4. Hattie

HATTIE

T he festival grounds here at Willoughby Hall are done up to the Halloween nines as the Halloween Hollow Festival bubbles around us like a witch's cauldron.

The sounds of laughter and the glow of both twinkle lights and hundreds of jack-o'-lanterns create the perfect magical yet eerie atmosphere.

It's a perfect October night in Brambleberry Bay, filled with fun, mystery, and just the right amount of supernatural charm. I'm just praying that charm doesn't turn into harm, as in homicide .

"Trouble?" I shake my head at my sister in her black glittery dress. "What trouble?"

I turn around just as two men come upon us. A tall man who looks about fifty, with thick dark hair combed forward over his eyebrows and deep lines etched in his skin. And a younger man, handsome by classic standards, with chiseled features, thick reddish brown hair, and a devilish gleam in his eyes. He looks to be somewhere in his thirties and can't seem to stop flashing an eager grin at us.

Both men are clad in flannels and jeans and look ready for a crisp autumn night at the local Halloween haunt, and I do mean haunt. Winnie has this place looking so spooky even a ghost would think twice before heading this way, and with the ground fog being pumped in from the sea, it looks as if Mother Nature is doing her part to participate.

"Well, if it isn't Killion the Killer Hunter," the younger man laughs as Killion pulls him into one of those partial man-hugs.

"Banister Grimm." Killion gives a hearty laugh right back. "It's great to see you."

"I'm surprised to see you," Banister muses before taking a step back to inspect both Winnie and me. "But I'm not surprised to see you're standing here with two of the most beautiful women in all of Willoughby Hall, or should I say Halloween Hollow?" He wiggles his fingers at the sky and we all share a laugh—well, all but Winnie. She actually looks more than a little put-off.

"Hello, gentlemen," Winnie says to the two men before us. "Hattie, Killion, this is Silas Moon." She nods to the older man with his hair combed forward. "He's the contractor we hired to help construct just about everything you see on the grounds tonight."

"Oh wow," I say, turning to the man with a smile. "You do great work." A thought comes to me. "I'm the event planner down at the country club and I'd love to have your card. Every now and again, we have events that require projects that are above my paygrade and I could really use a contractor to turn to."

"You bet," the man is quick to say. "I'd be happy to help." It must be my lucky night. And to think I thought I hit the jackpot when I was asked to work the Willoughby estate. I bet the country club has more cash than the US Treasury. "Any and every project you need help with"—he gives a slight bow my way as he hands me his card—"I'm your man." He casts a cold look to the gentleman to his right. That might just help take my mind off the disasters I've stepped in as of late .

"Thank you," I tell him.

Winnie shrugs my way as if to say way to go . "And Hattie, this is Banister Grimm." She nods to Killion. "I see you've already met."

"Banister and I go way back." Killion laughs. "But I'm afraid life has gotten in the way." He nods to the younger man. "What are you up to these days?"

"I just opened a restaurant down on Main Street last year." Banister rocks back on his heel and there's a touch of pride on his face. "It's called Grimm's Good Eats Gourmet, but for the month of October we've renamed it to Grimm's Ghostly Gourmet."

"Ooh, great name. And I'm a big fan of food," I tease before glancing at Killion. "We'll have to check it out."

"We will," Killion insists. "Banister, this is my girlfriend, Hattie Holiday. And I guess you've met her sister, Winnie."

"Nice to meet you, Hattie. I'm sorry that you have to put up with Killion." We all share a quick chuckle, and oddly, it's Cricket's chuckle that is the loudest. "And yes"—the man gives a calculated smile in my sister's direction—"Winnie and I have met." If I have my way, we'll be meeting again and again.

I try my best not to show my emotions, but it's clear the man is smitten with her. Winnie is, well, a winner , so I can't say I blame him.

Cricket mewls my way, You don't have to tell me he's having naughty thoughts about Aunt Winnie. She rolls her eyes at the thought.

Well, he's not exactly having naughty thoughts. I look his way and, sure enough, his mind flits to white noise and I gasp. White noise is the universe's way of protecting me from, well, naughty thoughts.

Shame on him.

Although, again, Winnie is hot. I still can't say I blame him.

Banister gives a hard blink as if coming to. "Of course, I'm not the only one dabbling in culinary delights around here. Silas runs Moon's Chocolate Delights, the best chocolate shop in town."

"Ooh, I love Moon's Chocolate Delights." I practically jump as I say it and Rookie gives a soft woof.

I want chocolate. Rookie offers me a pleading look and I shake my head his way.

We've been over it dozens of times. Chocolate can be lethal to dogs.

Oh, give it to him already, Cricket mewls with wicked intent. After all, both you and Killion fall over backwards giving that furball just about anything he wants.

I shoot her a wry look for even going there.

"Actually, my mother owned it," Silas says. "That was her baby. But I inherited the place and have a good team running it now. In fact, we're one of the sponsors of the festivities here."

"And thank you for that," Winnie says just as a bloodcurdling scream goes off in the direction of the mansion. "If you'll excuse me, I'd better go see what that's about. I'm sure it's nothing. But I can't seem to shake this horrible foreboding feeling. But then, I guess, 'tis the season." She takes off and Banister chuckles.

"'Tis the season, all right," he says as he looks in her direction. ' Tis the season I land that little lady in my bed.

My mouth falls open.

He wishes.

Rookie nudges his head against my knee. Just give me the word, Hattie, and I'll bite him where it hurts.

If Banister keeps up with it, I might have no other choice.

Just then a gray-haired zombie steps out of the shadows and a short-lived scream evicts from me.