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"But they can’t get rid of Peter Andres’s place," Jenna said "I was just out there, and Ibroadly "The Lexington House has a truly ghastly and gri happen, even if it was pretty bad And that’s recent People like historic ghosts hosts Unless, of course, it’s a host Everyone wants to stay at that Hard Rock in Florida in the room where Anna Nicole Smith died But no one knew Peter Andres Oh, come on, you don’t need to be a psychiatrist to notice the way that people just are!"
"So, historically, we all know about the Lexington family, and the Braden faood deal if you want to open a tourist attraction," Sam said
"Oh, yes, of course I think that the woer--wanted the house for work She’s kind of a newcomer--okay, she’s from as far away as Plys, sells cards, herbs and all the sa that she said it looks like the Lizzie Borden place, which is now like a B and B or soo to her rather than someone else for the ambience of the house?" Jenna asked drily
"Of course! I’ll bet you it will be worth a mint now Hey, the Smith kid will be able to pay you, Sa the work pro bono," Sam told her
"Well, that’s kind of you, to help such a nutty kid"
"I guess that’s universally accepted?" Jenna asked
They both stared at her
"Universally, as in locally, Iabout kooks anywhere you live, you know Everybody knew that faht And, of course, in this area, Lexington House is legendary Everyone thought it fitting that the Srinned "And, of course, in Salem, you have all the curiosity seekers who come to see what modern witches look like! It may be ‘Witch City,’ but we’re still the minority I mean, we should be the alternative people The Smith family made us all seehtful a minute "You know, if it weren’t backward…"
"If eren’t backward?" Sa to reh school, so all she knows is what others say about the past, but if I remember this correctly--and you should definitely checkyou hearsay or whatever--but Peter Andres was vocal about Abraham Smith He said that S some kind of disability That he was a drain on the taxpayers, was the epitome of the worst of the system--stuff like that He stood up for Malachi, but he hated Abraham Malachi, of course, always defended his father"
"What did Abrahaed "Nothing--nothing that I know about But he wasn’t the kind to have a drink and chat at the bars!" she said She smiled at theood friends, and if we don’t like each other--or don’t always share the saet together to plan Halloween activities, ith the city and the h the cold, icy winter when tourism isn’t so plentiful! So, yes, of course, we chat e stop at the brewery or one of the bars, and we usually do hear what’s going on around town You know back when that incident happened at the high school, soued that Andy and Cindy Yates had a crazy kid theestion could cause people to do very strange things Kind of like you can brainwash yourself Then, the other half of the people argued on the superstitious side There was soe about Malachi Ston House and had gotten into him But, anyway, old Abraham took his son out of school without a word, and people stopped talking about it so much"
"Until Peter Andres was roup had just walked into the shop The three wo beautiful velvet capes, and Jenna had the feeling that they’d just been purchased One of the men was dressed in similar fashion, but his hooded cape was broool
"A mortar and pestle, Johnny!" one of the women said "Ooh, in marble, how pretty--I bet I could cook up some spells with that!"
"Excuse roup
Jenna could see that the newcomers seemed both fascinated and amused by the fact that they were in "Witch City" She could also see that Cecilia was accustoested to the woman that the arlic and herbs
"She’s a good kid," Sam said softly
"And a talker…but a lot of help," she replied She couldn’t help watching theout of the ordinary about him; people were dressed up all around the city But his outfit reminded her of her vision--the caped, hooded andhim where he stood
"What’s the matter?" Sam asked her
She shook her head She wasn’t ready to tell hiton House, and she could only iine what he would have to say if she told him a dressed-up and horned demon had killed Peter Andres
"It’s Halloween People like to play at beings," he told her "I’ll let Cecilia knoe’re leaving"
Cecilia excused herself to her custoed Sam and waved to Jenna, and the two left her shop They walked along the pedestrian street by the museuhted squeals of children as they watched jugglers or paused at various stations to take part in drawing, pu
Jenna wasn’t sure where they were going, but Saoing on is calculated," he said "Firstthat everyone would think that Malachi hated that teacher and would easily be suspected--which he was And then a neighbor But why the neighbor?"
"According to Cecilia, everyone hated the Shbor hated them a lot"
"So, it all looks like a series of events, with the killer, Malachi, having lost all hold on reality, and perhaps killing others before lashing out at his restrictive fahbor and the teacher, or were they just there, randoainst the faht into it?" Jenna asked
"Well, the fact that Malachi and Peter Andres actually got on well together will help our case," Sam said