Trick or Treats by Diana Catt

Author:Diana Catt [Writers, Speed City Crime]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780996309288
Publisher: Speed City Sisters in Crime

At precisely 6:30 p.m. the mansion caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. Bates, entered the kitchen dressed as Morticia and Gomez Addams, and called a meeting. The catering staff and two employees of the mansion stopped what they were doing and stood at attention.

Mrs. Bates, in a black face mask matching her skin-tight floor-length black dress, motioned to a small cabinet mounted on the wall. “This is where we keep the keys.” She opened the door to reveal sets of keys hanging from rows of pegs. She removed one large antique skeleton key and dangled it from the tip of a long black lacquered fingernail. “This particular key is to the fourth-floor room, which leads to the widow’s walk. It is only to be used in case of emergency. And I repeat only in case of emergency.”

Trish frowned. She really wanted to see the widow’s walk. She needed a plan.

Jason winked at Trish, then said, “Just out of curiosity, Mrs. Bates, why is that?”

“Young man,” Mrs. Bates said. “I saw that wink. Since you are under my employ, I expect to be taken seriously. To be frank, people have been fatally injured trying to gain access to the widow’s walk through that room. It is unsafe. People have died over the years, like a painter who fell to his death. So, please stay away.

“My husband and I have been planning this event for months. It must run smoothly, without a hitch. That is, if you want to cater more events in the future.” She then gave a pointed look at Tiny who nodded his assent.

Mr. Bates cleared his throat. “What my wife is trying to say is that the room is under renovation. Until construction is finished, the room is simply, and unequivocally, off-limits to staff and guests. Is that clear?” He looked at each and every person with a stern expression until everyone nodded their heads. “I hope none of you believed that garbage in the Indianapolis Star about the curse. It wouldn’t surprise me if they tried to sensationalize the widow’s walk to sell more papers.”

“Thank you, darling,” Mrs. Bates said in her best Morticia drawl. She shut the cabinet door with a bang just as thunder rumbled outside, closer than before.

Trish jumped.

The lights flickered and Trish noticed a look pass between Mr. and Mrs. Bates. She grabbed hold of Dominique’s hand.

“Calm down, girl,” Dominique said, giving Trish a reassuring squeeze.

“Don’t be frightened,” Mr. Bates said, “It’s common in old houses. Nothing to be concerned about.”

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