ol’ days when everyone in the IH wanted to become emperor, princesses with eligible sons often poisoned rival princesses and their sons.
“No need to worry, Honey,” I muttered to myself. “Seriously, this is the twenty-first century. No one kills for the sake of honor anymore. Besides that, if they did assassinate me on US soil, they’d be in big trouble. So, I’ll be fine.”
Like a total idiot, I kept talking to myself until I reached the entrance. Taking a deep breath and pasting on a happy smile, I unlocked and opened the door. Stephanie, a petite blonde studio intern, was waiting for me on the other side. A prodigy who acquired a PhD in applicable mathematics at the age of sixteen, she had suddenly decided she was interested in showbiz. I had a hunch she was destined to go back to the world of business, but for the moment, she was working with me, and I was so thankful. She was funny, bright, and always helped me relax.
