He whistled as he left the room. Maude was pretty sure it was the wedding march.
Nine
Nick was still smiling about Maddie and her dress when he strode to the front of the police station. He extended his hand to open the door, but Kreskin pushed through coming from the other direction, forcing him to pull up short if he didn’t want to collide with his partner.
“You’re late.”
Nick smirked. “I forgot my tablet and had to go back.”
“That takes like thirty seconds.”
“Yes, well, I had a domestic disturbance to take care of.”
Kreskin cocked an eyebrow. “Maude?”
“She was there, but Maddie was the one creating the disturbance.”
“Since when? I thought she was an angel.”
“She’s my angel. It wasn’t that kind of disturbance, though.”
Kreskin pointed toward his cruiser. “Walk and talk at the same time.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Nick’s lips remained in a curve. “Although … you’re married. You can tell me if this is normal for women.”
“Ugh. I hate any statement that starts that way. There is no ‘normal’ when it comes to women.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Oh, geez.” Kreskin let loose a groan as he climbed into the driver’s seat of the cruiser and waited until Nick settled to ask the next question. “If this is about sex, I don’t want to hear it. I’m not kidding. I sort of think of you and Maddie as my surrogate kids and I cannot have that discussion.”
“You didn’t mind having the discussion when I was dating other women,” Nick pointed out.
“True, but Maddie is different.” Kreskin started the car and pointed it toward Main Street. “Maddie is somehow … sweeter.”
“She is,” Nick agreed. “This isn’t about sex, though. It’s about her dress.”
Kreskin was silent for a beat. “What dress?” he asked finally, confused.
“Her wedding dress. Apparently – and I just found this out today so I’m still trying to wrap my head around it – but, apparently, she waits until I leave for work every day and then stares at herself in her wedding dress. I have no idea for how long, but it’s a regular occurrence.”
Kreskin barked out a laugh, taking Nick by surprise. “That’s it? I thought you were going to tell me some deep and dark secret. That, my friend, is totally normal. Women do that all the time. My sister, before her wedding, used to come out in her dress every day and ask us if it looked as if she’d gained weight. It’s a sickness.”
Nick smirked, genuinely amused. “I thought it was kind of cute myself. She, however, hid in the bathroom.”
“Did you see the dress?”
“No.”
“Well, that’s good. I don’t personally believe in that whole ‘it’s bad luck seeing the dress before the wedding’ thing, but women take it seriously. Maddie strikes me as the sort who would melt down if you saw it.”
“That’s why I’ve been careful to steer clear of the garment bag since she moved it to the closet.”
“You haven’t been tempted to look? Not even once?”
Nick shook his head. “No. I want it to be a surprise when I see her walking down the aisle.”
“George is walking her down the aisle, right?”
George Hunter was Maddie’s father, but since he was a recent addition to their lives, Kreskin never knew how far he should press things when asking questions. As far as he could tell, the man was amiable and easy to get along with. That didn’t mean the scars from Maddie’s childhood were completely healed.
“He is,” Nick confirmed. “He’s over the moon about it.”
“And Maddie?”
“She’s happy. I think she would be happier if her mother was with us.”
Kreskin cleared his throat, uncomfortable. “I thought her ghost was still hanging around.” He was always uneasy when talk turned to Maddie’s abilities. He didn’t doubt her – and Nick had been careful to refrain from going into too many specifics – but he wasn’t comfortable talking about it unless it was clear Nick needed someone to confide in. He was often an island where Maddie was concerned, and Kreskin worried he would occasionally stumble under the weight of all that baggage.
“She is, but it’s not the same. She showed herself to Maddie quite a bit at the beginning. Now she goes weeks without popping in. I think … I think it’s because she wants to give Maddie space to grow. It’s not normal to have your ghost mother constantly hanging around.”
“I would say that’s the truest statement I’ve heard in a long time,” Kreskin said. “How do you feel about it?”
“I just want Maddie to be happy.”
“I’ve seen her. She seems happy.”
“Yeah.”
They lapsed into silence for a beat, Nick never asking where they were going. It didn’t matter. Kreskin would tell him when it was necessary. After a few moments, Nick broke the silence because he simply couldn’t stop himself.
“It’s cute that she was trying on the dress, right? Like … she’s the cutest woman in the world.”
“Oh, good grief,” Kreskin groaned. “I can’t wait until you two get past this ‘no, I love you more’ stage. It’s starting to get old.”
“I think you like it.”
“I think you’re a sap.”
“Maybe a little.” Nick’s grin widened. “We’re going to be married in less than a week. In a few days, I’m going to be able to call her ‘my wife’ and know that it’s never going to change.”
Kreskin wanted to make a snide comment, but he couldn’t. His partner was simply too earnest. “You’re going on a two-week honeymoon, right?”
Nick nodded. “A gift from George. We’re going to Disney World for a week – and Harry Potter World because Maddie is dying to see it – and then we’re doing a week on a cruise.”
“That sounds like a nice honeymoon.”
“I know. I can’t wait.”
“Me either. It means I’ll be able to go two weeks without hearing about your endless love for Maddie. It’s going to be like a vacation of my own.”
“I’ll send you texts so you don’t feel left out.”
“Don’t you dare.”
NICK WASN’T SURPRISED WHEN Kreskin pulled into the driveway at the Clark home. He figured this would be their first stop, and as much as he hated returning to reality, he knew he didn’t have a choice. He wanted this case closed as soon as possible so he could focus on the wedding.
Aaron was in the front yard looking at a mower. He had it tipped on its side and was peering at the blades underneath. Nick hunkered down when they got close enough and followed the boy’s gaze.
“Problem?”
“It won’t start,” Aaron replied, his affect flat. “I don’t usually mow the lawn so I’m not sure what’s wrong with it.”
“Hold on.” Nick used his hand to remove some of the old grass that had dried and stuck to the blades. “Let me try to clean this off. It will probably start after that.”
“Thanks.” Aaron dragged a hand through his dark hair and focused on Kreskin. “Why are you guys here? I thought my mom told you everything she already knows.”
“We have a few more questions for her. Is she inside with your sister?”
“She’s always with my sister.”
“Your sister needs a lot of attention,” Nick supplied. “That’s probably not easy for you, though. I’m guessing you feel as if you’ve been neglected because of your sister’s needs.”
“Not at all.” Aaron was blasé as he leaned back on his haunches. “My sister is kind of a pain. There’s no getting around that. She’s not bad when you learn her quirks, though. She just likes a routine. She’s pretty normal otherwise.”
“It’s nice that you are so patient with her.”
“She doesn’t bug me. Sure, she’s embarrassing when she melts down, but that doesn’t happen as much as it used to and she really can’t help it.”
; “Well … .” Nick didn’t know what to say to that. “How is your dad? I hear that he’s off the ventilator.”
“He still hasn’t woken up.”
“No, but the doctors are hopeful it will happen.”
“I heard them talking to my mom,” Aaron countered. “She didn’t want me to hear, but I listened anyway. They said that he lost a lot of blood and they’re worried because he hasn’t woken up yet, that maybe he has brain damage or something.”
That was news to Nick. “You can’t worry about that right now. You can’t sit around fretting about what might happen. You can only tackle what is, not what may be.” He rolled the lawn mower so it was resting upright. “Try it again.”
The lawnmower roared to life on the first tug and Aaron flashed a grateful thumbs-up to Nick. Since the conversation was essentially over thanks to the noise, Nick and Kreskin made their way to the front door. Alicia didn’t answer until the third knock and she looked frazzled when she finally pulled open the door.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, her already pale face draining of color. “Has something happened? Trevor isn’t … dead … is he?”
“Not last time we checked,” Kreskin replied calmly. “I believe he’s stable but still unconscious.”
“Oh.” Alicia pressed her hand to her chest. “Good. Although … why are you here?”
“We have some things we have to discuss with you.”
Suspicion flitted through Alicia’s eyes. “What? I told you it was an accident.”
Kreskin didn’t as much as blink. “Can we come in? This conversation might take some time.”
For a moment, Nick thought Alicia might actually slam the door in their faces. Instead, she pushed it open and ushered them inside. The two police officers followed her through the house, not stopping until they reached the kitchen, which looked as if a tornado had hit.
“What happened here?” Kreskin asked, alarmed. “Did someone break in?” There were dirty dishes and garbage strewn around the room.
“No, this is just what happens when Aaron makes Catelynn breakfast,” she replied. “He tries but … he’s not good on the domestic front. He gets that from his father.” Her smile was wan as she started sweeping items into an open garbage bag. “What is it you want to discuss with me?”
“Several things,” Kreskin replied, fighting the urge to wrinkle his nose in disgust. “First off, we got the ballistics report back from the state police. You should know, it’s impossible for Trevor to have shot himself.”
Other than a shaky hand, Alicia’s demeanor didn’t change. “I don’t understand what that means.”
“It means that someone shot him,” Kreskin explained. “It means that your story doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s the truth, though.” Alicia gathered her nerves and met Kreskin’s gaze. “That’s what happened. You took those tests of my hands. I didn’t shoot him so they must’ve come up clean.”
“They did,” Kreskin confirmed. “That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re innocent, though.”
“But I am. I didn’t hurt him. I would never hurt him.”
“Even though he was having an affair?” Kreskin dropped the bomb as if he was informing Alicia that it was supposed to rain the next day.
Again, Alicia’s expression didn’t shift. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Her tone alerted Nick that she was lying. “You know. I think you’ve known for a long time.”
Alicia swallowed hard. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Trevor and I were working on our marriage. He wasn’t having an affair.”
“He was,” Nick countered. “He was sleeping with Marla Proctor.”
“He was?” Kreskin’s eyebrows practically flew off his forehead. “When did you find that out?”
“Yesterday,” Nick replied, never breaking eye contact with Alicia. “I was going to tell you, but I forgot. Something tells me that Alicia already knew about her husband’s dalliance with Marla, though. When did you find out, Alicia?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she repeated, this time more strenuously. “I didn’t shoot my husband. I know you think I did, but I didn’t. We were happy. We were working on things. I didn’t do what you think I did.”
Nick stared at her for a long time before he gave up. She showed no signs of cracking. “Don’t leave town,” he instructed. “We’ll be back with more questions … and answers. This isn’t going to simply go away.”
“I didn’t think it would,” Alicia said. “I didn’t shoot him, though. You’re looking in the wrong place.”
“Then point me in the right place.”
“It was an accident. He did it to himself.”
“He didn’t.”
“Well … I don’t know what to tell you.”
MADDIE, DRESSED IN A FRESH costume, was all smiles when she exited her house shortly before noon. She had twenty minutes to make it to the fairgrounds, so she opted to walk since she knew that Nick would drive her home when she was finished. All thoughts of transportation vacated her mind, however, when she found Marla standing in her driveway.
“What are you doing here?” Maddie asked, confused. She glanced around to see if someone was filming from the tree line for one of those hidden-camera shows. She couldn’t remember Marla ever stopping by with any intention other than mayhem.
“I came to talk to you.” Marla shifted from one foot to the other, and for the first time she could remember, Maddie realized the woman came across as nervous rather than aggressive.
“Why would you possibly want to talk to me?” Maddie queried, legitimately confused. “We have nothing to discuss.”
“On a normal day, I would agree with that. Today, though, is different.”
Maddie folded her arms over her chest, her message clear. She was done letting Marla walk all over her. The second the woman said something she didn’t like, Maddie had every intention of kicking her off the property. “What? What do you want? What do you possibly think we have to discuss?”
“Trevor.”
Maddie realized after the fact that she should’ve seen this discussion coming. “You want to talk about Trevor Clark? Are you serious?”
“I don’t know how you know about us … .”
“The spirits told me,” Maddie offered, holding her hands out and wiggling her fingers. “Don’t you know that I’m psychic?” That was the truth – and something Maddie often tried to hide – but she said it now for comedic effect. Marla knew the truth, at least deep down inside, and there was no sense pussyfooting around it. “I saw in your head yesterday, Marla. I know everything.”
“And what do you think the truth is?” Marla challenged, her eyes flashing. “What is it you think you saw?”
“You’re having an affair with Trevor. I’m not sure how long it’s been going on, but it’s definitely happening. I’m kind of curious actually: Have you been to the hospital to see him? It seems to me, since you’re so in love, you would be sitting by his bedside.”
“We are in love,” Marla confirmed. “We’re … completely in love. His wife is the reason we’re not together.”
Maddie waited for the punchline. When it didn’t come, she laughed anyway. “You cannot be serious, Marla. His wife is the reason you’re not together? They’re married. They made vows to each other.”
“He’s not happy, though.”
“Then he should get a divorce, not run around on his wife. There’s a name for people who break their vows.”
“Yes, it’s called unhappy individuals. He’s miserable, not a villain. She’s the one who shot him.”
“I don’t know that she did.” Maddie was careful when choosing words. “That situation is still fluid.”
“Well … she’s keeping me from visiting him in the hospital,” Marla snapped. “Only family members are allowed in. She got to pick the rules. I know because the nurse told me.”
“Well, maybe she was afraid you would give him herpes or
something and she didn’t want him to be in the hospital recovering forever.” Even Maddie was surprised by the snarky words that escaped her lips, but she didn’t apologize for them.
“We’re in love,” Marla repeated. “It’s the same thing you feel for Nick.”
“Oh, it’s not even close to the same thing,” Maddie snapped. “Nick and I aren’t married to other people. We’re building a life together. You and Trevor are sneaking around.”
“Only until he can secure a divorce from his wife.”
“Why not do that first?” Maddie challenged. “I’m not saying I agree with that either, but why not at least be a man and tell his wife what he’s up to? Why all the sneaking around? Why bother reconciling with her if he planned on cheating again?”
“I … .” Marla had no answer.
“You’re not the first person he’s cheated with,” Maddie pointed out. “He’s been with other women. Apparently he’s been with a lot of other women. What makes you think you’ll be the last?”
“He told me.”
“I’m sure he told Alicia specific things, too.”
“I’m better than Alicia.”
“No, you’re not.” Maddie was fed up with the conversation and started walking toward the sidewalk. “You’re not better than her, Marla. You’re just … more aggressive than her. I’m not sure that’s something to be proud of.”
“I want you to promise that you’re not going to tell anyone,” Marla called out to Maddie’s back. “I don’t want people thinking I’m a homewrecker.”
“I already told Nick.”
“Tell him you were lying.”
“No.”
“Then don’t tell anyone else,” Marla snapped. “Especially don’t tell Christy. If you tell her, everyone in town will know.”
“Yeah, well, I told my grandmother, too,” Maddie admitted, thinking back to the conversation that occurred when she was stripping out of her dress. “I’m sure everyone in town already knows.”
A look of anguish washed over Marla’s features. “You told Maude? Why would you do that?”
“I tell her everything … or at least things I find interesting. She was thrilled with the gossip.”
Grave Wedding (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 15) Page 9