Detective Dreamboat: The night is young. Stay alert. I’m on my way.
I’m starting to think he’s genuinely worried his mother might escalate from passive-aggressive threats to actual violence, which is either touching concern for my welfare or a realistic assessment of Delora’s homicidal potential.
“Is that Detective Dreamboat checking on your vital signs?” Georgie asks, peering over my shoulder with the shamelessness that comes from wearing a costume that apparently grants immunity from social boundaries.
“He’s running late but apparently concerned that I might not survive the evening without supervision.” That and the fact his mother is apparently an oxygen thief.
“Smart man,” Ree observes, taking a bite of her caramel apple that somehow doesn’t destroy her vampire fangs. “Your track record of keeping people alive at theme park events is concerning.”
Before I can defend my survival instincts, the crowd near the mansion’s front porch erupts in cheers and camera flashes. McKenna and Riley appear with Fish and Chip, and I have to admit, my daughters have outdone themselves.
Fish is sporting a tiny witch’s costumecomplete with a hot pink pointed hat that somehow makes her look even more regal and judgmental than usual. Chip is wearing a vampire cape that’s been strategically tailored to accommodate his generous proportions, and both cats are clearly basking in the attention. Yet another proud member of the coven.
This is actually pretty fun,Fish admits as photographers snap away.Though I draw the line at riding a broomstick. I have my dignity to think about.
Someone gave me a treat shaped like a bat,Chip adds with obvious satisfaction.Best costume party ever.
I’m glad he likes it. It’s going to last another six weeks.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” McKenna calls out, her voice carrying over the crowd with natural authority after spending the last week organizing chaos into submission, “Sweet Life AmericaandMorning Coffee & Chaosare here tonight to film our grand finale!”
The crowd goes wild, and I spot the television crews setting up elaborate lighting equipment that makes the entire cemetery look like a movie set.
“Oh my goodness,” a familiar voice gushes behind me. “This is absolutely magical!”
I turn to see Nadine approaching, and she’s clearly embraced the costume theme with enthusiasm. She’s dressed as a vintage baker, complete with a flour-dusted apron covered in tiny pumpkins, her silver hair tucked under a chef’s hat that somehow manages to look both professional and festive.
“Nadine!” Georgie immediately pounces on her with the enthusiasm of someone who’s had too much sugar and not enough supervision. “You look absolutely adorable! Very authentic pioneer period baker vibes.”
“Why, thank you, sugar,” Nadine beams, settling into conversation with natural ease after decades of charming customers.” I figured if we’re celebrating baking and Halloween, I might as well commit to both themes. The apron and the hat both qualifyas antiques. I’m quite the collector of antique kitchen paraphernalia.”
“At least you’re getting in the spirit—unlike some people,” Ree observes, nodding toward where Delora stands near the refreshment table looking like she’s attending a funeral instead of a party. She’s wearing her usual pearls and disapproval, apparently deciding that costume parties are beneath her dignity.
“Oh, that poor woman,” Nadine sighs with what sounds like genuine sympathy. “Someone should tell her that refusing to participate in joy is a choice, not a personality trait.”
“I heard someone call her the Wicked Witch of the East earlier,” Georgie says with a sigh. “Though honestly, that’s insulting to fictional witches everywhere.”
Nadine chuckles, then her expression turns more serious as she spots Savvy in the distance and nods her way. “Speaking of poor souls, it’s too bad about Savvy’s mama passing away and losing her bakery like that. The girl is striving to do her best, holding on to broken dreams and all. Makes you want to root for her, you know?”
Something in her tone makes my amateur sleuth instincts sit up and take notice, but before I can process it fully, Georgie grabs Nadine’s hand with the enthusiasm of someone who’s just discovered the solution to world peace.
“Come on!” Georgie declares, dragging Nadine toward where the staff set up a makeshift dance floor between two particularly dramatic tombstones. “You can’t come to a costume party and not dance! It’s against the rules!”
“Oh my.” Nadine laughs, allowing herself to be pulled away. “I haven’t danced in years!”
“Then you’re overdue!” Georgie calls back, and soon they’re both moving to the music with the kind of abandon that only comes from embracing the absurdity of dancing in a fake cemetery while wearing costumes—and hoping not to land in a real grave while you’re at it. Or theemergency room.
Wait… did Nadine just say that Savvy’s mother passed away? I don’t remember her mentioning that. I know she did mention that she’s running her mother’s bakery out in Tennessee.
I pull out my phone and do a quick search, my fingers moving with the urgency of someone who’s just realized they might have missed something important. A few taps later, and my blood runs cold.
Savvy’s mother didn’t just lose her bakery and pass away. Dilly’s brutal review destroyed her business and her reputation. The review was so scathing that it made national news in the baking community, and her mother never recovered from the public humiliation. Not only that, but she grew violently ill and passed away unexpectedly.
I look up from my phone, scanning the crowd for Savvy, and spot her standing alone by the skeleton bride’s casket. She’s dressed as Little Bo Peep in an elaborate pale blue gown with a hoop skirt, complete with a shepherdess bonnet and matching crook, but her usual charming smile is nowhere to be seen. Instead, she’s staring into the casket with an expression that could turn a volcano into a glacier.
The pieces click into place with the sickening clarity of a puzzle you never wanted to solve. Savvy didn’t come to Maine for a symposium. She came for revenge. And Nadine just confirmed that she knows exactly what Dilly Thatcher did to destroy an innocent woman’s life.
Time to have a conversation with a potential killer who’s been hiding behind sweet tea and Southern charm.
