Grave Decisions (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 7) by Lily Harper Hart Page B

safe position.
    “Is that the woman you saw?” Kreskin asked.
    “Yes.”
    “I’m sorry, Maddie,” Kreskin said, patting her shoulder in a lame attempt to offer her solace. “I’m really sorry.”
    “Don’t be sorry for me,” Maddie said. “Be sorry for her. She’s the one who suffered. She’s the one who … screamed.”
    Nick’s expression was pained when he forced Maddie’s attention to him. “Love, please don’t do that to yourself,” he said. “I can’t take it.”
    “I know,” Maddie said, shaking herself out of her pity party. “I just … wanted to help her.”
    “You did everything you could, Maddie,” John said. “You can’t be expected to do the impossible. Don’t blame yourself for this.”
    “I don’t blame myself,” Maddie said, narrowing her eyes as a face in the crowd jumped out at her. “I blame him.”
    The three men followed her gaze, all frowning in unison when they caught sight of Cooper and his entourage. To Nick’s shock and dismay, Cooper lifted the police tape and crossed the barrier – bringing his three shadows with him – and strode in their direction.
    “Hello, Detectives,” Cooper greeted them coolly. “I need to see the deceased if I’m expected to solve this crime.”
    “We don’t need or want your help,” Kreskin replied. “Move your ass to the other side of the police tape or I’ll arrest you.”
    Cooper was taken aback. His charm clearly worked better on representatives of the female persuasion. “May I ask why Ms. Graves was allowed to see the body?”
    “Because she had material information on the case,” John replied smoothly, his eyes briefly landing on Christy. He knew her from a previous case and things got flirty between them before he was forced to leave town. Now he was clearly at a loss for why she was with Cooper. “Maddie thought she saw the victim at the fair yesterday and we had to ascertain if that was true.”
    “Was it?” Cassidy asked. “Did she kill her?”
    Nick scowled. “What is the matter with you? How can you even ask something like that?”
    “Cooper says that Maddie is hiding something and he thinks it’s the fact that she’s a murderer,” Marla replied, not ashamed in the least to spout the ridiculous theory. “I happen to agree with him. Maddie is definitely evil, so she’s probably a murderer, too.”
    “I think I should go,” Maddie said, forcing a smile. “I just … need to get away from this.”
    “Mad, don’t let them upset you,” Nick chided. “They’re not worth it.”
    “I’m not upset,” Maddie replied. “I just … need some air. I’ll be over at the fairgrounds if you need me.”
    Nick wasn’t keen on letting her go. “Don’t wander anywhere by yourself,” he ordered. “I’ll be there as soon as I can. In fact, I’ll be there by lunch no matter what. We’ll eat together.”
    Maddie forced a smile for his benefit. “I can’t wait.”
    Nick watched her go, a vise closing around his heart as he forced himself not to follow her. She looked lost, a pretty blond figure cutting a lonely swath against the town backdrop as she hurried away. Once he was sure she was out of earshot, he turned his fury on Cooper. “I’ve had just about enough of you.”
    “You’re not the only one,” Kreskin said, shaking his head. “You’re not a part of this investigation, Mr. Asshat … er, I mean Ashton.”
    Nick fought the urge to snicker. “I think Asshat is more fitting.”
    “Me, too,” John said.
    “You can’t talk to him that way,” Marla challenged. “He’s a celebrity.”
    “I don’t care if he’s the king of England,” Kreskin shot back. “He’s impeding our investigation.”
    “I can solve this case,” Cooper argued. “For example … .” He broke off, holding his hand to his forehead. “The newest victim was thirty … or thirty-two … or maybe twenty-four … and she had dark hair and eyes.”
    Kreskin and Nick exchanged an incredulous look.
    “Well, is he