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Lobato’s expression shifted in an instant, amusement sharpening into something far more focused. “You don’t say.”

I gave Lobato a quick rundown of everything we’d uncovered so far. She listened in silence, her expression flickering betweendisbelief and deep concentration. When I finally finished, she leaned back and let out a low whistle. “You know, Jen, you never struck me as the murdering type. And, believe me, I’ve been in the prison business for centuries—I know the sort.”

Centuries? What hell kind of creature was she?

“Thanks,” I said dryly. “Good to know.”

“So, what’s your next move?” she asked, stretching her arms like we were discussing weekend plans and not a years-old murder conspiracy.

“Well, that depends on what we find tomorrow,” I admitted. “I could go back to the mortal police, I guess.”

“You’d have my support if you did,” Lobato said, rolling her shoulders. “Though, fair warning—I’m on sabbatical, so I won’t be reachable for anything between a month and a year.” A wistful smile crossed her face before her features settled once more. “But considering it’s likely that a supernatural is behind this, have you thought about going to the sheriff’s department in Headless Hollow?”

“Yeah, but without solid proof, I doubt we’d get far. It’s a tight-knit community here. My friends and neighbors believe me, but I’m still an outsider.”

Lobato tapped her chin, her eyes narrowing as she glanced toward the cabin. Her gaze landed on the porch, her expression sharpening. “What about CCTV?” she asked, pointing toward the ancient, dust-covered camera mounted above the door. “Didn’t the footage show anything from that night?”

I sighed. “It hasn’t worked in years—not since BooDini got caught on camerahelpingsome burglars steal our TV.”

“That’s... unfortunate. Video footage would go a long way in proving you weren’t responsible.”

BooDini, who had been gleefully orbiting Lobato, suddenly froze mid-hover. Its little sheet body stiffened as though a lightbulb had just flicked on inside its fabric brain.

Then, it dramatically snapped its fingers, and the ancient TV from my bedroom materialized out of thin air, along with the living room coffee table. Trailing wires slithered and whipped excitedly as the TV settled onto the tabletop, and with a final flourish, a black box landed squarely in my lap.

“BooDini!” I scolded, hands flying to my hips. “The CCTV has been working this entire time?”

BooDini drooped, its little sheeted form wilting under my glare.

I took a slow, deep breath.Don’t get angry. It didn’t know any better.

“BooDini,” I said, softening my voice. “I didn’t mean to shout. But... can you show us the footage from that night?”

The ghost’s cutout eyes narrowed, and with noticeably less enthusiasm than before, it gave a slow, reluctant wave of its sheet hands. Wires shot out from the TV, snapping into place and connecting with the box in my lap. The screen crackled to life, and images whizzed past in a dizzying fast-forward blur.

“Hades’ bollocks!” Devlin shouted from the doorway. I turned just in time to see him stumbling forward, struggling to balance two plates of steaming apple pie. “Where the hell did all these wires come from?”

BooDini waved sheepishly, its corners twitching like a nervous fidget.

“Is that... the CCTV?” Devlin asked, moving toward us as he handed me a plate. “Careful, it’s hot.” Then, with a frown, he added, “I thought you said the CCTV didn’t work?”

I barely noticed the warmth of the plate in my hands, my stomach twisting with nerves. “Turns out BooDini’s beenhidingit this whole time.”

Devlin settled beside me, his arm brushing against mine. Even through the fabric of my hoodie, the heat of him searedthrough me. I forced myself to focus as the screen flickered and the fast-forwarding slowed.

The image steadied, revealing the front porch bathed in eerie, night-vision green. The wooden pillars loomed in the frame, and beyond them, my parents’ car sat motionless in the driveway. The scene was unnervingly still, the silence thick with expectation.

My gaze sharpened, searching for anything out of place. And then—there. A flicker of movement in the tree line. A pair of eyes reflected the night-vision glow from the shadows of the trees.

My throat tightened.Rowan’s spot.The same place he had lurkedwhen he was stalking me.

Had he been lying? Had he tricked Brooke and somehow made his way back?

Then, the foliage parted, and a hooded figure stepped onto the path. Relief flooded me as I took in their frame—they were far too small to be Rowan.

But... if not him, thenwho?

The hooded figure moved quickly, gliding toward the porch. They glanced furtively from side to side before producing a heart-shaped box of candy from their cloak and dropping it onto the welcome mat. With a quick, precise flick of their wrist, they rapped on the door before turning on their heel and scurrying back into the darkness.