Wicked or Treat! (Paranormal in Manhattan Mystery: A Cozy Mystery Book 16)

by Lotta Smith

  Detective Rochester watched as Rick put Sophie in the stroller. For a while, the detective repeated the process of opening his lips and then shutting them, like he was channeling a suffocating goldfish. Sophie observed him with a keen interest, and when he let out a deep sigh, she threw her little arms above her head and giggled.

  Detective Rochester responded to her by putting on a funny face, making her laugh harder, and then took a deep breath. “Dizziness… seriously? I regarded suicide as a possible cause of death, but I’d never expected an accident.” Knitting his eyebrows and crossing his arms, he muttered, “Still, if it was just a freak accident, why was Matt Hepburn acting so weirdly? His body language screamed he did it, but he’s got an alibi, and even the victim herself denies his involvement. What the heck is going on? Did I lose my edge?”

  “Here’s something I’ve been wondering about,” Jackie interjected. “Could it be possible to sustain a life-ending fall due to dizziness?”

  “Depending on the conditions, dizziness could be life-threatening,” I replied, then informed the men who couldn’t hear her words, “Jackie is wondering if it’s possible for vertigo to end a life.”

  “I’ve got a younger brother who’s been married to the same woman for the past fifteen years, and his wife has Meniere’s disease.” Detective Rochester tilted his head thoughtfully. “I heard she’d suddenly collapsed at Thanksgiving dinner, and they ended up calling the ambulance. I was on shift that night, but I wasn’t one of the responders to that call.”

  “All right then, vertigo could be the cause of death,” Clara commented.

  “Not to mention, the victim herself testified that she died in an accident.” Detective Rochester groaned. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to shoot the messenger just because I didn’t hear the answer I wanted, but with the victim clearly stating that, there’s no room to suspect other causes.”

  “That’s a good point,” Rick interjected. “But the thing is, even ghosts lie and stretch the truth, just like living people. Also, dead people get confused or misunderstand the facts, just like we do all the time.”

  “Did she look like she was lying?” Detective Rochester asked me, uncrossing his arms.

  “I think so.” I nodded. “I have no solid evidence, but there were moments that I found something weird about her reactions.”

  “Like when?” Rick asked.

  “When she emphasized that her husband had absolutely nothing to do with her death. And when she laughed off the theory of a murder for insurance money, her demeanor seemed a little tight and forced,” I said.

  “Perhaps she was trying to protect her husband,” Clara commented.

  “Really?” Jackie’s eyebrows shot up. “Be it my husband or a total stranger, I can’t imagine defending my killer.”

  “Or maybe she’s having difficulty accepting that she was killed by her husband.” Detective Rochester snapped his fingers. “Even though Matt has an alibi, it could be something forged.”

  Rick touched his jaw. “Hmm, that’s a good point. We’ve previously encountered a murder victim who not just lied but threw the temper tantrum of the century because she didn’t want to admit that the guy she was having an affair with had offed her. If I recall correctly, she was an office worker in Chelsea, wasn’t she?”

  “Right.” I nodded. “Christina didn’t look like a devastated woman who couldn’t accept the truth about her death, but looks can be deceiving. Regardless, I believe it’s a little premature to rule vertigo as the cause of death.”

  “Whew, what a relief.” Detective Rochester laughed, suddenly looking joyous and rejuvenated. “I was beginning to suspect that I was getting old and my instincts could no longer be trusted, making a fuss about a possible murder when it was just an accident.”

  “That detective has really perked up,” Jackie commented.

  “They say women are temperamental, but in my opinion, men are more so.” Clara giggled, prompting Sophie to smile. Clara descended to the level of her granddaughter’s eyes, cooing, “What type of boys would you be falling in love with, darling?”

  “I think she’ll love someone either just like her daddy or the total opposite of Rick,” Jackie said.

  “Vertigo aside, I was more surprised about the husband’s affair,” Rick stated. “Okay, so the hubby having an affair is nothing new. But I know you rock at interviews, and his affair managed to stay hidden even after your interrogation. I’m impressed.”

  “Right.” Detective Rochester crossed his arms, knitting his eyebrows. “Things like infidelity, financial issues, and domestic violence almost always come in as rumors, but with this case, nobody even hinted at it. That guy must be really sneaky and did a great job hiding it.”

  “Detective, did you check his phone?” Jackie wanted to know. “When a man is having an affair, the answer is always in his phone records. Mandy, can you pass it on to him?”

  “Sure.” I nodded and told him Jackie’s opinion.

  “Of course I’ve checked his phone, but his phone record was pretty clean. He only used it to make calls to his clients, business associates, and his wife.” The detective scratched his head.

  “Maybe he has another phone,” Rick suggested. “Assuming from Mandy’s story, the victim sounds like a rather aggressive kind of wife, so she probably would have found out about her husband’s affair even without someone alerting her.”

  “He must have one.” Detective Rochester nodded. “All right, it’s official. I’ve got to have my guys look for that phone. Maybe it’s a burner.”

  “Detective Rochester, one more thing,” I said. “As for the husband’s affair, it’s only the victim’s words, and we don’t know for sure if that’s true or not.”

  “Are you sure?” He looked at me with a stern face.

  “Yes, I’m sure.”

  “Mandy’s right. That happens all the time,” Rick interjected. “As I said, humans are humans, living or dead. Even the dead misunderstand, get confused, and mistake one thing for something else.”

  “So true,” Jackie agreed. “I used to imagine the dead version of myself as someone who would be called ‘that cute old lady with a ton of wisdom,’ but the reality turned out to be so much different. First off, I ended up joining Deadville before I had a chance to get really old. And secondly, despite my anticipation, I’ve never stopped getting confused.”

  “Don’t worry, Jackie. Things rarely go as planned.” Clara patted her hand.

  “Thank you, Clara. Anyway, I’m glad I was right when Mandy conceived Sophie.” Jackie beamed.

  My eyes widened as my daughter’s name slipped out of my guardian ghost’s cherry-colored lips. “Jackie, did you know when I conceived Sophie?”

  “It wasn’t like I knew that, but I felt a vague indication that you were not just you alone,” she said. “It was like I had double vision whenever I saw you. Actually, I went to see an ophthalmologist when I visited the dead people’s world while you were asleep, but my vision was perfect. Also, I didn’t see a double-vision-like effect on Rick or other people, so I thought maybe you could be pregnant.”

  “Come on, Jackie. You could have told me about that,” I said jokingly.

  “Oh, did Jackie know about your pregnancy before we went to the doctor?” Rick touched my arm.

  “Yes, she did.”

  “Good thing she kept it to herself.” His lips quirked up into a smile. “If we already knew about your pregnancy, the surprise and happiness would have been lessened.”

  “Hmm, you have a point,” I reluctantly agreed.

  “Besides that, I wasn’t 100 percent sure about your pregnancy, Mandy.” Jackie wiggled her index finger. “All I had was a hunch and no solid evidence. In case I was wrong, you would have been so disappointed, wouldn’t you?”

  “Oh, you’re so right. Back then, I was afraid I could be having fertility issues.”

  “Ooh, I wish I’d been there when you found out about welcoming Sophie,” Clara said longingly.

/>   “Rick, Clara wishes she was there when we first visited the clinic,” I relayed to her beloved son.

  “I can imagine that, Mom. But you’re here, playing with Sophie, and that’s what really counts,” he said.

  “You’re right!” She flashed a wide grin.

  Detective Rochester cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re enjoying a family reunion.”

  “Oops, my bad.” Rick looked at him as if he’d suddenly remembered the reason why we were there in the first place. “So, Detective Rochester, that’s about it for the interview with the victim. Hopefully it’ll help with the investigation.”

  “I have a question,” Rochester said.

  “Go ahead.”

  The detective turned to me. “Mrs. Rowling, would it be possible to borrow one of your ghosts?”

  CHAPTER 6

  My jaw dropped and my eyes widened. “What did you just say?”

  “Well, I’m gonna visit the tavern run by Matt Hepburn’s alleged mistress tonight, and it’d be great if I could bring your ghosts along. I was impressed with their keen observation. And, if I get lucky, the tavern could have its own resident ghost or two, and perhaps they could interview their fellow ghosts,” he said, looking at Sophie. “Look, I’m not bold enough to ask you to come along with me at night. I don’t have kids of my own, but I can imagine what it’s like to have a baby. You’ll be busy with taking care of you daughter, right? So I was wondering if I could borrow your ghostly friends.”

  “Hmm, why haven’t I come up with a plan like that?” Rick cocked his head.

  “Hello? Clara and Jackie aren’t items that can be borrowed,” I pointed out, smacking his upper arm.

  “Then again, ghosts can eavesdrop on conversations and witness things without getting caught. The only problem is that the evidence collected can’t be used at trial,” Rick said matter-of-factly. “Since we welcomed Sophie, I’ve been declining cases needing Mandy’s services. But if Jackie could work on her own even partially, that’ll expand the horizon so much.”

  “I need to ask for their thoughts.” I looked at Jackie, who was uncharacteristically quiet as she floated with her arms crossed and head tilted.

  Before she answered, Clara perked up. “That sounds like a fantastic plan, doesn’t it?”

  “Really?” My eyes widened as I watched her smile and bounce like she was channeling Jackie, who still hadn’t spoken at all. “Jackie, you can say no if you’re not keen on working without me. What do you think about giving it a try?”

  “What?” She looked shocked at my words. “Do I want to work on my own? Do bears crap in the woods? Of course I’d love to work on my own. But here’s the thing—”

  “What did she say?” Rick studied my eyes, like he always did when he wanted to know Jackie’s answer.

  “She’s more than happy to try working on her own, but there seems to be something.” I looked at her. “What are your concerns, Jackie?”

  “Oh, it’s not something as serious as concerns.” As she threw her head back, her long blonde hair swayed like a cascade. “I was wondering if I’d want to sport a deerstalker à la Sherlock Holmes, or if I’d be better off going hardboiled with the top hat and so on. What do you think, Mandy? Clara?” The flamboyant fashionista ghost looked from me to Clara.

  “I believe you’ll be fabulous in either, Jackie,” Clara said. “But personally, I’d like to see you sporting a top hat.”

  “Really? Then I’ll go hardboiled. Woo-hoo! I’m sooo excited!” Jackie shrieked.

  I rolled my eyes at the ghost, about to say that Jackie was going, but then Clara chimed in. “Me too! I’m so very excited! I’ll put on a deerstalker and go with a traditional detective style. How fabulous is that? Halloween is just around the corner, and we’re going to have so much fun in costumes!”

  * * *

  Later that night, I was sitting at the dining table, surfing the Internet with my phone placed close to me. Thanks to going out during the day, Sophie fell asleep while I was reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar for her. Being an active baby, she tended to stay awake for hours, demanding Jackie and I play with her, and I was truly thankful that she fell asleep so quickly.

  Jackie and Clara, the excited ghostly detective duo, were in downtown Brooklyn helping Detective Rochester with the investigation. As previously agreed upon, Clara went with a traditional detective style, sporting a deerstalker and cape, complete with a pipe hanging out of the side of her coral lips. As for Jackie, she was wearing a trench coat and slim trousers, paired with a top hat and loafers. It was the first time I’d seen her in pants since I met her, and I must say she looked not just pretty but rather mannish, reminding me that she was originally a guy. To be honest, she was bordering on being sexy. If she weren’t gay and dead, and I weren’t married to Rick, I could have developed a crush on her. Believe me, there weren’t many guys out there who looked sexy in a shocking pink trench coat embellished with glitter.

  I yawned. After a full year of maternity leave, I’d spoken to the ghost of a possible murder victim for the first time in forever, and even though it wasn’t like I went back to full-time work, I was tired. I knew there were so many moms with super-duper careers, working full-time and trotting the globe only four weeks after delivering their kids, and I couldn’t stop admiring them. I couldn’t compete with them. After attending med school, working for the FBI, and then USCAB, there was something I’d noticed about myself: I wasn’t really good at working. I’d read somewhere that every culture has a certain percentage of people who aren’t good at working, and even every colony of ants has a certain number of working ants who never actually work.

  Now, with Rick out with the ghostly duo so they wouldn’t have trouble rendezvousing with Detective Rochester, I was growing unbearably sleepy. After debating with myself for a full ten seconds, I went to bed. I was going to have a fifteen-minute nap, but ended up sleeping for hours.

  * * *

  In the meantime, Rick, Detective Rochester, and the ghostly detectives were visiting Chez Amie.

  “This place is cuter than I’d expected,” Jackie commented, observing the brick walls, lace curtain-embellished windows, and seven tables with checkered tablecloths. All of the tables were occupied, but seats were available at the bar counter.

  “Actually, I’m almost choking with nostalgia.” Clara sighed, moving her right hand in a manner that looked like she was stroking one of the tables. “This place resembles the little café where Dan and I went out for our first dinner date. Rick asked me to hire a babysitter for him so I could go on a date with his dad. Can you believe that? He was only four years old.”

  “Wow!” Jackie’s lips shaped an O. “He was already a great organizer when he was a little kid. I think he’ll make a great CEO of USCAB.”

  “Me too!” Clara beamed. “To be honest, my biggest concern was about his marriage, but I’m really glad he married Mandy and not some airhead model or actress. He went through a time I like to refer to as a decade of decadence.”

  “I can imagine that. But believe me, when I met them, Rick wasn’t seeing models and actresses anymore. At first, Mandy tried her best to fool herself that he regarded her as nothing more than his coworker, but I knew they had this certain kind of chemistry. So I used to follow Rick around, to see if he was seeing someone special or not. I had a hunch he’d stopped being a playboy bachelor mostly because he’d been visiting Mandy’s family home for dinner every week,” Jackie said.

  “Aha!” Clara’s mouth formed a wide grin. “So, for Rick, it must have been love at first sight.”

  “I’m guessing so.” Jackie nodded. “Though I didn’t know either of them when the couple met for the first time, and there’s no telling about the truth.”

  As the ghostly duo kept chatting, Detective Rochester and Rick approached the bar counter.

  “Look at her. She must be the other woman Christina was talking about.” Clara indicated the woman behind the counter.

  She was a slim woman
, probably in her early forties. She had smooth, creamy skin and was wearing her long red hair in a low ponytail.

  “Oh?” Jackie craned her neck to have a better look at her. “That pale blue shirt dress compliments her blue eyes, I guess.”

  “So true,” Clara agreed, looking at the woman who was cooking something.

  “Hi, would you like something to drink?” She flashed a smile at Rick and handed him the menu.

  “Hello? Aren’t you a little bit too friendly with my son?” Clara looked at her disapprovingly. “In case you haven’t noticed, he’s happily married with a baby daughter. Look at his ring.”

  As she protectively wrapped her arms around Rick, he shifted, as if trying to work out the kinks in his shoulders.

  “I’ll have a Coke,” Detective Rochester said.

  “And you?” The woman looked at Rick, who answered, “I’ll have Perrier.”

  “Great choice.” She smiled at the two men as she prepared their drinks. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” The detective flashed a wide grin at her. “Hey, you have a ring tan. Are you a recent divorcée?”

  One of Rick’s eyebrows twitched, but other than that, his face was unreadable.

  Jackie’s eyes widened. “Seriously?” she whispered to Clara, even though the chances of them being heard were almost nonexistent.

  “I hope Detective Rochester doesn’t get dragged into court for sexual harassment.” Clara rolled her eyes.

  “You have a keen eye for detail.” The woman flashed an enigmatic smile.

  “Oh yeah. My ears also happen to be pretty impressive.” The detective winked.

  “Are you channeling Little Red Riding Hood or what? Like, why are your ears so big?” She chuckled.

  Rick snorted, but the detective kept his face straight. “I heard you’ve been getting pretty intimate with Matt Hepburn, the owner of a dry cleaning factory. Is that true?”