Ghostly Interests (22 page)

Molly made a face. “I wouldn’t sleep with you if you were the last man on Earth and I only had thirty seconds to live,” she said. “By the way, that’s what I hear you’re good for … thirty seconds.”

Jay’s version of a “come hither” looked shifted into a “go away” look pretty quickly by Molly’s estimation – and she was pleased to see him deflate, if only a little.

“I don’t need your crap,” Jay snapped. “I know you’re trying to pretend you’re interested in my brother, but I’m here to tell you no one believes it.”

“I
am
interested in your brother,” Molly replied, not missing a beat. “Even if I wasn’t, though, I wouldn’t be interested in you.”

“Whatever,” Jay said, rolling his eyes until they landed on Collin. “This party sucks. We should try to find another one that doesn’t have such frigid girls.”

Molly’s heart dropped at the suggestion. While she and Collin were still getting to know one another, she was looking forward to the process. While she was still more interested in hanging around Collin to make Eric jealous than anything else, she also found him to be articulate and thoughtful and she was starting to realize he might be an actual contender in the romance game. If he left with Jay, that would all end. “You’re going?”

Collin shot her an apologetic look. “I’m not going,” he said. “I’m … sorry … about him. He always does this.”

“I don’t want to stay here,” Jay whined.

“Then go,” Collin suggested.

“I have plans for this evening,” Jay growled.

“No one is standing in your way,” Collin countered.

“That’s not true. You’re standing in my way.”

Collin got to his feet wearily. “Do you mind waiting here for a few minutes while I walk my brother back to his car?”

“No,” Molly replied, internally sighing with relief because Collin was opting to remove his brother from their date. “I’ll be right here.”

“Great.”

“I MIGHT
have lied when I said I didn’t have an alibi,” Dalton said, shifting in his chair uncomfortably as he met Jared’s serious gaze. “I … was with someone the night Annie was killed.”

“Another student?” Jared asked, fighting to tamp down his disgust.

“That’s just it … um … I would have proudly told you if I was with a student,” Dalton said. “I’ve been seeing someone else for about a week now and I don’t want it to get out.”

Jared was confused. “I’m not sure what that means.”

“Please tell me you’re not dating a high school student,” Mel said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “You know we have to arrest you if your alibi is an underage girl, right?”

“That’s not it,” Dalton said. “I … it’s actually an overage girl.”

Jared furrowed his brow. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve been dating the librarian at the school,” Dalton blurted out, covering his eyes as shame washed over him.

Jared shifted his attention to Bennett. “Do you want to explain this without all the theatrics?”

“Trista Nelson is the librarian at St. Clair Community College,” Bennett explained. “She and Professor Dalton have a sexual relationship.”

“Why is that such a big deal?” Mel queried.

“She’s thirty,” Bennett replied.

“And that’s a problem?” Jared asked.

“She’s thirty,” Dalton hissed. “If people find out I’m sleeping with someone my own age my reputation will take a huge hit.”

Jared swallowed the mad urge to laugh. “I see. I thought you were thirty-five?”

“I am.”

“Then this librarian would still be younger than you,” Jared pointed out.

“She’s still old,” Dalton complained.

“I know I’m going to regret asking this but … if you think she’s too old, why are you sleeping with her?” Jared asked.

“Because it’s nice to have someone who knows what they’re doing in bed for a change,” Dalton said. “I like being a teacher, but sometimes I like being schooled.”

Jared and Mel exchanged twin grimaces.

“Okay,” Jared said, shaking his head. “I’m assuming you were with Trista the night Annie was killed. For how long?”

“The whole night,” Dalton said. “She’s a stickler for no pump and dumps. She demands my attention for the entire evening.”

Jared wanted to laugh. The situation was so surreal it was almost dumbfounding. “Why didn’t you just tell us this from the beginning?”

“I already told you that I don’t want it getting out that I’m dating an older woman,” Dalton replied.

“Why are you telling us now?”

“My client is worried that you’re zeroing in on him as a suspect,” Bennett said. “I wanted to address the situation before it got out of hand. Personally, I don’t see the problem dating a thirty-year-old woman. My client sees it another way. It’s not for me to judge.

“Regardless, my client didn’t rape and kill Annie Dresden,” he continued. “You’re looking in the wrong direction.”

“We’re going to have to contact Ms. Nelson to verify this,” Mel warned.

“I know.” Dalton looked miserable.

“For the sake of argument, say I believe you,” Jared said. “You still have motive. Annie was threatening to show those photographs of the two of you in bed to the dean.”

“It’s not the first time,” Dalton said. “Three different girls showed photos to the dean. He doesn’t like it, but I’m popular. I’m not going to get fired over it. Besides, I look good in those photos. If Annie spread them around I would’ve had even more women after me.”

Jared couldn’t argue with the man’s ego. “You knew Annie,” he said. “Can you think of anyone else who would have a grudge, or reason to hurt her, besides yourself?”

“Just one person.”

Jared leaned forward. “Who?”

“I’M
sorry about Jay,” Collin said, returning to his spot next to Molly a few minutes later. “He’s … difficult.”

“I have a sister who is the same way,” Molly said sympathetically. “She goes out of her way to get attention. She doesn’t care if it’s negative attention. She wants it any way she can get it. Jay reminds me of her.”

“That sounds about right,” Collin said. “He’s so frustrating.”

“Is he older than you or are you older than him?”

“We’re fraternal twins,” Collin replied.

Molly stilled, surprised. “Really?”

“I know,” Collin said, making a face. “He’s taller than I am. He’s blond and I have brown hair. He’s better looking than I am. No one would ever guess we’re twins.”

“It’s not that,” Molly said. “I … you’re also nicer than him. I don’t care what you say, though, you’re attractive. You don’t look alike, but you’re still attractive.”

“That’s nice of you to say,” Collin said. “I’m aware of my lot in life, though. I know Jay is better looking than I am.”

“I guess it’s good that you’re smarter then,” Molly said, winking at Collin.

“Definitely,” Collin chuckled. “So, Molly, I feel like our date got interrupted at the worst time. Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

“Well, I have one year left on a liberal arts degree and I also work for GHI out in Whisper Cove.”

“What’s GHI?”

“Ghost Hunters, Inc.,” Molly said, opting to tell the truth. She liked Collin. She could only hope he had an open mind. If he didn’t, it was better to find out now.

“Ghost Hunters, Inc. As in … ghosts?” Collin’s eyes widened, surprise washing over him. “I … wow. Please don’t think I’m making fun of you but … um … do you believe in ghosts?”

“I do,” Molly said.

“Have you ever seen one?”

“Only special people can see them with the naked eye,” Molly explained. “We have special equipment, though. There are air ion counters because ghosts give off electromagnetic charges, EMF detectors, EVP devices, hydrometers, infrared and thermal scanners, thermal imaging scopes, thermometers … you name it.”

“Wow, that sounds scientific,” Collin said, his interest evident. “What kind of things have you seen?”

“I’ve seen objects flying through the air,” Molly said. “I wish I could see and talk to ghosts like Harper, but I can’t.”

Collin shifted in his seat. “Harper is the blond woman, right?”

Molly nodded.

“She can see and talk to ghosts? How does that work?”

“I’m not really sure how it works,” Molly said. “I know she’s been able to do it since she was a kid. Sometimes we get hired for jobs and she can talk ghosts over to the other side. Other times the ghosts are more … active and angry … and we have to trap them and force them over to the other side.”

“That is … wow. That sounds exciting.”

“It is,” Molly said. “I love it. After I graduate I want to join the company full time. I think I can get us clients all over the world. Harper and Zander stick close to home now, but I want to change that.”

“I can’t believe I’ve met someone who talks to ghosts,” Collin mused. “That’s pretty interesting.”

“It’s definitely interesting,” Molly agreed. “Right now we’re working on Annie Dresden’s case. We’re not getting paid for it, but when Harper ran across her ghost on the beach she got drawn in. We’re hoping to solve her murder in the next couple of days.”

“Annie Dresden is a ghost?” Collin asked. “I … and Harper has been talking to her?”

Molly’s head bobbed up and down enthusiastically.

“Did Annie say what happened to her?”

“She doesn’t remember all of it,” Molly said. “It’s traumatic for new ghosts. She remembers leaving the library and she told Harper about her iPad so we know that’s missing.”

“Will she ever remember?”

“Most likely,” Molly said. “We just have to wait so she can tell Harper and then Harper can tell Jared.”

“And Jared is the cop?” Collin asked.

“Yes.”

“Wow. I’m … stunned,” Collin said, his face unreadable. He reached over and snagged Molly’s glass. “I’m going to get a refill. I’ll get one for you, too, and then we can talk more about this. I find it … fascinating.”

“That sounds great,” Molly said. “By the way, Collin, I don’t care what you think. You’re very handsome and charming. Your brother has nothing on you.”

“Thank you,” Collin said. “I’m glad someone finally noticed.”

Twenty-Four

“Do you want popcorn?” Zander asked.

“I’m too comfortable to move,” Harper replied, her head still resting against his shoulder.

“I can make it.”

“If you move I’ll have to move.”

Zander sighed. “Do you always have to be this difficult?”

Harper matched his dramatic sigh. “Shouldn’t you have prefaced your initial question by saying that you wanted popcorn and you were willing to share it with me?”

“I will for future reference,” Zander said. He gave Harper a quick kiss on the forehead and then pushed himself up from the couch. “Do you want parmesan or cheddar cheese sprinkled on the popcorn?”

“What do you want?”

“Parmesan.”

“That’s fine,” Harper said, her gaze trained on the television. “Have you ever considered that we’re kind of like Mitch and Claire on
Modern Family
?”

“Wow, it’s nice out here in left field,” Zander teased. “What made you think of that?”

“I don’t know,” Harper said, shrugging. “You just remind me of Mitch.”

“Are you saying I’m fussy?”

“No more than I am.”

“Well, at least you’re still treating us as if we’re equals,” Zander said. He shuffled into the kitchen and Harper could hear him rummaging around for popcorn and a bowl. “Hey, did you leave the back door open?”

“Yes. I often enjoy leaving the door open so strangers can walk in and bugs can fly around our house.”

Zander didn’t immediately respond.

“Zander? You’re supposed to give me a witty comeback.”

Harper was met with nothing but silence so she leaned forward to get a clearer view of the kitchen. Zander was nowhere in sight. “Zander?”

A hint of movement caught her attention and Harper released a pent-up sigh of relief. She didn’t even realize she’d been holding her breath until it came whooshing out.

“Aren’t you going to answer me?” Harper asked.

“That’s not Zander,” Annie whispered, popping into view.

Harper jumped at her sudden arrival. “It’s not? Who is it? It’s probably my dad. Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s not your dad,” Annie said, her voice low. “He’s here.”

“YOU
know someone who wanted to hurt Annie Dresden?” Jared asked, surprised.

Dalton nodded. “Actually I do. I know you want to believe that Annie was this good girl who got done wrong, but she had more enemies than you might suspect.”

“Tell me,” Jared said, leaning back in his chair and clasping his hands behind his head.

“She was a slut.”

Mel scorched Dalton with a look. “Is that really necessary?”

“I’m sorry,” Dalton said, holding his hands up. “She was, though. I wasn’t the only professor she slept with, and she made her way through quite an impressive chunk of the student population.”

“Meaning?”

“She was constantly trying to find a boyfriend in an environment where no one wants to have a girlfriend,” Dalton said. “College boys don’t want relationships that last forever. They want easy access to … lady parts. A college campus is not where you find a forever mate and yet that’s exactly what Annie was looking for.”

“You’re saying Annie was looking for someone to love her and she kept running into men who only wanted to have sex with her,” Jared said.

Dalton nodded. “I know of at least three guys she semi-stalked on campus after they had sex with her and dumped her.”

“Did she go after them with photos like she went after you?”

“I can’t answer that,” Dalton said. “All I know is that Annie liked to take photos in bed and I doubt I’m the only one she was doing it with.”

“Who are these other guys?”

“Michael Sampson, for one. I think Danny Dwyer was another. Oh, and Jay Graham.”

Jared leaned forward, his eyes keen. “Jay Graham? Annie had sex with Jay Graham? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” Dalton said. “They had a big blow up outside of class one day because he promised to call and he didn’t.”

Mel and Jared exchanged a look.

“What are you thinking?” Mel asked.

“Jay Graham denied knowing Annie other than to see her on campus or say hello in passing,” Jared said. “In fact, he admitted asking her out but he told me she refused. Why would he do that?”