Dead Girls Are Easy Read online

  “I’m not mad. I’d have to give a damn to be mad.”

  He acknowledged the jab with the slight lift of an eyebrow, but evidently decided not to go there.

  “Evan’s in here,” he said instead. He pushed open the door and held it for me. “I’ll tell the nurse you can stay.”

  Evan looked awful. He was pale, hair damp with sweat. His eyes were closed, one hand clutching at his stomach even in sleep.

  I sat beside him and held his hand, knowing he’d do the same for me. Evan was rarely sick, the occasional flu or maybe a hangover. This time I didn’t know what was wrong, and I sure as hell didn’t know how to fix it. Chicken soup and Bloody Marys were no good to me now. It was a helpless feeling, and I didn’t like feeling helpless.

  Around seven in the morning he opened his eyes and looked at me blankly.

  “How ya doin’, superstud?” I made myself smile, reaching to smooth the hair from his forehead.

  He flinched, and I drew back my hand, shocked. Then recognition set in, and to my horror, tears filled those big blue eyes.

  “Don’t let her touch me, Nicki. Make her go away.”

  He sounded so pitiful I almost started crying myself. I reached out again and touched his hair, still holding his hand tightly in my own.

  “Shh, sweetie…shh. It’s okay. Everything’s okay. You’re sick, that’s all.”

  “If she touches me, I’ll die. She said I would.”

  A chair creaked from the other side of the bed as Butch leaned in and took Evan’s other hand. “It’s okay, baby. Butchie’s here. Nobody’s gonna hurt you. You’re not gonna die.”

  Evan closed his eyes, tears seeping from beneath closed lids. Butch looked at me helplessly.

  “Oh my God, Nicki.” Evan gave a low moan. “How can you stand to look at her?”

  When Butch told me on the phone that Evan was sick and talking crazy, I’d put it down to a high fever or something. But as I could feel for myself, the fever was gone. His skin was cool beneath my fingers.

  “Evan, you’re sick. You had a bad dream. Go back to sleep and we’ll stay with you, okay?”

  He shook his head back and forth on the pillow. “It wasn’t a dream.” The three of us sat in awkward silence for a few moments, then Evan gave an audible sniff and opened his eyes. “For heaven’s sake, somebody hand me a tissue.”

  Butch jumped on the assignment, while I raised the head of the bed so Evan was nearly sitting. He wiped his eyes and nose, then gave Butch a sweet smile.

  “You’ve been here all night?”

  Butch nodded, a worried look on his face.

  Evan patted those big, hairy knuckles and said, “You’re such a love. Go home and get some sleep. Nicki will stay with me.”

  When Butch looked uncertain, he added, “You know you need your beauty sleep. You have to work the door tonight at the club. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

  “You’ll call me later?”

  “I will. Now go on, you big brute. There’s only room for one baby here, and I’m it.”

  Obviously reluctant, Butch did as he was told. He asked me directly, “You’ll call me right away if he gets any worse?”

  His devotion was touching. I found myself happy for Evan and slightly envious at the same time. “I promise.”

  As soon as the door closed behind him, Evan took a final swipe at his nose. His hands were shaking. Then he took a deep breath and looked me in the eye.

  “It was no bad dream. It was Caprice.”

  “Evan, I?”

  “Wipe that skeptical look off your face and listen to me. I believed you, didn’t I?”

  That shut me up.

  “She was right there, standing beside the bed. I even smelled that awful pineapple-y lotion she uses.” The hair on the back of my neck prickled, and there was a faint buzzing in my ears. “I was petrified…I couldn’t move…like I was paralyzed or something. She said she was there to give you a message.” The tissue Evan was holding rapidly became a twisted, soggy mess. I handed him another without thinking.

  “She said it was a lesson on friendship, or something like that.” He shook his head, looking scared. “She said, ‘You tell Nicki, “Day for you, night for me,” and if she don’t help me she’ll be sorry.’ Then she leaned in?” Evan squeezed his eyes shut, voice quavering. “?and she blew her breath right in my face. It was so hot…I could feel it…and it smelled awful. Like death.”

  I was speechless. I took hold of Evan’s hand and squeezed it, whether seeking comfort or giving it, I couldn’t say. A threat, and a warning. Caprice was free to roam in and out of my life, while I?and those I loved?were asleep and helpless.

  Evan opened his eyes, terrified at the memory of what happened to him. “Then I got this sharp pain in my stomach, like somebody’d stabbed me with a knife. I screamed, and Butch woke up, and she was gone. The next thing I know, I was here.”

  “You…you saw her?”

  “You know I always sleep with a night-light by the bed. I couldn’t see her perfectly, but I saw enough. Oh God, Nicki?it was horrible! Why didn’t you tell me how bad she looked?”

  The buzzing in my ears got stronger.

  “What did she look like?”

  If Evan found the question strange, he didn’t show it. He was obviously just anxious to get the whole experience off his chest.

  “The side of her face was covered in blood. Her head looked lopsided, like it had caved in on itself, you know?” He held the tissue to his mouth, as though he might vomit. “She kept looking at me sideways, the way a big, ugly bird might.”

  Broken neck. Looked like she’d taken a blow to the head, too. Joe’s words came back to me, unbidden.

  “When she smiled?” Evan swallowed, obviously fighting to keep his gorge down. “?even her teeth were stained with blood. It wasn’t a nice smile, Nicki.”

  Oh my freaking God. What did I do now?

  CHAPTER 6

  “I need your help.”

  Joe looked up from paperwork as I pushed open the door to his office. It was pretty bland, just some file cabinets, a desk, and a couple of chairs?very impersonal.

  “Hello to you, too. What’s the problem?”

  The detached tone was the same he’d use with any patient’s family member, I’m sure.

  I paused, hand on the doorknob. “It’s about Evan.”

  “His condition was stable last time I checked, even if we’re still not sure what the problem is. We’re running tests and I’m keeping him at least another day for observation.”

  “You’re not gonna find out what’s wrong with Evan through tests.”

  I came farther into his office, closing the door behind me. The thought of what I needed to do to keep Evan safe made me a little panicky, but Joe’s steadiness could help.

  Besides, he kinda owed me. I sneaked a peek at his ring finger. Still no ring.

  Joe eyed me cautiously.

  “Evan’s going to be fine, Nicki. You don’t need to worry. We’ll take good care of him.” He ventured a half smile. “In fact, my guess is he’s enjoying all the attention.”

  I didn’t smile back.

  Joe sighed. “What’s going on, Nicki? If you’re still mad about the other night, I’m sorry, but what happened between us,” he shot me a pointed glance, “or didn’t happen?doesn’t affect my ability to do my job. Evan’s getting the best possible care.”

  “It’s not that.”

  “Then what is it?”

  I hoped humble pie tasted good, because I was about to eat some. “Listen, there’s a lot of stuff going on, and I could really use a friend.”

  Joe sighed again, losing some of his stiffness.

  “Sit down, Nicki. Tell me what’s wrong.”

  I plopped down in one of his office chairs and shook my head, staring down at my lap.

  “You’re not gonna believe me,” I murmured. I raised my head and looked at him, begging him to see the truth in my eyes. “It was Caprice. Caprice made Evan sick to make me do wha
t she wants.”

  Joe’s eyebrows went up.

  “You see? I knew you wouldn’t believe me.” I crossed my arms, turning mulish. “Go ask Evan. Ask him what happened.”

  He answered carefully. “Nicki, Evan was in the grip of a high fever. He was delirious. It’s highly unlikely he knew what was going on.”

  “He’s not delirious now. His fever’s gone, and so is the pain in his stomach.” I said the words defiantly. “Besides, he’s scared to death.” I leaned forward, intent. “He saw her, Joe. Evan saw Caprice. She made Evan sick to teach me a lesson?to threaten me.”

  Mildly, Joe asked, “Why would she do that? I thought she was your friend.”

  My head of steam began to deflate. “Because she wants me to do something I don’t wanna do.” I looked away, biting my lip. “And because she’s evil. She’s not the Caprice I used to know. She’s…she’s something else.”

  Joe’s chair creaked as he leaned back.

  “Okay. Just for argument’s sake, if you really believe this, then what’s to be done? How can you fight a?” He waved a hand, uncertain which term to use. “?a ghost?”

  I stared at him, trying to read his expression. He kept his face carefully neutral.

  “You’re just humoring me,” I said flatly. “But I don’t care. I know what I know.”

  He stared back, refusing to look away until I did.

  I didn’t, but I eventually give him an exasperated huff. “I need to go somewhere, and I’m afraid to go alone. Can you humor me long enough to go with me?”

  “Depends on where it is.”

  Here we go.

  “I need to find a voodoo priestess.”

  “You really like trying to shock people, don’t you?”

  I shot up from the chair. “Yes. Yes, I do. What gave it away, the pink in my hair or the fact I came to an asshole like you for help?” Almost to the door, I flipped him the finger and added, “I like to do this to people, too.” A tight smile. “Some people, anyway.”

  “Dammit, Nicki?” He stood up, obviously annoyed. I expected him to ask me to leave his office. Instead, he said, “All right, all right. I’ll help you.”

  I lowered my hand, watching him suspiciously.

  “You will?”

  “On two conditions.”

  “Ah, a catch. I should’ve known.”

  Joe spread his hands wide. “Hey, fair’s fair. If you want me to go on some sort of a witch hunt, I think I’m entitled to something in return.”

  “Which is?”

  He took a deep breath. “You let me make an appointment for you with a friend of mine, Ivy Jacobson.”

  “A friend of yours.” I repeated the words, waiting for the punch line.

  “She’s a psychiatrist.”

  My eyes went wide. “A shrink?”

  “She’s had experience with situations like yours.”

  “‘Situations like mine’?” I didn’t care for the sound of that at all.

  “Near death experiences, Nicki. Ivy’s done a great deal of research on near death experiences. What would it hurt for you to talk to her, just once?”

  I could see it now: “Here, Ms. Styx, take two Prozac and call me in the morning.”

  “It won’t do any good.” I tucked my hair behind my ears, crossed my arms. “And I’m not crazy.”

  “I don’t think you’re crazy.” Joe kept his voice level. “You had a traumatic event…why not talk to her? Afraid you might learn something about yourself?”

  He’d scored a hit, and he knew it. Green eyes stared at me in challenge.

  “And what’s the second condition?”

  “I take you out to dinner tonight.”

  I shook my head. “Uh-uh. No way. You’re married, remember?”

  “You came in here saying you needed a friend. A friend of mine would give me a chance to explain.”

  Another direct hit.

  He followed it up with, “Maybe I’m the one who needs someone to talk to, okay?”

  I grinned, surprising us both. He’d played the sympathy card pretty well. “Oldest line in the book. Can’t you do any better than that?”

  He gave a mock sigh, willing to play along. “All right. I hate to eat in restaurants by myself because women won’t leave me alone. They throw themselves at me. With you there, they wouldn’t dare.”

  “That’s better,” I said.

  Why had I run to Joe Bascombe for help?

  My last customer of the day had just left, and I locked the door of Handbags and Gladrags behind her, glad to be alone.

  I hadn’t even thought about it. I just walked out of Evan’s room, asked the first nurse I saw where Dr. Bascombe might be, and went straight to his office.

  Most of my friends were the same as Evan’s, and hardly likely to accompany me to search down a voodoo priestess. But I hadn’t even considered asking any of them. I’d run directly to Joe. The implications were troubling enough, but now I’d agreed to go out to dinner with him.

  “You’re an idiot, Nicki Styx,” I said aloud.

  It was early, just after five, but I’d done a good day’s worth of business. At least two teenage girls were going to be wearing vintage evening gowns on prom night. Now I stood staring through the storefront window across the street at Indigo. The crime scene tape was gone.

  As I watched, the front door opened and a man stepped out. I recognized one of Caprice’s many cousins. Acting on impulse, I unlocked the front door and went outside.

  “Jimmy! Wait up.”

  He’d already started down the sidewalk, but stopped when he heard me shout. He looked around and I waved, briefly checking for traffic before darting across the street. As I got closer I could see he looked tired and unhappy. His customary knit cap was flattened to his head instead of tilted at its usual jaunty angle.

  “I’m really sorry about Caprice, Jimmy.”

  He nodded, saying nothing.

  I tried again. “She was a good friend.” Then I lied. “I’ll miss her.”

  “Yeah, she liked you, too. Said you was real spunky.”

  I smiled, feeling awkward. What should I say next? Know a good mambo who can get rid of her for me?

  “The funeral is tomorrow at two. She’d like it if you was there.”

  Another funeral. Great.

  “Wouldn’t miss it. Where’s it gonna be?”

  “Trinity Cemetery on Mills Road. Graveside service. Granny Julep won’t have it no other way.”

  The top of my head tingled. “Granny Julep? I thought she was dead.”

  Jimmy smiled for the first time, teeth a startling white against the blackness of his skin. “Oh, she alive all right, though she must be near a hundred by now. She too ornery to die.”

  Must run in the family.

  I bit my lip before I could say what I was thinking.

  “What about Mojo?”

  The smile disappeared from Jimmy’s face like it’d never been.

  “I hope he rots in hell.”

  Then he turned and walked away, and I didn’t bother to call him back. What else could I say?

  Evan Owenby was a dead man.

  The second I opened my front door and saw Joe standing there in a dark red shirt, black tuxedo pants, and the famed Valentino jacket, I decided that if Caprice didn’t finish Evan off, I would.

  Joe looked good enough to eat, and I was suddenly starving.

  “I hope you’re hungry,” he said, cheerful smile in place. He’d combed his hair back instead of parted to the side, and damned if the look didn’t suit him.

  “You have no idea.”

  His gaze took in my black beaded top, flouncy tiered skirt, and Lucchese cowgirl boots. “Wow.”

  “You look pretty ‘wow’ yourself, Joe. Evan knows his stuff.”

  Joe actually blushed. “You don’t mind I went to the store?”

  “Why should I mind? I happen to know that jacket cost a fortune.” I grinned, slinging my purse over a shoulder. “My accountant thanks you.
”

  We drove to a Thai place on Newbury Street I’d never been to before, me trying not to breathe too deeply of the great smell of leather upholstery combined with freshly shaved male, and Joe trying to watch the road and hold his own while we talked about the appeal of vintage clothing versus modern fashion.

  As we pulled into the parking lot I said, “This is a surprising choice of restaurant. I took you for a meat and potatoes kind of guy.”

  Joe laughed. “I am. Never eaten Thai food in my life, but it’s never too late to try new things, is it?”

  “Only when you’re dead,” I quipped, and immediately regretted it. For a brief while I’d actually forgotten that I wasn’t a normal girl out on a normal date. Not that I’d ever been “normal” per se, but now I was a freak of nature who talked to dead people.

  Tactfully, Joe said nothing, getting out of the car and coming around to the passenger side to hold the door open for me. I made sure he got a nice flash of leg while I got out.

  If I couldn’t have him, I could at least make him suffer a little.

  The restaurant was all clean lines and contemporary styling, lots of black lacquer and mirrors. Dim lighting and the tinkle of Asian music gave it a nice ambience, and the smells that drifted from the kitchen were heavenly.

  “Two Thai beers,” Joe told the waiter as soon as we were seated.

  “Aren’t you just Mr. Take Charge? What if I wanted something else?”

  He grinned at me over the flickering candle. “Then I’ll drink ’em both myself. I have a feeling I’m gonna need ’em.”

  “Better order two more, then. And tonight I promise they won’t end up on your shoes.”

  He laughed while I picked up the menu and started browsing.

  “Since you’ve never eaten Thai before, I’ll tell you up front that spring rolls are a great appetizer. How far are you willing to go with your interest in new things?”

  Joe leaned back, looking relaxed and happy. “I put myself in your hands.”

  I hid my smile behind the menu. Silly man had best watch what he said. I might be a freak of nature but I was still only human.

  “I usually go for a chicken curry, but anything with peanut sauce is worth trying. Here’s a beef dish served with either noodles or rice, smothered in some kind of special sauce.”