It's a Ghost's Life

by Erin McCarthy

  I thumbed through a few pages, not really reading much beyond the headlines. “You are one hundred percent right. I should have looked into this months ago. But I was kind of hoping it would go away.”

  “I’ve learned burying your head in the sand and wishing something will go away never works.”

  My new phone rang with an unknown number. Given business had been slow lately, I went ahead and answered it.

  “Is this Bailey Burke?”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “This is Jonathon Simms, attorney for the late Vera Rosenbaum’s estate. You were named in her will.”

  My jaw dropped. “What? Are you serious? What did she leave me?” God, I hoped it was a handbag. Just one. I’m not greedy. Preferably Chanel.

  “She left you five thousand dollars and a handbag.” There was shuffling. “Hermes.”

  Holy crap. “Oh my God,” I blurted. Either one of those would be a huge gift, but both? I was flabbergasted. “That was very generous of her. I’m in shock.”

  “I think she would take great joy in hearing that,” he said, a little dryly. “Vera had a blast setting this will up. She left five grand to fifty different people.”

  That was so Vera. Spread the wealth. Give a little sunshine to a lot of people. “Wow, I’m super grateful she thought of me. She was a very fascinating woman.”

  He gave me a few more details and I ended the call.

  “What?” Alyssa asked, impatient. “What was that?”

  “Vera left me five grand and an Hermes handbag.”

  “Holy handbag!”

  Alyssa’s phone rang.

  “That’s the lawyer’s number! Answer it.”

  “Hello? This is Alyssa Dembowski.”

  She listened for a few seconds, eyes growing wide. She gave me a thumbs up. “That’s amazing, thank you. I’m really touched.”

  After a few more “uh-huhs” and “thanks” Alyssa hung up the phone. “I got five grand and her mink coat. What the hell, Vera? She rocks.”

  “Can you imagine just doing that? Giving money to fifty different people?”

  “Fifty?”

  I nodded. “That’s what he told me. She left fifty different people five grand.”

  “Well, I don’t feel quite as special now, but I’m not complaining.”

  “Me either. I imagine the only people complaining this morning are her niece and nephew. This had to dent their inheritance.”

  Alyssa waved her hand in dismissal. “Screw them. What did they do to earn the right to her money? Be born to her sibling, that’s it. It doesn’t sound like either of them even saw her in years. I hate when people think they’re entitled to an inheritance. When I die, I’m doing a Vera and I’m going to tell everyone. I don’t want my kids circling my carcass like vultures.” She sipped her coffee. “You know how evil people are. How many sixty-year-old kids have helped Mom and Dad along quicker than nature intended? Oops, Mom took a spill. Dad accidentally over-dosed on pain meds. You know it happens.”

  “Sadly, I’m sure it does.” That’s why I was suspicious about Vera’s death. Maybe if she had let her family know they weren’t entitled to everything she had, she might still be alive.

  “That’s why I’m making it clear to my kids they aren’t getting jack-squat so they don’t bump me off when I’m helpless.”

  “I hope I don’t give birth to selfish children, but I guess it’s luck of the draw.”

  “Some people are born assholes. It’s just a fact.”

  “Let’s not ruin this moment thinking about our future children murdering us.”

  Alyssa nodded. “Maybe I just shouldn’t have kids. I don’t want to sleep with one eye open.”

  That made me laugh. “Paranoid, much?”

  “It pays to be cautious.”

  My phone rang. “My grandmother is calling me. I bet she got money too.” I swiped at the screen. “Hi, Grandma.”

  “I just got a call from a lawyer. Vera left me five thousand smackers. Isn’t that something?”

  “She left me five grand too.”

  “What? Well, heck. Now I don’t feel so special.”

  The same reaction as Alyssa. I rolled my eyes.

  “But that’s good,” Grandma continued. “You should set it aside for your wedding.”

  “What wedding? Isn’t Dad supposed to pay for that?” I didn’t really believe that my father was obligated to foot the bill for my wedding but it seemed like a good deflection from an unexpectedly awkward conversation. “I already have a house and a business. I’m going to go on vacation with some of the money and save the rest. Jake and I want to go to Florida.” I also might want to buy a pair of shoes to go with the handbag Vera had left me, but she didn’t need to know that.

  “Florida? What’s in Florida?”

  I swear my grandmother said things just to start crap. “Beaches. Sunshine. Margaritas.”

  “Don’t get pregnant.”

  Oh God. “I have a handle on it.”

  “I hear that sponge works well.”

  And… now I wanted to die. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Listen, I wanted to talk to you about what you’re going to do now that my mom is moving out. Do you think you’ll be okay staying there with just Dad?” She was my father’s mother but he was not only having a love affair with Judy, he was in bed with gin most nights. I wasn’t sure how safe it was for her there.

  “Your mother suggested I move in with her but that sounds like hell. It was nice of her to offer, though.”

  That actually surprised me. “That was nice.”

  “I’d kill her. Or she’d kill me. The only thing that prevents that now is this house is enormous and most of her anger is directed at your father. I don’t want to be the solo target.”

  “Good point.” I wanted to offer for her to come and live with me but I have a lot of stairs. Plus, I felt like I needed to talk it through with Jake, get his temperature on the whole situation since I was pretty sure he’d been hinting around that we should move in together. “I’ll talk to Dad. But I think you should stay with me next week when he goes on his golfing trip. Mom needs to rest.”

  That made Grandma snort. “Sure. Your mom resting. That’s hilarious. But yes, I would love to stay with you, Margaret. Thanks for asking.”

  “It will be fun. We can do our nails and watch romantic comedies. Hey, how was your date?”

  “I canceled. Turns out he was making moves on Shirley too.”

  “I’m sorry.” Relieved. I was relieved. I didn’t think I could handle Grandma staying with me and needing a ride to meet up with a beau.

  “Easy come, easy go.”

  After our goodbyes I ended the call. “Grandma is pissed that she wasn’t the only one to get money from Vera.”

  “I feel that, I told you. Are you really going to Florida with Jake?”

  “Hell yeah. I don’t know when we’re supposed to get this money. I imagine it will take months but that’s what my credit card is for. This weather is nasty. I need sunshine.”

  “That idea has merit.”

  “My grandmother told me not to get pregnant.”

  Alyssa laughed. “Why would you get pregnant in Florida as opposed to say, Tuesday here?”

  “I have no idea.” I lifted my mostly empty mug. “Do you need a refill? I’m going up.”

  “I’m good.”

  The coffee shop, a local chain, as opposed to a conglomerate, was crazy busy as usual. They served vegan pastries and eco-friendly coffee, whatever that means exactly. I was waiting in the line three people deep, absentmindedly looking around at the art for sale on the walls when I realized a man was staring at me.

  I quickly glanced away, as you do when you accidentally make eye contact.

  Then I looked back, because he looked very familiar. Maybe he was the husband of a client of mine?

  This time he looked away when we made eye contact. Maybe I was wrong and I didn’t know him at all.

  But as I was walking back to
the table several minutes later with my overly full mug, it hit me. I’d seen him at Vera’s funeral.

  “Alyssa,” I hissed. “Look at that guy over there. The one in the burgundy sweater. Wasn’t he at Vera’s funeral?”

  She looked up from her phone and glanced around. “What guy? And so what if he was? It’s a popular coffee shop.”

  Frustrated, I tried to turn discreetly, but we’ve already established I suck at discreet. “He’s right there,” I said, gesturing slightly. “By the sugar and honey station. He’s around forty, in shape, tight sweater. Gray hair.”

  “I don’t see him. Is he a ghost?” she said, though by the tone of her voice it was a joke.

  “How can you not see him?” I asked, frustrated. But when I turned back I saw she wasn’t really making much of an effort to look. She was shopping for shoes on her phone, probably with the inheritance from Vera.

  “I know he was there,” I said stubbornly.

  “So are you suggesting he’s following us? Or you? As opposed to the very realistic possibility that he just wanted a latte?”

  “I’ve been followed before,” I reminded her. “And the guy hit me with a car.”

  That made her glance up, looking contrite. “That is true. But what are the odds that would happen twice?”

  “I don’t know but I’m not crossing the street until he’s gone.”

  Easy for her to be dismissive. She hadn’t sailed through the air and bit it on asphalt.

  “If you really want to be safe, you should leave first then. It’s just logical.”

  “Fine.” I shoved my coffee at her. “Thanks for the book. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I grabbed my coat and got the hell out of there before Tight Sweater Man tried to shiv me with a fork.

  “Are you serious?” Jake asked. “Because if you are, I’ll put in for vacation days tomorrow.”

  “I am very serious. I’d say as a heart attack but that’s too close to home right now.” We were sitting on Jake’s couch after eating a dinner of flank steak, asparagus, and red potatoes that he had cooked for us. I was pleasantly full and slightly less stressed than I had been in the past week. “When do you think you could get off of work?”

  “March is probably not going to fly.” Jake was sipping a glass of whiskey, his feet up on his coffee table. “All the detectives with kids want off for spring break vacations. I bet I can get off in February though.”

  “The sooner, the better. Where should we go?” I lifted my wine glass to my lips and sighed, picturing a balcony overlooking the ocean and me in a floral print cover-up. I wouldn’t object to three days of seeing my boyfriend shirtless on the beach either.

  “Can we go to Key West? I’ve always wanted to go there.”

  That was a very Jake response. Live music and cheap beer were right up his alley.

  “Is there a beach there?” I asked, not really sure. I’d never been to Key West either.

  “There has to be a beach there. It’s Florida and it’s right on the water.”

  “As long as there’s a beach I’m happy.” I reached over for a blanket from the arm of the couch. I was freaking freezing as usual.

  “Where were you thinking?”

  “I don’t know. Ft. Lauderdale. Ft. Meyers. Something with a Ft. in it.”

  “We can go to Ft. Lauderdale if that’s what you want.” He reached for my hand and lifted it to his mouth. He kissed the back of my hand. “Ladies choice.”

  “Let me think about it. I mean, no matter what, it will be awesome. It’s free money and it’s an escape from scraping ice off my car windows. It’s a win.”

  “Whatever you want, sweetheart.” He tugged at my arm. “Why are you so far away? Come closer.”

  “Why don’t you come closer?” I asked.

  “Because if I go over there, what am I going to do, lay on you? I’ll crush you. If you come over here, you can lay on me, which I happen to really enjoy anyway. So it’s a win.” He gave me a charming, mischievous smile.

  I couldn’t resist that smile even if I was perfectly cozy under a throw with my wine in hand. I set the glass down and shimmied over to him. “So… how serious are you about me having whatever I want?”

  “Is this something kinky? Then yes.”

  I smacked his arm as I cuddled onto his chest. “What? No. Ew.”

  Jake laughed. “Why ew? What are you even thinking I’m thinking?”

  “I don’t know! No, I mean do you love me enough that if I say something might need to happen that you probably won’t like, will you be okay with it?”

  As I gazed up at him, he barely moved a muscle. Jake was reliable in that he would never freak out on me or get angry. The only indication he was even concerned was the little dent that appeared between his eyebrows. “There is no way for me to even answer that convoluted question, Bailey. But yes, I love you. Yes, I am willing to compromise and deal with unpleasant situations in life. I think I’ve proved that.”

  He was right. “You have. You totally have.”

  “So just tell me what’s going on.”

  “You know my mom is going to a condo. I know her well enough to know this isn’t something she’ll change her mind on. She’s decisive and never flakey.”

  “Agreed, from what I’ve seen, yes. I know you’re upset about your parents and I’m sorry about that. I’ll help in whatever way I can. Does she need me to move furniture or something?”

  I wish it was that simple. “No, she’ll just hire someone. She likes to pay people because it’s easier than to be demanding.”

  Jake gave a laugh. “The suspense is killing me then.”

  “Dad is drinking way too much and suddenly planning golf trips with his paramour. Grandma Burke is his mother and, honestly, I don’t think it’s safe for her to be living with him anymore and I can’t stomach the thought of assisted living for her. Not yet, anyway. Maybe in a year or two.”

  “Oh God.” He gave a hearty sigh. “You want her to live with you, don’t you?”

  I gritted my teeth and gave a tentative, “Yes? What do you think? Am I crazy?” I held my breath. His opinion and comfort mattered to me.

  “No, you’re not crazy. She’s your grandmother and your family is going through a huge upheaval. If you really think she’s not safe with your dad then you should consider it.”

  Best. Boyfriend. Ever. He was so freaking mature he made me feel like a tween sometimes when I got bratty. I was a lucky lady. “I would have to move my office upstairs so she would have a first-floor bedroom.”

  “True. Do you think she’d miss her friends and her parish? She’s pretty involved in church.”

  I hadn’t really thought that far ahead. “I guess she would. But it would be better than assisted living, right?”

  “I think anyone her age would agree with that, yes.” He took a sip of his whiskey.

  “Our privacy would be seriously compromised.” Unfortunately compromised. Grossly compromised.

  He nodded. “It would. But it wouldn’t be forever, right? And your grandmother is one, hilarious. Two, pretty damn deaf.”

  That made me laugh. Then I had a sobering thought. “Yes, but I won’t ever be able to stay over here at your place.”

  For a second he didn’t say anything and my neck was developing a serious crick staring up at him in anticipation.

  But then he just came right out and said it, because Jake does that, unlike me, who beats around the bush for an hour. “I could move in with you. My lease is up in April.”

  Holy big step. My face went hot and I felt like I’d swallowed a lemon. But at the same time, it seemed so… right. Apparently, my worry about why he wasn’t staying over as much was for naught. He wanted to live with me. Permanently. “You, me, and Grandma?” I asked.

  “Why not? I wasn’t expecting the third party but moving in together was already on my mind.”

  Because he was mature. I wasn’t so sure about me. I opened my mouth, not even entirely sure what was going to c
ome out of it. “I think that sounds perfect.”

  It did. Whoa.

  “Really?” He looked surprised by my answer. But he pulled me tighter in against him. “That’s awesome. It’s going to be awesome.”

  “We’re going to scandalize your mother,” I said.

  “I’m almost thirty years old. My mother will recover. Plus, we’ll have an eighty-five-year-old chaperone.”

  He was kissing me when I felt a cold draft behind me.

  “Aw. How sweet. Lovebirds shacking up.”

  It was Ryan, being Ryan.

  But I completely, one hundred percent ignored him. This moment was all Jake.

  Eight

  Okay, so my concern over Vera’s death had gotten a little shuttered due to my mother’s heart attack, my parents’ divorce, and Marner and me agreeing to live together. With my grandmother.

  Jake swore his mother was fine with it, but I wasn’t holding my breath on that. No phone call from her for dinner plans to plan his birthday, by the way, so I had a feeling she was reeling and needed time to process cohabitation before marriage.

  Neither of my parents gave a rat’s ass that I planned to live with Jake. Actually, that’s not entirely true. My mother supported it as financially sensible. My father didn’t care much either way other than I think he recognized it got him off the hook for odd jobs around my house. He also really liked Marner. They were both football and fishing fans.

  Grandma Burke wasn’t sold.

  “That’s not the way we did it in my day,” she said, after I picked her up the next week to stay with me during Dad’s vacation. “You got married first, then you bought a house and moved in together.”

  “I know, but times change. We’re in a committed relationship.”

  “So, then what’s the issue? Just get married.”

  “Yeah, why don’t you just get married?” Ryan asked with a grin, appearing in the back seat.

  Grandma turned to Ryan, not the least bit disturbed that a dead guy had just hopped a ride. “This is a private conversation, young man,” she said.

  That made me snort. “No conversation is ever private when you see ghosts. You should know that.”