“And Maureen,” Galen added. “We can’t forget Maureen. She didn’t get much from her divorce because of the affair. All those documents were sealed, but I opened them after I saw Maureen at the funeral home the other day. She barely got anything in that divorce.”
What Galen was suggesting made me uncomfortable. “But … she said she regretted the affair because Trish wouldn’t talk to her. Why would she kill her own daughter if she was upset about the girl not paying attention to her?”
“Maybe Maureen realized Trish was never going to let her back in,” Galen suggested. “Maybe she decided she was upset about her divorce settlement and wanted more. If she killed Gus, then Trish would inherit and she’d get nothing. If she killed them both …how much do you want to bet Maureen is now the sole beneficiary of Gus’s will because Trish is dead?”
I rubbed the back of my neck as my stomach flipped. “That’s really cold-hearted. I’m not sure I buy that from Maureen. She was one of the only people in that group I even liked.”
“Yeah, well, we need to look at all of them.” Galen was firm. “One of them did this. We need to figure out which one.”
He was forgetting one thing. “What about Madame Selena?” I asked. “Do you think she’s dead?”
Galen turned his eyes back to the drying blood. “I don’t know. If she’s not, I’m going to guess she wishes she was right about now. I don’t know where to look for her. We need to focus on what we have and go from there. If we’re lucky, we’ll find Madame Selena. If we’re not, well, she was involved in this. We’re simply not sure how deeply she was mired in the muck.”
“I guess.”
“Come on.” Galen extended his hand as he stood. “You can be my sidekick again and we’ll figure this out. We’re finally getting close. I feel it.”
24
Twenty-Four
We went to the funeral home to talk to Maureen. Visitation was scheduled to start at noon, everything was set up … including an open casket (the cremation was scheduled for later, according to Jareth). Maureen was surprised to find us in the parlor waiting for her when she arrived.
“What’s going on?”
Galen was in no mood to take things slow. “I’m sure you heard about Gus. We need to talk about a few things.”
“I haven’t heard a word from Gus.” Maureen made a face. “He hasn’t returned any of my calls. He’s not even helping plan the services. If he called and complained that I’m cutting him out … well … he should try returning a phone call.”
I was baffled. “He can’t return your calls. He’s dead.”
Galen slid me a sidelong look that was full of warning. The damage was already done, and I couldn’t take the statement back.
“What?” Maureen was horrified, her hand flying to her mouth. “What do you mean that Gus is dead?”
“There was an incident yesterday,” Galen replied, calmly grabbing Maureen’s arm and directing her toward the parlor sofa. “I would’ve thought someone had told you.”
“I spent the night in my hotel room.” Maureen’s eyes brimmed with tears. She was either a really good actress or telling the truth. I couldn’t decide which. “I put out the ‘do not disturb’ sign. I don’t understand. What happened to Gus?”
Galen kept his gaze on Maureen and sucked in a breath. There was no easy way to deliver the news. “Gus was on the beach by the lighthouse yesterday. He was despondent and talking about Trish.”
“She was his daughter. Of course he’s despondent.”
“He had a gun in his pocket.”
“But … are you saying Gus killed himself?” Maureen immediately started shaking her head. “He wouldn’t do that. He’s not wired that way.”
“Whether he really would’ve gone through with it is up for debate. It ultimately doesn’t matter, though, because someone else did the deed for him.”
“But … who?”
“We don’t know.” Galen projected a cool confidence as he eased Maureen into reality. “Someone – and we have no idea who at this point – but someone fired a gun from a stand of trees near the lighthouse.
“Hadley happened to be with Gus on the beach when it happened,” he continued. “There was some sort of spell that we believe was meant to confuse her. She recognized what was happening and tried to get Gus to run, but it was too late. He died on the beach.”
Maureen pressed her lips together as she worried her hands in her lap. She didn’t immediately speak.
“He died quickly,” Galen offered. “He didn’t suffer.”
“Oh, he suffered.” Maureen found her voice, but it was weak. “He suffered a lot throughout the years, and I caused part of it. Trish’s death must have wrecked him. He would never consider doing … what you’re suggesting … otherwise.” She turned her gaze to me and there was something accusatory about the shine of her eyes. “What did he say to you?”
I shrugged, uncertain if I should answer. I risked a glance at Galen and he simply nodded. “He was mostly babbling about how upset he was about Trish’s death. He didn’t make a lot of sense sometimes. He was fighting off tears.
“His face was red, like from too much sun,” I continued. “That’s how I knew he’d been out there for a long time. I think he was just wandering, trying to fill the void he was feeling with … something. It wasn’t working.”
“And he was on your property?”
“Well, it wasn’t technically my property,” I hedged. “The beach belongs to the city, right?” I looked to Galen for confirmation. “It was close to the lighthouse. I could easily make out who he was from my patio.”
“But you got away,” Maureen pointed out. “How were you so lucky?”
Galen cleared his throat to get her attention, directing her ire to him. “This is just a working theory right now, but we believe whoever shot Gus used a spell to distract Hadley. It was meant to confound her, muck up her brain so she didn’t have any idea what was happening. In that scenario, our suspect could’ve set her up for Gus’s murder and turned attention to her.”
“But … why?”
“We’re not sure,” Galen admitted. “Hadley managed to break from the spell even though she didn’t realize what it was. When that happened, whoever shot Gus made a break for it. Hadley didn’t see who it was because she was distracted by other things.”
“What other things?”
“Gus.” Galen was matter of fact. “He was dead, and only a few feet from her. She was still shocky when I got to the beach only a few minutes later.”
“I see.” Maureen rubbed her forehead. “So, basically you’re saying that Gus died because of her.”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all.” Galen’s voice took on an edge of warning. “Don’t blame Hadley for this. It’s not her fault.”
“Who else should I blame?”
“The person who did this,” Galen replied honestly. “We believe that Gus’s shooting and Trish’s death are tied together. What we’re trying to figure out is how. We need your help to do that.”
“And how can I help?” Maureen turned bitter. “I wasn’t even a part of their lives for the past few years. I don’t know what they were involved in … or who they were hanging out with … or even what they were thinking. I wasn’t a part of their lives.”
“I understand that.” Galen refused to break under the weight of her words. “Here’s the thing, Maureen: Ashley has been in jail since the night of Trish’s death. She couldn’t have been on the beach yesterday. That means she had nothing to do with Gus’s death.”
The reality of what he was saying finally hit home for Maureen. “So you think she’s innocent.”
Galen nodded once. “I do.”
“So do I. Who do you think is guilty?”
“Well, to be honest, we’re considering you as a possible suspect.”
I openly gaped at Galen’s statement. “Wow!”
Galen ignored my reaction. “You didn’t get much in the divorce, Maureen. I unsealed the
documents after I talked to you the other day. You left the marriage with twenty grand in assets. That’s it.”
“And that somehow makes me a murderer?” Maureen widened her eyes to saucer-like proportions. “What dreamland are you living in, Galen? Even if I would’ve had the guts to kill Gus – which I didn’t – I never would’ve killed my own daughter. I was on the mainland when she was killed, for crying out loud.”
“And I plan to confirm your alibi.” Galen didn’t back down. “That’s next on my list of things to do. I can’t rule you out, Maureen. You said it yourself the other day, Trish wanted nothing to do with you. When you combine that with the fact that Gus screwed you in the divorce, you had motive to kill both of them.”
Maureen was dumbfounded. “And what is that motive?”
“Money. Gus had no one to leave his fortune to but you.”
Instead of acting guilty or insulted, Maureen snorted out a laugh. “Have you actually checked Gus’s will?”
Galen looked around the room. “No.”
“So you don’t even know if the theory you’re floating is sound.”
“No, but … I’ll find out by the end of the day.”
“I’ll wait here while you do that.” Maureen turned smug, folding her arms over her chest. “I’ll wait right here for your apology when you check Gus’s will and find out I’m in line to get nothing. There’s no way I killed Gus and Trish for money!” She practically screamed the words. “Now, until you’re ready to apologize, get out of my face.”
Galen shifted his eyes to me. I could read the conflict there. Had we made a big mistake? I was starting to think so.
WE REMAINED AT THE funeral home while Galen dealt with Gus’s lawyer on the phone. He insisted the man immediately fax a copy of the will to him, but he was running into a brick wall in the form of a belligerent attorney.
With nothing better to do – there was no way I was going to shoot the breeze with a bereft Maureen – I made my way into the front parlor and looked around at the items on display. This was the funeral home’s sales wing and it made me uncomfortable.
“Hello again!”
Jareth entered the room on silent feet and was practically on top of me before he spoke. I didn’t as much as sense him until he was directly behind me, and then I had to swallow a squeal so he wouldn’t realize he’d practically scared the life out of me.
“Hello,” I gritted out, forcing a smile as I turned. Jareth was only a foot away and that distance was nowhere near comfortable. “How are you?” I took an exaggerated step away from him, causing the amused man to bark out a laugh.
“I’m fine … and you’re frightened of me.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
I was firm. “You just happen to make my skin crawl now that I know you did something to my brain. If you expect me to apologize for that … well … forget it.”
“I like that you’re bold and say what comes to your mind.”
“And I like it when you keep your distance.” I waved my hand for effect. “Don’t come close enough to touch me.”
For the first time since the conversation started, Jareth looked legitimately concerned. “You think I’m going to do something to you. I don’t understand why.”
“Really?” I cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t understand why I’m uncomfortable around you even though Galen swears up and down you did something to invade my mind the day we were introduced? I can’t imagine why I’d be upset about that. Really, it’s not you, it’s me.”
Jareth was back to smiling. “Ah, that.”
“Yes, that.”
“I was not trying to invade your mind. I was merely trying to see if I could … influence would be the correct word … your feelings. Vampires are known for that. May managed to build up an immunity of sorts to my powers. I was always fascinated by her ability, and we often tested one another as a game of sorts.”
“I’m not May.”
“You’re certainly not,” Jareth agreed. “You’re a unique person all your own. I have a feeling, given all that I’m hearing, that you’ll find a way to keep me out sooner or later.”
It would probably be later because I had no intention of spending time with him to test his theory. “Sure. Whatever.” I glanced over my shoulder to where Galen continued arguing on the phone with the attorney. “I wonder how long this is going to take.”
“Probably not much longer. Galen always gets what he wants.”
The remark seemed a little pointed. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Simply that I find it cute how you two have found your way to one another so quickly given your short time on the island,” Jareth replied. “Before you, Galen was not much for dating … at least for more than one night.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“He was more interested in competing with Booker to see who could snag more women on weekends.”
That was something I hadn’t heard, although it didn’t exactly surprise me. “Well, you’ll have to ask Galen why he decided to give up his extracurricular activities. I’m not privy to the inner workings of his mind.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I think you’re privy to more than you realize.”
“And how do you figure that?”
“You’re powerful,” Jareth answered simply. “You manage to show strength without even realizing you’re doing it. I find you … fascinating.”
“And I find you freaky.”
“I really wish you would loosen up and like me,” Jareth lamented. “I think we could have great fun together.”
“And I think that would’ve been much more likely before you invaded my mind.”
“Pshaw. You’re stuck on that, and it’s annoying.” Jareth twisted his lips. “All right, how about we change things up? I’ll apologize – again – for looking inside of your head. I’ll also promise never to do it again. In exchange, I would like you to give me a second chance.”
I balked. “A second chance for what?”
“Exploration.”
That sounded unlikely … and oddly intriguing. “I’ll think about it.” I leaned against the display shelf on the wall and crossed my arms as I regarded him. “I don’t know much about vampires.”
“There’s not much to know. I don’t feed off humans and I’m a good boy with the tourists. I’m utterly boring.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“Well, it’s true.” When Jareth beamed he showed off a row of teeth that looked suspiciously normal.
“Why don’t you have fangs?” The question was out of my mouth before I realized how obnoxious it sounded. “I mean … how do you drink blood if you don’t have fangs? You can’t bite anyone’s neck with those teeth. They’re not sharp enough.”
Jareth chuckled, genuinely amused. “You are witty and delightful. I can see why you caught Galen’s fancy. Of course, I’m despondent over that. I thought eventually Galen would turn his attention in my direction and we’d live happily ever after.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “He’s not gay.”
“He could be.”
“You probably shouldn’t mention that idea to him,” I suggested. Despite my misgivings, I was starting to like Jareth. That made me uncomfortable on an entirely different level. “Can I ask you something?” I didn’t wait for an answer before barreling forward. “I need information on magic and I think the only way to get it is to talk to May.”
“I was under the impression that May’s spirit is still hanging around,” Jareth noted, frowning. “Why not just ask her when she pops in for a visit?”
“Her visits are few and far between. She won’t answer questions when I pose them.”
“Okay, what’s your question?”
“Is there anyone else on the island who can answer my questions? And, before you say ‘Madame Selena,’ you should know she could very well be dead or wishing she was dead. She’s also the person I think cast the spell yesterday, so I don’t trust her.”
Jareth’s shoulders shook as he bent at the waist and laughed. “Oh, I really like you. I promise never to look inside your head again if we can hang out. I suggest a night at the bar to really get to know one another.”
“I’ll consider it if you answer me,” I said. “I need someone to help me with the magic. You’ve been around a long time … and you’re a vampire. You must know someone.”
Jareth slowly sobered. “I still think May is your best bet. Why not simply ask her to hang around and help you? She’s your grandmother. She used to talk about you all the time. I would think she wants to help you more than anything.”
“Except she’s barely around.”
“Then force her to stick around and answer your questions.”
I was understandably confused. “And how do I do that?”
“By holding a séance, of course.” Jareth made a face. “You’re a witch, dear. You should be adept at séances even if you’re new to the game.”
I was intrigued. “And how do I conduct a séance?”
“I’m not familiar with all the intricacies, but I’m certain May has a book. Perhaps in that charming third-floor library?”
I narrowed my eyes. “How do you know about the library?”
“Because we made potions together at times. She was trying to come up with something to cure my bloodlust.”
“Oh.” That sounded nice. “Did she succeed?”
“Nope. She did, however, make me want to try steak once.”
“How did that go?”
“I threw up. My body is not equipped for human food.”
“Fair enough.” I licked my lips. “If I wanted to conduct a séance and force her to answer my questions, what would I need?”
“The people closest to her in life.”
“So … Wesley?” My heart sank. “He’s not ready to visit the lighthouse yet, and as far as I can tell that’s the only place she can visit.”
“He’s your grandfather,” Jareth pointed out. “If you ask it of him, he’ll come.”
Surprisingly, I knew Jareth was right. “Okay, well … I’ll consider it.”
Witches Just Want to Have Fun Page 50