“So,” Jasper says, clearly attempting to process this latest familial bombshell, “does this mean Heath was blackmailing you about being a Baker?”
Elizabeth’s smile falters. “Yes. He somehow found out everything about my birth family. He was thorough.”
“He certainly was,” I agree as the murder investigation suddenly snaps back into focus.
Elizabeth and Mom exchange a look that sends a chill down my spine despite the warm family moment.
Huxley claps his hands together and herds us together once more. “This calls for celebration. I think we have a family dinner to plan.”
And we all agree with a howl of approval and an applause of our own.
The Halloween moon shines down on our peculiar family reunion, illuminating new connections and old secrets as clearly as the jack-o’-lanterns at our feet, and I can’t help but think that this has been the most eventful Halloween in the history of Spider Cove, which, considering our track record, is really saying something.
CHAPTER 27
The Fright Night Halloween Spooktacular winds down after a full month of chaos, but the energy still pulses through the crowd as costumed revelers squeeze every last drop of magic from this bewitching night.
Orange and purple lights twinkle through the thin veil of artificial fog that hovers just above the ground, transforming ordinary festival-goers into mysterious phantoms gliding through the misty darkness—or at least making them look more interesting than they probably are in daylight.
The scent of apple fritters mingles with pumpkin spice and that unique aroma of cooling autumn air that seems to whisper,“Winter is coming, but we’re not quite done with fall yet, so enjoy your last hurrah before the snow starts flying and everyone retreats indoors until spring.”
Our unlikely pet parade follows me toward the picnic area where Emmie has transformed a simple table into a midnight feast worthy of a Halloween carnival—because if there’s one thing Emmie excels at, it’s turning any gathering into a food lover’s paradise. Corn dogs stand at attention in a glass jar like some kind of savory bouquet that would make a state fair vendor weep with pride, while her famous pumpkin spice French toast bites are piled high on a platter shaped like a grinning jack-o’-lantern. Pizza triangles form a perfect circle on another platter, resembling a cheesy, pepperoni-studded clock face that suggests it’s definitely time to eat.
This is precisely why humans are superior to dogs,Fish thinks, eyeing the spread with undisguised interest and the kind of food appreciation that comes from being a professional mooch.Your species may be hopelessly neurotic, but you’ve mastered the art of deep-frying anything edible.
I smell MEAT and BREAD and SWEET THINGS.Sherlock practically jumps out of his fur with excitement.This is the greatest night in the history of fright nights! Halloween should be every day! Every single day!
I’ve never seen so much food before!Fudge bounces on his stubby legs, and his ghost costume has been completely abandoned somewhere on the festival grounds.Heath only ever ordered plain pepperoni. He said anything else was an abomination.
Skittles prances alongside Fudge with her ginger fur glowing copper in the festival lights.Hooman celebrations are so chaotic but wonderful. They create all this delicious smelling food and then DROP some of it on the GROUND! How nice is that?
Emmie waves enthusiastically from behind the carefully arranged decaf pumpkin spice lattes, the whipped cream peaks adorned with tiny plastic spiders. Leo stands beside her, balancing baby Elliot on one hip while arranging napkins with his free hand like a man who’s mastered one-armed party hosting. Their matching Little Red Riding Hood and Woodsman costumes look a bit worse for wear after a full night of festival activities, but their smiles are as bright as ever.
“I figured everyone could use some sustenance after all the excitement,” Emmie calls out. “Nothing brings a family together like food!”
“Or murder,” I mutter under my breath, earning a disapproving look from Jasper, who’s managed to wipe most of his Frankenstein’s monster makeup off with what appears to be a monster-themed napkin.
My parents have already claimed a picnic table and are deep in conversation with Buffy—I mean, Elizabeth—while Georgie hovers nearby, occasionally interjecting what I can only assume are wildly inappropriate comments based on Elizabeth’s widening eyes.
Huxley and Mackenzie join them with little Mack perched onHuxley’s shoulders, the toddler’s scarecrow costume now missing most of its straw stuffing.
And I can’t help but notice Macy standing apart from the group with her red dress looking particularly dramatic against the backdrop of orange twinkle lights and fog. Her posture screamsI’m fine, but I can tell she’ll need more than a minute to process this emotional bombshell.
“I should—” I gesture vaguely toward Macy.
“Go.” Jasper nods, understanding immediately. “I’ll guard your corn dog with my life.”
“My hero.” I plant a quick kiss on his green-tinged cheek.
I weave through the crowd toward my sister and manage to collect two lattes along the way. Macy accepts the offering without making eye contact, taking a long sip before finally acknowledging my presence.
“So, we have another sister,” she says casually as if discussing the weather and not a life-altering family revelation.
“It looks that way,” I agree, watching her carefully.
“It’s just so on-brand for this family.” Macy sighs with all the drama she can muster. “Other families have boring secrets like gambling addictions or embarrassing forays into light prostitution. The Bakers? We have cute secret sisters with an even cuter pet.” She takes another sip. “At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if Huxley turned out to be a werewolf.”
“He does get unusually cranky during full moons,” I offer.
