“I happen to believe loving you is more than adequate enough of a reason.”
“Oh, stop being cute.” Maddie squared her shoulders and started toward the swinging doors. “Well, come on,” she prodded when the others remained where they were, watching. “We’re losing time. We need to figure this out.”
“We’re right behind you, Maddie,” Cooper promised. “You can do this.”
“Of course I can.”
“AND THEN THERE WAS THE TIME I bought out every roll of toilet paper in the grocery store and put it in Harriet’s trees,” Maude offered as she topped off Melanie’s beer. “Now, you might not think that sounds badass, but it totally was because we completely wrapped her trees and house right before it rained.”
Melanie’s face was blank as she considered the story. “I still don’t understand why that was so terrible.”
“Have you ever tried to clean up wet toilet paper?” Maude challenged. “It clings. Like ... totally clings. It’s impossible to get rid of when it’s wet.”
“Oh.” Melanie nodded sagely, managing a weak smile for Maddie as the woman crossed behind the bar to join her grandmother. “It probably took her forever to clean up.”
“She’s still cleaning it up and it’s been three years.”
“I wouldn’t go that far, Granny,” Maddie countered, grabbing the beverage gun and filling a glass with iced tea. “It did take her a good three weeks to clean up from what Mom told me, but toilet paper is biodegradable. It’s definitely not still there.”
Maude shot her granddaughter a dirty look. “Did I ask you?”
Maddie held up her hands in mock surrender. “Sorry. I was just contributing to the conversation.”
“No, you were making me look bad in front of my new friends.” Maude gestured toward the women in question. “This is Melanie and Carrie. They were tight with the woman who died.”
For a moment, Maddie studied her grandmother’s face. It was always difficult to tell if Maude had ulterior motives. At her core, she was a good woman. That didn’t mean she wasn’t inclined to mischief and Maddie had to wonder if she’d purposely kept the two women talking because she thought there was information to be gleaned. That would be just like her.
“I’ve seen you around,” Maddie said upon facing them. “I was really sorry to hear about your mother.” She fixed her attention on Melanie first. “I lost my mother not long ago and I understand what a horrible ordeal that can be.”
Melanie nodded in thanks. “I think I’m still processing it. Carrie thought we should leave, but it didn’t feel right. I don’t think I can go until I know who did this to my mother.”
“I think that’s more than fair,” Maddie agreed, hoping she looked sympathetic more than duplicitous. “Have they told you anything of note?”
“Not really.” Melanie’s expression was hard to read. “I would think you would be more up on the gossip than me since you’ve been hanging around with the people investigating.”
Maddie was smooth in her response. “I’ve been hanging around with Hannah, the owner. We’ve sort of bonded.”
“Yes, but her boyfriend is in the thick of things.”
“I’m not sure he shares information with her,” Maddie countered. “If he does, she hasn’t mentioned it to me.”
“Oh, well ... .” Disappointment rolled off Melanie’s shoulders. “That’s a bummer, huh?” She heaved out a sigh. “I wish I knew what happened. This entire thing feels like a bad dream. I keep thinking I’m going to wake up. I guess that’s pathetic, huh?”
“No. Not even a little.” Maddie meant it. “I felt the same way after my mother died. Every morning there was a moment when I thought ‘it was a dream’ and then reality hit me across the face like a wet towel. I know it’s not much consolation, but things will get easier.”
“I hope so.” Melanie turned back to her beer, as if dismissing Maddie. That gave the blonde a chance to address the assistant.
“It must be difficult for you, too,” she said to Carrie. “Were you close with Velma?”
Carrie nodded, solemn. “We were really close. I know it’s weird to say because she obviously had a daughter, but I thought of her as a mother sometimes. I didn’t really know my mother — she took off when I was a kid and left me with my aunt — but Velma was exactly the sort of person I always imagined swooping in to tell me she was my mother.”
Melanie let loose a very unladylike snort. “Be careful what you wish for.”
Maddie hesitated, briefly wondering if she should push Melanie or Carrie. Ultimately, she landed on the assistant. It was time to drop the bomb.
“I can see why she was so important to you,” Maddie supplied, keeping her voice soft and even. She didn’t want the women to pick up on the fact that she had an agenda. “Still, it must be gratifying to know that she’d earmarked you as the recipient of her legacy, Carrie. I mean ... I didn’t even realize you were psychic. It’s great that she wanted to give you a leg up in this world. We all know how difficult it can be to earn the respect of others.”
Carrie’s cheeks filled with color as Melanie furrowed her brow.
“Wait ... what?” Melanie shifted her gaze to the woman sitting to her right. “What is she saying?”
Maddie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, dear. Was I not supposed to mention that? I assumed you knew.”
“Knew what?” Melanie’s voice took on an edge. “What are you talking about?”
“I ... um ... .” Maddie made a big show of taking a step back from the bar. “I thought this was something the three of you were working on together. I wholeheartedly apologize.”
“You apologize?” Melanie was on her feet so fast it caused Nick to climb out of his chair. He was prepared to throw himself on the woman if she made a move for his wife.
“I didn’t realize
