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Prologue.

Phoe

I stared out the clubhouse window, kicking my legs and wondering what to do for Halloween. The event was two months away, and I needed to get my ass in gear. I’d planned to do another extravaganza at Reading Hall, but this year, something didn’t feel right. I would have loved to return to the escape rooms, but bad memories haunted them now.

My phone rang, and I picked it up, surprised to see Nanci’s number flash up. “What’s up?” I asked.

“I’m bored,” Nanci stated.

“You’re not alone. I should be getting ready for Halloween, and I’ve got no idea what to do.”

“Didn’t you say you were going to do it at Reading Hall, one of your infamous Fright Nights?” Nanci asked.

“That was the plan, but… I’m not sure—it doesn’t seem right this year.”

Silence followed. Then Nanci whispered in horror, “Phoe, have you lost your love of Halloween?”

Nanci’s question surprised me, but it also made me think. Had I lost my love of Halloween? I searched my feelings and realised that the excitement for Halloween was still there; I just wasn’t sure what to do.

“No, I want to do it. I don’t know. I’m not feeling it at all this year,” I replied.

“Well, I suppose, in all honesty. You’ve done several extravaganzas at the Hall; perhaps you need somewhere new?”

There was something in Nanci’s voice. I knew the Queen Bee of the Unwanted Bastards had a plan, and I finally experienced a spark of inspiration. “You’ve got an idea.”

“Maybe,” Nanci drawled.

I sat up straighter and narrowed my eyes, even though she couldn’t see me. “Don’t make me hurt you, Nanci,” I warned.

Nanci’s chuckle echoed down the line. “So, you know, the town is finished, and we’re just sitting here, sticking out a few pumpkins. That’s about the sum of Inglorious preparing for Halloween.”

“Huh, we can’t have that, can we?” I said to Nanci, with a mischievous laugh.

“Certainly not. We have Kya, now. Inglorious needs to get on board.” Nanci and I both laughed.

“We need a meeting ASAP. What’s your diary look like?” I asked.

“Fancy getting together for dinner tonight?” Nanci asked.

“Yup. I’ll book Bernard’s, bring a notebook and pen. Let’s meet at five; we’re going to be busy.”

Nanci paused before speaking. “Phoe, I want you full on OTT. We should make this one the town talks about for years.”

“Now that’s well within my sphere of influence,” I said, then hung up. A thread of excitement ran through me. This year, I had a damn town to decorate and play with. It was going to be huge.

Chapter One.

Phoe

At five, I crossed the road and headed to Bernard’s. This popular dining spot sat opposite the clubhouse, just a few shop fronts from my HQ. It was owned by one of my directors’ husbands, Bernard, who was an absolute genius in the kitchen. The restaurant had gone from strength to strength and was a local favourite. The food was amazing.

I slipped in through the entrance, nodded to the hostess, and she smiled in greeting. “A table for three, please?” I asked.

“Yes, Mrs Michaelson, as you’re aware, Bernard keeps several tables back for his friends. Would you like to follow me, I’ll take you to one now?”

“That would be grand. Can I be apart from others if possible? We’re Halloween event planning tonight, and I don’t want any of the allies getting wind of this should they turn up.”

“Of course. If anyone arrives, I’ll keep them away from you. Let me move this table into a bit more of a private area, and then I’ll seat you in a few moments.”