Rather than a trick, here's a treat. An excerpt I haven't shared before from my PI mystery THE CASE OF THE BYGONE BROTHER.
Like many of the
downtown businesses, I participated in Fair Haven’s Candy Walk. Costumed kids
went from door to door and we handed out treats. Since the weather was so nice,
I sat in a lawn chair out on the sidewalk. As did many other business owners.
In previous years, we scooted our chairs together so we could chat.
Not this year.
My two bodyguards insisted on standing close by. Big concession that was. They
wanted me to stay inside. In fact, they didn’t want me to participate at all. I
told them nobody was keeping me from having a little fun. Sacerne and her
minions had already interfered with my life. I wouldn’t let them intimidate me
into missing out on my favorite Halloween activity.
I dressed in my
witch costume and hid my still-bruised face behind a mask. Jasper worried that
Tyler would also wear a mask and sneak up on me. I poo-poo’d that idea, asking
if he thought Tyler would rent a kid for more camouflage. The two guys didn’t
think that was funny.
My favorite part
of the Walk had always been watching the kids. I loved the costumes. More than
last year, many wore home-made outfits. Even many parents and dogs wore costumes.
After the third Darth Vader, I gave some credence to Jasper’s warning about
Tyler coming in disguise. Let me tell you, when a huge black-clad figure with a
helmet and cape lumbers toward you, fear streaks down your back. Fortunately, I
recognized the Darth Vaders—more from the kids attached to them.
When a blue cardboard
police box without a child nearby headed directly toward me, Norman and Jasper
went into high alert. They sandwiched Doctor
Who’s TARDIS between them and ordered the person inside to show himself.
At the menace in
my guards’ voices and actions, parents grabbed their surprised children to pull
them out of the way.
Oh my gosh, I
knew who was inside the TARDIS. When it looked like Jasper and Norman were
going to pull out their guns, I jumped up and cackled. “I’ll get you, my
pretty.” Then I pointed my broom at the box. “Ex-ter-min-ate!”
Some parents—Doctor Who fans, I assume—laughed, the rest
and their kids eyed me warily, and a freaked-out RJ opened a little hatch at
the top.
“See? It’s all
part of a game,” I said. “Happy Halloween.”
After the group
moved on, I quietly apologized to RJ.
“Man, oh, man,
Alex,” he exclaimed. “I thought those guys were going to take me down. Who are
they?”
“A present from
Nick Palzetti.”
The Case of the Bygone Brother is available at Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00P1GPR0Q
Diane
Burton writes romantic adventure . . . stories that take place on Earth and
beyond. She blogs here on the 8th and 30th of each month and on Mondays on her
own site: http://dianeburton.blogspot.com/
16 comments:
What a fun excerpt! Enjoy your Halloween!!
Like the excerpt! I have to find time to read this.
Great excerpt. I can really picture this.
Cute excerpt, Diane. Have a happy Halloween--even if you don't dress up!
Nothing like ramping up the 'scary stuff' for me just as I venture out for the Halloween parade at Nursery School. I'll think of this excerpt while facing any Darth Vaders and such in the group.
Fun excerpt! Will the grand kids come trick or treating to your house? I love Halloween and I don't mind a little creepy, spooky stuff, but not anything too gross or gory. My favorite Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus, if that tells you anything about me, lol!
Since there are no kids (alas) in my neighborhood, all the adults attend a very cool costume party. I shall be a witch this year. As a flower child last year,I found folks did not recognize me, even though I had on NO mask--just a long wig and headband. Ha! It doesn't take much to disguise me at my age! Enjoy the fright, everyone. Nice post!
I've never been big on Halloween either, Diane, but the excerpt was fun.
You know I'm a fan of this book, Diane. Nice to see this scene again! Happy Halloween to you!
Great excerpt!
Good luck and God's Blessings.
PamT
As you know, I love Halloween and scary stuff. I guess Alex and I have that in common. Cute excerpt...intriguing. Looking forward to digging in!
I love your voice, and I especially loved the Doctor Who reference! This sounds like a really cute read! Thank you for sharing it with the world, Diane!
I am so glad you all liked the excerpt. If I owned a downtown store, it's what I'd do for the trick-or-treaters. Margo, I'll bet the parade was fun. Susan, enjoy the party. I hope you all have a fun Halloween. It's supposed to rain here tomorrow night. Poor kids.
Loved this book, Diane! Highly recommended.
Thanks, Leah.
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