Page 48 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“That’s not all. He called my husband the pool boy.” Evie almost doubled over in laughter. “Yeah. Keir laughed, too.”

“Well, really. How many women your age have their exes suggest they’re sleeping with the hot, hotter, hottest young guy?”

I grinned. “There might’ve been a wee bit of satisfaction.”

“A wee bit? Maggie is rubbing off.”

“I could do worse. So where and when are you having lunch? What story have you made up about what you’re doing in England and why he can’t see where you live?”

“Most of the time I’m studying in the Outer Hebrides, so I’m not home much. Right now my place is under renovation and I’m staying with a student friend. I’m nearby just for today because I’m headed back to field duty tomorrow. Thanks for coming. See you again in another ten years.”

“This is why you were an impossible teenager. Your lying skills are off the charts.”

She looked at nails, clearly pleased with the compliment. “It’s one of my better assets.” She paused and turned serious. “You know, now that I’ve had a chance to see what good marriages look like, I realize more and more that you didn’t have one.” I sighed. “And it wasn’t your fault.”

“I’m glad you feel that way, because I don’t accept any blame.”

“Right you are. You’re the poster child for late blooming self-esteem.”

I laughed. “I’ll take it. But seriously, get rid of him for me, will you?”

“If worse comes to worse, I’ll drug him, transport him to his bed at home, and let him wake there thinking it was a dream.”

“I you do that, he’ll just come again.”

“I could wipe out his bank account.”

“Evie!” I was morally bound to sound indignant for the benefit of my child’s character but secretlylovedthat idea.

“I’ll figure it out.”

“Much appreciated. I’ve got extra duties this year in addition to the usual Samhain Court docket.”

“The usual? You sound like you’ve been doing this forever. Isn’t this your second Samhain Court?”

“Yes.”

When I didn’t say more, she asked, “What extra duties?”

“Greek gods are real.”

“Yeah. I assumed so. Are they giving you trouble?”

“Indirectly. They’ve had Medusa confined for a couple of millennia. She’s escaped, can’t be found, and has become a terrorist.”

Evie looked confused. “What in the world do they want you to do about that?”

“I gather they’re too lazy to handle the situation themselves, so they’ve foisted it off onto BOBO, probably to clear a debt.”

“I still don’t know what they think you can do about it.”

“Not sure yet, I’ve just begun sorting.”

“Look at you. Even the gods come to you to resolve their issues.”

“Let’s don’t get carried away.”

“Name something not true about what I just said?”