Grave Discovery

by Lily Harper Hart

  Maddie tightened her arms around his neck. “I love you, Nicky.”

  The couple was just about to sink into a hot kiss when the sound of someone clearing their throat on the shore drew their attention. Nick instinctively pushed Maddie behind him to protect her, narrowing his eyes as he tried to focus on the two dim figures on the beach.

  “Holy crap,” Maddie whispered. “That’s Cassidy.”

  “And David Bennet,” Nick added in a low voice, before raising his to a level their visitors could hear. “Hey, guys. How’s it going?”

  “Detective Winters,” Bennet said, his fingers linked with Cassidy’s. “What are you guys doing?”

  “We like to swim for exercise,” Nick replied, ignoring Maddie’s muffled groan.

  “At night?”

  “It’s been too hot to work out during the day,” Nick offered.

  “You know your clothes are up here on the sand, right?” Cassidy asked. “Do you often exercise naked?”

  “As often as I can,” Nick said sincerely, causing Bennet to chuckle.

  “We’ll leave you to your … exercise,” Bennet said. “We’re going up to the restaurant for dinner. Um … have fun.”

  “Thanks,” Nick said. “We will.”

  Nick and Maddie watched them go, and when it was finally the two of them alone again, Nick turned so he could study Maddie’s face. “I’m guessing you want to go home now, don’t you?”

  Maddie shook her head, taking him by surprise. “I’m nowhere near done exercising yet.”

  “Really? I thought for sure you would want to go home after that.”

  “Why? The worst has already happened,” Maddie replied. “We got caught skinny-dipping and the world didn’t end. Sometimes I think I might be a little overdramatic.”

  “Every time I look at you I think you’re just dramatic enough,” Nick said, laughing as he chased her in the water. “Come on. This is more room than we’re used to. Let’s swim for a little bit, but don’t get too far away. I would hate to lose you.”

  “You won’t ever lose me.”

  “Good,” Nick said. “That’s the one thing I know I could never survive.”

  10

  Ten

  Maddie hummed softly as she dusted the magic store the following morning, her mind busy with memories of her night with Nick. They’d spent more than an hour cavorting in the lake, and when they finally got out of the water she was almost reluctant to leave.

  “You’re in a good mood,” Maude said, hovering in the doorway between the hallway and store as she watched her granddaughter. “Did you and Nick have a good time last night?”

  Maddie swiveled quickly, forcing herself to remain calm despite her grandmother’s vibrant pink hair. It was louder than she initially envisioned, and she was still getting used to it. “We did have a good time,” Maddie confirmed. “We had crab legs and then took a walk on the beach.”

  “Oh, you did more than that,” Maude countered. “I’m not sure what you did, but it was definitely more than a walk on the beach.”

  “We might have gone swimming in the lake, too.”

  Maude pursed her lips, amused. “You’ve always been a good girl, Maddie,” she said. “You never gave me more than a few moments of trouble. I’m glad you’re embracing a little fun and taking a chance here and there, though. You’re practically glowing.”

  Maddie shook her head. “We had fun,” she said. “What are you doing today?”

  “I’m going with Christy to pick out a dress in Traverse City,” Maude replied. “Do you want to come?”

  “I would, but I haven’t had a customer in days,” Maddie said. “Of course, I’ve locked the store up for the better part of the week, so I think I should stick close today since it’s a little cooler.”

  “It’s still going to be above ninety,” Maude reminded her.

  “I know, but I have stuff to get done here and I was thinking of making a nice pasta salad to go with sandwiches for dinner tonight.”

  “Oh, you’re taking care of your man,” Maude said, pressing a teasing hand to her heart. “You’re so cute. Don’t plan on me being here for dinner. We’re going to eat over there.”

  “Ruby Tuesday?” Maddie asked, already knowing the answer. Maude’s favorite restaurant in the world was Ruby Tuesday.

  “You know it.”

  Once Maude left, Maddie returned to her chores. She was almost finished when the bell over the shop door jangled. She turned, a welcoming smile on her face, and greeted the worried-looking teenage girl with a pleasant voice. “Come in.”

  The girl stepped into the store and looked around before shutting the door. She appeared lost and out of place. “Are you Maddie Graves?”

  “I am.”

  “I’m Chelsea Johnson,” the girl said, her voice even. “I heard you could talk to ghosts. Is that true?”

  Maddie swallowed hard. Talking to ghosts wasn’t something she generally advertised, although many people gossiped about her ability behind her back. “Who told you that?”

  “I notice you’re not denying it,” Chelsea said, her dark curls bouncing as she took a step forward. “That’s good. I need someone who can talk to ghosts.”

  Maddie knew she didn’t need to ask the question, but she also felt it was the polite thing to do. “What ghost do you want me to talk to?”

  “Don’t act stupid,” Chelsea shot back. “I know you were with your cop boyfriend when you found my mother’s body. She’s the ghost I want you to talk to.”

  Maddie sighed and gestured toward the wingback chairs near the front window. They were comfortable and close to the air conditioner. Chelsea sat, watching Maddie get comfortable with a hardened gaze, and then mimicked Maddie’s posture as a provocative measure. Maddie recognized the action for what it was.

  “I’m sorry about your mother,” Maddie said, her voice soft. “I’m sure that must have been a terrible blow.”

  “It’s easier knowing she’s dead than thinking she left me,” Chelsea said. “For some reason I knew I was never going to see her again. At least now I can tell myself that she didn’t purposely leave me.”

  “You’re the one who filed the missing person’s report,” Maddie prodded. “Part of you must have known something was wrong with that whole scenario.”

  “I did,” Chelsea agreed. “That’s why I filed the report even though my dad told me it was a waste of time. I knew something was wrong. No one would believe me, though. They thought I was being an irrational teenager.”

  “I’m sure your dad loves you,” Maddie said. “He probably didn’t want you to work yourself up for no reason.”

  “Or he was happy she was gone,” Chelsea said. “Don’t get me wrong, my dad is a good guy. I don’t think he’s a murderer. I think the idea of my mother leaving was a relief to him, though. He didn’t want to deal with the divorce.

  “Of course, it was a double-edged sword,” she continued. “He got stuck with me in the deal.”

  “I’m sure that’s not true, Chelsea,” Maddie said. “Fathers always love their daughters.”

  “Did your father love you?”

  Maddie was caught. It was too late to take her earlier statement back, and she refused to lie to the traumatized teenager. “My father left before I was born.”

  “So not every father loves every daughter.”

  “I think that your father probably loves you,” Maddie clarified. “I haven’t met him so I can’t say that for sure, but you’re being taken care of. My boyfriend said your father was worried about you most of all when he found out your mother was dead. That has to count for something.”

  “He was only worried about me because he thought I was going to ruin his day,” Chelsea spat.

  Maddie didn’t believe that, so she decided to change the subject. “Is there a specific reason you want me to try and talk to your mother?”

  “I want to know what happened to her,” Chelsea said. “I want someone to pay for killing her.”

&nbs
p; Maddie nodded, sympathy washing over her. “If your mother is a ghost – and we don’t know that she is – we have to find her first,” she said. “I’ll do my best to see if I can track her down.”

  “Will you call me if you do?”

  Maddie faltered. She wasn’t sure if acting as a go-between for a terrified teenager and her recently deceased mother was a good idea. Maddie made up her mind quickly. “I’ll do my very best.”

  BY THE time Maddie made her way to the lighthouse, she’d managed to push Chelsea’s sad face out of her mind. Well, mostly. She understood the girl’s plight, but she couldn’t make promises she feared might be impossible to keep.

  In truth, Maddie was pretty sure she saw a ghost in the lighthouse window the day she and Christy visited. She couldn’t be positive, though. Not until she actually saw Andrea Johnson up close and personal.

  “What are you doing out here, Sunshine?” Olivia Graves popped into view, causing Maddie to veer to her right to avoid running through her mother’s ghost.

  “Mom! How many times have I told you not to surprise me like that?” Maddie clutched at the spot above her heart and struggled to catch her breath.

  “I’m dead,” Olivia replied, unruffled. “I have to get my thrills somewhere. Mom can’t see me, and I can’t talk to her if you’re not around, so I have to play my little games with you. It’s what keeps my mind sharp.”

  Maddie made a face that would’ve been comical under different circumstances. “You just took ten years off my life.”

  “I did nothing of the sort,” Olivia scoffed, glancing around. “What are you doing up here?”

  Maddie didn’t immediately answer the question. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in almost two weeks.”

  “I’m sorry,” Olivia replied sincerely. “Time doesn’t have a lot of meaning when I drift out. I generally have no idea how long I’ve been gone.”

  “Where do you drift to?”

  “Nowhere.”

  “That’s depressing.”

  “It’s like sleeping,” Olivia explained. “Sometimes I need to recharge. I’m not strong in this form. You know that. After all the excitement on your camping trip, I was fatigued. I’m sorry.”

  “No, I’m sorry,” Maddie said. “I’m glad to see you whenever you pop in. You know that. You really did scare me, though.”

  “I’m sorry,” Olivia said, holding up her hands. “You still haven’t told me why you’re out here, though.”

  Maddie related the past few days of excitement for her mother as they closed the distance between the lighthouse and parking lot. Maddie was forced to come in from the opposite direction than she had that first day, so she couldn’t see the window she was searching for.

  “It’s really sad all around,” she said, finishing up her tale. “I feel bad for Chelsea, but I’m not sure if Andrea is really here.”

  “Are you sure you’re not casting yourself in Chelsea’s shoes because you lost me?” Olivia asked, her tone gentle. “It would be normal if you did, Sunshine. You’re not Chelsea, though. Her mother was murdered.”

  “You’re not the first person to suggest that,” Maddie conceded. “I’ve talked about it with Christy and Nick. I don’t think that’s what I’m doing, though. I want to make sure Chelsea has closure, don’t get me wrong, but I somehow feel responsible for all of this because the only reason Nick came up here in the first place was because of me.”

  “How is my Nick?” Olivia asked, smiling. “I love him so much. Have I told you how happy I am that you two are finally together?”

  “Only about a million times, Mom,” Maddie teased. “He’s good. He’s focused on this case, but we still spend a lot of time together. He’s not my big concern right now, though.”

  “Who is your big concern?”

  “Granny … well, kind of.”

  “What’s wrong with Mom?” Olivia asked, all warmth disappearing. “She’s not sick, is she?”

  When Maddie first found out her mother remained behind as a ghost, she wasn’t surprised. Something inside of her told her that her mother would be there when she got back to the house. That was one of the reasons she returned. It wasn’t until Maude admitted that she believed Olivia was sticking around until they could cross over together that Maddie realized how strong her mother and grandmother’s bond truly was.

  “She’s fine, Mom,” Maddie said, shaking her head. “I didn’t mean to scare you like that. She’s just … up to something.”

  “Oh, well, she’s always up to something,” Olivia said, nonplussed. “What is it this time?”

  “She and Harriet are competing in the town beauty pageant.”

  Olivia barked out a laugh, delighted. “I’m glad I didn’t miss that. How fun.”

  “Aren’t you worried she’ll embarrass herself?”

  “She likes embarrassing herself,” Olivia replied, brushing off Maddie’s concerns. “It’s one of her favorite things to do. I don’t see why you care.”

  “I just don’t want her to be disappointed.”

  “Something tells me she’ll be fine,” Olivia said. “I can’t wait to see the competition. What is she doing for the talent portion?”

  “I have no idea. She says that’s not as important as her hair, shoes, and dress.”

  “That sounds about right,” Olivia said, glancing around. “Where do you want to start looking for your ghost?”

  “The other side of the lighthouse,” Maddie answered. “That’s where I saw her first.”

  “Let’s do it,” Olivia said. “There’s something … ironic … about a ghost searching for another ghost, isn’t there?”

  “I guess so,” Maddie said, smiling as they rounded the tower. “I … .” She broke off, pulling up short when a dark-haired woman’s filmy form appeared about fifty feet away. The woman’s back was to her, but Maddie was convinced she’d finally found her ghost. “It’s about time.”

  Maddie approached Andrea Johnson with small steps and raised hands. She pasted a friendly smile on her face, and when she moved in front of the ghost, she found confusion etched on the woman’s pretty features.

  “Hi,” Maddie said shyly. “I’m Maddie Graves. You’re Andrea Johnson, right?”

  Andrea mutely nodded.

  “I’ve been looking for you,” Maddie explained. “I saw you in the window of the lighthouse the other day. Do you know why you’re here?”

  “I think I’m lost.” When Andrea spoke, her voice was low and gritty.

  “You’re in Blackstone Bay,” Maddie said. “Do you know how you died?”

  Andrea raised her head and blinked rapidly several times, the resulting expression bizarre enough to concern Maddie.

  “I don’t think she knows she’s dead,” Olivia offered. “It’s okay,” she said to Andrea. “I’m dead, too. You’ll get used to it.”

  Andrea didn’t immediately respond.

  “I think she’s confused,” Maddie said finally. “Do you know how you got here, Andrea?”

  “I don’t know where here is.” Andrea looked pitiful. “Where is Chelsea? Where is my daughter?”

  “She’s fine,” Maddie said. “I saw her this afternoon. She’s … sad, but she’s okay. She’s living with Rick.”

  “I don’t … what am I doing here?” Andrea asked, looking around. It was as if she was waking from a dream only to find herself in a nightmare. “I don’t know this place.”

  “This is the Blackstone Bay Lighthouse,” Maddie answered. “This is where we found your body. Do you know how you got here?”

  “I didn’t even know Blackstone Bay had a lighthouse.”

  “It’s kind of outside of town.”

  “I shouldn’t be here,” Andrea said, jerking her head around. “I need to get home and take care of Chelsea. I … she needs me.”

  “She can’t see you,” Maddie said, frowning when Olivia shook her head.

  “You can’t convince her of what she doesn’t believe, Sunshine,” she said. “You hav
e to let her figure things out on her own.”

  As if on cue, Andrea started fading. “I need to get to Chelsea.” That was the last thing the woman said before she completely disappeared.

  “Well, that was a bust,” Maddie muttered. “Do you think she’ll come back here, or do you think I’ll have to go looking for her at her house?”

  “I think you should let things sit for at least a day,” Olivia said. “That woman doesn’t understand what happened to her. She’s … muddled. I knew I was dead when I woke up as a ghost. I was still frightened and confused. Andrea needs more time.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up as a ghost,” Maddie said.

  “I’m not,” Olivia replied. “I couldn’t stay on this plane for more than a minute or two when it first happened. You would’ve been miserable waiting for me. Things worked out like they were supposed to work out.”

  “I guess,” Maddie conceded. “I’m glad we have each other now, though.”

  “I am, too,” Olivia beamed, dragging her eyes away from Maddie to study the area. “They’ve really let this place fall apart, haven’t they? Even before I died I didn’t come up here. I guess I wasn’t missing much.”

  “It makes me sad,” Maddie said. “Nick and I used to love to play up here.”

  “Well, maybe the new owners will fix it up,” Olivia suggested brightly.

  “What new owners?”

  Olivia pointed to a spot over Maddie’s shoulder, and when Maddie swiveled she noticed something she hadn’t seen on her initial approach. It was a “for sale” sign, and it had a sticker slapped across it that read “sold.”

  “That wasn’t here the other day,” Maddie said.

  “Do you think it’s important?”

  “I think it’s … interesting. Come on. We should go back to town. I want to find out who bought this place. There has to be a record of it.”

  “Why are you fixated on this?” Olivia asked, floating behind Maddie as she hurried back to her car.

  “Who buys an abandoned building days after a body was found inside?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I’ll tell you who buys it,” Maddie said. “Someone who is trying to hide something. That’s who buys it. We need to know who purchased this building. We might finally have a real lead.”