Prelude of Lies

by Victoria Smith

  “I will if you ever work up the guts to ask me proper-like.” See you in two.” She thumbed off the call and took a deep breath before entering the substandard and spooky bathing facilities.

  Daisy had spent too much time in this bathhouse, and the other one, today. The list of what they needed to do seemed to grow and she wasn’t sure they’d be able to salvage the worn out buildings. The toilets were outdated and needed replacing. The tiles in the showers were disgusting or missing and only one sink out of six remained. And the moaning from the stall on the end was enough to make hair stand on end, even in the bright daylight.

  At least the sewer systems passed inspection this morning. She said a silent thanks to Gramps for investing in a quality system his last year in business as she hurried through her routine without venturing past the first shower stall. Thankfully they hadn’t heard the moaning since early this morning.

  Headlights scanned the cabin windows not quite two hours later. Marshal was as punctual as usual. A van and an SUV pulled in with a sleek black sports car at the rear. Daisy figured that was probably the pain-in-the-ass guy Marshal talked about. She didn’t think she wanted to meet him, probably because he gave Marshal such a hard time. Sydney would most likely find an instant ally.

  Marshal jumped out of the first van and she rushed to hug him, Sydney trailing behind like she was going to a funeral. Marshal smelled too good and looked far too fine. If the bright red face and speechlessness of her sister was any indication, Sydney noticed at least one of Marshal’s crew. In a big way. Daisy just couldn’t figure out which one.

  After hugging Dave, Eric, and Ron and introducing Sydney, who now seemed like she’d swallowed a bee, Daisy held her hand out to the only person she didn’t know.

  “Daisy Brooks. Good to meet you.” He had a nice face, except for the scowl.

  “Graham Winston. Didn’t know this would be old home week. I’m sure whatever we find here is going to be real reliable.” He released her hand quickly, as if she was dirty. She decided right then she didn’t like him much.

  He turned to Marshal. “How will I know this scene isn’t something all of you cooked up to prove my opinions are wrong? You all are very well acquainted.”

  Sydney stepped forward, and Daisy hid a smile. She knew that expression, the one her sister used when someone was being unfairly judged. There went any ideas she might have had about hooking her sister up with the snotty man.

  “I can assure you, Mr. Winston, this scene, as you put it, is a group of people who just happen to enjoy working together. I would not allow them on the property if I felt their intentions were anything but professional.”

  Marshal winked after Sydney turned away with the keys to Cabin B in her hand. Daisy didn’t miss the interest in Graham’s eyes, either. Might turn out to be an interesting couple of days around the old campground.

  Sydney hid her fear well as she unlocked the cabin door and moved to the side for Marshal and his crew to enter. Sydney couldn’t fool her though, and Daisy grabbed her hand on the way inside. Marshal’s eyes lit up as he scanned the room. She gasped and so did Sydney.

  “What the hell?” Daisy said a little louder than intended.

  “This place was spotless when I left.” Sydney raised her chin, daring anyone to argue.

  “Excellent.” Marshal studied the paper products strewn over the floor. Since they weren’t sure how the water system inspection was going to turn out, they’d agreed on disposable plates to save the little water they knew they had available.

  Two packages of paper plates lay on the floor, and another had been opened and strewn around like someone had played a game of indoor Frisbee. Napkins littered the windowsills and an entire roll of toilet paper had been strung around the room.

  “This wasn’t spirits.” Marshal picked up an empty beer can from the counter. “Unless you left this behind?” He turned to Sydney.

  “Not my brand. And no, it wasn’t here before.” Sydney visibly relaxed and released Daisy’s hand. “We’re having some trouble with a few individuals who believe this property should belong to them.”

  Marshal checked his watch. “Let’s get this cleaned up and settle in for the night. In the morning, I’d like to interview both of you. We’ll hook up the equipment tomorrow.”

  “Syd, go to bed. You look like hell. I’ll help with the cleanup. Besides, you’ve already done it once.” Daisy gave her a gentle push toward the door.

  Sydney nodded and left the cabin. The fact that she hadn’t argued worried Daisy. Marshal watched Sydney with barely veiled interest. Daisy was pretty sure sparks would fly before he realized Sydney wasn’t the woman for him.

  “I’d like to interview you as well. And your sister. But not at the same time.” Graham’s irritated demeanor seemed absent.

  Daisy nodded, though she didn’t want to. She hoped the guy had an open mind, even if he never changed it. Maybe after seeing Marshal’s crew in action on a legitimate case he’d start to appreciate paranormal investigators. After helping clean up the cabin, she told Marshal to check out the pond and went to make sure Sydney was okay. Marshal wanted to talk to Sydney about her experience tonight, but was satisfied with the pictures Daisy convinced Sydney to let her take.

  Their days started too early lately. Usually they were both sound asleep by now. And tomorrow would start even earlier, thanks to Tucker and his crew. Daisy shoved thoughts of Tucker out of her overflowing brain and locked the cabin door behind her.

  Sydney sat at the table, a bottle of water in front of her and a pensive expression. “Is this okay? Are we doing the right thing?”

  “There’s no right or wrong to it. This is our property and our decision. We’ll know if something underhanded is going on here and with Marshal’s crew around, we’ll have protection from Jace and Violet. Marshal said they’ll definitely watch out for us. I didn’t get a chance to tell him everything, but Marshal gets the picture. He’s a good guy and he’s excited to investigate here.” She sat down, wishing for her bed, as uncomfortable as it was. “That Graham is kind of interesting. Cute, in an arrogant kind of way.”

  “He’s a jackass.” Sydney flicked her water bottle.

  “Yeah, but kind of a cute jackass.” Why did she find it necessary to hook Sydney up with Graham? She didn’t like the guy much either.

  “I didn’t notice.” That thoughtful expression meant something.

  “Who did you notice?” She studied Sydney.

  “No one.”

  “Oh please. They’re all handsome in their own way. Just maybe not the highly-polished material you prefer.”

  “Considering how long it’s been since I’ve had sex, I’m surprised I didn’t think the arrogant bastard was hot.” Sydney laughed, her face bright red, but a sparkle finally was back in her eyes. “Too bad none of them are my type.”

  “There’s a type for hot sex? Go for it, pick one and do him with no regrets. Tell him straight up that you’re not interested in anything more than a few nights between the sheets.” Uh-oh. She should have kept quiet. Sydney’s eyebrows raised and that motherly disapproving glare she saved for Daisy’s wild times appeared.

  Daisy waited for the questions. Sydney would want to know how many of Marshal’s crew she’d slept with. Before Daisy got her back up and prepared to defend herself, Sydney’s expression softened and she sighed.

  “Sure. I wish. I’m not as ballsy as you. Just once, I wish I could. One night of fantastic sex with a stranger and no guilt afterward. That’s a fantasy. I could never do that.” Sydney put her head down and groaned.

  “You have to be true to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up because you’re not a slut like me.” Not quite a laugh because she wondered if that was really how her sister viewed her.

  “You’re not a slut. Far from it. I think I’m a prude.”

 
; “You are not. We’re quite a pair, aren’t we? Sitting here discussing our sex lives with a cabin full of prime candidates just a few feet away. If those guys weren’t like my brothers I’d consider finding a warm place to snuggle.”

  “What about Tucker? He did a whole lot of watching you and flirting today.”

  Daisy didn’t want to talk about Tucker, but it wasn’t Sydney’s fault things had turned out the way they did.

  “Tucker is sweet, romantic, and wonderful. Too bad his ex-girlfriend turned up pregnant about two months after we started dating. He went back to her. To do the right thing.” She tried to ignore the stabbing pain in her heart by peeling the label off of Sydney’s water bottle.

  “Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?” Sydney grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  “I wanted to, but it was easier to be bitter. I knew you’d make me realize how much he meant to me and I didn’t want to admit that. I don’t know. It seemed like one more way I screwed up. I guess I felt like a jerk.”

  “For what? How did you screw that up? Because you still like the guy and he did the right thing? He’d be a jerk if he didn’t and so would you, no matter what the rest of civilization does. What kind of an example would he be for those kids he works with?”

  “I know. I would have broken things off with him if he would have told her to pound sand or questioned his role as the baby’s father. It just sucks, you know? I haven’t been with anyone since him. I just can’t bring myself to get involved, even for simple sex.” Ouch. That hurt to admit. Sydney was probably the only person who understood though.

  She tugged her forward and hugged her across the table. “I know. I’m sorry you had to deal with it alone. Maybe you can have some closure with Tucker now.”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” Daisy fought the tears climbing her throat. She would not cry for Tucker. Ever.

  “There’s got to be a reason Tucker’s here.”

  Daisy didn’t know what to say. She cared and she didn’t.

  “Doesn’t matter. I’m okay, Syd. Really.” Daisy ripped the label the rest of the way off of Sydney’s water bottle, knowing Sydney would see right through her lie. Hopefully, she’d let the subject drop for now.

  Silence loomed for a few minutes. Finally, thank goodness, Sydney stood and stretched. “If you’re sure you’re okay, I think I’m going to bed.” Sydney yawned.

  “I’m fine. Honest. I’ve been dealing with this thing for months now. The question is are you okay?”

  Sydney nodded. “I’m too tired to even think about ghosts. Or sex.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Okay, so only part of that was true. Sydney definitely was too tired to have sex, but not to think about it. Unless of course, Marshal knocked on her window and then she’d have to let him in.

  Hopefully, Daisy didn’t notice her reaction to Marshal. Sydney thought all the fluids had drained out of her body as soon as she caught sight of him. Damn, but the man was beautiful. The black T-shirt showed off every muscle. There couldn’t be an ounce of fat on him.

  She cringed. Letting Daisy know she lusted after one of her best friends wasn’t a good idea. She’d been too chicken to ask about him for fear the question would give her away. This was one of those times she’d love to have Daisy’s attitude about sex. A couple of nights in Marshal’s bed would be enough. More than that would give her complications she didn’t need or want.

  Too bad she was too scared to act on the impulse.

  She could dream about him. At least that would keep her mind off what happened in the same cabin where the guys now slept. Forcing the experience out of her weary mind, she settled in and tried to picture Marshal without his shirt.

  The next morning, her fantasy came true as she followed the overgrown path back to the cabin after her walk. Too bad she hadn’t kept her head up so she could have watched him come toward her. As usual, her attention was on the ever-growing list of things that needed taken care of before they could even think of opening the campground, and she ran right into him.

  At first, she thought she’d bumped into a tree. Stunned, she stayed still, wondering if trees really put out that much heat.

  “Sorry. Are you okay?” Husky voice, warm, solid chest. Holy shit.

  She tried to compose herself, slyly bringing her hand up to her chin to make sure she wasn’t drooling. His chest was directly in front of her and she didn’t want to stare. His eyes were no help, they had the same effect on her. She was an idiot and now he would know as well.

  “I’m fine.” She almost asked if he was okay, but figured she’d have done little damage to him even if she tried. “Sorry. Wasn’t paying attention.”

  “Me either. Trying to get in a run and come up with a schedule.” He held up a notebook similar to hers.

  “Same here. There’s a lot to do.” She managed to relax and met his eyes. The warmth there did little for the carnal urges she’d had since meeting him, but she liked the tiny crinkles around his eyes.

  “If my team being here is holding you up, we can come back another time. I do believe you both are safe here, for the most part.” His smile melted her insides.

  “Actually, no. I might not completely believe in what you do, but I’ll be grateful to have some answers.” And the protection you provide. She almost said that last part, but decided against it. She didn’t want him to think that was the only reason she’d agreed to this investigation.

  “Fair enough. Did Daisy mention I need to interview you about what happened yesterday?”

  “She did. Just tell me when.” Sydney didn’t really want to talk about that ever again, but the truth was, she needed answers.

  “After breakfast? I’d like you to be a part of the investigation tonight, if you’re up to it. Maybe if you see how we operate, you’ll have a better understanding of what we do.” Did he seem nervous?

  “I hoped I could. No matter what my sister says, I am not closed minded and unreachable.” Why was she so defensive? Why did she care what he thought? What had Daisy told him?

  “She didn’t say exactly that, but she did tell me how she works at getting under your skin by exaggerating pretty much any story out there.” He winked and her lower limbs dissolved.

  “That brat.” Sydney couldn’t help but smile. “I had a feeling, but she’s always so serious about the subject. I thought for sure she had cracked up.”

  “That’s what she says about you.”

  Sydney quelled the brief flare of irritation and smiled.

  “I’ll see you after breakfast.” He gave her a half-salute. She couldn’t resist the urge to turn and watch him walk away.

  His broad back and gray running shorts were enough to make a blind woman drool. She couldn’t stop watching and wondered what Daisy would say if she caught her. Yikes. She needed to get a grip and bury the uncharacteristic itch.

  She had her libido under control by the time she arrived at the cabin. Except Graham stood on the porch, and all the thoughts about imaginary hot sex with Marshal evaporated as irritation filled the spaces.

  “Can I help you?”

  “I was hoping I could help you,” he said.

  The effort it took to not roll her eyes almost zapped her strength. Somehow, she managed to remain polite.

  “With what?” She had a feeling she wasn’t going to like anything that came out of his mouth.

  “I think this whole ghost hunting crap is bunk. From what I understand, you share a similar view of the situation. I thought we might put our heads together and see if these ‘top-notch investigators’ can spot a ruse, or if they’re as dumb as I think they are.” He brushed at a fly that continuously landed on his expensive-looking running jacket.

  His irritation at the persistent insect amused her, but she tried not to show it. She allowed his wor
ds to sink in, stunned. Angry, that he assumed because of her skeptical view, she’d be a party to his scheme.

  “So, regardless of the fact that you’re researching paranormal activity for a book that pays your bills, you want to mess with the odds and arrange the outcome? I may be a skeptic, but I am not so sealed off that I can’t accept the possibility of paranormal activity. Just because I happen to disregard the stories, doesn’t mean they can’t be true.” She was an inch from his nose, barely able to see the shock on his face.

  “So, is that a no?”

  “Of course it’s a no. And don’t think I’m going to keep your secret. Marshal and his team will know you want to trick them. You obviously formed a wrong opinion of me.” She backed off, putting some distance between them.

  “Obviously. Never mind. Without help, there’s no way. I would like to interview you, if you would be so kind?” From the scowl on his face, Sydney figured he knew he screwed up.

  For a brief second, she felt for the guy. She knew all too well what it was like to be surrounded by die hard believers unwilling to see the hard evidence or logical possibilities. From what Marshal said, most of that had been faked by her sister to irritate her, so now she wasn’t quite sure what her sister believed.

  “Tell you what, if, by the end of this investigation, you can find a shred of an open mind, I’ll give you an interview. Start treating my sister’s friends like professionals. I would imagine you hate to be treated like anything less?” Sydney moved past him. “And FYI, don’t wear cologne out here. The flies love it. So do the mosquitoes.” She banged the door closed behind her as she left Graham standing on the porch.

  Daisy applauded as she shut the door. “Well said. Did you know I was in here?”

  “No. I thought you were with Tucker. You thought I said all that for your benefit?” Sydney leaned against the door.