Page 169 of The Holiday Fakers
They nod and thank me again, then move on to the next elf, leaving me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
I strain to see the other side of the square where Piper is with Marv, but there are too many people, so I focus instead on the steady trail of kids with their parents, who come to take photos and solve the riddle.
It’s laid-back and festive, but just as I’m getting into my stride, a dog blindsides me, barreling out of nowhere, barking wildly, and jumping up like it wants to kiss or eat me.
“Brody!”
I wrestle the overexcited dog, only to be attacked by an overexcited little boy.
“Luckyknewit was you before I did!” Billy cries. “She’s so clever. Good dog! Good Lucky!”
“Hey, Billy! How’s it going?”
“Awesome! I’m on a hunt!”
“For elves?”
“Nah. Well, kind of.” He beckons me down to his level, then cups his hand over his mouth and whispers loudly, “The treasure hunt is my cover story.”
Lucky barks loudly in agreement.
“Hello, Mr King,” Billy’s mom says as she reaches us.
“Brody, please,” I reply and shake her hand. “Billy tells me he’s on another hunt.”
“SHUSH!” Billy whisper-shouts as his mom rolls her eyes.
“So, what are you hunting?” I ask quietly.
“Jack Frost. I sawThe Santa Clause 3last night, and if anyone’s gonna ruin Christmas, it’s him.”
“I like your logic. So what’s your plan for when you meet him?”
Billy narrows his eyes. “Mom ruined it.”
“Honey,” she says with a barely concealed smile, “you can’t bring your Nerf gun into town.”
I laugh, then immediately cough to disguise it.
“See?” he says, pointing at me. “Brody thinks it’s a good idea.”
“Your mom is right,” I say, using every actor’s trick in the book to keep a straight face. “But that doesn’t mean there aren’totherways to handle Jack Frost.”
“Like what?” Billy asks breathlessly, as his mom’s eyebrows raise in alarm.
“A snowball?” I suggest quickly.
Billy pumps his fist. “Yes! Now all I need to do is find him.”
“Well …”
“Is he here?”
I lower my voice. “I’ve heard a rumor that he’s at the treasure hunt disguised as an elf …”
“No way!”
“Yesway.”
