Grave Missteps

by Lily Harper Hart

  The man nodded. “That’s me. Can I help you?”

  “Oh, well, I hope so.” Kreskin slid his phone inside his pocket and turned to business. “Do you have an elderly aunt who lives in Blackstone Bay?”

  Now it was Steven’s turn to be confused. “Technically. My father has a sister – her name is Mildred – and she lives in Blackstone Bay. I haven’t seen her in years, though.”

  “I see.” Kreskin exchanged a quick look with Nick, who opted to remain on the ground in case the stairs gave way, before continuing. “I regret to inform you that your aunt passed away last night.”

  Steven widened his eyes, surprise evident. “I … well … come in.” He pushed open the door and took a step back.

  Kreskin recognized he was taking a moment to regroup and did as he asked, Nick following a few seconds later. Even though the house was a mess outside, it was clean and neat inside. There was nothing out of place and the clutter from the lawn didn’t stretch beyond the front door.

  “I’m sorry about the mess outside,” Steven offered absently as he led the men into a small kitchen and gestured toward the table. “I only moved here during the winter. I got a great deal on the house at auction because it was a foreclosure. I haven’t had a chance to clean up the yard yet. It’s been too cold.”

  “That’s okay. I didn’t even notice,” Kreskin lied.

  Steven snorted as he moved toward the counter. “Can I get you some coffee?”

  “Sure,” Kreskin replied. “That sounds nice.” He settled at the table with Nick while Steven poured mugs of coffee for everybody. “I’m sorry about the loss of your aunt.”

  “Oh, well, if you want to know the truth, I’ve been trying to decide how I’m supposed to feel about that,” Steven admitted. “In all honesty, I didn’t know her very well. My father insisted we never speak to her and I can’t remember the last time I saw her. I think it was at a family reunion when I was like ten or so.”

  “I don’t want to pry, but why did your father not want you in contact with your aunt?” Kreskin asked, bobbing his head in thanks when Steven delivered the coffee.

  “My father had a rather … um … prickly disposition,” Steven replied. “He and my aunt had a falling out when their father died – and that was shortly after I was born, if I understand the timeline correctly – and they ended up saying some things they couldn’t take back.”

  “Was it over money?” Nick asked.

  Steven shrugged. “My family has never been what you would call well-to-do, which means zero to no inheritance for just about everyone, so I can’t imagine it being over money. Of course, my father was cheap so it probably was about money. Knowing him, he probably burned his relationship with his sister over a couple thousand bucks. That sounds just like him.”

  Nick and Kreskin exchanged a weighted look.

  “And your father is dead now, correct?” Kreskin queried.

  Steven nodded. “He’s been gone a few years now. I was in my late thirties and I’m forty-two now so I guess he’s been gone almost five years. It seems shorter than that for some reason.”

  “And you didn’t try to get in touch with your aunt after the fact?” Kreskin asked.

  “No, and I’m sure you think that makes me a terrible person.” Steven warmed his hands on his coffee mug. “I didn’t know her, though. It wasn’t as if my father was an ogre keeping me away from a nice woman. The few memories I have of Aunt Mildred are terrible. She wasn’t nice to me. In fact, I remember her threatening to smack me around with a hose once.”

  The statement stirred a memory in Nick. “When I was a kid, my best friend lived about a block or so away from Mildred. We played in the woods behind both houses. She threatened me with the hose a time or two, as well. I think that was simply her way.”

  “Well, as a kid, all I knew is that my father thought she was evil and she was mean to me,” Steven explained. “I didn’t have any hate for the woman, but she was a virtual stranger to me.”

  “Still, you must have known a little something about her,” Kreskin prodded. “We’re having trouble tracking down family records. We have Stanley Dombrowski on record as her husband, but apparently she changed back to her maiden name after his death. They were married a long time, but he died on the job a couple decades ago.”

  “Yeah, there’s some sort of story that goes along with that death.” Steven scratched his ear. “I’m trying to remember. I think he was in forestry or something and a tree fell on him.”

  Nick’s eyebrows hopped. “Wow. I never heard that story.”

  “I think it was before your time,” Kreskin supplied. “I don’t think you were born yet … or at least it was close. I honestly don’t remember the story very well either. I was a teenager when it was fresh in the Blackstone Bay gossip circles. I remember some of the women – my mother included – were scandalized when Mildred went back to her maiden name. They didn’t think it was right.”

  “My how times change,” Nick drawled. “Now it’s normal for women to keep their maiden names. I’m still not sure if Maddie is going to take my name when we get married.”

  “I’m sure you guys will work it out.” Kreskin focused on Steven. “I understand you weren’t close with your aunt but there’s something else you should know about her death. A young girl was found in the basement. She was fifteen. We’re trying to figure out how she got there and why Mildred had her.”

  Steven’s expression shifted from curious to astonished. “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “We’re not sure we understand either,” Nick said. “We’re trying to ascertain if Mildred had any children. It’s possible, given her age, that the birth might have been missed if she was young enough and had a home birth. Right now we have absolutely nothing to go on.”

  Steven tapped on his chin and shook his head. “I’m sorry. I never heard of Aunt Mildred having a child. She was younger than my father – oh, a good twelve or thirteen years, I think – so I’m pretty sure I would’ve known if she had a kid. That’s not something the family would’ve been able to keep secret.”

  “That’s what we were wondering.” Kreskin kicked back in his chair. “It’s a mess. I don’t suppose you could tell us everything you remember about your aunt, could you? I know that’s probably not much, but we have to start somewhere.”

  Steven nodded without hesitation. “Anything to help. I hope you discover where that girl belongs. I’m just sick thinking that she’s been left alone in this world. Let me think where to start, though. I’m not sure I can offer much, but I’m willing to help as much as possible.”

  “Take your time.”

  “THIS PLACE DOESN’T LOOK as bad as I feared,” George said as they crested the hill that led to Mildred’s house. “It looks like the roof burned through, but the rest of the structure doesn’t look so bad.”

  “I talked to Nick on the way back from the children’s home and he says whoever started the fire used an accelerant,” Maddie explained, her eyes keen as she searched the bare foliage for a hint of ghostly movements. “The fire spread up but not down so, other than water damage, the house isn’t in terrible condition.”

  “It’s in a good location.” George glanced around, his gaze busy. “I mean … I wouldn’t want to keep this house, but I wonder how much the land will go for.”

  Maddie was confused by the conversational shift. “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, well, I’ve been doing some thinking.” George’s cheeks flooded with color, something Maddie realized she got from him. It was a mannerism that she didn’t learn but somehow inherited from a man she didn’t know until recently. Her mother always hated it when she got to blushing over something stupid, but now Maddie realized it was because it reminded Olivia of her ex-husband.

  “What have you been thinking?” Maddie was honestly curious.

  “I’ve been thinking of buying a house here,” George admitted, his gaze earnest when it snagged with Maddie’s clear blue orbs. “I wanted to run the
idea by you because it would mean seeing each other more often – and I can’t guarantee I would get this parcel of land or anything, but I’m definitely interested because it’s set back from town and yet still close to you – but I’m considering it depending on your reaction.”

  Maddie felt exposed. “I’m not sure I understand,” she said after a beat. “Why do you need my permission?”

  “Because we’re just starting a relationship here and you’re getting married,” George replied. “I’m assuming – eventually, at least – that means there will be grandchildren. I can already picture Nick and you as parents and I don’t want to miss that.

  “Still, our relationship is a work in progress,” he continued. “If you’re not comfortable with me being so close, I understand. I don’t want to be the source of added strain in your life.”

  Maddie licked her lips as she debated the statement. “I want you around.”

  George exhaled heavily, relieved. “Good.”

  “I don’t want you around because you feel guilty, though,” she clarified. “What I mean by that is you don’t have to move here if you don’t want to. I like the idea a lot, but this is a small town. You’re used to bigger cities. In fact … .” She trailed off.

  “I left your mother and moved to a bigger city,” George finished, guilt washing over him. “You’re worried Blackstone Bay might not be big enough for me.”

  “I don’t want you to feel penned in.”

  “I won’t.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  George sighed. He adored his daughter – she was everything he hoped she would grow up to be – but she had a fearful side that showed on occasion and he hated knowing that he might be partially responsible for it. His actions, however misguided, shaped Maddie as a young child. His abandonment made Olivia bitter and Maddie the worrying type. It was too late to take it back, though. He could only move forward.

  “I’m sure.” George was firm. “This area is busier than it was when I first visited. Gaylord and Traverse City aren’t far away if I need to shop. Also, well, I’ll still be working for at least another five years. That means, even if I make this my home base, I’ll have some traveling to do. All of that travel will be to big cities. That’s the nature of my business.”

  “I didn’t think about that.” Maddie tilted her head to the side, considering. “Do you really want to be that close to me?”

  “Yes.” George answered without hesitation. “I want to be as close to you as possible. I want to spend time with you, get to know you. I want to be at your wedding. I want to know your children. Basically, I want to be a better grandfather than I was a father.”

  Maddie’s expression turned sympathetic. “We’ve talked about that. You know I don’t blame you for what happened. Er, well, I don’t blame you for all of it.”

  “I left.”

  “You came back, though. My mother wouldn’t allow you in to see me. Part of this is on her, which is why she hasn’t been around as much. I’ve seen glimpses of her, but it’s almost as if she’s feeling guilty. I wish she would get over it so we could talk and put it behind us, but she’s being sulky.”

  George barked out a laugh, the sound taking Maddie by surprise. “I don’t know a lot of fathers who boast daughters who can see dead people, but I think I’m starting to get used to it. I didn’t even think it was a little weird when you mentioned your dead mother just now.”

  Maddie’s smile was rueful. “Sorry. I know it’s hard for you.”

  “No, it’s hard for you,” George corrected. “I’m your father. I’ll support you no matter what.”

  Maddie beamed. “Well, that goes double for me. If you want to move here permanently and get out of the hotel, I think it’s a great idea. In fact, I think you should look at buying this land. It will drive Granny crazy to know you’re so close.”

  “Yes, that’s an added bonus.” George’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t mention it to her. I want to be the one to tell her if it comes to fruition.”

  Maddie giggled. “She’ll probably steel herself to live forever if she knows you’re close enough to stop in every day. I like this idea more and more.”

  “Yes, well, I have to call the bank.” George turned serious as he eyed the house. “It’s a great piece of land, but we don’t know who owns it now, right?”

  “We definitely don’t,” Maddie agreed. “I’m guessing it was paid for but … it’s weird. Mildred was our neighbor from the time I was born until yesterday. I know absolutely nothing about her, though.”

  “I’m guessing that look on your face means you’re going to find out.”

  “Definitely.”

  “You’re a treasure, Maddie.” George slung an arm around his daughter’s slim shoulders. “Never change.”

  “You sound like Nick.”

  “I’m going to take that as a compliment … at least I think.”

  “You definitely should.”

  9

  Nine

  Nick texted about dinner. Since Maddie wasn’t in the mood to cook, she suggested heading to the local diner. She decided to walk because it was a nice day and found Nick waiting for her in the parking lot when she arrived.

  “You didn’t have to wait out here,” Maddie chided, amused despite herself. “You could’ve claimed our regular booth.”

  “I missed you too much to wait.” Nick wrapped his arms around Maddie and held her tight, burying his face in her hair. “Hmm. You smell like pineapple.”

  Maddie patted his back, sensing right away that he’d had a long day. “It’s a new body spray I picked up for the season. Do you like it?”

  “I honestly wish they would make body spray so you could smell like pot roast.” Nick’s smile was crooked when he pulled back. “This is a nice second option, though.”

  Maddie snorted. “Believe it or not, I think they make body spray that smells like bacon.”

  “Sold.”

  “I’m not sure I want to go around smelling like a breakfast food, though.”

  Nick cocked his head, considering. “I’m not sure I want you going around smelling like bacon either now that I’ve had a chance to give it some thought. You already attract every man who lays eyes on you. If you smell like bacon, I’ll have to carry a big stick around to beat them off.”

  Maddie chuckled as she linked her fingers with his, tugging him toward the door as she studied his face. “You look tired, Nicky.”

  “It’s been a long day, love.” Nick knew better than lying. “I have a lot to tell you.”

  “I have a few things to tell you, too.”

  “Let’s get our regular booth and get to it.” Nick squeezed her hand. “Hey, before that, though, I want to make sure you know I love you.”

  Maddie’s antenna went up. “Is something bad about to happen?”

  “No worse than usual. It simply struck me when I saw you walking up. You are – and always will be – the love of my life.”

  “Oh, right back at you.”

  NICK AND MADDIE OPTED for their favorite circular booth in the back corner of the diner. They preferred it because they could sit next to one another without looking like goofy morons. Maddie reached for the specials menu the second her bottom hit the vinyl seat.

  “Oh, they have pot roast. Look at that.”

  Nick’s smile was smug. “I know what I’m getting.”

  “I figured. I think I’m going with the spaghetti. They have the best sauce here.”

  “Knock yourself out.”

  The diner’s owner, Ruby, approached the table with a harried expression on her face and an order pad in her hand. Maddie and Nick weren’t bothered by her demeanor. They’d known her for the better part of their lives and understood she was more bark than bite.

  “What will it be?”

  “Spaghetti and iced tea,” Maddie answered perfunctorily. “Also, could you add extra mushrooms to the sauce if it’s not too much trouble?”

  “Sure.” Ruby flicked her eyes to N
ick. “Pot roast? You were practically salivating over it when you stopped in to pick up your lunch.”

  Maddie shot Nick a derisive look. “I knew you were up to something when you said you wanted me to smell like pot roast.”

  Ruby let loose a guttural laugh. “Yeah, he’s not good when it comes to manipulation, is he?”

  “I want iced tea, too,” Nick said, resting his arm against the back of the booth, his expression serious. “Let me ask you something, Ruby, did you ever know Mildred Wilkins to have kids?”

  Ruby didn’t bother hiding her surprise at the question. “No. Why? Should I know about kids?”

  “I don’t know. We’re just checking on a few things and we can’t seem to find a complete listing of her family members for some reason.”

  “Mildred always was the private sort.” Ruby shifted from one foot to the other as she searched her memory. “You know, I honestly can’t remember her coming in here more than a handful of times. She didn’t seem sociable.”

  “I was trying to think back to any interactions I had with her over the years, too,” Maddie admitted. “All I remember is her threatening Nick and me with a hose if we walked on her land while playing in the woods. For years I really thought she was going to whip me with a garden hose.

  “Then I remember telling Granny about it one day and she was up in arms,” she continued. “She marched down to the house and had a huge row with Mildred. I thought they might come to blows until Mom stepped in.”

  Nick smiled. “How did that end?”

  Maddie shrugged. “I don’t really remember. I know there was fighting and then Mom intervened. They stopped fighting after that, but I can’t ever remember Granny and Mildred talking again. Granny did flip her the bird whenever we happened to pass by and Mildred was in the yard, though.”

  Ruby’s laughter was so loud it caused a few heads to turn in their direction. “That sounds like Maude. She’s always been a pip. As for Mildred, I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve never seen her with a kid.”

  “That seems to be the general consensus.”