Raisin the Dead (13 page)

His eyes darkened as he looked into mine. “Me neither. Especially since you're here.”

He reached for my hand again. “I have something for you.”

My heart sped up. Other than Christmas presents, we hadn't gotten each other gifts. Well, actually he got me a Christmas gift. He gave me a valuable first edition Nancy Drew book I was missing from my collection. I had gotten him zilch for Christmas. Yes, I felt horribly guilty about it. I'd make it up to him this year. My birthday was coming in October, and Sean's is in December, so we hadn't even bought birthday gifts yet.

He pulled out a small square box from his inside suit jacket pocket. “This is to say congratulations on Bread and Batter Bakery's anniversary, and a thank you for being you and coming into my life.”

I took the box from him, its image blurring through my tears. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“Wait until you open it before you thank me,” he advised, smiling at me.

I restrained the urge to rip the pink paper to shreds and carefully unwrapped it. I slowly opened the blue velvet box. I inhaled sharply. It was one of those expandable bracelets. I could tell on sight that it was fourteen-karat gold. There were two gold charms on it, a cupcake, and a heart. I slid it on, admiring the light from the candle bouncing off its shininess. I was at a loss for words, for once. It was the most touching gift I've ever gotten.

“Do you like it?” Sean asked.

I looked up at him, not believing he actually had a worried look on his face that I might not like it. I hoped my tears hadn't smudged my mascara. I sniffled. “No, I don't like it. I love it! I love you, too. This means so much to me. I can't believe you did this!”

He looked relieved. “You deserve it, babe. I think it's amazing that you and Olivia are so successful. It's hard starting a new business, and yours is growing. I'm proud of you. I thought you'd get a kick out of the cupcake. The heart is for how I feel about you.”

“I'll thank you properly later.” I suddenly couldn't wait to go home and continue to make this night all about us, alone.

The inky black water of Destiny Lake lapped against the sides of the big bowrider. Emily shivered beside me. The gentle, rhythmic rocking motion of the craft almost lulled me to sleep as I waited for Kendra and company to set up whatever it was they were setting up for the séance. Kendra had insisted we all wear life jackets. I was gratified by the way she went over all the safety rules. I glanced around to make sure everyone was taking her seriously. Her parents had given her one hour to be out with the boat.

If Philip Baldelli's spirit did show up, at least we'd be able to see him due to the reflection of the full moon off the water. I could see the lights from the houses on the shoreline twinkling. As Kendra had promised, we weren't too far from shore; supposedly Philip's house was right in front of us. I shivered too, as much from the chill as trepidation at seeing, or hearing, an actual spirit. I should've worn a heavier sweater. Our days might be warm, but the nights still get cool, especially out on the water.

“Are we going to be able to see him?” whispered Emily.

Jason looked up at her as he pulled the Ouija board from a briefcase-like bag. “Probably not. They usually speak through Jimmy. Sometimes they speak through the rest of us. We take turns.”

“We're ready,” announced Tiffany.

“I'm not sure I am,” Olivia whispered, scooting closer to me. “I can't believe I agreed to this.”

“I thought I'd be scared, but it's actually kind of exciting,” said Emily, “even though I don't believe in this.”

We were sitting in the bow of the boat and the Ouija board was set up on a little table. Good thing the lake was calm tonight.

“Tiffany, why don't you say a prayer,” instructed Jason.

She nodded. “Everyone take a deep, cleansing breath and let it out.”

We all did.

She continued. “We ask that all negativity and bad thoughts be washed away. We ask for peace, tranquility, and calm. We pray for open minds, and open hearts. We acknowledge the spiritual realm, which lies past our understanding. We reach out to that world. We welcome the spirit of Philip Baldelli. We call on Philip's spirit to come to us. Amen.”

“Thanks, Tiff,” whispered Jimmy. “Everyone join hands. Wait a second. It will be easier if we take the Ouija board and place it on the floor, that way we can sit in a circle around it.”

We arranged ourselves in a circle after Jimmy removed the table and set the board on the floor of the boat. Then, as he instructed, we joined hands.

“Everyone, close their eyes,” instructed Jimmy softly. “Jason, please join me.”

We all closed our eyes as Jimmy and Jason got settled.”I'm contacting the spirit of Philip Baldelli,” murmured Jimmy. “Please, show us your presence.”

We all held our breaths.

“Philip Baldelli. We summon your spirit. Give us a sign.”

The two taps that followed made Olivia, Emily and me almost jump out of our skins.

“Is that him?” whispered Emily, grabbing my arm.

“Shhh,” I replied. I didn't want to break the spell, or whatever it was hanging in the air.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“Philip Baldelli, were you murdered?” asked Jimmy.

I opened one of my eyes. The planchette seemed to be moving on its own. Jimmy's and Jason's fingertips were barely touching it.

“Yes! He's saying yes,” whispered Jimmy.

“Who killed you?” continued Jimmy.

We waited for a few minutes. My heart raced.

“Sorry,” whispered Jimmy. “I'm getting nothing.”

“Maybe you should be more specific,” whispered Kendra. “You know, like did Serafina Alessi kill you? Did Molly's mother kill you?”

“I was about to do that, Kendra,” scolded Jimmy.

“Okay, I didn't know,” she whispered back.

“Let's not break the ambiance, guys,” hissed Jason. “Everyone take another deep breath, then slowly let it out. Let's regroup. Everyone focus on Philip's spirit. That's all you should be thinking about.”

We did. At least, I did.

“Are you still here, Philip Baldelli?” asked Jimmy, his voice sounding far away.

“He knocked again,” whispered Emily. “I heard him. He's here!”

I couldn't hear anything this time because the noise of my heart pounding in my ears drowned everything else out.

“Did Serafina Alessi kill you?” This time, Jason spoke.

I squinted at the board. The planchette was moving once again.

“It's pointing to
no
,” Jason whispered.

“Did Molly's mother kill you?” asked Jimmy.

Silence. I held my breath until dizziness loomed. I slowly opened my eyes, afraid of what I'd see. The board seemed to be vibrating. It could be levitating for all I knew. Jimmy looked as if he were fighting to keep his hand on the planchette. It was traveling at what I thought was a high rate of speed, for a planchette, to YES. My heart sank. I squeezed my eyes closed.

“It says YES!” Tiffany blurted out. “Oh, Molly, I know that's not what you wanted to hear.”

“Oh, no!” cried Emily. “Could it be wrong? It has to be wrong.”

“Shhh. Everyone calm down,” said Jimmy. “Can you be specific, Philip Baldelli? Please let us know who killed you.” After a few seconds, he raised the planchette off the board. “I'm sorry. Baldelli's spirit is gone. They generally don't like noise.”

“I'm sorry,” said Emily. “I didn't mean to yell out.”

“Me either,” said Tiffany. “I should have known better.”

“It's okay,” said Jimmy.

“The planchette, it definitely pointed to YES, though, didn't it, when you asked if my mother killed him?” Not that I needed confirmation since I'd seen it myself.

“Yes, but it could be wrong,” said Jimmy.

“Unlikely,” scoffed Jason.

I got up and sat on the seat, pulling my knees up under my chin. “I don't care what that board, or Mr. Baldelli's so-called spirit, said. My mother did not kill him. I don't believe in this anyway.”

Emily and Olivia got up too, then planted themselves on either side of me. “Maybe this wasn't such a good idea,” soothed Olivia, putting her arm around me. “Kendra, can you take us back to shore?”

“Sure.” She came over to me. “I'm sorry, Molly. I hope you aren't too upset with us.”

I watched Jimmy pack up the Ouija board, which now looked hideously sinister to me. “No, Kendra, not at all. I'm not upset at any of you. I'm mad at myself for asking you and your friends to do this. I feel like an idiot.”

“You aren't an idiot,” said Tiffany. “We're sorry you're upset.”

“Yeah,” agreed Jason. “I'm sorry it was such a lousy outcome.”

“It's not your fault,” I assured him.

The boat moved towards the shore. I glanced at where Philip's house was and saw a light twinkling. Had the police left a light on? I hadn't noticed it a few minutes before. “Is that a light I see from where Philip's house is?”

“I don't see anything,” said Kendra. “It could be one of his neighbors.”

I didn't think it was. I was reasonably sure it had come from the direction of Baldelli's house, but I didn't reply. I'd mention it to Sean.

“I don't think that Ouija board stuff is even true,” said Emily. “Forget about it.”

“Yeah,” agreed Olivia. “We all know Annie didn't murder anyone.”

I nodded, caressing the bracelet Sean had given me. I'd shown the girls before we got on the boat and they'd all
oooh
'd and
ahhh
'd appropriately. “I know. But still, it was so creepy.”

No one spoke again until we arrived at the shore. I, for one, hoped Baldelli's spirit really wasn't still with us. I didn't want him coming home with me. In case he had shown up after all. I wondered how Jimmy could know for sure.

“Thanks, guys,” I told them when we disembarked. “I appreciate your help.”

“Some help,” said Tiffany.

“It's okay. Really.”

“You're welcome, Molly,” said Jimmy. “Don't worry. His spirit may have been teasing us. Sometimes we get a playful one. It's too bad we lost him. We can try again. He may be cooperative next time. It's important to stay quiet.”

I opened my car door. “No, I don't think so. Thanks, anyway. I'm finished with séances.”

“See you tomorrow,” Olivia and Kendra called out together as I got in my car.

“I'll be at Bread and Batter early,” I replied. “Bye, Em. Thanks for coming along. You too, Olivia.”

They waved goodbye and I set off. I took Noelle for a walk when I got home. It was a gorgeous night. I loved living in a town where you could be out at night and not worry about crime. Well, except for murderers popping up here and there. I stepped up my pace.

When we returned, I dug my phone out of my purse. I was happy to see Sean had texted me.
Hope you had a fun girls' night out. Let me know when you get back home. If it's not too late, come by.

Hi. I'm home. You still up?

His reply was immediate.
Yes. Come on over. Bring Noelle. Beau wants to see her.

“Want to go see Beau?” I asked Noelle.

She danced and wiggled all over. I took that to mean “yes.”

Sean was waiting for us with his door open. Noelle headed straight for Beau as soon as we crossed his doorway. Sean took me in his arms and kissed me. I sighed in contentment then reluctantly pulled away. “I have a confession to make.”

“You killed Philip Baldelli?”

I swatted at him. “Hysterical. No. I wasn't out with the girls tonight.”

“That's your confession? I've heard worse.”

We moved to his living room and I plopped down on his couch. He sat beside me. “I mean I was out with them, but usually when I go out with the girls, it means dinner or shopping, or the book club. Emily and Olivia came to a séance with me.”

“A what?”

“A séance,” I repeated. “When you try to reach dead people.”

He swiped a hand through his recently cut hair. “I know what a séance is, but I can't picture you at one. Who were you trying to reach?”

“Philip.”

He was valiantly trying to keep a straight face. I could see his chiseled jaw muscles clench and his lips twitch.

“Laugh. Go ahead.”

“I'm not going to laugh. All right, maybe a little. What possessed you to do that?”

“Remember Kendra and her friends were a little responsible for rescuing Jane and me from our kidnapper?” I didn't wait for a response. “I thought they could contact Philip and he could tell me who killed him.”

Sean raised his eyebrows. “Did they and did he?”

“Yes and yes. He said my mother killed him.”

Sean looked at me skeptically. “He said that? He actually said, ‘Molly, your mother killed me.'”

“Well no, not exactly like that. They had a Ouija board. There's a pointy thing called a planchette. It points to YES or NO, or to various letters when you ask a question. Jimmy, he's one of Kendra's friends; he had the planchette, he asked it if Serafina killed Philip, and the planchette went to NO. When he asked if my mom killed him, it went to YES.”

“I'm glad you did that,” he said.

“You are? I thought you'd think it was ten kinds of weird. Honestly, it was weird. I had a horrible creepy feeling the whole time. I hope Philip's spirit isn't living with me now.”

“Yes, that would be awkward,” he replied. “I'm glad you did that because now I can stop the investigation and arrest your mother.”

“What?” I sprang off the couch.

He burst out laughing. “Sorry, I couldn't hold it anymore. Come back. You know I'm kidding. I'm not going to arrest anyone. Not based on a Ouija board, that is. You don't seriously believe that stuff about ghosts and spirits, do you, babe?”

I sat down. “No. I guess I'm looking for any way to clear her name, as you put it.”

He put his arm around me. “That's my job. I'm pretty good at it. It's not as if your mom is languishing in jail.”

I snuggled into him, laying my head on his shoulder. “I suppose that's one way to look at it. But why did it say NO for Serafina and YES for my mother?”

“It didn't. I studied this in one of my psychology classes in college. What happens is that the people touching the planchette unconsciously move it around the board without knowing they're doing it. Think about it. You don't hear of police departments using Ouija boards to contact the ghosts of unsolved homicide victims to identify their killers, do you? If spirits were moving the planchette on the Ouija board, why would you need a person to move it? The spirit could move it himself. Or herself, as the case may be.”

I sighed. “You're right. I wish I hadn't done it.” I yawned. It had been a long day and I was sleepy. “By the way. When we were out on the boat, I saw a light. It may have come from Baldelli's house.”

“I'll look into it.”

I was too sleepy to question his sincerity.

He got up. “How about if I take the dogs out? I'll be right back. You want to spend the night?”

“Sounds inviting, but I have to be up early. I'd better go upstairs.” Since that was too much effort right now, I stretched out on his couch and reached for a pillow. Sean covered me with the dark red and blue afghan that lay across the back of his couch, the one his grandmother had made for him. “Be right back, babe.”

“Okay,” I replied. My eyes were already closing.

***

The next morning, I woke up with two cold noses nudging me and the smell of coffee floating up my own nose. I opened my eyes. I was still on Sean's couch. I threw off the blanket, got up, and went into his kitchen, Noelle and Beau on my heels.

“Hi there, sleepy woman.” Sean was at the sink, wearing jeans and no shirt. His hair had the right amount of sexy tousle to it. “You were in a deep sleep when I got back with the dogs last night, so I let you be. I wanted to cart you off to my bed, but I hated disturbing you. I made you tea. Do you want me to make you some steel-cut oatmeal?”