“Oh, man.” Nick lobbed a glare in Cooper’s direction. “You’re making me look bad. First my mother-in-law and now my wife. Stop it.”
“No way. I love being adored.”
11
Eleven
Hannah requested Alicia’s presence in the saloon and the woman was all smiles when she popped inside.
“Isn’t this great?” She gestured toward the center of town, to where the other psychics were practicing readings on one another. “We’re fostering a real sense of camaraderie, making connections that will last a lifetime. It’s amazing.”
“It’s busy,” Cooper agreed amiably.
Alicia’s eyes drifted to Maddie, who was longingly staring at the cappuccino machine. Nick had put the kibosh on another drink, insisting that Maddie tended to bounce off the walls and then get headaches when Hannah shot him a questioning look. Ultimately, Maddie agreed he was right ... but that didn’t stop her from coveting the caffeinated goodness.
“Only one member of our group hasn’t been very social,” Alicia said pointedly.
Slowly, Maddie tracked her eyes to the coordinator. It wasn’t difficult to figure out who the statement was pointed at. “I ... um ... .”
“Maddie hasn’t been feeling well,” Nick interjected smoothly. Maddie was a terrible liar when put on the spot and he worried she might blurt something out now that she was jittery. “We wanted to keep her inside, where it’s cooler.”
“Oh, no.” Alicia’s forehead creased with concern. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Yes, well ... .” Maddie pursed her lips, unsure what to say. She hated getting sympathy, especially when it wasn’t deserved.
Hannah cleared her throat to get Alicia’s attention. “We actually called you here for a reason,” she started. “The thing is, we were talking to Maddie — she’s absolutely fascinating, by the way — and she told us a few stories about some seances she’s been to.”
Maddie kept her face impassive when Alicia flicked a set of questioning eyes to her, but it was a chore.
“Maddie suggested that we have a unique setup for a seance,” Hannah continued, keeping her voice friendly. “We were thinking now might be the time to host a seance up here this evening.”
“A seance? Really?” Alicia’s expression was hard to read. “Don’t you think that’s a bit ... passé? I mean, that’s the sort of thing that television and movies want us to believe happens on a regular basis. It’s not true, though.”
Because she was technically the only psychic there, Maddie felt the need to wade into the situation. “You might not participate in seances on a regular basis, but I think they can be helpful,” she interjected. “This particular situation seems like a great time to wade in and test the waters. I mean, if anybody lingered to tell her story, it was Velma.”
Alicia’s eyes lit with intrigue. “Wait ... you want to try and contact Velma?”
Hannah bobbed her head. “We’re extremely bothered by what happened to her.”
“Well, I should think so,” Alicia shot back. “She was brutally murdered on your property.”
Hannah maintained an even expression but it was difficult. “And it’s a tragedy. The thing is, it’s difficult for the local sheriff to uncover who might’ve want her dead because the deceased kept a list of enemies.
“Now, I’m not sure what I believe when it comes to ghosts and the paranormal,” she continued, lying smoothly. “I think it’s worth a shot, though. Maddie mentioned that she’s been involved in several seances that have helped law enforcement.”
Alicia’s eyes widened as she shifted to take in Maddie’s pretty — but pale — features. “Is that true?”
“I ... .”
“It’s true,” Nick offered. “I’m a police detective and Maddie is my wife. She’s helped me more times than I can count when it comes to cases. I have faith in her abilities.”
“And you would lead this seance?” Alicia queried.
Panic licked at Maddie’s heart. “Oh, um ... .”
“She would love to,” Hannah answered for her. “I have a few workers here who would enjoy being involved, too. They’re big fans of the paranormal.”
Alicia’s half-smile slipped. “See, this is what I’m worried about.” She wagged a finger in a chiding motion. “We don’t want outsiders gaping at us as if we’re circus performers or something. I want this gathering to be dignified.”
“I’m pretty sure that ship sailed when your most famous psychic was knifed in the chest,” Cooper pointed out. “There doesn’t seem to be a lot of dignity associated with that.”
Alicia pinned him with a dark look. “That’s a tragedy, but Velma was hardly the most famous psychic. She was simply the most vocal.”
Hmm, Cooper internally mused as he considered the bite in the woman’s voice. He’d inadvertently hit a nerve there. That was interesting.
“She was the most recognizable,” Maddie argued, finding her backbone. “I’ve been involved in the psychic community — even if rather remotely — since I was a kid. Velma was well-known. Denying that is ... a waste.”
Alicia folded her arms across her chest and regarded Maddie with a speculative gaze. “You have a rather interesting reputation in certain circles, too. It could be argued that you’re far more renowned than she is.”
Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “W-what?”
Amusement lit Alicia’s features. “Are you honestly telling me that you don’t know about the forums?”
“Forums?” Maddie slid her eyes to Nick, nervous.
Nick automatically moved his hand to his wife’s neck and focused on the coordinator. “Maddie doesn’t run any forums. If that’s the rumor being spread, well, I don’t know what to tell you. I can guarantee she’s not the type to sit around typing stuff like that on a computer. It’s not who she is.”
“I didn’t say she started the forum,” Alicia clarified. “I was suspicious before I met her but there’s no way the shy woman I’ve interacted with in person is running that forum. I mean, there’s just no way. Besides, I can’t imagine Maddie using the words ‘the most butt-kickingest psychic in the world.’”
Maddie was officially horrified. “What?”
Alicia grew exasperated. “You can’t be serious. The forum mentioned a myriad of things that happened in your
