Grave Insight (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 2)

by Hart, Lily Harper

  “So, in addition to being psychic, you can see ghosts, too, huh? That’s handy,” Tara said. Her face was drawn, her tone dark.

  “I’m so sorry,” Maddie said. “If I had seen this happening to you, I would have stopped it. I just didn’t see.” She slipped her hand into Nick’s. “I don’t know why I didn’t see it.”

  “You saved me on the street, Maddie,” Tara said. “I’m guessing I was supposed to die then. You did the best you could.”

  “It wasn’t enough.”

  “You can’t do everything, can you?”

  “I guess not.”

  “I’m glad to see you and Nick finally found each other,” Tara said. “He bought your flowers from me. Did you like them?”

  “They were beautiful,” Maddie said. “I didn’t realize he bought them from you.”

  Nick’s face was unreadable as he watched Maddie talk to air. He was comfortable letting her do her thing, which was the best gift he ever could have given her – even better than the turtle and the flowers.

  “He was nervous,” Tara said, smiling. “He was cute, though.”

  “He’s always cute. Do you know what happened to you?”

  “I’m not sure,” Tara said. “We were listening to the band. I was getting a headache. There was only so much bitching I could put up with. Marla was really pushing Cassidy’s buttons.

  “You should know, I don’t think every horrible thing Cassidy has done was her idea,” she continued. “I didn’t realize until last night that Marla was pulling her strings. She’s been putting ideas in her head.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Anyway, I needed a break,” Tara said. “I volunteered to go to the beer tent. I remember talking to someone … I think it was Alan. He was really drunk, and he wanted to dance. It was better than talking to Marla, so I told him after I dropped the drinks off at the table I would love to dance.

  “The line was kind of long, and I was waiting in it, when … I don’t know … it kind of goes black,” she said. “I think something caught my attention in the trees. That’s not really a memory. It’s just something I think I know.”

  “It’s okay,” Maddie soothed. “You’re doing great. What’s the absolute last thing you remember?”

  “Knowing that I’d made a terrible mistake.”

  Maddie swallowed hard. “Did you see who it was? Did you see his face? Can you describe him?”

  Tara shook her head. “No.”

  “Did you get a feeling of familiarity? When you think about it, do you think you recognized him?”

  “I don’t know,” Tara said. “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t worry,” Maddie said. “Hopefully it will come back to you. You’re probably not going to be able to stay here long. You’ve already expelled a lot of energy. When you come back, find me. Go ahead and come to the house. Granny knows everything, so I’ll be able to talk to you without worrying about it.”

  “I see Nick knows, too,” Tara said, fading slightly. “Is that why you left him when you were a teenager?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you think he wouldn’t understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “He’s a better man than you gave him credit for,” Tara said, almost invisible now.

  “He’s the best man in the world,” Maddie said. “When you come back, find me.”

  “I will.”

  Once she was gone, Maddie exhaled heavily and turned to Nick. “She doesn’t know who it was. The last thing she remembers is Alan asking her to dance. She thinks something grabbed her attention by the trees, but she’s not sure what. She doesn’t remember dying. I’m not sure I want her to.”

  “It’s okay,” Nick said, kissing Maddie softly. “It’s okay.”

  Maddie wrapped her arms around his waist and basked in his warmth for a few minutes. “Can we get out of here? I don’t want to be here anymore.”

  “Sure,” Nick said, kissing her forehead. “Let’s get some dinner, because I don’t want to cook and I don’t want to order pizza again, and then we’ll go. We’ll watch a movie.”

  Maddie was intrigued. “What movie?”

  “How about The Goonies?”

  Maddie smiled. “That sounds … perfect.”

  Nick linked his fingers with hers as they emerged from the trees. “As much as I’d like a repeat of the funhouse, I was thinking we could put it off until the next festival. It’s Blackstone Bay, after all, and it will only be a few weeks before we get another chance.”

  “Thank you,” Maddie said. “I just can’t deal with that stuff right now.”

  “I can’t either,” Nick said, leading Maddie through the crowd. “You have to make me a promise, though.”

  “What promise is that?”

  “You’re going to let me feel you up when we finally get to go to the funhouse.”

  Maddie chortled. “Seriously?”

  “I’m easily pleased.”

  “I promise.”

  Nick smiled. “So, what do you want to eat?”

  “I want Middle Eastern from Paul’s stand.”

  “The food is good,” Nick agreed. “That sounds good. I’ll buy you a kabob and some rice, and then we’ll pick up elephant ears on the way out. I figured we could also get caramel corn, cotton candy, and ice cream cones for the walk home.”

  “Do you want me to get sick?”

  “No one says you have to eat it all,” Nick reminded her.

  “Yes, but you also know I have zero willpower. Why do you think I run five miles a day?”

  “Because you know you look hot in those tiny shorts,” Nick shot back.

  “I’ve probably gained five pounds since I hurt my ankle,” Maddie said.

  “You’re the most beautiful person in the world, Mad,” Nick said. “Your body is amazing. Some junk isn’t going to hurt it, at least for one night. I want junk food and you tonight. That’s it.”

  “I guess you’re going to get your wish,” Maddie replied. “That’s what I want, too.”

  “See, we really are perfect for each other.” Nick stopped in the middle of the fair long enough to grace her with a smoldering kiss.

  Maddie was happily encouraging him with her tongue when a voice interrupted their interlude.

  “Oh, you two really have no shame, do you?”

  Maddie moved to pull away from Nick, but he stilled her with a forceful arm around her waist. “What do you want, Marla?” he asked, irritated. “No one invited you to our personal party.”

  “This is a public fair,” Marla said, tugging on Cassidy’s arm and pulling the woman closer so they were standing shoulder to shoulder. “Are you two happy?” Maddie noticed that Charles was present again, although he was hanging back and staring at her rather than Marla.

  “We are,” Nick said. “You should try it. You’d be surprised how happiness eradicates the need to hurt others from your life.”

  “Oh, is that what you’re doing?” Marla asked, sarcasm dripping from her tongue. “I thought you were rubbing your indiscretion in your ex-girlfriend’s face.”

  Nick’s was neutral as he regarded Cassidy. “I’m sorry to hurt you,” he said. “I had no idea you’d be here. We didn’t have plans to come, but Tara’s death kind of threw our day into disarray.”

  “Oh, what a great apology,” Marla said.

  “Shut up, Marla,” Nick snapped. “I’m not putting up with your crap tonight. We’re getting food, and then we’re leaving. Why don’t you two go away for ten minutes, and then we’ll be out of your hair.”

  “That would make things so much easier for you, wouldn’t it?” Marla pressed. “Maybe Cassidy doesn’t want to make your life easier. Right, Cassidy? You want to make them pay, don’t you?”

  Cassidy’s face was so miserable, Maddie lost her breath for a moment. “I’m really sorry, Cassidy,” she mumbled.

  “You look sorry,” Cassidy said. “All that pawing and kissing you were doing was clearly a heartfelt apology to me.”
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  “You tell them, Cassidy,” Marla said. “Put them in their place.”

  Cassidy opened her mouth, and then snapped it shut. “I’m sure you two will get everything you deserve.” She turned to leave, but Marla stayed her with a hand on her arm.

  “Come on,” Marla said. “Let them have it.”

  “Why? They’ve already got everything I want,” Cassidy said, bitter. “Why would they possibly care about hurting me when they’re so happy?”

  “Cassidy, please don’t … .” Nick broke off, unsure.

  “Don’t do what?” Cassidy asked. “Tell the truth?”

  “I’m sorry we hurt you,” Nick said. “I’m not sorry I’m with Maddie, though. We weren’t trying to be disrespectful. We’re getting our dinner, and then we’re leaving. The fair is officially yours.”

  Nick tugged on Maddie’s hand. “Come on. I believe we have a movie in our future.”

  Maddie could feel Marla and Cassidy’s eyes boring into her back as they left, but she didn’t turn around. Charles’ smile was enigmatic as they moved past him. “I see I was late to the game,” he said, smiling widely. “I’m so disappointed.”

  Nick shot him a look. “You were a decade late to the game.”

  Maddie forced a smile onto her face as she let Nick lead her away. He was right. She was done apologizing for finally being happy. She had the one thing she’d always wanted. She wasn’t going to give him up. Not again. Not ever.

  Twenty-Two

  “Tell me about Marla’s boyfriend,” Nick said the next morning over breakfast. He’d been curious the previous evening, but he’d refrained from asking in an effort to cajole Maddie back into a good mood. The exchange with Marla and Cassidy had drained her, and that was after a tense conversation with a ghost. All he’d wanted the night before was to wrap his body around hers and relax for a few hours before succumbing to sleep.

  A new day was a new set of problems, though.

  “His name is Charles,” Maddie said. “Charles Hawthorne. He has a number after his name.”

  “Number?”

  “Yeah, he’s a third. Charles Hawthorne the third.”

  “Why is that important?” Nick was confused.

  “It’s not important to me, but it seemed to be a big deal to Marla,” Maddie said.

  “How do you know all this? Did it come up in your reading?”

  “No. She volunteered it at Christy’s salon.”

  “I thought she was banned from Christy’s salon?”

  “She was, but she came in on her hands and knees,” Maddie said. “She was even nice to me for ten minutes because Christy threatened her with a shaved head if she wasn’t. She was really excited about the date.”

  “Do you remember what Marla said he did for a living?”

  Maddie shrugged, her morning hair tousled with sleep. “I don’t know. I think she said he was an investment banker. I have no idea what that entails, but Marla seemed to think it was a big deal.”

  “It probably means he has money,” Nick said, munching on his bowl of cereal thoughtfully. “He must have an important name and the pedigree to back it up. That’s the only thing that would entice Marla. She’s certainly not in the game for love.”

  Maddie played with a slice of banana in her cereal bowl. “What do you think about Cassidy?”

  Nick didn’t stop his chewing, but he did soften his eyes as he regarded Maddie. “I think she’s sad.”

  “I feel horrible.”

  “I also think she’s pathetic,” Nick said. “No, don’t argue with me. I’m sorry. I did not want to hurt her, but it was obvious where things were going. She purposely tried to drag things out to keep us apart, and she purposely tried to guilt us last night.”

  Nick captured Maddie’s hand as it tapped on the top of the dining room table. “I love you, Maddie. Do you love me?”

  “More than anything.”

  “Don’t feel guilty about being happy,” Nick said. “We’re not reveling in Cassidy’s sadness. We’re just trying to be honest with one another. I will not put our happiness on hold because Cassidy is miserable.”

  “Still, it had to be like a punch in the gut for her to see us,” Maddie said.

  “That wasn’t my plan, Mad,” Nick said. “I had every intention of spending the day out at the lake – our lake – and then curling up with you and a book. I couldn’t control Tara dying, and Cassidy is just going to have to accept that.”

  “I know,” Maddie said. “I’m not sorry we’re together. I’ll never be sorry for that.”

  Nick squeezed her hand. “I’ll never be sorry either. Now, eat your breakfast.”

  Maddie did as instructed.

  Once they were both finished and standing next to the dishwasher so they could load it, Nick finally spoke again. “I need to go into the office today.”

  “I figured,” Maddie said, straightening as she shut the front door of the machine. “Do you want me to come with you?”

  “You can come with me,” Nick said. “The problem is, I have no idea if I’ll be out and about questioning people or stuck in a small room for eight hours.”

  “Okay.” Maddie wasn’t sure where he was going with the admission.

  “What are you going to do today?”

  “It’s the last day of the fair,” Maddie said. “I was thinking of going back to the flea market. I didn’t get to see everything last time. I wouldn’t go to the carnival, or anywhere I could run into Marla or Cassidy, but … .”

  Nick pursed his lips. “Can you stay here?”

  “I … sure.”

  Nick rolled his eyes. “That’s not very convincing.”

  “It’s fine,” Maddie said. “There’s some cleaning I can do. I thought I might … I don’t know … clean out a few drawers and some space in the closet for your stuff. Not that you’ll be here all the time,” she added hurriedly. “Just so … .”

  “Maddie, I’m going to be here as often as I can,” Nick said. “I don’t want to be away from you for even one night. I thought we might split our time between here and my house. I plan on giving you drawers and closet space, too.”

  “Oh.” Maddie was relieved.

  Nick rolled his eyes. “You’re a piece of work, Maddie Graves. You need to stop being surprised when I tell you I want to be with you. That’s an argument for another time, though. For today, can you please stay here?”

  Maddie nodded.

  “Thank you,” Nick said. He gave her a soft kiss.

  When they parted, Maddie sent Nick a questioning look. “Why were you asking about Charles?”

  “I saw the way he was looking at you last night,” Nick replied. “Now, I know how you look – even if you don’t – and I’m fully prepared to have to fight off thousands of suitors.”

  “Suitors?”

  “Fine, dogs,” Nick conceded. “There was just something … off … about him. He was trying to get you to dance the other night.”

  “I remember,” Maddie said. “I didn’t know you did.”

  “I remember anyone trying to step in and steal my girl,” Nick said.

  “I wasn’t your girl then,” Maddie reminded him.

  “You’ve always been my girl, Mad.”

  Maddie grabbed the back of his neck and kissed him fiercely.

  “Oh, good, you two have progressed to making out in the kitchen,” Maude said, strolling into the room. “That’s nice.”

  Maddie pulled back, surprised. “Granny … .”

  “Stop calling me that,” Maude warned.

  “Where have you been?” Nick asked. “Did you even come home last night?”

  “I came home,” Maude said. “I just came from upstairs. Where did you think I was?”

  “I have no idea,” Nick said. “It bothers me that I didn’t hear you, though. It means I’m falling down on the job.”

  “You’re a pain,” Maude said. “You two are finally sleeping after weeks of torment. Give it a little time before you toss yourself on the
railroad tracks. If it’s any consolation, I was eavesdropping in the hallway for five minutes before I came in, too.”

  Nick made a face. “Why would that be a consolation?”

  “Not for you, for me,” Maude said. “I’m practicing my spying skills. Edna Proctor is going down.”

  “Granny, do you know about Tara?” Maddie asked, worried.

  Maude stilled. “I heard. I’m so sorry, Maddie girl. I know it must be killing you. You went out of your way to save her, and then she still died.”

  “It’s important that you’re careful,” Nick warned. “Maddie has promised to stay here today. I want you to do the same.”

  “I have plans,” Maude balked. “I can’t break them. We’re in a delicate stage of our operation.”

  “Do I even want to know what that is?” Nick asked.

  Maude narrowed her eyes, considering. “Probably not.”

  “Is it illegal?”

  “Not really.”

  “That’s not an answer,” Nick pointed out.

  “It was an answer,” Maude countered. “It might not have been the answer you were looking for, but it was still an answer.”

  “Maude,” Nick growled.

  “Nick,” Maude matched his tone.

  “Granny, will you promise to stay with at least one other person at all times while you’re out doing … whatever it is you’re doing?” Maddie asked.

  Maude nodded. “I promise. You don’t have to worry about me. Focus all your energy on Maddie.”

  “I always do,” Nick said. “Still, I happen to love you, too.”

  “Of course you do,” Maude said, her eyes sparkling. “I’m downright lovable.”

  NICK found Maddie asleep on her bed when he returned to the house late in the afternoon. He’d confiscated the spare key under the ceramic turtle when he climbed the porch, mentally chastising himself for not doing it sooner. Everyone in town knew where that key was, and not all of them were as trustworthy as he was.

  Nick watched her slumber, her blonde hair spilling out on the pillow beneath her, and felt his heart swell. He didn’t know it was possible to love anything as much as he loved Maddie.

  He lowered himself onto the bed next to her carefully, smiling when she shifted and folded herself into his arms. “Nicky,” she murmured.

  “Maddie,” he said, pressing a kiss into her hair. “My Maddie.”