Page 59 of All You Want
“And you stopped him from hurting me. Good job, Sheriff Sasquatch.”
“Tami, please.” I touch her chin. “I want to know what kind of danger you’re in.”
“No, you want to know my personal business and what my relationship to Evan is.”
“Because I care about you. Can’t you see? If he’s threatening you, then it is my business.”
Tami sighs loudly and leans against me as if she’s a deflated balloon. “If you cared about me, why are we sneaking around like you’re a married man? We can’t even go on a date, and I can’t tell my best friend about us. You’re not married, are you?”
“No, not married, and we’re not sneaking around.”
She grabs my mask and peels it from my face. “Then there’s no need to hide who you are. I know what’s going on, Todd. You’re ashamed of me, so you concoct this undercover security gig based on a dead raccoon and a rock with a happy face note.”
“I’m not ashamed of you.” I stare into her piercing blue eyes. “No, it’s not that. You don’t understand.”
“Then try me. Tell me, Todd. Is it because I’m fat? Or I’m your sister’s best friend? Or maybe I stink?”
“No, no, Tami, none of that. You’re beautiful, and you’re a wonderful person. You’re peppy, and you brighten everyone’s day, just being around you.”
“Then why do men treat me like a sidepiece? They don’t want to be seen with me.”
“Men? Who’s they? How many?” I feel punched in the gut as the realization dawns on me. “Was Evan one of them? Is he still involved with you?”
“He thinks he is.” She bites her lip. “Especially since he’s working so closely with me.”
“How closely?” My voice is too loud, and she blinks, backing away from me. I can’t help it. What if she’s better matched with Evan? They’re both college graduates and have common business interests working in the hospitality and entertainment industry.
“Todd, it’s really not your business.” She flings the mask over my shoulder, and it lands near the dumpster. “I have to get back to the ghost hunt. Everything’s going well here, and everyone’s having a good time. You should go back to the town square and let Shane have some time off. I’m sure he’d like to see the fireworks we have planned at midnight.”
“You don’t have a permit for fireworks.” My brain isn’t engaging because she’s dismissing me, and I fall back to my official posture.
She whips her hatpin from her head and points it toward me. “Then arrest me, Sheriff Scrooge.”
I want to grab her and hold her tight. But she’s unmasked me and doesn’t want my help. Doesn’t mean I’m giving up on her. If Evan’s threatening her, then I need to know what it is, and I’m betting there’s a criminal coverup somewhere in the past—maybe more than one.
Twenty-Two
~ Todd ~
There’s no rest for the wicked, hence no rest for the wary. The night is still young, and I need to check in at the station and make sure all is well at the town square festival.
I drive to my cabin and change out of my costume. It’s lonely up in this neck of the woods, and there’s no traffic because everyone is in town for Spooky Fest or at Tami’s grand opening.
I’m on my way back to the police station when my phone rings. It’s Miss Laverne Pine.
“How are you this evening? Is everything okay?”
“Oh, yes, it is. Thanks for setting up the pots of candy for me,” she says.
“I’m on my way back to town if you need anything.”
“I don’t want to bother you, Todd, dear, but you know how you told me to keep an eye out for suspicious characters?”
“Yes, are you okay?” Concern immediately floods me. It’s hard for Miss Laverne to live alone, but she’s as stubborn as the hills, and she keeps a loaded shotgun.
“I think so, but would you think I’m a crazy old bat if I saw a ghost?” She giggles and adds, “It’s not a trick or treater or anyone wearing a sheet.”
“Did they bother you? Threaten you in any way?”
