Page 96 of All You Want
“The Vice Squad can shoot the breeze there just as well. Wear a body cam. I want you to watch for Randy and Dillon’s reactions, whether they are surprised to discover the tunnel or if they knew about it.”
“Thought our suspect was Diana,” he says.
“She might have had help. The stolen pickaxe wasn’t at her place.”
He agrees to come after the children and young teens have finished for the evening.
I text the younger deputies and gather them for a meeting. Randy, Justin, and Chad show up, but Dillon and Al don’t reply.
“Okay, guys,” I announce. “We’re shorthanded tonight. The Trickvenger Hunt is more of a scavenger hunt. Tami has certain stations, or hollow trees and nooks where treats and gifts are hidden. Some have locks or mechanisms that must be solved, whereas others are guarded by volunteer ghouls who might jump out and scare the trick or treater. It’s all supposed to be good fun, but I want you guys to keep an eye out for any practical jokes that are hurtful or pranksters trying to take advantage.”
“Are the locations close by?” Chad asks, looking at a map Neil hands out.
“All are within this side of the creek on the Bee Sting property. Nothing across the bridge or encroaching on the Sixty Miners, so no one should go that direction.”
“How many trick or treaters?” Randy asks.
“They’ll be in teams of two.” I flip through the sheets Tami gave me. “Tami’s parents are one team, her two sorority sisters a second team, my sisters Vivi and Joey are a third team, the Jewells a fourth team, and Tami and I are the fifth team.”
“I only have four itineraries,” Neil says. “Will need to print another one for you and Tami.”
“What’s an itinerary?” Randy asks.
“They’re maps with the stations, but listed in a different order, so each team will not step on another team. Sort of like miniature golf stations,” Neil explains. “For your purposes, it doesn’t matter. You’re just going to walk around the different stations and make sure everyone’s having a good time.”
“Okay, think I got it,” Chad says. “There’s only three of us, so we won’t be able to have one at each station.”
“I’m sure it will be okay,” Randy says. “They don’t look too spread out.”
“Great.” Neil checks his watch. “Let’s meet the teams in the dining room and hand out the maps and itineraries.”
The mood in the dining room is festive, and I’m introduced to Dave and Jen Jewell. They’re both tall and athletic, oozing with polish, with perfect grooming, manicures, and pressed clothes. Wealthy tech moguls, but surprisingly down-to-earth.
I’m used to city folk saying inane things like how charming our town is, or how they love being so close to nature, but Dave is more interested in the history of Colson’s Corner and mining, while Jen is curious about the stories of the women who lived and worked here.
“It looks like Miss King is doing a good job balancing between historical accuracy and entertainment value,” Jen says as she checks out the museum side with the collection of artifacts, photographs, and testimonials. “I can’t wait to see a ghost tonight.”
“We’re in the Weeping Widow Walkway,” Dave says. “Somehow, I don’t particularly wish to encounter a widow.”
Jen takes Dave’s hand and grins. “Well then, if it makes you feel better, I won’t weep for you.”
He chuckles and kisses her, and I have to look away, because there’s so much love and devotion between them that it hurts.
My parents might have loved each other once, but my mother left us long ago. Tami’s parents seem to love each other, but they bicker constantly, and George always has to be right.
I can’t imagine Tami and I bickering all the time. It gives me the heebie-jeebies when two people who love each other say they want to grow old together. One or the other gets sick and dies when the other is so old and frail and vulnerable.
I can think of nothing worse. Maybe it’s better to die young with lovestruck hearts that are able to recover and go on rather than exist together past the expiration date.
“Todd, there you are,” Tami says, knocking me out of my morbid thoughts. “Dave, Jen, I’m so glad you’re going trick or treating with us. I’m sorry you missed the ghost hunting, but Evan will be back tomorrow, and I’m sure we can arrange a private tour.”
“That would be awesome,” Jen says, looking expectantly at Dave.
“Only if I survive my night with the weeping widow,” he says and gives his wife a kiss.
“Here’s your map.” Neil gives them their itinerary and explains a few of the landmarks.
The others are ready to go. Chad is flanked by Rosalie and Suzette, and Randy is shamelessly flirting with my baby sisters.
