“It’s adorable,” Hannah agreed dryly. “He’s the cutest little thing in the entire town.” She winked to let Maddie know she was kidding. “I’m more interested in what he said about the frauds and real deals. I don’t understand why that matters.”
“It goes to motive,” Nick explained. “If Velma was a fraud — and that’s what Astra seemed to indicate — then it’s entirely possible that another fraud figured it out and put the screws to Velma. Or vice-versa,” he added. “Maybe Velma figured out that someone else was a fraud and was blackmailing them. Maybe she was killed to keep that secret.”
Intrigued at the prospect, Hannah rested her elbows on the counter. “You think the fresh money in her account came from blackmail?” She was dubious despite her interest. “I don’t want to be the one to throw a wet blanket on your theory, but most of these women are barely scraping out a living. We’re talking like fifty grand a year.”
“She’s right,” Maddie interjected. “Most psychics are like me. They don’t make a lot of money.”
Nick shot his wife a fond look. “You’re worth ten million bucks, Mad,” he reassured her. “I get what you’re saying, though. The thing is, you mentioned that Velma was famous in psychic circles. If she was the psychic to the stars as you indicated, doesn’t that mean she would’ve made more money?”
Maddie tapped on her bottom lip, thoughtful. “Actually, it does mean that. She probably made a good six-figure living. I don’t know any psychics — and that includes those scammers on television — who are making seven figures a year.”
“Which means the money had to come from someplace else,” Hannah surmised. “It could be family money ... or money gained from other means.”
“You mean illegal means,” Maddie supplied. “That’s what you’re saying.”
Hannah held out her hands and shrugged. “I’m not saying anything. I’m just theorizing.”
“Me, too.” Maddie grinned as she moved to stand next to Nick. Cooper and Boone were outside questioning groups of psychics again. “How come you’re not out with them?” Maddie asked her husband. “I know you would rather be out there than stuck inside with us.”
Nick slid her a sidelong look. “That’s not even remotely true, Mad. There’s nothing I would rather do than spend time with you.”
It was a sweet sentiment, but Maddie knew better. “You’re sticking close because you feel guilty about leaving without telling me earlier. You don’t have to. It’s fine.”
Nick was sheepish. “I love you, Mad.”
“I love you, too. That doesn’t mean I need constant supervision. I’m obviously fine.”
“I know. It’s just ... .”
“There’s a killer on the loose,” Hannah finished for him. “He doesn’t want to leave you vulnerable.”
“I’m not vulnerable,” Maddie reassured him. “You can go play with your friends.”
“Ha, ha.” Nick poked her side. “I just want to make sure you’re okay. I believe that’s a husband’s prerogative.”
“It is,” Maddie agreed. “In fact ... .” She didn’t get a chance to finish her statement. Instead, she jolted as an ethereal figure appeared beside her. The ghost — for that’s what it was — offered up a happy smile as she regarded the married couple.
“Finally,” Olivia announced theatrically. “I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to find you. Next time you leave town, perhaps you should tell your mother or something, huh?”
Maddie’s eyebrows knit together as she rubbed her hand over her heart. “Mother, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m an adult.”
“Mother?” Nick jerked his eyes to the side and studied the spot next to Maddie, the open location where she seemed to be fixated. “What is your mother doing here?”
“It’s good to see you, too, Nick,” Olivia drawled. “The love is just flowing, huh?”
Maddie tried to hide her exasperation and failed miserably. “You’re a ghost,” she reminded the woman who shared her eyes. “It’s not as if you keep a schedule. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”
Olivia frowned. “I ... huh. You have a point. It’s not always easy for me to keep to a schedule, Maddie. Time moves differently for me. I’m doing the best that I can.”
Fascinated by the scene unfolding in front of her, Hannah dried her hands on a towel and edged closer to the ghost. She’d seen a few spirits here and there since arriving in Casper Creek. The one she visited with most regularly, though, belonged to her grandmother. It was an entirely different experience to witness someone else’s relationship with a dearly departed soul.
“This is your mother,” Hannah said finally. She felt like an invader in a conversation that had nothing to do with her, but she couldn’t pull away. “You guys kind of look alike ... and kind of don’t.”
“The more time you spend with them, the more they look alike,” Nick reassured her, his hand on Maddie’s back. “It’s kind of freaky.”
“You’re only saying that because you thought of her as a second mother and we’re married,” Maddie argued. “That means you think of me in a sisterly fashion.”
Nick was clearly horrified at the prospect. “Stop saying things like that,” he hissed. “You know it freaks me out.”
Maddie grinned and then turned back to her mother. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“Looking for you,” Olivia replied, turning serious. “I stopped in at the house and it’s absolute chaos. Do you know your grandmother is plotting against Harriet in her apartment?”
Maddie snorted. “That’s a normal thing.” Her gaze darkened, considering. “Although ... she’s not planning anything weird, right? No fire ... or fireworks ... or anything of that nature, correct?”
“I didn’t hear mention of fire,” Olivia replied. “Well, I guess that’s not completely true. There was talk about fire whiskey. I think that’s a normal occurrence when it comes to pouring their tea, though.”
“That’s a true story,” Maddie muttered. “You don’t have to worry about Granny, though. I have people checking up on her.”
“I know.” Olivia bobbed
