“Does the doctor say how long your morning sickness will last?”
“There is no exact timetable, but hopefully it should be gone in another month or two. I don’t mind losing weight. I’m not a big fan of puking, but all my pants are loose. I like that.”
Maddie couldn’t stop herself from chuckling at her friend’s enthusiasm. “At least you’re excited.”
“Except for the fact that John is a sympathetic puker. He tries to sit with me, put a cool cloth on my neck, but he ends up throwing up with me. His pants are loose, too.”
Amused by the visual, Maddie snickered. “You should film that one day.”
“You just want me to film it so Nick has something to hold over his brother’s head.”
“I am not that petty.”
“No, but you’re getting there.” Christy turned serious as she matched Maddie’s pace. “What are we doing here again?”
Maddie shrugged, noncommittal. “Shelby Capshaw was working here. That’s one of the few things I know about her. Her ghost wasn’t at Dad’s house yesterday, which means she probably wasn’t killed out there. Since I know very little about her, I figured it would be smart to look around and see if we can discover who she was close with.”
“And you think she was close to the other workers here?” Christy was understandably dubious. “I don’t want to rain on your parade, but from what you told me, I don’t think Shelby was particularly happy with her lot in life. If she didn’t want to work here, why would she hang with the people she was working with?”
“Maybe she had no choice. It’s not exactly as if Blackstone Bay is a hotbed of activity.”
“Fair point.”
The greenhouse was warm, the humidity ratcheting up a notch the second they walked through the door. Industrial-sized fans were operating in each corner, causing the noise level to approach uncomfortable thresholds, but hardly anyone seemed to notice.
“Oh, I want to plant myself in front of one of those fans,” Christy enthused, brightening. “I bet it will give me model hair.”
“What’s model hair?”
“You know ... wind in the hair.” Christy mimed strutting down a catwalk and tossing her red curls over her shoulder. “Those fans are the type they use at fashion shows.”
Maddie had her doubts that was true, but she didn’t want to curtail Christy’s enthusiasm. “Well, if you want to hang in front of one of the fans, I think you should do it. I’m going to ... .” She trailed off when a hint of movement caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. When she turned, she found a young man staring at her. He looked to be a good five years younger than her, although his gaze was so intense Maddie found herself shrinking back.
“What are you doing?” Christy didn’t wander far before she turned back and followed Maddie’s gaze. “Oh, man. I didn’t know he was back in town.”
“Who is he?” For some reason, Maddie found her throat unbearably dry. She didn’t exactly recognize the man, but there was something familiar about him she couldn’t shake.
“Harris Bishop. He’s Dustin Bishop’s older brother.”
Maddie’s heart skipped a beat. “Oh.”
It took Christy a moment to register the change in Maddie’s demeanor. “Oh, crap. That would be the same Dustin who tried to kill you that night at the lake. I’m sorry. I forgot all about that. Whenever I remember that story, Todd is the one who gets top-billing.”
In truth, when Maddie thought back to that night, Todd was the one she focused on as well. “Todd corrupted Dustin.”
“Well, there had to be something wrong with Dustin for him to be corrupted that way,” Christy said philosophically. “Still ... uh-oh. He’s heading this way.”
“Who?” Maddie was busy staring at a spot on the wall.
“Who do you think?” Christy moved to drag Maddie away from the approaching man. “He’s zeroed in on us. He’s probably going to yell or something. Prepare yourself.”
Even though she was antsy, Maddie found she wasn’t afraid. She forced herself to meet Harris’s gaze, refusing to move her feet even when he stood directly in front of her. He was tall — a good six inches taller than his brother — and well built. The expression on his face wasn’t exactly friendly, but he didn’t appear to have murderous intentions either.
“Can I help you?” His voice was low and gravelly.
“Oh, well, we’re considering getting a bush,” Christy started.
“We’re here to see who is working the greenhouse these days,” Maddie corrected, opting to tell the truth rather than spin a convoluted lie. “We’re looking for people who knew Shelby Capshaw.”
“Shelby? She’s off today. I ... wait. Did you say knew?”
Maddie nodded. “She’s dead.” She didn’t mean to say the words in such a blunt manner, but she was eager to watch Harris’s reaction.
For his part, the younger man’s expression twisted into something akin to grief. “Are you serious? She’s dead?”
Maddie bobbed her head. “Did you know her?”
“We worked together. Of course I knew her.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“I don’t know. I ... .” Harris broke off and stroked his jaw. “Wait a second. Why are you asking me these questions? You’re not a police officer.”
“We could be police officers,” Christy countered. “I’ve always thought I would look awesome with a badge.”
“That doesn’t mean you are a police officer,” Harris challenged, his eyes locking with Maddie’s. “I know who you are, by the way. I’ve seen photos of you. I’ve talked to my brother. We’ve discussed what happened out at the lake.”
Maddie didn’t like the odd way he phrased it. “Let me guess ... you think your brother was framed.”
“No.” Harris vehemently shook his head, taking her by surprise. “I think my brother is guilty. I think he fell victim to a guy who convinced him that it was a good idea to do what they did. I’m not making excuses for my brother, but he was always impressionable. I should’ve been around to protect him.”
Now it was Maddie’s turn to shake her head. “You didn’t make decisions for your brother. Todd may have convinced Dustin that murdering people was fun and worthwhile, but your brother was old enough to realize he was traveling down the wrong path. That’s not on you.”
“He’s still my brother. I can’t help feeling I should’ve done something.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t blame you.” Maddie was sincere. “You weren’t there. You didn’t help Dustin murder people, or go with him into the woods and attack me. You’re not to blame.”
“Thanks for saying that, but you don’t owe me anything. What happened to you was terrible. I just want you to know that I’m aware of what my brother did and I hope you find some peace once he’s locked away.”
Maddie had no idea what to make of the sentiment. “Well ... thank you. That’s not why we’re here, though. We’re here because of Shelby. We’re trying to figure out who she hung around with. Maybe you can help us.”
Harris looked dubious but simply nodded. “I’ll help if I can. What do you want to know?”
Seven
Even though she never truly got comfortable with the situation, Maddie spent enough time with Harris to get a handle on who Shelby was hanging out with ... and how often. When she was finished, she followed Christy around the greenhouse so her opinionated friend could give her take on the individuals in question.
It was a long tour because Christy knew a little bit about a lot of people.
“That last one over there is Gary Strata,” she intoned as they stood next to the exit. “He’s almost thirty and still working here seasonally.”
Maddie followed Christy’s gaze, curious. “That makes him quite a bit older than the rest of the kids working here.”
“He’s our age.”
“He’s one year older than us,” Maddie corrected, earning a smile for her efforts. “Still ... I get what you mean.�
� She wrinkled her nose as she watched the man arrange flower flats. “I didn’t realize Henry paid well enough that someone with legitimate bills, a family, could work here.”
“What makes you think he has a family?”
Maddie shrugged. “He’s old like us.”
“And we’re technically family-less for the present,” Christy pointed out. “We’re both getting married and I’m pregnant, but we don’t have official families yet ... or responsibilities.”
“Fair enough.” Maddie couldn’t pull her attention from Gary. “Still, the bulk of these kids are under the age of twenty-five. Harris is slightly older, but he came back to town to take care of his mother. He needed money fast and he didn’t have rent to pay. This job kind of makes sense for him until he can figure something else out.”
“Gary isn’t exactly problem-free,” Christy hedged. “He’s got a bad reputation around town. He’s known as a bit of a ... well ... pervert.”
Maddie’s eyebrows migrated up her forehead. “What?”
“A pervert,” Christy repeated. “Not in the ‘I’m going to grab your butt and give it a squeeze without being asked’ way but more in the ‘I’m going to hide in your bushes and touch myself while you’re undressing’ way.”
Maddie was absolutely flabbergasted. “He’s a Peeping Tom?”
“More like a Peeping Gary.”
Maddie’s lips curved down. “That’s not funny and you know what I mean.”
Christy took pity on her, although she couldn’t contain her chuckle. “I do know what you mean. There’s no reason to get worked up, though. He’s kind of one of those characters a town knows about but tries to hide ... like a Boo Radley, if you will. He’s mostly harmless. Well, other than the pants-dropping thing.”
“I don’t think peeping through people’s windows and touching himself is harmless.”
“He never touches others.”
“That doesn’t mean what he’s doing is okay.”
“Why do you think I have shades on all my windows?” Christy challenged. “People kind of ignore what he does because his mother used to be mayor. One day he’ll probably take things too far and get arrested, but so far it hasn’t happened.”
“Yeah, but ... Shelby Capshaw is dead. What if he already took things too far?”
Christy sobered. “Then I guess he’s not as harmless as we always thought.”
MADDIE MET NICK AT THE local diner for dinner. The house remained stuffy without the air conditioning units placed in various windows — something Nick had yet to be able to accomplish because he was looking into a murder — so it seemed convenient to eat elsewhere.
Nick was already seated when Maddie entered. She made a beeline for their favorite booth, already knowing he would be there, and smacked a loud kiss on his lips by way of greeting before sliding in beside him. The booth was round rather than rectangular, which allowed them to sit side-by-side without looking ridiculous.
“How was your day?”
Nick smiled at her enthusiastic greeting. “Terrible.”
“How come?”
“I missed you every second of it.”
Maddie’s lips curved as she shook her head. “You think you’re charming, don’t you?”
“I’m hoping you’ll confirm that for me later.” Nick’s grin was amiable as he smoothed her hair and pushed it away from her forehead. “No offense, love, but you look like you’ve seen better days.”
Maddie scowled. “Wow. That’s a romantic thing to say about the woman you supposedly love.”
Nick turned serious. “Don’t ever use ‘supposedly’ when referring to me and the way I feel. I don’t like it.”
Maddie relented, although only because she wasn’t in the mood for a fight. “Fine. I apologize. I happen to think I look smoking hot, though.”
“You’re always smoking hot.”
“Thank you.”
“Right now you’re really sweaty, though, and it’s obvious you’ve been sweaty for half the day. What gives?”
Maddie heaved out a sigh. “I was in the Blackstone Greenhouse, and it’s like a sauna in there.”
The look on Nick’s face promised mayhem. “Excuse me?”
Maddie missed the shift in his tone. “The greenhouse,” she repeated. “I went out there because I was hoping to find out who Shelby Capshaw has been hanging out with. I found out a few things that might be of interest to you, by the way. The greenhouse, though, was sweltering. It was like every room in our house beside the bedroom.”
“I’m going to get those air conditioners up,” Nick promised, furrowing his brow. “I told you I would and I will.”
“I wasn’t casting aspersions on your manly house ... thingamajig.” She twirled her finger, as if to prove that was a real word and she knew exactly what she was talking about. “I know you’ve been busy.”
“I have.”
“I know.”
Nick blinked several times in rapid succession as he regarded her. “I’ll get the one put in the kitchen window tonight no matter what.”
“You don’t have to. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t.”
“It’s the end to home-cooked meals if I don’t.”
“It is the end of that,” Maddie agreed, bobbing her head in a manner that made Nick smile.
“Ugh. You’re so stinking cute.” He leaned closer and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Most men would be offended to have their manly house thingamajigs called into question.”
“I guess it’s lucky you’re not most men.”
“You have no idea.” He kissed her again, taking a moment to bask in their closeness, and then pulled back when the waitress approached. Nick recognized her as a recent graduate of the high school. “Where’s Ruby tonight?” he asked, referring to the diner’s owner. “She usually waits on us.”
“She’s got something going on in the back,” the girl replied. She looked harried. “Do you know what you want?”
Nick and Maddie exchanged a quick look. Apparently pleasantries were the one thing not on the menu this evening.
“I believe we do,” Nick said after a beat. “I’ll have the tuna sandwich on wheat and potato salad.”
“I’ll have the same,” Maddie added.
“Great.” The waitress finished writing and grabbed the menus they’d pushed toward the center of the table. “Do you want anything to drink?”
“Two iced teas,” Nick answered. He watched the young woman bustle away with a mixture of mirth and wariness. “I bet we never see those iced teas.”
Maddie sipped her glass of ice water and shrugged. “It’s not the end of the world, but you’re right. She seems agitated.”
“I wonder why Ruby is allowing her to handle the entire dining room section by herself when it’s so busy,” Nick mused, tilting his head to the side so he could stare at the swinging doors that led back to the kitchen. “I don’t see her back there.”
“That’s because she’s out front.” Maddie pointed in the opposite direction, toward the window. There, the craggy owner of the diner looked to be having a heated conversation with someone in the parking lot. It wasn’t dark out yet — spring days stretched longer in Michigan — but the sun was setting and it made making out Ruby’s conversation partner difficult.
“Hmm.” Nick idly rubbed circles on the back of Maddie’s neck as he stared out the window. “She looks upset, doesn’t she? Do you think I should go out there?”
Maddie shrugged, unsure what to say. “I don’t know. If someone is giving Ruby a hard time, she might be grateful for the intervention. Of course ... .” She left the sentence hanging.
“Ruby is the sort of woman who doesn’t feel she needs help,” Nick finished, smirking when Ruby made a particularly sarcastic face. “She’s funny. I’ve always liked her.”
“Me, too.” Maddie rested her head against Nick’s shoulder and continued to watch the show. “Whatever is going on must be serious. She’s moving her hands as if she’s
about to row a boat.”
Nick chuckled. “I’m sure she’s fine. I ... .” He narrowed his eyes when he finally got a glimpse of the individual sharing a tense moment with Ruby. “Is that ... ?”
Maddie frowned when she realized exactly what — or who — Nick was staring at. “Granny. What do you think she’s doing here?”
Nick honestly had no idea. “I’m guessing it’s not good.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because Maude is never up to something good. I’m not saying she’s evil or anything, but she finds joy in torturing others ... especially Harriet Proctor.”
Harriet Proctor was Marla’s grandmother, and she had the same relationship with Maude that Maddie had with Marla. “I’m almost afraid to ask what they’re up to,” she admitted.
“We might be better not knowing.” Nick went back to rubbing Maddie’s back, making a conscious effort to pull his eyes from the intense conversation outside and focus on his fiancée. “Tell me about the time you spent at the greenhouse.”
Maddie held her palms out. “There’s not much to tell. Christy is not a fan of the heat. She’s going to be big by the end of the summer, which I think means she’s going to be miserable ... and she’s going to make us miserable in the process. You should prepare yourself for that.”
Nick frowned. “I figure that’s John’s problem ... and your problem, since you’re the best friend. I fail to see how that’s going to be my problem.”
“She’s going to be your sister-in-law.”
“So?”
“So I’m going to bribe you to care with skimpy outfits and other stuff.”
Nick’s lips curved. “Now that I can see.”
Maddie playfully slapped his knee as she rolled her neck and shook her head. “Men are so easy.”
“Just this man ... with you.” Nick snuggled closer, moving his mouth to Maddie’s ear so only she could hear what he was about to say. His proximity, the way his breath kissed the ridge of her ear, sent chills down her spine. “Tell me what happened at the greenhouse or I’m totally going to go alpha male and lose my temper.”
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