Page 70 of Death at a Scottish Halloween

I laughed. “It’s the truth.”

“But they’ll need costumes.”

I opened up the big bag I carried around everywhere. I never knew when I might need some medical supplies. It also held other essentials. I pulled out two tiaras and two of the feathered eye masks I’d bought. I couldn’t decide which color, so I’d bought a bunch of them.

“You’re a right Mary Poppins with that thing.” He joked.

Fifteen minutes, and one shuttle ride later, Mara’s grandad deposited us in the middle of Main Street. The rain came down steadily and everyone was headed into the church. We went the opposite way.

It was only a block down, and we had the proper gear for the rain. I’d learned all about layering here in Scotland. It was just as rainy in Seattle, so I was used to it. But the cold still chilled my bones.

Mrs. Beatty answered the door. “Oh, doctor, I wasn’t expecting you tonight. And Jasper, this is a treat. Come in. Come in.”

Akif had been in the front parlor but came to the door. He smiled at us.

“We came by to see if Flora and Elsie might want to go to the costume contest at the church,” I said.

“Can we, Ma?” Elsie ran into the front room. “Please?”

Her mother blew out a breath. “I don’t know if it’s—appropriate, love. We’re grieving.”

Elsie’s face fell. “Grieving is very hard.” The truth came out of the mouths of babes. She was so adorable. “But Da would love to make us laugh.” She stared up at her mom.

She nodded. “OK, maybe for a little while. It was good to get out of the house earlier today. Would it be OK? Will we be safe?” She turned to Akif.

“I’ll come with you,” he said.

I wasn’t happy that she was scared. They were grieving, and it wasn’t fair to add that to everything else. But until we found who killed the Duncans, they were right to be frightened.

“And we’ll be with you as well. We can pick a place to sit that feels right.”

Akif held up his phone. “I checked with the Constable. We’ll have an escort there and back,” he said.

“Oh, I don’t like that everyone is going to so much trouble,” Flora said.

“We want to do it. I even brought costumes, well, sort of for you.” I pulled out the tiaras and eye masks.

“Ohhhh,” Elsie said. “I can be a princess of the Highlands.”

Her mother sighed. “OK. Come on you. Let’s go get your coat and gloves.”

In a few minutes, we were all headed over. Akif had borrowed a plain black mask. Henry arrived in his policeman’s official-looking uniform, complete with hat. “The Constable will meet us there,” he said. “They’re saving us seats in the back.”

The inside of the church had been decorated with pumpkins and scarecrows. We were in the area they called the Family Life Center, which was huge. Many events were held in this space, especially when the weather wasn’t playing nice.

“No scary monsters here,” Jasper said.

“Unless you’re afraid of scarecrows,” I whispered. They’d always bothered me. I had no idea why. Something about straw people coming to life, which had been an old tale my grandmother had told me to make me behave when I was little.

He laughed.

As promised, Mara and Ewan were stationed at the back row of the tables that had been set up.

“Oh, Em, I’m glad you’re here,” she said. “We need your help.”

“Sure. With what?”

“The rowing coach was supposed to be one of our judges tonight, but she’s sick, along with most of her crew.”