I make a face. “Fine. That’s how you felt. I can appreciate that. Go on. What led to the argument you had with Blair?”
“That’s the thing. I didn’t have an argument with Blair. She asked if we could talk and led me over toward the edge of the field.”
I shake my head. “That night, after the murder when we were crowding around the scene of the crime—the woman dressed as a librarian, Tabitha—she said she heard you tell Blair that you had enough.”
She makes a face. “I did say that. I said I had enough—enough of all the loud music, the screaming, the smell of carbs I was actively denying myself. But not anymore.” Her lip twitches. “Let’s just say I made quick work of those hand pies you brought over.”
Georgie gives a dramatic snap of her fingers. “So she misunderstood you!”
“Exactly,” Camila says. “I wasn’t in the best mood, but I didn’t snip at Blair either.”
“So what happened when you got to the edge of the field?” I motion for her to speed it along.
“Nothing. We got there. I tossed my staff down over the hay because I was tired of holding it. Blair started to talk about some special society she was a part of. I think she was going to invite me to a party or who knows what?”
I tick my head to the side with suspicion. “Why separate you from the other girls to do that?”
“Who knows?” Camila shrugs. “Maybe she didn’t want the others at this party? They weren’t exactly getting along. Lots of bickering was going on about nothing in particular. I could sense the tension as soon as we were all together. Another reason I wanted to get out of Dodge.”
Juni leans in. “So what happened out in the field? Did you bash her over the head with your staff?”
“No.” Camila gives her a dirty look. “Blair started in about her society function and something caught her eye and she stopped cold. She told me to leave right away, that someone was coming and they would need privacy. And when I didn’t budge, she shouted for me to leave. Believe me, I didn’t need to be told twice, so I took off—without my staff.” She glowers down at her feet a moment.
“Camila”—I whisper—“did you see who was coming to speak with Blair?”
“No, but I heard shouting almost immediately, and I just kept walking.”
“Did it sound like a man or a woman?” I ask.
“It sounded like Blair. I didn’t hear much from the other person, and I, unlike you, Bizzy Baker, am not a snoop.”
I make a face. “Okay, Camila. Somebody stabbed Blair Bates that night. Who do you think did it?”
Her lips twist. “I can’t be sure, but I did see something odd at the beginning of the night. Tabitha was yanking at Blair’s arm, whispering something to her feverishly, and Blair was the one who looked fit to kill.” She shudders. “I remember thinking something horrible was about to happen, and it turns out, I was right.”
“Where can I find Tabitha?” I don’t hesitate with the question. “Do you know where she works?”
Camila bats her lashes as she tries to recall. “At a seafood restaurant called Davy Jones’ Revenge out in Whaler’s Cove.”
I nod. “Well then. If Tabitha is on tonight, it sounds as if I’m having seafood for dinner.”
Georgie elbows Juni in the ribs. “Sounds like a stuffy place. Maybe we should bring Annabeth along to liven up our spirits. Get it? Spirits?”
“No way.” I’m quick to put the kibosh on that haunted good time. “That doll isn’t coming anywhere near me ever again.”
The lights flicker on and off and an icy chill permeates the air around us.
“That’s just a coincidence,” I whisper.
But something tells me it’s not.
Chapter 7
It turns out, Tabitha Carter is working tonight.
And that’s exactly why after helping Emmie with a few odd details concerning the frightmare that continues to terrorize the inn, Georgie, Juni, Camila, and I have ventured out to Whaler’s Cove for a night of delicious Maine seafood and a side helping of suspects. Okay, so it’s just the one suspect, but if all goes well, the killer will be served his or her just desserts.
Jasper said he’s running a little late, but that he’d meet up with us as soon as he was able.
A part of me is dreading his arrival. Not only will the sight of Camila set off his suspicious antennae, but once he sees Tabitha floating around the place, he’ll realize that vow I made back at the station was nothing more than a puff of dead air—lying dead air. But I didn’t mean to lie.
Davey Jones’ Revenge is a large brick building festooned with enough cobwebs, ghosts, and ghouls on the outside to convince the masses that it’s every bit haunted for this late great month of October. But unless I see Annabeth inside noshing on crab cakes, flickering the lights the way she likes to do, I won’t be at all convinced.
Leave it to Georgie to turn the Country Cottage Inn into a veritable haunted house. Of course, let’s not forget Emmie’s hand in it. I’ll admit, I felt bad leaving her tonight, but I promised as soon as I got back I’d help out with the festivities. I won’t lie, everything looks so cheerful during the day, with families coming out for hayrides, little ones running along the sand to pick out a happy orange globe to take home, and I’ve even run through the haunted maze set up out back with its walls made from hay bales—and I’ve enjoyed all of it, too. I made Jordy lead the way through that haunted maze, and held onto his belt loops with my eyes closed just to say I did it, and yet I still had fun.
But as soon as dusk hits, it’s showtime, and the monsters come out in droves. I’m not a big fan of the spookier side of Halloween, and
