Page 65 of The Santa Claus Con

Oh, okay. That’s where she’s going with this.

“You want to hear from me… so that you know what stats you have to beat?” I ask.

In the reflection, I see hesitation flicker across Scarlett’s smokey eyes, the corners of her mouth curve down. Within seconds, she’s reset her face back to upbeat. It takes an extra second before she responds, but she gets there.

“Yep! And sounds like I’m catching up, so, after this op, let’s not worry about talking until next Christmas, cool?”

“Yeah.” I unintentionally squeeze her hip. “Sure.”

She makes a sharp turn into the harbor’s parking lot and then slams on the brakes. Hard. Our bodies move forward as one until the steering wheel stops our momentum. Scarlett slams back against me. The air is pushed out of my lungs. And then I see them…

A few free-roaming chickens in the middle of the road.

“We have a minute, Payne,” I barely manage.

“I’m not running over chickens!” she says, shifting the car into park. “Though that’d be one hell of a joke.”

She pushes open the door, removes our seat belt, and slides off me. She adjusts her dress straps and shoots me a look. “You shouldn’t have your gun on you when you’re driving, Lambros. I could feel it the whole time.”

I hold back a grunt through clenched teeth. “At least I’m armed.”

“Show me your six-ten-mile speed,” she dares.

Then she turns in her heels and runs, dress and hair flying in the wind.

Evidence Log

Case #: 8923045

Date collected: 12/23/26

Item(s) collected: Map, invisible ink pen with UV light, and riddle written on wrapping paper with calligraphy pen

Location collected: Cartwright Toys Emporium

Do you want your next clue?

A little gift from me, to you.

Want to see what’s up my sleeve?

Soon it will be Christmas Eve.

Are you ready for Santa’s big scene?

It’s almost time for me to come clean.

There’s more at play than the eye can see.

To find out, just follow me.

Chapter 19

SCARLETT

7 hours and 25 minutes until midnight

The cars we’re delivering the toys in are classics. And convertible, too. Light blue.