Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 (3 page)

“This is a nice place,” Jack said, glancing around Ivy’s quaint cottage with unveiled interested. “It’s actually … beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Ivy said, shuffling toward the kitchen. “My Dad refinished the entire house when we were kids. This is all his work, although I decorated it.”

“Are your parents … gone?”

“They don’t live here, if that’s what you’re asking,” Ivy said. “They’re not gone, though. They’re still in town. They just moved to a different house and sold me this one so I could be close to the nursery.”

“It’s really nice,” Jack said, running his hands over the ornate wood molding that separated the living room and kitchen. “I love the setting of the cottage. I like how it’s close to the road, but you can’t really see it. It’s like you’re living in the middle of the woods … but you’re not.”

“That’s why I love it, too,” Ivy said, arching an eyebrow as she watched him. “Where are you from?”

Jack jerked his attention away from the doorframe and fixed it on Ivy. “What makes you think I’m not from around here?”

“I can spot a city boy from a mile away,” Ivy said, smiling. The expression lit up her whole face, and for a second Jack lost himself in her exuberant grin.

He shook himself out of his reverie. “I grew up in a suburb of Detroit,” Jack said. “I was with the Detroit police department until … .”

Ivy narrowed her eyes, sensing he was about to say something he would regret. He caught himself, though.

“I just wanted an easier life,” Jack said. “I’ve always loved this part of the state. I saw the ad for the detective’s position in the newspaper and I applied and … well … here I am.”

“I guess that’s our gain,” Ivy said, moving into the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink?”

“I’m fine.”

“I have iced tea, green tea, peach tea, and tomato juice.”

Jack made a face. “Tomato juice?”

“It’s my favorite juice,” Ivy said, opening the refrigerator door. “Do you want something to drink or not?”

“I’m fine.”

Ivy ignored him and poured two glasses of iced tea. Once she turned her back to return the glass jug to the refrigerator, a black cat jumped up onto the counter and fixed his attention on the tea. When Ivy turned back around she already had her finger extended in the cat’s direction. “Don’t you even think about it, Nicodemus.”

The cat arched his back, an innocent look on his face as he tried to get Ivy to pet him. Ivy gave in and rubbed him twice. “You’re not supposed to be on the counter.”

Nicodemus cried plaintively.

“I’ll feed you in a little bit,” Ivy said. “For now, you need to get off the counter.”

Jack fought the urge to roll his eyes as he watched Ivy interact with the animal. He’d never met a cat that did what it was told. It just wasn’t in their nature. That’s why, as Ivy moved toward him with the drinks in her hands, he had to tamp down his disbelief as the cat jumped down from the counter and disappeared down a short hallway that Jack assumed led to Ivy’s bedroom. “How did you do that?”

“Do what?” Ivy asked, her face blank.

“You told the cat to get down from the counter and he did it.”

“I asked nicely,” Ivy replied, nonplussed. “When you ask nicely, you’d be surprised how things turn out.”

Jack took the proffered glass of iced tea with a small nod of thank you, but he never moved his eyes from Ivy’s face. “You’re … interesting.”

“So I’ve been told,” Ivy said, smiling tightly. “I’m sure you’ve already heard that I’m a witch.”

“I might have heard something,” Jack admitted, sitting in one of the chairs around the kitchen table as Ivy settled next to him. “Ava mentioned something when she came to find us about your call.”

“Ava,” Ivy said, nodding sagely. “That doesn’t surprise me. We’ve never had the … warmest … of relationships.”

“Brian filled me in on some of that while we were driving out here,” Jack said. “I’m sorry things have been so difficult for you.”

Ivy made a face. “I’m happy with who I am,” she said. “Things were never difficult for me because I wouldn’t let them be. I’m happy with my life and beliefs. If other people don’t like it … well … that’s their problem.”

Jack liked her attitude, even if he wasn’t sure she was being entirely truthful. You could be completely happy with yourself and still hurt by the words and actions of others. “You stand out in an area like this,” he said. “Have you ever considered moving south? You would fit right in down there. The city would love you.”

“I love the country,” Ivy replied, blasé. “The country loves me, too. There are some people that don’t understand me. I really don’t worry about them, though.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully. He was having trouble tearing his gaze from the high ridges of her cheeks, or the oceans of blue beckoning to him in her eyes.

“Did you have questions you wanted to ask?” Ivy asked, breaking the silence.

“Um … yeah,” Jack replied, returning to the moment. “Can you tell me what you were doing last night?”

“I finished up at the greenhouse around six,” Ivy said. “I had a quick dinner and then I went for a walk in the woods. I got back home around ten or so, and then I read a book on my back patio. I was in bed by midnight.”

“You went for a walk in the woods alone? After dark?” Jack couldn’t help but be dubious. In the city, it was never wise to walk alone – no matter what neighborhood you were in. People didn’t always live by that rule, but it was a smart one to follow.

“I grew up in this house,” Ivy said. “I know these woods like the back of my hand. I like to walk. It’s how I keep in shape. I don’t really think about it now.”

“Okay,” Jack said, readjusting his thinking. “Did you hear anything last night?”

“No,” Ivy said, shaking her head and causing her long hair to brush against her shoulders. “I sleep like the dead, though. I sleep with a fan. I like the white noise. Between that and Nicodemus purring, I really never wake up.”

“And … um … were you alone?” Jack told himself he was asking the question out of professional necessity, but he honestly wasn’t so sure.

“I was alone,” Ivy confirmed.

“You’re not dating anyone? I’m only asking because I want to be able to ascertain if someone has the ability to come and go from the property without piquing your interest.”

Ivy pressed her lips together, and for a second Jack wondered if she believed him. When she opened her mouth again to speak, he couldn’t hide his relief.

“There’s no one spending the night here,” Ivy said. “It’s just me.”

Jack nodded. “Okay. Well … I’m sure we’ll be in touch. For the time being, I think it would be wise to keep your nocturnal walks to a minimum. There could be someone dangerous out in these woods.”

“I’ll take it under advisement.”

Jack stilled. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I just … .”

“You don’t know me,” Ivy said. “It’s okay. This is my home, though. If you don’t feel safe in your home there’s no sense in living there. Nothing will stop me from walking through the woods.”

“But … .”

Ivy held up her hand. “If it will make you feel better, I promise to be careful.”

Jack wasn’t sure that did make him feel better. Something told him it was the best he was going to get, though.

“WHEN
will they do the autopsy?” Jack asked, sliding into his new desk chair and rocking back and forth to see if it was comfortable.

“Probably not until tomorrow,” Brian said, dropping a file on his desk and glancing around. “It’s not like down south. We have limited resources.”

“Sorry I was inside so long,” Jack said. “I just had a few questions to ask Ms. Morgan.”

“I’m sure,” Brian said, pursing his lips.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jack leaned forward, agitated.

“It doesn’t mean anything,” Brian said, holding up his hand. “I just thought I might have sensed a little something between you and Ivy.”

“A little something?”

“Chemistry,” Brian replied, guileless.

“We talked for five minutes in front of you and you think you saw chemistry? Are you sure your wife is the only meddlesome one?” Jack was going for levity, but he didn’t miss the uptick of his heartbeat.

“Listen, I’m not telling you how to live your life,” Brian said. “It’s none of my business if you want to go to bed alone every night for the rest of your life. That doesn’t change the fact that I saw you looking at Ivy. Don’t feel bad about it. She’s a beautiful woman.”

“She’s … okay,” Jack said carefully.

Brian snorted. “Yeah. She’s … okay.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “She’s still just a woman,” he said. “I’m not interested in a relationship. I already told you that. I have my reasons.”

Brian’s face softened. If any man had reasons to build a wall around his heart it was Jack Harker. Still, he’d definitely witnessed something today – and it wasn’t just on Jack’s part. “Well, if you’re not interested in Ivy, you might want to find a way to let her down easy,” he said, changing tactics.

Jack stilled. “Excuse me?”

“You weren’t the only one I was feeling chemistry from,” Brian said. “Ivy couldn’t take her eyes off you either. You should be proud. I can’t remember the last time someone turned that girl’s head.”

Jack’s chest puffed out, if only in his mind.
Was that true?
“I don’t think she was any more interested in me than I was in her. She’s a nice woman. She has a certain … flair. I’m still not interested.”

“Of course you’re not,” Brian said. “You’re set in your ways. There’s no way a woman could change that.”

“There’s not,” Jack said. “I can’t even think about something like that right now. I just … .”

Brian’s face fell, instantly contrite. “I’m sorry. I guess I never considered why you wouldn’t want to deal with something like that right now. Still, being alone isn’t the way to a happy life.”

“What makes you think I want a happy life?”

“Everyone does.”

“I don’t think that’s in the cards for me,” Jack said honestly. “I don’t have any grand dreams for a happy ending … or a white picket fence … or a wife and kids. I just want a little … peace.”

Brian’s heart rolled. He’d never known someone to give up on dreaming. The idea made him sad. “You might change your mind,” he said. “If you do, I’m just saying that Ivy Morgan might be a nice place to start dreaming again.”

“Because she’s a witch?” Jack’s eyes were twinkling.

“Because she’s a good woman,” Brian said. “And, much like you, she doesn’t care about fitting in.”

“Who says I don’t care?”

“Your face,” Brian said, snickering. “Just get settled and think about it. I would hate to think of you going through life alone. I don’t want to think of Ivy doing it either, and I wasn’t lying about her turning up her nose at almost every man who has ever tried to go after her.”

“I’m sure Ivy doesn’t want to put up with my problems any more than I want to deal with her … specific brand of oddness.”

“Whatever,” Brian said. “I … .” He snapped his mouth shut when Ava sashayed into the room with a manila folder in her hand. “What’s up?”

Ava’s face contorted. “Aren’t you ever happy to see me? Not even once?”

“Not generally,” Brian said. “You’re usually up to no good.”

“That’s just a horrible thing to say,” Ava said. “I don’t appreciate you talking badly about me.”

“You’ll live,” Brian said, extending his hand. “What is that?”

“It’s some file the coroner’s assistant dropped off,” Ava said, wrinkling her nose. “He seemed to think you’d want to see it right away.”

Brian took the file and opened it, his eyes widening as he scanned the photographs inside. “Well, holy ... .”

Jack leaned over, interested. “What is it?”

Ava smiled at him, the expression bright and flirtatious. It seemed Ivy wasn’t the only one to take a shine to Shadow Lake’s newest resident, Brian mused. He couldn’t focus on that now, though. Brian handed the photos over to his new partner, and as soon as Jack focused on them he leaned forward.

“What are these?”

“They look like evil symbols,” Ava replied.

Brian glared at her. “Did you look in that file?”

“The photos just slipped out,” Ava said.

“You’re not supposed to look in a private file,” Brian snapped. “That’s not part of your job description.”

“Take it up with the chief.”

Brian scowled. That was a sticky situation, especially since the chief also happened to be Ava’s father. That was how she got the job in the first place. “I will.” Dan Moffett may be Ava’s father, but he was also Brian’s longtime friend. “He and I will definitely be having a talk.”

Ava shot him a look. “Don’t you threaten me.”

Brian ignored her and turned his attention back to Jack. “What do you think?”

“I think these symbols look … satanic.”

“That’s what I thought when I saw them,” Brian agreed.

“Well, that makes sense,” Ava said. “They were found carved into the skin of a woman whose body just happened to be found on Ivy Morgan’s property. She’s your suspect.”