Free Deviled!: Lake Erie Mysteries Book 2 by Maureen K. Howard

the police would only draw unwanted attention to ourselves. And to top it off, Eddie Sneed was still AWOL.
    “It’s unfortunate, I know, but I see no reason to do any mystery dinner theater planning or set designing now. I apologize for the inconvenience and am more than happy to refund you both the price of the seminar. When I find out Mr. Sneed’s circumstance, I will deal with him accordingly.” There was an undercurrent of suppressed anger in his voice. “Dinner is scheduled from five until six thirty. It’s already close to five, so you might as well head out. Please enjoy your dinner and don’t worry too much about what just happened. I’ll get to the bottom of it.” With that, Gabriel left us.
    “Let’s get out of here,” I said. “I’ve had just about enough of this. I could use a drink. Or two.”
    “I’m right there with you.” June pulled the door shut behind us, and we made our way back through the hotel and out into the warm evening.

14
    Do you think because you are virtuous, that there shall be no more cakes and ale?
    Twelfth Night

    A s we walked the short distance from the hotel complex to the amusement park entrance, the topics of murder and malicious clowns almost prevented me from appreciating our surroundings. The smell of popcorn and cotton candy from the vendors stationed on every corner tantalized my olfactory nerves and tickled my taste buds, and there were plenty of interesting people doing plenty of interesting things to keep our minds occupied until we reached the Sky Chair, the ride that reminded me of a ski lift and traversed the entire length of the park. Even with plenty of stimulation for all five senses, it was my sixth sense that was currently occupying all my attention. My need for self-preservation kept getting in the way of enjoying my present environment.
    “June, what are we going to do about those clowns? Who are they, and how did Bob know them? Do you think they work somewhere in the resort?”
    June was chewing on her lower lip. “That’s as good a guess as any. Why do they think we can ‘learn the plan’ and ‘ditch the proof?’ What proof? And what are we supposed to do with it?”
    “That’s exactly what I’d like to know. Do you think we should tell Detective Reed? Maybe she can track down the clown from the theater. He must have taken the film with him, even if he’s not the one responsible for making it.”
    “I’m pretty sure Gabriel will share the details with the authorities. His brother was a big part of the video message, and they’ll want to figure out if it has anything to do with Bob’s murder. No doubt Reed and the gang will be back to question us again, probably in the middle of our next session.”
    “Is it just me, or did Gabriel seem more upset about Eddie Sneed being absent than us being targeted by demented clowns? My head is spinning like the Tilt-a-Whirl.”
    June didn’t answer me. I guessed it was because she had a soft spot for Gabriel.
    “What if Eddie was the mystery clown?” I ventured.
    “I don’t know. I think he was taller than Sneed. Plus, Eddie probably wouldn’t have been able to resist stopping to chat. We’re almost at the Sky Chair. One thing we can figure out right now is where we should eat dinner.”
    “How about The Cheesecake Factory? Their food is good, they serve drinks, and of course there’s the cheesecake.” June didn’t offer a single objection to my suggestion.
    The main dining and pub section of the park was two blocks long. The restaurants ranged widely in price and scope, from dogs and fries to miso salmon and mushroom risotto. The Cheesecake Factory was a new addition to the strip; therefore, it was located at the end of the street, right where the Sky Chair let us off.
    In the last few years, there had been many additions and improvements to the already amazing island getaway. It must be difficult for the DeVille’s to stay ahead of the family entertainment game with all the new and