Nick shrugged. “I don’t know. She seems like an egomaniac to me.”
“Yeah. That’s a bit disappointing. I’ve read a few books written by her and I assumed she was a good person. That does not seem to be the case.”
“I’m sorry. You expected to like her.”
Maddie held out her hands and shrugged. “I admired her. It’s not the end of the world, though.”
“No, but ... you were hoping for more.”
“Maybe a little.”
“Poor Maddie.” He crushed her tightly against his chest and kissed her lavishly. “I guess I’ll have to lift your spirits later, huh?”
She grinned. “Now that right there sounds like a plan.” Her gaze traveled back to the brothel. “Maybe she was just having a bad day or something. She could’ve been nervous. People get nervous in strange situations, even those who seem extremely secure and strong.”
Nick’s fingers were gentle as they brushed her flaxen hair away from her face. She always wanted to see the best in people ... right up until the point when they hurt or betrayed her. While it was one of the reasons he fell head-over-heels for her, it was also a tendency that worried him. Still, he was determined to make sure she had fun on this trip. They didn’t travel a lot and he was open to making as many memories as possible when it was still just the two of them.
“We can go check,” he offered. “Maybe we can offer our help and it will calm her down.”
Maddie brightened. “That’s a good idea. Let’s do that.”
He rested his hands on her shoulders and stared into her eyes, keeping her in place before she could scamper off. “Don’t get your hopes up too much,” he admonished. “She’s likely to be just as obnoxious with us as she was with Hannah and Cooper.”
“I know. Still, it’s worth a shot.”
He heaved out a sigh and nodded. “Fine.” He would give her anything her heart desired if it was within his capabilities. That included this. “We’ll offer our help.” And pray I don’t have to yell at her if she’s rude to you, he silently added as they started crossing the street. If there was one thing he wouldn’t put up with, it was someone being cruel to his wife.
Maddie was the first through the brothel door and her gaze immediately went to the ornate staircase that led upstairs. It looked to be hand-carved and made her want to check out the second floor. Before she could even step in that direction, though, Nick’s hand was on the back of her shirt, drawing her back.
“What?” She was legitimately confused. “I just want to see. I don’t want to join the profession.”
Nick swallowed hard, all traces of mirth missing from his handsome features. “Mad ... .”
“What?” Frustration bubbled up as Maddie tried to figure out what had her husband going so pale. “Is something wrong?” She swiveled to take in the other side of the room and she almost lost her footing as shock washed over her.
Velma was there, as promised, but whatever the announcement had been, it was no longer a consideration because the prominent psychic was very obviously dead on the ground. She lay on the hardwood floor, her eyes wide and sightless as they pointed at the ceiling. There was a huge knife sticking out of her chest.
“Come with me.” Nick pulled Maddie against him and glanced around to make sure they were alone. “We need to find Cooper so he can call the police.”
“But ... maybe she’s not dead.” Even as the words escaped, Maddie knew how ridiculous they sounded.
“She’s dead, Mad. I’m sorry but ... we need to get help. Come on.”
NICK KEPT MADDIE ANCHORED TO his side as the local authorities descended on the property. The bulk of the psychics in attendance had grouped together in the saloon, horrified by what had happened. Given their involvement in numerous cases, Maddie and Nick were the opposite. They wanted to know exactly what was going on, even if it meant being privy to painful information.
A tall man wearing a badge stood with Cooper, their heads bent together, and Nick focused his attention on them as he ran his hand up and down Maddie’s back. “Must be the sheriff,” he murmured.
“Hmm.” Maddie had been focused on the brothel, which the coroner’s office had taken over, and she had to turn to see what had garnered her husband’s interest. “I’m sure he’ll want to talk to us.”
“I’m sure he will, too. In fact ... yup ... here they come.” Nick brushed his lips against Maddie’s forehead, briefly wondering why their lives were always so intertwined with death. It drove him crazy.
Cooper offered a wan smile for Maddie’s benefit as they approached. “This is Sheriff James Boone. He’s going to be in charge of the investigation.”
Nick nodded in understanding. He was hardly a novice when it came to murder investigations. As capable as Cooper seemed — and he appeared to be on top of things — he was still a civilian.
“This is Nick and Maddie Winters,” Cooper started, and then quickly corrected himself. “Maddie Graves-Winters.”
Boone smiled at the blonde, taking a moment to study her grim features. She looked a bit shaken, although he could hardly blame her given the circumstances. “You would think she would’ve seen it coming,” he offered.
Maddie blinked several times, her forehead wrinkling. “I’m sorry?”
Boone repeated his lame joke. “She’s a psychic, right? You would think she would’ve seen it coming.”
Cooper shifted from one foot to the other, clearly uncomfortable. “Um ... Maddie and Nick are here for the psychic event, too.”
Boone’s cheeks colored quickly. “Oh, well ... are you psychic?” He wasn’t a non-believer. He was familiar with the supernatural shenanigans that plagued Casper Creek on a regular basis. Heck, he’d been involved in more than one fight. He was also familiar with grifters, though, and he knew the
