Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) (6 page)

“Okay, that will be enough of that,” Maude said. “My stomach is already on the fritz because of all the drinking. You two are gross enough to gag a buzzard.”

“And on that note … .” Nick leaned over and offered Maddie a kiss. “Keep me in the loop today, love. I wouldn’t recover if something happened to you.”

“That goes double for me.”

“
I
brought
the chairs from your car, Maddie.”

Christy appeared in the open tent flap, taking Maddie by surprise as she knelt on the floor and plugged a small space heater into the outlet strip at the back of the tent.

“Thanks,” Maddie said, straightening. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I saw them in your car and knew you would need them,” Christy said, positioning the chairs around Maddie’s small bistro table. “You look cute, by the way. Is that one of your mother’s outfits?”

Maddie glanced down at her ankle-length purple skirt and flowing white blouse. She wasn’t one for dressing up, but people had a better time at festivals when she did. Her mother had an entire closet full of costumes, so Maddie took advantage of the rare times it was appropriate to dress up – and the fall festival was definitely one of those times. The outfits also made her feel closer to her mother, who was still around in spirit but not body. While Olivia Graves still popped in for visits from time to time, it wasn’t the same as having her mother alive.

“It is one of Mom’s outfits,” Maddie confirmed. “I asked her if she would mind if I wore them when she stopped in for a visit last week. She laughed and said she wasn’t using them so I should knock myself out.”

“I know it’s hard for you because you miss her, but I think it’s cool that she can stop by and visit with you,” Christy said.

“It would be easier if Granny could see her, too,” Maddie lamented. “Granny misses her so much and I’m not always there to keep the conversation going.”

“How is Maude?” Christy asked. “I didn’t see her around last night. I thought for sure she would’ve been in the thick of things when we found the body.”

Maddie internally cringed at the excited tone of Christy’s voice. “She spent the night at Edna’s house,” Maddie replied. “They’re plotting against Harriet and her proposed Purple Ladies group.”

Christy snorted. “When isn’t she plotting against Harriet?”

“I would say in her sleep, but I don’t think that’s true,” Maddie said. “How did you get home last night?”

“I walked,” Christy replied. “After finding the body and talking to the cops, it was kind of a nerve-racking block, but I was fine. How long were you stuck down here? I’m assuming Nick had to stay.”

“He did,” Maddie confirmed. “Dale walked me home because John is in charge of the state police unit coming to town and handling the investigation on their end. Nick wanted to do it, but he stayed behind. He didn’t get home until almost four.”

“That’s rough,” Christy said. “Do they have any leads?”

“They’re just getting into it,” Maddie said. “Nick is keyed up about no one walking home alone, though, so don’t do that again this afternoon.”

“It’s kind of cute when he turns into a mother hen,” Christy teased.

“He’s always cute.”

“Hey, um … I’m sorry for what happened last night,” Christy offered lamely. “You guys were having a good time by the fire and I interrupted it and ruined your night. If I were you, I’d probably be ticked off.”

“I can’t really be ticked off because we found a body,” Maddie countered. “Her name was Samantha Bradshaw, by the way. Does that name mean anything to you?”

“I’m not sure,” Christy said, her mind busy. “I’ll check my client records and if I find anything, I’ll make sure Nick knows.”

“Thanks for that,” Maddie said, pulling her deck of tarot cards out of her purse and plopping them on the table. When she settled in her chair, she found Christy studying her from across the table. “What?”

“What do you think of Cooper?”

Maddie wasn’t surprised by the question, but she was hoping Christy would hold off on asking it. Delaying the inevitable wasn’t generally something Maddie liked to do, but she didn’t want her relationship with Christy in turmoil at a time like this. “What do you think of Cooper?”

“Well, I obviously think he’s the real deal,” Christy said. “He found that body last night. He knew it was there.”

Maddie licked her lips. “Have you considered he knew it was there because he put it there?”

Christy stilled, surprised. “No. Why would he?”

“Maybe he wants some publicity,” Maddie suggested. “He seems to enjoy playing to a crowd.”

“Listen, I know you’re not keen on people knowing about your gift so it’s probably not easy for you to be around someone like Cooper,” Christy said. “He’s got a lot of confidence, and you’re lacking in that department. Just because you two approach your gifts in different ways, that doesn’t mean he’s a murderer.”

“But … he’s not psychic,” Maddie challenged. “He’s putting on a show and pretending to be psychic.”

“How do you know that?”

“I watched him.”

“He’s a little … theatrical,” Christy conceded. “That’s because he’s on television, though. That’s because he writes fiction books. You have to be more theatrical when you’re an artist.

“You’re trying to hide who you are,” she continued. “He embraces who he is. If you let go of your fear, you might get there some day. You still have time.”

“I don’t want to get there,” Maddie muttered. She’d tied her long flaxen locks up in a loose bun and wrapped a brightly colored scarf around it as part of her costume, and the scarf rubbed her shoulders as she vehemently moved her head back and forth.

“Why don’t you like him?” Christy asked, her tone shifting from mildly annoyed to outright irritation. “Are you jealous?”

“Jealous?”

“He found a body last night and you cuddled with your boyfriend by the fire,” Christy pointed out. “He was proactive and you hid behind Nick. I’m not saying it’s something to be ashamed about, but Cooper is clearly more powerful than you are. I think it would be natural for you to be a little jealous.”

Jealousy wasn’t the emotion raging through Maddie. No, that was anger. At first she thought she was angry with Cooper for bamboozling her friend, but in truth, she was angry with her friend because she fell for such an obvious act.

“Have you considered that I’m not jealous of Cooper and perhaps you believe him because you have a crush on him?”

Christy’s mouth dropped open. “I think I’m savvy enough to know when someone is a fraud and when they’re telling the truth,” she argued. “I never once doubted you. I was right on that. Why can’t I be right on this, too?”

Maddie swallowed hard. She wasn’t good with confrontation. The last thing she wanted was a fight with her best friend. “You’re right,” Maddie said, giving in. “I’m sorry for making this a thing. I think I’m just … tired. It was a really long night.”

Christy visibly relaxed at the apology. “It’s okay,” she said, a friendly smile returning to her face. “I should’ve realized when I saw the dark circles under your eyes. You had a much later night than I did. I don’t blame you for being cranky.”

“Yeah, well, I’m sure I’ll feel better after a few cups of coffee,” Maddie said, reaching for her thermos. “Granny put it together and promised there was no bourbon in it. Do you want some?”

“Not if there’s no bourbon in it,” Christy said, laughing. “I … .”

She didn’t get a chance to finish her statement because the tent flap flew open, allowing Cooper entrance. He was dressed in simple jeans and a T-shirt, but the boots he wore looked as if they cost more than Maddie’s car and the expression on his face told Maddie he was about to cause trouble.

“I knew you would be in here,” Cooper intoned, causing the people standing behind him to whisper.

Maddie shifted her gaze to his entourage, frowning when she saw Marla and Cassidy close to the front of the line. It just figured they would fall for Cooper’s act. It was as if Maddie couldn’t get away from either of them.

“Were you looking for me?” Christy asked, her expression hopeful.

“I was looking for the other psychic,” Cooper replied, his gaze falling on Maddie. “There’s a rumor around these parts that you’re more than smoke and mirrors, Maddie Graves.”

Maddie rolled her neck until it cracked, frustrated. Cooper was purposely making a scene. Had he approached in private, she would’ve quietly shut him down. Now she had to figure a way out of the situation without drawing too much attention to herself.

“There are a lot of rumors around these parts,” Maddie said. “I don’t really believe rumors. You shouldn’t either.”

Christy shot Maddie an incredulous look, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

“People say you have the gift,” Cooper said. “They say your mother had it, too. It’s sad she’s crossed over to the great beyond, but her love for you spans many different dimensions.”

As if sensing Maddie’s emotional upheaval, Olivia’s spirit picked that moment to pop into existence. She studied Cooper for a moment, her ethereal finger poking at his boots, and then she straightened.

“I can tell you right now that I don’t like this guy, Sunshine,” Olivia said, shaking her head. “He’s got ‘fraud’ written all over him. These are synthetic boots, by the way. They’re not real.”

Maddie couldn’t answer, but she had to bite her lip to keep from laughing as her mother circled Cooper and shot him a series of disgusted looks. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Maddie asked, trying to regain her train of thought.

“Your mother loves you from the great beyond,” Cooper said.

“Oh, he’s such a tool,” Olivia said, making a face. “The next thing he’ll tell you is the killer’s name has an ‘S’ in it and somehow the key to catching him is water. Just wait.”

“I would like you to work on this case with me, Maddie Graves,” Cooper said. “I’ve already ascertained important clues, but I think we can put our considerable talents together and come up with a killer before the police officers in this town even have their morning doughnuts.”

Maddie was offended. “The police officers in this town work hard and I don’t appreciate your saying things like that.”

“Of course,” Cooper said, waving off Maddie’s concerns. “You think you love one of the detectives. That was insensitive of me.”

“I
do
love Nick,” Maddie countered, pushing herself to her feet. “I have no interest in working with you on anything either, so you can just … go.” Maddie made small shooing motions with her hands. “Take your fan club and solve the case on your own. I’m not interested in joining forces with you.”

“Is that because you’re worried what will happen when our minds join? Are you worried that will make our hearts join, too?”

Now it was Marla’s turn to make a face. “You don’t want that to happen. She’s crazy and needy.”

“And you’re loud and obnoxious,” Maddie snapped, the words out of her mouth before she realized what she was saying.

“That was very good, Sunshine,” Olivia said. “You need to stand up for yourself more often. Marla gets off on preying on the weak. Don’t let her get to you.”

Maddie desperately wanted to talk to her mother, but Cooper and his gaggle of gigglers wouldn’t give her the chance if they remained. “I’m not joining anything with you, Mr. Ashton, because I don’t trust you,” she said. “I don’t believe you’re psychic, and even if you were, this is a job for the police. You shouldn’t get involved.”

“She’s just worried about you showing up her precious Nick,” Cassidy said, wrinkling her nose. “She knows you’re way ahead on this one and she’s afraid Nick will look like an idiot.”

“Even more of an idiot than when he picked Maddie over Cassidy,” Marla added.

Maddie fought the urge to roll her eyes. This situation couldn’t get any more out of control if someone added an elephant in a tutu. “Listen, I’m flattered by the offer,” Maddie said, pushing past Cooper and moving through the tent flap and toward the fairgrounds. “I’m not interested, though. If you want to solve this case on your own, more power to you. I’m here to tell fortunes, not solve crimes.”

Maddie sucked in a breath when she hit the outside air, thankful to be out of the suffocating environment so she could figure a way out of her predicament. Olivia’s expression was sympathetic as she mimed brushing Maddie’s hair and Marla and Cassidy’s faces were murderous as they followed her outside.

“I already have leads, Maddie Graves,” Cooper said as he joined her outside. “The killer is male. He has a … ‘S’ … in his name.”

Olivia pursed her lips to keep from laughing. “I told you.”

“The murderer will have some tie to water,” Cooper added, causing his fan club to “ooh” and “aah.”

“This is Blackstone Bay,” Maddie pointed out. “The entire area has something to do with water. Saying the killer has something to do with water isn’t exactly what I would call a big stretch.”

“Do you doubt me?” Cooper asked, knitting his eyebrows together. “Is the psychic a non-believer?”

Maddie was dumbfounded by the display. “I am a skeptic where you’re concerned,” she said finally. “I believe in the psychic powers of others. I don’t believe you fit into that group, though.”

“I think you’re hiding something,” Cooper said, extending a finger in her direction. “What dark secret are you protecting?”

“Just my disdain for you,” Maddie said, moving to get away from Cooper again. He kept following her, swallowing up all the air in the process. She had to find a way to get rid of him.

“I think you’re afraid of your gifts, Maddie Graves,” Cooper said. “Admit what you’re capable of, tell everyone about your gift. You’ll feel better.”

“I think you’re really starting to bug me and if you don’t stop following me I’m going to have you arrested,” Maddie shot back, increasing her pace and pushing through the crowd. She was almost to the women’s bathroom – a place where she figured she could get a few moments of respite – when her hand accidentally landed on a young blond woman’s shoulder.

Maddie gasped as a series of brutal images filled her head, each subsequent one worse than the first. Maddie’s mind was a jumble as she tried to absorb the flashes and she leaned against the outside bathroom wall and sucked in deep breaths as she tried to get her bearings.

After a few moments, Maddie realized she had no idea who the woman was and when she scanned the crowd for a glimpse of her, she was gone.

“What say you, Maddie Graves?” Cooper asked, appearing in front of her and planting his hands on his hips. “Will you help me save the women of Blackstone Bay from a predator?”