Page 17 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

Chapter Five

Ewan and his team had given the haunted house the all-clear to open again. Mara hadn’t really wanted to, given what had happened, but then we’d be letting the literacy and restoration charities down. It was only after Ewan spoke to Isobel and Baird, that he told Mara that was what Duncan would have wanted. Though it was too painful for them to participate.

Since the rooms would be changing on Sunday to bring in repeat business, Mara’s team went ahead and changed it around. The room across from ours had become a curious doll shop.

It was way creepier.

There was something about disembodied doll heads that had always bothered me. But it was Lulu, a local shop owner, dressed in her sixties garb that brought the scene to life. She looked like Satan’s shopkeeper. Helping her were a couple of assistants from her store, and her niece, Angie, a great friend of mine. Her costume was neon colors and splattered with blood. Doll heads were attached to her tights and sweater.

“You look amazing,” I said when Abigail and I peeked into the room to see how it had changed.

“Thanks. Sad business, I’m guessing you two are on the case?”

“We are. I thought you and your husband were going on an anniversary trip.”

She sighed. “It’s always business, right? Poor man. He was so apologetic that we had to postpone for two days. But we’re still going to the Maldives. I’m not much of a beach person, so I didn’t mind waiting a few days. But he was devastated.”

The couple had been married a year ago, and it hadn’t been without drama. Though they were madly in love. The last year had been rocky for them business-wise, but their love had seen them through. It was inspirational to see how they had pulled together.

“I’m sure it will be fun,” I said.

“You know us. We always have a good time together. And I insisted on this for him. Everything—well, you know what this year has been like. I want him to be in his favorite place and that is staring at the ocean on a warm beach.” She glanced behind her. “So, are you going to tell me what happened? Do we need to be worried tonight?”

“Other than he was murdered, there isn’t much I can say.”

She shivered. “You know I love the macabre, but it’s scary to think it just happened in here last night. Are you certain we’re safe?”

“Ewan has posted a team member on each floor. They will be keeping an eye out. You don’t need to worry.”

Ewan was good that way. He had foreseen that people working in the haunted house might be worried. He and his team would be there the whole night.

“Cast members, five minutes to opening. Please, take your positions and thank you so much for helping out tonight.” Mara’s voice rang clear.

The spooky music came over the loudspeakers.

Our room was set, except we decided to forgo the knife in the body—given what had happened, it seemed in bad taste. That and my knife was now a murder weapon and in evidence.

“Remind me to buy a new knife set and block,” I said to Abigail.

She grimaced. “I was thinking about that earlier when I was in the kitchen with Elsie.”

“Yes, I could just replace the knife, I suppose, but I would always think …”

“I understand,” she said.

“How was Elsie? I was worried about her paleness. Though she seemed fine by the time they left.”

“I think she was just confused by all of it. Thinking her poor da was dead. Any word?”

I shook my head. “Ewan has made inquiries, but so far nothing. He put them up at the B&B for tonight.”

“That was kind of him.”

“It’s my job,” Ewan said from the doorway.

We jumped.

“Sorry, I thought you heard me.” He grinned, though.