Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) (19 page)

M
addie hit
the maze at a dead run, opting to take the same path as before because she didn’t want to find herself boxed in if she took an unfamiliar route. She knew it was a risk because Jesse was familiar with that portion of the maze, too, but she really didn’t have any other options.

“Maddie?” Jesse followed, although he slowed his pace when he entered the maze. He didn’t want to overlook any potential nooks Maddie could hide in and slip out behind him when he wasn’t looking. “Maddie?”

Maddie ignored the taunting voice and dug in her pocket for her phone. She knew placing a call was risky, but she was hopeful if Jesse heard her talking to someone he would run in the other direction. Nick picked up on the first ring.

“Where are you, love?” Nick’s voice was full of fear.

“I’m in the maze,” Maddie replied. “It’s Jesse Harper, one of the protesters. He’s in here with me.”

“I’m coming, Maddie.”

“I know. I’ll try to hold on. I love you, Nicky.”

“Maddie, I’ll be there in two minutes. Just … I love you more than anything. Hide.”

Maddie disconnected and pocketed the phone, and when she glanced around she realized she was by the grotesque dinner table she hated so much. It was almost poetic, she realized. She dreamed about this part of the maze after discovering Samantha Bradshaw’s body, and now here she was again, perhaps to meet the same fate.

“Who were you just talking to?” Jesse asked, appearing in the opening a few feet away. “What did you do?”

“I called the police,” Maddie replied, taking a step away from Jesse but refusing to back down. “I told them your name. I told them you were guilty. I told them you chased me into the maze. They’re on their way.”

“That was really stupid, Maddie,” Jesse hissed, grabbing one of the plates from the table and whipping it against one of the hay walls. “Why would you do that? You’ve ruined everything.”

“Because I want you to pay for what you’ve done.”

“And what do you think I’ve done?” Jesse seethed.

“How many women have you killed, Jesse?” Maddie asked, flinching when she brushed against a wall and realized she was backing herself into a corner. “Do you even remember all of them?”

“Faces come and go for me,” Jesse replied, irritated. “All of your faces meld together into pretty pictures of screaming horror. I do remember my first, though, and I have a feeling I’m definitely going to remember my last.”

“Your sister was your first, wasn’t she?” Maddie had no idea how she knew that, but for some reason the scenario fit together. “She was your sister, probably the good one in the family, and you were always jealous. She got everything you missed out on, didn’t she? She wasn’t socially awkward. People loved her.”

“Especially my mother,” Jesse spat, taking another step forward and forcing Maddie to sidle along the hay wall to keep some semblance of distance between them. There was another opening that led to the part of the maze where Samantha was found about ten feet away, but Maddie couldn’t risk turning her back on Jesse. “She thought Sophia could do no wrong. She was always going on and on about how Sophia was going to be a doctor. I was going to be a doctor, too, but that didn’t seem to matter.”

“It’s probably because your mother knew there was something wrong with you. She figured it out first, but because you were her child she tried to ignore it,” Maddie said. “So, what was your plan? Did you follow Cooper to frame him for murder? Is that what this has all been about?”

“Maybe at first,” Jesse replied, reaching his hand into his pocket and coming back with a jackknife. He opened the blade, running his thumb across it as he eyed her. The blade wasn’t long or jagged, but it was sinister under the pale moonlight. “The thing is, when I killed Sophia I had it all planned out. It was going to be a home invasion gone awry and I was going to find her body and get all of the media attention.”

“You thought that would earn you sympathy and people would give you a pass for being a complete and total weirdo,” Maddie surmised.

“I don’t appreciate the colorful embellishments, but essentially that’s true,” Jesse said. “My mother screwed everything up by coming home early, though. I’d set up the perfect alibi. I was at a lecture at the high school and I made sure everyone saw me there.

“Then I slipped out the side door and handled my sister – boy, was she a screamer – and then hurried back out to return to the school,” he continued. “I dropped my clothes in the fire pit the bums used down by the river and had a change of clothes in my car. It was perfect.”

“And then your mother came home early and she got all of the sympathy,” Maddie said. “You were just the beloved girl’s weird brother. That’s how everyone always looked at you, wasn’t it?”

Jesse didn’t appear bothered by the assertion. “Pretty much.”

“Were you worried when your mother contacted Cooper?” Maddie asked. “Did you think he might be the real deal and your sister would tell your mother the truth about what happened to her?”

“I don’t believe in anything I can’t see,” Jesse replied. “I’m not prone to flights of fancy or any of that nonsense. You might very well believe you’re psychic, or you might actively be a fraud like Cooper. I don’t really know – or care – what the truth is there. I believe in science.”

“Uh-uh,” Maddie said, horrified by the man standing in front of her. He had no conscience, no soul even. He was an empty husk. “So you started following Cooper with your mother as a revenge plot. You were hoping he would get blamed, but you somehow realized you liked killing people and it became more than that to you.”

“Traveling with Cooper was an easy way to cover my tracks,” Jesse said. “If anyone grew suspicious, they would never look at the protesters. Those were good people bilked out of money by a bad man.”

“What were you going to do if Cooper got arrested?”

“Find another con man to follow,” Jesse said. “You have to understand, I’m not some sick deviant. I don’t kill women for sexual gratification or the thrill. I like the science aspect of it. I like to see their insides.”

“You’re … sick,” Maddie said, her voice cracking. “I just … I don’t understand how I didn’t see it that first day. It was right in front of me and I ignored it.”

“That’s because I only showed you what I wanted you to see,” Jesse replied. “I wanted you focused on Cooper. He loves attention. I gave it to him, even if it probably wasn’t the kind of attention he really wanted.”

“And now what?” Maddie asked, licking her lips as she glanced around. She thought she saw a hint of furtive movement behind Jesse, but she couldn’t be sure. “The police know it’s you. Your only chance is to run. You’re wasting time.”

“See, if I run now, though, I’ll be rewarding you for bad behavior,” Jesse said. “I can’t reward you. You don’t deserve to be rewarded. I guess I’m just going to have to kill you and go for an insanity defense.”

“What? Your mother made you do it?”

“That’s as good a reason as any,” Jesse said, taking a bold step forward.

Maddie wasn’t ready for it and she almost tripped over her own feet as she scrambled to get away. She was frightened, but even though her mind was jumbled she didn’t miss the figure floating near the table. It was Olivia, and the ghost’s eyes flashed an angry red as she picked up one of the metal plates from the garish table and whipped it in Jesse’s direction.

The plate glanced off his shoulder. It didn’t hit with enough force to hurt him, but it did confuse him.

“What was that?”

“What was what?” Maddie asked, feigning innocence. “Did something happen?”

Olivia picked up another plate and tossed it at Jesse’s head, the light metal making a clanging sound as it bounced off. Olivia was much stronger now than she had been previously, but she still wasn’t strong enough to inflict real harm on Jesse.

“What is going on?” Jesse shrieked, rubbing the back of his head as he glanced around. “Who is doing that?”

“That would be one of those things you don’t believe in,” Maddie said, regaining her footing and leaning against the hay wall to catch her breath. Her stomach hurt from the worry and her heart pounded, but Olivia’s arrival boosted her flagging courage. “That’s my mother … and she doesn’t like you any more than I do.”

“Your mother?” Jesse widened his eyes. “Is your mother invisible?”

“No, I’m a ghost, you idiot,” Olivia snapped, focusing hard so she could grab a fork from the table and slam it into Jesse’s hand.

The surprised man howled as the fork embedded in his skin. It wasn’t deep enough to draw blood, but it stung all the same.

“What the … ?”

“Run, Maddie,” Olivia ordered, pointing toward the corridor behind her daughter. “That way.”

Maddie didn’t need to be told twice. She bolted into the dark hallway and almost cried out when she slammed into Nick’s chest. He tugged her close, briefly pressing his eyes shut.

“I am so mad at you I could just shake you,” Nick whispered.

“I’m sorry.”

“Get behind me, Mad,” Nick ordered, pushing Maddie’s shaking body to the spot at his back as he raised his weapon. When Jesse rounded the corner, the knife still clutched in his hand, his eyes widened.

“Holy crap,” Jesse muttered, shaking his head. “You got here a lot quicker than I expected.”

“That’s because you were threatening my heart,” Nick replied, his tone cold. “Drop the knife.”

“Or what?” Jesse asked, blasé. “Will you shoot me? That might be a better outcome than going to prison. I’m not sure I’d do well there. Since I would be smarter than the other inmates, they would probably make me pay for my intelligence.”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m worried about,” Nick deadpanned. “Drop the knife.”

“Ugh.” Jesse was frustrated. “I had great plans for you, Maddie. I wanted so badly to see what your entrails looked like on that dinner table. Why did you have to ruin everything? This could’ve been a learning experience for everyone.”

“You are a twisted and sick individual,” Nick said, his tone icy. “I am not messing around with you, though. Put the knife down, or I will put you down.”

“Will you leave me on display for everyone to see after it’s done?” Jesse asked, his eyes gleaming. “Will you show my mother what her … stupidity … wrought?”

“Are you starting your insanity defense early?” Nick asked, using his free hand to keep Maddie behind him in case Jesse lunged. “If so, it’s an impressive show.”

“Your brain cannot comprehend what I’m doing here,” Jesse said, talking down to Nick as if he were a child. “I’m trying to better society. I’m trying to get Cooper off the street. I’m trying to teach and learn at the same time. How can you not understand that?”

“Probably because you’re absolutely crazy,” Nick shot back. “If you take one more step, I’m going to shoot you.”

Maddie screwed her eyes shut and buried her face in Nick’s back, pressing her hands over her ears to protect them should he fire his weapon. Nick kept his gun trained on Jesse, but he didn’t miss the hint of movement on top of the hay wall behind the deranged man. He couldn’t be sure, but he was almost certain the figure readying himself to jump down on Jesse’s back was wearing a cape.

“I just want to be noticed,” Jesse screeched, jerking forward.

Nick didn’t fire his gun, instead letting his brother hop down and tackle Jesse into the hard ground. He jerked Maddie to a corner to keep her out of harm’s way and helped John wrestle the knife away from Jesse.

“What’s happening?” Jesse asked. “Did the ghost come back?”

John cuffed Jesse’s hands behind his back and then rested his red boot on top of the cuffs, planting his hands on his waist as he smiled at Nick and Maddie. “I told you I was a superhero.”

Nick rolled his eyes as he turned to Maddie, love warring with frustration as he decided what to say. “I love you more than anything, but you’re in big trouble.”

Maddie’s blue eyes filled with tears as she launched herself into Nick’s arms. He held her close and rubbed her back. “I shouldn’t have run off, but Cathy came and told me she found her necklace in the fountain. I thought Cooper was guilty and … I’m sorry.”

“I know you’re sorry,” Nick murmured as he stroked the back of her hair. “Do you have any idea how frightened I was?”

“I’m going to guess it’s not half as frightened as she was,” John interjected. “What? Don’t look at me that way.”

“She could’ve been killed,” Nick said. “That would’ve killed me. You need to be more careful, Maddie.”

“I’m sorry.” Maddie couldn’t stop the tears from falling, and when Nick saw them he gave in and tightened his grip on her.

“Don’t cry, Mad,” he said. “It’s okay. I’m not angry. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

John mime coughed the word “whipped” into his hand as he stared at the sky.

Nick ignored him and kissed Maddie’s cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Maddie said, her shoulders shaking.

“Now, buck up,” Nick ordered. “We have to process the crazy guy, but after that I’m going to put that costume to good use.”

Maddie bit her lip and nodded, although tears still coursed down her cheeks.

“Okay, Mad, I give up,” Nick said. “I’m not angry. I will buy you some hot chocolate if you stop crying. I just … please don’t do that. It kills me.”

“This is just pathetic,” Kreskin said, walking into the maze area from the left, his weapon drawn. “You’re a police officer. Lay down the law with her.”

“That was laying down the law,” John said, snickering.

“Has everyone forgotten I’m even here?” Jesse wailed. “Pay attention to me!”

“Now that’s pathetic,” Nick said, slinging his arm over Maddie’s shoulders and leading her away from Jesse. “Come on, Mad. I know a few people dying to see you.”

“
A
re
you ready to watch the movie?”

Nick glanced up after locking the front door of the house the next night, the porch light turned off so no late Trick-or-Treating stragglers would knock and interrupt them. He smiled when he saw Maddie hovering in the archway between the kitchen and store. The costume was long gone, discarded on the bedroom floor when they returned the previous evening. This outfit, though, was just as appealing.

“We have a stack of movies,” Nick said, gesturing toward the pile of Blu-Ray cases. “I thought we could start with
Friday the 13
^th
.”

“That sounds good,” Maddie said, padding into the room in a simple tank top and fuzzy sleep pants. Her face was devoid of makeup, her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail, and yet Nick knew there was no other woman quite as beautiful as her. “Do you want me to make popcorn?”

“We have candy,” Nick replied, gesturing to the bowl of leftovers. “Pizza will be here in about an hour. We can have popcorn later if you want it.”

“Okay,” Maddie said, rolling into the window seat and lifting the blanket so Nick could crawl in beside her.

Nick started the movie before tucking Maddie in close, kissing her soft skin and wrapping his arms around her. Their relationship was one of love and comfort, but Nick knew Maddie remained bothered about the night before.

“I’m not angry, Mad,” Nick said. “I was just … frustrated.”

“You should be angry,” Maddie replied. “I did a stupid thing.”

“You did,” Nick agreed. “We all thought it was Cooper, though. You thought you were helping Cathy. There was no way you could know it was Jesse – and he was crazy – so I want you to let it go and enjoy the rest of the night with your stud boyfriend.”

Maddie pressed her lips together in an attempt not to smile – and failed miserably. “Stud, huh?”

“I do my best.”

“You didn’t say much when you came back from the police station earlier,” Maddie said, opting to get the heavy stuff out of the way so she could try and do as Nick asked. “What’s going to happen with Jesse?”

“He’s already laying the groundwork for an insanity defense,” Nick replied, rubbing his thumb over Maddie’s flat abdomen as he cuddled behind her. “It won’t work. He’s admitted to killing eight different women, including his sister. He’s just … sick.”

“He
is
sick,” Maddie agreed. “What about Cooper?”

“He’s facing a litany of charges, and a bunch of different towns in at least ten other states are getting in line to prosecute him, too,” Nick answered. “He’s big news right now, although I don’t think it’s for reasons he would prefer.”

“I’m glad. I hope he goes away for a long time, too.”

“Because of what he did to Christy?”

“Because of what he did to everyone,” Maddie said, grabbing a mini Twizzlers packet from the candy bowl and unwrapping it. She pulled the candy apart and offered Nick half of it. He bit into it, his eyes narrowing as he watched Maddie thoughtfully chew. Once she swallowed, she turned to him again. “I’m really sorry for what I did last night.”

“I think being terrorized and chased through a maze is punishment enough,” Nick said. “I was the good one in this scenario, and now you’re punishing me because you won’t let it go, though. Put it out of your mind.”

“That’s some roundabout thinking there,” Maddie teased.

“Yes, well, you’ve been looking forward to this night for weeks,” Nick said. “I want our first Halloween together to be a good one.”

“As long as I’m with you, it’s perfect.”

“That’s good to know,” Nick said, rubbing his nose against her cheek and causing her to giggle. “Where is Maude tonight? She’s not going to hang around and interrupt us, is she?”

“She’s off with her Pink Ladies,” Maddie said. “She didn’t get to carry out her plan against Harriet last night – although I hear the cotton candy shenanigans were such a big hit it caused three of Harriet’s followers to defect to Granny’s side – so she’s over at Edna’s plotting.”

“That means she’s playing cards and drinking,” Nick said. “She’ll probably spend the night over there, right?”

“I think, even if she wasn’t drinking, she would find a way to stay out of the house tonight,” Maddie replied. “She knows we want to be alone.”

“She’s good like that,” Nick agreed. “Do you want to talk a little bit about what your mother did last night?”

“I … don’t know.” Maddie still wasn’t sure how Olivia managed to pick up a physical item and wield it like a weapon. She was filing it away for further thought at a later date because otherwise she wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about it.

“Jesse has been raving like a lunatic about the ghost who stabbed him,” Nick said. “It didn’t draw blood, though, and the wound is tiny so no one is going to believe him. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Maddie said. “Even if his hand fell off – which he deserves, frankly – I know most people would assume he was making it up to bolster his insanity defense.”

“Exactly,” Nick said. “I heard her. I felt her fingers on my cheek. She’s the one who told me to come for you … again.”

“She’s still looking out for me. She says it’s a mother’s job.”

“It’s my job, too,” Nick said, rubbing his hand up Maddie’s bare arm. “Oh, I saw Christy today, too.”

“You did?” Maddie was intrigued. “Did she look okay? I was going to call her but figured I would give her a day to rest and visit her tomorrow.”

“She’s going out to the costume party at the bar in Elk Rapids tonight,” Nick said, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“She is? That was fast? Man, she bounces back quickly.”

“So do you,” Nick said.

“Is she going alone? I don’t want her to be lonely.”

“Does that mean you want to get back in your sexy costume and go over there?” Nick challenged.

“No. I want to stay here … just like this.”

“Good,” Nick said. “She’s not alone anyway. She’s going with a friend.”

“What friend?” Maddie worried she sounded shrill. “Please tell me it’s not Marla.”

“It’s not Marla,” Nick said. “It’s … John.”

Maddie stilled. “Seriously? She just found out the last guy she was interested in was a fraud less than twenty-four hours ago and she’s already going out with John?”

“They’re going out as friends,” Nick cautioned. “I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“Still, though, this could be good.”

“Oh, Mad, I already see your mind working,” Nick complained. “You’re picturing double dates and ski outings, aren’t you?”

“Would that be so bad?”

“Let them handle their own relationship,” Nick ordered. “You need to focus on me. I’m feeling neglected. I need some sugar from my woman.”

Maddie reached into the candy bowl and wordlessly handed Nick a chocolate bar.

“That’s not the type of sugar I was referring to,” Nick replied dryly, although he took the candy. “You’re mean.”

“I know what type of sugar you were referring to, and we can’t play that game until after the pizza shows up,” Maddie said. “You’re going to have to settle for this until then.” Maddie lifted her head up and planted a scorching kiss on Nick’s lips, giggling as he sank into the kiss.

“I guess I can live with that,” Nick said, slightly breathless when they parted. “Do you promise to show me your witchy ways after dinner?”

“I promise to show you everything … forever.”

“That’s the best offer I’ve had my entire life,” Nick said, his eyes shining with sincerity. “I love you, Maddie Graves. Don’t run off in the middle of the night again, though. I can’t take it.”

“I love you, too,” Maddie said. “Now, watch the movie. After dinner we’ll take this show upstairs and play cowboys and witches.”

“You had me at love and forever, Mad,” Nick said, grinning.

“You had me the moment I met you.”