Page 9 of The King of Halloween
“Overnight…? What does that mean?” Adam asked.
“My boy.” The winds shifted as a man in a straw hat rushed over. He had not only the shape but the countenance of a melting snowman. Adam smiled at him, but his focus was on Raj. “That float of yours was something else. Real Hollywood magic, eh?”
“Um, I suppose. Scrim’s been used in plays for hundreds of years. And the projections are—”
The man slapped Raj on the back. “Can we expect even better at your haunted hotel?”
“I certainly hope so.” Raj kept nodding as he looked around the group. At the edge, he spotted Logan, who gave him two thumbs up.
“Hope is the best we can hope for,” the man said with a snort. “It looks like Angie’s trying to steal my seat. If you’ll excuse me.”
The man bustled off to protect his chair, and Adam used that moment to slip in closer to Raj. “You’ve impressed Mayor Gunderson.”
“Really?” Was that who he needed to talk to about permits?
“Anoka takes Halloween seriously. Very seriously. Every street corner is decorated with vintage cats, witches, and devils. Though, it’s funny.” Adam placed a finger in front of his lips, and he gazed up at the heavens.
“What is?”
“It’s never had a haunted attraction last the season.”
That was also why Raj got the idea to try one here. He thought it a good business decision, but watching Adam’s smile twist did the same to Raj’s intestines. What did he miss? Oh no, was this already cursed?
“But I’m sure you’ll be the first to make it work,” Adam said, giving him a thumbs up. “Not just a haunt, but an experience. What’s that all about?”
“Given that it’s a hotel, I thought why not make the hauntings last all night and offer rooms to—”
“Chowdery!” Mayor Gunderson shouted over him.
“Choudhary,” Raj said without a second thought. Then he caught Logan face-palming. “Chowdery’s fine.”
“Our Halloween committee’s meeting tomorrow. Why don’t you come?”
“Really?” Raj squeaked.
“Really?” Adam asked, his voice ice cold.
“The more the merrier,” the mayor shouted with a laugh. “No, wait. The more the spookier. Woo!”
“Ha, good one, Jim,” Adam said before turning his silver-ice eyes on Raj. “Good luck with your experience, Mr. Choudhary.” He gave a tight-lipped smile, then phased into the crowd until he was once again at the center of it all.
Somehow, Raj wound up on the outside without taking a step. A committee meeting? In this small town where everyone knew everyone’s business? That was…that sounded like a very bad idea.
“Yes!” Logan leaped over, slamming his hands to Raj’s shoulders until the poor man feared he might buckle. “You did it.”
“I did?”
“Get on that committee, and you can convince them to put our hotel on the official itinerary. This is perfect.”
Get? Convince?Raj’s eyes bugged out at the idea that he’d not only have to join a group, but be personable enough for them to listen to him and do what he wanted. “Logan, I don’t—”
“This is perfect. Woo! I’m celebrating. What are you drinking? Scotch?”
Raj should be looking to the mayor kind enough to extend him the invitation, but his eyes kept skipping over to the lithe man in the torn waistcoat conducting the people like a maestro. “Whisky,” Raj yelped.
?
A haunted hotel?
