The Black Heart Crypt

“Trick or treat!”

“Oh, my. Look at all these goblins and ghouls. Here you go, kids.” Smiling, Judy started doling out the candy bars. “Neat costume, Alistair.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Jennings. I like your pumpkins.” The boy gestured at the six flickering jack-o’-lanterns lined up along the porch railing.

As soon as the kids were gone and the door closed, the phone began to ring again.

“Hello?” Judy answered.

There was silence on the other end.

“Hello?”

More silence.

“George? Is that you?”

“No,” replied a weak voice. “This is … Francine.”

“Excuse me?”

“This is Zack’s aunt. Francine. I’m his mother’s sister.”

“Oh, right. Francine. Hi.”

Judy had never met the woman, but from what she had gathered from George, Francine Potter-Kressin-Venable-Greene was a very wealthy, extremely crabby, exceptionally angry middle-aged woman.

From Zack, Judy had learned that “Aunt Francine hates me even more than my mother did. She blames me for killing her sister.”

All in all, Aunt Francine didn’t come very highly recommended.

“Is there a number where I can call you back?” asked Judy. “We’re kind of busy here tonight.…”

“Are you Judy? The woman who took my …”

There was a long pause. “… my sister’s place?”

“Excuse me?”

“Never mind. I’m on my way.”

“On your way where?”

“Tell Zack it’s Halloween, so I’m coming to take care of him.”