Page 179 of Trick or Stalk

“It's your homicidal door.”

“I'll get it fixed.”

“You've been saying that for seven years.”

“Exactly. Any day now.”

I laugh.

She reaches for the doorknob before turning around again. “And don't burn anything.”

“That was your suggestion!”

“I said a bush. Not the bookstore.”

“You and Gracie are terrible influences.”

Margaret wiggles her eyebrows. “That’s what makes us so fun.”

The bell jingles behind her, then she's gone.

I look around the bookstore. It’s quiet and warm. We were busy most of the day, but now, people seem to be enjoying the festivities outside. Screams and laughter filter inside.

I glance toward the front window. Nobody is there.

Of course, no one’s there.

The masked man has more sense than that with all these people around.

I haven't seen him since the alley.

Not that I’m looking for him.

I also haven't spent an unreasonable amount of time staring at the note that came with the package.

Even though there’s no signature, I know it has to be either Hades or the masked man.

Hades seems the likely suspect.

He knows Penny. And the book inside was the special edition I recommended.

The only problem?

Hades doesn't know where I live.

The masked man definitely knows where I live. He saw Penny the night he was standing outside my bedroom window. He may have seen her through the living room window as well.

But how the hell would he know which book I recommended to Hades?

Unless he was watching us at the bookstore. Which is entirely possible.

“Great.” I rub my temples. “I’m getting a headache. Back to not thinking about that.”

By seven fifteen, I've sold three books. Two were to the same woman.

It's not exactly a rush, given that most of Hollow Creek is outside enjoying Halloween Week, and I can't blame them.

I wander into the staff room and pour the last of the coffee into my mug. It's terrible, but I drink it anyway.