Welcome to case closed. You're listening to the Block Party by Jamie Day, narrated by Megan Tousing and Susie Jackson.

For Kathleen, and all she did to make this party happen.

Memorial Day, present day.

Chapter 1

Alexandra Fox meant to have only a couple of drinks at the block party.

Three tops.

Oh well, woman plans, God laughs. But God didn't have to put this party together. She did.

The neighborhood slogan might as well have been,

Go ask Alex, I think she'll know.

Basically a lyric from a 60s drug song.

Hence the drink in her hand.

If Alice from Wonderland needed pills to function properly, well,

Alex from Meadowbrook, Massachusetts could imbibe some wine.

What happened to the blue tablecloths?

one neighbor asked.

Alex startled at the sound of her voice.

Those were so pretty.

Alex eyed the red tablecloths, as if she couldn't believe their horrible aesthetic.

A hundred percent agree, she said with just the right touch of disgust.

If she'd been able to find the blue ones in her basement,

she would have used those instead.

But there was a good chance she'd throw them out by mistake months ago. Such a good call, Alex continued.

...