Maddie snickered. “Men are such simple creatures sometimes.”
“We are indeed.”
NICK WAS RIGHT. Marla and Steven headed straight back to the hotel, not once glancing over their shoulders to see if they were being followed. Nick parked across the street, convinced Maddie would watch them walk into the building and then happily head home.
Instead, Maddie threw open the passenger door and hopped out onto the pavement. She was already halfway across the street before Nick killed his engine, pocketed his keys, and caught up with her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Nick hissed, struggling to keep up with her energetic stride. “There’s no way we can watch what’s about to happen in his room … and I have no interest in seeing that, for the record.”
“I have no interest in seeing that either,” Maddie said dryly as she tugged on the hotel door. “Besides, I don’t think they’re going up to his room. Even Marla doesn’t work that fast.”
“I beg to differ.”
Maddie narrowed her eyes. “Do you know that from personal experience or gossip?”
“Oh, don’t make me gag.” Nick followed Maddie into the hotel lobby, keeping his voice low. “Marla doesn’t discriminate and the guys she picks to roll around with aren’t exactly the quiet type. Everyone who has ever nailed her likes to get drunk in the beer tent at festivals and talk about it.”
“That is disgusting.” Maddie searched the lobby, puffing out her chest when her gaze landed on the small bar to the right. Steven and Marla were already seated, and completely into one another. “Ha!”
Nick tamped down his irritation, but just barely. “Fine. They’re in the bar instead of the bedroom. That doesn’t mean they won’t end up there eventually.”
“And I don’t care about that.”
“What do you care about?”
“I want to know what they’re talking about.”
Nick was exasperated. “Mad, we can’t exactly explain why we’re here. If we go into that bar with the express purpose of eavesdropping, they’re going to know.”
“Oh, that’s what you think.” Maddie calmly patted Nick’s cheek and then turned in the opposite direction of the bar at the same moment her father hit the main floor. “Hi, Dad. We thought we would treat you to a drink and some conversation in the bar.”
If George was surprised by Maddie’s sudden appearance, he didn’t show it. “That sounds great.” He beamed at Nick as he approached. “This is a nice surprise.”
Nick was understandably suspicious. “Did she call and tell you to meet us down here?”
George chuckled, keeping his voice low. “She texted and said you were on a secret mission and needed my help.”
“That figures.” Nick shook his head as Maddie headed toward the quaint drinking area. “She is full of herself tonight.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” George said. “I thought you liked it when she was full of herself. In fact, one of the first serious conversations we shared revolved around Maddie’s growing sense of self. You said you were happy she was gaining in the self-esteem department.”
Nick’s stare was withering. “Oh, that you remember, huh? You just had to bring that up.”
George sobered. “You look tired.”
“I am tired.”
“A drink will perk you right up,” Maddie called out from the door. “Come on. They have a booth ready for us.”
“Fine.” Nick was resigned to a night of spying and shenanigans. “You’re going to owe me big time whenever we get a chance to be alone again, though. I’m warning you now.”
Maddie’s smile was serene. “I’m fine with that.”
Oddly enough, when he saw that smile, Nick was fine with it, too.
“SO, WHO ARE WE spying on?”
George sipped his bourbon and got comfortable in the booth across from Maddie and Nick. He was genuinely amused by the entire ordeal and couldn’t wait to get caught up on the gossip.
“Marla and Steven.” Maddie picked a booth that wasn’t close enough that their conversation could be easily overheard, especially by their quarry, but near enough that she had a clear view. Ultimately that meant she couldn’t hear what they said, but she didn’t want to appear too obvious. “We want to know what they’re up to.”
George tilted his head to the side as he regarded the duo, who seemed to be deep in thought and oblivious to everyone else in the bar. “I think he’s staying here.”
“He is,” Nick confirmed, resting his arm across the back of the booth as he lingered over a beer. He wasn’t in the mood to drink, although that was mostly because he was in the mood for bed. Until Maddie got her way, though, he knew he wouldn’t be seeing his pillow so he was determined to get through the night with minimal fuss. “He’s also the nephew of the woman who died in the fire up by us the other day.”
“Mildred Wilkins.” George bobbed his head. “I’ve been on the phone with a local real estate woman twice this week to see about buying the land.”
Nick arched an eyebrow. “Maddie mentioned that, but I didn’t know you were serious.”
“I am.” George surveyed Nick for a long beat. “Will that upset you? I mean, if I move that close, will you be uncomfortable?”
It was an honest question so Nick felt his future father-in-law deserved an honest answer. “As long as you don’t come over every day … or develop a habit of not knocking … I think we’ll be fine. In fact, I think it would be an ideal situation in a lot of ways.”
Maddie was relieved by Nick’s answer but intrigued by the caveat. “How so?”
“Well, we’ll be having kids of our own one day,” Nick pointed out. “By the time that happens, it will be nice to know George is close and ready to serve as an emergency babysitter.”
George snorted at the wicked gleam in Nick’s eye. “If you think that’s going to scare me away, it’s not going to work. I’m looking forward to being a hands-on grandfather.” He cleared his throat, discomfort obvious. “I wasn’t a hands-on father so I would like to make up for at least a little bit of that by being a better grandfather.”
“Oh.” Maddie grinned. “That sounds good. I don’t think we’re going to have kids right away, though. I’d actually like to be married a year or so before we take the next step … just so we can spend time with each other.”
“I think that’s a good thing,” George said. “You’re still young. There’s no rush. Also, you two appear to enjoy each other’s company. I think that will bode well for a long and happy marriage.”
“I think so, too.” Maddie glanced at Nick. “That’s the plan, right?”
“Oh, that’s already set in stone,” Nick teased. “We’ve been destined for this since kindergarten. There’s no force on this planet – and that includes your insistence on spying – that will rip us apart.”
“Oh, so cute.” Maddie poked his side as Nick squirmed. “As for the spying, it’s necessary. The more I learn about that guy, the more I don’t trust him. I just can’t figure out what he has to do with all this.”
George went back to staring at Steven and Marla. “I’m not sure what I can offer by way of information. I know that he checked in yesterday and there was a mild kerfuffle over it.”
“How do you know that?” Nick asked, his interest piqued.
“Because he didn’t want to give them a credit card. He wanted to pay cash. As everyone knows, though, you still need a credit card in case damage is done to the room or something. He didn’t want to hand one over.”
“Did he eventually put a credit card on file?”
George nodded. “Yeah. He was ticked, but he did it. I don’t see where he had a lot of choices. He was on the phone for a bit and it was my assumption he tried to find another hotel where he wouldn’t need a credit card, but he eventually went back to the front desk and allowed them to run his card.”
“Hmm.” Nick rubbed his chin, thoughtful. “Maybe I’ll swing back by here tomorrow and see if there�
��s anything funky about the card. Now that Margo is running this place full time, though, I’m sure she’ll want me to go through her rather than one of her workers.”
“That’s probably true.” Maddie sipped her cocktail. “Have you talked to him at all?”
“Actually, I talked to him for a few minutes this morning,” George admitted. “We sat at the same table over breakfast. I got the last newspaper and he wanted to share it.”
“What section did he want to read?” Nick asked, although he was convinced he already knew the answer.
“The news section. He wanted to know if there was any additional information on the fire. He was infuriated when nothing showed up other than a brief mentioning the investigation was ongoing.”
“It’s a Traverse City newspaper,” Maddie argued. “They barely pay any attention to us. Of course there won’t be constant updates. I don’t expect them to run another story until an arrest is made in Mildred’s death.”
“I don’t know anything about that,” George hedged. “He was annoyed there wasn’t more information, though. I suggested he go to the police station to ask questions, but he didn’t seem to like that idea.”
“I don’t doubt that.” Nick was so focused on the other table – Steven in particular – that he didn’t realize Marla was staring at him until it was too late to avert his gaze. “Uh-oh.”
“Uh-oh, what?” Maddie widened her eyes when she realized Marla was on her feet. “Oh, that.”
“Yes, that.” Nick remained calm as Marla stomped over, his true interest remaining back at her table where Steven sat and watched the show. He didn’t make a move to join Marla, which Nick found beyond interesting. “Hello, Marla,” he boomed, adopting a faux welcoming persona. “How are you doing this fine and frisky evening?”
Marla made a puckered face that reminded Nick of the sourest lemon. “Are you trying to be funny?”
“I am,” Nick replied without hesitation. “Before deciding to be a cop, I considered a career in clowning. No joke. I wanted to dress up in pancake makeup and squirt roses on people. Ultimately law enforcement won out but part of my soul still longs for the big top.”
Maddie involuntarily shuddered. “Oh, now I’m going to have nightmares.”
Nick was amused despite himself. “I’ll protect you from the evil clowns in your dreams. I promise.”
“I don’t even know what you guys are talking about half the time,” Marla complained. “I mean … clowns? What does that have to do with anything.”
“I have no idea,” Nick deadpanned. “For some reason, when I saw you, a clown popped into my head.”
“Pennywise,” Maddie muttered under her breath, causing George to hide a laugh with a cough.
“Do you need something, Marla?” Nick queried pointedly. “We’re trying to have a nice night and that’s impossible when you’re around.”
“I want to know why you’re here,” Marla replied, indignant. “I want to know if you’re following me.”
Nick spared a quick glance for Steven and found the man intently watching the interplay. “Why would we follow you?”
“Why would you be here otherwise?”
Nick gestured toward George while offering a “well, duh” expression that he was certain would put Marla’s teeth on edge. “We’re here to see George. You know, Maddie’s father. He’s currently living here.”
“Oh, well … .” Marla briefly glared at George, as if it was somehow his fault that she looked like a raving lunatic. “Why did you come tonight, though?”
“Because I’ll be out of town for a few days starting this weekend and I called them for some quality time before I go,” George interjected smoothly. “I like to keep them apprised of my travel plans so they don’t worry.”
“I see.” Marla fidgeted as she glanced over her shoulder before linking her fingers in front of her. “Well, I guess you should carry on then.”
“Thank you for your permission,” Nick snarked, waiting until Marla was gone and back at her table before continuing. “Okay, Mad, you might have sold me on Steven being up to something. He very clearly sent Marla over here for information.”
“How can you be sure of that?” George asked.
“Because he’s as suspicious of us as we are of him.” Nick went back to lightly rubbing Maddie’s back. “He’s not interested in Marla. Not the way he wants her to believe he is, at least. He’s interested in information.”
“So, how does he play into this?” George asked. “Do you think he’s responsible for killing Mildred?”
Nick shrugged. “Let’s just say I can’t rule him out.”
“Does he have an alibi?”
“I have no idea,” Nick replied before swigging from his beer. “We didn’t ask him for an alibi. He was a shirttail nephew with no ties to the victim other than blood when we first questioned him. I think things have changed a bit on that front.”
“Will you question him again?”
“Most definitely.” Nick leaned over and gave Maddie a quick kiss on the temple. “You were right again, Mad. I’ve learned my lesson and will never question your instincts again.”
Maddie beamed. “I told you.”
“You’re beautiful and wise.”
“Ugh.” George made a face. “You guys kind of make me want to gag.”
“That’s almost always our intent,” Nick said. “Get used to that.”
“Definitely get used to that,” Maddie agreed. “We plan to be this way forever.”
“And ever and ever,” Nick enthused, earning the evil eye from George. “What? We’re seriously not going to stop doing it. You need to get over it.”
George was resigned. “I think I need another drink.”
Eighteen
Maddie remained close to Nick when she woke the next morning, taking a few moments to bask in his warmth before facing the day. Her dreams had been busy, leaving her feeling restless and a little bit drained when she opened her eyes.
She also had a plan. Unfortunately for her, it was a plan she was certain that Nick wouldn’t appreciate.
“I can hear the gears grinding from here, Mad.” Nick shifted, exhaling heavily before opening one eye so he could peer at her. “You’re thinking so loud you’re liable to wake the dead.”
Maddie pursed her lips. “That would be nice, huh? If I could wake the dead rather than just talk to them.”
“I’m fine with what you can do now,” Nick countered, tugging Maddie closer so he could snuggle with her. “You’re always so warm and cuddly in the morning. I think that’s my favorite part of the day.”
In truth, it was Maddie’s favorite part of the day, too. “I love you, Nicky.”
Instead of responding in kind, Nick groaned. “Oh, man. You’re about to butter me up for something I don’t like, aren’t you?”
Maddie was understandably offended. “That’s an awful thing to say about the woman you’re going to marry.”
“It’s only awful if it’s not true.”
“Good point.” Maddie licked her lips as she pulled back her head far enough that she could stare into Nick’s eyes. “I have an idea.”
“Oh, I’m going to hate this.” Nick pressed his eyes shut. “In fact, I think it would be better if we went back to sleep and forgot this ever happened. It can be a dream – a bad one – and we’ll move on to something else. How does that sound?”
Maddie opted for honesty. “Unlikely.”
“Ugh. I just knew you were going to say that.” Nick had barely started the day and he already feared he was at his limit. “What is going through that busy brain of yours?”
“I told you. I have an idea.”
Nick waited a beat. When Maddie didn’t expand, he decided to press her on the issue. “Would you like to share it with the class?”
“Not if you’re going to be a butthead.”
“I’m never a butthead.”
“Rarely,” Maddie agreed. “What you lack in quantity, though, you make up in
quality when the mood hits.”
Nick didn’t want to laugh. It was the exact wrong reaction. He couldn’t stop himself from doing just that, though. “You are my favorite person in the world. You really are.” He swooped down and smacked a loud kiss against her lips. “I can’t get enough of you.”
Maddie smiled at his reaction. “I feel the same way about you. You’re not going to distract me from telling you about my idea, though, so it’s probably unwise to try.”
“Fair enough.” Nick ran a hand through his morning-tousled hair. “What’s your idea?”
“You gave it to me actually.” Maddie rolled so she was on her back and staring at the ceiling, her eyes intense.
“I gave you the idea?” Nick remained on his side and moved his hand to her flat abdomen so he could rub away the tension he felt building there. “Well, I guess that means it must be a fantastic idea, huh?”
Maddie nodded without hesitation. “It is. I don’t see why I didn’t see it before.”
“Okay. What’s the idea?”
“I’m going to the children’s home and look inside Angel’s mind.”
Nick remained positively still as the words washed over him. “I … .”
“I’ve already made up my mind,” Maddie reminded him. “You said I should be able to control whatever this is, and I think you’re right. I’m going to test the theory on Angel. I felt what she was feeling the day I saved her, after all. I should be able to do it again.”
Nick ran his tongue over his teeth as he debated Maddie’s suggestion. “Do you think you can really see into her head?” He surprised himself with his reaction. He meant to argue with her, come up with a reason she shouldn’t do it. Instead, he found himself intrigued by the prospect.
“I think it’s worth a shot,” Maddie replied. “I mean … if she can show me what happened I’ll be able to help her. If she’s not willing to talk … or unable to hear exactly what I’m saying … or confused for some other reason … I should be able to figure it out. We can’t do anything until she decides to help us. We’re … stuck.”
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