Page 118 of Evidence of a Folktale

Eamon pulled the pitbull off the floor and into their cuddle pile. “It seems Baby Beast can’t either.”

“After the murderof four crew members, and a car accident that killed the lead actor Beau Draven, the studio has announced that this will be Aesop’s Files final season,” the reporter said, and Belwiped her hands as she abandoned her half-assembled sandwich to watch the television. An overwhelming week had passed since the accidents, and while she had the day off, Eamon had requested she stay at her cabin. He had a massive amount of work to catch up on, and the mansion renovations he’d scheduled for this weekend came with loud noises and noxious chemicals. He didn’t want her or Cerberus near the fumes, but Bel didn’t mind. She hadn’t left his house in days, and she had to return home sometimes to perpetuate her stance on not living together yet.

“By combining the already filmed footage with re-writes to give fans a satisfactory conclusion, Aesop’s Files will finish the season early,” the reporter continued. “Viewers worldwide have mixed responses about the series’ finale, though. Some are devastated the show is ending, while others feel the cancellation is necessary considering the new murder allegations. Recent evidencepertaining toa six-year-old cold case has surfaced that police confirm implicates Gwen Rossa, Ellery Roja, Alistair Rot, Warren Rouge, and Beau Draven, birth name Reds, as the perpetrators of the homicide.”

Bel sagged against the kitchen counter with an exhale. She’d done it. She kept her promise. A letter had arrived for her a few days after Rollo vanished. It provided no name orreturn address, but she knew who’d sent it. It held simple directions, but what she recovered after following the instructions was anything but. All the evidence Ethan Rollo promised found its way into her hands, and she was ruthless with it, leaving such a bad taste in the studio’s mouth that they abandoned all ideas of suing Bajka for negligence. After six long years, Grandma Rollo had her justice. Her tombstone finally bore her name.

“Fans shouldn’t be disappointed, though,” the reporter continued. “The studio has announced a spin-off starring Aesop’s Files leading lady, Taron Monroe. Sources close to the actress have confirmed that this series will follow Miss Monroe’s character as she leaves town for a detective position in a new precinct plagued by the paranormal.”

Bel smiled at the announcement and snatched her phone off the counter, selectingTaron’s number before typing a text message.

Bel

Congrats on the new show. I just saw the news.

She placed her phone down and grabbed a knife to spread the mustard, but her cell vibrated before she could even grab the bottle.

Taron

Oh my god, thank you so much! I just wish winning a lead didn’t arrive on the back of a cold case, four murders, and a fatal car accident.

I understand, but you’ll be fantastic. I mightactuallywatch this one.

Girlllllll……….. you better!

When you have time off, I’ll fly you out to consult.

Sounds fun. Can’t wait.

Me either. Aesop’s Files was a great opportunity, but the obsession always felt wrong.I guessnowweknow why, so I’m excited to embark on something new and honest.

Seriously, congratulations.

Thanks, girl. Welcome to my Mon-hoes!

Bel rolled her eyes.

Did you just roll your eyes?

How did you guess?

I shadowed you, remember? I roll my eyes when I’m playing a serious cop now, too.

Maybe you don’t need me to consult.

Nonsense! Anyway, g2g. About to run into a meeting. Talk soon!

Bel picked up the mustard bottle for a second time, only to be interruptedyetagain by a knock at the front door.

“Dad?” She gawked at the sight of her father standing unexpectedly on the other side, but before she could hug him, Cerberus barreled between her legs and almost took him out.

“Hey, baby boy.” Reese scratched the dog as he regained his footing andthenhugged his daughter. “Hi, baby girl.”

“Is everything okay?” Bel squeezed him tight. “Why are you here?”

“I called Eamon to ask if you were free,” he said. “I should’ve called you, but I wasn’t sure if you were working, so I didn’t want to disrupt you. He said you were home, so I jumped in the car.”

“But you’re okay, right?” She pulled him inside, hating how her heart rate spiked at seeing him so unexpectedly. Was he sick? Had something happened?

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