Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) Read online

  “Someone was behind me. I couldn’t make out who it was.”

  “Do you think it was a man? A woman?”

  “It was definitely a man,” Maddie answered. “It was too big to be a woman. I couldn’t make out any facial features, though. Then he … reached for me … and all I could think was that I wanted you. That’s when I woke up.”

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner, Mad,” Nick said, kissing Maddie’s forehead again. “Close your eyes, love. You need to breathe in and out and close your eyes.”

  “What happened at the maze?” Maddie asked. “I … who was it?”

  “We’ll talk about that tomorrow, okay?”

  Maddie nodded. “You’ll be here when I wake up, right?”

  “I’ll be here forever, Maddie,” Nick said. “Never doubt that. Try to get some sleep for me, though. You’re going to need it. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us tomorrow.”

  Maddie didn’t think she’d be able to doze off, but when sleep claimed her a few minutes later she didn’t put up a fight. Nick held on until her breathing evened out and then joined her. He held her close, warding off future visions by sheer force of will, and they slept late into the next morning.

  “HI.”

  Nick greeted Maddie with a soft kiss and a warm hug. “Good morning, love,” he murmured. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “I did once you got home,” Maddie acknowledged, taking a moment to marvel at his lean muscles as she appreciatively rubbed her hand over his chest. “I always sleep better when you’re here.”

  “I do, too,” Nick said. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back until it was really late. The crime scene was a mess because of all the footprints. That reminds me, I need the shoes you were wearing last night so we can make an imprint of them for the crime scene techs.”

  “They’re on the floor by the front door.”

  “Okay,” Nick said. “I’ll grab them on my way to work today.”

  Maddie was always muddled in the morning, so it took her a few minutes to get her bearings. When she did, she snapped her sea-blue eyes to Nick’s and found him watching her. “Who was it?”

  “Her name was Samantha Bradshaw,” Nick replied. “She lives in that apartment complex between Blackstone Bay and Kingston. Do you know the one I’m talking about? It’s out on the main highway.”

  Maddie nodded, rolling the name through her mind. “I don’t think I know her.”

  “From what I understand, she didn’t spend a lot of time in Blackstone Bay,” Nick explained. “All we know right now is that she was a law secretary in Elk Rapids. We’re going to be running her known associates today.”

  “How was she killed?”

  Nick stilled. “I don’t think you need to know that, Mad,” he said finally. “You’re already keyed up and this will make things worse.”

  Maddie searched the memory from the previous night, the violent flashes that represented the end of Samantha Bradshaw’s life pushing to the forefront. “She was stabbed multiple times and her killer put her blood on the ritual tableau.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “I saw flashes when he killed me in my dream.”

  “Oh, my Mad, I don’t want you seeing stuff like this,” Nick said, tugging Maddie completely on top of him and wrapping her in his strong embrace. “I love you so much it hurts sometimes, Maddie. It kills me you see stuff like this.”

  “It killed me, too,” Maddie offered lamely.

  Nick blew out a sigh as he forced Maddie’s eyes to him. “Did you see this type of stuff when we were teenagers? Is that why you cried in your dreams when we fell asleep on the window seat sometimes?”

  Maddie bit her lip, unsure how to answer. “I … .”

  “You don’t have to say anything,” Nick said, rubbing his stubbled chin against her forehead. “I can read the answer on your face.”

  “I’m sorry I upset you.”

  “Don’t apologize for things like that,” Nick chided. “I love you more than anything, Maddie. I know you’re worried that’s somehow going to change, but it’s not. I don’t like that you have the dreams, but they’re not going to somehow make me want to leave you. Just … let that go. Nothing is ever going to split us up. I promise.”

  “What about Cooper?” Maddie asked. “Do you think he’s a suspect?”

  “I don’t know what his motive would be, but the way he found her body is certainly reason to look into his background,” Nick said. He knew why Maddie wanted to change the subject and he didn’t fight the effort. “Until we know what’s going on, I want you to be careful not to be alone with him.”

  “I have no intention of being anywhere near him.”

  “Yes, well, he seems enamored with you,” Nick said. “Now, I don’t blame him. Anyone would be crazy not to love your beauty. For some reason, I think he sees more in you. I haven’t figured out what yet, though, so I need you to be really careful.”

  “Nicky, I don’t want to talk to him, so that’s not going to be a problem.”

  “Just … if he approaches you, I need you to call me,” Nick instructed. “I know you’re telling fortunes down at the festival, and you should be fine in public. I’ll stop by for lunch if I can, and I’ll text you if I can’t. Regardless, since it gets dark so early now, I’ll be there to make sure you get home.”

  “You’re such a good protector,” Maddie murmured, rubbing her nose against Nick’s chin.

  “I don’t feel like much of a protector after last night,” Nick countered. “We can’t go back, though, so I’m going to let it go.”

  “That’s good,” Maddie said. “What time do you have to be at work?”

  “As soon as I shower and eat. It’s probably going to be a long day.”

  “Well, then let’s shower together,” Maddie suggested. “It will give us a few more minutes together and then I’ll cook you a big breakfast. I know it’s not a bath, but it’s still warm water.”

  “You had me at shower, Mad,” Nick said, grinning. “Come on. I’ll scrub your back if you’re a good girl.”

  “I’m always a good girl.”

  “And that’s why I’ll always scrub your back.”

  “OH, WOW.” Nick studied the counter full of food forty minutes later and let out a low whistle as he took in the pumpkin pancakes, sausage, and bacon. “Someone went all out.”

  “I want to make sure you have a full stomach,” Maddie said, her hair still damp from the shower. She didn’t have to be down to the festival for two more hours so she took the opportunity to cook while Nick got ready. “I’m keeping two plates warm in the oven for you to take to Dale and John when you’re ready to leave, too.”

  “You don’t have to feed them.”

  “They need nourishment.”

  “Yes, but you’re my girlfriend,” Nick teased, moving in behind Maddie so he could kiss her neck. “You should only be cooking for me.”

  “Live and learn.”

  “Ugh!” Maude appeared in the doorway between the store and kitchen, her hair standing on end and her blouse on backward. “Do you two have to maul each other so early in the morning?”

  “You look lovely,” Nick deadpanned, his gaze washing over Maude. “How much did you drink last night?”

  “Enough that I can’t remember what we ultimately decided to do to Harriet so we have to go through the process all over again,” Maude replied, grabbing a slice of bacon from the plate on the counter. “This looks good. What’s the special occasion?”

  Maddie told Maude about the previous evening as the trio carried plates to the table and settled around it. When she was done, Maude was flabbergasted.

  “How come I miss all of the fun?”

  Maddie made a face. “It wasn’t fun, Granny,” she said. “A young woman died. I … saw it … in my dreams.”

  Maude was well aware of her granddaughter’s peculiarity, and she knew how hard it was on Maddie at times. “I’m sorry, Maddie girl,” she said, patting her hand. “That must
have been terrible. I still don’t understand how the fake psychic found a real body, though.”

  “Neither do I,” Nick admitted. “With that in mind, though, I’m telling you the same thing I told Maddie: Don’t go near him. If he tries to isolate you, kick him … or scream … or have your Pink Ladies beat him down with purses.”

  “Why would he go after me?” Maude asked, pouring herself a mug of coffee. “I’m not psychic. I think he’s obsessed with Maddie because he’s heard rumors she is. He probably boned up on the town and residents before arriving. How would I fit in his plan?”

  Nick risked a glance at Maddie and saw a puzzled expression on her face. She clearly hadn’t considered that particular possibility.

  “If he wants to get close to Maddie, he has few options to do it,” Nick explained. “He knows he can’t use me. That essentially means he’s got you or Christy. Christy is going to let him follow her anywhere, which ticks me off, but I expect more than that from you.”

  “He’s of absolutely no interest to me,” Maude said. “I’ll keep an eye on him, though, just in case he tries to get fresh.”

  Maddie pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “That sounds like a good idea, Granny.”

  “Maddie, if you see Cooper down at the festival today, I want you to text me,” Nick ordered. “I don’t want you following him or anything, but I do want to know what he’s up to. Right now, he’s our only suspect because he found the body.”

  “What if it isn’t him?” Maude asked.

  “Then there’s a sick individual out there with murder on the brain and I don’t want any of the women in my life taking chances,” Nick said, winking at Maude. “Do you understand?”

  Maude offered Nick a saucy salute. “Sir! Yes, sir!”

  “Yeah, it’s cuter when Maddie does it,” Nick said, although the smile he shared with Maude was heartfelt. “I need you both to look after yourselves today. I think news of what happened last night is going to spread, and when it does, Cooper Ashton is going to look like a magical hero.”

  “When we know he’s really a big zero,” Maude said.

  Nick grinned. “You really are my favorite sometimes,” he said, shaking his head.

  “I don’t know how to feel about that,” Maddie teased.

  “Oh, don’t worry, Maddie,” Nick crooned. “No one could ever take your place in my heart.”

  “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.”

  6

  Six

  “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.