“The question I have,” stated Julian, “is if she’s a real psychic. If she is, maybe she’s talking to the ghosts too.”
Tori contemplated that. “If she is, we’ll find out tonight. We’re going on that tour. I’ll bring my backup.”
Julian grinned.
“I meant Bethany.”
He stopped smiling.
“Nice. I’ve been replaced by a dead spirit.”
“Don’t feel bad, Julian. I have something that will confirm that Bethany isn't our biggest issue.”
He didn't like the sound of that. “What?”
“Jeffery was covered in lily pads and a frog crawled out of his mouth.”
Claire saw the look on her brother’s face, so she tried to lighten the moment with humor. “I guess that gives new meaning to having a frog in your throat.”
Julian was processing it all.
Tori waited for him to erupt.
In three...
Two…
One…
“Hell no! You are not going into that water to find him.” There was no way his wife was going to risk hers or their child’s life.
“Yeah, we can discuss that part later,” Tori began, “For now, we should start working on the painting and go from there. Baby steps, Julian. We don’t want to sweat something we aren’t dealing with yet.”
He stared at her.
Tori knew her husband. He was going to worry nonstop. If she could get him to focus on the painting, he might not lose it later.
Julian pulled out his pocketknife and handed it to his sister. “Beckett, do you want to touch this?” he asked, pointing at the painting.
He really didn't want to.
“Sure.” He could feel the energy coming off it. This was going to suck.
The minute his fingers made contact, he was inundated with all kinds of pictures.
Some were happy.
Some were sad.
Then, there were the ones he needed to see. They flashed through his head, giving him insight into the woman’s life.
With a gasp, Beckett pulled away. Immediately, he focused on Claire, and she gave him that precious, long sought peace.
“Well?”
“Her own father indeed sold her. The captain was a horrible man. He killed her in the end. It happened right after she hid the letter behind the painting.”
They all stared down at it. How he knew it was a letter only solidified it for them.
Gently, Claire cut the back paper, peeking inside. “Something is here, and it indeed appears to be a letter. Beckett is right.”
“There’s a whole lot of sadness and heartbreak here,” Beckett stated. “I think when she hid the gold, she knew she wasn’t going to live long.”
“That’s believable,” stated Tori. “If her own father sold her for gold, what would he do if it was stolen?”
They all knew that answer.
“So she killed him before she took it,” offered Claire.
Tori nodded. “She had to. Don’t you think they’d both be haunting here if they were buried in or around the house?”
That was a good point.
“Can you read the note?” Julian asked.
Tori took it with gentle fingers and opened it. The paper cracked.
“It’s to the man she loves,” Tori offered.
‘My dearest love,
If you found this, and the map I passed to you, then you know the way to the gold. I left the treasure for you. You deserve it. I likely won’t live much longer, since I ran, but you will have a decent life from here on out. If I survive, I’ll meet you again. If not, I’ll wait for you on the other side.
Forever yours,
Christabel.’
They all pondered it.
Finally, Julian spoke, “Since we found all the things still hidden, he never found the clues.”
“The gold is definitely still here,” stated Beckett. “It also explains how the map was found. It was never hidden in a clue.”
“This gets more and more intriguing,” Claire stated. “This is an amazing case.”
They all looked at her like she was crazy.
“Hey, I lived on a ship and had no adventure. Excuse me for having a good time with this. I was in the Navy. Maybe I like a good pirate story. Sue me.”
Julian shook his head. “We better get this place cleaned up. If there’s a real estate agent coming in, the last thing I need is documentation that we’ve destroyed an old painting, put holes in the walls, and caused a giant mess.”
“Way to think like a boss, worrying about the bottom line,” Tori teased. When he slapped her on the ass, she stared at him openmouthed.
“For clarification, that’s the only bottom line that I’m worried about.”
She laughed. Her husband was over the edge, but that’s what she loved most about him.
Julian loved what he did.
And loved his people.
* * *
Tuesday Evening
Littlemoon Investigations
It was going to be one hell of a long night, and they both knew it. While Justin and Vivian were out wrapping up a divorce case, Kane and Christina were settled in for the long hours ahead of mind numbing research.
If the boss wanted them to find something, they were obligated to do just that.
Bringing his woman a cup of tea, he placed it down before leaning over her to kiss her. “How are you and the baby?” he offered, running his hand over her belly. She now had a visible bump, and when he saw it, Kane was crazy about it.
There was something so empowering when you saw a woman carrying your child.
She was giving him a son.
It was an amazing feeling.
“I’m okay,” she stated. “I feel like I’m dragging ass,” she replied, yawning.
Immediately, Kane made a protein bar appear. “Hungry?” he offered.
She grinned up at her handsome Native man. What she really wanted to do was run her fingers through his long brown hair as she nibbled on his lips.
“You’re always thinking about sex,” he teased. “Thank God!”
She snorted. “Yeah, I can’t help it. You’re sexy. Maybe you should frump yourself up a little. You know, gain some weight, and let yourself go. You could totally rock out a beer belly.”
He looked appalled.
Christina laughed. “See? You don’t like the options, so just let me leer. Your son is killing me. I can’t feed him enough.”
Kane dropped down beside her to open the bar. “Let’s get something for the bosses, and then I’ll take you home and get you food.”
“Tacos. I want tacos.”
He grinned. “Okay, then Mexican it is.”
Christina was glad she had him in her life. Kane was an amazing fiancé, and she was damn lucky.
“What can I help you with?” he asked.
“How about you take Ralph Clarence? Start researching his lineage. Tori needs something to connect him to the house and these killings. I’ll begin with the suspect list. Someone on it has to pop.”
“We’re going to be at this all night,” he warned.
Christina glanced over at him sympathetically. “Yeah, we absolutely will be.”
Just then, there was a knock.
Kane actually jumped, putting his body in front of Christina.
“I’m sorry. I was getting bored upstairs. Is there anything you need help with?” Beau Christensen asked.
Kane was worried. He didn't trust outsiders as a rule. Yes, Chrissy, Tori, and Vivian were ones, but they were loved by Native men he considered brothers.
“Sure!” Christina said.
Kane stared at her, giving her the look. As usual, she ignored him. His Chrissy saw the good in everyone.
“Thanks. I’m going crazy. My mother keeps calling, and I can’t deal with this now.”
Kane pointed to the chair. “How good are you at doing research?” he asked.
The man shrugged. “I can search the int
ernet with the best of them. I usually find the best porn.”
Kane stared openmouthed.
Christina laughed, noticing that Beau had the same sense of humor as Tori. You could tell they were related.
“I’m kidding. What do you want me to do?” Beau offered, pulling up a chair.
Christina handed him some names. “Find me something on any of them, no matter how big or small.”
He nodded. “Thanks for letting me help. I know you don’t like me.”
That was directed at the big Native man. He was giving him the hairy eyeball.
“I don’t have an opinion either way,” stated Kane, earning a kick to his shin. It took everything not to react.
“Don’t worry, Beau. We don’t judge,” Christina said. Well, at least she didn't. Kane… well, he was a different story. The man didn't trust outsiders easily.
Kane wanted to comment. That was total bullshit.
Everyone judged.
It was how you survived.
~ Chapter Twenty-One ~
Tuesday Night
Julian and Tori had headed off to go on their tour. Before it, they opted to have dinner out, giving Beckett the opportunity to romance the woman he wanted to marry.
When Clarissa had called, proclaiming her adoration for the man, Julian was glad. His mother loved her kids, and it was obvious that Beckett would be invited into the mix.
That was a good thing.
Julian was aware of his past, and that only made him want the man to find more peace. He cared about his friends.
At the house, Beckett stood in the kitchen making dinner for the woman he loved. A few short days ago, he never would have ever attempted this, but now, he felt compelled.
There was more to this than just dazzling Claire with his culinary skills. He also wanted to share his past.
It was the right thing to do.
Before he bought a ring, investing his heart further, he needed to know if she would hate him for what he’d done. What he carried inside him was just one more secret, and it had the power to destroy what they had built.
When he looked up, she was watching him.
“What?”
“I was just thinking about how sexy you are,” she offered. “I want to spend the rest of my life watching you,” Claire admitted.
His heart skipped.
If she didn't run, that was his plan.
“Well, checking you out each day will be pretty spectacular too. You’re beautiful. I mean that. You have that sexy tan skin and big doe eyes. I want to fall into them when I look at you,” he admitted.
She grinned. “You only noticed my eyes?”
Her teasing caught him off guard at first, and then he started laughing. “You’re trouble.”
“Damn right. What are you making me? It smells amazing.”
“I’m big into seafood, so I’m pan searing some salmon. I hope you like it.”
She grinned. “I happen to love seafood.”
He stopped long enough to pour some wine into her glass. “I’m glad. Do you cook?” he asked, trying to get to know her better. Oh, and stall.
Beckett was afraid to tell her about his past.
“No. My mother taught us all, but I opt for fast food most nights when I’m home. I don’t like cleaning up. I guess I’m lazy.”
He sipped his wine. “I’ll cook for you.”
Claire would love that.
“That may be even sexier than staring at you,” she offered, teasing him.
Beckett laughed, trying to stay calm.
“I seem to have found a great catch.”
His face went still.
“What?” she asked, staring at him. “Did I say something wrong?” Claire inquired.
“I’m not as great a catch as you may think.” He’d failed at one marriage and killed his only brother. He was far from a catch. He was a hot mess.
“Beck, what’s eating away at you?” she asked, sipping her wine.
“Before we can take our relationship further, Claire, I think you need to know the truth. Other than this skill I have, I also have another secret.”
She stared at him. “Okay, tell me. I’ll listen with an open mind.”
He braced for the rejection. While his parents disowning him was bad enough, losing Claire was going to be crushing, but he owed it to her.
“I killed my brother.”
She didn't know what to say. “I’m sorry, what?”
He took a deep breath before telling her the entire story. “My brother and I were close. We did everything together. I was seventeen and he was almost twenty. One night, while he was on leave, we went out to get lucky.”
She didn't bat an eyelash. If he thought that this would make her run, he was wrong. She had brothers. On the Rez, one of them was always chasing some babe.
Claire knew what men at that age were like.
“Well, we didn't get lucky. In fact, the opposite is true. I stole some beer from my dad, and we got drunk. I then opted to get behind the wheel of our car.”
She knew where this had to be heading.
“He dared me to drive fast, and I was just young, stupid, and drunk enough to do it. I took a corner too fast, and we went off the road. Matt and I were both ejected,” he said, trying to keep his voice level and calm.
Claire put her glass down. “You made a mistake, Beckett.”
“It gets worse. Someone saw us go off the road. They called the cops. When they found us, Matt was dead. He was crushed by the car. I was unconscious not far away. The cops assumed that he’d been driving. When they brought us to the hospital, they told my mother and father that I was the passenger.”
She understood.
“When I woke up, the police questioned me. I was scared out of my mind. I didn't want to ruin my life. I didn't want go to jail, so I let them assume.”
He didn't look well. In fact, Claire swore he’d gone pale.
Beckett fought to stay calm. He had to turn the pan off, because he could feel the mother of all panic attacks coming. Whenever he spoke of that night, they happened.
“I let everyone believe that I was the victim, and my brother was the bad guy. It was a lie. I stole his life.”
“Was that when you picked up this gift of yours?” she asked.
He nodded, almost expecting her to get up and leave. What he’d just shared was horrible.
“What happened next?”
“We buried him. It was the most horrible experience of my life. I watched my best friend go into the ground, and I knew the truth. I was the reason.”
“Your parents?”
“They were angry with him. They’d cursed his name, blaming him for being so careless. They didn't want to forgive him.”
“And then?” She knew he didn't have a good relationship with his parents. “Is that why you don’t talk to them?”
He didn't know what to say to that. Instead, he kept going with the story. “One day, I had enough of them crucifying my dead brother. Plus, I was unable to touch anything that had been Matt’s. It filled me with visions and so much pain. Hoping to rectify what I’d done before I left for college, I told them the truth.”
“It didn't go well, did it?”
“That would be an understatement.”
“I can imagine,” Claire stated. While she didn't condone what he’d done, she understood that he had been a scared boy who was lost in the moment.
“They kicked me out, and they disowned me. To make it even worse, their marriage fell apart, and to this day, they blame me.”
“Why are you telling me this, Beckett?” she asked.
“Before you saddle yourself with me, you deserve to know the truth. I don’t want you to be surprised at the kind of man I am.”
Before she could speak, he closed his eyes. “If you want me to back off, I will. I’ll understand, Claire.”
She watched him. “I have a secret too.” Claire knew that if she wanted to reach him, she needed to heal the man before
her. He was raw and wounded inside and out.
It broke her.
Beckett opened his eyes. “What?”
“I hated my sister for the longest time, and the only reason I joined the Navy was to never see my twin again.”
He waited.
“I fell in love with this really great guy. He was amazing. For once, an outsider didn't see me as some poor Indian from the Rez. He saw the real me. We kept our relationship quiet. It was the final year of high school. I was afraid my brothers would scare him away because they’re a handful.”
Beckett listened as she shared something personal. It gave him hope.
“What happened?” He didn't want Claire in love with anyone else but him.
“I finally brought him home. The family loved him. My mother was happy, my brothers liked the guy, and I really thought that my path in life would be as a wife and mother. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I was getting off the Rez, and going to be happy.”
“But?” he asked.
“I came home from my part-time job, only to find him and my sister having sex in our room. I later found out that somehow, he fell for her. He wasn’t in love with me anymore. He had fallen in love with my twin.”
Beckett cringed. That had to be brutal.
“He dumped me. While I stood there, watching them quickly get dressed, he broke up with me. He looked me right in my eyes and told me it was over. My sister, she didn't toss his ass out, or call him any names. She just said nothing as she held his hand.”
“That had to hurt.”
“It did.”
His heart ached for her.
She nodded. “I hated her for a long time. That next week, I signed up to join the Navy. I didn't want to see her. I didn't want to be near her. We shared a womb, but we weren’t going to share a man. There were lines, and she crossed them.”
He sipped his wine. “What happened with them? Do you ever see him?”
“All the time. They’re still together, have a houseful of kids, and are happy. She married him the day after they graduated. See, they had already started a family. For the longest time, I thought that it was my family that she stole away.”
Unthinkable Games (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 3) Page 34