PLAN B

Donna would know what to do. Donna was a familiar face in Loon Lake, particularly after last year’s fall fair when she won first prize for heaviest gourd. Her giant pumpkin made the record books and sparked controversy. Mom had suspected she’d cheated with magic, but the judges couldn’t detect spell traces on the winning gourd.

Tonya was relieved to find Donna at Reception. She stooped to speak through the slot in the Plexiglas.

“We spoke on the phone, about Professor Rudolph?”

“I haven’t got around to sending an ambulance but don’t worry.” She shot Tonya a smile.

Mom knew Donna, but they weren’t quite friends. “I was hoping you could loan me some equipment.”

The smile faded. “Not my department.”

“I need to avoid breathing some very bad stuff.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Safety equipment has to be inspected and accounted for.”

“I promise to bring it back in perfect condition. It’s only one night.”

“Oh, I see what this is about.” Donna leaned back in her swivel chair. “We don’t loan medical equipment for Halloween costumes.”

“Of course not. I suspect somebody cast a curse on the cemetery.”

“Recently?”

“I think it’s contagious.”

“Really, how would that work?”

Tonya didn’t want to tell Donna her gravedigger fungus theory. While it was possible to enhance living things with magic, like Donna’s pumpkin, a gravedigger fungus wasn’t exactly alive. It increased in size by feeding on dead things, and could be only manipulated by death magic.

“I’m not sure, and I don’t want to find out the hard way.”

“Don’t you think you should be telling City Hall about this?” Donna tented her fingers.

If somebody was using death magic they were powerful and unethical. Before making accusations, Tonya had to know who she was up against. “I’ll tell the mayor once I have proof. Help me?”

Donna shook her head. “Leave it to the authorities.”

“I will. The equipment is just in case they don’t listen. I’ll probably return the stuff tomorrow without taking it out of the box.

Donna shot Tonya a tight smile. “All right, hon, but only because your Mom makes the best coffee cake in town.”