Just Buried

by Addison Moore

  “Are you kidding?” McKenna leans in. “I’m a fall girl. The more pumpkins the better—and, of course, flowers.”

  Caleb slaps Archie on the back. “This guy right here is our point man for all things floral.” And let’s hope he gifts them to us instead of sticking me with a bill.

  Archie snickers as if he heard that internal quip.

  “I’m a landscaper, but I’ve got connections.” He pretends to shoot Caleb. “And I am overseeing the flowers.” I don’t need to be a mind reader to know Caleb is freaking out about the cost. I’d put him out of his misery now, but I’d much rather let them know on their big day that this one is on me.

  “Oh, Archie”—McKenna points my way—“Bizzy is the manager at the inn. I’m sure she won’t mind the pots.”

  “The pots?” I lift a smile his way.

  “Perfect,” he says. “I was just telling McKenna and Caleb they should create a grand entrance. I’ve got just the perfect pots that would create a majestic feel to transport their guests to another world.”

  “That’s a great idea,” I say. “In fact, we have pots right here at the inn. I could have Jordy set a couple out.”

  Archie shakes his head. “Please allow me. These are four feet high each and have intricate seaside reliefs impressed around the periphery. I’ll have them brimming with flowers in keeping with the fall bridal theme. And if it’s all right with you, I’d like to donate them to the inn. I’m afraid I can only afford the shipping here. But I can deliver them this week.”

  “Wow, thank you,” I say. “The inn would be thrilled to accept them. When you show up, just ask the front desk to find me and I’ll have Jordy help your men set them in place.”

  “Sounds good.” ‘He nods my way.

  “So Jasper”— Caleb leans in and his dark auburn hair catches the remnants of sunlight—“any word on what could have gone down with those hinges? This isn’t really a homicide investigation, is it?”

  “I’m afraid it is.” Jasper pulls me in a notch. “But it’s simply procedural at this point. Once we figure out if this was a mechanical failure, the investigation is off.”

  McKenna groans my way. “I’m rooting for that to happen soon. It’s bad enough the poor man is gone, but the thought of having a killer on the loose sends a chill up my spine.”

  “Mine too,” I say. “Besides, the sheriff’s department has plenty of other cases to keep them busy.”

  Caleb looks to Jasper. “It’s that missing girl, isn’t it? You can’t go ten feet around town without seeing a poster of her.”

  “So sad.” McKenna shakes her head. And I won’t say it out loud, but I’m so glad Bizzy doesn’t have those missing posters plastered around the inn. It’s haunting. And yet, I know it’s selfish to want to keep the inn as a safe zone of all the darkness that exists in the world. Pretty ironic, considering Julian died right on these grounds.

  Jasper’s chest expands. “It is the missing girl. A woman named Anita Dolman, from Edison.”

  Archie’s ears pull back. “That’s right, I heard about that. Wasn’t she a prostitute or something?”

  Jasper nods. “High-end call girl. But we’re still looking into what ties she might have had with the community.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I say, suddenly feeling the need to change the subject. I can’t help it. As the manager of the inn, I’m paid to keep things light and bright. “Archie, I like your hat. I take it you’ve been to the Magic Castle?”

  “You could say I’ve spent my fair share of time there.” He tips his hat my way. “I used to work the circuit. Julian was the big kahuna. I could never compete with that. But he taught me all he knew, or so he said. I still perform a few nights a week. I consider it a hobby. In fact, I’m up tomorrow night. You’re all welcome to come. Show starts at seven. The club called this afternoon and asked if I would fill in for a few of Julian’s shows.”

  “We would love to come.” I rub my hand over Jasper’s back. “We could use a little entrainment to get our minds off things.”

  McKenna nods. “Couldn’t we all.”

  Lucky and Sherlock run through our small circle with Misty and Fish right on their tails.

  Caleb gives a sharp whistle and Lucky runs back on cue followed by the rest of the menagerie.

  McKenna scoops up Misty and dusts the sand out of her fur. “Since these two are in the ceremony, we wanted to get them acclimated to the area around the gazebo.” The little cutie’s watery blue eyes are a stunning combination with her fluffy gray coat.

  Misty meows down at my own sweet cat. You’ll have to come to the wedding, Fish. McKenna has something special for me to wear on the big day.

  I give the tiny kitten a quick pat. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she was inviting Fish to the wedding.”

  A titter of laugher works its way around our small circle.

  “Of course, Fish is invited. Sherlock is, too.” McKenna gives me a quick embrace and we say goodnight as they head toward the parking lot.

  Jasper pulls me in and bears those silver eyes into mine.

  “It sounds as if we’ve got a date tomorrow night.” A breath expels from him as if this wasn’t the greatest idea. “I’m guessing you already know that Bernie works there.”

  My lips invert as I shrink in his arms. “If I said yes, would you promise to hold it against me—and by it, I mean your body?”

  He chuckles as he pulls me in a little tighter. “Is there anything you don’t know about this case?”

  “I don’t know how the lead detective’s fiancée lets him get away with not kissing her dizzy in front of a perfect sunset.”

  His lids hood a notch. “Funny you should say that. I was just thinking about planting a wet one onto the lead homicide detective’s fiancée. But don’t tell him. I hear he’s packing heat. I’d hate to have a shootout, but she is worth all the bullets in the world.”

  “Aww,” I coo as his mouth is quick to cover mine.

  Yuck. Sherlock barks. They’re at it again. I bet Bizzy’s kisses taste like bacon.

  Fish mewls. It’s like he’s covered in catnip the way she tries to devour him. Hopefully, their urge to lick one another wears off soon. I can’t see this going on forever. They need to breathe.

  Sherlock moans. At this rate they’ll have a litter of humans soon enough. Any idea how humans make that happen? I think there’s some sniffing involved.

  Fish yowls. I’ve heard a few mothers here at the inn complain that it takes lots of strong coffee to have children. I definitely think there’s coffee involved.

  A giggle strums through me as my lips find their way to Jasper’s ear.

  “They’re wondering where babies come from. They’re not fans of our kissing.”

  Jasper frowns their way. “They might be invited to the wedding, but they’re not getting anywhere near the wedding night.” He gives a sly wink. “It’s an invitation only event.”

  “Do I get an invitation?”

  “Are you kidding?” He playfully nibbles on my neck. “You’re the guest of honor. And I will be there to serve.”

  “Sounds like a dream come true.”

  “I’ll make sure it is.”

  We continue with that delicious kiss.

  Jasper and I are about to crest one of the biggest moments in our lives. But tomorrow night, I get to talk to a certain waitress down at the Magic Castle. I am very curious as to what Bernie has to say about her dead ex.

  According to her body language last night, Bernie had a motive to kill if ever there was one.

  But just what was it?

  Chapter 7

  It didn’t take long for word to get around that Jasper and I were headed out to the Magic Castle.

  After a long day of helping guests, helping Jordy set out enough pumpkins around the inn to qualify us as a pumpkin patch, helping Macy pick out a sleazy dress to wear tonight via enough text messages to pen a wardrobe opus, and helping Georgie and Juni find the phone numbers they misplace
d of those hotties from Minty’s security detail—the latter of which nearly cost me my sanity—we’ve all finally made the trek down to Edison and stand in front of a building with an old-world façade with the words Magic Castle glowing in neon purple high in the sky. Well, all with the exception of Jasper—he isn’t here just yet. He’s running late at the office, so it’s just Macy, Juni, Georgie, and me for now. A motley crew if ever there was one.

  Macy tugs down her electric blue dress.

  “Macy”—Juni marvels as she takes in my sister—“I don’t know how you did it, but that dress somehow manages to show off more than a two-piece bikini.”

  “True as Gospel,” I counter as I tug my coat over me tightly. The air is perfectly chilled for this fall evening, and it’s moments like this I miss those warm summer nights.

  Georgie honks out a laugh. “That’s her first trick of the night.”

  “Hear that, Mace?” A laugh bubbles from me as well. “Georgie thinks you’re about to turn tricks. I guess technically that makes you a lady of the night.”

  “You bet I am.” Macy takes the potshot in stride. “I’ve got not one but two dates waiting for me in there.”

  “I’d ask questions,” I say. “But honestly, I don’t think I want answers.”

  Macy butts her arm to mine. “Well, I’m gonna tell you anyway. I’ve got Gio from that fancy dress shop in there, and that guy I met the day the inn decided to eat another soul.”

  A hard groan comes from me. “Macy, please do not go around telling people that the inn eats souls. That’s a terrible analogy.”

  “But it’s true,” Juni harps.

  Juniper Moonbeam looks as if she’s missing a few stitches. She’s clad in red—red tight knit sweater that cuts off below her boobs, red tight leather skirt that in some parts of the world qualifies as a belt, and red high heels with the words bite me written on the soles—the word bite being on the right foot and the word me on the left. That way she gets attention from just about everyone coming and going.

  “Come on, girls”— Georgie irons out the front of her black and white kaftan with her hands—“enough talk about that haunted inn that needs to be fed a real live human at least once a month in hopes to keep the darkness at bay. We’ve got men in there waiting to be conquered. I’ve got a double date, too, you know. Both Bad Boy and Lumpy Pants emailed me to let me know they’d be here.”

  Juni shakes her head. “They texted you. It’s a text, Mother. And it’s not wholesome for you to have two dates. People at the bingo hall are going to talk.”

  Georgie huffs, “Well, if you saw all those cartoon pictures of vegetables they send me, you’d realize exactly how wholesome they are. Besides, it’s entirely up to me to further corrupt them.” She winks over at her daughter. “Let’s give those girls at the bingo hall something to talk about.”

  Juni and Georgie head on in, and Macy gives my arm a tug.

  “Let’s go, Bizzy.” She tries to pull me in.

  “Fine,” I say. “I was just hoping Jasper would have shown up by now. He’s working late on Julian Fletcher’s investigation, but he said he should be here before the show starts.”

  “We’ve still got half an hour,” she says, navigating us inside a dimly lit foyer with illuminated posters up along the walls that advertise their various performers. The thick carpeting dampers the din of voices from the crowd, and the air is cool and smells like popcorn.

  A poster with a dark-haired man with bushy brows and demanding eyes has me catching my breath.

  “There he is,” I whisper as we take a few steps over to it. Julian Fletcher’s head is larger-than-life as he sheds a knowing grin. He’s holding a fuzzy white rabbit by the ears as he seemingly pulls it out of a top hat. Below that in bright yellow letters it reads in memory of one of the greats. “So sad.”

  “Oh, look.” Macy perks up as she points to a poster to our left. “There’s my date.”

  She leads us over to the next illuminated picture where Archie Alden hikes a brow in his forehead, adding a mystical appeal to his countenance. The crook on his nose is heavily pronounced and that slight curve of his lips gives him a wicked appeal.

  “Isn’t he hot, Biz?” She gives my arm a squeeze. “He said he’s reserved a table for us right up front in what’s known as the fun zone.”

  “The fun zone?” I groan at the thought. “Is it too late for me to say I don’t want to have any fun? Especially not the kind of fun that demands you step on stage and be a part of the act. I hate participating. I’m much more content as an observer in life.”

  “Good Lord, Bizzy. It’s a wonder you’ve tricked Jasper into marrying you. Hey? Maybe you’re the greatest magician of them all. Hopefully, he’ll never find out you’re a killjoy. I’ll keep your secret if you keep mine. Archie doesn’t know I’m meeting Gio here, too.”

  I avert my eyes at the thought. “Let the good times roll,” I say as we head on into the venue.

  The main room is a large spacious theater. It’s icy inside and holds the scent of perfume mixing with cologne, mixing with French fries and pizza. It’s equally dimly lit, with small round tables set out, covered in purple tablecloths, and nearly every seat is filled with people already laughing and chatting away as a pleasant hum fills the cavernous room. A bar sits to the right with a line of waitresses dressed in what amounts to a naughty French maid’s costume, and I can’t help but note there are more than a handful of gorgeous women dressed in cocktail dresses milling around in that area, talking to men of every size and stature.

  “Huh,” I muse. “Who knew this place was a virtual hub for the social scene?”

  Macy leans in. “It just goes to show you’re a hermit who never leaves her cottage.”

  A familiar looking brunette with short hair and an impish grin comes our way.

  “Hello, ladies, can I help seat you?” Her nametag reads Bernie and I can’t help but feel as if I just struck gold.

  “Archie Alden is reserving a table for us.” Macy is quick to toss his name around like a calling card.

  A hearty laugh bucks from the girl. “I know just where you’re seated.” She leads us down to the front to a round table dotted with a votive candle.

  “Here are your menus.” She quickly hands Macy and me each a small laminated square. “The party appetizer platter is a crowd pleaser. It has a little bit of everything and feeds eight to ten.”

  “Great. Let’s start with that,” I say.

  “Any drinks?” She nods as if suggesting we’ll need them. I’m guessing she’s right.

  “Something strong and pretty,” Macy says just as she jumps and waves to someone near the bar. “I see Gio!” She streaks across the room like a bolt of blue lightning.

  “She knows Gio?” Bernie tips her head to the side as if this confused her.

  “Macy knows everyone,” I say. “And I sort of know you.”

  “You do?”

  I nod as I step in close. “You were at the Country Cottage Inn the other night. I’m the manager there. You made a great volunteer. Too bad things ended so tragically.”

  “Yeah.” She glances to the stage. “Too bad.” I always thought I’d celebrate with champagne if I could get Julian out of my life for good. But I’ve yet to hit the bubbly. I guess death can erase Julian, but it can’t erase the past.

  “Were you close to Julian?” I ask and she doesn’t waste a moment before frowning my way. “I mean, of course, you were. He worked here. You work here. I’m sure you knew him well enough.”

  She takes a breath and runs her fingers through her short curls.

  “Everyone here knew Julian. I guess you could say I knew him a little better than others.” She rolls her eyes. “He loved to hit on the waitresses here.”

  “I see.” I shrug. “Well, I’m sure he’s left a void as far as the entertainment goes. I looked him up online and his fans seem like they really miss him.”

  “That they do. The flowers they’ve been leaving at the entry every day
could outfit a florist. It’s a nice gesture. But thankfully, we have others who can step in around here. Archie is pretty good. And we’ve got a few others that are going to fill in as well. Are you here with the Collective?”

  “The what?” I lean in a notch to hear her better, but she shakes her head.

  “Never mind. It’s the dating beehive going on behind me.”

  “Oh right.” I glance past her and catch a glimpse of Georgie flanked with two good-looking men in suits, along with Juni who has a hunky side of beef of her own. I don’t see Macy. But I wouldn’t put it past her to have already done her disappearing act for the night. “No, my fiancé is meeting me here. You probably met him, too. He was the detective on the scene the other night.”

  I cringe because I’m pretty sure cluing a suspect in on the fact I’m dating the lead detective isn’t the best tactic. Bernie here just might be the one who loosened those latches. I can’t bring myself to call her a killer. She seems so sweet despite her dark thoughts about the deceased.

  “Oh yeah, the good-looking guy with the bright eyes?” Her brows furrow a moment. “I tell you, all the good ones are taken. So he’s working on Julian’s murder?”

  My insides squeeze tight because I’m pretty sure this isn’t the direction we should be moving in.

  “Maybe. I mean, it’s not like it’s officially a murder investigation.” Although I’m pretty sure it is. “He’s actually working on the case of that girl who’s gone missing.”

  “Anita?” Her eyes double in size.

  “You knew her?”

  She glances back to the bar. “Not really, but I’ve seen her around a time or two. Last year, there was another girl who took off—Emerson, Emery? I can’t remember her name. Anyway, nobody made too big of a deal out of that one, but her brother kept coming around asking if anyone knew where she was.”

  “Maybe she took off and didn’t tell him?”

  “Maybe.” Bernie shrugs at the thought. “But she left a three-year-old behind. Not many mothers would do that.”

  Someone calls out to her from the bar.

  “I’d better get your order in. Have a great time tonight.” She takes off just as a tall, dark-haired, drop-dead gorgeous homicide detective closes the distance between us and slips his arms around my waist.