Page 69 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

“You think they might be lovers?”

She shrugged. “It could be he’s just being nice.”

“OK, so I’ll play devil’s advocate, what would be their motivation? They seemed to love the victim a great deal.”

“That I couldn’t tell you. Unless he didn’t approve or something.”

“Could be, but they all seemed to get along so well. Granted we only worked around them for a few days while we set things up, but they were funny and talented.”

“Right. I only brought it up because Ewan insists McClendon has an alibi. At first, I thought the second Duncan killed the first one, but that makes no sense.”

“I agree with you on that. We also haven’t dug much into the second Duncan’s life. I need to know more about his business, which means talking to his widow again. And doing some online research.”

“I’d love to help you, but I have another exam tomorrow, and I promised I’d take Tommy to the contest tonight.”

“I forgot about the costume contest at the church, right?”

She nodded. “He loves seeing everyone dressed up. He’s going as a gardener.”

I laughed. “That is definitely right on the nose.”

“If you come, make sure you wear a mask, or better yet, a costume. Everyone points at people who don’t dress up. It’s required.”

“Good to know.” As much as I would like to stay home and do some research, the townspeople worked hard on all these events, and I liked to show my support. Though this time I’d be hanging onto Jasper, who was supposed to stop by and pick me up. Mara was one of the organizers, so she had to go up early.

Besides, if I stayed home, I’d make myself insane trying to figure out who killed the Duncans.

Chapter Eighteen

Promptly at six, Jasper rang the bell. I had on a surgical mask and a white doctor’s coat, which I seldom wore in the office. I’d learned when I first arrived, most things were more casual in Sea Isle and the coat tended to make people nervous. This one wasn’t covered in blood like the ones Abigail and I wore in the haunted house.

When I opened the door, I laughed.

Jasper wore a chef’s cap and coat with checkered pants.

We both nearly fell over giggling.

“I guess we’re both a bit on the nose tonight,” I said.

“I’m saving my good costume for tomorrow night’s party.”

“Same,” I said. There was a big dance party in the streets of town. That is, if the weather held out. If not, it would be in the church on the corner of Main Street. Then there was a masquerade ball at Ewan’s toward the end of the week. Sea Isle took All Hallow’s Eve very seriously.

“Do you mind if we run by the B&B on the way up?” I asked.

“Are you checking on the widow and her little girl?”

“I am. I also thought I’d see if maybe they wanted to go tonight. I’m told it’s a fun evening, and maybe they could use a laugh.”

“We can ask, right? They came down to the shop today. I was surprised to see them.”

“Oh?”

“Yes, the little one, Elsie, right? She has such a sophisticated palate. She insisted on the rosemary, cherry, and pistachio dacquoise. Her mother tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted, and then she ate every bite.”

“Everything you make is delicious,” I said.

“That is why we are besties. You flatter me!”