Page 10 of Investigation of a Quest

“I found the homeowners,” he called as the wife clutched him for dear life, leaving her husband to stand dumbstruck and green-skinned at the sight of the brainless scarecrow on his lawn.

“Sir, we would like to ask you a few questions about your decorations,” Griffin said as they vacated the yard so the officers could tape the scene.

“I didn’t put that there.” The man jabbed a finger at the victim. “That isn’t mine.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and, after a few swipes, shoved the screen at them. “That’s how we decorated before the party.”

“Have you been home since you took this?” Bel asked, seamlessly stepping into her former role.

“No. And as you can see, we just did some natural décor,” the husband said, and Bel noted the timestamp on the photo showcasing the couple’s tasteful and blood-free lawn.

“Do you have a security system?” Griffin asked.

“No,” the man said. “This is a safe neighborhood…”

“It’s the haunted house competition, not the neighborhood,” Eamon said. “Moving the body during this party wouldn’t raise any questions.”

“That’s what’s disturbing,” Griffin said. “Hundreds of witnesses, yet no one will remember anything. Do you recognize the victim?” he asked the homeowner.

“Not at all,” the man said. “Who could have done this, and why my house?”

“Location,” Bel said. “This is a dead end, so the killer probably carried the body in from the trees and set it on your lawn. And if anyone saw, they’d just assume he was adding the final party touches.”

“Do you or your wife have any enemies?” Griffin asked. “Anyone who would want to target you?”

“No!” the man blurted. “Not at all. This is…. Oh god, I’m going to be sick.”

“Can you get them out of here?” Griffin asked Yates. They had an entire night’s worth of foreign bodies polluting this crime scene. They didn’t need puke making it worse. “I’ll grab you if I need them, but I think Emerson is right. It isn’t about the house or the owners. It was the location closest to the trees… Speaking of Emerson, Bel, you need to move behind the tape. You aren’t on the force anymore.”

Bel nodded, wondering why she was so offended at being left out, but she and Eamon settled behind the yellow crime scene tape as Griffin, the deputies, and eventually Lina Thum worked the scene.

“Magic?” Bel whispered to Eamon.

“Here? You know there is. Used on the body? I can’t tell. The scents are overwhelming tonight.”

“I know. I’m human, and even I can smell it all.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He rubbed her back, and she shrugged.

“Yes… I don’t know… I feel numb. I watched a woman get crushed, and now this scarecrow is missing his brain. I feel cursed. Sometimes I consider leaving town, but I worry the curse will follow me.”

“More like follow me,” Eamon said.

“My problems did start with your arrival,” Bel said as Olivia Gold rushed past them without noticing their stance on the wrong side of the tape. A twinge of jealousy washed over her as her customary spot beside her partner stood empty, and, angry at herself for missing the life she thought she’d buried, she turned on her heels and strode down the street.

“Isobel?” Eamon jogged to catch up.

“I’ve got to get Cerberus out for his walk,” she lied. “Plus, they’re shutting down the party, so they don’t want any civilians contaminating the scene.”

Bel pushed the loaded cart to her SUV, escaping the grocery store before most people even thought of shopping. It was nice to get her errands out of the way first thing, plus no one nosy was awake yet to bother her about why a detective quit her job after heroically saving two teenage girls.

“Emerson?” a familiar voice interrupted, and she paused putting her bags into the trunk to find Griffin jogging over to her.

“Morning,” she called. So much for escaping unnoticed.

“How are you after last night?” he asked.

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “Freaked out. Two deaths in one week. I’m going to stop leaving my house.”

“I feel that,” Griffin sighed. “And I’d been really enjoying myself before that.”