Ghostly Wedding (A Harper Harlow Mystery Book 17)

by Lily Harper Hart

  Harper hesitated and then held out her hands. “I don’t remember the specifics of what I was feeling at that time. I just heard people saying ‘and that poor baby’ over and over again. I never pictured the baby inside of Penny. In my head, somehow the baby was a separate thing.”

  “I looked at the file from the disappearance when we got back to the office,” Jared volunteered. “It sounds like a lot of manpower went into the search. It wasn’t one of those things that they dropped the ball on. They looked for her for weeks.”

  “They did,” Harper agreed. “It was big news down here.”

  “She was white, young, and carrying a baby. That’s always going to be big news.”

  “She was also from an affluent family,” Harper added. “That was even bigger news. A reward was offered, and I remember there being whispers about her possibly running away. I asked my mom about it, but she didn’t think Penny ran away.

  “As a child, I didn’t understand the intricacies of the situation,” she continued. “I do now, though, and I don’t think it makes sense for her to run away. By all accounts, Lila was open and understanding to what happened. She wasn’t shaming Penny for getting pregnant or threatening to cut her off.

  “Lila had enough money to send Penny away to Europe, say she was going to a special school or something, and hide her out there until the baby was born. She didn’t do that, though. It was common knowledge that Penny was going to have a baby. I do remember that much.”

  “What do you think happened to Penny?” Jared queried. “I’ve read the file and there were some assumptions made there. I’m curious what you think, though.”

  “I think she was killed,” Harper replied. “I think she ran into the wrong person and was murdered. As for her body, we’re surrounded by woods in some places out here. If someone wanted to hide a body, they could’ve done it.”

  “I don’t disagree with you there,” Jared said. “One theory in the file I read was that she was so close to her due date that someone took her because he or she wanted the baby. Apparently they were even watching to see if anybody showed up with an unexplained infant. That fizzled out after a few weeks, though, because there were no new babies in town.”

  “Isn’t it rare for someone to actually try to steal a baby and pass it off as their own?”

  “Yes. It’s a specific mental illness. It’s one of the few crimes that’s almost always committed by women. There are men out there who fetishize pregnancy for sexual purposes, but they don’t get nearly as much attention as the women who steal babies to raise.”

  “That’s because the babies sometimes survive in that scenario.”

  Jared shot her a curious stare. “What do you mean?”

  “Just that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for those stories, and that’s why people focus on them. It’s a terrible scenario, but there is a way to find some happiness in it. People desperately need to cling to happiness when tragedy strikes. For some, it’s all they can do.”

  “Huh.” Jared rubbed his chin. “That’s fairly profound, Heart. I hadn’t really thought about it before, but you’re right.”

  “I’m always right,” Harper readily agreed, causing Jared to smile.

  “In this case, it was theorized the baby could’ve made Penny a target, but it was also theorized that the baby might not have survived the ordeal, which means Penny and the baby could be buried in the woods together.”

  “And that means it’s possible they’ll never be found,” Harper mused.

  “Exactly.” Jared bobbed his head. “She might not have been killed locally anyway. She could’ve been transferred to another part of the state, or trafficked through Canada. We’re close to the Blue Water Bridge. There are a lot of possibilities.”

  “It’s also possible there was some sort of tragic accident,” Harper added. “She might’ve decided to take a walk down a nature trail and gotten lost. It’s unlikely, but never say never.”

  “That’s my philosophy,” Jared agreed. “The thing is, I felt sorry for Lila. She’s obviously cut herself off from the rest of the world. She looks to hole up in that house and hang out with her butler while shutting out the rest of the world. To me, that’s no way to live.”

  “Grief paralyzes people,” Harper noted. “No matter how you think you will act, reality might have something else in store for you.”

  “That’s also profound.” Jared briefly rested his cheek on her head as she leaned close. The conversation wasn’t of the warm-and-cuddly variety and it was making both of them uncomfortable. “As for Humphrey, I have no idea why he would be interested in Montgomery Manor. I can’t find any ties between him and the family.”

  “Maybe he wanted to buy an antique or something. It could be innocuous.”

  “Well, if your ghost comes calling again tonight, you can ask him.”

  “Yeah.” Briefly, Harper took on a far-off expression. Then she recovered and focused on her food. “Let’s talk about something else for a bit. Do you want me to tell you the whole story of our takedown?”

  It was weird that a ghost story would end up being lighter than what they’d been talking about, but Jared recognized Harper didn’t want to dwell on Penny’s likely horrible fate. “Absolutely. I love a good takedown story.”

  “Well, then prepare to be amazed. After that, we’ll take our cheesecake into the bedroom.”

  “I think that sounds like a perfect evening.”

  “Me, too.”

  8

  Eight

  Since Jared provided dinner the night before, Harper took it upon herself to deliver him a world-class breakfast the next morning.

  “You’re such a good provider,” Jared teased as he dug into his bowl of Cookie Crisp.

  Harper made a face. “I thought about toaster strudel, but it seemed like too much work.”

  “The Cookie Crisp is fine. I happen to be a big fan.”

  “Good.” Harper dug into her own bowl, her gaze drifting to the small television on the counter as the morning news broadcaster touched on the accident in Whisper Cove. “What are your plans for the day?”

  “Cameras on Main Street. We asked the business owners to pull their footage yesterday. We’re hoping to get a license plate.”

  “Are the odds good for that?”

  Jared shrugged. “It’s always a crapshoot. The feeds are never very good. Some business owners haven’t updated their technology in ten years. The angles aren’t great either. Sometimes it works. What about you?” He sipped his juice as he regarded her.

  Harper went back to focusing on her cereal. “I’m sure it will be a normal day.”

  That could mean almost anything and they both knew it. Jared kept his eyes on her, waiting, and then grinned when she sighed. He already knew her plans even if she’d yet to own up to them.

  “I was thinking that Zander and I might head out to Montgomery Manor.”

  “Oh, really?” Jared feigned surprise. “And what are you going to do out there?”

  “Just ... walk around.”

  “On private property?”

  “I was thinking we might do it on the down low.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Nothing major,” she insisted.

  “You know that walking around on private property on the down low is against the law, right?”

  “I figured we would say we were hiking and got turned around if caught.”

  “So, you’re actively planning to break the law and you have no qualms about admitting that to your police officer boyfriend. That’s ... interesting.”

  Harper’s smile was benign. “I wouldn’t phrase it that way.”

  “How would you phrase it?”

  “You’re my fiancé, not my boyfriend.”

  “Oh, well, I like that you’re quibbling with that detail.”

  “And in a few days I’ll be able to refer to you as my husband. I’m really looking forward to that, by the way.”

  “So you can name drop your husba
nd the cop when breaking the law?”

  “Yup. That’s the main reason I’m marrying you.”

  He smirked. “Just be careful. If I have to go out there, I will arrest you. At least that way I know you’ll be safe for the run-up to the wedding.”

  “Oh, baby, you say the most romantic things,” Harper teased.

  “I’m being serious.”

  “That’s why it’s romantic. You don’t have to worry about me, though. I’m taking Zander. We’ve done stuff like this before. We have everything under control.”

  “You have no idea the chills that sends down my spine.”

  “We’ll be fine. Just keep me updated if you find anything.”

  “Right back at you.”

  Harper paused, her spoon halfway to her mouth. “We’re turning into quite the investigative team,” she said finally. “I like it.”

  Love for her bubbled up. “I like it, too. I’ll still arrest you.”

  “That part is less likable.”

  “You’ll survive.”

  ZANDER WASN’T KEEN ON A DAY SPENT hiding behind trees, but he hated being left out more than being included in activities he found annoying.

  “Don’t spend too much time under trees that drop sap,” he instructed as they trudged through the woods. He was dressed in trendy camouflage and wore expensive hiking books that didn’t have a single scuff on them. “Sap can burn skin.”

  Harper wrinkled her nose. She’d opted for simple khaki shorts and a black T-shirt, neutral colors that wouldn’t stand out if anybody caught a glimpse of them from afar. “Where did you read that?”

  “I saw it on a news show.”

  She slowed her pace. “You saw on a news show that sap is a danger to skin?”

  “Yes.”

  “What news show?”

  “I forget.”

  “It sounds like nonsense.”

  “Um, I’m the smartest person you know. You’re the one who talks in the language of nonsense.”

  “I’m pretty sure if we lined up everybody we know, they would say the exact opposite.”

  “Um, no.”

  “Um, yes.”

  They lapsed into companionable silence as they continued through the trees. Harper was the one to break it, which wasn’t the norm when it came to their relationship.

  “Jared and I were talking about Penny last night, about her disappearance. Have you ever given it much thought?”

  “I always assumed someone wanted the baby and that’s why she was killed.”

  “And the baby?”

  He held out his hands. “I don’t know. I would like to think that the baby survived and is living a wonderful life, completely oblivious to the fact that his or her mom is a nutter who killed a woman for a baby.”

  “Jared and I talked about that, too,” Harper admitted. “That’s the ideal scenario, the one that makes us feel better. People want to believe that so they lean in that direction.”

  “What do you believe?”

  “You know it’s far more likely the baby dies in those scenarios than survives, right? We only remember the miraculous stories about babies surviving because that’s the outcome that we wanted to hear about.”

  “I wouldn’t disagree. Still, we have no proof they’re dead. Maybe Penny took off. That happens. Heck, that’s happened to people we know. Remember Jennifer? She took off and survived. She managed to hide for years.”

  “She did and I’m glad things worked out for her. This is different, though. The baby adds a layer ... and it’s an important layer.”

  “I don’t disagree. I’m not sure what that has to do with Peter Humphrey, though.”

  “I don’t either. That doesn’t mean I’m not intrigued.”

  “I’m guessing he didn’t invade your dreams again last night.”

  “No, and I was kind of hoping he would. All I dreamed about last night was having to walk down an aisle made of lily pads and dodge the sharks that kept poking their heads through the gaps as I tried to get to Jared. I mean ... what sort of dream is that?”

  Zander let loose a snort. “Are you serious? The wedding is in a few days. That’s a normal anxiety dream. You’re just worried something is going to pop up at the last second and somehow derail your happily ever after.”

  “It doesn’t sound normal to me.”

  “That’s because you’re a worrier. It’s completely normal. If you weren’t having dreams about that, I would think you were a sociopath.”

  “Well, thank you for your clinical opinion.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I was being sarcastic.”

  “Then you should get better at it because your delivery was flat.”

  “Oh, whatever.” Harper rolled her eyes and blew out a sigh. “So, back to Penny. Do you remember hearing people talk about it when we were kids? All I remember is Mom and Dad saying how sad it was. My mom kept saying ‘maybe she ran away.’ It’s weird that’s preferable, right?”

  “Life, however difficult, is always going to be preferable to death.”

  “I guess. I—” Harper broke off at the sound of approaching feet and lifted a finger to quiet Zander. It was already too late, though.

  Lila, a wide-brimmed hat perched on her head, poked her head through a set of bushes and fixed the duo with a polite smile. “Hello. Wonderful day, isn’t it?”

  Harper’s heart pounded so hard it threatened to burst out of her chest. “Um ... hello.”

  “We were hiking and got lost,” Zander blurted out, sticking to the story. “We thought we might die out here. Thank you so much for finding us.”

  Lila’s expression reflected amusement. “You thought you might die out here?”

  “The world is big and wonderful,” Zander replied automatically. “It’s also frightening if you wander too far away from civilization. Thankfully, there are people like you out there to protect those of us who are plagued with a poor sense of direction.”

  “I see.” Lila’s smile never wavered. “How about you step through here, huh?”

  It was a thick wall of vegetation, but Harper did as requested. Once on the other side, she realized just how far off their intended path they’d wandered, because suddenly they were in the middle of Lila’s rather impressive rose garden.

  “That’s weird.” Harper tilted her head as she surveyed the house in the background. “I would’ve thought we were still over there.” She pointed for emphasis. “We definitely went farther than I thought.”

  “But at least you’re safe now,” Lila teased. She didn’t look unhappy at the appearance of strangers in her yard, something Harper took as a good sign. “That’s all that matters, right?”

  “Right,” Harper replied automatically. “That’s the most important thing.”

  “Actually, the most important thing is that neither of us was harmed by falling sap,” Zander corrected. “Harper has skewed priorities.” He tapped the side of his head. “I know what’s important, though.”

  “I’m sure you do.” Lila retrieved a small shovel from the ground and went to work on her garden. “You’re the Harlow girl, right?”

  Harper swallowed hard. “I am. We’re really sorry for getting turned around.”

  “I think we can drop that pretense, huh?” Lila suggested.

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Harper was distinctly uncomfortable. “We didn’t mean to trespass on your property.”

  “Okay.” Lila worked on smoothing out a patch of dirt. “I was visited by two police officers yesterday. It was a surprise because very few people visit me. I’ve gotten used to my solitude and am fine with that, but I was intrigued enough that I did a little digging after they left.”

  She paused in her ministrations and focused on Harper. “One of the detectives, the younger one, has only been in Whisper Cove for about two years. He’s been in the newspaper several times, though, including when a man returned from the dead and tried to injure a woman from his past. That woman happened to be the curre
nt girlfriend of the detective I met.”

  Harper swallowed hard. “Um ... .”

  “You’re quite famous in certain circles,” Lila continued, not missing a beat. “People say you can talk to ghosts.”

  Zander immediately switched gears, pulling a business card from his back pocket and extending it toward Lila. “Do you have ghost needs? We have a great reputation in the community and can provide you with references.”

  Lila took the card and placed it next to her tools. “I’m good for now, although I am curious how this ghost thing works. I called a few old friends to ask about you last night, Ms. Harlow, and all of them seem to think you’re the real deal.”

  Harper had no idea what to make of that, or how to respond. “Why were you asking around about me?” she asked finally.

  “Because a visit from two detectives asking about a man I’ve never heard of was enough to pique my curiosity.”

  “I’m not sure what you want me to say,” Harper admitted. She hated being put on the spot. Lying didn’t feel like the way to go, though, so she opted to be straightforward. “We really are sorry for trespassing.”

  “See, I think you’re sorry about being caught,” Lila countered. “As for trespassing, you guys likely wouldn’t have been caught if I hadn’t decided to work in my garden today. It was bad luck for you, but yesterday’s visit got me to thinking about old times, and when I feel sad, I come to my rose garden.”

  She straightened and gestured toward a beautiful bush that was overflowing with pink flowers. “I planted that for Penny. When it became apparent that she wasn’t coming home, I wanted something to remember her by. I didn’t have a body, so there was no grave, but I needed a place to mourn.”

  “It’s a beautiful bush,” Harper said. “Sometimes I wish I had a green thumb because I would like to be able to take pride in a bush like that. I don’t have that luxury, though. I kill everything.”

  “Maybe you’re simply looking in the wrong place,” Lila suggested. “Maybe your talents lie elsewhere, like cooking ... or crafts.”

  “I made breakfast this morning for the man who will be my husband in a few days. It was cereal.”