Halloween Is Murder Read online

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  Halloween is Murder (Book 11 in the McKinley Mystery series)

  Copyright © 2017 by Carolyn Arnold

  Excerpt from Ties that Bind (Book 1 in the Detective Madison Knight series) copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Arnold

  www.CarolynArnold.net

  2017 Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. Edition

  All rights reserved. The scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the author constitutes unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Publisher’s Cataloging-In-Publication Data

  (Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

  Names: Arnold, Carolyn.

  Title: Halloween is Murder / Carolyn Arnold.

  Description: [London, Ontario] : Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc., [2017] | Series: A McKinley mystery ; [book 11]

  Identifiers: ISBN 978-1-988353-61-6 (paperback) | ISBN 978-1-988353-60-9 (ebook)

  Subjects: LCSH: Private investigators--Fiction. | Reporters and reporting--Fiction. | Murder--Investigation--Fiction. | Halloween--Fiction. | LCGFT: Detective and mystery fiction. | Romance fiction. | Humorous fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3601.R66 H35 2017 (print) | LCC PS3601.R66 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6--dc23

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  Chapter 1

  THE GRIM HOUSE OF HORRORS

  SCREAMS AND RUNNING FOOTSTEPS FILLED the house. Following them were the hushed reassurances of parents or guardians. Sometimes peals of laughter bounced off the walls as the children came to realize their fears weren’t real and that the ghosts and goblins were just there for fun.

  Sean and Sara had rented the two-story brick house with the specific goal of transforming it into the best haunted house in Albany, New York, with the proceeds going to local children’s foundations. They were absorbing all the expenses associated with the endeavor, including the actors and actresses who were playing zombies, ghosts, and witches, as well as the sets, props, and fog machines.

  It was the week before Halloween, and they were standing in the front entry, off to the side, and next to a doorway that opened to a room full of baked goods from a local bakery. Christmas wasn’t the only holiday with an abundance of confections.

  In a short time, a local news station would be showing up to do a story on the haunted house. It would air that night.

  “We need to do something for Christmas this year,” Sara said to Sean, her mind already on the next major holiday. “The kids are having so much fun. I’m thinking Santa Claus and elves.” She was gesturing like mad. “We could get a snow machine and make it look like the North Pole inside!”

  “Sounds like a good idea. We should just buy this house, and use it for the holidays.” Her husband was serious, but she found herself laughing.

  “What is it?” he asked, brow furrowed.

  “It’s hard to take you seriously when you…” She gestured to his Frankenstein’s monster costume and then up to his face, which was painted a pale green. She giggled again. “When you look like that.”

  He looked down at himself and splayed his hands across his chest. “This handsome, you mean?”

  “Yes, Sean, that’s it. That’s exactly what I was thinking,” she teased.

  “Well, you, my darling, make a beautiful witch.”

  She playfully narrowed her eyes at him. “Be careful.”

  He put his hands up. “I’m just talking about your outfit.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Hey. You used to love my compliments.”

  “They sound better when they don’t include the word witch.” She was just playing it up and giving him a hard time, though. Being able to razz your partner was just one benefit of a happy marriage.

  “Why, I ought to—” He enveloped her in his arms.

  She pretended to fight him off. “Help! Help! I’ve been captured by Franken—”

  Sean planted a kiss on her lips.

  She pulled back, looking him in the eyes. “Huh.”

  “What?”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t look to Magnum, P.I. for a costume.” He was certainly handsome enough with his fair complexion, dark hair, and brown eyes—even more so, if she was honest. But she supposed today was all about dressing up, and they had done that during some investigations for their PI firm, Pay It Forward Investigations. One time, Sean had tacked on a fake mustache in true Magnum fashion, but that had probably lost its appeal when removing it claimed skin.

  “I kiss you, and you say, ‘Huh, I wish you looked like Magnum?’” He pouted.

  “Oh, I never said that.”

  He placed a finger vertically under his nose, mimicking a mustache. “Come on. You can be honest with me. You loved the ’stache.”

  “Yes, I loved it when you had a bushy caterpillar living above your top lip.” She didn’t pull out sarcasm too often, but this moment called for some.

  He laughed and kissed her on the lips again.

  Sara felt a tug on her robe and looked down to see Mia standing there. Mia was six years old and had practically become family when she and Sean had hired Mia’s mother, Helen, to help them at the PI firm. Mia was dressed up as a princess, complete with tiara.

  Sara touched the points of her crown. “You are so beautiful.”

  Mia flashed a wide grin and twisted her hips, swishing her skirt and crinkling the crinoline. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” Sara said, smiling at the girl.

  The front door opened then, and Sara looked up just as Chloe Parsons, a reporter with Your Source News, entered the house followed by a cameraman. Chloe spotted them and headed over.

  Sara’s heart ticked up as her gaze fixed on the camera. Despite having been interviewed on several of America’s popular daytime shows, the thought of all those eyes out there watching made her palms sweat.

  “Good morning.” The standard greeting came smoothly off Chloe’s lips.

  “Good morning,” Sara replied, feeling self-conscious.

  This woman was classy from her sleek, blond hair to the black suede boots that came to her knees. Chloe had to be barely twenty-five, if that, but she was dressed in a charcoal-gray skirt suit that gave new meaning to an older look. It was stylish and trendy with bold lines, and oversized lapels and pocket flaps on the jacket. Her shirt had a rounded neckline that framed a chunky beaded necklace while the pencil skirt went to her knees and hugged her trim figure.

  Chloe bent down and brought herself level with Mia. “And who do we have here?”

  “I’m a princess.” Mia’s voice was low, and she hugged Sara’s leg.

  Sara smiled. “This is Mia.”

  “She’s beautiful.” Chloe returned to her full height. “A relative?”

  “Pretty much.” Sara looked down at Mia, and the little girl was looking up, eyes wide and sparkling.

  “Do you want to be on TV?” the reporter asked Mia, excitement infusing her voice.

  “Sure.” She seemed to be overcoming her shyness as she stepped out in front of Sara.

  “Would it be all right if we included her?” Chloe asked, directing the question to Sara. “Maybe she could join us for a tour after we talk?”

  Sara glanced at Sean.

  Mia steepled her hands. “Please, please, Sara.”

  Sara hated to agree to this and have Helen upset with her, so she excused
herself to make a quick phone call to Mia’s mother. A few minutes later, she returned, a smile on her face. “Your mother says it fine.”

  “Yeah!” Mia squealed.

  “All right, excellent.” Chloe smiled, adding to her beauty, but the expression faded fast. Turning more serious, she addressed Sean and Sara. “By the way, the place looks wonderful, even from the sidewalk. The way you’ve set up the front lawn is quite professional. Wow is all I’ve got to say.”

  “Most of this was Sara’s vision,” Sean told Chloe.

  “He’s being too modest.” Sara’s cheeks grew hot. She’d never quite gotten used to accepting praise, and now, in her thirties, she doubted she ever would. Besides, the haunted house might have started off as her vision, but Sean had been essential in seeing it through.

  Chloe turned, gesturing to her cameraman. “This is Jackson.”

  “Hey ya.” Jackson dipped his head forward. He was far more casual than his counterpart, but Sara had to focus on something other than the camera. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach.

  “Nice to meet you,” Sean said.

  Jackson addressed Chloe. “Where did you want to tape this?”

  Chloe looked around before directing her attention past Sean and Sara to the room with the baked goods. “How about we do some in there and then move outside?”

  Sara touched Sean’s arm for support and nodded. “It would be nice to highlight the local bakery that is involved with this project.” The nervousness was starting to abate as it was being overridden by the strong desire to get their message out to the community.

  “Sounds wonderful. We’ve already taken some amazing shots coming up the walk,” Chloe said. “The robotic Frankenstein’s monster out there was a great touch. As I see, you’re a fan.” She gestured to Sean.

  The robot outside bent at the hip and opened his arm toward the house, inviting people inside. It had been a specialty piece that Sean had custom made from a company he’d found online.

  “I also liked the live zombie.”

  “Me too,” Mia spoke up.

  A wave of pride swept through Sara. Hiring an actor to play a zombie had been her idea.

  “Did you want the tour before we film?” Sean asked.

  Chloe shook her head. “We’ll just run through quickly with Mia afterward.” She consulted the watch on her left wrist and turned to direct Jackson to follow her. Sara, Sean, and Mia entered the room after them.

  Chloe headed straight to a table of sugar cookies in assorted shapes and sizes, behind which Susannah, the owner of Sweet Tooth Bakery, was standing.

  “Chloe, this is Susannah. She owns the bakery that is providing the desserts while the haunted house is open,” Sara explained.

  “Hello,” Chloe said to her.

  Susannah looked at Sara. “Should I…?” She pointed toward the door, as if she thought they’d want her to leave.

  Chloe stepped up to the table. “We’d like to mention your bakery if that’s all right.”

  Susannah smiled. “Thank you. That would be nice.” Susannah was timid and mild-mannered, and her hands were shaking as she rested one over the other in front of herself.

  Chloe gave a barely perceptible nod. “We’ll start by talking about the concept that made the house come to reality and the charities you represent. From there—” Chloe looked at Susannah “—we’ll discuss the baked goods. Jackson will do a scan of the table, and then we’ll record some film inside the haunted house itself. Any questions?”

  Sara glanced at Sean and hitched her shoulders.

  “I don’t think so. That all sounds great,” Sean replied.

  “Perfect. The segment will air tonight during the six o’clock news.” Chloe swept her gaze over the room. “All of you are going to be wonderful. I can feel it.” While her words were kind, they carried no warmth. “Jackson.”

  His name alone must have been enough of a prompt as he set his camera down on the floor and pulled out two small mics for Sara and Sean. “Just pin these somewhere near your neck.”

  “Give one to— What is your name again?” Chloe held out a hand toward Susannah.

  “Susannah.”

  “Ah, yes.” Chloe looked at Jackson. “Give her one, too.”

  “Yes, Chloe,” Jackson droned. It was clear that he didn’t take too kindly to being bossed around by her, but given the glint in his eyes, Sara detected there was an underlying friction between the reporter and cameraman.

  “What about me?” Mia’s young voice cut through the room.

  Chloe walked over to her. “We only have so many with us, but you’ll have one when you show us the house, okay?”

  “Okay.” Mia scrunched up her face. She didn’t sound too convinced.

  “But you can stay,” Chloe assured her. “Just keep quiet for now.”

  Jackson handed a mic to Susannah, but when she didn’t take it from him, he leaned over the table and started to clip it onto her shirt collar.

  Susannah paled. “Oh, I don’t need to talk, do I, Mrs. McKinley?”

  “Not if you don’t want—”

  “I’d love for her to tell the viewers about the bakery herself,” Chloe cut in, “if she’d be so kind.”

  Susannah’s gaze drifted to Sara, her eyes full of panic. Sara made eye contact with Sean and tilted her head toward Chloe.

  “You don’t need to speak if you’re not comfortable, Susannah.” Sean’s tone challenged the reporter.

  Red bloomed in Chloe’s cheeks. “Jackson, still wire her up. Just in case she feels inclined to talk.”

  “Thank you, Mr. McKinley,” Susannah said softly.

  Sara looked at Sean and blinked slowly to communicate a thank-you.

  Jackson trudged over to his camera and perched it on his shoulder. “We’ll start shooting in twenty seconds. Twenty, nineteen, eighteen…”

  As he counted down, Sara looked over at Chloe and caught her rolling her eyes. Chloe must have sensed her watching as she turned to Sara and said, “You’ll be great.” Then Chloe’s gaze slid from Sara to Mia.

  “One… Go.” Jackson sliced his arm down through the air.

  “This is Chloe Parsons with Your Source News. I’m here with Sean and Sara McKinley at the Grim House of Horrors, where they’ve opened their doors to the public. Good evening, Sean and Sara. Thanks for joining us.”

  “Good evening. We’re happy to be here,” Sean said.

  It was odd hearing them say good evening given that it was morning, but when the viewers saw it later that day, it would make sense.

  Chloe went on, asking them questions about what inspired the house, all the while tossing in loads of huge smiles for her audience. “This is not your typical haunted house for many reasons, though,” she said eventually. “Actors and actresses have been put in place to play iconic Halloween characters; the settings and props are Hollywood-quality. And all of this was done out of your own pocket?” She looked at Sean for an answer.

  “Yes, it was, but—”

  “We believe in building a strong community and helping one another,” Sara cut in, knowing how much Sean disliked their money being brought up, as if it somehow made them better people. The point of publicizing the haunted house was to draw in money for charity, not to spotlight how they’d gotten lucky in life when Sean became the sole beneficiary of a billionaire’s estate. “That’s why the proceeds from the entrance fees will be going directly to charity foundations that support local children,” Sara said, and went on to name some.

  “We have set a minimum price at two dollars per child for entry,” Sean added. “But as I said, that’s the minimum.”

  “What do you mean by that, Mr. McKinley?”

  “Given this is all for charity, we don’t want to put a cap on how much someone can donate. We believe in giving from the heart.”

  Sara’s own heart swelled listening to her husband say that.

  “Aw, how beautifully put,” Chloe said. “And this here behind you—” she walked toward the
baked goods “—did you two bake all these goodies, as well?”

  “Actually, the Sweet Tooth Bakery is responsible for all that,” Sara said. “They baked some treats specifically for this event.”

  “And Susannah here is the owner of the bakery,” Chloe said as a segue.

  Susannah must have sensed it, too, her eyes darting to Sara. Sara’s stomach dropped. She had to rescue the poor woman.

  “Susannah has volunteered not only her baked goods but also her time to support her community. The proceeds from her sales at the haunted house will be going to charity, as well.” Sara stepped up next to Chloe. “And she could have sent one of her employees, but she took the time to come herself, showing how important this cause is. Our children are our future.”

  Chloe was staring through Sara.

  Sara ignored the glare and continued. “Sugar cookies are one of her specialties, but they taste so good because of a special ingredient—love.”

  “How lovely.” The dryness with which it rolled off Chloe’s tongue made the adjective sound repulsive.

  Screams sounded from upstairs, and Chloe smiled. “As you can hear, the children love it. Let’s go speak with some of them, and take a look around with our host princess.” Chloe gestured to Mia, held the pose for a moment, and then ran a hand along her neck to tell Jackson to stop rolling. Once he lowered his camera, she turned to Sean and Sara. She first shook Sean’s hand, then Sara’s. She didn’t say a word to Susannah and went over to Mia and held out her hand. “Would you like to show us the house now?”

  Mia looked at Jackson and flexed her fingers. “Mic, please.”

  Sean reacted first, unclipping the one from his costume to move it onto Mia’s dress.

  Mia’s eyes narrowed, and she ran her hands down the front of her dress. “Be careful with the gown.”

  “I will be,” he said with a smile.

  With mic in place, Mia lifted up her head, lengthened her neck, and lifted her nose toward the ceiling. “Follow me.”

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  Chapter 2

  SHOCKING TURN OF EVENTS

  IT WAS NEARING SIX O’CLOCK in the evening, and Sean and Sara were home in their media room on a large sectional couch, getting ready to watch their spotlight on the evening news with some friends and colleagues. They’d left the haunted house in the hands of some capable employees, who would be posted there until closing at eight.