Three Bells Ringing

A store for the curious. Enter if you dare… Riley's new job at Friday's Curious Shop provides a steady paycheck and her bosses supply a steady stream of sandwiches. More than she expected from the dusty secondhand shop located off a side street in Queens. She doesn't know how her bosses make money, not a lot of customers seem to come through the door, but Riley keeps busy with dusting and rearranging the shelves, her head down, content with the work. When costumers do come into the shop, though, they always seem to be a little…odd. Like the man with the strange smile who sets off her alarm bells instantly. Outwardly, a normal man, looking for a perfectly normal item. A jester's hat. A very specific jester's hat. But Riley's sure that's nothing to worry about. Even if the man gives her the creeps and the situation feels weirdly dangerous. What could be dangerous about a jester's hat? In Friday's Curious Shop… Author's Note: This story is also published in the collection HAUNTS AND HOWLS AND JESTERS BELLS.