Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Ewan and his team had given the haunted house the all-clear to open again.
Mara hadn’t really wanted to, given what had happened, but then we’d be letting the literacy and restoration charities down.
It was only after Ewan spoke to Isobel and Baird, that he told Mara that was what Duncan would have wanted.
Though it was too painful for them to participate.
Since the rooms would be changing on Sunday to bring in repeat business, Mara’s team went ahead and changed it around. The room across from ours had become a curious doll shop.
It was way creepier.
There was something about disembodied doll heads that had always bothered me.
But it was Lulu, a local shop owner, dressed in her sixties garb that brought the scene to life.
She looked like Satan’s shopkeeper. Helping her were a couple of assistants from her store, and her niece, Angie, a great friend of mine.
Her costume was neon colors and splattered with blood.
Doll heads were attached to her tights and sweater.
“You look amazing,” I said when Abigail and I peeked into the room to see how it had changed.
“Thanks. Sad business, I’m guessing you two are on the case?”
“We are. I thought you and your husband were going on an anniversary trip.”
She sighed. “It’s always business, right? Poor man. He was so apologetic that we had to postpone for two days. But we’re still going to the Maldives. I’m not much of a beach person, so I didn’t mind waiting a few days. But he was devastated.”
The couple had been married a year ago, and it hadn’t been without drama. Though they were madly in love. The last year had been rocky for them business-wise, but their love had seen them through. It was inspirational to see how they had pulled together.
“I’m sure it will be fun,” I said.
“You know us. We always have a good time together. And I insisted on this for him. Everything—well, you know what this year has been like. I want him to be in his favorite place and that is staring at the ocean on a warm beach.” She glanced behind her.
“So, are you going to tell me what happened? Do we need to be worried tonight?”
“Other than he was murdered, there isn’t much I can say.”
She shivered. “You know I love the macabre, but it’s scary to think it just happened in here last night. Are you certain we’re safe?”
“Ewan has posted a team member on each floor. They will be keeping an eye out. You don’t need to worry.”
Ewan was good that way. He had foreseen that people working in the haunted house might be worried. He and his team would be there the whole night.
“Cast members, five minutes to opening. Please, take your positions and thank you so much for helping out tonight.” Mara’s voice rang clear.
The spooky music came over the loudspeakers.
Our room was set, except we decided to forgo the knife in the body—given what had happened, it seemed in bad taste. That and my knife was now a murder weapon and in evidence.
“Remind me to buy a new knife set and block,” I said to Abigail.
She grimaced. “I was thinking about that earlier when I was in the kitchen with Elsie.”
“Yes, I could just replace the knife, I suppose, but I would always think …”
“I understand,” she said.
“How was Elsie? I was worried about her paleness. Though she seemed fine by the time they left.”
“I think she was just confused by all of it. Thinking her poor da was dead. Any word?”
I shook my head. “Ewan has made inquiries, but so far nothing. He put them up at the B&B for tonight.”
“That was kind of him.”
“It’s my job,” Ewan said from the doorway.
We jumped.
“Sorry, I thought you heard me.” He grinned, though.
“You’re like a ninja,” Abigail said.
“What she said. Is everything OK?” I asked.
He nodded. “I thought it best for me to be on this floor.”
Though he would never admit it, he could be a bit over-protective of Abigail and me. She was like a sister to him. And I was the only doctor in town.
My friends might say it was more than that. But he and I would never rush things. We’d both been burned in the past and trust in relationships was hard won.
“That settles my nerves a bit,” Abigail said.
His eyebrows went up. “A bit?”
“A man was killed across from us without us seeing or hearing a thing,” she said. “Someone had to think fast and be as stealthy as you.”
“It won’t happen again,” he said seriously. “I see you’ve left the knife out of the display.”
“Seemed all kinds of wrong,” I said.
“One minute until we open,” Mara said over the speaker.
“I better get in place,” he said. He pulled a werewolf mask out of his jacket and put it on.
We laughed.
“Incognito,” he said.
I had a feeling anyone who knew him would see through the disguise, but I liked that he gave it a go.
For the next few hours, we played our parts, and eventually the nervousness from earlier in the evening was gone. By the end, we were laughing and having a good time.
When the lights came up, we were all smiles.
“That was fun,” Abigail said. “Though, my throat hurts from fake screaming.”
“Gargle with salt water tonight,” I said. “You were amazing.”
“So were you. Who knew we could do creepy so well. I’m kind of sad our part is over and someone else will be moving in tomorrow.”
“We’ll volunteer again for next year.”
She nodded. “Should we pack up?”
She pulled out several plastic bins from under the bloody table. Most of the décor belonged to the committee who put the haunted house together. But we had brought a few things from the office and a few things I’d purchased.
“Sure.”
“I need to make sure the house is clear, and then I can help,” Ewan offered.
“We don’t have much,” I said. “I’m sure you have things you need to do.”
He opened his mouth, but then the speaker on his shoulder squawked. “Ewan, you’re needed at the station.”
“Sorry,” he said.
“No worries. We’ve got it,” I told him. “Let me know if you hear anything, though. Have you been able to talk to the boss or guys from the rig?”
“Baird told us that they’re spread all over Scotland. Some are on holiday, but we’re doing our best.”
“You always do. Thanks again for watching out for us.”
“Welcome,” he said.
Angie came across the hall and stood at the entry. “Can I help you?”
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
She shrugged. “The sooner I help out, the faster we can get changed and head down to the pub.”
I was exhausted but I’d promised her a pint so we could catch up.
“Right.” I handed her a bin. “We’re only taking what’s ours. That microscope, and some of those beakers off the table. There is tissue paper to wrap them in.”
“Got it.”
“Did you have fun?” Abigail asked her.
“We did. My aunt was hilarious. She really should have never given up the theater. She’s quite the actress. It was all I could do to remember my lines, she made me laugh so hard. I had no idea scaring people would be so fun.”
“Same here,” I said.
“It’s sad that I think some people showed up to see where a man died. We could hear them whispering. Though it didn’t seem to make a dent in the crowds.”
“You make a good point. It was far more crowded tonight. I’m not surprised by the lookie-loos. People are always curious when it comes to true crime.”
“Lookie-loos, that’s a new one for me. Pretty soon you’ll have us all speaking like Americans.” With her heavy Scottish brogue, that was never going to happen (she owned several shops featuring all sorts of outerwear items and tartans), but she was the most fun one person could be.
With the three of us working, it didn’t take long to pack up. We carried the bins downstairs to my SUV and piled them into the back.
“I’m glad you have your car. Do you mind if I change at yours?”
“Not at all. We’ve finally cleaned out the room we were using for storage. I have a proper guest room, now, if you need a place to sleep tonight.”
“I told Grandad, I’d stay with him tonight. He’s already at the pub, and you’ve met him. I’ll be driving him home.”
We laughed. He was a lovely man, but he liked his whiskey.
“Abigail, do you want to come to the pub, or I can run you home?”
She smiled. “Tommy is spending the night at Ewan’s, so I’m free. He and our favorite house manager are baking Halloween treats for the fête.”
Ewan’s housekeeper treated Tommy like the grandson she never had. Abigail had raised Tommy, but she was surrounded by people who loved and supported her.
“Girl’s night,” Angie tossed her fist in the air and wiggled.
“Why not,” I said. “Tis the season to have a good time.”
“What have you done with the doctor? She’s been taken over by an alien, Abigail,” Angie said.
“I can be fun.”
They laughed.
“What?”
“Admit it,” Abigail said. “Your idea of a fun party is watching mystery series and eating pizza.”
“What’s wrong with that?” I pretended to be offended. “Sounds like the perfect night to me.”
“Actually, I’m a convert,” Angie said. “Thanks to you, that’s all I watch now.”
“Me, too,” Abigail admitted.
“See. Not such a bad night.”
“But less chance of meeting the opposite sex,” Angie said.
I shrugged. “I’m OK with that. But I do enjoy a good night at the pub with you all. Wait. Did you see Mara? I should ask if she wants a ride down the mountain.”
“I talked to her earlier,” Angie said. “She has to stay here and help some of the people changing out their rooms. Some of the church folk, who couldn’t come tomorrow morning,” Angie explained.
“Ah. Hopefully, she won’t be too late. She’s running herself ragged.”
“She has more energy than the three of us put together,” Angie said. “And that’s saying something with little-miss-does-it-all in the back seat. How is university going?”
“I’m all right,” Abigail said.
“By all right, she means top of her class,” I said. I didn’t have to see her face to know Abigail was blushing.
“That’s our girl.”
“Woman,” Abigail said. “We should be saying women instead of girl’s night.”
“Doesn’t quite have the same ring to it,” Angie said.
“Agreed,” I chimed in. “But she’s right.”