Page 12 of Fish and Chip: Nine Lives One Murder
Cue the horror music,Fish corrects.
And honestly? I think I know which one it’ll be.
CHAPTER 5
I’ll admit it—I expected rust, regret, and maybe a raccoon with a switchblade. But as Edie and Eddie led us into Magical Marvels Hollow, even my deeply cynical, freshly divorced heart skipped a beat.
A magnificent blue castle rises against the afternoon sky, its walls composed of what appears to be glass or crystal that catches the sunlight and fractures it into thousands of rainbow prisms. The entire structure seems to pulse with an inner light, shimmering like a mirage on a hot summer day.
“It’s stunning,” I murmur, genuinely impressed despite my tendency toward cynicism about most things involving excessive sparkle.
“Pure dichroic glass in the outer walls,” Eddie explains proudly, like he’s personally responsible for defying several laws of physics. “Which means it changes color depending on the angle of the sun. It cost a fortune, but worth every penny.”
“It was built by my great-uncle,” Edie adds with the fond exasperation of a woman whose family tree includes geniuses with questionable budgeting skills. “He was creative.”
“That’s one word for it,” I murmur, still marveling at the rainbow sparkle-palooza.
The courtyard around the castle looks like a botanical experiment gone rogue. Topiaries shaped like dragons, unicorns, and—is that a napping ogre?—stand proudly between beds of wildflowers that clearly haven’t gotten the seasonal memo. Mechanical fairies zip around with wings that glitter in the sun like little disco drones.
Then I see the crowd.
Not only is it the first one we’ve come across, but the entire courtyard is bustling with well-dressed visitors wearing conference badges, mingling among food vendors serving elaborate fall treats. The air smells like someone bottled autumn and mixed it with expensive catering—caramel, cinnamon, chocolate, and fried dough blending into an olfactory explosion that makes my stomach remember it’s been neglected today—sans the gas station sushi. That was outright abuse for both Chip and me.
“There’s a professional gathering taking place on the grounds today, the Hidden Gems Conference,” Eddie explains, gesturing to the lively get-together with a touch of pride as if he were hosting royalty. “Travel writers from all over the country have congregated on our little wonderland. They’re here for their annual mixer. There’s a reception you’ll be in charge of tomorrow if you accept the position. This is just the casual welcome.”
I blink. “I’ll be in charge of a reception tomorrow?”
“You sure will,” Edie says cheerfully. “But you’ll want to meet folks today. You’re basically management now.”
I am?
“Look at those caramel apples!” Georgie gasps, pointing at a vendor rolling apples in molten caramel, and—is that bacon? Edible gold leaf? Cookie crumbs? My stomach makes a noise that may be adeclaration of war.
“Caramel apples dipped in gold?” Ree whistles. “Wow, that’s quite the markup opportunity.”
I wouldn’t mind trying the bacon-dipped apple,Chip announces from his tote.For scientific purposes.
“You just ate two snacks in the car,” I whisper.
That was the appetizer. This is field research.
The smell is making me dizzy.Fish wrinkles her nose from Georgie’s tote.Sugar upon sugar upon sugar.
I nod her way. It’s making me dizzy, too, but in the very best way.
“The indoor portion of Magical Marvels is through there,” Eddie points to an ornate door at the base of the castle shaped like a giant clown head with its mouth doubling as a door. “It has a funhouse, a maze made of mirrors, and loads of animatronic displays—all the classic attractions. But this courtyard and the castle itself are what everyone comes to see.”
I study the crowd, noting the mix of excitement and critical assessment on the travel writers’ faces, the way they’re simultaneously enjoying themselves and mentally taking notes for reviews that could make or break a business. These would be my first important clients if I take this job, and they look like the kind of people who notice when the details aren’t perfect.
“Mind if we mingle?” Georgie asks with a little too much hope while adjusting her carousel hat to a more alluring angle—if there is one. “That silver fox by the chocolate fountain looks like he appreciates experienced company.”
“We’re not exactly dressed for a conference,” I remind her, but Eddie waves away my concern. My faded red long-sleeved T-shirt and janky jeans seemed appropriate attire for scoring a job at an amusement park but hardly cut the mustard when it comes to networking with travel industry professionals. And I can’t help but notice they all look spit, polished, and shined to prom-level perfection.
“You’re with management,” Eddie is quick to say. “Feel free tointroduce yourselves. In fact, it would be good for you to meet some of these folks before tomorrow, Josie. We’ll bring you right back after we finish the tour.”
I don’t like this place.Chip mewls.It smells like secrets and sugar-fueled betrayal.
“Two more Hollows to go,” Eddie says cheerfully, clearly unaware that my cat has just delivered what sounds suspiciously like an ominous warning.
