The Ghost Who Wasn't (Haunting Danielle Book 3) (5 page)

C
laire gazed
out the side window of the Cadillac as they drove northwest on Highway 26. She glanced at Hunter and said, “I hope it wasn’t a mistake to take an expensive car.”

With both hands on the steering wheel, Hunter looked over at Claire and then looked back down the highway. “Jail time’s the same for an economy car as it is for this one. Might as well drive in style.”

“I hope its owner is taking a long vacation.”

“I told you it was fate. Justina forgot to take the plate with her so even if the owner returns today, he won’t be able to find his car until after we ditch it.”

Claire absently ran her fingers through her recently styled hair. “I hope you’re right.”

“Stop that,” Hunter snapped, his eyes darting in her direction.

“What?” Claire frowned, looking over at Hunter.

“You’ve messed up your hair. Fix it.”

Claire flipped down the sun visor and looked in the mirror. “I hate my hair like this,” she grumbled. “I look like someone’s mother.” Using her fingers, she attempted to straighten her hair.

“You’re messing it up more! Can’t you do anything right?”

“I don’t know why you’re being so mean lately!” Stifling a sob, she flipped the visor back up and slumped back in her seat, looking away from Hunter.

“Don’t start crying on me, Claire. You’ll screw up your makeup.”

“You never used to be like this. I thought you liked the way I look!”

“We have a part to play. You know that.”

“I know. I get to pretend to be your wife,” Claire said with a pout.

“My bride. I told them we’re on our honeymoon.”

“I wish it really was our honeymoon.”

“Last I heard, polygamy isn’t legal in this state,” Hunter laughed.

“Since when do you care about the laws?”

“Fine, let’s get married.”

Claire turned in her seat and faced Hunter. A hopeful smile replaced her glum expression. “Are you serious?”

“As long as I don’t have to screw with a divorce, why not?”

“But that wouldn’t be a real marriage!” Claire slumped back in her seat, her smile gone.

“I can’t please you. Why do you care how real it is in the eyes of the law? I’m with you, not Tina, aren’t I?”

“I suppose…” Claire glanced down at her left hand, and the engagement ring and wedding band she wore. Hunter had purchased it at Kmart before they left California. The diamonds were glass. After inspecting the fake wedding set, Claire reached down and picked up her purse off the floor by her feet. Opening it, she retrieved a gold and sapphire bracelet and began fastening it on her right wrist.

Hunter glanced over and scowled. “What are you doing?”

“Just putting on the bracelet.”

“Take it off!” he snapped.

“Why? You want them to think we have money and I bet this bracelet is the real deal.” She glanced briefly at her left hand. “Unlike this engagement ring.”

“I said take it off! Someone might recognize it.”

“It’s just a bracelet! I’m sure there are other women who have one just like it.”

“We’re not going to blow this by some stupid bracelet. I knew I should have sold it with the other stuff.”

“Fine…” Claire said with a pout as she snatched the bracelet off her wrist and shoved it back in her purse. “I still don’t understand why we have to go through all this.”

“I thought you’d be happy to have new clothes.”

“Sure, if you would‘ve let me pick them out. I look like a freaking librarian.”

“You look respectable.”

“You didn’t cut your hair.” Claire looked over at Hunter who now wore his long hair pulled back into a ponytail.

“So? Lots of classy dudes have long hair. And you have to admit, I look good in these clothes.”

“Better than I look in mine,” Claire said glumly.

“You look fine. Trust me, dressed like this, driving this car, Boatman will think we’re just a couple enjoying a quiet honeymoon. They won’t be watching to make sure we don’t steal the silver.”

“Who is Boatman?”

“She’s the one who owns the bed and breakfast.”

“Well I hope you’re right about that place. I hate to think we wasted all the money on these clothes—the airline tickets—just to stay in some stupid seaside inn. At least in Vegas there would be stuff to do. And there I could wear clothes I actually like!”

“
W
here’s Danielle
?” Walt asked when Lily found him in the attic on Friday morning.

“She’s at the market, getting some last minute things for the guests.”

“How are you doing? Having any luck harnessing your energy?”

“No. I’ve given up. I think in this state—”

“As an undead?” Walt interrupted.

“Not sure I like the sound of that.” Lily cringed. “But, yeah…I suppose the undead sorta sums it up. I don’t think it’s possible.”

“We could give it another try.”

“Actually, I’m here to ask you about something else you do.”

“What’s that?” Walt studied Lily’s expression.

“You know how you visited my dreams?”

“Umm…yes…about that. I suppose that may seem rather intrusive but you see—”

“No, that’s okay. I understand. It was the only way you and I could actually talk—communicate. I’m okay with it. In fact, I was hoping you could try that little trick on someone else.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isabella Strickland.”

“Isabella Strickland? From what I understand she’s in a coma.”

“Right. But that’s sort of like being asleep. If you could some way jump into her dreams, maybe you could talk to her, find out what happened back at the rest stop. Maybe she saw me.”

“That’s an interesting idea…” Walt considered the suggestion. Waving his hand, a lit cigar appeared between his fingers. “I’m not sure it’s possible. I’ve only done it with you.”

“You remember how you did it, don’t you?”

“I suppose. The first time was the day you both arrived in Frederickport. That night—actually, after Danielle left here for the second time. I started thinking about you both, remembering how you each looked, thinking what I would ask you about Danielle if you could hear me, when suddenly I was in your dream. I wasn’t sure what was going on. I tried it a second time, focusing just on you—after you two moved into Marlow House—and it just worked.”

“Then you could do it with Isabella!”

“I’ve never seen her. I don’t know what she looks like.”

“There was a picture of her in the newspaper.”

“True, but it wasn’t a very clear photograph.” Walt took a puff off his cigar.

“What if I could get a better picture of her?”

“I suppose I could try.”

“Or you could go to her. We know where she is.” Lily grinned.

“No Lily, I can’t leave Marlow House.”

“I thought Dani said you’re free to go now, but you choose to stay.”

“It’s not that simple. If I leave Marlow House, I may not be able to come back.”

“You did before. Dani told me.”

“That was different, Lily. You don’t understand. As long as I decide to stay on this plane—not to move on to the next level—I can’t leave this house. Not even to go outside. I thought you understood that.”

“Then a photograph will have to do.”

Danielle arrived home from the market a few minutes later. Lily and Walt were still upstairs. She had just finished putting away the groceries when someone rang the doorbell. At first, she wondered if it was her guests arriving early, but it turned out to be Ian. She hadn’t seen him since Wednesday evening.

“Your guests haven’t arrived yet?” Ian asked when Danielle opened the door. His golden retriever, Sadie, followed him into the house.

“Not yet. They were supposed to be here sometime this afternoon.”

Wagging her tail, Sadie pressed her wet nose into Danielle’s open hand before racing off down the hall and up the stairs, looking for Walt.

“I don’t know why she insists on going upstairs whenever we come over.” Ian shook his head and closed the door behind him.

“She’s okay. Sadie isn’t any trouble. There’s probably a mouse up there,” Danielle lied.

“I suppose…” Ian followed Danielle into the parlor. “Have you heard from Lily’s mother? I was going to call her…but then…” Instead of finishing his sentence, Ian took a seat on the small sofa and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling.

“Looks like you haven’t slept.” Danielle took a seat on the chair next to him.

“Have you heard any news? Have they made a positive identification?”

“I spoke to Lily’s mother late last night. She said they hope to have it by Monday.”

Ian looked up at Danielle. “She still convinced it’s just a formality?”

“Pretty much.” Danielle let out a sigh and then said, “I hired a private investigator.”

“You did?” Ian sat up in the couch.

“I’m holding on to hope it wasn’t Lily in the accident—that someone stole her car. If that is the case, then I really don’t want to wait around until Monday for the dental records. Because if Lily is alive somewhere, we need to find her.”

“I spent all day yesterday on the phone,” Ian explained. “Calling people I know around Palm Springs. I even called a PI I once worked with—to hire him to look for Lily.”

“You hired someone too?”

“After I told him the story, he made a few calls, called me back and told me to save my money, that it was Lily in the car.”

“How does he know that?”

“I don’t think he knows for certain. But after talking to the cops he felt he knew, thought I was wasting my time.”

“Jerk,” Danielle muttered.

“He did promise to make some more inquiries. Not really sure what that meant. I think he just wanted to make me feel better. In fact, that’s the reason I came over. I wanted to see if you’d watch Sadie so I could fly down to Southern California and poke around myself. I can’t wait until Monday. Like you said, if that wasn’t Lily in the accident, we can’t be waiting until Monday to go looking for her.”

“The private eye I hired didn’t seem to have a problem taking my money.”

“Do you know if he’s any good?”

“I have no idea. I hope so.”

“I still want to go down there. I can’t just sit here. It is driving me crazy.”

“Where are you going to look?” Danielle asked.

“Figured I would start at the motel. Follow the route Lily most likely took when going home. What’s your PI doing?”

“Kinda the same thing.” Danielle failed to mention the fact she told the private investigator to search the area around the rest stop where they had found Isabella Strickland. She wasn’t sure what the PI thought about her request, but considering what he was charging, she figured he’d happily check out any of her hunches, regardless of how outlandish they might seem.

“Will you watch Sadie?” Ian asked.

“No problem. If this is what you really want to do. But my private investigator will be going over the area.”

“Better two people looking instead of one.” Ian stood up.

“I better give him a call and tell him about you coming down. Otherwise, if your paths cross, he may think you had something to do with her going missing and then start looking in all the wrong places.”

“You should probably give me his name so I don’t jump to the same conclusion if someone mentions him making an inquiry.”

“Do you want to contact him?” Danielle asked nervously.

“I don’t think that’s necessary. I’d rather we each do our own search.”

Danielle was relieved to hear Ian didn’t want to join forces with the private investigator she hired. She wasn’t sure how she could explain her detailed instructions to the PI to search the area around the rest stop where they had found Isabella Strickland.

T
he golden retriever
charged up the stairs leading to the attic. By the time Sadie reached the second floor, both Walt and Lily heard her coming. Walt opened the attic door without the pretense of using his hand. The door flew open while he and Lily stood a few feet away.

For a moment, Lily forgot her body was only an illusion, making it impossible to pet the dog. When Sadie entered the attic Lily reached out and her hand moved effortlessly through Sadie’s head. When it did, Lily quickly jerked back her hand.

“Not sure I would ever get used to that…hope I don’t have to.” Lily grimaced. Sadie ran through Lily and then Walt, and then doubled back, racing through them several more times in greeting.

A few seconds later Lily whistled for Sadie, who continued to run in circles. Hearing the command, Sadie sat down and looked at Lily.

“I assume you being here, girl, means Ian’s downstairs. Let’s go say hello!”

When Lily got downstairs with Sadie, she found Danielle at the front door hugging Ian.

“Keep in touch. I promise to take good care of Sadie,” Danielle said as their brief hug ended.

“I will. You’re one of the few people I trust with her. I know you’ll take good care of Sadie.”

“Where’s Ian going?” Lily looked anxiously from Danielle to Ian.

Ian knelt down on one knee and ruffled the fur on Sadie’s shoulders. “Goodbye girl.”

Wagging her tail, Sadie nuzzled Ian and licked his face.

“Where is Ian going?” Lily asked impatiently.

“Did you get your airline ticket yet?” Danielle asked, trying to ignore Lily.

“I’m on standby. But I need to hit the road.” Ian stood up and gave Sadie a final pat before heading out the front door.

“Fly safe!” Danielle called after him before shutting the front door.

“Where is Ian going?” Lily repeated.

“He’s going to California to look for you.”

“Look for me? I don’t understand. I thought you hired that PI to look for me.”

“I did, Lily.” Danielle turned from the front door and began walking down the hall to the kitchen, Lily at her side. “But Ian’s going crazy just doing nothing.”

“He doesn’t believe I was the one killed in the car accident, does he?” Lily smiled at the thought.

“He doesn’t want to believe it. And until the dental reports come back, none of us will know for sure. If your hunch is right—if that reflection we see in the mirror is an indication that your body is still alive, then I’m all for Ian looking for you along with the PI I hired.”

“About that PI, when this all gets worked out, I promise to repay you for whatever he cost.”

Danielle shook her head. “Don’t be silly.” She walked into the kitchen and began putting the dishes away from the dishwasher.

“I’m serious. I heard what he’s costing you. You shouldn’t have to pay for it.”

Plate in hand, Danielle paused a moment and looked at Lily, who now sat up on the kitchen counter, watching her. “Lily, have you forgotten I’m a very rich woman now? I can afford to pay the private investigator. There’s no reason for you to pay me back. I want to do it.”

“No. I don’t want to be the kind of friend that takes advantage of you. I refuse to be a user.”

Shaking her head again, Danielle set the plate she was holding in the cupboard and resumed emptying the dishwasher.

“You are hardly a user. You’re practically family—heck, you are family. The only family I have. I can’t think of any better way to spend my money. And let’s not forget, I never did anything to earn it in the first place.”

“That’s not true. You were a good niece to your Aunt Brianna. That’s why she left you the money and not Cheryl.”

“Perhaps. But still, it’s not like I worked for it. And let’s not forget the inheritance from Cheryl. I certainly didn’t do anything to earn that!” Danielle pulled the basket of clean silverware from the dishwasher and dumped it on the counter.

Lily watched Danielle organize the silverware before putting it in a drawer. “I wish I could help you put the dishes away.”

“Me too. Still no luck harnessing your energy?”

“No. But I had an idea this morning. I bet Isabella Strickland knows what happened to me. She was there at the rest stop.”

“She probably does. But until she comes out of her coma—and according to what I’ve read, that doesn’t look promising—she’s not going to be of much help.” Danielle finished putting the silverware away. After closing the drawer and dishwasher, she turned to face Lily.

“She may not need to come out of her coma to help us.” Lily jumped off the counter, her feet landed on the floor.

“What do you mean?” Danielle asked.

“If Walt can jump into her dreams, like he did with me, they could have a little chat.”

“Do you think people dream when they’re in comas?” Danielle asked.

“I read once on the Internet that people in comas dream.”

“Well you know what they say; if it’s on the Internet it must be true.” Danielle grinned.

“Well it’s possible!”

“Actually, you have a good idea. A really good idea.”

“You seriously think so?”

“I do. When is he going to try?” Danielle asked.

“He needs a better picture of her, something to focus on. He’s not really sure how it all works, but when he did it with me the first time, he focused on how he remembered my face.”

“There was a picture in the paper,” Danielle suggested.

“It was kind of washed out and out of focus. I promised him I’d find a better one.”

“How are you going to do that? You can’t even pick up a photograph if you find one.”

“I thought maybe you could find a more recent picture of her,” Lily suggested.

“Where? I can’t very well knock on her uncle’s door and ask him if he has a recent photograph of his niece.”

“What about the Internet?” Walt asked when he appeared a second later.

Danielle and Lily turned to Walt and chorused, “The Internet?”

“Sure. Danielle seems to find everything on there.” Walt smiled.

“I suppose…” Danielle muttered.

“Facebook!” Lily blurted out. “Everyone has a Facebook page. We need to see if she has one—with a profile picture better than the photograph in the paper.”

“She might have a Facebook page.” Danielle considered the suggestion. “Of course, it will depend on her privacy settings.”

“Privacy settings?” Walt asked.

“When people set up Facebook accounts they have privacy options—so they can decide who can see the photos they post. Since we’re not her Facebook friends—assuming she has an account—then we may not be able to see any of her pictures.”

“We won’t know for sure until we check!” Lily said excitedly.

“Okay, let’s go look now.” Danielle led the way to the parlor where she had left her laptop computer. She sat at the desk while Lily and Walt stood behind her, anxiously waiting to see what she’d find. It took less than ten minutes for her to log into Facebook and find Isabella’s Facebook account.

“That’s the same picture they used in the newspaper article,” Lily said when she saw Isabella’s profile picture. She sounded disappointed.

“I think this one is better. It’s a little clearer than the one in the paper,” Danielle said.

“Are there any other pictures?” Lily asked.

Danielle navigated through Isabella’s Facebook account, moving the mouse on the desktop. “Yes, but none seem to be of her. Photos of the area mostly. Interesting…”

“What?” Lily asked.

“Under her work, says she’s a writer,” Danielle said.

“What does she write?” Walt asked.

“Doesn’t really say. I sort of got the impression she was basically a trust fund girl.” Danielle said.

“She’s a bit of a hotsy-totsy,” Walt noted as he peered over Danielle’s shoulder. “I might be able to work off that photograph.”

“Humm, so you won’t mind hijacking her dream?” Lily teased.

“If this works out, maybe I’ll have Danielle find me photographs of other attractive women. Gets a little boring cooped up in this house sometimes.”

“Well thanks,” Danielle said dryly.

“Oh…I didn’t mean you’re not a doll!” Walt glanced from Danielle to Lily. “Both you and Lily are very attractive…I just meant…”

“Oh save it Walt.” Danielle stood up and faced the pair. “I won’t be pimping for you.”

“Pimping?” Walt frowned.

Lily laughed and pointed to the computer monitor displaying Isabella’s profile picture. “Focus, Walt,” Lily said. “If you’re able to get some useful information from Isabella Strickland, I’ll happily find you all the photos of current sexy starlets you can handle.”

“I didn’t mean that how it sounded,” Walt muttered as he sat down at the desk and looked at the computer.

“Well I hope not,” Danielle said. “The idea of a ghost stalking pretty women while they sleep is just—well a little creepy.”

“Do you have to call me a ghost?” Walt grumbled. He looked at the picture of Isabella Strickland.

“I forgot. You prefer spirit,” Danielle retorted.

“Oh come on Danielle, don’t be such a prude. Imagine if you had the power to pop into someone’s dream, wouldn’t you be tempted to try—just for the fun?” Lily grinned.

“Oh brother, you better be alive Lily, because if you aren’t, I have a feeling you’d be getting into all sorts of mischief as a gh…spirit.”

“I’m not dead—yet. And Walt, when I finally get reunited with my body—which I will—please come visit me in my dreams, because I’ll miss our chats.”

“Thank you, Lily, I appreciate that.” Walt flashed Danielle a smug look, to which she countered by rolling her eyes. “I think you ladies should leave me alone while I focus on Miss Strickland. I don’t think this is going to work with you two in the room.”

“Okay. Thanks, Walt.” Lily turned to the door.

“Behave yourself,” Danielle teased. She looked down at Sadie, curled up under Walt’s feet. “Come on girl, you come with us. Walt needs to focus.”

Sadie looked up at Danielle.

“Go on Sadie, she’s probably right, I need total concentration.”

The golden retriever looked from Walt to Danielle and then reluctantly stood up and followed Danielle and Lily from the parlor. Danielle closed the door behind them.

“I hope this works,” Lily said, anxiously looking back at the closed door.

“Me too.” Danielle paused a moment and then asked, “Walt does know what to ask her, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, we discussed all that.”

Before Danielle could respond, the doorbell rang.

“Is that your guests? I thought they weren’t supposed to arrive until later this afternoon.”

“They aren’t,” Danielle walked to the front door. “They must be early.”

When Danielle opened the front door a moment later, she was surprised to find Officer Joe Morelli standing alone on the front porch.

“Officer Morelli?” Danielle said with a frown, surprised to find Joe at her door. He wore his uniform, and in his hands, he held his baseball style hat, its insignia from the Frederickport Police Department partially visible.

“Can’t you at least call me Joe?” he asked in a soft voice.