Harper rolled her eyes. “No promises.” Despite her bad mood, she plastered a fake smile on her face for Harris’ benefit. “How are you this morning? It’s so good to see you.”
Harris was obviously taken aback by the greeting. “Oh, well ... I’m fine.” He returned the smile, although he appeared confused. “How are you?”
“I’m just skippy.”
Jared found he had to look away to keep from laughing at his fiancée’s performance. She’d opted to play nice, but only on the surface. He found the entire thing ... odd. Still, he knew better than commenting, especially in front of Harris.
“I take it you slept well.” Harris recovered quickly. “I hope you weren’t too traumatized by what happened last night.”
“I see ghosts for a living,” she reminded him. “Very little frightens me these days.”
“Oh, good point.” He straightened and handed over a sheet of paper. “I had Becky type this up on her laptop and then run to town and print off copies for everybody. It’s a fact sheet on the body discovery from last night.”
Jared’s eyebrows drew together. “You put a fact sheet together on Leslie.”
“Not Leslie.” Harris’ tone was clipped. “I’m talking about Alameda Stone, the dead woman in our event.”
“Oh.” Jared pressed his lips together and glanced at Harper, amusement lurking. “Of course.”
“Her name is Alameda Stone?” Zander made a face as he peered over Jared’s shoulder. “Who would name their kid Alameda?”
“Obviously Mr. and Mrs. Stone,” Harper volunteered.
Harris chuckled appreciatively. “You’re funny. Actually, I let Becky pick the name. I was a bit leery, but she made a good point, saying that you wanted a name people wouldn’t have trouble remembering, and I think she’s onto something. People will always remember where they were when Alameda Stone died.” He looked appropriately bereft, to the point where Harper scowled.
“And Leslie Duncan,” she added.
“Who?” Harris looked momentarily confused, and then his expression cleared. “Oh, right. They’re both tragedies.”
“Except one is a fake tragedy,” Harper muttered as she plucked the sheet from Jared. Her fiancé sent her a warning look that had her readjusting her attitude, although it took massive effort. “So, we should probably head out to the way station and get to investigating. We don’t want to fall behind.”
Harris beamed at her. “I think that’s a very good idea. The faster we put this ... unfortunate ... situation behind us, the better.”
“I’m sure Leslie feels the same way,” Harper drawled. “Oh, wait, Leslie isn’t around to feel anything.”
“Yes, well ... .” Harris decisively shook his head. “Have fun with your adventure. Happy hunting.”
“Thank you.” Harper waited until he was gone to elbow Jared in the stomach. “I don’t need you to give me that look.”
“And what look is that?” Jared queried, ruefully rubbing his stomach. “Oh, and ow.”
“You briefly reminded me of my mother. I don’t need parental guidance.”
Jared’s mouth dropped open. “Did you just compare me to your mother?”
Zander let loose a chuckle. “Oh, them are fighting words, Harper. You’ve bruised his ego.”
“They’re definitely fighting words,” Jared agreed. “I’m going to fight until that cute little behind of yours is chafed.”
Harper wasn’t bothered by the threat. “Bring it on.”
HARPER TOOK THE LEAD THIS TIME AS they headed toward the way station. Jared was initially annoyed, but things only got worse when she reminded him he’d been directionally challenged the previous evening when following the sound of screams.
“I know where we’re going,” she insisted obstinately.
“I know where we’re going, too,” Jared muttered under his breath.
Surprisingly, Zander was the one who decided to serve as a calming influence this go-round. He held up a hand to quell Jared and slipped in front of him so he could walk beside Harper. The message he sent Jared was obvious. Chill out. Let me handle this.
“What’s up, Harp?” he asked calmly, sliding her a friendly smile. “You seem agitated.”
Harper’s frown only grew more pronounced. “I’m not agitated. Why would you think I’m agitated?”
“Because we’ve been joined at the hip since we were five years old.” He was matter-of-fact. “Believe it or not, you don’t have much of a poker face.”
“Oh, I’m awesome at poker.”
“That wasn’t really the point.” Zander slung an arm around her shoulders and tugged her tight. “Are you annoyed by Harris?”
“Who wouldn’t be annoyed by Harris?” She practically exploded. “He’s a pompous ass.”
“Tell me how you really feel,” Zander cajoled. “I mean ... do you want to hurt him? Maybe we can find some tar and feathers out here. This is the middle of nowhere, and if movies from a bygone era have taught me anything, it’s that tar and feathers belong in a rural setting.”
Harper narrowed her eyes to dangerous slits. “Do you think you’re funny?”
His smile was benign. “Absolutely. I always think I’m funny.”
“Well, you’re not.”
“Oh, but I am.” Zander placed a smacking kiss against her forehead. He was determined to draw her out of her funk whether she was open to it or not. “I’m the funniest man in your life.”
Jared cleared his throat and shot him a pointed look.
“Do you need a lozenge?” Zander asked blankly.
Oddly enough, the statement drew a reluctant smile out of Harper. “You’re both funny,” she offered. “I laugh whenever I’m with either of you.”
“Oh, that must be nice to hear, huh, Jared?” Zander teased. “Especially from the woman who sees you naked every night.”
Jared’s frown grew more pronounced. “I think you and I are going to spend some private time together a little later, Zander,” he warned.
Zander didn’t miss a beat. “I’m looking forward to it. Maybe you can make me laugh, too ... although probably not the same way you make Harper laugh. For now, though, shh.” He pressed his finger to his lips. “I’m talking to my best friend.” He pasted a charming smile on his face. “Tell me what’s bugging you.”
Jared watched the interaction with fascination. He’d come to the conclusion long ago that he would never fully be able to understand the relationship between Harper and Zander. There was almost something mystical about it. And while
