Page 12 of Christmas Fudge Fatality

“He sure is,” I say, reaching down and picking up the ghostly pooch. “And my goodness, you feel every bit solid.”

Noel howls out what sounds like a laugh. “I don’t mind lightening up a bit for you.”

And he does just that, nearly floating right out of my arms in the process.

The three of us head downstairs and take a moment to peer inside the casino before heading inside.

Theping, ping, pingof the one-armed bandits goes off like a chime on a loop, the atmosphere is dim, the music is a touch too loud, and the sound of lively conversations fills the place. Judging by the fact this room is packed tonight lets us know that the state laws of Vermont, regarding its ban on casinos, doesn’t have the power to scare some people off.

“Oh, look!” I nod to the bar. “There she is, already nursing a drink. Why don’t you head over, and I’ll pretend to bump into you?”

“You really think she’s going to buy that?”

“She will when she discovers I’m the jealous girlfriend who has a tracking device attached to your phone.” I give a little wink. “Okay, so I might fake a need for speed at the one-armed bandit myself. Who knows? She might give me a few tips, and I might get lucky.”

Noel whimpers, “Or she might confess to being the killer.”

I can’t help but shake my head at that one. I just can’t see it.

Everett heads in while Noel and I do a few laps around the slimy environment. For as many drooling men as there are in the strip club, there are just as many in the casino ogling me as if I were scantily clad myself.

Finally, I’ve had enough, so I make a beeline over to where that blonde bombshell happens to be laughing it up with my man.

My heart cinches at the thought of Everett being my man. He could easily be just that if I’d simply say the word. And believe you me, after the stunt Noah pulled, I’m a little closer to doing just that.

“Well, look who’s here!” I feign surprise as I slide into the empty barstool on the other side of Bonnie.

Her blonde mane is tousled and teased, drifting around her shoulders like a tumbleweed. Her lips are a caustic shade of red, and she’s donned a gorgeous black gown that as soon as this nightmare is over I will insist she give me the name of the shop where she purchased it.

“Lottie Lemon?” She inches back before her mouth rounds out into a circle. “Ohno. Please tell me I’m not stepping on your toes.” She squeezes her eyes shut a moment. “Would you believe me if I said I’ve only just now put together the dating pieces? The two of you are a couple, aren’t you?” She turns to Everett and swats him on the arm. “And you’re thinking of cheating on her with me!”

“No, no!” I try to quickly defuse the situation as Noel dances across the counter in front of us, laughing and barking his ghostly head off as if he were having a heyday with this new development. It’s nice to know he still has his sense of humor intact. “Everett and I are just good friends.” I shrug over at him as soon as she turns his way.

“In that case.” She picks up his hand and brings it to her lips. “Let me kiss it and make it all better.” And she does just that.

Gag me.

Everett chuckles as if he heard my response. Or perhaps he was going off the threatening face I’m making.

I force a smile to come as soon as Bonnie turns my way. “So what brings you to this place?”

“Trying my hand at craps.” Bonnie doesn’t miss a beat.

Do they even have craps here?

Would I recognize craps if I spotted it in the wild?

Probably not.

Noel trots up and sniffs around Bonnie’s candy red fingernails. “She smells of money and greed. Ask her if she killed my Tamara—my best girl.”

“So who do you think pushed Tamara?” I twitch a brief smile at Noel for giving me the nudge I needed.

Her eyes widen, and for a moment I see a hint of fear flicker through them.

Odd. I’ve seen that look before, and it’s always been in the eyes of a killer.

But this isBonnie. I know her.