Dying on the Housetop : (Ho Ho Ho, a Christmas Novella) by Marcy Blesy

Author:Marcy Blesy [Blesy, Marcy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marcy A. Blesy, LLC
Published: 2025-10-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Most of the crowd has gone home. Despite the dramatic execution of a 30-foot-tall nylon Santa Claus atop the roof of the senior center, there’s not a frown to be found on anyone in Tucson Valley, not even Safia. Holiday cheer is plentiful tonight.

“Oh, Rosi! Have you seen the views? Just look at them!” Safia thrusts a cellphone into my face. The likes tabulator on the bottom of the video that stopped airing live fifteen minutes ago, continues to tick up. “8,021, 9,410, 10,000! Woo-Wee! It worked! Everything I planned for tonight’s event worked fantastically!”

“I guess you’re getting your puzzles,” says Brenda dryly. “Whoop-de-doo.” Brenda twirls her pointer finger around in the air, thoroughly unimpressed with the increasing views for the Tucson Valley Retirement Community Sing-Along.”

“Just you wait and see, Brenda. If you can find a good mood in there somewhere,” Safia says as she points her finger toward Brenda’s heart, “I might even let you pick some new games for the rec room. Don’t forget I heard you and Jan talking about wanting to try one of those murder mystery games that comes in a box.”

“It’s true,” says George. “I think many people in Tucson Valley feel like their murder-solving skills are far superior, you know, because of all the drama that surrounds TVRC.”

“Well, now there’s only good drama!” says Safia. “We are up to 14,000 views!”

“I didn’t think our singing was that good,” says Keaton.

“It wasn’t,” says Paula. “I could tell from the stage.”

“I thought we sounded lovely,” says Caliope.

“But don’t you see, Keaton? It wasn’t just the singing that captured the hearts of America!” I raise an eyebrow as Safia speaks, trying not to show my amusement by her dramatic protestation. “I put together a show! The singing was only part of the evening. The decorations, the clothing, the pictures of our residents! Even Officer Clause made an appearance that people clearly loved! I didn’t even have to make up his name! It simply fits!”

“Did you post his name on the video?” I ask Tracy who has returned from a quick visit to her office to put away the video equipment. “I did just as Safia asked me to do. What a night!”

“What about the faux Santa?” I ask, pointing to the roof where Officer Clause is currently looking for clues.

“I have no idea,” says Safia. “That was only a bonus.” She shrugs her shoulders.

“A bonus?” asks Brenda.

“Yes, of course! Having Santa murdered during our sing-along was social media gold! Tracy got the shot of floppy Santa and everyone from the retirement community singing our song outside under all of Mario’s beautiful twinkling lights! What a magical night! Oh, look! We are up to 20000 views!”

An uncomfortable idea forms in my mind. Keaton looks at me and back at Safia as his lightbulb moment has matched mine. He nods his head, giving me the encouragement I need. “Safia, did you…did you stab Santa? For views?”

“Rosisophia Doroche Laruee!” Safia shrieks, so loud that even Foster Stingerman stops walking on the sidewalk in front of his house, which is the closest residence to the senior center.

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