“I guess we could have told people we were shooting a movie, except for the real bullets and blood.” Erik kept his voice low so he wouldn’t be overheard. Ben elbowed him but laughed anyhow.
Many of the city’s streets had been blocked off to allow for parades and special events like the costume contest and the pumpkin painting display. Along the sidewalks, vendors hawked candied apples, caramel popcorn, bratwurst sandwiches, lobster rolls, and clam chowder.
Banners along the way listed the special events and reminded everyone of the festival’s sponsors, which included Trinkets and Nolan Rental Real Estate.
On one of the many stages, a group in full pirate regalia played a rousing set of sea shanties while a local cosplay group showed off their dancing skills. Tourists raised tankards in salute, and some of the braver souls tried to copy the fast-paced dance steps down in front of the platform.
Ben swayed to the music, bumping shoulders with Erik. The clear blue sky made the violent storms of the past several days seem like a bad dream. George kept a watchful eye on the crowd, but his tail wagged as he walked.
“Ahoy, maties!” a familiar voice called, and they turned to see Alessia. She and Haley shared a tarot reading and ghost whisperer stand, both dressed like pirate witches. “Wait, is that George?” She and Haley spotted the pup and came around tothe front of the stand to pet him. “I knew Mrs. Thomas; and I wondered what happened to George when she passed. Looks like he found the perfect home,” Alessia said.
“Ahoy right back atcha.” Ben was pleased to see that their friends had rebounded from the strain of the recent danger. If George picked up on Alessia’s magic or Haley’s ability with ghosts, it certainly didn’t seem to bother him.
“Please don’t read my fortune,” Erik joked, but Ben picked up an edge of truth in his voice. “I don’t think I’m up to any more adventures for a while.”
Alessia’s face took on a dreamy look that Ben knew meant she was tapping into her gift. “Nothing to worry about in the immediate future,” she told them. “You deserve a break.”
“We all do,” Erik agreed, relieved.
“Ain’t that the truth.” Chief Hendricks had come up behind them, with Susan a step behind. “I could go for a nice, quiet fall and winter, if it’s all the same to you.”
Susan gave him a look, but Hendricks didn’t pay attention. George wagged frantically when he spotted Susan, who immediately reached down to scratch his ears.
“We’ll do our best.” Ben fervently hoped they could keep that promise, although the reality was out of their control.
“Have you tried the candied nuts?” Susan held up a colorful paper sleeve. “They’re absolutely addictive.”
“The huge soft pretzels are my weakness,” Ben admitted. “Especially with the spicy mustard.”
“I’m partial to the fried clams,” Erik added. “Doesn’t get much fresher than the ones here.”
“How did your tours go?” Susan asked.
“We sold out two of the architecture walks,” Ben replied. “People who come to Cape May love the historic houses, but they don’t always know what to call the different styles or whatdefines them. And I’m pretty sure that quite a few of the folks on my walks went straight to the houses that are offering tours.”
“The museum definitely leans into the fall décor,” Erik said. “They had everything decorated and even offered punch and candy corn afterward. I was grateful that none of the paintings were haunted, and we didn’t have any dangerous stained glass.”
“Always a plus,” Hendricks agreed in a dry tone.
“Then the ‘Antiques Roadshow-style’ event they added last-minute was a big success,” Erik continued. “Everyone wants to think they’ve got a missing Picasso in grandma’s basement, or some other hidden treasure that’s going to make them rich.”
“Did they?”
Ben had his fill of missing artwork and found treasures, but he held his tongue.
“Nothing that’s going to Sotheby’s, but people did come with some nice examples of antique housewares, paintings by regional artists, and one or two old pocket watches,” Erik replied. “Mostly, people had fun, and the owners got to tell their family history provenances.”
“Think any of the people will show up at Trinkets and want to sell you their treasures?” Susan joked.
Erik nodded. “Absolutely. I’ve already got a couple of appointments.”
“I’ve heard great things about all the events you two led. Not a surprise,” Susan said, “but I’m aware you had more than your share ofdistractions,so I appreciate that you came through for us.”
Susan didn’t know all that had transpired with the warring Mob factions, but she knew enough to understand the danger and to realize that Ben and Erik had bounced back in time to fulfill their promises to the festival committee.
They waved goodbye to the chief and Susan, who headed off toward the costume contest. Erik and Ben paused to watcha pirate-themed sword-fighting performance, and despite the theatrics, Ben found himself clapping and cheering.
“Everyone seems to be having a great time.” Erik watched children pick out pumpkins from a heap and proudly carry them to tables where they could paint jack-o-lanterns.
