Page 65 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“It’s just ridiculous business. I’ll pay five hundred a year. You know it’s worthless.”

She laughed. “Maybe to somebody. Not to you. You’re overly sentimental about things people give you.”

She had me there. But I would stay firm. Theft wasn’t likely whether we were or were not at home. If we were in residence, my dogs and husband would make any would-be thief sorry they hadn’t stayed home. If we were gone, I’d hate to think what my house would do to them. “Five hundred.”

“Alright. Five hundred plus two thousand for weaponizing the brooch.”

“Weaponizing.” I repeated.

I would’ve laughed at her and told her to forget it a few days before. But the experience with Vuk Redfurd was fresh on my mind and nervous system. Truthfully, I had more money than I needed because I was satisfied with my material world. I was okay with spending some on services provided locally.

“Done. Can you include a wish that I don’t have to use it?”

“Sorry, love. Beyond my bag of tricks.”

I nodded and let her work. “Are you bringing Kagan to the ball?”

“If he’s back in time.”

“What do you mean? Do you know something I don’t know? Has he sent word they’re going to be delayed?”

“No and no. But it’s a possibility. If they bail, let’s ride together.”

“Keir wouldn’t miss the Vampire Ball.” As I said it, I noted it didn’t feel like it had the righteousness of truth behind it.

She nodded and turned back to her work. “Whatever. Shush now. Let me finish this.”

I left with a hanging zippered bag full of luscious dress and a dual-purpose brooch unlike any other in the world. It was so fabulous I knew that people would be staring at my left breast all night, but who cared? It would be covered.

Dark clouds began to form, and the wind whipped up on my short walk home. I’d sustained only a couple of drops on plastic and was glad I got home before the skies opened. It rained hard for a couple of hours and drove the temperature down twenty degrees. I needed to start thinking about a wrap for John David’s party.

I stretched out on top of the covers in the bedroom, pulled the faux fur throw over me, and was dosing off when there was a timid knock on the door.

“Yes?”

“Sorry,” Olivia said. “The Enforcer is trying to reach you. I haven’t answered.”

I’d left my phone in the kitchen. Keir’s caller ID must’ve alerted Liv that he was calling repeatedly.

“Thank you.” I sat up, took the phone, and dialed back without listening to messages.

“Oh, there you are,” he answered.

“Yes. Here I am. Where are you?”

“Stuck, I’m afraid. We have one more issue to be dealt with before we can walk off the job.”

“Job? Keir, was this not a pleasure trip?” I was just realizing that I’d assumed something big without asking.

“No. It’s a side hustle with BOBO.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you say it was a job?”

“I don’t know. Thought you knew, I guess.”

“Well, that’s neither here nor there. You’re missing the ball.”

“I’m going to do everything within my power to wind things up here. If I don’t make it in time to go, please know that I tried.”

---