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@BobaTea4Life

TBH what’s illegal is how badly they managed to scrape up such an iconic car

Chapter 25

NATHAN

5 hours and 54 minutes until midnight

Freddie, I’m sorry it had to end this way,” I say as we get out of our vehicles and regroup. I watch him closely. If he’s Sadistic Santa, there’s no telling what he’s about to do. We’ve just made him mad. Given his history, this might not end so well. “You were a worthy opponent.”

Freddie glares at us with an angry expression. “I just wanted to play.”

“But why with us?” Scarlett asks. We’re over by the fence and away from where the festivities are happening.

Freddie looks between her and me. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Spell it out for us?” I ask.

When he doesn’t say anything, Scarlett gives him a look and adds, “Freddie, we know.”

His throat bobs with a thick swallow. “You do?”

“If you cooperate, we might be able to work something out,” she says, treading carefully. Freddie’s our strongest suspect, but we don’t have enough to arrest him yet. “We don’t need to ruin Christmas for everyone.”

Perspiration forms at Freddie’s hairline. “I had it all worked out.”

“I’m sure you did,” I say, hopefully encouragingly.

“For the finale,” Freddie admits. “It was a whole thing. I wanted you to be there, too.”

Scarlett nods. “That much was clear.”

“Who were you on the phone with earlier, Freddie?” I ask.

His head snaps toward me. “So you did eavesdrop. You were trying to ruin my surprise.” He frowns. “I knew you two were up to no good. First you spy on me, then you cheat to win.”

“Was the person you were talking to part of your plans?” Scarlett asks.

Freddie nods, slouching in disappointment. Then he looks up with a small smile on his face and takes a step toward Scarlett. “If my plan succeeded, you all would’ve died—”

“Stop where you are,” Scarlett says, her hands up in front of her.

“Eating this cake,” Freddie finishes saying as he freezes in place.

Scarlett blinks. “Cake? Is that a code word for something?”

He sighs. “If it were, it’d be for a peppermint-chocolate dream. Sheet cake with candy cane crumble and thick chocolate icing you could toboggan on. I wanted to celebrate everyone at the finale with it. Bake It With Love wasn’t sure they could get it to me in time. I just… I wanted to do something nice.” He looks down at his boots. “In my life, I haven’t always been so nice.”

Scarlett and I exchange a glance of disappointment. Obviously, we’re going to have to validate his cake story, but he doesn’t appear to be Sadistic Santa.

“Freddie, that was thoughtful of you to plan,” Scarlett says. “You don’t have to leave yet. Please stick around for the finale.”

He blows out a breath of frustration and gratitude. “That would be nice. I sincerely apologize for the outburst. I’ll also bring my Feuerzangenbowle.”

“Your fire punch recipe?” Scarlett asks.

“It’s kind of my specialty.”