I give a little shrug. “Good thing you didn’t stop for lunch. I’m starving.”
I shoot my sister a quick text letting her know that I indeed found a ride home.
Jasper and I head out and enjoy a pizza, just the two of us, no haunted dolls, no mind-reading deputies ready to inadvertently take down the life-long friendship I’ve built with my bestie, and it’s bliss.
Once we get back to the inn, there’s an envelope with my name on it waiting for me at the reception desk. I open it up to find a handwritten note that reads,
Some people just don’t know when to quit.
Final warning.
Do or die.
Chapter 14
Another note.
I thought it was funny that the killer is tracking my every move so carefully and yet, Jasper is not as amused. He’s ordered an entire precinct of men to cover the grounds here at the Country Cottage Inn, and he’s given me strict instructions not to leave the property.
Jasper says he’s got a few leads that might be able to crack this case wide open, but when I pressed him for what they might be, he just offered a wry smile and told me to pick out a few pumpkins for us. He said he was in the mood to carve a couple out for our first Halloween as a married couple.
Of course, I thought that was adorable. But I was equally vexed. I shared all of the information I’ve gleaned on the case with him. But then, to be fair, he probably realizes if something he tells me inspires me to leave the grounds of the inn, I’d bolt faster than a greyhound pouncing on a juicy streak. I can’t help it, it’s my nature to want to get to the bottom of things—especially murder.
The clouds hang bleak overhead as the afternoon festivities get underway at the Fall-oween Festival, and I head right over to the craft booths set up next to the midway. A thick crowd congregates in the vicinity, mostly mothers whose children are running wild through the fairgrounds. I’ve got Fish in my arms and both Sprinkles and Sherlock at my feet.
Sherlock barks. Jasper and I agree. We can’t wait for this circus to be over. We miss the peace and tranquility of the inn.
“Tomorrow’s Halloween,” I tell him. “The last big haunted hurrah.”
Sprinkles gives a little yip. How I hope I haven’t overstayed my welcome. Where will I go from here? What’s to become of me?
“Oh, you tiny little cutie.” I reach down and give her a quick scratch. “You’re not going anywhere until we find you a forever home. I don’t care how long that takes. You’ll be safe with me.”
Look, Bizzy. Fish twitches in my arms. I see your sister.
Sure enough, Macy stands in front of Raven Marsh’s table, and by the looks of all of those colorful beakers and exotic looking bottles, my sister is having a one-of-a-kind potion concocted in hopes to snag a man. Not that Macy needs the aid of any perfume to tackle the testosterone laden among us.
I quickly head over.
“Hey, Macy,” I say as I spot two more familiar faces. “Raven and Sabrina.” I give a little wave with Fish’s paw. “How’s it going, ladies?”
“Busy.” Raven looks up, and the dark bun sitting on her head gives a wobble. “I’m almost sold out of my goods.”
A wooden sign set out in front of her reads, The Potion Perfumery, scents guaranteed to seduce. All Sultry Scents, twenty percent off today only!
Macy smears a smile my way. “She’s almost sold out, thanks to me.”
Raven bubbles with a laugh. “Thank you, indeed. I think you’re going to have all the men in Cider Cove falling at your feet.” If I had more customers like this, I could retire early. I wish women understood that they held the power to attract a man and there isn’t a cosmetics-based variable that makes a difference—certainly not my perfume. But if they need a little liquid courage by way of my perfume, then so be it. If they need it to feel seen, then I’ll happily take their green.
Sabrina pauses a moment while painting a child’s face to lean our way.
“Hey, Bizzy!” Her pale eyes glint my way as she grins. Sabrina has the type of smile that lights up her whole face. But her eyes—they have a smile all their own as if they were in some big secret—like the Midnight Mavens, I’m guessing. I bet she’s knee-deep in that secret society. “This is so much fun. I wish I would have come by a little more often this month.” But after tomorrow night, I’m never going to look at Cider Cove again.
I can’t help but laugh at the honesty. She has a line of children, thirteen deep, and every last one of them looks anxious to have their faces turned into a work of art.
“Wow,” I marvel at the little girl before her with her face transforming into a purple dragon right before my very eyes. “You are amazing, Sabrina. Where did you learn to do that?”
She chuckles. “I don’t know about amazing. But I took a few classes here and there. I had a boyfriend who worked nights, so while he was occupied I thought I’d occupy myself.”
“Nice work,” Macy muses. “Did the skills you picked up in those classes outlast the boyfriend?”
Sabrina laughs as she cuts my sister a look. “Yup. We had a real love-hate relationship. And I guess it’s still going. As much as I hate him, he’s the reason I’m doing what I love.”
Fish groans. I bet she doused herself in those perfumes for him, too. Doesn’t Macy see she’s handing over her money to a charlatan?
Macy picks up an emerald bottle. “Catnip?” she says, reading the label as Fish scrambles out of my arms.
Let me smell it, let
