I’m the star of the show! Sprinkles yips.
“That you are,” I say as we slowly navigate the throngs of people.
Every now and again, someone stops us to take a picture with Sherlock and Sprinkles. I’ve got Fish wrapped in my cloak, so they can’t really see how adorable she looks. It turns out, the toga costume was a no-go after I discovered it was perfectly see-through. So I went with the Little Red Riding Hood costume that I found in the back of my closet instead, and dug up an old basket, which Fish is currently cozying up in. Not only was I not in the mood to shop for the animals, I didn’t feel like shopping for myself either. That note Jordy handed us last night ruined my appetite for both food and shopping.
The meadow is thick with costumed bodies that range from adorable to downright gruesome. The twinkle lights up above sparkle in the night like their own constellation, and I take in the scene one last time. As chaotic as it’s been hosting the event, a part of me is going to miss the madness.
A familiar couple steps into my line of vision, and I can’t help but make a face.
“Mayor Woods.” I nod to the feisty brunette dressed as a superhero of some kind. She’s donned a red and blue leotard with a gold star in the middle of her belly, and she’s wearing red tights with a red cape to match. “Hey, Hux.” I pull my brother in for a quick embrace. He, too, is dressed as a superhero, although in a far more subtle fashion. He still has his suit on from work, I’m assuming, and he’s secured a bright blue cape around his neck.
“Little Red Riding Hood, I see,” Mackenzie muses. “Let me guess. You’ve got a knife in that basket of yours and you’re ready to mow down another victim? Boy, you really lucked out when you tricked that homicide detective into marrying you.”
“I’m not nearly as coordinated as the two of you,” I say. “Let me guess, Mack. You’re fighting crime on the mean streets of Cider Cove? And Hux, you’re doing your part to save the men of this world from snarky women by way of dating one yourself?”
Hux laughs, but Mackenzie smacks him on the arm, and he buttons it up real quick.
“Nice to see she’s got you trained.” I shrug his way. In the distance, I spot Jasper and Leo heading this way with stern expressions, walking at a quickened clip as if they were men on a mission. “I’ll see you two around,” I say as I bypass them.
“What’s going on?” I ask as I intercept my handsome husband and his deputy counterpart.
Jasper’s jaw clenches as he looks to the makeshift memorial in the distance.
“I’m this close to making an arrest.” His eyes soften over mine. “We have evidence linking William Helsing to those notes you’ve been getting.”
“I knew it.” I hiss
You’re always right, Bizzy, Fish mewls.
Both Sherlock and Sprinkles bark with approval.
Leo nods to the back of the clearing. “I see him. Let’s make our move.”
I glance that way, and sure enough, there he is with his trench coat on, his head bowed in front of the fencing that separates him from the murder site. By the looks of it, he has a bouquet of red roses in his hand.
A breath hitches in my throat. “Are you going to arrest him, right here?”
“No.” Jasper doesn’t miss a beat.
“If you’re not making an arrest, what are you doing with him?” I ask, confused.
Jasper’s chest widens a notch. “Taking him down for questioning. I think I can strong-arm a confession out of him. That rose insignia on the letter we got last night belonged to Rose Glen Community College. The school confirmed it’s a part of their unofficial letterhead. All the pieces to the puzzle are there.”
Leo nods. “With the exception of the biggest piece of them all—a confession.”
“Don’t wait up.” Jasper lands a kiss just above my ear. “I’ll have a treat for you when I get home.”
“I’ll keep the cape on and not much else.” I give a little wink. “Good luck with everything. As soon as you get a confession, let me know.”
They take off like bullets, and I follow a safe distance behind. I sure as heck don’t want to be there when they’re strong-arming him to the station, but it doesn’t mean I want to miss the show.
A small crowd hovers around the memorial along with William. I recognize two of them, Raven and Sabrina.
Jasper says a few words to William, and I watch as the man twitches and writhes, his trench coat jerking around as if he were about to haul off and deck Jasper. But he doesn’t. He calms himself and nods, and soon Jasper and Leo are escorting William Helsing right off the property.
Sherlock whimpers as he looks my way. Is that it, Bizzy? It’s all over?
I nod. “I think so.”
Sprinkles bounces in my direction, and with those pink wings on her back, it looks as if she’s about to lift off the ground.
Dr. Feel Good did it? She gives a sharp bark. I knew he was no good for my Blair. If only she would have listened.
“Let’s see what these girls have to say about it,” I whisper as we head for the memorial.
It’s dark out this way, save for the glow from the twinkle lights behind us.
Raven spots me and heads in my direction. “Did you see that?” She’s dressed in a nurse’s uniform, with the requisite short white dress and red satin gloves that ride all the way to her elbows.
I nod. “It looks as if justice is about
