Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) (18 page)

“Omigod!” Cooper wailed. “It’s hot and it burns.” He struggled to pull away from the candy machine, and when he finally did, he turned on his heel and ran into the night, howling the entire way.

“Stay here, Mad,” Nick said, resigned. “I have to … take care of this mess. You should be safe here. Don’t leave.”

Maddie nodded. “I love you, Nicky. Thank you for what you said.”

“Thank you for being you, Mad. I’ll be right back.”

“
W
ell
, that was just embarrassing,” Maude said, her eyes moving to Maddie as the crowd broke into riotous guffaws. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Granny,” Maddie said, smiling weakly. “Was that your grand plan to protect Christy? You were going to attack him with cotton candy?”

“It wasn’t finished yet,” Maude protested. “It would’ve been amazing had I been allowed to get it just right.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because she had to get in here to protect you,” Christy answered, sidling up between the two women. “I … can we talk, Maddie?”

Christy seemed unsure of herself, and that was something Maddie wasn’t used to seeing. “Of course,” Maddie said, gesturing toward the tent flap. “I’m not supposed to wander far, but I think we’ll be okay right outside.”

“I’ll be waiting in here for you,” Maude said, squeezing Maddie’s hand. “In fact, I’ll be waiting for both of you, so make up quickly. The night is still young.”

Christy offered Maude a grateful smile and then followed Maddie outside the tent. When it was just the two women, for the first time since she was first reintroduced to Christy after a ten-year gap, Maddie felt nervous.

“I’m sorry, Maddie,” Christy blurted out, her voice cracking. “I’ve been an awful friend and you’ve been trying to protect me. I see that now, but … I was just so convinced he really liked me.”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said last night,” Maddie said, fighting off her own tears. “I’ve only ever wanted you to be happy. I promise. I don’t see you as my sidekick or somehow want you to be unhappy so I feel better about myself.”

“That was an absolutely stupid thing to say,” Christy said, wiping a stray tear. “I shouldn’t have said that – and I really didn’t mean it – but I was embarrassed and angry. Nothing like that has ever happened to me before. I was mortified.”

“You’re not the only one,” Maddie said, giggling through her tears. “When I realized what the noises really were – and I think Nick figured it out before I did because he tried to stop me – I was hoping a hole would open in the ground and swallow me up.”

“Oh, Maddie, I’m so sorry,” Christy said, throwing her arms around the blonde’s neck. “I’ve been terrible to you over the past few days. I just … I wanted him to like me so much.”

“I know,” Maddie said, patting Christy’s back as she returned the embrace. “You’re better than him, though, Christy. He’s a fake. He’s a con man to boot. He’s been suckering people out money for years. He’s an actor … and this is just the part he’s chosen to play.”

“I know that,” Christy said, pulling away. “I think I knew that from the beginning. It’s just … I had a huge crush on him when I saw him on television. When you meet your crush in real life, you can’t help but dream big.

“Well, you probably don’t understand that,” she continued. “You have your dream man already and no crush could compare. I’ve been wishing and hoping for someone to love me for as long as I can remember, though. I just thought fate was finally smiling on me.”

“Fate is fickle, but I have no doubt you’re going to get your happy ending,” Maddie said, the weight from the past few days lifting from her shoulders. “I want you to be happy just as much as I want Nick to be happy.”

“I know you do,” Christy said. “I somehow forgot you were a good person in this mess, though. I actually convinced myself that you were trying to hold me back. That’s what Cooper kept telling me, and I was so desperate for him to like me, I started believing him.”

“Cassidy came to us and she said it was as if Cooper had her under a spell,” Maddie offered. “She said she was embarrassed about how she acted and Cooper cut her loose soonest because she had the least amount of gossip to offer.”

“He was constantly pumping me for information,” Christy admitted. “I didn’t want to see what he was doing, though. Instead I pretended he was generally interested in me. Ha! Like that was even possible.”

“Don’t do that,” Maddie chided, shaking her head so the moon glinted off her flaxen hair. “Cooper Ashton is a sociopath. He’s not capable of feeling anything for anyone but himself. Do you want to know who is capable of feeling things, though?”

“Me?” Christy’s smile was rueful.

“Well, yes,” Maddie said. “I was going to say John Winters, though.”

Christy stilled, surprised. “John? Why are you bringing him up?”

“Because he got jealous when he saw you with Cooper and we’ve been talking to him a little bit over the past two days and he’s … well … he’s interested in you,” Maddie said.

“If he was interested in me he would’ve called after the last time he was in town,” Christy argued. Maddie recognized what she was doing, and she had no intention of letting her friend close the door to hope. “He never called.”

“That’s my fault,” Maddie admitted. “I was worried he would sleep with you and then break your heart when he left town. I told Nicky to feel him out and make sure he realized that wasn’t an option.

“The problem was, I remembered John from when I was a teenager and didn’t give him the benefit of the doubt,” she continued. “Everyone grows and changes throughout the years, and John isn’t the exception.

“I don’t expect you to jump into another relationship, but John has been making noise about wanting something more serious than occasional dates,” Maddie said. “Take some time to yourself and wrap your head around this, but when you’re ready, I have a feeling John might be ready, too.”

Christy was dumbfounded. “I had a huge crush on him when I was a teenager,” she said. “When I saw him this summer, I thought maybe he might like me. When he left without saying a word, though, I pushed it out of my head.”

“That’s my fault, and if you’re angry, I totally understand.”

“You were trying to protect me, Maddie, like you always do,” Christy said. “I can’t be angry about that. Besides, after the past few days, I think I owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” Maddie said. “I value and cherish your friendship. That’s all I want from you.”

Christy impulsively threw her arms around Maddie again and the women took a few moments to silently repair their friendship. When they pulled apart, Maddie pointed toward the bar inside the tent.

“What?” Christy asked, following Maddie’s finger with her gaze. “Superman? Am I supposed to know who that is? I can’t see his face.”

“It’s John,” Maddie said, grinning. “He thinks he’s a superhero.”

“I don’t know, Maddie,” Christy said. “The last guy I slept with just got coated in cotton candy and ran off screaming into the night. It might be a little soon.”

“I’m not telling you to jump him,” Maddie said, giggling. “I’m telling you to go to the bar and let him buy you a drink. He’s a surprisingly good listener.”

“Do you think?” Despite herself, and the horrors of the night, Christy looked intrigued.

“I definitely think it’s a good idea,” Maddie said. “In fact, go over there and sit next to him. I’ll give you three minutes and then join you so it doesn’t look so obvious. That way all of the pressure won’t be on you.”

“That’s a great idea,” Christy said, beaming. “Don’t wait too long, though. I don’t think Nick wants you hanging around in the dark alone.”

“Nick’s probably chasing our killer right now, and I doubt he’s going to get very far covered in candy,” Maddie pointed out. “I’ll be fine. I’ll watch from here for a few minutes and then check on you.”

Christy practically skipped back into the tent, making a beeline for John. Maddie watched her, a broad grin on her face, and when she turned to scan the festival she jolted when Cathy popped into view next to her.

“You need to stop doing that,” Maddie said, pressing her hand to her heart. “You need to work on your entrances.”

“Sorry,” Cathy said. “You’re the only one who can see me, so I forget.”

“Did you find something by the fountain?”

“I did,” Cathy said. “I need to show it to you, though. You have to hurry.”

Maddie opened her mouth to argue, Nick’s furious face flitting through her head. “I don’t … .”

Cathy cut her off. “Hurry. It already might be too late.”

I
N THE HISTORY
of terrible ideas, Maddie knew she was making a big one when she followed Cathy in the direction of the fountain. She told herself she would only be gone for five minutes and Nick wouldn’t even know she was away because she would beat him back. Besides, she had her phone in the inside pocket of her cape. If she got in trouble, she knew she could hide and text Nick. He would find her.

Cathy chatted away as they traversed the festival, which was still relatively busy, but Maddie couldn’t answer out of fear people would think she was talking to herself. It took the duo five minutes to make it to the fountain, and when they did, Maddie found the area empty. She was surprised the protesters left before Cooper was scheduled to tell his scary story. Of course, she rationalized, they might’ve heard about his candy-covered flee into the night and raced in that direction to see his downfall.

Since they were alone, Maddie took the opportunity to talk to Cathy. “What do you need to show me?”

Cathy hurried to the side of the fountain and pointed into the water. “There?”

Maddie followed her, curious, but when she gazed into the water she didn’t see anything of interest. “Those are coins,” Maddie said. “People throw them in to make wishes. I told you that.”

“No, in between the coins,” Cathy said. “It’s a necklace. I think it’s mine.”

“Oh,” Maddie said, knitting her eyebrows together. She plunged her hand into the water, feeling around until her fingers touched a chain. She pulled the necklace out and held it up so she could see it better in the muted light. “It’s a cross.”

“That’s my necklace,” Cathy said, pointing toward her ghostly chest. “Do you think that means I died here?”

“I think that means you were at least approached here,” Maddie said, holding the cross up to verify it was a match to the one Cathy wore. “You’re right. This is your necklace. Do you remember anything else?”

“I’m trying really hard,” Cathy said. “I just … it’s like I have a mental block.”

“Well, this is good, though,” Maddie said. “Nick will probably be angry because I fished it out of the fountain, but at least we found it.”

“Can you make sure my mother gets it … you know, after the investigation is done?” Cathy asked. “She should have it. It was my grandmother’s necklace and she left it to me when she died.”

“I’ll make sure she gets it,” Maddie said. “I … .”

“Hello. What are you doing here?”

Maddie worked overtime to calm her fluttering heart, gritting her teeth together as she tried to collect herself. Why did people keep sneaking up on her? When she turned, she found Jesse Harper standing a few feet away. He had a quizzical look on his face.

“You frightened me,” Maddie said, forcing a smile for the man’s benefit. “I didn’t hear you approaching.”

“That’s probably because you were talking to yourself.”

“I … yeah, well, I do that sometimes,” Maddie said. She didn’t know what else to say. She was going to look like a loon regardless. “I found a necklace in the fountain and I was just kind of reminding myself to turn it into the police so they could find the owner.”

“A necklace?” Jesse’s eyes lit up. “What kind of necklace?”

“It’s a cross.”

“And you just happened to find it in the fountain?”

Something about the man’s demeanor – perhaps it was the way his eyes clouded as they roamed Maddie’s body – made the woman nervous. “I saw it glinting under the moonlight. I grabbed it because I was curious. Don’t worry about it. My boyfriend is a police officer. He’ll know what to do with it.”

“Maddie … um … .” Cathy’s voice was low with warning. Unfortunately, Maddie was starting to wonder if she hadn’t put herself in the worst possible position even before the ghost got nervous.

“I should probably be going,” Maddie said, moving to give Jesse a wide berth as she headed back in the direction of the festival. “Nick is waiting for me.”

“Oh, Maddie, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Jesse said, shuffling so he cut off Maddie’s path. “In fact, I think you should probably come with me.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I’m going to need that necklace,” Jesse said. “I also have a few plans for you.”

It was only in that moment that Maddie realized how truly vulnerable she was. They’d been looking for a murderer in the wrong place, and now she was terrified she’d found him in the last place she expected.

“
I
t’s you
, isn’t it?”

Maddie kept her eyes focused on Jesse even as her heart pounded so hard she worried she would pass out.

“What’s me?” Jesse asked, a bright smile on his face despite the danger lurking in the depths of his eyes. “We met the other day. Did you already forget?”

“You’re the murderer,” Maddie said, gripping the necklace tighter. “You’re the one who killed Samantha Bradshaw and Cathy Winchester.”

“Those names really mean nothing to me,” Jesse replied, his tone airy even as he clenched his hands at his sides. “I think you have me confused with someone else. Perhaps you’ve had too much to drink this evening. I’ll walk you home and make sure you get there safely.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Maddie countered. “I know what you are. I just … didn’t see it even though it was right in front of me.” Maddie darted a furtive glance toward the festival, briefly wondering if she could yell loud enough to draw attention from revelers. The music was loud, and the area at the front of the town square was empty, but if someone was close enough to hear she might have a chance.

“And what am I, Maddie?” Jesse asked.

“You’re a killer.”

“No, I’m a son taking care of his mother,” Jesse corrected. “That’s all anyone sees when they look at me. That’s all I want them to see.”

Maddie’s mind was busy as she ran possible scenarios through her head. “It makes sense that it’s you, really. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. We totally discarded you guys from the beginning, mostly because we were too focused on Cooper.”

“Yes, he makes a marvelous scapegoat, doesn’t he?” Jesse’s voice was ominous, his eyes almost black in the limited light. “Everyone wants to believe in him from the start, and then they realize he’s nothing but a fraud.

“By that time he’s burned any goodwill he’s earned so people naturally assume he’s capable of anything,” he continued. “He’s really only capable of suckering women into bed and stealing money. He’s a blowhard, nothing more.”

“You’re more, though, aren’t you?”

“I am … all things,” Jesse said, puffing his chest out. “I went to school to be a doctor. I’m still going to be a doctor. I just have to find a medical school willing to accept me. The academics are easy for me, you see. It’s the … other stuff … that’s difficult.”

“Maddie, you need to run,” Cathy said, her voice low. Jesse couldn’t hear her, but the ghost was out of sorts as memories of her death flooded her mind. “He’s cruel. He seems reasonable now. I know. I remember him being helpful. I remember it all now. You can’t trust him.”

Maddie already knew that, but given Jesse’s proximity and the angle she would have to take to run in the direction of the festival, she also knew that Jesse could have his hands on her before she got close enough for anyone to hear her screams. He wasn’t big, or even muscular, but he still had the advantage.

“I’m guessing you can’t pass the psych portions of the screenings,” Maddie said, stalling for time. If she held out long enough, Nick would come looking for her. He always did. “You’re smart and engaging on first meeting, but once someone spends any real time with you it becomes apparent there’s something wrong with you.

“Let me guess, you charmed your advisors at first and then they grew weary of the way you acted,” she continued. “In social circles you were considered awkward and odd. In academic circles you were considered brilliant, though, so people kept giving you a chance. After all, many people suffer anxiety in social situations. They probably thought they could fix the problem if they worked on it.”

“That’s pretty good, Maddie,” Jesse said, the smile on his face never budging. “Perhaps you really are psychic. I heard a few people mention it, but I thought they were crazy. You see, I don’t believe in psychics. Not after Cooper Ashton soaked my mother for ten grand.”

“That’s a lot of money,” Maddie said, licking her lips as her eyes landed on the haunted maze. It had been closed since Samantha Bradshaw’s body was discovered and no one wanted to go inside because it was considered ghoulish. It wouldn’t be taken down until the after the weekend, though, and while the last place Maddie wanted to be was there – it also offered an intriguing hiding place.

“It was a lot of money, and I needed that money to buy recommendations,” Jesse said, his smile slipping. “That stupid, moronic, idiotic, complete and total loon I call a mother frittered it away because she was convinced she could talk to Sophia across the great beyond.”

“Sophia? Was that your sister’s name?”

“It was,” Jesse said. “She was my mother’s favorite and even after she died my mother preferred wasting money on her instead of putting it to good use.”

“Or perhaps your mother didn’t believe buying recommendations was the right way to go,” Maddie suggested. “Maybe she thought you should earn them.”

“And maybe you’re an idiot,” Jesse shot back. “Pay attention, Maddie. Being a doctor isn’t just about being smart or sociable. It’s all about who you know. I was naïve and didn’t realize that. I do now.”

“I don’t understand,” Maddie said, shaking her head. “Why did you follow Cooper around if you had no interest in taking care of your mother? She obviously isn’t important to you. You don’t even like her.”

“I had nothing better to do, and honestly, I wanted to make Cooper pay for what he did to me,” Jesse replied. “I’ve been watching him for months now. He’s good at what he does. He has that charming smile women love and they fall at his feet.

“Do you know how much tail that guy gets?” he continued. “I’m actually impressed with the number of women he’s been able to schmooze. Good grief. Women are idiots. They’re only interested in looks and money. They don’t care about potential … or ambition.”

“Is that your problem?” Maddie asked, a plan slipping into place. “Do you want a girlfriend? If so, you probably could’ve had one if you weren’t a murdering psychopath. Women go for that nerdy look you have. They like it.”

“Not the kind of women I want,” Jesse argued. “I like the pretty ones. I like the ones who just sit there in a slinky dress and don’t try and talk to me. I’m not interested in insipid conversation. The only thing a woman is good for is sex – and children. I don’t want children, though. They’re a nuisance.”

“You have a lot of respect for women, I see,” Maddie said, purposely glancing at the festival to give Jesse the impression she was readying herself to run. “Do you hate all women, or did your distaste for your own mother serve as a starting point?”

“I know what you’re doing, Maddie, and while I find it cute I don’t have time for it,” Jesse said. “You’re not equipped to outthink me. Your brain isn’t big enough. I don’t believe in psychics … or ghost whisperers … or magical beings. You’re trying to lull me into a false sense of security so you can run to the festival. That’s not going to work.”

“Are you sure?” Maddie knew she had to make a move. Jesse’s patience was wearing thin.

“I’m sure,” Jesse said. “I can’t let you leave with that necklace.”

“Do you want the necklace?” Maddie held it out. “You can have it. I’ll drop it here and go back to the festival. We’ll call it a trade and let it go.”

“Oh, Maddie, I wish I could trust you, but I can’t,” Jesse said. “In another life, you’re exactly the type of woman I would want on my arm. You know too much, though. I’m not sure how you figured it all out, but I can’t let you go. You’re smart enough to understand that – although probably only by a little.”

Maddie pursed her lips as she regarded him. It was now or never. “I won’t let you take me.”

“You don’t have any choice in the matter.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Maddie said, feigning as if she was going to run in the direction of the festival.

Jesse did exactly what she thought he would, jerking his hands out and reaching for the spot he thought she would end up. Instead Maddie backpedaled and leaped over the corner edge of the fountain, breaking into a run as she booked toward the maze. She had one shot at this, and she could only hope Jesse was so surprised her decision it would take him a few moments to get ahead.

She didn’t look over her shoulder to check, though. She put her head down and ran as fast as she could.

“
S
TOP ROLLING
around
,” Nick ordered, making a face as Cooper writhed on the ground in front of him. “You’re making things worse.”

“It itches,” Cooper complained, scratching at his arms as he tried to dislodge the cotton candy. “It’s stuck in my arm hair and it hurts.”

“Stop being a baby,” Nick chided. “It’s cotton candy. It’s not as if you’re on fire.”

“This is all your fault!” Cooper snapped. “You ruined everything.”

“Well, then you should’ve stayed away from my girlfriend,” Nick said. “It’s over now. I saw people filming your meltdown in the tent. That’s going to be all over YouTube. You might as well confess to the murders and get it over with.”

“What?” Cooper sputtered. “I’m not a murderer! How many times do I have to tell you that?”

“Just until I believe it,” Nick replied, glancing up as Kreskin rounded the corner. Cooper ran for two blocks before tripping over his own feet. Nick considered tackling him before that, but he wasn’t keen on the idea of being covered in cotton candy.

“I see you have our suspect,” Kreskin said dryly. “What’s … on him?”

“Cotton candy.”

“How did that happen?”

“This town is full of crazy people,” Cooper shrieked. “That’s how it happened.”

“Maude,” Nick added, smirking. He couldn’t help himself. It was a serious situation, but he’d never seen a criminal taken down by a carnival snack before.

“Well, that makes sense,” Kreskin said, kneeling next to Cooper and giving him a hard look. “We’re going to take you to the station. We have some questions for you.”

“Yeah, like how you picked Samantha Bradshaw and Cathy Winchester as victims,” Nick said.

“I am not a killer!” Cooper was beside himself as he rolled to a sitting position. “I’m a fraud. Fine. You’ve figured it out. I wouldn’t be too smug, though. You’re not the first people. Why do you think I have so many protesters following me?”

“I thought it was because you were a douche,” Nick replied, causing Kreskin to snicker.

“Ha, ha,” Cooper said, imitating Kreskin. “I may not be a real psychic, but I know how to read people. Do you know what I see when I look at the two of you? Morons.”

Nick’s smile slipped. “You verbally attacked my girlfriend and slept with half the single women in town over the course of a few days. You’re also covered in cotton candy and were taken down by a senior citizen in a fairy costume. I’m pretty sure you’re the moron.”

“I may be a moron by your lofty standards, but I’ve still made a boatful of money off the stupid people in this community,” Cooper shot back. “And don’t kid yourself, I’ve slept with more than single women. Or, wait, is that what you’re worried about? Do you think your precious Maddie is another notch on my belt?”

“Maddie wouldn’t touch you with Marla’s ten-foot pole,” Nick replied, unperturbed. “If you say anything else about her, my foot is going to slip … right into your groin.”

“And my eyes are going to slip in the opposite direction,” Kreskin said. “Tell us about the murders.”

“I didn’t commit any murders!” Cooper’s face was red from exertion. “I’m a thief. I’m a liar. I’m a great actor. I’m handsome. I’m not a murderer, though. Do you really think I would risk ruining my expensive boots?”

“I heard your boots were knockoffs,” Nick said, remembering something Maddie told him. “I heard they were synthetic.”

“Who told you that?” Cooper hissed. “I’ll sue. I swear I will.”

Kreskin rolled his eyes. “If you’re not a murderer, explain how people keep dying when you show up. How did you know about the body in the maze?”

“I guessed about the body in the maze,” Cooper replied. “I didn’t know it was there. I almost passed out when we found it. Do you have any idea how gross that was? I was going to do a big show and say that the spirits told me a body would show up in the maze and then when you guys started patrolling it I figured it would be easy to say I saved a life. No one would be able to prove me wrong.”

“You’re a nasty piece of work,” Nick muttered, shaking his head as he met Kreskin’s steady gaze. “What do you think?”

“I think he’s too much of a wimp to kill someone,” Kreskin said. “That doesn’t mean we can’t arrest him for the fraud.” He leaned over and grabbed Cooper’s arm, dragging him to a standing position. “We’ll question him about the murders, too, but … I just don’t see it.”

Nick didn’t want to admit it, but he was fairly certain Kreskin was right. “So who is the murderer?”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Kreskin said, reaching for his cuffs. “I guess we’ll have to figure that out as we go. Where’s Maddie?”

“She’s safe. She’s in the beer tent with Maude and Christy. I think John is there, too.”

“That’s good. As long as she stays there with Christy we can focus on this guy,” Kreskin said.

“I want a lawyer,” Cooper announced. “I’m not talking to you guys without proper representation.”

“I would expect nothing less,” Kreskin deadpanned. “Sheesh. You really are a jackass, aren’t you?”

“I am the king of jackasses,” Cooper said. “I’m still smarter than you lot put together.”

Kreskin eyed the cotton candy. “Is that the story you want to stick with? Stick with. Now, see, that’s funny because you’re all sticky from the cotton candy.”

Nick tuned out Cooper’s reply as he brushed an itchy patch on his cheek, doing it twice before something occurred to him. He tilted his head to the side, opening his mind and searching, and that’s when he heard the faint whispering. It was Olivia, and she had a message for him.

“Oh, no,” Nick said, the color draining from his face as he glanced back at the festival.

“What is it?” Kreskin asked.

“Maddie.”