“I need a drink,” Delora announces with finality, stalking off toward the refreshment stand with her dignity intact despite having cat hair in places cat hair should never be.
Dexter walks me over near the three-tiered fountain where the purple water shimmers under the party lights, and it’s finally quiet enough to have a conversation without shouting over mechanical witches.
Here we go again,Fish groans with the weary tone of a cat who’s witnessed too many romantic moments interrupted by criminal activity.Cue the smooching.
Just say the word, Josie, and I’ll push him into the fountain,Chip offers helpfully.For old times’ sake.
“Josie,” Dexter begins, his voice carrying that serious detective tone that usually means I’m about to get lectured about proper civilian behavior. “What were you thinking? You could have gotten yourself killed.”
I frown back at him as the water shimmers in his storm-blue eyes, and he looks far too handsome to be real under the party lights. “I liked it better last time when you saved the lecture and kissed me instead.”
Dexter doesn’t hesitate. He pulls me in hard and kisses me senseless, right there next to the purple fountainwhile Fish and Chip provide commentary that I’m choosing to ignore as the party continues around us with blissful chaos—and the occasional loose screams of terror.
His lips are warm and confident, and he tastes like possibility and the kind of trouble that’s worth getting into. When we finally break apart, I’m breathing hard, and my knees have forgotten their primary function.
“Better?” he asks, his voice rough around the edges.
“Much better,” I manage, wondering if solving murders always comes with this kind of reward system.
Because if catching killers means getting kissed by Detective Dreamboat under purple fountain lights while wearing an ill-fitted costume, I might just have found my new favorite hobby.
CHAPTER 24
You know you’ve had a successful evening when you’ve caught a murderer, kissed a detective, and your cats are now considered local celebrities—all before the spooktacular party you’re throwing can end.
Purple fountain water shimmers under twinkling lights, while creepy music mingles with the sound of laughter and the occasional mechanical cackle from animatronic witches who’ve clearly been programmed by someone with questionable timing. Leaves swirl across the cobblestones in lazy spirals, and the entire scene looks delightfully haunted.
“MOM!” Riley’s voice cuts through the ambient horror night chaos as she bounds over with McKenna, Emma, and Jack trailing behind her. All four of them are glowing with the kind of energy that comes from successfully orchestrating the event of the century.
“Oh my gosh, like, that was literally the most amazing The Magic and Mascots parade ever!” Emma gushes, bouncing on her toes with excitement. “The rest of the Halloween season is going to be absolutely perfect!”
“Totally perfect,” McKenna agrees, then immediately stepscloser to Jack with the subtle maneuvering of someone marking territory. “We’re, like, basically the best event planning team in the history of event planning.”
“We should totally get matching T-shirts,” Riley adds, edging into McKenna’s space with equal subtlety. “Something that saysFestival Goddessesor whatever.”
Jack grins with the oblivious confidence of someone who has no idea he’s the center of a sister rivalry. “You guys killed it tonight. This whole thing was incredible.”
The young hoomans are very pleased with themselves,Fish observes from my arms, still wearing her slightly askew witch hat.Their enthusiasm is pawsitively energetic.
I love them,Chip announces.They smell like success and leftover funnel cake.
“And, like, oh my goodness,” Riley continues, suddenly focusing on Fish and Chip with laser intensity, “you two are literally the cutest, most furry little celebrities ever! You slayed it again!”
“So adorable!” Emma squeals, reaching out to scratch Fish behind the ears. “Like, seriously, you should have your own reality show!”
A reality show,Fish muses with a swish of her tail.That has potential.Keeping Up with the Catsor perhapsThe Real Housecats of Maine.
I vote forChip and Fish: Masters of the Universe,Chip suggests, lifting his chin with pride.Very catchy.
“We’re gonna go hit some rides before the night’s over,” McKenna announces, already tugging Jack toward the carousel. “Come on, let’s go!”
“Actually,” Riley interjects, grabbing Jack’s other arm. “I thought we could check out the haunted mine ride. You know, since it’s, like, finally working again.”
“The carousel has better lighting for selfies,” McKenna counters with the strategic thinking of a social media veteran.
“The mine ride has better adrenaline for actual fun,” Riley shoots back.
Jack looks between them with dawning awareness that he might be caught in the middle of something. “Why don’t we do both?”
