Page 71 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“No offense.” I chuckled. “Romeo. You have the comm.” Turning to Esme, I said, “I can’t wait to see your dress.”

She was wearing a long black curly wool coat that looked beguiling with her black hair.

That got me a second smile. “Are you disappointed that Kagan won’t see you on a rare high-heeled sneakers night?”

“High-heeled sneakers?”

“Oh. Sorry. It’s a silly lyric from an old song. Means getting all turned out for a special night.”

She shrugged. “His loss.”

The two of them were made for each other.

On the way, I told her everything I knew about the menu and about Adam Ant. “Were you a fan?”

She laughed. “Did I have fanatic feelings about a crazy eighties personality? Uh. No.”

“Do you look down on those who did?”

“Before I answer, am I in the company of one such lunatic?”

It was my turn to laugh. “You have a way with words, Es. I wouldn’t go so far as to say “fan”, but I had a foot in the water up to my insole.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about now.”

“Never mind. It’s going to be fun.” The second I said it I remembered that John David’s parties sometimes came with a weird outlook on “fun”. “Well, at least I hope it will be.”

“You’re not worried about being pranked again. Are you?”

“Worry is a strong word. I’d say I’m approaching the evening with mild caution.”

She shook her head. “That will do you no good. If there’s trickery afoot, you won’t see it coming.”

I felt less than reassured as we pulled into John David’s quarter-mile driveway. John David was getting very good at hosting. The valet parker was dressed up like Bella Lugosi.

After parking right next to the front door, I told the kid, “This is a good spot for me. Just leave it here.”

He took another look at the car, so long and appreciative I was sure he wouldn’t hesitate to cut my throat for it, and said, “As you wish.”

As Esme and I made our way to where Jarvis waited at the entrance, I said, “Maybe I should ask my daughter to disguise Romeo as a family van.”

“Why a family van?” she asked.

“Because no person of the male persuasion wants one.”

“Oh.” She laughed softly as she looked back.

Since no other guests had arrived after us, vampire valet was still standing in place transfixed by Romeo and unabashed longing.

Jarvis gave us the obligatory small nod of his head as we stepped inside the grand foyer.

“May I take your wraps?” He held out his arms as he asked. “Drinks are being served in the drawing room. I trust you remember the way. Dinner will be served shortly.”

“Thanks, Jarvis. How are you tonight?” I had to ask because I knew it would rankle him and I just couldn’t help it. He was totally discomfited being chatted up by one of the master’s guests.

“Quite well. Thank you for inquiring, Mrs. Culain.”

Mrs. Culain??? Why I oughta…