Ghost of a Gamble (Granny Apples Mystery) by Sue Ann Jaffarian Read Free Book Online

in which Dolly and Nemo are shown together, so maybe Dolly is the connection and maybe Lenny’s trying to send Nemo a message through her.”
    “But why does he keep asking if Nemo’s boys sent you? It’s like he thinks you’re the connection.”
    “Who knows? Maybe he’s confused. You know how sometimes spirits who don’t often visit from the other side get confused about times, places, and people. To Lenny, it might still be the 1960s.”
    “Do you think that’s when he died?” Granny was starting to fade even as she asked the question.
    Emma thought about the photo on the wall with Dolly and the two known criminals. Milo had said it was taken in 1966. “Could be. It was in the sixties when he and Nemo supposedly robbed the Lucky Buck Casino.” Emma sighed. “I have a lot of questions to ask Dolly when I see her. If I don’t scare her off.”
    “She’s a fortune-teller, Emma,” came Granny’s disembodied voice. “And she believes in ghosts, even if she doesn’t believe in Milo’s abilities. Do you really think for one instant when she named the ghost Lenny the Lightbulb that she didn’t have an inkling that it might be the ghost of Leonard Speidel? That’s simply too much of a coincidence, to my thinking.”
    “Mine, too, Granny. But why did she ask for me to come here?”
    “Maybe to confirm it’s him and to ask him to leave?”
    Emma wasn’t sure. “More like to find out what he wants.”
    • • •
    EMMA WAS ABOUT to get into her SUV when she noticed a woman dressed in shorts and a tank top pushing a baby stroller down the sidewalk in front of Dolly’s home. Even though the little boy was wearing a cap against the sun, Emma recognized him. She waved to the woman and approached.
    “Hi,” Emma said. “Are you Nicholas’s mother?”
    “Yes,” the young woman answered with some wariness.
    “I’m Emma, a friend of Dolly’s son, Milo. I was visiting Dolly this morning and met Nicholas.” Emma bent down toward the stroller. “Hey, handsome boy, nice to see you again.” The baby rewarded her with a big smile.
    Emma stood up and smiled at the woman. “He’s such a good-natured little guy. My daughter, Kelly, was like that when she was a baby.”
    The young mother melted noticeably. “Yes, he is. And he really likes Dolly. She’s wonderful with him.” She paused, then stuck out her hand. “I’m Suzanne Foster.”
    Emma shook the offered hand. “Emma Whitecastle.”
    “Nice to meet you, Emma,” said Suzanne. She hesitated, thinking for a moment before adding, “Aren’t you the lady with that talk show on TV about the paranormal stuff?”
    “Yes,” Emma said, pleased always to be known for that instead of as Grant Whitecastle’s ex-wife.
    “I guess it figures Dolly would know you, her being a fortune-teller and her son a famous psychic.”
    “I’ve known her son, Milo, for several years, but today was the first time I’ve met Dolly. She’s quite a character, isn’t she? And she sure does love your son.”
    Suzanne gave off a nervous laugh and looked away for a moment. “My husband thinks she’s very odd. I had to convince him to let her watch Nicholas. He’s still not sure about her, but he sees how happy Nicholas is with her and her schedule is very convenient with ours.”
    “Yes, Dolly mentioned that your husband is a police officer here in Las Vegas.”
    “He’s actually a detective,” Suzanne said with obvious pride. “He’s one of the youngest they have.”
    “I just love the little game Dolly plays with Nicholas.” Emma smiled. “You know, the one with Lenny the Lightbulb.”
    Suzanne also laughed. “Yes, how funny is that, huh?”
    “Nicholas must also be fascinated with the lights at your house. Kids do that. They latch on to something and hold on for dear life. For Kelly it was keys of any kind. The bigger and more jingly, the better.”
    Suzanne thought about the comment. “That’s the odd thing. At home he could care less about the light