30. Hattie

HATTIE

H alloween Hollow is living up to its name tonight—if its name was Nightmare Hollow. The spooky music, the creepy green and purple fog, the headless holograms gliding around—it's all very fitting for the Bewitching Ballroom Bash. And as much as I'd love to enjoy the festivities, I have more pressing issues at the moment—such as nabbing the serial killer in our midst.

Cricket curls at my feet and I quickly scoop her up, her little bat costume rustling as she adjusts her wings.

I know that look on your face, Hattie. You know who the killer is, don't you?

Rookie gives a soft bark. I know that look on her face, too, and it says, I need chocolate now.

I nod their way. "You're both right."

Cricket lets out a gasp. Well, who is it? Spill the killer beans!

I spot my one and only suspect mingling in the back of the ballroom and I don't dare take my eyes off of him.

"There he is," I whisper, mostly to myself. "I think it's time we had a little talk."

Rookie gives a soft growl before nudging my leg. Killion wouldn't want you doing this, Hattie.

Cricket yowls back, Yeah, well, Killion isn't here. And besides, we all know that Hattie is always one step ahead of him.

A tiny smile curves on my lips because for once I wish it wasn't so.

Where is that hot hunk of mine, anyway?

I crane my neck in an effort to look for my handsome plus-one just as his mother steps in close in her blue cotton candy fairy costume and she seems to be looking around the room herself.

Where is Venetta? she muses. Where is Killion for that matter? Maybe they've already started that little rendezvous I put into motion? I certainly hope so.

Good grief, if she only knew.

I nod and move on, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of the green tights and leotard that Banister dares to call a costume.

Little did we know, it's his way of thumbing his nose at the fact he's knee-deep in some pretty dirty dealings.

My mark disappears in the crowd, so I weave through the costumed bodies in an effort to find him again, and Rookie stays close as if he's afraid he'll lose me.

The green tights invade my line of vision once more.

"There he is," I whisper to Cricket as I spot Banister Grimm near the punch bowl, laughing with a group of guests. They say a few words before parting ways and Banister heads out of the ballroom.

I take a deep breath and follow right along with determination fueling my every step.

I watch as he steps into that haunted parlor and I step in right after him.

The purple fog jumps around my feet, the dark damask walls look as if they're brooding, and the room is empty, save for Madame Violet's head floating in a giant crystal ball centered over a small round table. Her red hair fans around her like tentacles, her face is so pale it's outright blue, and her lips are painted a midnight shade of black.

"Hello there, you enchanting creature," she warbles my way as she adjusts her head so she can see me better.

So creepy.

"Come this way," she beckons with a wink. "I have news about your future! A great adventure awaits you. Riches are coming your way, and only I know how to get them. Just tap the top of my crystal ball with your credit card, and for twenty-nine ninety-nine a minute, I'll lead you to fortune and fame."

"Twenty-nine ninety-nine? A minute?" I croak under my breath.

No wonder Venetta had to resort to stealing. She's gone pro at squandering her money, too.

But I'm not interested in squandering my money, I'm interested in the man walking to the back of the room. I watch as he heads over to the floor-to-ceiling window and looks out at the city lights' view of Brambleberry Bay.

"This is it," I whisper as I hold Cricket close and head that way myself.

"Wait!" Madame Violet calls out as her head turns to follow me.

Super creepy.

"Where are you going?" she shouts. "Get back here!"

But I don't. Instead, I land less than a foot from the suspect at hand.

"Banister," I call out a notch above the haunted mood music that Winnie has seeping through every room in this place.

He turns around as a smile falters on his lips, and for the first time a chill rides up my spine just looking at the man.

"Hattie?" He gives a little laugh once he spots Cricket, Rookie, and Jolly all decked out for the big night.

"What have we got here? A little bat and a wolf?" He goes to give Rookie a quick pat over the head and Rookie barks and growls.

"Whoa, boy." Banister holds his arms up and laughs once more.

"Here to have your fortune read?" I tip my head as I say it, more amused by the man than I am frightened.

Don't do it, Hattie, Rookie pleads as he whines. Let's turn around and leave. I think we should call Killion.

"You throw a great party, Hattie," Banister says with a smile, although his eyes flicker with unease. "Venetta tells me you're the one responsible for all this spooky glory." I believe the words she used were tacky chief of the pretentious party patrol .

I can't help but roll my eyes. That sounds just like Venetta.

"I know what you did," I hiss his way before he brings up that wicked witch one more time either verbally or mentally.

He gives a quick glance around. "What did I do?" he asks, looking clearly uncomfortable. "I didn't knock anything over on the way in, did I? This room does feel a little cramped."

"I know about the city council meetings," I start, my voice low and steady. "I know you're a part-time city council member. I know about the arguments, the threats, the missing funds."

His eyes widen, but he says nothing—and evidently, he's not thinking it either.

"And I know you were behind it," I continue. "Silas, Gavin, Trent, Desmond—they were all onto you. They knew about the shady deals, the money you were siphoning off. And when they threatened to expose you, you silenced them forever."

Banister's jaw tightens. He takes a full step back and inspects me from head to toe.

"I'm sorry, Hattie. But you don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" I step closer, my wings brushing close to his chest. "You know I wouldn't have put it all together if I didn't know you were opening a half a dozen restaurants all at once. My brother is in the restaurant business, so I know what an expensive endeavor that can be. When I teased you earlier about having deep pockets, you said it was ‘more like frisky fingers who know how to get their hands on some cash and from who.' You then referenced your costume—Robin Hood. Steals from the rich and gives to the poor? Only you're saving every last bit for yourself, aren't you? And you were never utilizing any loan officer to bankroll your empire."

It's no wonder that Silas told Venetta that she and Banister deserved one another. And that he was an expert at sniffing out embezzlers—not to mention he said the town was crawling with them. Silas knew too much, and now I know exactly what landed him in the morgue.

Banister laughs, a cold, harsh sound that sends shivers down my spine. "You have no proof."

"Proof?" I pull out my phone and wag it at him. "I've got a link to an article Desmond wrote, linking the victims together. This is all the proof I need. Not to mention all of the men were stabbed with German steel knives. The same knives Venetta pointed out in your restaurant that day."

He gives another sharp laugh. "Sounds like someone is trying to set me up. I think maybe you should have a drink. I'm not a killer, Hattie." He bears his eyes into mine and there's a threat in his icy cold stare. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."

I shake my head. "When we talked about the killings the other night at dinner, you were quick to change the topic."

"In the event you haven't noticed, it's not polite dinner conversation."

"It's not polite to siphon funds from the city either, but that didn't stop you. There's a paper trail as long as this town, and it all leads back to you." I'm bluffing, but I'm dying to hear his thoughts on the matter.

His eyes enliven a strange shade of crimson and his face glows to match.

"Okay." His shoulders bounce. "You're right. I killed them. I killed Trent, then Gavin, then Silas, and finally Desmond because they all knew what you know, Hattie. Yes, I helped myself to the funds I needed. It wasn't much in the grand scheme of things. Besides, I was giving back to the city by way of my restaurants." His voice grows loud and sharp and both Cricket and Rookie growl his way in response. "And I wouldn't have had to do it if the banks weren't so dead set on capping my funds. They were holding me back, Hattie. I had to do it or I was going to lose the ground leases I had already negotiated." He rakes his fingers through his hair and roars. "Look, I'm sorry you were dragged into this, but I'm not going to prison for any of it. Nobody is going to stop me or my plans, you got that?" He grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a firm shake, which sends both Cricket and Rookie launching at him with their teeth and claws.

Rookie pounces over the man's chest as I break free from the chaos. And as I turn to run, Banister slides his leg under my foot and sends me sailing to the ground.

I land flat on my hands, with my halo hitting the floor in lieu of my face, but it manages to cling to my head regardless.

The sound of growls and yowls erupts ten times louder as Banister tries to shake Cricket and Rookie loose as he staggers toward the exit.

" No ," I pant as I claw my way back to my feet and run after him.

He manages to shake both Cricket and Rookie, and in a desperate attempt to keep him from leaving, I do the only thing I can think of—I pick up that enormous crystal ball housing Madame Violet's head and hurl it at him.

I'm not sure how I manage it, but I nail Banister Grimm right in the back of his lying, stealing, cheating, killing noggin.

The man straightens a moment before turning my way, and as he lifts a finger, he falls flat on the floor in a heap.

"Oh my gosh." Madame Violet's floating head gasps at the sight, and I'm dumbstruck by the sight of her hovering in midair sans her crystal prison. "I think you killed him," she says, sounding far too amused. "And to think—I didn't see it coming."

I cover my mouth just as Killion jumps into the room and flashes his weapon.

" Everybody freeze ," he shouts as he points his gun at me then Madame Violet. " Geez ," he shouts as he jumps back and in doing so he nearly trips over the body on the ground. "Banister?" He drops to a knee and checks the man for a pulse and a moan rips through the would-be corpse.

"Well, he's not dead," Madame Violet points out as she floats closer to the scene at hand.

"Oh, thank goodness," I pant as I scoop up Cricket and give Rookie a quick pat. "He confessed," I say to Killion just as the room floods with deputies from the sheriff's department. "He killed those four men because they knew he was?—"

"Stealing from the city council," Killion finishes for me as he lets one of the deputies take over with the arrest.

Before I know it, I'm in Killion's strong arms.

He gives a mournful laugh as he lands a kiss on my cheek. "Are you okay?"

"I'm wrapped in your arms, aren't I?" I tease.

"What in the world am I going to do with you, Hattie Holiday?" He dots a kiss on the tip of my nose. "You could have gotten yourself killed."

"But I didn't. And going back to what in the world you're going to do with me…" I run my finger down his tie. "I could think of a few things."

He cocks his head to the side. "Why do I get the feeling you're no angel?"

"Watch it, buddy. You're walking a thin line."

His lips curve with sinister intent. "Keep the wings on. We can make 'em work."

Killion lands a kiss on my lips that lets me know he's got a bit more sinner in him than he ever does saint.

I have a feeling we can make that work, too.

We head back to the Bewitching Ballroom Bash and do the Monster Mash with the best of them.

And with a serial killer off the streets, this Halloween night just got a lot less scary.

An ear-piercing scream goes off, filling all of Halloween Hollow with its penetrative shrill, and I glom onto Killion and don't let go.

It seems Brambleberry Bay is still the scariest little town in Maine after all.