Ghostly Interests (8 page)

“She is.”

“We’ll just see about that.”

“ARE
you sure this was a good idea?” Mel asked Jared, furrowing his brow as he studied the candlelight vigil crowd, which was growing by the minute. “There are too many people here to get a feeling for any one suspect.”

“I’m not interested in questioning anyone,” Jared said.

“Then why are we here?”

“Because I want to see if anyone out of the ordinary shows up.”

“Like?”

“I don’t know,” Jared said, shrugging. “I’m looking for anyone who doesn’t look like he should be here. Some killers get off on watching public displays of mourning when it comes to their victims.”

“We don’t technically know that Annie was a victim of anything,” Mel reminded him. “The medical examiner said he wouldn’t complete his findings until tomorrow morning.”

“Don’t get me started on that,” Jared warned. “Doesn’t it bother you that it’s taking so long?”

Mel shrugged. “We’re not big enough to have our own medical examiner,” he said. “The county has twelve communities that utilize their services when it comes to suspicious bodies. The guy can only do what he can do.”

“Well, it bothers me,” Jared said.

“Partner, from what I can tell, pretty much everything bothers you,” Mel said. “You might want to lay off the caffeine. You’re a little intense.”

“Whatever,” Jared said, rolling his eyes. “I think we should split up and look around. If you see anything suspicious … .”

“I’ll call you and let you handle it,” Mel said, fighting to tamp his irritation down. “Lord knows I could never do my job without you.”

Jared ignored the sarcasm. “I’m going to start over there.”

HARPER
watched the students with a trained eye and heavy heart. Some of them were genuinely upset. She could ignore the outliers because she understood their need to be a part of this, but she truly felt for the students struggling with the questions of mortality and what lived beyond the human veil.

She was so lost in thought she didn’t notice a shadowy figure moving in on her until it was already upon her. She jumped when she turned, finding Molly’s eager face mere inches from her own.

“You scared the crap out of me,” Harper said, lifting her hand to her heart. “Don’t do that.”

“I’m sorry,” Molly said. “I thought I would come and see how you were doing. I’m not having much luck. Some people are really upset, but no one knows of any enemies Annie had or how she ended up in Whisper Cove. As far as I can tell she didn’t have any ties to the community.”

“What have you found out?”

“Her parents live in Sterling Heights and she attended Utica High School,” Molly said. “She seemed well liked and other than her stupid decision to sleep with Professor Dalton she wasn’t known as much of a dater.”

“Well, that’s disappointing,” Harper said. “I was hoping we would get a few leads.”

“Can I ask why this is so important to you?” Molly asked. “Is it because you were the first person she saw once she realized she was … dead?”

“It’s because she looked lost and I want to make sure she’s found before everyone forgets her,” Harper replied. “I … I don’t know why I can do the things I do. I believe I’m meant to help people, though. If I can’t help Annie then what good are my abilities?”

“You’ve helped a lot of spirits move on,” Molly reminded her earnestly. “It’s not possible to help everyone.”

“I know that,” Harper said, her face softening. “For some reason I really want to help Annie, though. I can’t explain it.”

“Then we should help Annie,” Molly said. “You’ll figure it out. You always do. I have faith.”

Harper gripped Molly’s hand briefly. “Thank you.”

“Now that’s what I like to see. I love it when two hot women pet each other in public.”

Harper stiffened when she heard the voice, swiveling her shoulders until her eyes met Jay’s predatory gaze. “Why am I not surprised to see you?”

“I think you were secretly wishing for it,” Jay said, winking.

“I think you’re delusional,” Harper replied.

“You’re Collin’s brother, aren’t you?” Molly asked, dragging Jay’s attention away from Harper. “I’ve seen you on campus. Your brother told me you two spend a lot of time together.”

“How do you know Collin?” Jay asked.

“We met on campus today.”

“You go to school here?” Jay looked surprised. “I find that hard to believe.”

“And why is that?” Molly asked, her hands on her hips as she leaned forward. “Do you think a woman with pink streaks in her hair can’t pass a college course?” She was used to people underestimating her, but that didn’t mean she liked it.

“No,” Jay said, holding his hands up in a placating manner. “I just meant that I would’ve remembered seeing someone as hot as you on this campus. I wasn’t trying to offend you.”

“Oh,” Molly said, marginally relaxing. “I … um … sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jay said, chuckling. “I like fiery women.”

Harper rolled her eyes until they landed on another familiar figure. It looked as if Collin was coming to see what sort of hijinks his brother was involved in. “Hi.”

Collin returned Harper’s greeting with a shy smile. “Hi. Um … my brother isn’t doing anything horrible, is he?”

“Of course not,” Jay said, glaring at his brother. “You don’t always need to make excuses for me. You know that, right?”

“I wasn’t making excuses.”

“Well … don’t.”

“I’m going to leave you guys to chat,” Harper said, fixing her pointed gaze on Molly. “I’m going to look around. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

Since Molly was more interested in Collin than the murder investigation she merely nodded distractedly. “Yeah. I’ll be right behind you.”

Harper was halfway across the administration building’s expansive lawn when a student caught her attention.

“Hi, Professor Dalton.”

Harper snapped her head in the direction of the voice and followed the gaze of the waving brunette. When her gaze landed on the professor, who was returning the gesture, she realized why Dalton was so popular with the female student body. He was definitely attractive. She squared her shoulders and changed her direction, moving for Dalton with a purpose – and what she hoped was a friendly smile. If he thought she was up to something, her approach would be over before it even began.

“Hi,” Harper said, stepping into Dalton’s path. “Are you with the faculty here?”

“I am,” Dalton said, looking Harper up and down with hungry eyes. “Are you a student here? Surely not. I think I would remember you.”

“I’m not a student,” Harper said. “I’m here because I heard the news and felt horrible for this poor woman.”

“Yeah, it’s a tragedy,” Dalton said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Whenever a student dies I can’t help but wonder how God could take someone so young and leave so many wretched people behind.”

He was trying to be profound, but Harper could see right through him. “Yes. It is awful. Did you know her?”

“I knew her in class.”

“Was she a good student?” Harper pressed.

“They’re all good students.”

This was getting her nowhere. Harper realized that. Dalton was so used to playing games that he couldn’t stop himself from doing it in the midst of a real tragedy. “When did you and Annie break up?” The words were out of her mouth before Harper had time to think better of them.

Dalton narrowed his eyes. “Who told you that?”

“Everyone on campus knows,” Harper said. “It wasn’t a secret. You’re notorious for loving and leaving co-eds at every turn.”

“Are you jealous?” Dalton asked, reaching over and rubbing his index finger up and down Harper’s bare forearm. “You don’t have to be. You’re a little older than I like, but you do have certain … attributes … I find appealing.” His eyes roved over Harper’s rounded rear. “Very appealing.”

Harper yanked her arm back. “I don’t think you’re my type.”

“I think you’re selling yourself short,” Dalton said. “I don’t really have a type.”

“I think you misheard me,” Harper said, her voice firm. “You’re not my type. I don’t give a rat’s behind if I’m your type.”

“Oh, now, don’t be like that,” Dalton said, smiling wolfishly. “I think you would like what I have to offer.”

“And I think she’s already turned you down,” Jared said, moving between Harper and Dalton and forcing the instructor to take an involuntary step back.

Harper sucked in a breath, surprised at Jared’s appearance and reaction to Dalton. “I … we were just talking.”

“Oh, I knew what you were doing, Trixie Belden,” Jared said, his eyes never leaving Dalton’s face. “I’m not sure if you know what this guy was doing.”

“I’m not a child,” Harper said. “I know what he was doing. I was trying to get some information out of him about Annie. That’s all.”

Jared finally moved his gaze from Dalton’s fearful eyes to Harper’s obstinate blue orbs. “Why are you looking for information on Annie?”

“I’m curious.”

“I’m going to be going,” Dalton said, his gaze bouncing between Harper and Jared. “I … have a nice night.”

“I have more questions, Professor,” Jared called to his rapidly retreating back. “Would you like to answer them?”

“I already told you to go through my lawyer.”

“That’s what I thought you would say,” Jared grumbled, watching Dalton for a few moments before turning his attention to Harper. “Do you want to tell me what you’re really doing here?”

“Mourning the loss of a young woman who was cut down in her prime,” Harper replied, not missing a beat.

“I see.” Jared was fighting to tamp down the smile threatening the corners of his mouth. He hated amateurs getting involved in official investigations and yet there was something about Harper that amused him. She had a goofy charm that he couldn’t put a name to and yet still found appealing. “Are you staying for the whole vigil?”

Harper shrugged. “Maybe. Are you?”

“Maybe,” Jared said, his face unreadable as he studied her. “Are you here because you think you’re helping Annie’s ghost?”

Harper was floored by the question. “Who told you that?”

“Mel mentioned that you and Zander run a ghost busting business,” Jared said. “I’ve been trying to figure out why you’re so interested in Annie and the only thing I can come up with is that you’ve convinced yourself that she’s a ghost.”

“I’ve convinced myself?” Harper arched a confrontational eyebrow. “That’s some bedside manner you’ve got there, Doctor.”

“I’m not trying to offend you,” Jared said. “I’m trying to figure out your angle. Do you convince people they have ghosts or do they convince themselves of that and conveniently find you?”

“I get that you don’t believe in ghosts, but there’s no reason to make fun of my beliefs,” Harper said.

“I’m not making fun of your beliefs … especially because I’m doubtful that you believe any of this … but I can’t figure out how this works and I’m dying to know how you managed to convince people that you can see and talk to ghosts,” Jared said.

“Not everyone has a limited outlook on life,” Harper snapped.

“If you don’t want to answer me you don’t have to,” Jared said. “Like I said, I’m curious.”

“You’re not curious,” Harper countered. “You’ve convinced yourself of who I am and what I’m doing without any facts or listening to any other arguments besides the judgmental conga line in your head.”

Jared’s mouth dropped open, stunned by her fortitude.

“I don’t care what you believe,” Harper said. “I don’t care if you think I’m the fruitiest loop in the box. I know who I am and what I can do and I’m not about to let the likes of you bring me down.”

“Wait just a minute,” Jared said.

“No,” Harper replied, shaking her head. “We can agree to disagree. I am not going to change your belief system and you’re certainly not going to change mine. We can both go our separate ways and no one has to have their feelings hurt.”

“I think I might’ve already hurt your feelings and that’s not what I meant to do,” Jared said.

“You didn’t hurt my feelings,” Harper replied. “You’re not capable of it. Meaner men have tried. You can trust me there.”

“I … .”

Harper shook her head, cutting him off. “I need to find Zander and I’m sure you need to find Mel,” she said. “Have a good evening, Officer Monroe.”

“Ms. Harlow … .”

Harper was already walking away before Jared could offer whatever half-hearted apology was on the tip of his tongue. “Oh, and Officer Monroe?”

Jared lifted a quizzical eyebrow, trying hard to focus on her face and not her shapely lower body even though it was swinging in a tantalizing way as she stormed off.

“You’re a big douche,” Harper said, turning back around and disappearing into the crowd.

Jared scowled as he watched her go. “What just happened here?”

Nine

“I need this ghost gone and I need it gone today.” Nina Jackson was matter-of-fact as she regarded Zander and Harper the next morning. “I know you charge a premium fee for fast jobs and I’m willing to pay it if you can get this ghost out of here today.”

Zander and Harper exchanged a look.

“You have to sign a contract before we do it,” Zander said. “We don’t expect payment before we complete the job, but we do expect the promise of payment for when it’s done.”

“Whatever,” Nina said, waving her hand impatiently. “I’m willing to pay any fee to get this ghost out of here.”

“I’ll get the forms out of the car,” Zander said. “I’ll call our co-workers and get them out here. While I’m doing that, you should tell Harper what you can about this ghost.”

Nina made a face. “Why?”

“Because it will help us form the best plan of attack,” Harper replied smoothly.

“Can’t you just … I don’t know … suck it up?” Nina asked, miming as if she was vacuuming.

“It doesn’t quite work like that,” Harper said. “I don’t need a lot of information. Whatever you can tell me would be appreciated, though.”

“Oh, okay,” Nina said, resigned.

“How long have you lived in this house?” Harper asked, pulling a small notebook out of her pocket and clicking a pen so she could take notes.