Page 18 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“You’re like a ninja,” Abigail said.

“What she said. Is everything OK?” I asked.

He nodded. “I thought it best for me to be on this floor.”

Though he would never admit it, he could be a bit over-protective of Abigail and me. She was like a sister to him. And I was the only doctor in town.

My friends might say it was more than that. But he and I would never rush things. We’d both been burned in the past and trust in relationships was hard won.

“That settles my nerves a bit,” Abigail said.

His eyebrows went up. “A bit?”

“A man was killed across from us without us seeing or hearing a thing,” she said. “Someone had to think fast and be as stealthy as you.”

“It won’t happen again,” he said seriously. “I see you’ve left the knife out of the display.”

“Seemed all kinds of wrong,” I said.

“One minute until we open,” Mara said over the speaker.

“I better get in place,” he said. He pulled a werewolf mask out of his jacket and put it on.

We laughed.

“Incognito,” he said.

I had a feeling anyone who knew him would see through the disguise, but I liked that he gave it a go.

For the next few hours, we played our parts, and eventually the nervousness from earlier in the evening was gone. By the end, we were laughing and having a good time.

When the lights came up, we were all smiles.

“That was fun,” Abigail said. “Though, my throat hurts from fake screaming.”

“Gargle with salt water tonight,” I said. “You were amazing.”

“So were you. Who knew we could do creepy so well. I’m kind of sad our part is over and someone else will be moving in tomorrow.”

“We’ll volunteer again for next year.”

She nodded. “Should we pack up?”

She pulled out several plastic bins from under the bloody table. Most of the décor belonged to the committee who put thehaunted house together. But we had brought a few things from the office and a few things I’d purchased.

“Sure.”

“I need to make sure the house is clear, and then I can help,” Ewan offered.

“We don’t have much,” I said. “I’m sure you have things you need to do.”

He opened his mouth, but then the speaker on his shoulder squawked. “Ewan, you’re needed at the station.”

“Sorry,” he said.

“No worries. We’ve got it,” I told him. “Let me know if you hear anything, though. Have you been able to talk to the boss or guys from the rig?”

“Baird told us that they’re spread all over Scotland. Some are on holiday, but we’re doing our best.”