Grave Homecoming (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 1) (10 page)

“I’m still mad at you.”

“I know.”

“I’m glad you’re here, though.”

“Me, too,” Maddie said, sighing. She searched her mind for a topic to continue the conversation. She didn’t want to pull away from him. She needed to think of something to converse about. “So, do you know who killed Sarah Alden yet?”

Nick’s body stiffened. “We haven’t released her name yet. How do you know it?”

Maddie’s heart sank into her stomach.
Oh no.

Nick leaned back in his office desk chair and studied the ceiling. Blackstone Bay was a small department. There were only three full-time officers, and even though the building was small, there was more than enough room for everyone to be able to spread out. That was a welcome thing – especially today. He couldn’t deal with … people.

Technically, he was off duty. Kreskin was handling Sarah Alden’s death, and Nick’s biggest problem today was supposed to be avoiding Cassidy. Life had interrupted. Again.

Nick rubbed his forehead, weary. He was at a loss with Cassidy. He had nothing against her, but he wasn’t exactly emotionally invested in her either. In fact, he’d been preparing just how he was going to break up with her when his world tilted. He’d known she wasn’t the one for him after the first date. That didn’t mean she wasn’t fun, and easy to handle. As long as she didn’t make demands, Nick was happy to let the relationship float in the ether. It was never going to move to the next step. Maddie’s return hadn’t changed that.

Now? Now Nick knew that any decision he made was going to be blamed on Maddie. Before she returned, the town would’ve chalked up the breakup to Nick’s six-month cycle. He was well aware of the whispers. He’d argued against them a few times, only ceasing when he realized they were true. Things were different now.

Now
his
Maddie was home.

Nick had known from the second he saw her that all the love he’d long since forgotten – and stuffed away – was still there. He’d tried to convince himself he was over her, but it wasn’t true. He was never going to be over her. He was never going to be able to move beyond her. He was never going to be able to let her go.

That didn’t mean they had a future. That’s what Nick had to keep reminding himself. Maddie had never once insinuated that she had feelings for him. Oh, sure, she loved him – but it was just as a friend. Now, Nick had a question to ask himself: Was friendship enough?

The truth was, he had no idea. He couldn’t focus on that right now. He had other things to ponder. First off? How had Maddie known Sarah Alden’s name?

She claimed she’d heard it whispered in town, but when Nick questioned from where, she’d clammed up. Her answers had been vague, her memory suddenly faulty. From the woman who remembered the last turtle they’d snared together, Nick had his doubts. She was hiding something. He just didn’t know what.

Nick stilled, his fingers poised over his computer keyboard. What he was about to do was a gross invasion of privacy. He was an ethical man, and yet he couldn’t stop himself. He typed her name into the search engine.

He pressed his eyes together briefly when the information popped up on the screen, and then he tamped down his reservations. He had to know what she was hiding. If it was something they could overcome … .

Nick sighed and focused on the screen. There was a lot to search through. Why would she have so much activity in a police database?

Nick clicked on the oldest file and read the report from Officer Dwight Kincaid. He was with the Detroit Police Department, and had since been promoted to detective. His notes were terse, and hard to decipher, but he mentioned solving a hit-and-run with the help of a nurse at a local hospital. The report didn’t go into detail, and Nick was more lost when he was done reading than he had been when he started.

Nick clicked on the next file, and then the next, and then the next. He wasted three hours going through the files. Maddie was listed as a consultant in each and every one.

“Maddie,” Nick muttered. “How?”

Nick rolled his neck, an audible “crack” filling the room. There wasn’t enough in the files to give him something to go on. He had to dig further. He had to … know. Nick reached for the phone on his desk and punched in the number in the files. He waited for someone to pick up.

“Detective Kincaid.”

Nick sucked in a breath. Part of him hadn’t expected the man to answer. “Um, hi. My name is Nick Winters. I’m a detective with the Blackstone Bay Police Department.”

“Isn’t that up by Traverse City?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s a beautiful area,” Kincaid said. “What can I do to help you?’

“I … um … this is going to sound weird,” Nick said, unsure.

“I live in Detroit,” Kincaid said. “Everything in this city is weird.”

Nick hadn’t really thought about how he was going to broach the subject of Maddie’s appearance in the files before he made the call. Now he had no choice but to make up a lie on the fly. “We had a homicide here the other day,” he said. “A local woman found the body. Well, she used to be a local woman, and she just moved back to the area, so I guess she’s local again … .”

“I have a lot of files on my desk to clear before I leave for the day,” Kincaid said. “Can you get to the point?”

Nick pursed his lips. “We’re just doing some routine checks,” he said. “When I ran the woman who found the body through our search engines, I found her in a lot of your files.”

“Who are we talking about?”

“Maddie … Madeline … Graves.”

Nick heard the detective suck in a breath. “Is she in trouble?”

“So, you do know her?”

“I know her,” Kincaid said. “Is she in trouble?”

“Are you asking if she’s a suspect in the murder?”

“I’m asking if she’s in trouble,” Kincaid said. “I can be up there in … two days … if she is. You can’t question her without an attorney.”

Nick was floored.
Since when does a cop tell another cop not to question a suspect?
“She’s not a suspect,” Nick said. “I just want to know why she’s in so many of your files.”

“She helped with some cases,” Kincaid said. “She’s a good woman. She wouldn’t kill anyone.”

“I know she’s a good woman,” Nick snapped. “I want to know how you know she’s a good woman.”

“I’m sorry, can you clarify what’s going on here?”

Nick had nothing to lose. “I’ve known Maddie since we were kids. She’s been back in town for less than a week, and she discovered a dead body. She’s acting … odd. I need to know how to protect her.”

Silence.

“Are you still there?”

“What did you say your name was again?” Kincaid asked.

“Nick Winters.”

“You’re the best friend,” Kincaid said.

Nick sucked in a breath. “Who told you that?”

“She did,” Kincaid said. “Listen, I know how close you two were … are … were. Whatever. I want you to tell me why you’re really calling.”

“Maddie is hiding something,” Nick said. “She knew the name of a murder victim before it was released to the public. Suspicion is going to fall on her.”

“She wouldn’t kill anyone,” Kincaid said. “She’s not capable of it.”

The detective’s matter-of-fact tone was enough to tip Nick over the edge. “I know she’s not capable of it. I’ve known that since she went around saving ants from the little shits we went to elementary school with. They were vicious with their magnifying glasses. I want to know how she helped you with these cases.”

“Ask her.”

“She won’t tell me,” Nick said, frustrated. “She’s … hiding.”

Kincaid sighed. “Listen, I probably know more about your relationship with Maddie than I have any business knowing,” he said. “I know that you’re her … frickin’ soul mate … if that’s really a thing. I also know that she’s a private person, and she’s struggling with an obnoxious amount of crap.”

Nick cleared his throat. “How did Maddie help you?”

“She worked as an independent consultant.”

“Doing what?”

“She was … she was kind of the psychic our department utilized for missing person cases.”

Nick swallowed hard. “I’m sorry, you’re going to need to … she was … how was she a psychic?”

“Oh, boy, I can tell you’re in a state,” Kincaid said. “I can’t betray her.”

“I’m not asking you to betray her.”

“I made a promise,” Kincaid said. “I don’t know if that means anything to you, but it means something to me. All I can say is that she was … invaluable … to some of our investigations. She found more than twenty people. That last thing was … unfortunate.”

“What last thing?” Nick was desperate.

“That’s her story to tell,” Kincaid said.

“But … .”

“Detective Winters, I know you and Maddie have a history,” Kincaid said. “I know because every time she mentioned you her face lit up. It was the only time I ever saw her smile. She was a … sad little thing.”

Nick’s heart pinged.

“She was also a brave little thing,” Kincaid said. “When you see her … when you talk to her about this … make sure she knows what happened wasn’t her fault. She did the best she could.”

Nick was lost. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Give her time,” Kincaid said. “If anyone can get her to open up, I have a feeling it’s you.”

“I need to take care of her,” Nick said. “She … her mother just died.”

Kincaid sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “I know she didn’t have a lot of family. From what I understand, all she had was a grandmother, the mother, and … you. Are you still her family?”

Nick swallowed the painful lump in his throat. “I’ll always be her family.”

“Then give her time … and space,” Kincaid said. “She’ll talk when she’s ready.”

Nick wasn’t sure he could do that.

Blackstone Bay’s spring festival was a welcome memory from the past. As Maddie walked through the fair, a bag of cotton candy clutched in her hand, she couldn’t help but be reminded of fun times. Of course, all those memories revolved around Nick.

They’d come to the fair together every year. Nick had insisted on winning her a stuffed animal, she had a whole collection, and they’d spent hours in the funhouse before gorging themselves on elephant ears and ice cream. This experience was … different.

“So, what did you do today?” Christy asked, popping into view out of nowhere.

Maddie jerked back. “I’m going to get you a bell to wear around your neck.”

“My neck is too fat for a choker.”

“You’re not fat.”

“I’m not thin either,” Christy pointed out.

“Who cares about stuff like that?” Maddie said, offering the effervescent redhead a hunk of cotton candy. “As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.”

Christy took the spun fluff. “How was your afternoon?”

“Fine,” Maddie said, forcing the memory of Nick and the lake out of her mind. “Why? How was your afternoon?”

“I cut hair,” Christy said. “Oh, and I foiled Agnes Milkens. She’s convinced she can’t find a man because she doesn’t have highlights.”

“Isn’t Agnes ninety?”

“She’s still on the prowl,” Christy said. “What about you? Did you have fun with Nick down at the lake?”

Maddie was stunned. “Who told you about that?”

“Ha!” Christy poked Maddie in the chest. “You just did. What did you two do?”

“You need to stop tricking me,” Maddie said, annoyed. “That’s not playing fair.”

“Life isn’t fair,” Christy said. “So, spill. What did you and Nick do down at the lake?”

“He caught a turtle for me.”

“And?”

“And we splashed water on each other.”

“And?”

“And then nothing,” Maddie said. “He had to get to work.”

“You’re a bad liar,” Christy said, grabbing Maddie’s bag of cotton candy from her irritably. “But, since I’m such a good person, I’m going to let this go. You’re still fighting the Nick Effect.”

“What’s the Nick Effect?”

“Oh, that’s that low-down tingle you feel in your loins every time you see him,” Christy said, ignoring the flush moving up Maddie’s neck and cheeks. “How about we go on a ride?”

“I don’t really like rides,” Maddie said. “I have a weak stomach.”

“You’ll like rides if I give you one.”

Maddie froze when she heard the voice. It had been less than twenty-four hours since Todd had dropped her off, but she was hoping it would be at least another twenty-four years before she saw him again.

“Oh, Todd,” Christy said, looking him up and down. “You’re looking … smarmy.”

“Christy,” Todd said, his tone dismissive. “Isn’t there some hair you should be cutting?”

“Nope. I’m off for the night.”

“What are you doing here?” Maddie asked, uncomfortable.

“It’s the town fair,” Todd said. “Everyone comes. I called you earlier today, by the way. You didn’t call me back.”

“I was busy,” Maddie lied. “I’ve been working fifteen hours a day to get Magicks back up and into working order.”

Todd was nonplussed. “You couldn’t spare five minutes?”

“I … .”

“She was with me,” Christy interjected. “We were doing girl stuff.”

“What’s girl stuff?”

“You know, makeup and hair stuff.”

“I guess I don’t know,” Todd said. “I’m not a girl.”

“Oh, that’s not the word on the street,” Christy said.

Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “Christy,” she hissed.

Todd narrowed his eyes. “Well, since you two spent the afternoon together, I’m guessing you don’t need to spend the night together,” he said. He held out his hand to Maddie. “How about we go on a few rides?”

Maddie was immediately shaking her head. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “Christy and I have plans.”

Christy nodded.

“Plans to do what?”

“We’re having a girls’ night,” Christy said. “No men allowed.”

Todd straightened and scanned the crowd. “No men? Or just not this man?”

“All men,” Maddie said, her face apologetic. “Sorry. Maybe some other time.”

NICK
used to love a good fair. He’d spend hours – days even – frequenting each and every one. Maddie loved the flea markets. She’d buy ugly little craft items and shove them in her purse to peruse later. They’d ride the swings together, her stomach couldn’t take much more than that, and then she’d watch him play games for hours.

Tonight Nick couldn’t stand the fair. Cassidy had insisted they attend, and Nick was still fighting the urge to drop her. If he did it now, Marla and her minions would peck Maddie to death. That was an added problem Nick just couldn’t deal with right now.

“Do you want to get something to eat?” Cassidy asked hopefully.

“I’m not really hungry.”

“How about … we could go to the funhouse?”

Nick stilled. He hadn’t been in a funhouse since … since the night Maddie had screamed when the murderous clown jumped out of the corner. She’d thrown herself into his arms for protection. He loved that memory. He could still smell the flowery scent of her shampoo. “I don’t like funhouses.”

“Okay,” Cassidy said, searching for options. “There’s a band over at the square.”

“Fine,” Nick said. “Let’s go listen to the band.”

Cassidy reached over and grabbed his hand, her face falling when he snatched it away and ran it through his hair.

“We should go now,” Nick said. “I have to be up early tomorrow. I only have an hour to burn.”

“Right,” Cassidy said. “You have work tomorrow.”

“I have work every day,” Nick said. “We’re dealing with a murder.” He was also dealing with thoughts of Maddie – and Detective Kincaid – but he couldn’t talk about that.

“I know,” Cassidy said. “I … we should listen to the band.”

The town square was packed when they arrived. Nick bought two beers at the concession stand and gave one to Cassidy before he settled at a busy picnic table. He’d purposely picked one where there wasn’t an open spot at his side. After scanning the table dejectedly, Cassidy opted to sit across from him.

“So, any idea who killed that lady the other day?” Pete Harper asked.

“Nope,” Nick said, swigging from his beer. “I’m not in charge of the case.”

“I heard Maddie Graves found her,” Tom Peters said.

“I’ve seen her around town,” Kevin Milligan said. “She looks … hot.”

“She does look hot,” Pete said. “She was always hot, but she’s downright smoking now.”

“Have you seen her since she’s been back?” Tom asked, turning to Nick.

“I have,” Nick said. “I was at the scene yesterday.”

“You two were always a sight to behold,” Kevin said. “I was always jealous. I was two years older than you guys, but Maddie was so beautiful I was willing to be held back.”

“She is beautiful,” Nick agreed, forcing his gaze to remain steady on the band as they caroused on the stage.

“Are you two going to pick up where you left off?” Tom asked.

Nick swallowed a gulp of beer, risking a quick glance at Cassidy to see how she was handling the conversation. For her part, she was pretending to be entranced with the show. Nick knew better. “We were friends,” he said. “Nothing else.”

“Oh, please,” Kevin said. “You two were so hot for each other you could’ve set the world on fire.”

“We were friends,” Nick repeated, forcing his eyes to scan the crowd congregating near the concession stand. When his gaze landed on bright blonde hair, his heart skipped a beat. “We were just friends.”

“Right,” Tom said, rolling his eyes.

Nick watched Maddie and Christy as they chatted. Maddie’s heart-shaped face was animated, and whatever story Christy was telling had her laughing out loud. That was the first time he’d seen it since she returned. It was a genuine smile, and a genuine laugh. It was … breathtaking.

The conversation at the picnic table continued without his input, and Nick let his mind wander as he watched Maddie. Christy bought an elephant ear, and she split it down the middle so the two women could share it.

She looked happy, Nick mused. Well, she looked happier. He’d yet to see her look truly happy. What would that be like? He couldn’t help but imagine Heaven.

Suddenly, Maddie bent over at the waist and grabbed her stomach. Christy’s face was ashen as she leaned down and pushed Maddie’s blonde hair out of the way. Nick couldn’t read lips, but he knew concern when he saw it.

“Where are you going?” Cassidy asked.

Nick ignored her as he increased his pace and headed toward Maddie. She needed him.

SOMETHING
was wrong. Maddie’s stomach was twisted – and that could only mean one thing: Someone was in trouble.

“Maddie, what’s wrong?” Christy asked. “Is it the elephant ear? Are you going to be sick?”

Maddie fought to control her breathing. “I … .”

“Maddie!” Nick was at her side, his hand on her hip, before she could get her bearings. “What’s wrong?”

“I think she’s sick,” Christy said. “She was fine a second ago.”

Nick rubbed Maddie’s back. “Let’s get away from the crowd,” he said. “You probably just need to sit down.”

“There’s a spot over there,” Christy said, pointing.

“Uh, yeah, I’ve got her,” Nick said, wrapping his arm around Maddie’s waist. “Why don’t you go and watch the band? I’ll take care of her. We’ll be back over there in a few minutes.”

“Okay,” Christy said brightly, her gaze bouncing between the two of them. “Have fun.”

If he wasn’t so worried about Maddie, Nick would’ve wondered why Christy left without an argument. He’d known her long enough to realize that unquestionable retreat wasn’t in her repertoire. Nick was too thankful for her easy exit to question it.

Nick led Maddie to the far side of the square, watching as she leaned against a brick wall and rubbed her forehead. “Did you eat something bad?”

“Well, I’ve eaten cotton candy, a corn dog, and an elephant ear,” Maddie said, her smile rueful. “I haven’t eaten anything good.”

“You always did like junk,” Nick said, massaging her neck. “You’re really pale, love.”

Maddie pressed her eyes shut, the term of endearment filling her with warmth. “I’m just … oh.” Maddie grabbed her stomach again.

“If you’re going to throw up, let’s move farther away,” Nick prodded. “I know you don’t want anyone to see you puke.”

“I … we have to go this way,” Maddie said, gasping as she grabbed Nick’s hand. “This way.”

Nick was confused, but he followed. Maddie’s path was winding, and she stopped every few seconds to get her bearings. She didn’t sit down, though, no matter how many times Nick prodded her to do just that.

Before he realized what was happening, Nick found himself two blocks away from the fair. Maddie’s face was red from exertion, but he didn’t stop her. Finally, after turning one more corner and arriving in the pharmacy parking lot, Maddie managed to straighten her frame. She extended her arm and pointed to the lone car. “There.”

Nick was confused. “What’s there?”

“There,” Maddie said, her voice breaking as she shook her arm. “There.”

Nick moved in the direction she was pointing. He didn’t want to leave her, but she was insistent. The closer he got to the car, the more agitated he was. Then he heard it … the small sound of sobs. Someone was on the other side of the car.

Nick increased his pace and rounded the vehicle, pulling up short when he saw the small child sitting on the pavement, knees pulled to her chest.

“Sadie?”

He recognized the girl. Mary Thompson had four kids, and Sadie was the youngest. Nick didn’t like to judge people, but Mary was hardly an observant mother. “Sadie? Are you okay?”

Sadie lifted her tear-streaked face. “I’m losted.”

“You’re not lost,” Nick said, reaching down and pulling her to her feet. “You’re just … misplaced.”

“I’m tired,” Sadie wailed. “I want to go home.”

“Where is your mother?” Nick asked, glancing over his shoulder so he could study Maddie. She looked markedly better. She was standing up straight, her shoulders squared, and the color was returning to her cheeks. “Is she at the fair?”

“She wouldn’t let me go on the ride,” Sadie said. “I ran away. I thought she would find me.”

“You’re a long way from the fair, Sadie,” Nick said, clasping his hand around the girl’s small wrist. “I’m going to take you back to your mommy.”

“Good,” Sadie said, jutting her lip out. “I want some cotton candy.”

Nick nodded. “I’ll buy you some.” He led Sadie over to where Maddie was standing. “How did you know she was here?”

Maddie balked. “I … I was just sick. I didn’t know she was here.”