The Ghost Who Wasn't (Haunting Danielle Book 3) (15 page)

B
efore going home
, Danielle swung by the bank and withdrew some money from the ATM. While she hated giving the Stewarts a refund—not because she didn’t want to spend the money, but because she believed they were evil crooks— she felt it would be money well spent to have them out of Marlow House.

Knowing the Stewarts were responsible for dognapping Sadie, she couldn’t stay another night with them in the house, even with Walt standing guard. She wanted to go to the hospital and see how Lily was doing, but it was impossible until she had the situation with the Stewarts resolved, and she knew Sadie was safe.

The Cadillac was parked in front of the B and B when she returned home. Danielle wondered if her guests were inside—treasure hunting—or down at the beach. She had her answer when she went into the library and found the Stewarts pulling books off the shelves as Walt stood nearby watching.

“Do you like to read?” Danielle asked when she walked into the library. Hunter looked up from a stack of books piled on the desk.

“You’re back,” Hunter said with a smile. “Yes, I love to read. You have a wonderful collection. I was just putting them back.”

“Liars,” Walt grumbled. “They’ve been searching through the books looking for a secret compartment. Idiots.”

“We wondered where you were. Since we didn’t have breakfast here we thought you might fix us lunch,” Claire said as she stood up, walking toward Danielle. Standing by Danielle’s side was Sadie, who began to growl. Claire froze, her eyes wide, she looked at Sadie. “Your dog is growling at me!”

“I’m afraid she’s been a little jittery since Jimmy tried to dognap her.”

“Jimmy?” Claire feigned ignorance.

“Yes. The man they arrested.”

Claire and Hunter exchanged glances when Danielle looked down to Sadie.

“Don’t bother putting those books away, I need to talk to you both,” Danielle said cheerfully.

“Over lunch, perhaps?” Claire suggested.

“No. I’m afraid not. I don’t do lunch.” Danielle smiled.

“What is it you want to talk to us about?” Hunter asked.

“I mentioned earlier that there’s been a bit of a family emergency. I have a friend who’s been hospitalized and her family is going to have to stay here. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.” Danielle dug into her front pocket and pulled out the cash she’d withdrawn from the bank. She set it on the desk in front of Hunter.

“What’s this?” Claire asked.

“We have a reservation. We’ve already paid for the week,” Hunter argued.

“I’m giving you a full refund. I’m not even charging for the nights you’ve already stayed. But you’ll have to leave now.”

“This is our honeymoon!” Hunter said. “We don’t want our money back. We want to stay for the week.”

“Fortunately, there are a lot of vacancies in town, since it’s off season. You won’t have a problem finding another place to stay.”

“Do you want me to go pack for them?” Walt asked as he summoned a cigar.

“Ms. Boatman, you really don’t want me to leave yet. You need me.”

“I do?”

“Can’t you smell that? It’s the ghost of Marvin Marlow. I can help exorcise his ghost.”

“Oh, I don’t want you to exorcise old Marvin, I rather like him. He keeps me company.”

“Don’t call me Marvin,” Walt grumbled.

“You can’t just kick us out like this,” Claire said as she snatched up the money from the desk. She began to count and straighten the stack of bills.

“I just assumed you’d want to leave now and avoid talking to the police,” Danielle said with a shrug.

“Police, Danielle? What are you up to?” Walt asked as he took a drag off his cigar and lounged against the back of the sofa.

“You can’t call the police on us,” Claire panicked. “We haven’t done anything wrong!”

“Mrs. Stewart, I never meant to imply I was calling the police on you. It’s just that when I was down there this morning, being interviewed, they mentioned they would probably be stopping over here this afternoon to talk to both of you. I just assumed you’d want to avoid that, since it is your honeymoon. Nothing like a police interrogation to throw a bucket of ice water on the romance.”

“Why would they want to talk to us?” Hunter asked.

“They have a man named Jimmy Borge in custody for trying to steal Sadie. I guess he has quite a record for dog fighting. They’re trying to figure out how he got Sadie. Since you’re the last ones to see the dog, they naturally want to talk to you both.”

“I told you we didn’t have anything to do with your missing dog!” Claire insisted.

“Yes, I understand that. But apparently, the police feel it’s important to check everyone out. I guess this is more serious than just a dog napping, considering the man’s record.”

“This is ridiculous,” Hunter snatched the money from Claire and shoved it in his pocket. “This is our honeymoon. First, you tell us we have to leave early, then you say we need to talk to the police because your stupid dog got out! Come on Claire, let’s go pack.”

“The police aren’t coming over to interview them, are they?” Walt asked as Hunter and Claire stormed out of the room.

“No.” Danielle grinned.

“You’re quite a good liar.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice recently.”

“I suppose I better go keep an eye on them.”

“Yes, please do.”

“
I
t’s all your fault
!” Hunter told Claire as he threw the suitcase on the bed.

“Why is it my fault?” Claire gathered up her cosmetics off the dresser.

“Your stupid idea to get a few bucks for that dog. Now we have to leave.”

“I don’t know why we have to go. They can’t prove anything.”

“Would you think a moment?” Hunter stopped packing the suitcase and looked at Claire. “All they have to do is run the plates on our car and they’ll realize the name on the registration isn’t the name we gave Boatman. Hell, the plates don’t even match the car!”

“I don’t think they’ll run the plates. Why would they do that? You said yourself we look completely respectable with these lame clothes and that car. We can make up some story, say I went out to put something in the car before we left the house and I accidently left the door open. The dog must have gotten out then. I never noticed. We’re so sorry. Blah blah blah.”

“You don’t think your friend Jimmy won’t give us up? According to Boatman, he’s facing some serious jail time. He’ll toss us to the cops in a heartbeat if he thinks that will shave some time off.”

“Jimmy wouldn’t do that!”

“You don’t think Jimmy’s kind of pissed at us right now? Don’t you think he’s wondering how Boatman tracked him down to the cemetery and got the dog back? Hell, I’m wondering that myself!”

“But what about the diamonds?” Claire whined.

“I’m beginning to think Isabella was delusional. But even if she’s wasn’t, we can’t risk hanging around here if the cops are going to be asking questions.”

“Where are we going to stay? Someplace on the beach?”

“Don’t be stupid Claire; we’re not staying in Frederickport. Get your stuff together. We’re heading back to Portland.”

“What about Justina? I thought she was going to meet up with us here.”

“She hasn’t called. Probably drunk somewhere. We’ll meet up with her in Portland. This trip was a bust.”

“What about Marvin Marlow? I thought he was going to be our guide.”

“Shut up Claire, and pack!”

Fifteen minutes later, Walt followed Hunter and Claire down the stairs as the couple scrambled to get away from Marlow House before the police showed up. Danielle met them in the foyer. She stood by the parlor door, Sadie by her side.

Claire set her suitcase down a moment so she could adjust her purse’s strap on her shoulder. Hunter was just reaching for the doorknob as Claire warily kept an eye on Sadie, who looked prepared to lunge at any moment. Her gaze moved from Sadie to the parlor door—and then she remembered. Her bracelet was still in the antique teapot.

“We can’t go yet!” Claire blurted out.

“Come on Claire, let’s go.” Hunter opened the door and stepped outside.

Swallowing nervously, Claire considered her options. If she went into the parlor, Danielle was sure to follow her into the room. Hunter would be furious if he found out she’d not only worn the bracelet but left it in the teapot. Looking from Danielle to Hunter, Claire decided her only option was to leave the bracelet where it was—for now. She followed Hunter outside.

Danielle stood by the open doorway and watched the Stewarts scurry down the walkway toward the street, where they’d parked their car.

“You didn’t get your keys back,” Walt noted.

“I called the locksmith when you were upstairs. He’s on his way over to change the lock before I take off to the hospital. Fortunately, their key only fits the front door knob and not the dead bolt or any of the other doors, so it won’t be too expensive to change.”

“Are you planning to do this with all your guests?”

“I may do it once a month, just to be safe.”

“If you get any more guests like the Stewarts, you might want to rethink this B and B business all together. By the way, I have a feeling their car is stolen.”

“How do you know that?” Danielle asked as she watched the Cadillac drive away. She shut the door and turned to face Walt.

“One reason Hank—who, by the way, also goes by the name Hunter—wanted to get out of here, he was afraid the cops were going to run his plates. Not only will the names not match, but also it seems the plates don’t belong to that car.”

“I wish I knew that before they left. I would have written their license plate down. I hate letting them get away with what they almost did to Sadie, but I really didn’t have anything to tell Joe—aside from what you overheard. As it is, he thinks I’m nuts.”

“Maybe you really should have had Joe come over to interview them.”

Together Walt and Danielle walked into the parlor to wait for the locksmith.

“Perhaps. I suppose I could have said something to get Joe to interview them. But the truth was, I just wanted them to get out of here so I could have some sense of privacy and safety—and so I could leave Sadie here without worrying.” Danielle dropped down on the sofa as if exhausted.

“I told you I would have watched Sadie.”

“I just didn’t want to sleep under the same roof with them. I wish you’d understand.”

“I suppose I do,” Walt said with a sigh, taking a seat across from Danielle.

“I got a text message that Lily’s parents arrived okay. But I haven’t heard anything else. I wish the locksmith would hurry up so I can get out of here.”

“Sorry, I can’t help you there.”

“Do you think they’ll be back, looking for the imaginary diamonds?” Danielle asked.

“I doubt it. I got the feeling this Hunter Hank character tends to lose interest quickly.”

A
t the hospital
, Danielle found Lily’s spirit form sitting on the bed looking down at her unconscious body, which was hooked up to an assortment of monitors and medical gadgets. Lily’s parents hovered nearby, speaking in soft whispers, discussing the next plan of action. When they spied Danielle entering the room, Mrs. Miller rushed to her with open arms, greeting her with a hug before breaking into a fresh round of tears.

“She’s been crying nonstop since she got here,” Lily called out from the bed.

“Can you believe it? My baby is really alive!” Mrs. Miller blubbered. “We just need to get her better, she needs to wake up.”

Still embraced in the motherly hug, Danielle looked over Mrs. Miller’s shoulder at Lily. “Yes, she does need to wake up.”

“Ask them about my leg,” Lily said.

Mrs. Miller released Danielle and returned to her husband’s side. She used a tissue to dab tears from her eyes. Mr. Miller reached out and gave Danielle’s hand a quick squeeze in greeting.

Danielle gave his shoulder a gentle pat as she walked around him to the hospital bed and looked down at Lily’s body. The bed sheet was pulled to Lily’s chest, exposing the top of her hospital gown. It looked as if one of her legs was bandaged under the sheet.

“Is something wrong with Lily’s leg?” Danielle asked.

“Late last night they had to do emergency surgery, she got a bad infection and it settled on her knee,” Mrs. Miller explained.

“No one told me.” Danielle touched Lily’s lifeless hand. “Is she going to be all right?”

“She’s going to need six weeks of IV treatments—antibiotics,” Mrs. Miller said. “It could have killed her. Thank god you found her.”

“Apparently Isabella’s dear uncle didn’t have such a great private medical team after all,” Lily said in disgust. “I could have lost my leg! Hell, I could have lost my life with that infection!”

“The doctors don’t seem to know why she’s still in a coma,” Mr. Miller said.

“I’ve read about these things,” Lily’s mother explained. “Lily just needs to be surrounded by people who love her. We need to keep talking to her, letting her know we’re here so she’ll come back to us!”

“I’ve finally figured out why I talk so much.” Lily looked from her mother to Danielle. “I’ve heard you guys, making cracks about how Lily sure can talk. But you guys ain’t heard nothing yet! My mother has been talking to me non-stop since she got here. I think I have a headache. How is that possible? I don’t even have a physical head attached to me at the moment. Please Danielle, you must make her stop!”

“Have you had anything to eat since you got here?” Danielle asked Lily’s parents.

“No, we came directly from the airport. We didn’t want to leave Lily alone,” Mrs. Miller explained.

“Why don’t you go get something to eat. You’re going to need your strength. If there is any change in Lily, I promise I’ll call you. You have your cellphone with you, don’t you?”

“I could sure use something to eat,” Mr. Miller grumbled.

“Then you go dear. I’ll stay here with Danielle.”

“No Mrs. Miller. We don’t want you to get sick too. Go get something to eat,” Danielle urged.

“Well…” Mrs. Miller walked over to her daughter and brushed her fingertips over the sleeping girl’s forehead. “I suppose I should get something to eat.” She leaned over the bed and kissed Lily’s brow.

“I’ll be here when you come back,” Danielle said as the Miller’s left the room, shutting the door behind them. Danielle reached up and grabbed the privacy curtain, pulling it across the room. Should someone walk by the door and look through the window, she didn’t want them to see her talking to herself.

“I love my mother, but I swear, I am going to go insane stuck with her for six weeks,” Lily groaned when her parents left the room.

With the privacy curtain drawn, Lily and Danielle failed to see the door to the hospital room open. Stepping into the room, Joe Morelli gently shut the door behind him and looked at the curtain. He assumed the nurse was tending to Lily, so he decided to wait quietly for her to finish before he went in to see Lily.

“Why haven’t you taken your body back?”

“I was going to try last night, but then they wheeled me in for surgery and I wanted to watch. Oh, it was gross. I wish I hadn’t watched.”

“That doesn’t explain why you’re still here, like this.”

Joe started to say something, to let whoever was behind the curtain with Lily, know he was there, when he recognized the voice—it was Danielle. Instead of announcing his presence, he silently listened.

“Before I tried jumping back in, I wanted to hear my prognoses. I’m going to be hooked up to an IV three times a day for six weeks, to get rid of this infection. That means I won’t be going back to work.”

“You have to stay in the hospital that long, even if you come to?”

“No. They said if I keep progressing at this rate, once I wake up I can go home, after about a week or so. I guess they want me under observation for a little bit after I come to. But after that I can go home, which means back to my parent’s—god forbid—so I can finish my IV treatment for my leg. Mom thinks she’s going to be the one to hook me up to the IV three times a day. You have met my mother, right? If her talking doesn’t kill me her nursing will.”

“What about your apartment?”

“I suppose it’s a good thing Mom is such a Chatty Cathy. In her attempt to reach me this morning, she told me—in detail—everything she and Dad have been doing since they got news of my death. This includes cleaning out my apartment. Do you realize they went through—All. My. Stuff. I’m just grateful I didn’t have any sex toys!”

Danielle began to giggle.

“Fortunately, she wasn’t quite ready to throw my things away—thank god—so everything is boxed up and in their garage. That must thrill my father who’s always bitching about what Mom puts in there.”

“I’m kinda surprised they moved you out of your apartment so soon.”

“I can understand,” Lily said with a shrug. “I forgot to drop my rent off before I left for Palm Springs. It wasn’t that big of a deal at the time, because I intended to be back by the first. But when my landlord—and parents—thought I’d been killed in the car crash, and my rent hadn’t been paid for the month, the landlord pressured my folks to get my apartment cleaned out. I don’t think my parents minded paying for September, but Mom was a little nervous about the landlord going in there and getting rid of my stuff.”

“I’m sorry Lily.”

“I can’t really blame the landlord. But I don’t want to go live with my folks. Not even for six weeks. But what am I going to do? I don’t have a home. I don’t even have a job.”

“Come stay with me.”

“With you? I can’t do that.”

“Yes you can. You can stay in the downstairs bedroom. I’ll even hire a private nurse to take care of you.”

“I can’t afford that.”

“But I can. And Walt can help. Not to mention Ian. He was only planning on moving out of the rental because he wanted to be closer to you. This way he can stay where he is. It will be the perfect solution!”

“I can’t live off you, it wouldn’t be right.”

“What are friends for, Lily, if we can’t help each other? We’re practically family.”

“It would be better than staying with my folks; that’s for sure.”

“But you have to go back into your body.”

Lily looked down at the sleeping woman. “I’m afraid. What if it hurts? It looked really painful when they opened my leg up last night.”

“Don’t be such a baby, Lily. Get in your body now!” Danielle shouted.

To Danielle’s surprise, the privacy curtain flew open and she found herself standing face to face with Joe Morelli.

“How long have you been standing there?” Danielle squeaked, a blush covering her face.

“Long enough to hear you talking to yourself.”

“I wasn’t talking to myself; I was talking to Lily. And that’s pretty rude to lurk behind the curtain like that and eavesdrop.” Danielle turned abruptly from Joe and faced the bed. The only Lily in sight was the one sleeping under the sheets. Danielle glanced around warily, looking for her out of body friend.

“How is she doing?” Joe asked, stepping up to the bed.

“They had to operate last night.”

“I heard.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” Danielle swung around angrily, facing Joe.

“I found out after you left this morning. The chief told me.”

“That idiot Stoddard could have killed her with his incompetent staff.”

“I got a call from Ian right before I left the office,” Joe said.

“Ian? I’m surprised he hasn’t called me.” Danielle frowned, looking back down at Lily.

“He wanted me to know he spoke to the paramedics that worked on Lily at the rest stop.”

“He did?” Danielle looked back at Joe.

“Lily didn’t have a tattoo. In fact, Stoddard never mentioned any tattoo when they called him to identify the body. These days it’s pretty common for young women to have tattoos, so it’s something they tend to look for when making an identification. According to the paramedic, she didn’t have one.”

“Stoddard had her tattooed.”

“That’s what it looks like. The chief is having him brought in now. I’m not a doctor, but I have a cousin who has an artificial knee, and it got an infection, just like the one Lily had. He was told the artificial knee didn’t cause the infection, it’s just where it landed. My cousin wanted to know the cause. The doctors said it could be anything, like dental work or a cut that got infected.”

“Or a recent tattoo, one done under questionable conditions?” Danielle suggested.

“That’s a possibility.”

“Stoddard Gusarov has a lot to answer for,” Danielle said angrily.

“He will answer for it,” Joe said under his breath.

Danielle stood by the side of Lily’s bed, facing the door, Joe by her side. She leaned over and whispered into Lily’s ear, “You must wake up, my dear friend.”

To Joe’s surprise, Lily, who had been catatonic and still since he found her at the Gusarov Estate, began to moan, restlessly tossing her head from side to side. One of the monitors began to buzz. As the medical staff rushed into the room, Joe looked up at Danielle who calmly stepped aside, making room for the medical team. Her expression showed no signs of shock or awe at Lily’s abrupt recovery.

Fluttering her eyes open, Lily licked her lips and looked around the room. When she spied Danielle, she smiled. “I’m back,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

“So you are!” Danielle laughed, rushing forward to take one of Lily’s hands. She gave it a reassuring squeeze.

As the medical team chattered away amongst themselves, efficiently checking Lily’s vital signs and reviewing the monitors, Lily told Danielle in a raspy whisper, “I’m holding you to your promise. You’re stuck with me you know. I’ll be one of those house guests who never leaves.”

“I’m looking forward to it!” Danielle released Lily’s hand and moved away from the bed, out of the way of the nurses who continued to flutter around their patient. Joe followed her into the hall.

“She heard you,” Joe said in awe.

“Of course she did.” Danielle smiled and took her phone out of her pocket.

“She knows you’ve invited her to stay at Marlow House while she recovers.”

“What, did you think I was talking to myself in there?” Danielle felt giddy. Turning from Joe, she dialed Mrs. Miller.

“Is anything wrong?” Mrs. Miller asked when she answered her cellphone.

“When you’re done eating, there is someone who would like to say hello. Lily woke up.”

Joe could hear Mrs. Miller’s shout of glee coming from Danielle’s cellphone. Danielle quickly moved the phone away from her ear, trying to spare her eardrum. She laughed when she realized Mrs. Miller had hung up and was probably already on her way back to Lily’s hospital room.