Page 26 of A Charming Touch of Tarot (The Gin & Tarot Club #2)

26

Six of Swords

As the first light of dawn breaks through the darkness, I lie wrapped in Nick’s arms, unwilling to move for fear I’ll wake him and the moment will be over.

I slept better than I have in months, and it had everything to do with the man next to me.

As if he can hear my inner thoughts, he rouses, his arms moving away, leaving me cold.

I audibly whine, and Nick chuckles. “My arm’s asleep,” he says, voice extra husky. “How did you sleep?” he asks, and I sigh.

“Like a baby. When do you have to leave?”

He clears his throat. “Early Wednesday.”

“How did you manage to get so much time off? I’d think they’d want this solved quickly considering the victim is your captain’s niece.”

He runs his hand back through his hair, mussing it in a way that has me itching to touch him.

“This break was ordered by Falls Haven’s captain.” He huffs. “He’s calling it a mental-health break.” He shakes his head. “I think he knows I’m incapable of truly cutting off the detective in me. It seems more likely he wanted me back here poking around without drawing attention.”

“Why?”

“My captain. He doesn’t want him knowing the details because of his connection to the victim. It muddies the investigation when emotion plays a factor.”

I guess I understand the logic.

He takes a deep breath and blows it out in a huff. “I…have a favor to ask you.”

I sit up, turning to face him. “What’s up?” I say, seeing the conflict in his expression.

He swallows, takes a deep breath, and looks me in the eye when he says, “Will you help me help Isla move on?”

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

As we walk into my kitchen, I’m met with the sight of Isla sitting at the counter, looking ready to climb the walls.

“You know, you really suck for leaving me here. It’s been so damn boring,” she says, directing her complaint at me.

“I know, and I’m sorry. I had to focus on my friend and didn’t think it would be a good idea to drag you to New Orleans.”

She purses her lips, glaring at me. “I’ve never been. Wouldn’t have minded the change of scenery. Maybe I could’ve rubbed elbows with a few famous spirits.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, grimacing. “She’s been bored,” I explain to Nick, who nods in understanding.

“He knows I’m here,” she murmurs, mostly to herself.

I take a deep breath, knowing I need to facilitate the conversation between them, since Nick can’t see or hear the dead. “Isla, Nick is ready to help you move on,” I tell her gently.

She looks at Nick, her expression softening. “I knew he’d come through. When do we do it?”

“Now?” I say, shrugging one shoulder, in a way to indicate I’m on their schedule.

She jumps up from the chair, heading toward the door like a golden retriever ready for its walk.

“What are you waiting for? Send me packing.”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “She’s in a bit of a rush,” I tell Nick.

He smiles. “Sounds like her.”

Isla’s shoulders sag, and she turns back to Nick, her gaze fixed on him with a sorrowful smile gracing her lips, the love she held for him still shining through.

“Can you tell him that I’m only in a hurry to get to my brother?”

I relay the information.

“Then let’s get her to him.”

We pull through the gates of Wintersgate Cemetery, driving as close as we can get before our feet will have to carry us the rest of the way.

Nick is just ahead, with Isla right next to him.

As I walk through the snow-covered paths of the cemetery, I can’t help but be struck by the eerie beauty of the place. Tombstones rise up from the earth like solemn sentinels, waiting to greet the newest addition to their ranks.

Despite the chill in the air, there’s a strange sense of peace that permeates the atmosphere, as if the spirits of the departed are watching over the place, keeping vigil.

When we finally make it to Isla’s grave, all three of us stand still, looking at Isla’s name etched into the stone.

“You were the best part of my life,” Nick says, his voice filled with emotion. “A piece of me died with you that day.”

I remain silent, allowing Nick this time to say all that’s left between him and Isla, hoping it brings him peace as much as it does her.

“But I’ve come to terms with that season of life ending, and I’m ready to move forward,” he declares, looking over at me when he says, “I’ve found happiness again.”

Tears well up in my eyes as Isla’s spirit nods. “I’m happy that you’re happy,” she whispers. “There’s no sadness or jealousy in my heart. Only love.” She turns to me. “Treat him right.” She smiles, and I return it.

I take the time to share with Nick all that Isla’s said. It’s clear that a heavy weight has been lifted. He knows she doesn’t feel replaced or hurt. She’s happy.

I hand Nick the ring, and he bends over the grass where Isla’s remains rest.

“Goodbye, Isla. I’ll carry you with me always.”

She places a ghostly hand on his shoulder. “And I’ll carry your love with me to Heaven. Goodbye, my love.”

With that, Nick buries the ring. A bright light surrounds us, and I look up in time to see Isla’s head tilt toward the sky, a look of peace on her face that can only mean she’s on her way home.

“Thank you, Isla, for helping mold Nick into the man he is today,” I say, earning one final smile before she moves on, leaving the earth behind.

I give Nick a few moments of silence, allowing him time to grieve her loss again. When he’s ready, he turns and moves past me, steps quick.

“We need to do some research on Matilda Hampson,” Nick says, his voice grave as he looks over his shoulder at me.

“Umm…” I have questions, but I don’t want to voice them.

Maybe this is how Nick copes, by pushing it down and getting back into detective mode.

“Carl Hampson’s tomb was right behind Isla’s,” he explains, but I’m still at a loss for why he’s bringing this up now. “That symbol—from the Order of Providence—it was on his tombstone.”

My steps falter. I didn’t see it, but then again, I wasn’t exactly looking at any tombstone but Isla’s.

“Seeing it reminded me that I have questions for Matilda,” he says. “There has to be a reason why his spirit stuck around and decided to attach itself to his brother’s wife, of all people.”

I’d wondered the same thing.

“Especially considering Carl Hampson was likely murdered.”

My head snaps up to Nick. “Murdered?”

He nods. “Gunshot wound to the head that was originally ruled a suicide. When I dug into the records, it was considered that based on a statement made by Matilda. She claimed that his behavior had been erratic leading up to his death and that he’d told her he was considering taking his own life.” He shakes his head. “Statements given by his doctor and others say the exact opposite.”

It’s hard to fathom Matilda being embroiled in anything unsavory. Her husband and brother-in-law might have had their share of shady dealings, but surely not her. She always seemed so innocent and naive, tending to her garden and baking pies for all the festivals. But then again, appearances can be deceiving, and in this town, secrets run deep, or so it would seem.

We walk through the front door of Marmalade and Rye and head straight to the back, finding Matilda hunched over her desk, reading through what appears to be a catalog of antiques.

“Well hello, Alyssa. And Nick,” she says, her voice tinged with surprise. “To what do I owe this pleasure?” She tilts her head, and her face falls. “Please tell me you didn’t take what was here home with you.” Her eyebrow lifts, and I understand her insinuation.

“Actually, yes,” Nick says, and my head snaps to his.

That’s not the direction I thought this chat was going to go.

“Carl followed us to New Orleans and caused quite the stir at a bed-and-breakfast,” he says, voice laced with reproach. “Him and Buck Sauder.”

Matilda’s slight frame shakes at the mention of Carl and Buck. Her shocked expression slowly morphs into something else. Something resembling fear.

“They’re gone,” I say, hoping to calm her nerves. “We sent them on to the next life.” Her eyes widen in astonishment, a flicker of relief mingling with lingering disbelief.

But as the weight of the news settles in, I notice a subtle shift in Matilda’s demeanor. Gone is the warmth and familiarity, replaced by an air of unease and apprehension. Her eyes dart nervously between Nick and me, as if searching for answers she’s not sure she wants to find.

“Did they…speak to you?” she asks, and that simple question doesn’t sit right with me for reasons I can’t pinpoint.

Nick shrugs, sucking on his teeth. He’s slipped into Detective West right before my eyes, and this is a side of him I’ve never seen.

“Carl mentioned something about the Order of Providence, but nothing he said made sense,” Nick lies.

He’s probing for information, testing the waters to see how much she knows.

Matilda’s response is guarded, her words carefully chosen as she feigns ignorance, denying any knowledge of the society. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Sounds like fiction to me.”

“We just paid a visit to the cemetery. Carl had a strange symbol etched into his tombstone. Are you familiar with what I’m referring to?”

She purses her lips, shaking her head. “No idea, Detective.” There’s a bite to her tone, one that suggests she doesn’t like Nick’s line of questioning.

With a firmness I’ve rarely seen from him, he warns Matilda. “This society has come up a lot recently in connection to murder cases. If you know something and choose not to help, you could be brought up on charges for obstructing justice.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Nicholas,” she says patronizingly. “But as I said, I’ve never heard of such an order. So if there’s nothing more you wish to ask me, you can show yourself out. I’m rather busy.” She motions down to her catalog.

“One more thing, and then we’ll get out of your way,” he says, shoulders straightening. “I’m reopening Carl’s case. It would appear that suicide seems unlikely.”

She nods. “I’m sure that’s why he was hovering about. The man would not be content until his murderer was brought to justice. Please keep me in the loop. As his only surviving relative, I’d like to be informed if you find anything.”

Nick nods. “Of course. Thank you, Matilda.”

We’re walking toward the front of the store when I hear Matilda say, “It’s sometimes better to let sleeping dogs lie.”

I turn over my shoulder, and my eyes connect with Matilda’s. They’re hard and cold, something I’ve never seen on her.

She knows something. Something dangerous.

Nick turns to me, a thoughtful look on his face. “You did good back there.”

I chuckle. “I didn’t do anything. I watched you lay the law down on Mrs. Hampson like she was the villain you’re trying to catch.”

He shakes his head. “No. She’s no villain. I know one when I see it.” He sighs. “She knows more than she’s letting on, but for now, her secrets aren’t my concern.”

“It would’ve been helpful to have Nina back there. One touch, and Nina would uncover whatever she’s hiding.”

“You know, the two of you together could make a great team. I could use your services on a lot of cold cases.”

I huff a humorless laugh. “I doubt I could convince Nina to ditch her plans. And besides, it’ll be some time before I’m up and running.”

He bites his bottom lip. “I probably should let Greg tell you this, but he mentioned something interesting,” he says, his voice tinged with excitement.

I wave my hands in the air, gesturing for him to spit it out.

“He’s considering closing down shop. Says he’s getting too old for this. He’d be interested in taking on a resident manager role, which means you could apply for a Watch, Guard, Patrol Agency License.”

My brows are furrowed as I try to rack my brain for what that means.

“You could skip over the part of working for someone else. It would give you the opportunity to start your own business now.”

I’m stunned by the revelation, my mind racing with the possibilities. I wrap my arms around Nick, pulling him close and kissing him fiercely, not caring who sees.

He chuckles against my lips. “If I knew that’s what I’d get for simply sharing good news, I’d have done it sooner.”

I place another kiss on his lips, smiling.

“Maybe I just like to kiss you,” I say.

“By all means.” He pulls me back in, pressing his mouth against mine again.

With Nick by my side, anything feels possible, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.