by Carly Winter
But instead of heading out of town, Gonzalez drove to my bed and breakfast. Stan tried to run him out of the area and back to the highway by confronting him yet again in front of my place, but his plan failed, and Gonzalez died in my house.
“I thought I could at least grab his drugs,” Stan said. “I was going to break in late that night to get his keys, but I saw the cops at your house and knew he'd died. I thought I could still get the drugs… I just needed the keys.”
“Then you called us and reported his vehicle,” Adam said. “The vehicle that wasn't his.”
“Yes. I even forged the registration. I was waiting for the right moment to get his real car. Waiting for things to die down.”
“And you watched my house,” I muttered.
“Yeah, I did,” Stan spat. “You have been nothing but trouble for me, Bernadette Maxwell. Sticking your nose where it doesn't belong all the darn time. Just like your crazy grandmother.”
He glanced around as if waiting for the wrath of Ruby to descend. She stood behind him and smacked his head. Unfortunately, her ghostly hand moved right through the brainless wonder.
“Are the drugs in the car?” Adam asked. “Why didn't you just break a window?”
“It's alarmed,” Stan muttered. “I didn't want to cause a scene, especially when no one knew the drugs were in there. If the alarm went off, it would draw attention to the car and me. I could have probably gotten away with stealing the drugs, but I was afraid someone would see me do it.”
But Ruby had been inside the car and hadn’t seen anything. “How were they hidden?” I asked.
Stan didn’t answer, but stared at the floor, thoroughly defeated. I grinned at his misery while Adam and I retrieved the weapons in the kitchen and returned to the living room. He spoke on his phone in low tones while Ruby and I watched Stan.
“I told you this man was stupid,” Ruby said.
“Yes, you did tell me that about him,” I said, staring at my intruder.
“Who told what about me?” he asked glancing around the room once again.
I leaned my elbows on my knees and sat forward. “Ruby told me you were dumb. I was just agreeing with her.”
Stan stared at me a moment as the color drained from his face. I could see him trying to put together the timeline between when I'd arrived in town, and when she’d died. He was unable to, which could only mean I was crazy or I was talking to a ghost. Either one should rattle him.
The front door opened and Sheriff Walker walked in.
“Everything's under control, sir,” Adam said. “I've got a full confession and a shipment of drugs, possibly from a Mexican cartel.”
“Wow. Nice work, Adam. That means a lot of paperwork for you, but it's a great bust.”
And my life was no longer in danger.
Ruby glided over to me and grinned. “Now that you're safe, does that mean we can have our dance party?”
Chapter 20
Two days later, I felt a little more like myself. Sleep will do that for a person. It was also nice not to be glancing over my shoulder every few minutes, wondering if and when I was going to be murdered.
So, with my life back in order, it was time for a dance party.
Ruby led me to an attic area above the last bedroom on the right I didn't realize existed. She showed me how to get to it through the closet, climbing a small ladder and hoisting myself up into the space where I found her trunks full of costumes, which we used to wear for our dance parties when I was little.
“I had no idea these were still around,” I said, opening one and finding a white feather boa. I removed it and placed it around my neck. When I was little, I always felt so grown up when wearing it and the sweet memory made me smile.
“When you didn't come to visit anymore, I decided to put them away,” Ruby said as she floated around the small space. “Had to hire a handyman to help me get them up here.”
Guilt washed through me once again and I sighed.
“Oh, jeez, Bernie,” Ruby huffed. “Stop beating yourself up. You had a life to live and a mother telling you I was bad news. I was sad when you didn't come to visit, but I understood.”
I nodded and pulled out a pair of sequined pants. Ruby used to wear them during our disco parties. “Do you still have the disco ball?”
“Of course. I think it's in that trunk over there.”
I opened the lid and found it in perfect condition.
“You know, those used to be called Myriad Reflectors. They were around in the 1920s.”
“I didn't realize that,” I said, holding it above my head. “I think disco ball is a much better name.”
“Agreed. Myriad Reflector sounds like a medical device.”
We watched as little lights reflected around the room from the setting sun coming through the small window.
“What do you think?” I asked, setting it down. “A disco party?”
“Sure! I always loved pretending I was dancing with John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever giving him a run for his money in hip thrusts.”
“Oh, he was good in that, wasn't he?”
“So sexy!” Ruby exclaimed. “I wish I could slip into those sequined pants. I looked pretty hot in them.”
And she had. I set them down and stared at her. “Ruby, we talked about it briefly, but why are you stuck here?”
“I don't know,” she replied with a shrug. “Dying was pretty jarring. I remember going to the light in the tunnel and hearing voices, but I was too confused to pay them any attention. I didn't hear what they said to me.”
“Have you tried to go to the light since then?”
Ruby nodded. “It's an endless walk. I never get any closer.”
“Can you think about it?” I asked. “Try to remember what was said?”
“Sure. I'll give it some more thought.”
“We need to get you to your final resting place,” I said quietly.
“You tired of having me around?”
“Of course not. It's just… it doesn't feel fair to you. You can't do the things you used to love while alive. You're stuck in this place where you've become an observer.”
“It's not so bad, Bernie. Especially now that you see me.”
I smiled, wishing I could hug her. “You can't wear these pants,” I said, holding up the sequin slacks. “You can't have a shot of tequila. You can't smoke or ride an ATV by yourself.”
“And don't forget the men,” Ruby said. “I can't have fun with any men.”
“That's true,” I replied, laughing.
“You're right. My situation is just awful,” Ruby said, plopping down on the floor next to me. “Maybe I do need to figure out why I'm stuck here.”
“We can do that together,” I said.
“Let's worry about that later,” Ruby said. “For now, let's get you dressed up, hang that ball in the living room, and blast some Bee Gees!”
After we moved the couches back, I hung the disco ball from the chandelier. I still had Ruby's old record player and a box of albums tucked away in the garage. We rifled through them until we found the Bee Gees.
“Look at that!” Ruby said. “Perfect condition!”
I hauled everything inside, set it up, and connected the record player to the speakers, then poured myself a glass of wine. After I slipped on the sequined pants, we were ready to party.
“Dance party!” Ruby yelled as You Should Be Dancing screamed through the speakers.
Even though she'd been seventy-seven when she died, Ruby still had all the moves. With her hips swaying, she busted out John Travolta's epic steps, the Bus Stop, and a few I didn't recognize. It had always been easy pretending the living room was a disco and now was no different than it had been when she was alive. We moved down the middle of it together doing the Hand Jive while in fits of giggles.
Throughout the fun, I couldn't help but consider why Ruby was stuck on this side. What had happened during her travels to the light to keep her here? Why couldn't she move on, and why
could I see her now, but not for the previous three years?
Had the powers that be struck me with lightning so I would notice her? If so, for what purpose? Surely not because they wanted me to have dance parties with her.
Both of us fell on the couch when the music ended. Elvira stared at us with a critical eye. I wished she'd wasn't so serious and she would lighten up a bit. But then I realized my cat had my personality. It had taken a ghost and almost being murdered for me to relax. I wondered if a little catnip may help the feline.
The knock at the front door startled us all, and I stood to answer.
“Tell them to go away!” Ruby yelled after me. “We're busy!”
I waved at her over my shoulder, having no intention of allowing anyone inside. I just wanted to see who it was.
When I glanced through the peephole, I stood in utter shock when I saw Adam. Without thinking, I flung open the door. His smile faded as he glanced at me from head to toe.
“Let me guess,” I said while trying to smooth out my tangled hair. “Sequins aren't your thing?”
He shoved his hands into his jean pockets and shook his head. “No. Sequins are good. Just haven't seen any since the last time I watched Saturday Night Fever.”
I laughed and grabbed his hand. “Not only do we have sequins, but a disco ball as well.”
Instead of running away, Adam followed me into the living room and nodded as he watched the little lights travel around the room. “I'm impressed,” he said, grinning.
“Oh, heck,” Ruby said from the couch. “Not the fuzz. Not now.”
I ignored her and led Adam over to the opposite couch from where Ruby lounged. “Thanks. We were having a disco dance party. We used to do it all the time when I was young and came to visit.”
“We… meaning you and Ruby?” Adam asked.
“Yes.” My heart sank as he glanced around the room, his lips pursed as if unsure what to say. Maybe he was going to tell me he thought I was crazy and didn't want to date me. I wouldn't blame him because I still questioned my sanity every now and then.
“I… I… uh, came by to tell you that we've got the Gonzalez case totally wrapped up,” Adam said. “The drugs were hidden in the doors. When we finally gained entrance to the car, we could smell it, but it took a minute to actually find the packages.”
“Very sneaky,” I said.
“Yes. We even looked into the Thompsons just to cover all our bases. You were right—they weren't clean.”
“What were they doing in town?” I asked.
Adam sighed and rubbed his forehead. “The package was a case of stolen phones. One of those fell-off-the-back-of-the-truck deals. They weren't up to any good.”
“At least they weren't trafficking kids or something horrible like that,” Ruby said, shaking her head. “Look for the silver linings.”
I nodded absently then turned to Adam. He'd been watching me.
“What did she say?” he asked.
“She said she's glad they were stealing phones instead of trafficking kids.”
“That's a good way to look at it.”
“Silver linings,” I murmured.
While Adam rubbed his hands together, I got the distinct impression he was terribly uncomfortable.
“What's wrong?” I asked.
“Well, I was also wondering if you wanted to go hiking tomorrow, and there's something else… but I feel very weird talking about it.”
With a grin, I nodded, thrilled that he wanted to spend time with me. “A hike sounds great, and I know what you mean. Coming to you with my story about Ruby was one of the hardest things I'd ever done. Thank you for believing me and not laughing at me or taking me to an insane asylum.”
Adam smiled, but I could see he was still uncomfortable.
“If I can tell you that, I would think whatever you have to say would be easy,” I added with a chuckle.
“Well, here's the deal. I've thought my place was haunted for a long time. It just feels like there's someone there.”
I'd never in a million years expected him to take the conversation in that direction. Did he honestly just tell me he thought he had a ghost?
I glanced over at Ruby who had sprung to her feet and hurried over to us. She stood right in front of Adam. “Ask him who he thinks it is.”
“Who is it?” I said, finding the whole matter a bit unbelievable. For a brief moment, I considered he might be messing with me, attempting to play some type of trick, and he hadn't believed me about Ruby.
“I don't know, but I was wondering if you and Ruby could come to my house? Maybe you two can see whoever it is and find out what they want?”
He seemed serious. He was either a really good actor or he was telling the truth.
I'd just gotten used to my own ghost. Did I want to tangle with another one? And what if Adam's was evil, instead of someone like silly and harmless Ruby?
“Please?” he begged. “I sometimes feel like I'm losing my mind. Stuff gets moved around and I can smell cigars at times. I don't smoke them. I've ignored it for long enough, and I really need some help, Bernie.”
How was I supposed to say no to that?
I met Ruby's stare and she shook her head. “We have to help him,” she said.
My gut tightened at the idea, but she was right.
Did Adam truly have a ghost, and if so, who was it and why was it trapped on this side?
To find out who Adam’s ghost is and to join Ruby and Bernie on their next mystery, please grab The Tourist is Toast today!
If you’re wondering about Bernadette’s accident where she was hit by lightning, you’ll want to dive into the complete series, the Tri-Town Murders.
Don’t forget to check out Dearly Departed, a 1960s cozy mystery! Patty Briggs is living her best life as a stewardess, until she finds her neighbor dead!
Also by Carly Winter
The Tri-Town Murders
Complete Series
Follow newspaper reporter Tilly and her group of fun, quirky friends as they solve murders in a fictional, small town in California.
News and Nectarines
News and Nachos
News and Nutmeg
News and Noodles
Killer Skies Mysteries
Set in 1965, join Patty Briggs, stewardess extraordinaire, as she flies the skies and solves murders with the help of her friends… and one cute FBI agent!
About the Author
Carly Winter is the pen name for a USA Today best-selling and award-winning romance author.
When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and enjoying the fantastic Arizona weather (except summer - she doesn't like summer). She does like dogs, wine and chocolate and wishes Christmas happened twice a year.
To be notified of new releases, book recommendations, to learn more about Carly and for your chance to win giveaways, subscribe to her newsletter.
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