Page 85 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

Ewan and Akif stood at the entrance to the party. Ewan’s attention seemed to be on the dance floor, and I glanced over to see who he was looking at. It was Henry and Abigail. He had a sweet smile on his face. We all hoped Abigail had found her happily-ever-after. Ewan was a big brother to her, and protected her and Tommy, and Henry obviously met with his approval.

“Where’s Baird?” Isobel asked.

“Waiting for you,” Ewan said. Then he nodded toward the table. She quickly headed over to the sulking man in the lizard costume.

“Akif, you make quite the pirate. Is your family here?”

“Thank you, Doctor. And yes. Everyone was well enough to attend, thanks to you. They are the Disney princesses over in the corner, except my wife. She is Maleficent. She likes the idea of being a bad queen. I think she just wants to scare our children.”

We all laughed.

“Are McClendon and his men gone?”

“Yes,” Ewan said.

“I have so many questions about that guy.”

He and Akif looked at one another.

“I’m going to check on my family,” Akif said and walked across the room.

“You won’t stop until I answer whatever it is you want to ask, will you?”

“Nope.” I smiled. “I need to know if you have evidence that he and his goons weren’t here in town that night. If they are each other’s alibis, how can you believe them?”

“I don’t,” he said. “But they were at a pub that night down the way. Several witnesses, including the barman, who wasn’t a fan of theirs, confirmed that fact.”

I made a face, and he laughed.

“I’m with you. He is the perfect suspect. Except he and the men who follow him around were all there.”

“Doesn’t mean he couldn’t have hired someone.”

“A murder for hire? In Sea Isle?”

I shrugged. “It happens.”

“In television and movies. Not here in my town.”

“Fine. What about her?” I motioned toward the witch who had followed us out.

“Who?” he appeared confused.

“Marigold MacAllen,” I said.

“What does she have to do with anything, other than making my life harder by wanting every aspect of her special witch’s night perfect?”

I giggled.

“What? She’s a menace. And she really thinks she’s a witch.”

“Lots of people do,” I said. “Stop being so judgy.”

“She calls herself a white-lighter,” he said. “I looked it up. They are supposed to be nice. She is not.”

“Ewan,” I chastised. “She’s a strong woman. Just because she doesn’t agree with you doesn’t make her bad.”

“Of course it doesn’t. I happen to like strong women, one specifically.” He gave me a look that was not to be misunderstood. And there I went blushing again. “But she makes life harder for everyone around her.”