Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) (8 page)

“Let’s go to the festival, love,” Nick said. “We’ve got a girl to save and a murder to solve. I think I’m going to need your help to do both.”

N
ick helped
Maddie pack up her tent when she was done giving readings for the day, closing the flaps and extending his hand for her to take as they stepped outside.

“What do you want to do now?” Maddie asked. “We could go home and take that bath you wanted. That sounds relaxing.”

She’d initially been antsy upon returning to the tent, but Nick’s protective nature quickly put her at ease and after a few minutes she happily settled into her readings while Nick watched the crowd. Every half hour or so Maddie would take a break and scan the congregated masses, her eyes keen as she searched for a glimpse of the girl. She came up empty each time, though, and her heart ached when she thought of what might happen.

“As much as I would like a bath, I think we should stick around here for at least two hours,” Nick countered. “I think we should walk through the fair and see if you can find that woman again. I know you don’t want to do that, but … .”

“It’s important,” Maddie finished, nodding. “Let me take this scarf off. I should’ve brought different clothes to change into, but I’ll remember that for tomorrow.”

“I like the outfit,” Nick said, grinning mischievously as he ran his hand over Maddie’s rear end and gave it a little squeeze. “I think you look adorable.”

“I think I could wear a potato sack and you would find it adorable,” Maddie said, although she returned Nick’s smile.

“I think you’re right,” Nick said, watching as Maddie removed the scarf and smoothed her hair. “Better?”

“I’m good,” Maddie said, slipping her hand in his. “We can have dinner here – maybe get a table in the center of things so I can get a better view of everyone without drawing attention to us – and then we can play a few games or something.”

“That’s right,” Nick said. “I need to win my girl a stuffed animal, don’t I? I promised to do that at every festival.”

“I don’t need a stuffed animal,” Maddie scoffed.

“Oh, no, I’m going to win you a stuffed animal of your choosing,” Nick said. “Then you’re going to reward me with a trip to the funhouse.”

Maddie frowned. “You just want me to be frightened so I grab you. I hate that story.”

Ever since Nick admitted he first noticed Maddie’s figure developing as a teenager because she jumped in his arms at a funhouse and his hand brushed against her breast, Maddie had been mortified because he told the story to whoever would listen.

“You’ll live,” Nick said, grinning as Maddie playfully swatted him. “Let’s get dinner first. I was thinking we could go to the kebab truck. Then we’ll play a few games and hit the funhouse on the way out. I’m hoping that will put you in the mood to play a few more games when we get home.”

“Even though you’re the most evolved man I know, you’re still kind of a pig sometimes,” Maddie lamented.

“I think it comes with being a man, Mad,” Nick said, swinging their joined hands as they moved onto the carnival midway. “I can’t help it. I was born this way.”

“Well, I guess it’s good I already love you then,” Maddie said, laughing as Nick lifted their hands to kiss her knuckles. “You can be charming sometimes.”

“I’m always charming where you’re concerned, Mad,” Nick said, leading her toward the kebab place. “Let’s get dinner and then let’s hit the games. Keep your eyes peeled for that woman, but try and relax, love. We can only do what we can do.”

Maddie nodded and took a seat while Nick got in line for their food. She kept her eyes busy and scanned the crowd, paying special attention to the people getting on and off the rides. No one stood out, though, until she saw Cooper watching her from a spot close to the carousel. He wasn’t alone – Cassidy, Christy, and Marla talking at him from different directions – but he paid them little attention as he focused on Maddie.

“I got you two kebabs because I want you to have a lot of energy when we get into the funhouse,” Nick said, returning to the table with their food. “What are you looking at?”

Maddie inclined her head in Cooper’s direction, causing Nick to glance over his shoulder. He scowled when he saw the scene.

“I expected more from Christy,” he said, shaking his head. “She’s smart. Why is she doing this?”

“I don’t think she can help herself,” Maddie said. “Christy is the type of person who throws herself into something before thinking about the ramifications.”

“And what about Cassidy and Marla?”

“They just want to be able to say they snagged the one guy everyone in town is drooling over,” Maddie replied. “I thought Cassidy was still seeing David, though. I don’t know why she’s doing this.”

“I think she is still seeing David,” Nick said, referring to a local contractor who Cassidy had been romantically entangled with over the past few weeks. “He is over in Traverse City for two weeks on a job, though.”

Maddie wrinkled her nose. “How do you know that? Have you been checking up on her?”

“Now who is jealous?” Nick teased, poking Maddie’s cheek. “I know because someone mentioned the church still needed a few minor tweaks and Kreskin said David would fix them when he got back to town.”

“Oh.” Maddie’s face flushed with color. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, Mad,” Nick said. “I get it. Just for the record, though, I only dated any of those women because I couldn’t have you. The Cassidy situation went off the rails – oh, boy, did it ever – but she’s out of our lives now.”

“Is she?” Maddie wasn’t so sure. “Christy is over there hanging out with Cassidy and Marla and I can’t help but be worried.”

Nick stilled, his kebab halfway to his mouth. “What are you worried about? Are you afraid Christy is going to tell Marla and Cassidy your secret? If so, um, I don’t think she will and it’s technically out of the bag in some respects. You know that.”

“I’m not particularly worried about that,” Maddie hedged. “It’s just … well … what if Christy decides she doesn’t want to be my friend and would rather hang out with them?”

“Oh, Mad, that’s not going to happen,” Nick said. “Christy is wound up because of Cooper. She has a crush on him, and most women don’t get a chance to act out their celebrity crushes. Her head is in the clouds right now. You shouldn’t take it personally.”

“I know you’re right,” Maddie said, forcing her attention away from the vibrant redhead as she tried to bend Cooper’s ear in her direction. “Who is your celebrity crush, by the way? I want to know who to be fearful of should she turn up in town.”

Nick snickered. “I only have a crush on you, love. You look like a movie star. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

“Very cute,” Maddie said, tapping the end of Nick’s nose. “That’s not how you play the game, though. I don’t expect you to leave me – not even for a celebrity – but I want to know who you have a crush on.”

“Oh, well … I don’t know,” Nick said. “Who do you have a crush on?”

“I like that guy who plays Captain Kirk in the new
Star Trek
movies,” Maddie replied, not missing a beat.

“I’m glad to see you’ve given it a lot of thought, Mad,” Nick said dryly, shaking his head. “At least I know who to punch if the Enterprise lands.”

Maddie giggled. “Come on. You can tell me. I promise I won’t turn it into a thing.”

“I guess I think that supermodel is hot,” Nick said finally. “You know the one dating Justin Verlander, right? She has huge … eyes.”

Maddie barked out a laugh, delighted. “Kate Upton? Yeah. Her eyes are impressive.” Maddie glanced down at her much flatter chest. “Hmm.”

“Don’t do that, Mad,” Nick chided. “That’s exactly why I didn’t want to tell you. I wouldn’t trade your body for anything in the world. It’s perfect. There’s a reason all of the high school boys just magically show up along your running route five times a week.”

“How did you know about that?” Maddie asked, embarrassed. “I didn’t want to tell you because I thought you would laugh at me.”

“I’m a police officer,” Nick replied. “Their coach asked me to figure out where they were going because they disappeared during their cross country practices. He thought they were drinking or doing drugs. I followed them one day. Guess what I found?”

“Me?”

“They like to sit up on the bluff and watch you with binoculars,” Nick said. “Personally, I admire their ingenuity. Since I know I don’t have to worry about losing you to them, I let them be.”

“Oh, Nicky.” Maddie scowled. “You should at least warn them off. I’m your girlfriend.”

“Yes, but they’re never going to see anything as beautiful as you ever again,” Nick said, his grin impish. “I want to let them keep the dream a little longer before all hope is dashed.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

“I know,” Nick said. “Eat your dinner so we can play games and go to the funhouse. I’m ready to make my dreams come true.”

“
S
HOW ME
you love me
,” Nick prodded an hour later, tapping his cheek as Maddie hugged her new stuffed bear.

Maddie obligingly rolled up to the tips of her toes and planted a kiss on Nick’s cheek. “I’ll show you better when we get home.”

“You’ll show me better in the funhouse,” Nick corrected, laughing as he slung an arm over Maddie’s shoulders. “How about we get a hot chocolate and look around the area one more time before going into the funhouse and calling it a night?”

“That sounds good,” Maddie said, studying her bear’s face for a moment. “He kind of looks like you.”

“You say that about every animal I win for you, Mad,” Nick said. “That should only be said about handsome animals. This bear is clearly cute, but not handsome.”

“Duly noted,” Maddie said, giggling.

They were almost to the hot chocolate stand when Cooper smoothly stepped in front of them, a bright smile on his face. “There you are, Maddie. I’ve been looking for you all day. I thought you were hiding from me.”

“Not hiding,” Maddie corrected. “Just hoping I would never see you again.”

Nick snorted. “I guess we’re not that lucky, huh?”

“You’ve been following Maddie around as if you were her shadow today, Detective Winters,” Cooper said. “I thought for sure you would be busy with your murder investigation.”

“And I thought for sure you would be busy with your murder investigation,” Nick shot back, rolling his eyes as Cassidy, Marla, and Christy moved up behind Cooper. “Don’t you have something better to do than harass my girlfriend?”

“He’s hardly harassing her,” Marla scoffed. “He just pointed out that she’s a fraud while he’s the real deal.”

“If that were the case, I don’t think he would be trying so hard to get Maddie to help him,” Nick argued, taking Marla by surprise with his vehemence. “If he was truly the freak of nature he pretends to be, he wouldn’t need Maddie to help him.”

“Perhaps he just wants to help boost Maddie’s career,” Cassidy suggested.

“I don’t want my career boosted,” Maddie said. “I don’t want anything to do with this. It’s not my … cup of tea.”

“I think you’re just saying that,” Marla said. “Who wouldn’t want to be beloved and famous?”

“I’m not sure how beloved he is,” Nick said. “He’s got a cadre of protesters chasing him across the country because they think he’s a devil worshipper and fraud. You didn’t miss those people with signs in front of the festival, did you?”

“They’re just looking for attention,” Marla sniffed.

“You would know,” Maddie said. “You’re always looking for attention. You should recognize the trait in others.”

“Shut your mouth,” Marla hissed, narrowing her eyes. “You’re just jealous because Cooper wants to spend time with me instead of you. That’s hard on you because you’re used to men falling at your feet.” She shot Nick a derisive look.

“Yes, that must be why he’s been stalking Maddie since he got to town,” Nick deadpanned, shaking his head. “Come on, Mad. Let’s forego the hot chocolate and go straight to the funhouse. I’ll warm you up another way when we get home.”

Maddie wordlessly nodded, briefly locking eyes with a conflicted-looking Christy before falling into step beside Nick. She waited until she was sure they were out of earshot before speaking.

“I’m worried about Christy.”

“I know you are,” Nick said, slipping an arm around Maddie’s slim waist. “She has to figure this out on her own, though, Mad. Don’t worry. She will. It might take her a little time, though.”

Nick led Maddie into the funhouse, keeping his fingers laced with hers and laughing as a scary clown jumped out of a dark corner and caused her to scream. It took Maddie a moment to collect herself, and when she did she realized she was pressed so tightly against Nick a sheet of paper couldn’t fit between them.

“This is exactly what I’ve been dreaming about,” Nick teased, giving Maddie a quick kiss. “It’s exactly how I remembered it.”

Maddie sighed. “I’m only doing this for you. I hope you know that.”

“I do,” Nick said. “I’m going to do something special for you in thanks when we get home.”

Because it was Blackstone Bay, the funhouse wasn’t huge. After a few jolts, Maddie came to expect monsters running out of corners and only jumped out of her skin a few more times before they got to the mirror room. She entertained herself with the distorted reflections, turning in a circle to study herself from different angles as Nick talked to a werewolf she didn’t immediately recognize.

Maddie enjoyed seeing the strange versions of herself so much that she started twirling faster, her skirt flying up and creating a twinkling pinwheel of color. The pinwheel spread faster until the image in the mirrors switched from that of herself to the girl she saw in her vision. The woman was screaming, her arms outstretched, as if asking for help.

Maddie gasped as she stopped twirling, dropping the bear and covering her ears as the screams overwhelmed her. She didn’t see herself in the mirrors at all now. Instead, every reflection was that of the young woman from before, and she was in pain.

Maddie dropped to her knees, pressing her eyes shut to ward off the vision. It was so intense, though, Maddie was certain she could feel fingers tugging at her clothes and pulling her hair. Her mind was a jumble, faces and flashes flitting by so quickly she couldn’t catch her breath.