by Vella Day
For the next few minutes, I checked out the other costumes. My mom wore her usual one—that of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. I was happy she had a stuffed Toto in her basket instead of her real dog. Last year, she’d brought Toto who barked so much, my mom had to take her home.
As for Dad? He came as the Scarecrow. Last year he’d come as the cowardly lion, and the year before that as the Wizard of Oz. He said the Tin Man suit was too uncomfortable, and I could totally understand that.
Penny and Hunter rushed up to us. “You look amazing. Glinda, I am so proud of you for dressing up as Supergirl. And to think your outfit is not pink!”
Heat raced up my face. “I’ve been working on getting out of my pink rut, but I don’t ever plan to go mainstream.”
“I should hope not.” Penny looked over at Superman. “Looking good, Clark.”
“Back at you, Little Red Riding Hood.”
I almost chuckled at Hunter’s choice as the big bad wolf. It was appropriate since he, too, was a werewolf—something very few people were aware of.
Jaxson placed a hand on my back. “Care to dance?”
They were playing a relatively slow song, and it shot me back to my high school prom when Drake and I went together. It was a shame that Jaxson’s brother couldn’t come to the party tonight, but Saturday night at the wine shop was his busiest time. “I’d love to.”
While we spent every day together, Jaxson and I had only gone out on two official dates. Both had ended in a kiss, but I was hoping this party might take us to the next level. While some might say this atmosphere was less than romantic, to me, it was ideal.
Jaxson loosely wrapped both arms around my waist, and I lifted my hands to his shoulders. “When was the last time you danced?” he asked.
That was a hard one. “I can’t even remember.”
He smiled. “Me, neither.”
Jaxson pulled me close, and I decided to forget all of my worries for the next few minutes and just enjoy myself. I placed my cheek on his chest and let the music enter my soul.
All too soon, someone tapped on Jaxson’s shoulder. Ugh. I looked up at the intruder. It was my dad! To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
“I’d like that.”
Jaxson nodded and handed me over. Dad lifted my right hand in his left, and I placed my free hand on his shoulder—all very proper stuff.
“Are you having fun?” I asked him. He rarely left the funeral home.
“All is good,” he said and then smiled.
I wasn’t sure what that was about until he removed his right hand from around my waist and wiggled his finger. Oh, my. He was wearing a new garnet ring. “Is that what I think it is?”
“Yup. Nash and Hunter came through with the magic ring. There are now five turned-against-their-will werewolves who are safe from ever being affected by the full moon.”
“That’s fantastic.”
Quick catch up on how my dad became a werewolf in the first place. Because the local werewolf clan believed I had the magic to create rings that would help them control their shift, they turned my father into a werewolf in the hopes I’d make these rings for them. Unfortunately, they were sorely mistaken. I didn’t possess that talent, but Nash and Hunter knew someone who did. They’d promised to find a way to end my dad’s need to shift, and now they had delivered on their promise.
The song finished. “Thanks for the dance, Dad. I enjoyed it.”
My father never was the overtly affectionate type, so when he leaned over and kissed my forehead, I was elated. “Me, too, sweetie.”
As soon as my father blended into the crowd—or as much as a scarecrow could blend in—Jaxson returned to my side. “We should grab that buffet before it’s picked over.”
I doubted Aunt Fern would let that happen, but he understood I could always eat. “Good idea.”
Other than the few tables that held some finger foods, the inside was devoid of any place to sit. Once we filled up our plate, we headed to the back porch where the tables were located and grabbed one near the back.
Next to the beachside Tiki Hut, Aunt Fern had set up a cauldron on the sand over an open fire that had red-colored water in it that looked like bubbling blood. Its appearance was quite authentic. Off to the side sat an apple-bobbing stand, but no one was taking advantage of it—at least not yet.
And then there was the Tiki Hut bar itself, where every stool was occupied. It was no wonder considering both cute bartenders were dressed as pirates, complete with black headbands and eye patches. I thought their red and black striped pants were a bit too tight, but the women seated there probably appreciated them.
I was halfway through my meal when a rather hunched over homeless woman sauntered onto the porch. She had on her white wristband, so she was a paid party goer. “Is that Dolly?” I whispered to Jaxson. She ran the Spellbound Diner and was one of my go-to gossip queens.
“It could be, but it’s too dark to be sure.”
As soon as the woman opened the door to head inside, the music poured out onto the porch.
Ray Zink, one of the evening shift workers at the Tiki Hut, got up from behind his table and came over. “Hey, Glinda. We’ve reached our one-hundred-person limit.”
“That was fast. How about putting up the sign that says the party is closed?” I’d laminated one sheet for the front and one for the back that were designed to slip into the display slots.
He smiled. “Will do.”
“What is to prevent anyone from sneaking in?” Jaxson asked.
“Probably not much, but they can’t have any drinks unless they pay for them directly.”
“How about we finish our meal and sit inside the front door to make sure no one else comes in? We can ask the bartenders back here to tell anyone without a wristband they can’t enter.”
“We don’t have to be door monitors, you know. That can’t be fun for you.”
Jaxson smiled. “As long as we’re together, I’m happy.”
Aw. “Then thank you.”
Before we went back inside, I asked the bartenders to keep an eye on the rear entrance.
“We’ll try, but it gets a bit busy back here.”
“Do what you can.”
I was hoping the sign would be sufficient to keep people out, but not everyone would bother to read it.
Once we reached the main entrance, we carried the outside table and chairs into the restaurant. I then sat down.
“I’ll grab us something to drink,” he said. “What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
Sitting here might be boring for Jaxson, but I, for one, loved to people watch. Some of the costumes had clearly been handmade, while others had purchased theirs. Trying to guess who was behind some of the masks would be fun.
“Here ya go.” Jax handed me a beer.
“Thank you. Have you seen Dr. Sanchez?”
She was Gavin’s mom and our medical examiner. Elissa Sanchez was an attractive single woman who shouldn’t be sitting home on such a festive evening. Halloween wasn’t until tomorrow, but having our party tonight allowed everyone to be home to hand out candy when the kids came knocking.
“No, but I imagine Gavin gave her strict instructions not to spoil his date.”
I chuckled. “You’re probably right.”
I had wondered if it would bother me having my parents here when I was with Jaxson, but I was pleased to say it didn’t.
Something crashed off to the side and startled me. The music continued, but many of the guests turned to rubberneck, as did I. “I probably should see if anything needs to be cleaned up.”
“I’ll help you.”
We left our drinks on the table and headed over to where we usually kept the condiment table, because the noise came from over there. Several paper platefuls of food were on the floor, as were a few spilled drinks. As a former teacher, I was about to ask who’d done this, but then I realized no one woul
d confess.
I looked around for Iggy, but it was too dark to see much of anything. “I’ll get the mop,” I told Jaxson.
“Where do you keep the trash bags?”
“In the kitchen.”
I hadn’t taken more than three steps when the power went out. “Are you kidding me?”
With the electricity off, the music stopped, which seemed to cause the talking to escalate. At that moment, I envied my dad, Nash, and Hunter since their werewolf eyesight would enable them to see in the dark. About the only light that entered the restaurant came from the streetlights. I found it odd that they were on considering our power was out.
Someone on the other side of the room groaned and then cursed. Even over the din of the crowd, I’d heard the sounds, which officially freaked me out. I wasn’t claustrophobic or anything, but I didn’t like being in the dark. “Jaxson?”
Someone grabbed my arm. “I’m here. Where is the electrical panel?”
He never seemed upset over anything, and I really appreciated that he had a clear head in times of trouble. “It’s in the closet in back.”
Jaxson turned on his phone’s flashlight. That was smart. I would have brought mine if my outfit had a pocket to hold my cell. So, where had he kept his? And why hadn’t other people turned theirs on?
Before I could come up with an answer, a door banged shut, but it was hard to figure out what was going on with all of the shuffling of feet and murmuring.
Jaxson tugged my arm. “Come on. I don’t want to leave you by yourself.”
That was sweet of him. Rihanna had Gavin to keep her safe, my aunt had Peter, and most of the people had come with a guest. I hurried down the hallway toward the closet. Once inside the room, Jaxson threw some switch, and the lights magically appeared.
“Thank goodness,” I said.
He faced me. “Someone did this.”
My stomach plummeted. “What do you mean?”
“Unless I am wrong, someone tampered with the master switch. They wanted to cut the power.”
That made no sense. “Why?”
He tapped my nose. “We won’t find out standing here.”
Jaxson pushed open the door just as a scream rippled down the hallway, causing my pulse to skyrocket. “That sounds like Aunt Fern.”
I took off at a dead run. When I reached the main room, I couldn’t see her, but I heard her wails of pain near the corner where the coffin was located. A crowd had gathered around the area, so I couldn’t see what was going on.
Jaxson grabbed my arm. “Stay here.”
“No way. Aunt Fern is the one crying.”
He hesitated. “Fine, but we go together.”
Before we reached her, Steve and Nash blocked our path. “Everyone, please stay back.”
Only after most of the people had moved out of the way did I see there was another body in the coffin. Oh. My. Goodness. He, or maybe she, was wearing a vampire outfit, and my mind blanked.
“Rihanna?” I managed to eke out, my heart pumping hard. She had been dressed as a vampire.
Someone rushed in through the back door. It was Rihanna and Gavin, and my heart slowed down a bit.
“Make way, people.” Nash motioned for everyone to clear a path so he could help my aunt to a chair.
I ran over to her. “Aunt Fern. What happened? Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “It’s Peter.”
I wasn’t very good in a crisis. My mind often couldn’t put the pieces together. “What about Peter?”
“Someone killed him.”
“What?”
It suddenly dawned on me that he, too, had come as a vampire. I wanted to ask if she was sure he was dead, but Steve would have called an ambulance if her date was merely drunk or injured. As much as I wanted to check it out, I had to stay by my aunt’s side.
A moment later, Jaxson held out a glass of water. “You should drink this,” he said to her.
“Thank you.” She took a few sips. “Why would anyone kill Peter?” my aunt choked out.
“I have no idea, but maybe he wasn’t the intended target. He looked like…Rihanna…and Nash and a few others.” I had no idea how many had come dressed as a vampire. I also wasn’t sure if mentioning that would make her grief better or worse. In retrospect, I probably should have kept my mouth shut.
Steve grabbed the band’s microphone. “Everyone, please. Nobody leave. I know a terrible event has occurred, but we need to ask you all a few questions. I’m hoping one of you saw something.”
The back door opened, and the two outside bartenders ushered in a bunch of people—a few of which I recognized from having been seated at the outside bar.
Steve motioned me and Jaxson over. “Can you two stand watch at the front to make sure no one enters or leaves?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll ask Penny and Hunter to keep watch on the back door,” he said.
My heart still hadn’t stopped pounding. “Is Peter really dead?”
Steve pressed his lips together. “I’m afraid so. And no, I don’t know the cause of death, but I’ve texted Dr. Sanchez. Nash is on his way to the department to grab our crime scene tape and fingerprint material.”
Misty, Steve’s date, was by his side. “I’ll call in my team, too. We’ll help you find the person who did this.”
“Thank you.” For once, I wasn’t trying to figure out what I could do to solve this crime. I just wanted to be there for my aunt.
The bag lady came closer. Oh, my. It was Dolly, only now she was no longer hunched over. “Sheriff, may I have a word?”
“Did you see something?”
“I believe I did.”
His brows rose. “Yes?”
She stepped closer. “I saw Spiderman approach the vampire. He had what looked like your Captain’s hook in his hand.”
Steve’s eyes widened, and then he glanced over to the check-out counter. “Oh, no. I set the prop down over there so I could eat. Someone must have picked it up.”
Jaxson clasped my shoulders. “Glinda, we need to guard the door.”
My mother and father were escorting Aunt Fern upstairs, probably against her will, but she didn’t need to see what would happen next.
“Of course.”
What had started out as maybe the best night of my life, had turned into the worst.
Chapter Three
The next ninety minutes were surreal. Steve, Nash, and Misty questioned everyone. They took names, phone numbers, and even snapped everyone’s picture. While I couldn’t hear much of what was going on, no one seemed to have known the deceased very well—other than Aunt Fern.
I was thankful that Steve wasn’t questioning her regarding her boyfriend’s murder. From her distraught reaction, my aunt had nothing to do with his death.
I made my way over to Steve. “How many people in total did you question?”
“A lot.”
“We were only allowed to have one hundred people in here. I’m wondering if perhaps the killer was able to escape in all of the chaos.”
“Let me check.”
Steve counted his names. “I have seventy.” He turned to Misty to compare their two lists. “How many do you have?”
“Twenty-seven, including the band members and other staff.”
“Are you counting me, Jaxson, or Aunt Fern?”
“I did. That means our killer should be one of these people.”
“That’s a scary thought,” I said.
“No kidding,” Steve said.
I looked over at the coffin where Gavin and his mom were doing their preliminary work. “Peter was no lightweight. Unless he crawled into the coffin himself and then was killed, I doubt a woman could have pulled this off.”
“Agreed, unless she had an accomplice.”
There was that. “Why are murder cases always so complicated?” Yes, it was a rhetorical question.
Steve clasped my shoulder. “Glinda, I know that you’ll want to help because it is your aunt’s b
oyfriend. While I appreciate it, you need to sit this one out.”
Did he think I’d mess things up? “This is my aunt we’re talking about. She and Peter were tight. I’m not sure when or if she’ll recover, which is why I have to do something.”
If possible, Steve looked more distressed. “How long has she known him?”
“Only a few weeks, but they really clicked.”
“What did Peter do for a living?”
I sucked in a breath, trying to dredge up a memory. “Finance, maybe? I honestly don’t remember, but something has been bothering me about his death.”
“What’s that?”
“Did you know that Rihanna did his makeup?”
“No, but what does that have to do with anything?”
“Peter was the same height as Rihanna. What if she had been the target? It would be easy to get the wrong person. It was dark in here.”
“Glinda.” I didn’t like his patronizing tone.
“What? It’s possible. Or maybe the killer was after Nash. He came as a vampire, don’t forget. Ever think about that?”
“Or the killer could have been after the other vampire, assuming I didn’t miss one. Are we to delve into each of their lives?”
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to answer that question. “Maybe. Who was the fourth person?”
“Levy Poole.”
Dread attacked my stomach. Levy was a very powerful, but good, warlock. “Levy was here? I didn’t see him.”
Steve shrugged. “He might have come in the back entrance while you were taking money in the front.”
“Maybe.”
“Look, Glinda. We will consider your theory that Mr. Upton wasn’t the target, but regardless, there is a murderer out there that we need to find.”
“Which is exactly why I want to help. Rihanna and Levy foiled that coven’s plan to rob all those safes last month. Either one might now be a target.”
Nash entered the restaurant without his vampire cape and set the crime scene gear near the coffin. He was a little shorter than Rihanna. While he was quite broad shouldered, the cape and large collar would have blocked a lot of his body’s shape. Personally, I’d put my money on Rihanna being the target, but I hoped I was wrong. “I’m betting your deputy has made a few enemies since coming here.”