Ivy Morgan Mystery 18 - Wicked Wedding

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Well, that is ... something,” Felicity said finally. “You burned him?”

  “Yeah, and I can’t decide if that’s the more interesting development or the fact that I actually used magic to lift him off the ground and slam him into the wall.”

  “The burning thing,” Felicity and Dorian said in unison, exchanging amused looks before focusing on Ivy again.

  “The magic you used to throw him back is interesting, but it’s nowhere near as complicated as the other magic,” Felicity explained, sobering. “Throwing him back that way was impulse, essentially a reflex of sorts. Burning him, however, was active magic that should’ve taken a great deal of concentration ... and yet it sounds like you somehow conjured it out of nowhere and made it work.”

  Ivy rubbed her cheek, letting the words sink in. “I guess I didn’t think about it that way.”

  “Fire magic is a big deal.”

  “It wasn’t fire magic. There were no flames. It was more like I had really hot hands and he paid the price.”

  “And you weren’t hurt in the process, right?” Dorian queried.

  “I was fine. I mean ... my adrenaline flagged a little bit after that. I couldn’t pick up Jenny and carry her back to the building. I had to wait for her to wake up so we could go together.”

  “It’s still impressive.” Dorian was dubious as he turned to his girlfriend. “What are you thinking, Fel?”

  “I don’t know.” Felicity’s expression was hard to read. “Ivy’s powers have been growing exponentially since she met Jack. He was a key of sorts. I’ve been thinking about it a lot since things started happening.

  “The dream walking was first and that was an interesting bit of magic,” she continued. “It was instinctive, though. You felt a connection to Jack, and he needed you. Since that time, you guys have become everything to one another and it makes sense.

  “After that, though, you started manifesting faster,” she continued. “You can see ghosts. You’ve seen through the eyes of a killer. Now you’re unleashing the sort of magic that can hurt people.”

  Ivy was aghast. “I don’t want to hurt people.”

  “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” Felicity reassured her, holding up her hands. “I just meant that your magic is no longer just of the mind variety. You’re incredibly strong, Ivy.”

  “Yeah. It’s great. It means I can take care of myself without worrying about what Jack and Max think. I still can’t actively control it, though.”

  “Actually, I think control is the issue,” Felicity volunteered. “You’re a control freak, my dear. You always have been. Your magic has spiked in the instances when you didn’t have time to think. I believe that goes to show that the only thing holding you back is you.”

  Ivy worked her jaw. “Okay, let’s say I agree with you — and I’m not saying I do, but let’s pretend I do — how do I fix that?”

  “I don’t know. I’ve never had that particular problem. It’s on you. You’re going to have to find a way to unclench.”

  “I’m not wound all that tight.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Uh-huh.” Felicity’s smile was mischievous. “I wish you luck. I don’t think this is going to be easy for you. I can’t help you, though. This is one thing you’re going to have to do on your own.”

  That was the last thing Ivy wanted to hear.

  JACK AND BRIAN SPENT A FULL HOUR PARKED two streets over and watching Bobbie’s house through binoculars. Brian was about to give up, swearing under his breath that it was a waste of time, and then Bobbie pulled out of her garage.

  “She’s on the move,” Jack noted, sliding his partner a pointed look. “You said she would go to him rather than risk calling him.”

  “And I turned out to be right.” Brian turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of their spot. “Keep an eye on her. You’re going to have to call out directions.”

  “I’m on it.”

  Bobbie wasted precious time going back and forth in various subdivisions, no clear route dictating her turns. Jack figured she thought she could lose a tail that way — perhaps it was something she’d seen on television — and he and Brian wisely hung back. Finally, after what felt like forever, she took off toward the north side of town.

  “What’s out here?” Jack asked as Brian navigated onto a dirt road. Now that there was no traffic to hide behind, they would be blown if Bobbie slowed down enough to let them catch up.

  “Mostly hunting cabins,” Brian replied, thoughtful. “I don’t think Bobbie owns one, but I’m almost positive Ted owns one.”

  “You mean the slum lord of Shadow Lake?”

  “That would be the one. If I remember correctly, his is about three miles from here, to the east. Bobbie should turn right about a mile up the road.”

  Jack lifted his binoculars and focused on the vehicle. “She’s slowed down a bit but is still making good time.”

  “There are a lot of curves up in here. You can’t go too fast.”

  The two men lapsed into silence as Brian focused on the two-track. Sure enough, Bobbie turned down the road he expected.

  “Maybe we should pull over in here,” Jack suggested when they’d gone another mile. “There’s going to be no way for us to hide our approach if we get much closer, and if she sees us, there’s no way she’ll lead us to him twice.”

  Brian hesitated and then nodded. “Good idea.”

  The small roundabout was used for lake access. People pulled in, drove to the far end of the circle, loaded their boat, and then pulled out again. Brian parked in the heavy shade under a tree, a location that would be difficult for Bobbie to see when she was driving past.

  Since Brian knew the way, he took the lead in the woods. Jack wasn’t exactly in his element when it came to the wilderness. Ivy was a much stronger outdoorswoman than he was an outdoorsman, so he always allowed her to take the lead. Now it was Brian’s turn.

  They hiked for almost ten minutes before the sound of a car could be heard. Brian held out his arm to keep Jack hidden in the trees and peered through some leaves to get a better look.

  “It’s Bonnie,” he noted, narrowing his eyes. “She looks to be alone.”

  “Maybe he’s not out here. Maybe he took off and went somewhere else.”

  “Maybe. Or maybe she warned him really fast and told him to get out.”

  “We need to check the cabin right now. He could be preparing to run.”

  “Yeah. Let’s head in.”

  The cabin in question was tiny and rundown. To Jack, the building looked like something straight out of a horror movie. There were no electrical lines running to the one-room shack and the structure actually looked to be sagging on one side.

  Brian drew his service weapon once the shack was in sight and pressed his finger to his lips as a form of warning. Jack nodded in understanding and pulled out his own weapon before following Brian to the front door of the shack.

  “Police,” Brian called out. “Put your hands up and don’t make any sudden moves.” Then, without waiting for a response, he kicked in the door and entered.

  One quick pass told both detectives all they needed to know. Oliver wasn’t currently present, but he’d mostly definitely been there.

  “Look at this,” Jack muttered, shaking his head as he took in the collage Oliver had tacked onto the wooden wall. There had to be at least fifty photos of the shelter. Jenny and Dana were visible in some of them, but Ivy was the main attraction in a few more. She was clearly unaware anyone was watching her in the photos, because her attention was either on the ground or directed at Serena in each one.

  “He’s been stalking that place for more than a few days,” Jack noted finally.

  “He has,” Brian agreed, frowning as he focused on one of the Ivy photos. “I think your fiancée is as much of a target as his wife and child. I know you don’t want to hear that but ... I mean, look at these photos.”

  Jack’s heart skipped
a beat. He’d been thinking the same thing. Having Brian acknowledge his worst fears was more difficult than he imagined, though. “I have to check on her.”

  “You’re not going to get service in here. We have to head back to town.”

  “We should station some men in the woods just in case he comes back.”

  “That’s not likely once Bobbie makes contact, but it can’t possibly hurt. I’ll make the call as soon as we get back to civilization.”

  “And I’ll call Ivy ... just to be on the safe side.”

  13

  THIRTEEN

  The photos bothered Jack, and he kept impatiently looking at the speedometer as Brian returned to Shadow Lake. The older detective did his best to pretend Jack wasn’t bothering him but ultimately let loose his patented “you’re driving me crazy” sigh.

  “I’m not doing anything,” Jack automatically protested, his eyes flicking back to the road.

  “You’re trying to will me to drive faster.”

  “I’m not.”

  “You are.”

  “I’m really not.” Jack forced himself to meet Brian’s gaze. “You’re not driving as slow as a little kid in a toy car no matter what other people might say.”

  Brian tried not to laugh — it would only encourage Jack after all — but he ultimately couldn’t stop himself. “I’m going the speed limit.”

  “I’m well aware.”

  “These roads have a lot of twists and turns.”

  “I can see them.”

  “I’m also trying to set a good example for the fine people of Shadow Lake.”

  That statement was enough to have Jack rolling his eyes. “If you say so.”

  “I know so.” Brian was adamant, although he found himself pressing down on the gas pedal a bit. “I’ll go five over. That’s it.”

  Jack nodded in thanks. “I’m not trying to be difficult,” he said as he looked out the passenger window, the foliage blurring as they sped down the highway. “I just ... how did he get the photos of Ivy?”

  “I don’t know.” That had been bothering Brian, too. “Do you know when they were taken?”

  “How should I know? I wasn’t in any of them.”

  “No, but she’s a woman.”

  “Oh, really? I never would’ve guessed.”

  Brian pinned him with a serious look. “I’m just saying that women change their hair and clothes ... a lot. Did any of the stuff she was wearing look different from what she’s been wearing over the past few days? What about her hair? Did she cut it for the wedding?”

  Jack searched his memory. Ivy wasn’t big on changing her appearance. “She looks the same. She never does anything different.”

  “Son, you’d better never say anything like that to her. If I know anything about women — and I’ve been married long enough to say I do — it’s that they don’t like their pretty efforts to be ignored.”

  “Their pretty efforts?” Jack arched an eyebrow. “Do I even want to know what you mean by that?”

  “Probably not. It’s a thing, though.”

  Jack waited for his partner to expand. When he didn’t, he prodded him ... if only to make the ride go faster. “Would you care to share with the class what you meant?”

  “You should already know. You’ve been in this long enough to figure it out. Since you need enlightenment, though, I’ll tell you.” Brian licked his lips, his eyes peeled on the road in front of them. “Women like to gussy themselves up. They go to the hair salon ... and the nail salon ... and those places where they get their eyebrows done.”

  “I’m pretty sure Ivy does that herself.”

  Brian ignored him. “They do all these things because they’re vain creatures. Even those who claim they don’t care about their looks really care.”

  “Do tell me more.”

  Brian pretended he didn’t hear the snark. “It used to be that my wife told me she was getting pretty for me. She would melt down when I didn’t notice. Quite frankly, I don’t spend a lot of time staring at her eyebrows so there’s no way I would’ve figured out they were different. I mean ... there are two of them. That’s the only thing that matters.”

  “True story.”

  “It’s a big deal to them, though,” Brian continued. “The thing is, they don’t really do it for us. They do it for other women.”

  Despite himself, Jack found he was intrigued. “What do you mean?”

  “They do it for other women,” Brian repeated. “It’s not about men ... especially when they’ve already snagged the cream of the crop like us.”

  “That’s an interesting observation,” Jack said dryly.

  “I’ve been married for a long time. I know things.”

  Jack wanted to laugh but managed to hold it together. “I’m glad to have your wisdom at my fingertips.”

  “Women want other women to look at them and say, ‘how does she do that?’, while at the same time they want men to look at them and say, ‘I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.’ The women are more important, though. That’s why they bother with the makeup and hair stuff.”

  Jack cocked his head, considering. “I guess I can see where that might be true to some extent,” he hedged. “Ivy does correct her posture and keep her chin up whenever Maisie and Ava are around.”

  “That’s because Ava and Maisie are the types of women who would sucker punch her. It’s the same theory, though. Ivy wants to be beautiful for you and strong and striking for them.”

  “Ivy doesn’t need makeup to be beautiful,” Jack argued. “I actually prefer it when she doesn’t wear makeup. She’s always beautiful, but I like her best when she just wakes up and her hair is wild. Sometimes she even has a bit of drool right here.” He tapped the corner of his mouth. “That doesn’t bother me at all either.”

  Brian rolled his eyes. “Wow. For a guy who seemingly has it all, you’re a moron. Never mention the drool.”

  “I tease her about it all the time.”

  “And you’re still alive?”

  “She doesn’t care about that stuff.” Jack was certain about that. “I mean, she does her hair when we’re going out and she’ll wear this blue top that brings out her eyes for me because I love it. In general, though, she’s happiest when she’s running around barefoot in a ratty skirt with her hair tied back.”

  “She really should be careful wandering around without shoes on. She could step on something and get tetanus.”

  “Oh, I’ve told her. She doesn’t listen. I’m pretty sure she thinks I worry way too much.”

  “Which is why we’re breaking the law to get to her.”

  “I just want to make sure she’s safe.” Jack refused to apologize for that. “Oliver wasn’t at the shack. He could be anywhere.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And if he’s decided Ivy is an obstacle ....” Jack left the statement hanging.

  “Okay, we’ll go ten over,” Brian said, pressing the gas pedal harder. “That’s my absolute limit, though. I’m only doing this to make sure you two make it to the altar.”

  “You’re a god amongst men.”

  “Tell my wife that. I’m in the doghouse for not noticing she got a perm.”

  “I’ll try to remember next time I see her.”

  IVY RETURNED TO THE NURSERY after visiting Felicity and her mood could hardly be described as good.

  “She said I had to figure it out on my own.” She planted her hands on her narrow hips. “Can you believe that?”

  Michael, who was busy pruning a bush, made sympathetic noises but didn’t otherwise react.

  “If I could figure it out on my own, I wouldn’t have gone to her in the first place. I mean ... what the holy heck?”

  “I think you’re selling yourself short,” Michael offered. “You’re a smart girl. You can do this.”

  Ivy’s forehead creased. “Is that really your advice?”

  “Yes. It’s good advice.”

  “It’s lame advice,” Ivy shot back, her temper ratch
eting up a notch. “You’re supposed to be telling me what I want to hear.”

  “Since when is that the rule?”

  “Since always.”

  “Um, no.” Michael straightened and shook his head. “I’m not your friend. I’m your father. Yes, we’re close, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to placate you. As your father, it’s my job to give you hard facts. When you need to hear something, whether you want to or not, it’s my job to say it.”

  Ivy remained motionless for several seconds and then shook her head. “No, you need to tell me what I want to hear. In this case, it’s that Aunt Felicity is so caught up in Dorian that she can’t be bothered with my problems. I don’t like it.”

  That was enough to earn a smile from Michael. “Well, I’m sorry you don’t like it. Last time I checked, though, she was allowed to have a life. I believe she wants to live that life with Dorian, and given how long they were separated, I believe it’s more than fair that they get to spend some time together.”

  “I’m not saying they can’t spend time together. If you remember correctly, I’m the one who got them back together in the first place.”

  “Yes. You stuck your nose in business that didn’t concern you and it worked out well in the end. You got lucky.”

  Ivy’s eye roll was pronounced. “That was a skill move.”

  “If you say so. That doesn’t change the fact that your aunt deserves a little happiness. Although, if you want to know the truth, your mother has been crabby about all the time Felicity and Dorian have been spending together, too. I think she feels left out.”

  “That’s just Mom being a baby. We’re talking about me now.”

  “And you’re not being a baby, correct?”

  Ivy extended a warning finger. “I have a real problem. I can suddenly burn people with my hands. I think that’s something that I should be worried about.”