Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) (17 page)

“Promises, promises.”

M
addie was
nervous as they approached the festival, Kreskin and John splitting off in different directions so they didn’t draw too much unnecessary attention to the small grouping. It was still early and they had three hours before Cooper would start his scary story. That meant they had three hours to solve a case essentially, because if they didn’t and Cooper was guilty, there was a good chance he would get away with murder.

Maddie slipped her hand into Nick’s as they crossed the street and entered the town square. He glanced down at her a moment, his face unreadable.

“What?” Maddie asked, instinctively reaching up with her free hand to check her cheek. “Do I have something on my face?”

“You look beautiful, love,” Nick replied. “I was just wondering if you were going to get overtaken by a case of nerves and race home to change your clothes.”

“Do you think I should?”

“No.”

“Then I won’t,” Maddie said simply.

Nick smiled. He couldn’t help himself. “One of these days, Maddie Graves, you’re going to do something like this because you want to do it instead of because you think it makes me happy.”

“I bought the costume because I wanted it,” Maddie clarified. “Of course, I also bought it because I wanted to see the look on your face when I wore it. I guess that doesn’t really count, does it?”

“It counts,” Nick said, bringing Maddie’s hand up to his mouth so he could kiss her knuckles. “You look like ten of the best dreams I’ve ever had about you rolled into one vision.”

“Chill, Nicky,” Maddie said. “Barring some major catastrophe, you’re going to get lucky tonight.”

Nick snorted. “I don’t care about that. Wait … that came out wrong. I do care about that. I just want to have a good time. Halloween is your favorite holiday. I want to end this tonight so we can enjoy the holiday together tomorrow.

“I want to hand out candy and watch horror movies,” he continued. “I want to light candles and snuggle up in the window seat and read a scary book like we used to do. We’re starting a whole new life together, Mad. I want to enjoy every moment of it.”

“Even if I’m a witch?” Maddie arched a mischievous eyebrow.

“Especially because you’re the sexiest witch I’ve ever seen,” Nick said, gripping her hand. “Come on. Let’s see how Blackstone Bay is celebrating, shall we?”

N
ICK
and Maddie
took their time traversing the busy festival. Maddie insisted on visiting the kitschy flea market – which she’d purposely kept away from until she could drag Nick along – and delighted in the small trinkets and collectibles.

“I think we should get him,” Maddie said, lifting a ceramic turtle so Nick could inspect her find. “He goes with the stone turtle I got you this summer. Although … I think you lost him, didn’t you?”

Nick shook his head and dug in his pocket, returning with the small critter and dropping him in Maddie’s open palm. “I carry him with me wherever I go.”

Maddie’s eyes widened. Catching turtles and searching for Petoskey stones was a summer tradition from long before they were a couple. The first gift Maddie gave to Nick upon her return was a collected stone. The second was the turtle, which just happened to be made out of her favorite stone.

“You carry it with you all the time?” Maddie asked, her heart warming as love washed over her. “Why?”

“Because you gave it to me.”

“But … you kept all the other stones I gave you, too,” Maddie said. “I saw the box of them when you moved.”

“They were all I had of you for a time,” Nick explained. “I was so angry there for awhile I carried them down to the river to dump eight different times. I could never bring myself to do it, because it would be like giving up on you, so I kept them. Now I can never part with them, just like I can never part with you.”

“I think I might cry,” Maddie said, fanning her face as she returned the stone turtle to Nick’s possession.

“I really wish you wouldn’t Mad,” Nick said. “I hate it when you cry.”

“You two are so adorable I could just barf.” Ruby, the woman who ran the local diner Maddie and Nick frequented several times a week, shook her head as she regarded them. She was dressed as a vampire, heavy makeup hiding her round features.

“Ruby?” Maddie asked, stunned. “I didn’t recognize you.”

“Join the crowd, Miss Maddie,” Ruby said, chuckling as Maddie glanced down at her pumped-up cleavage. “I never thought I’d see the day, but you look … great.”

“I was going to say hot,” Nick interjected.

“She looks hot, too,” Ruby said.

“I didn’t know you ran a table at the flea market,” Maddie said. “I want to buy this turtle, but I don’t want to carry him around all night. Can I buy him and pick him up at the diner tomorrow?”

“Sure,” Ruby said, collecting the money and wrapping the turtle before placing it in her purse. “I’ll make sure no one steals it.”

After finishing at the flea market, the couple decided to grab some hot chocolate and watch the crowd from a central location. Nick bought two cups and then settled on the same side of the table with Maddie, lending her some of his warmth even though the night wasn’t overly chilly.

“How come you’re sitting next to me?” Maddie asked, her eyes lit with mirth. “Is it so you can look down my top when you think no one is looking?”

Nick loved her playful attitude, and even though she would never admit it to herself, he was fairly certain her ego was getting a boost from all of the male attention she’d garnered since entering the festival. Nick had lost track of how many men had taken two – sometimes three – looks as she passed.

“I’m making sure everyone knows you’re with me,” Nick replied, guileless. “I don’t want anyone getting ideas.”

“Very cute,” Maddie said.

Nick dropped a soft kiss on Maddie’s mouth as he gathered her closer.

“Um … hi, guys.”

Cassidy appeared at the edge of the table and Maddie had to bite her tongue when she saw the woman’s outfit. She was dressed as a sexy cop, her top plunging so low Maddie couldn’t believe her belly button wasn’t on display. She wasn’t wearing a bra – obviously – and one wrong move could force Cassidy into putting on a show for everyone. She didn’t seem to notice, though.

“Cassidy,” Nick said, tightening his arm around Maddie’s waist. “How are you tonight?”

“I’m good,” Cassidy replied, biting her lip. “David won’t be back until Monday so … I came alone.”

“I didn’t realize you were still seeing David,” Maddie said. “I thought you let him go when Cooper came to town.”

“Of course not,” Cassidy scoffed. “I was just interested in Cooper being an author and television personality. I wasn’t interested in anything else.”

“That’s not what I heard,” Nick challenged. “I heard you were seen kissing Cooper behind the bank.”

Cassidy’s mouth dropped open. “Who told you that?”

“I can’t seem to recall,” Nick replied evasively. “It’s kind of funny you were making out with Cooper in the alley where Cathy Winchester’s body was found a few hours later, though, isn’t it?”

“Holy crap,” Maddie said, leaning forward. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

“I forgot until Cassidy said she was still with David,” Nick answered. “I don’t suppose Cooper was staking out the alley, was he? You know, trying to decide if it was a good place to dump a body or anything?”

“Not that I recall,” Cassidy shot back, her tone snippy. “You can’t tell anyone about that, Nick. I don’t want David finding out. It’s not fair to him and there’s no reason to hurt him.”

“And kissing someone else when you have a boyfriend, was that fair to David?”

“Please, Nick,” Cassidy begged. “I had a lapse in judgment. Cooper turned my head upside down and I couldn’t think straight for a few days. You know me. I’m not like that. I never cheated on you, not even when it became clear you were in love with someone else while dating me.”

“That was a pointed jab, Cassidy, but I get it,” Nick said. “I have no interest in telling David what I heard. I have no interest in your relationship at all. Just … stay away from Cooper. That guy is even worse than I originally thought.”

“He could be dangerous,” Maddie said. “You’re lucky you didn’t get more involved with him than you did.”

“Do you think he killed those girls?” Cassidy asked.

“I don’t know,” Nick replied, opting for honesty. “Just stay away from him. This is his last night in town.”

“I don’t want to be anywhere near him,” Cassidy said. “I don’t know why I acted the way I did, quite frankly. It was as if he was putting a spell on me or something. I can’t explain it.”

“I think it was the celebrity,” Maddie offered helpfully. “People think the persona celebrities create in public is real, but it’s usually not.”

“Have you met a lot of celebrities, love?” Nick asked, poking Maddie’s side. “You didn’t meet any captains of the Enterprise, did you?”

Maddie made an adorable face. “Of course not,” she said. “I did meet a few people when Detroit was popular for making movies. I worked on a few movie sets as a nurse. It was no big deal, though.”

“You never told me that,” Nick said, irrational anger bubbling up. “Why not?”

“It wasn’t a big deal, Nicky,” Maddie replied, knitting her eyebrows together as confusion washed over her. She sensed his anger, but didn’t understand it. “I did it twice for extra money. I sat in an ambulance and put bandages on people when they got a scrape.”

“I’m sorry, Mad,” Nick said, instantly contrite. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I just hate being reminded of when we were apart.”

“Yes, because that’s when he dated me and his life was total crap,” Cassidy said, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you,” Nick said, pressing a kiss to Maddie’s temple before shifting his eyes to Cassidy. “You created half of the problems in our relationship. I know I shouldn’t have been dating you when my heart wasn’t in it, but truthfully I wasn’t doing it to hurt anyone.

“I wanted Maddie, but I didn’t think that was an option for me so I tried to move on,” he continued. “That’s what people do. I thought that’s what you were trying to do with David until Cooper came to town.”

“Nicky, don’t,” Maddie said, shaking her head. “She’s upset with herself for what she did with Cooper. She’s not really angry at you.”

“I’m not happy with you, Nick,” Cassidy clarified. “Maddie is right, though. I’m really ticked off because I was so stupid. I blame Marla. She turned it into a competition and I just … wanted to win.”

“I always blame Marla,” Maddie said, causing Cassidy and Nick to snicker. “I understand what happened, and I don’t think anyone holds it against you. If it’s any consolation, Marla didn’t win either.”

“No, Christy won,” Cassidy said. “I didn’t see that coming.”

Maddie narrowed her eyes. “Why? Christy is fun and beautiful.”

“Yes, but Marla is an apex predator,” Cassidy said. “Christy doesn’t play games and that’s all Marla is capable of doing.”

“If you see that, why are you still hanging around with her?” Nick challenged.

“Because Blackstone Bay is a tiny town and everyone here has been friends with one another for years,” Cassidy replied. “It’s not easy being the outsider. When we first met, I thought Marla was a great person. I know she’s not now, but … I don’t have any other friends.”

Maddie’s heart went out to the woman. “Well, you’re not going to find them as long as you stick with Marla. Everyone in town hates her. I don’t even think her grandmother likes her.”

“There’s nothing to like,” Nick said. “Although, out of curiosity’s sake, have you seen Christy and Cooper tonight?”

“Yeah. They’re over by the beer tent.”

Nick glanced at Maddie. “How about it, love? Do you want to trade the hot chocolate for something a little stronger?”

“I don’t know,” Maddie said. “I’m not sure there’s anything strong enough for me to put up with Cooper.”

“Thanks for the tip, Cassidy,” Nick said, draining his hot chocolate and collecting both empty cups. “Your secret is safe with me. I think you should try and make it work with David. He seems like a really nice guy.”

“He really seems to care about you, too,” Maddie added.

“I know. I lucked out with him,” Cassidy said. “Good luck with whatever you two are up to tonight … and it’s obvious you’re up to something. Oh, and by the way, Maddie, you look beautiful in your costume.”

“T-thank you,” Maddie stuttered, her cheeks burning.

“I hate that you’re so nice most of the time,” Cassidy said, making a face. “I really want to punch you, but I can’t because you’re too nice.”

“Oh, Mad,” Nick said, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter as he saw the incredulous look on his girlfriend’s face. “You should have a T-shirt made up with that saying. It’s basically your mantra.”

N
ick kept
Maddie close as they approached the beer tent, making sure there was no way they could get separated in the maddening crowd. Since Blackstone Bay was so small, the nearest bar was twenty minutes away and the residents took every opportunity they had to drink at festivals because it was convenient. Nick was actually convinced that was one of the reasons the town hosted no less than twenty festivals a year.

“Do you see them?” Nick asked, scanning the crowd.

Maddie pointed toward the center table where Cooper held court, a bevy of town beauties hanging on his every word while Christy sat in the prized spot to his right. Her face was trained on his as Cooper told some outrageous story about psychically solving a murder, and Maddie read the adoration reflected on her friend’s face. It made her sick knowing the heartache Christy was in for.

“And there I was, all by myself in a haunted asylum with no less than one hundred ghosts closing in, and I knew I was going to die,” Cooper intoned, gesturing theatrically to keep everyone’s attention. “Well, I knew I had to do something brave – because I would die otherwise – so I just yelled really loudly to get all of the ghosts’ attention.

“I told them I wasn’t the one they were angry at,” he continued. “I told them the people who hurt them were long gone – and they should make an effort to get over their past hurts and move on.”

“What happened?” Amy Martin, a senior at the local high school, hung on every word. “Did they listen to you?”

“They did, my beautiful young friend,” Cooper said, winking at the girl. “I cleaned out that asylum and now it’s known as a place of peace instead of hurt.”

The crowd broke into enthusiastic applause as Nick scowled. “That was just … .”

“A huge load of crap,” Maddie finished, shaking her head. “If a hundred ghosts were in the same spot it would be total bedlam. He’s such an ass.”

Nick lifted an eyebrow. “That’s the snarkiest thing I think you’ve ever said. I’m so proud, my Maddie.”

“You shouldn’t be,” Maddie countered. “I think I’m channeling my grandmother. I have an insatiable urge to find a pitcher of beer just so I can dump it over his head.”

“Speaking of Maude, do you see her?” Nick asked, looking around the busy area. “If she’s falling down on the job, I’m going to be really disappointed.”

“I don’t see her – not that we could miss her in that outfit – but I do see Edna and Judith,” Maddie said, gesturing toward two of her grandmother’s closest friends. They sat at the table behind Cooper, staring daggers at his back. “I’m going to guess that means she’s plotting something and they’re acting as lookouts.”

“That means we arrived just in time,” Nick said, slipping his arm around Maddie’s waist. “I can’t have a drink, but you can if you want. Do you want me to get you anything?”

Maddie shook her head. “We’ll drink when this is over with. I need to keep my wits about me.”

“There you are!”

Maddie jolted when Cathy appeared at her side. “Don’t do that,” Maddie hissed, rubbing her neck to collect herself. “You scared the bejeezus out of me.”

“Who are you talking to, Mad?” Nick asked, scanning the empty spot beside her. “Is your mother here?”

Maddie shook her head. “It’s Cathy.” She kept her voice purposely low.

“Okay,” Nick said, not missing a beat as he slowly moved to position himself on the other side of Maddie so it wouldn’t look as if she was talking to herself. “I’m not standing on her, am I?”

Maddie smiled, thanking whoever watched over her for the umpteenth time that Nick never once questioned her abilities and instead went out of his way to protect her. “You’re good.”

“Is that your boyfriend?” Cathy asked, widening her eyes. “He’s hot.”

“He is hot,” Maddie agreed, casting the occasional glance in Cooper’s direction. “Do you remember anything? Did you see anyone you recognized?”

“Sorry,” Cathy said. “I’ve been all over the place. I don’t know if it’s just that I haven’t seen anyone who could jog my memory or if I’m just overlooking someone because it’s too hard to remember.”

“That’s okay,” Maddie said. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out eventually.” She had an idea. “What about the guy standing by the table? Do you recognize him?”

Cathy shifted her attention to Cooper and made a face. “Yes. He’s the jerk who was mean to you the day you found me.”

“Yes,” Maddie said, momentarily forgetting Cathy had already seen Cooper. “What about from before, though? Do you recognize him from when you were alive?”

“I … he kind of looks familiar,” Cathy said, wrinkling her nose. “Oh, hey, I do know him.”

“Did he kill you?”

Nick widened his eyes, interested even though he could only hear one end of the conversation.

“I don’t think so, but I know that guy because he’s a television psychic,” Cathy said. “I heard the protesters complaining about him when I was out by the fountain.”

“That’s right,” Maddie said, tilting her head to the side. “The protesters are really close to the fountain. They’ve been sitting on it while resting. I’ve seen them do it a few times.”

“I’ll text Kreskin and have him question them,” Nick said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “I don’t think we even considered questioning the protesters because we figured they would have a bias against Cooper. We never approached them as witnesses. Good job, Mad.”

“Hey, I’m the one who told you,” Cathy protested.

“He can’t see or hear you, though,” Maddie pointed out. “He didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I certainly didn’t,” Nick said, talking to thin air as he typed a message onto his phone screen. “I just think my Maddie is always brilliant and beautiful.”

Maddie blushed and shook her head as Cathy giggled.

“He’s definitely a keeper,” Cathy said. “He’s a cute cowboy, and your outfit is to die for. Oh, wait, I probably shouldn’t say things like that now that I’m dead, huh?”

Maddie shrugged. “I think you can say anything you want to say,” she said. “I don’t suppose you could do me a favor while you’re still strong, though, could you?”

Cathy energetically nodded.

“Go back to the fountain and see if you remember anything while you’re there,” Maddie instructed. “Being in close proximity might jar something loose.”

“Okay,” Cathy said. “By the way, thank you for all you’re doing to help me. I know you’re psychic so you probably think you don’t have a choice, but you’re a nice person. I appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it, Cathy,” Maddie said, offering the woman a wan smile. “I just want to help you move on. I think it’s going to be soon, so be ready.”

“I’m
so
ready,” Cathy said. “No offense … and I know it’s a beautiful town … but I’ve seen all of it I ever want to see.”

“I don’t blame you.”

Cathy disappeared, leaving Maddie to reach for Nick’s hand and slide closer to him.

“What’s wrong, love?” Nick asked, rubbing Maddie’s back under her cape. “Did Cathy say something to upset you?”

“No, she’s just so grateful. I want to help her.”

“We’re doing the best that we can, Mad,” Nick said. “I don’t want to be heartless, but we’ve already lost Cathy. The most important thing is to make sure we don’t lose anyone else.”

“I know,” Maddie said. “It’s just … hard.”

Nick kissed her cheek and then turned his attention back to Cooper. When he did, he realized the gregarious author’s gaze was firmly planted on Maddie. “Uh-oh.”

“What?” Maddie asked, turning her head.

“Look who it is, folks,” Cooper said, his voice booming. “It’s Blackstone Bay’s resident psychic, Maddie Graves.”

Christy snapped her head in Nick and Maddie’s direction, and for a second her face was unreadable. Finally, she offered Maddie a weak smile. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to cause some of the pressure squeezing Maddie’s heart to lessen.

“See, Mad, it’s going to be okay,” Nick murmured. “That’s still Christy over there. She’s going to be upset, but she’ll get over it.”

“I know you’re right,” Maddie said. “I just … miss her.”

“You’ll have her back soon.”

“So, Maddie Graves,” Cooper said, moving around from the back of the table and heading in her direction. “Do you still deny being psychic?”

“Don’t come any closer,” Nick said, extending his arm and placing his hand in the middle of Cooper’s chest to stop his forward momentum. “Don’t bother answering him, Mad. He’s just looking for attention.”

“That’s not true,” Marla said, squaring her shoulders. Maddie hadn’t even seen her because she was relegated to a spot behind at least five other women. That couldn’t be sitting well with her, which meant she was looking to make a scene to regain Cooper’s affections. “Maddie isn’t psychic. She’s a fake, just like her mother was.”

“Don’t you say one word about my mother,” Maddie snapped. “I don’t care what you say about me, but leave her out of this.”

“Oh, so you’re admitting you’re a fraud?” Cooper challenged. “I figured as much. Tell the nice folks of your hometown that you’ve been playing them.”

“Shut your filthy mouth,” Nick hissed, shoving Cooper back as hard as he could. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Maddie has never held herself up as the town psychic. She’s not you.”

“It’s okay, Nicky,” Maddie said, wrapping her hand around his wrist. “He’s trying to distract everyone. Don’t let him get to you.”

“When I came to this town the first thing I heard was about Maddie Graves,” Cooper argued. “Everyone said she was the real deal. I set out to find the truth, and do you know what I found?”

“I’m pretty sure you couldn’t find your own rear end with both hands,” Maude replied, appearing in the tent’s open flap with a murderous look on her face.

“Who are you?” Cooper asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Aren’t you psychic?” Maude challenged. “Don’t you know who I am?”

“I … the tooth fairy?”

Marla cackled delightedly, but she was the only one. As if sensing the crowd turning on him, Cooper’s gaze bounced between somber faces.

“You can’t tell me you believe in this … fake … can you?”

“I know that Maddie Graves found my daughter when she wandered away from the spring festival this year,” a woman said, getting to her feet. Maddie didn’t recognize her, but she did remember the child in question. “My daughter was scared and huddled behind a car blocks away. She was lost. Maddie found her and brought her home. That’s good enough for me.”

A low murmur went through the crowd.

“I know that Maddie saved me from being killed at a party this summer,” Cassidy announced, moving into the tent opening behind Maude. “She risked her life to save me. I have no idea if she’s really psychic, but I do know she’s brave and I would’ve died without her.”

“Oh, shut up, Cassidy,” Marla snapped. “You’re just mad because Cooper lost interest in you.”

“Maddie saved me, too. A crazy woman was going to kill me, and this was after she killed my mother.” Chelsea Johnson, a local teenager Maddie met a few weeks before, got to her feet. “She protected me and risked herself to do it. What have you done, Mr. Ashton?”

Cooper opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. “My deeds have been well documented – and on television, no less.”

“They certainly have,” Nick agreed. “I’ve been looking over quite a few documents where you’re concerned. For example, did you know that Cooper Ashton isn’t his real name, folks? It’s Randy Parker. He changed it when he decided he wanted to be famous.”

“That’s beside the point,” Cooper protested.

“He made up a story about being struck by lightning, too,” Nick said. “The paramedics said it was impossible because there’s an entry and exit wound when you’re struck by lighting. Cooper had neither.”

“I was struck by lightning!” Cooper was beginning to unravel.

“He’s made a name for himself going from small town to small town to solve murders, making a point to avoid big cities with a larger police presence because he knows he’d get arrested there,” Nick said. “He also sleeps with multiple women whenever he hits a new town, generally soaking them for information about the residents and trying to get as much money from desperate people hoping to talk to a dead loved one as possible before fleeing.”

Maddie risked a look in Christy’s direction and found a horrified look on her friend’s face.

“That is a lie,” Cooper seethed. “I have a true gift.”

“You’ve slept with at least five women since you got to town,” Nick shot back. “You take a side of woman with your meals, apparently. Then you tell the women they have to leave because you can’t sleep alone.”

“That is not true,” Cooper said, turning to Christy. “Tell them that’s not true.”

Christy remained silent.

“There have also been a string of murders in your wake,” Nick announced, deciding to go for broke. “Right after you publicly leave town, a body generally shows up … and it’s found in the exact same manner as we’ve had here. Is that a coincidence?”

“Oh, my gawd,” Cooper shrieked. “You’re trying to frame me for murder now? Is this because I called your girlfriend a fraud. Well … I’m not taking it back.”

“You found the body in the maze the first night you were in town,” Nick challenged. “How? How did you know it would be there?”

“The spirits told me!” Cooper was beside himself. “You people are crazy. If you think I’m going to stand here and take being accused of murder, well, you’ve got another think coming.”

“Someone get the tar!”

Maddie had no idea who yelled it, but her eyes widened when she realized the situation was quickly growing out of hand. “Nicky.”

“I know,” Nick said, shaking his head. “We’ve got to get him out of here. I think I might’ve incited a riot.”

“I … .”

“Don’t touch me,” Cooper said, slapping Sam Mullin’s hand away as the man tried to grab his arm. “I’m out of here. I just … you people … I’m a star!”

Cooper bellowed the last few words and shoved Maude and Cassidy out of the way to make his escape. Unfortunately for him, Maude’s grand plan was waiting outside, and he smacked into the cotton candy machine.

Instead of making a huffy mistake, Blackstone Bay’s newest celebrity visitor found himself covered in sticky spun candy, and he couldn’t seem to shake it off of him.