“We’re not sure. That’s why we’re out here.” Harper hesitated and then barreled forward. “Your body was found in this location after dinner yesterday. We’re not entirely certain how long you were out here. What we do know is that you had a wound, meaning you were likely stabbed in the chest. It was a terrible wound, one that took you out quickly.”
Leslie was silent for a beat ... and then she made a disgusted face. “So, basically you’re telling me that I didn’t suffer. Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“I hoped it would be comforting. If it’s not, though, I understand.”
“Well, it’s not.” Leslie turned away from Harper and stared at the spot where her body was discovered. “Why don’t I remember what happened?”
“I don’t know.” Harper held out her hands. “The thing is, sometimes death is so traumatic, souls that remain behind can’t wrap their head around what happened. So, in an effort to protect themselves, they black out the things that were done to them.
“The fact that you remained behind probably means that you’re angry about what happened or that you were ripped so violently from your life that you didn’t realize what was happening,” she continued. “Can you tell me what you were feeling when you woke up?”
“Confused.” Leslie mimed rubbing her cheek, a reaction Harper had no doubt she carried over from life. “It wasn’t like waking up. It was as if I suddenly started bleeding into existence. Does that make sense?”
“I guess.”
“It was like a dream,” Leslie continued. “It was one of those weird dreams you have when you’re halfway between waking and sleep. Things are slow, your legs won’t work as they’re supposed to. Nothing is quite clear because everything is cloudy at the edges of your consciousness.”
“That sounds terrifying,” Harper admitted. “I’m sorry you were so afraid.”
“I wasn’t really afraid, though. I was floating. I didn’t feel fear. I just ... felt nothing.”
“Well, to me, that sounds terrifying, too.” The smile Harper mustered was rueful. “Before your body was found, I asked your husband about you. That was at breakfast. He said you were off on your own. I didn’t see you again until we found your body. Do you remember what happened yesterday morning?”
Leslie drew her eyebrows together in concentration. “I don’t know,” she admitted after a beat. “It’s like I’ve lived two lives and they only vaguely overlap. I’m not sure.”
“You can remember your other life, though,” Harper prodded. “You know what it felt like to be alive, and you know how things are different now. What can you tell me about being alive?”
Leslie moved her lips but didn’t immediately respond. Finally, she made a small noise in the back of her throat. “Sam bought us this trip. He insisted it would be a good way for us to remember how it was when we were friends.”
Harper nodded in understanding. “He’s gay.”
Leslie made a sniffling sound. “I don’t understand that. We were married for a long time. He can’t be gay. He’s just making that up because he wants to garner sympathy. He thinks if he pretends to be gay I won’t go after my fair share in the divorce.”
Harper hesitated, glancing at Jared for a beat before shaking her head. “I don’t think that’s true, Leslie. While I don’t appreciate Sam’s attitude on a lot of things — he’s kind of a dill weed if you ask me — I think he genuinely wanted to protect you to the best of his ability. I don’t believe he wants to hurt you.”
“Well, he did.”
“He knows that. He seems sorry for it, too. The whole thing is ... a terrible tragedy. He blames himself for suggesting this trip.”
“That’s because I’m dead,” Leslie snapped, anger flashing hot and fast. “I’m dead, and he’s now free to do whatever he wants, with whoever he wants. I bet, if you check in on him in six months, he’ll have moved some pretty young thing into my house, and he’ll suddenly be straight again.”
She was bitter, Harper realized, so angry she could barely see straight. She couldn’t really blame her. What happened to Leslie was unconscionable. Unfortunately, she didn’t really see Sam as the bad guy in the equation either. He hadn’t even realized he was gay until late in their marriage. Until then, he was apparently a decent, if lazy, husband.
“I think otherwise, but that doesn’t really matter,” Harper argued. “Although ... do you think Sam killed you?” She felt the need to ask the question. “I’m not leaning in his direction right now but I’ve been wrong before.”
“I definitely think he killed me,” Leslie shot back.
Harper was taken aback. “Really?”
“Yes.”
Harper studied the ghost for an extended beat. “Are you just saying that to get back at him?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re angry at Sam, and you have a right to be.” Harper’s tone softened. “Sam pledged to love and cherish you forever. The thing is, I believe he still loves you. It’s not in the way you want, but he did arrange this trip so you guys could rediscover your roots as friends. A person who doesn’t care wouldn’t do anything of the sort.”
“That’s all well and good, but he was a dink the moment we landed,” Leslie fired back. “He gave me nothing but grief because he hates camping. Why make this the trip where we’re supposed to remember we’re friends if he hates it?”
“Probably because he knew you would love it,” Harper replied simply. “I don’t think he meant to be a dink. I think he just couldn’t help himself. If it’s any consolation, I guarantee he wants to take it back.”
“Take what back?”
“His attitude, probably this trip.”
“But not telling me he wants a divorce.”
“No.” Harper had to tamp down her sympathy because it was threatening to overwhelm her. “He can’t change who he is. Trust me. I know a little something about that. He didn’t want to hurt you. It happened, though. Do you want to change your statement about him potentially being your killer?”
“I guess.” Leslie didn’t look thrilled with the prospect. “He wouldn’t have killed me. He was fine torturing me emotionally. Physically, though? He doesn’t have the stomach for it. That’s not who he is.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” Leslie’s annoyance roared back. “I can’t help you. I didn’t remember what happened to me. Why are you thanking me?”
“Because you’re trying. I know you’ll keep trying. Together we can figure this out. You just have to open yourself up to the process.”
“You sound sure of yourself.”
“I’ve done this once or twice.”
For the first time, Leslie mustered a smile. “You hang around with ghosts often, do you?”
“More often than you could probably imagine.”
This time when she nodded, it was with weary acceptance. “Okay. I’ll do what I can. I can’t promise anything, though.”
“That’s all I ask.”
HARPER WAITED IN THE CLEARING ANOTHER thirty minutes and then rejoined her friends.
“I take it Leslie wasn’t exactly open to your suggestion,” Jared said as he tugged her to him. “I’m sorry. You were really calm when you were talking to her.”
“She came around near the end. She said she would try to remember what happened.”
“Do you think she’ll be able to?”
“Maybe. She’s really upset about Sam, like ... really upset. I think that she’s more upset that she didn’t see the truth about Sam more than anything else, though.”
Jared’s fingers were gentle as they brushed her hair away from her face. “Do you think she somehow blames herself?”
“For Sam being gay? No. I think she feels like an idiot for not seeing it. I guess I don’t blame her.” Harper tilted up her chin and managed a smile. “It’s not about him being gay as much as it’s about missing such a big part of who he really was. I don’t think she believed her marriage
was without fault. I do believe she thought it was something they would both simply accept and deal with forever.”
“That sounds like a sad way to live,” Jared noted. “Luckily we don’t have to worry about that because we tell each other everything.”
“Way more than is necessary,” Zander agreed, sidling closer to the couple. “Jared is definitely not gay. You never have to worry about him dropping that bomb on you later in life.”
“Thank you,” Jared said dryly. “That’s a weird thing to say, but I appreciate it.”
Zander beamed. “You’re welcome.”
“Just out of curiosity, how can you be sure I’m not gay?”
“Because your nipples are freakishly large, and if you were gay you would have them filed down or something.”
Jared scowled. “And I so deserved that because I stupidly opened myself up to it.”
“You did.” Zander clapped Jared on the shoulder and offered up a legitimate grin. “Not that I’m not having fun, but what’s the next step? You talked to Leslie a long time. Did she give you any leads at all?”
“No.” Harper shook her head. “She doesn’t remember what happened. The life she lived before is one timeline to her. Everything that has happened since her death is another. She needs to be able to separate those timelines.”
“Is that something you can help her with?” Jared queried. “I mean ... is that something you can work out together?”
“In theory. It depends on how fast she can put her memories together. We can’t rely on her.” Harper was matter-of-fact. “We need to figure this out without her help.”
“How do you suggest we do that?” Shawn asked.
“We need to pay attention to the players,” Harper replied. “We need to get to know the rest of the people hanging around the campground. That includes the participants, the workers, and anyone else who might have ready access to this place on a daily basis.”
“Most everybody is back at the bonfire,” Jared noted. “There was talk of s’mores and hard cider.”
Harper brightened considerably. “I’m not a fan of cider, but who doesn’t love a s’more?”
Jared smirked. “You’ve got me there. So, bonfire it is. We’ll head over and start feeling people out.”
“The key is to see if anybody is acting weird,” Harper stressed. “Odds are everybody is feeling off given what happened. There’s likely only one killer here, though.”
“Then let’s find a killer.” Jared linked his fingers with hers and gave her a little tug. “I’ll make you a s’more and everything. How does that sound?”
“Weak.”
“What?”
“I want two s’mores.”
That had his grin widening. “So, basically you want to get hopped up on sugar and find a killer. That sounds fun. What could possibly go wrong with that plan?”
14
Fourteen
As far as Harper could tell, almost everyone involved with the event was grouped around the central bonfire when they returned to the campground. Jared suggested separating into pairs so they didn’t appear intimidating when questioning workers and they went from there.
“You’re so lucky,” Becky gushed when Harper ran into the woman near the supply table.
Harper didn’t have to look over her shoulder to know what Becky had focused her attention on. Jared was behind her talking to one of the actors. “I’m definitely lucky. I tell myself that every single day.”
“He’s just ... amazing.” Her expression was whimsical. “Are there days when you still wake up and think it’s a dream? I mean ... he’s so amazing. You must wonder if you ended up with him by accident or something.”
Harper was taken aback. “Well ... I don’t really think about things in those terms.” She forced a smile she didn’t really feel. “I like to think Jared and I are equals.”
“Of course.” Becky had the grace to be abashed. “I didn’t mean anything by that. It’s just ... he’s so freaking hot.”
Harper wanted to be offended at the woman’s insistence on focusing on Jared, but she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “He’s very attractive,” she agreed. “I like to think all my men are attractive, though.” She darted her eyes to where Shawn and Zander talked to one of the men Harris had referred to as a “guide” upon their initial tour of the property. “Beauty is everywhere in my life.”
Becky followed Harper’s gaze and made a face. “If they’re trying to get Lance for a threesome, they’re going to have a rude awakening,” she noted. “I’m pretty sure he’s not gay.”
“They’re not recruiting,” Harper reassured her. “It’s okay for gay men to talk to straight men. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend you.” Becky’s eyes went wide. “I was just talking without thinking. My mother always said that was going to be my downfall.”
“Yes, well, Zander’s mother told him that, too.” Harper smiled as a particularly loud memory from her childhood pushed to the forefront. “He’s still walking around and fine. I’m sure you’ll survive, too.”
“I certainly hope so. I love my job.” As if remembering who she was and what she was supposed to be doing, Becky suddenly dusted off her hands and turned serious. “Is there something you need? I guess I thought you guys turned in after dinner. I haven’t seen you in almost two hours.”
“We went for a walk,” Harper replied, not missing a beat. “We wanted to see if we could find more clues. My understanding is that they will be placed in the various areas over the course of the event so they’re not necessarily in place at the start.”
“That’s true, but I don’t think Harris plans on putting out clues after dark.” Becky’s lips curved down. “He was thrown by the call from the police. I’m guessing the next round of clues won’t be available until tomorrow morning.”
“Oh, well, I should’ve figured that was the case.” Harper briefly allowed her attention to drift to Harris, who talked to Josh and Jenny with fake gusto even though his heart clearly wasn’t in the conversation. “Um ... I heard the ingredients for s’mores were up here. Jared asked me to get some.”
“Oh, they’re right over here.” Becky cleared a spot in front of the table. “Jared doesn’t strike me as the s’mores type. I figured he worked out eight hours a day to keep up that body.”
“He works out, but he loves his chocolate.” Harper gathered graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows. “He’s the sort of guy who is disciplined but also loves cutting loose.”
“Which means he’s doubly perfect.” Becky’s eyes landed on Jared again as she exhaled heavily. “You’re so lucky.”
Harper merely stared at the woman for a long beat and then shook her head. In truth, she felt lucky ... just not for the reasons Becky intimated. Jared was a handsome man, but his looks were low on the list of reasons why Harper loved him. “Thank you for the s’mores stuff. It’s not really camping without s’mores.”
“Right.” Becky offered up an absent wave. “Who doesn’t love s’mores?”
“I SAW YOU TALKING TO BECKY,” Jared noted a few moments later as Harper unloaded her haul. “Did she say anything interesting?”
“She thinks you’re dreamy.”
He scowled. “That’s not really interesting to me.”
“Because you know you’re dreamy?”
“Because the only one I care about calling me dreamy is you, and I’ve never heard you use that word when describing me. Studly? Yes. Hot? Yes. More handsome than George Clooney? That’s a given. Dreamy is a weird word to use, though.”
Harper choked on her laughter as she handed him the bag of marshmallows she’d stolen. “Even better than George Clooney, huh?”
“Totally.” He winked at her and held up two metal sticks with prongs. “Are you ready to roast?”
“Actually, I thought you might handle roasting duties,” Harper admitted. “I want to talk to someone while you’re feeling domestic.”
<
br /> “I don’t consider roasting marshmallows domestic.”
“If we were home, we could make s’mores naked. It doesn’t get more domestic than that.”
Even though he found the suggestion absurd, Jared couldn’t get the picture out of his mind. “The second Zander and Shawn leave on that trip to meet Shawn’s parents, we’re totally doing that. I know you were kidding, but I think it’s a fabulous idea.”
Harper barked out a laugh. “You’re hilarious. I absolutely love you.”
“What’s not to love?” he agreed, leaning in for a quick kiss.
“I want to talk to that woman over there, though.” She was serious as she inclined her head toward a brunette in a guide uniform. “She was the one who discovered Leslie’s body. She seemed legitimately traumatized by what happened. I want to feel her out to see if she has any information.”
Jared sobered as he opened the marshmallow bag. “You don’t think she has something to do with this, do you?”
“I think it’s unlikely.” Harper tugged on her memory of the woman’s expression from the previous evening. “She seemed like she was in shock. If she’s rattled, though, she’s more likely to let something slip.”
“Like what?” Jared honestly wanted to know where Harper’s head was at. “What do you think she’s hiding?”
“Hiding is the wrong word. I think she might know something without realizing she knows it, though.”
Jared held her gaze for a beat and then shook his head. “Aren’t I the one who is supposed to be questioning people? I am the detective.”
“Yes, and because of that, you make people nervous. Even when people are good, perfect and law-abiding, there’s an irrational fear of police officers. She’s less likely to open up to you ... even if she does think you’re dreamy.”
Jared extended a warning finger. “Stop using that word.”
“What if I admit that I find you dreamy, and we make a date to play a special game later?”
“Then I will be happy to let you play Nancy Drew.”
Harper immediately started shaking her head. “Trixie Belden.”
Ghostly Camping (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 16) Page 14
