Grave Haunting (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 10) Page 7

  John balked. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “You never mean to upset her and yet you always manage to do it,” Nick muttered.

  “I’m not upset,” Maddie clarified, resting her hand on Nick’s knee under the table. “I’m honestly at a loss for what I should do about this situation. It’s true that he abandoned me – and more importantly my mother – but if he leaves and I never hear an explanation for why he did it, I’m worried I’ll drive myself crazy with the wondering.”

  “Oh, well, that makes sense,” John hedged. “I didn’t think about that part of it. Still, you don’t need him, Maddie. You have our dad. He loves you as if you were his own daughter.”

  “Which makes the fact that I’m living with Nick a little weird, but I’m going to let that slide.” Maddie was going for levity so she forced a smile. “I understand you’re trying to make me feel better – and maybe even cover your butt because you know Nick is going to beat you senseless the next time you’re alone – but I don’t have the answers you’re looking for. I have no idea what I’m going to do about this situation.”

  John worked his jaw but no sound came out as he focused on Maddie. He’d known her since Nick returned from his first day of kindergarten with Maddie at his side. They’d been inseparable ever since. He knew his brother was in love with Maddie long before Nick wanted to admit it … and he also knew that Nick would never know peace as long as Maddie wasn’t a part of his life. Looking at her now, John was baffled. He couldn’t understand why Maddie would even entertain the notion of talking to the man who abandoned her. That didn’t mean he didn’t respect her choice.

  “Well, whatever you decide to do, I hope things work out for you,” John said, choosing his words carefully. “If you need me to beat your old man up at some point, though, I’m more than willing to do it.”

  Maddie couldn’t stop herself from snickering as Nick relaxed next to her. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Sadly, she had a lot on her mind. She simply had no idea where to start when it came to sorting it.

  8

  Eight

  Maude felt out of place knocking on Sharon Winters’ door shortly before dark, but she didn’t know where else to turn. Sharon, who adored Maude almost as much as her own mother, beamed when she caught sight of the flamboyant woman on the front porch.

  “Maude! What are you doing here? I’m happy to see you. Don’t get me wrong, but you never come out this way.”

  Sharon and her husband Don moved to the country upon retirement. They still considered themselves part of the Blackstone Bay community – as Nick and John’s parents they visited often, after all – but often missed out on the gossip until it was weeks old. Maude realized right away that Sharon wasn’t clued in to recent events.

  “I guess that means you haven’t heard, huh?”

  Sharon stilled, a jolt of worry rushing through her. “Nick? Has something happened to Nick? Or Maddie? Is Maddie okay?”

  Maude realized her mistake right away and instantly began shaking her head. “Sorry. I didn’t think about how you might jump to that conclusion. They’re both fine. Er, well, they’re physically fine.”

  Sharon narrowed her eyes, suspicion growing. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Um … when was the last time you talked to Nick?”

  “We talk every Sunday,” Sharon replied, opening the door to allow Maude entrance. Maude stepped into the house, keeping her coat wrapped tightly around her as she followed Sharon toward the kitchen. “He didn’t act as if anything was off this past weekend. In fact, he was excited. Now that they’re engaged I can practically see him smiling over the phone.”

  “Yeah, they’re really gross when you live with them,” Maude said. “It’s not even remotely cute.”

  Sharon rolled her eyes. She was used to Maude’s theatrics. She even enjoyed them from time to time. “Whatever is wrong must be serious for you to show up out here so close to dark. By the way, are you supposed to be driving after dark?”

  Maude scowled, her temper bubbling up. “You sound like Maddie. I’m a perfectly good driver. In fact, other people could take lessons from me I’m such a good driver.”

  “Duly noted.” Sharon grinned as she poured Maude a cup of tea. “I was just going to sit down with a book. You look like you have something on your mind, though.”

  “I do,” Maude confirmed, bobbing her head. “It’s going to take more than tea to settle my nerves, though. What’s your brandy situation like?”

  “We’re flush, but unless you plan on staying the night, you’re sticking to tea.”

  “Oh, whatever,” Maude muttered, shaking her head. “I forgot how much like Olivia you are.”

  Since they’d been best friends for the better part of two decades, Maude’s statement didn’t ruffle Sharon in the slightest. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “You would.” Maude carried her tea to the table and sat, letting loose with a heavy sigh as she stretched her legs out beneath her. “George Hunter is back.”

  Sharon stilled, dumbfounded. “Excuse me?” She recognized the name. She’d only met the man once – and it was before she really bonded with Olivia – but she knew well and good who Maude was referring to.

  “He’s back,” Maude repeated. “He showed up out of the blue yesterday afternoon. He approached Maddie in the shop.”

  Sharon sucked in a breath. “Did she know who he was?”

  “No. At least not at first.”

  “What happened?”

  “He asked for a reading,” Maude replied, sipping her tea. “Maddie thought he was just some guy off the street – maybe a tourist – and she did as he asked. She saw Olivia in his memories, though, and she was so surprised she knocked over a chair in her haste to get away.”

  “He didn’t hurt her, did he?”

  “No. He didn’t have time. I ran into the room and when I saw him things got … um … kind of loud.”

  It wasn’t a funny situation, but Sharon couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “I’ll bet.”

  “Maddie was flustered and Penelope was with me,” Maude continued. “I kept threatening George with great bodily harm – I have a hammer, you know – and Maddie acted as if she was going to throw up. Then Nick showed up with Dale Kreskin and things actually got worse.”

  Sharon remained immovable except for a lifting eyebrow. “How so?”

  “Well, they wouldn’t let me kill George, for starters.”

  “How else?”

  “How do you think?” Maude exhaled heavily. “Nick would throw himself on a grenade to keep Maddie safe. There’s no way to do that in a situation like this. He kind of kept her close while she gathered herself and then everyone kicked George out of the house.”

  “Did he say anything? I mean … did he tell her?”

  “He didn’t get the chance to tell her,” Maude replied. “I made sure of that. The problem is that he has no intention of leaving. He was firm on that. He intends to approach Maddie again, and there’s no way I can keep her away from him forever if he’s really determined to have it out with her.”

  “I see.” Sharon ran her fingers over the outside of the ceramic mug. “This probably isn’t what you want to hear, but have you considered the fact that Maddie might be better off knowing the truth?”

  “No.”

  “I didn’t think so.” Sharon swallowed hard and then tried again. “Maude, I know how much you love her, but you’re not going to live forever. Once you’re gone, all Maddie is going to have left is Nick. Do you want her to be so isolated?”

  “I don’t want her isolated at all,” Maude fired back. “I want her life to be full of people. A lot of people.”

  “All people except for George?”

  “He abandoned my daughter when she was pregnant with his child,” Maude reminded her.

  “I’m well aware of that, and I don’t condone it,” Sharon stressed. “What you’re leaving out is the part where he came back and
tried to make amends. He knew he made a mistake and while he could never make up for all of it, he might’ve been able to make up for some of it. Olivia wouldn’t allow that and I’m not going to pretend I agree with that decision.”

  “Olivia did what she had to do to protect Maddie,” Maude argued. “George Eugene Hunter proved that he couldn’t be trusted. What would’ve happened if Olivia let him back in Maddie’s life and he broke her heart? Maddie was already a sensitive child. Olivia knew the truth.”

  “And what’s the truth?”

  “That George isn’t trustworthy.”

  Sharon ran her hand over her cheek as she considered the situation. She understood Maude’s concern. She also realized that Maddie would be naturally curious and holding her back from knowing her own father could do more harm than good. “Have you considered stepping back and letting Maddie decide for herself?”

  “I’m supposed to protect her.” Maude was grim. “I promised Olivia that I would take care of her for as long as I could.”

  “Yes, but Maddie is an adult now,” Sharon pointed out. “She has a right to make her own decisions. She’s not some weak and fragile flower. She’s a woman who is coming into her own. I believe that this decision should be hers and hers alone.”

  Maude narrowed her eyes, frustrated. “So you’re not going to help me run him out of town?”

  Sharon shook her head, firm. “No. I won’t potentially hurt Maddie that way. I know you think you’re doing right by her … but you’re not. You should let her make her own decisions.”

  “That’s not what Olivia wanted!”

  “Olivia isn’t here any longer,” Sharon shot back. “Okay, I know her spirit still pops up from time to time. Maddie told me. She’s not an everyday force in Maddie’s life, though. This is Maddie’s decision. You need to let her make it.”

  “I can’t do that.” Maude pushed herself to a standing position, her arms shaky. “Can I least count on you not to tell her what you know?”

  “I guess.” Sharon wasn’t thrilled with the prospect but knew it was what Maude needed to hear. “I won’t tell her, but if George does, I won’t lie if she starts asking questions.”

  “I guess that will have to be good enough.” Maude trudged toward the door. “I’m trying to do best by my family. You have to know that.”

  “I do know that,” Sharon confirmed, trailing behind. “I simply think you’re picking the wrong way to do it.”

  MADDIE SHOVED dishes in the dishwasher the next morning, watching Nick with unveiled interest as he studied the incoming text on his phone.

  “What’s going on?”

  “What?” Nick jerked his head in Maddie’s direction, offering her a sheepish smile. “Did you say something, love?”

  “I’m going to assume that’s a text from your other girlfriend given the attention you’re showing it,” Maddie teased, wiping her hands on a towel as she sauntered to his side. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s Dale,” Nick replied. “He wants me to go to that storage unit place out on the highway instead of heading straight to the office.”

  Maddie lifted her eyes, surprised. “How come?”

  “Because apparently Fran Livingston rents three of the units and he wants me to see what’s inside.”

  Maddie wrinkled her nose – resembling her father from the day before and tugging on Nick’s heartstrings as she scratched her cheek. “I don’t get it,” she said after a beat. “Fran owned a bed and breakfast. Sure, it’s not the biggest building in the world, but there had to be ample storage there.”

  “I would think so.”

  “So why did she need three storage units? I mean … I can see one possibly. It probably took a lot of decorations to deck out the bed and breakfast for the holidays. Three, though?”

  “Yeah, I’m not quite sure what to make of it.” Nick slid the phone in his pocket and gave Maddie a long look. “What are you doing today?”

  “If you’re worried about George Hunter showing up and trying to talk to me, you needn’t bother,” Maddie offered, smiling. “I was planning on hanging around Christy’s salon this morning – maybe getting my hair trimmed – and then going for a run this afternoon once the fog has let up.”

  Nick tilted his head to the side, considering. “How about I propose an alternate plan?”

  Maddie cocked an eyebrow, intrigued. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Not that.” Nick wagged a finger, enjoying the way Maddie’s cheeks filled with embarrassment. “You’re too cute for words sometimes. I swear. Anyway, I was thinking you might want to come and search the storage lockers with me.”

  “Really?” Maddie was surprised but shifted gears almost instantly. “May I ask how come?”

  “Because I’m thinking there’s bound to be a lot of stuff in three storage lockers and I might need some help.”

  “That’s a convincing point,” Maddie conceded. “Why else?”

  “Because I love your company.”

  “Good answer.” Maddie rolled to the balls of her feet and rubbed her nose against Nick’s, catching his weighted gaze. “Why else?”

  “Because I would feel better knowing where you are given the fact that George Hunter is still in town,” Nick answered without hesitation.

  “I can take care of myself.”

  “He was at the bed and breakfast when Fran was killed,” Nick reminded her.

  “Do you think he did it?”

  “I … don’t know,” Nick answered, searching his heart. “Probably not, but I need to know you’re safe. It will make me feel better. Also, I’m not joking when I say I could use the help. Think of it as an adventure.”

  Maddie made an annoyed face. “It’s probably going to be all weird curtains and holiday decorations.”

  “Then it won’t take us very long and we’ll be done in plenty of time for lunch,” Nick said. “A lunch I plan to buy for you, by the way.”

  “Oh, that was your best selling point yet.” Maddie blew out a sigh. “Okay, but if there’s anything weird in those lockers – like sex toys or something – I’m leaving you to do your job by yourself.”

  “Fair enough.”

  “HUH. IT’S definitely not sex toys.”

  Nick’s eyes were as wide as saucers when he took in the contents of the first locker they opened. It was packed to the brim with … stuff. Nick could think of no other word to describe it.

  “Will you look at this?” Nick was dumbfounded as he reached into the first box. “It’s freaking dolls.”

  “That’s way creepier than sex toys,” Maddie noted, peering in the box to her right. “This is all cookie jars.”

  “What kind of cookie jars?”

  Maddie shrugged. “They look expensive. I’m not sure. They’re weird doll-like creatures with really big eyes.”

  “What’s in that one?” Nick pointed to the box right in front of them as he glanced in the full box next to the one that housed the dolls. “Seriously? What is this thing?” He pulled out a mechanical item and held it up for Maddie’s perusal.

  “That is a rock polisher,” Maddie replied.

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because I looked into buying one for your Petoskey stone collection,” she admitted, refusing to meet his gaze. “I thought maybe I could shine them up and make a photo frame or something out of them.”

  “That’s kind of cute,” Nick said, and he meant it. “Why didn’t you mention this to me?”

  “Because I was going to do it for Christmas and make it a surprise, but when I looked into buying a rock polisher on the Home Shopping Network, I found they were all sold out … and more expensive than I envisioned.”

  Nick flicked his gaze to the contraption in his hands. “How come we can’t just use soap and water?”

  “Because what fun would that be?” Maddie’s face split with a wide grin as she peered into the box Nick indicated a few moments before. “Holy moly.”

  “What is it?” Nick followed h
er gaze. “I’m honestly almost afraid to find out what’s in there.”

  Maddie held up a pair of painted shoes and grinned. “They have bears on them. There are like … five other pairs in here. Oh! This one has turtles.” She jerked out the shoes in question and giggled hysterically.

  “I don’t understand this,” Nick said, rolling his neck. “What is all of this stuff?”

  “I think it’s pretty clear.”

  “You do?” Nick was hopeful. “What’s clear? What did I miss?”

  “I think Fran was a shopping addict,” Maddie replied, dropping the shoes back in the box. “I think she bought all of this stuff on the internet and then ran out of places in the bed and breakfast to keep it.”

  “I just … seriously?” Nick couldn’t wrap his head around it. “How much money do you think she spent on this stuff simply to stick it in a storage locker and never use it?”

  “That is the question, isn’t it?” Maddie’s spirits jumped considerably. “I can’t wait to see what’s in the other lockers.”

  “See. Now you’re glad I brought you.”

  “I definitely am.” Maddie planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’re still buying me lunch.”

  Nick sent a dubious gaze around the locker. “Mad, I’m going to buy you a year’s worth of lunches for helping me go through this stuff.”

  “Now we’re talking. Let’s dig in.”

  9

  Nine

  Nick found a box of financial documents not long into his search and sat in an antique rocking chair to go through them. Maddie was in the adjacent locker and he heard her “oohing” and “aahing” over treasures as she sorted through boxes, causing him to smile at regular intervals.

  “What do you think?” Maddie asked, appearing in the open doorway and holding a pair of what had to be the biggest and tackiest earrings he’d ever seen to the side of her head. “Do these turn you on?”

  Nick smirked. “I’m most turned on when you wear absolutely nothing … and that includes earrings. Are those gold?”

  “They say they’re twenty-four karat, but they seem awfully cheap to me.” Maddie lowered the earrings and shifted her eyes to the paperwork. “What’s that?”