Halloween Hijinks (A Zoe Donovan Mystery Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

The arguments were the same and therefore predictable, so I averted my attention to Levi, who snuck in during the debate and sat down across from me. He looked troubled and tired and appeared to be paying no more attention to the debate than me.
    M y heart ached for him. Lamé would be on him to put a stop to the pregame hazing, and I knew the guys weren’t going to give up the battle if the ball ended up in their proverbial court. I gave him “the look,” sort of a shorthand we’d developed over the years to communicate during the endless meetings we both attended.
    My phone vibrated as he texted me from under the table . I don’t know how he does that. If I didn’t look at what I was texting, I’d end up with gibberish, but Levi is quite proficient at the art. I looked down at my phone. The message read: jsy’s dstry’d. B r up 4 PB.
    I knew from reading Levi ’s shorthand over the years that the game-day jerseys somehow had been destroyed and the Ashton Falls Bulldogs were on a rampage. I glanced at Zak, who was totally invading my space by reading my very private and personal text over my shoulder. He frowned, brows that matched the sun-bleached blond of his shoulder-length hair pursed in concern. His blue eyes met mine as we shared an unspoken message. Then I noticed Ellie was watching our silent exchange. I sent her a quick text, she nodded, and I looked at Zak, who shot a text to Levi just seconds before Willa asked Hazel to go over the official schedule for the weekend.
    “The Haunted Hamlet opens on Wednesday with the haunted barn and spooky maze,” Hazel began as Zak shifted his tall frame beside me. While I’m a bit on the petite side, Zak is a monster. We’re talking Frankenstein freakishly tall. Given the fact that both of Zak’s parents are on the diminutive side, it has long been speculated that Zak’s father isn’t really Zak’s father at all. According to town gossip, Zak’s mother, had been keeping company with a retired basketball player from out west while Zak’s father was overseas on business. Zak was born only eight months after his father’s return. The family moved away until Zak was in the seventh grade, when his mother moved back to Ashton Falls with a new man who, it’s rumored, is actually the younger brother of Zak’s real dad. Confusing? You bet. And probably complete fiction.
    “ Both events will be open daily through Saturday, as will the pumpkin patch, the hay rides, and the haunted marathon at the theater,” Hazel continued. “Due to the fact that the biggest game of the decade happened to fall on the same weekend as the Haunted Hamlet, the high school is sponsoring a special Halloween-themed pep rally on Friday morning. The game is Friday evening,” Hazel added. “We’re asking everyone to wear costumes to both the pep rally and the game.”
    Levi frowned . I knew he was less than thrilled with the fact that the biggest game of his career was being turned into a freakish spectacle, with zombies on the sideline, but I also knew he’d be too polite to say anything.
    “On Saturday,” Hazel continued, “we start off with the annual zombie run at eight. There will be a chili cook-off in the park and a jack-o’-lantern stroll Saturday evening. Because Halloween is on Saturday this year, the town council voted to hand out candy along Main Street so the kids could trick-or-treat while their parents enjoy the jack-o’-lantern display.”
    “And the pumpkin -carving contest?” Tawny asked.
    “Saturday afternoon in the park,” Hazel answered. “The only event that will be held on Sunday is the community picnic. Ellie is in charge of the picnic, so I’ll turn the floor over to her.”
    Ellie went through the list of duties that had been assigned to everyone at the last meeting and requested updates. Levi was in charge of organizing a flag football game and my dad was procuring volunteers to man the BBQs, while Hazel was handling the potluck. My contribution to