Page 12 of Haunted Horror on Halloween

Angela didn’t think Martinez was in any danger.

The man was polite—but there was nothing about him that suggested he’d be vulnerable to a cult performance by a man like Darrell Manderley.

“I knew him before!” Genie blurted out suddenly.

They all looked at her, including the spirit of Trent Fielding, who had followed Jackson and Charles Martinez from the office.

“I—I was on vacation, visiting a cousin out in Colorado, out in the mountain area. She . . . she was living out there and she believed in the man, thought that there was a new world order coming and that the only way to eternity was by following his commandments. I knew I had to come home, so . . . I, uh, I just told him where I lived and what I did and I guess that’s why . . . that’s why he came here. He told me never to lose faith, even if others did, that if they locked him up, he’d get out, even if they killed him . . . he’d just rise and he would find me and let me serve him in the future. And, of course, I’d talked about my life. He knew there were plenty of people who came every day, young and attractive professionals and . . . well, sweet and savvy older women like Sadie. And he knew I’d lie for him!” she finished, looking as if she was going to burst into tears again.

She turned to her boss. “Mr. Martinez, I am so, so sorry. I just . . .”

Martinez was a damned good man. He took the young woman gently in his arms and told her, “It’s all right. My dear, we’re all susceptible to . . . to crazy when we’re young. And since your parents had passed and life had gotten so painful for you . . . it’s all right. We’re going to get through this, okay? Just do what these nice agents tell you to do.”

He paused then, looking from Jackson to Angela. “They’re going to get him. And no man comes back to life to live as a mortal Satan again. And if he gets locked up again, well I know there’s no way he’d ever manage another escape. Right agents?”

“Solitary confinement, trust me, with only highly vetted officials looking over him,” Jackson promised.

“Halloween,” Genie murmured.

“Almost,” Angela told her, waiting.

“He says Halloween is when he’s the most powerful. The dark spirits of the dead rise to do his bidding, and they take their greatest revenge of any who have done ill or harm to him,” Genie told them.

“Dark spirits of the dead!” Trent Fielding lashed out. Of course, only Jackson and Angela heard him. He quickly added, “I’ve been a spirit walking this earth for a long, long, long time now! And trust me, spirits aren’t dark! That screwball’s dark spirits are AK47s and knives and his wretched bare hands!”

Angela gave him a nod.

“Look back, look back!” Genie said. “He . . . he claims he goes back to the very beginning of time. And in ancient days . . . sacrifices were made to him, sacrifices around great bonfires. He told me that all ancient people were ready to do his bidding! Different names for him and his power around the world, but all the same. And the dark, dark spirits of Halloween were those that rose for him.”

There was a little ringing sound as the door opened. Will Chan and Whitney, agents with the Krewe forever, had come.

Angela smiled and quickly turned to Genie.

“Hey, meet Will and Whitney. They are wonderful and they’re here to look after you. I don’t think he’s ever going to know you told us anything, but you don’t need to worry. These two are the best!”

Will and Whiney greeted Genie with friendly overtures. and Will told them that two of the McFadden brothers were just outside and would be looking after Charles Martinez—and observing all activity at the shop.

“Great,” Jackson said. “Genie, you go ahead with these two. And Mr. Martinez—”

“I have great faith,” Martinez said, nodding. “Great faith in all that’s good; and Halloween or no, whatever spirits might be running around, they’re running around to help!”

“Oh, man, I really like this guy!” Trent’s spirit said. “Maybe someday he’ll be a seer!”

“Maybe,” Angela started to reply, quickly lowering her head and reminding herself that Martinez and Genie would have no idea what she was talking about.

“Forces, local cops, K-9s, rangers . . . so on. They’re behind us. Of course—” Brian McFadden began.

“The forest is so vast, public and private, that we need an army?” Jackson suggested. “Well, we do have the next best thing. Anyway, Angela, shall we?”

“Oh, we shall.”

She gave Genie a big hug, assuring her everything was going to be all right.

Then she and Jackson headed out.

They didn’t leave by the front door, but she did glance back at all the Halloween decorations.

Halloween. A time when it was great fun to be spooky, even if the contemporary word for the holiday just meant All Hallow’s Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day.