No kiddie pool this time, thankfully. This time a significant portion of the grass is covered by a large, dark tarp. I circle around a group of people gathered on the patio, trying to get an idea of what Jude has set up this time.

Once I get closer, it becomes apparent that a game board has been painted onto the tarp. The tarp is littered with toddler-size plastic ladders and slides. It’s a life-size Chutes and Ladders game. At the end, a giant macramé key tilts onto one side. At the top of the game board, someone has painted Bedlam in a giant, red curlicue script.

What the heck are we gonna do with this?

“You got the key?” Jude materializes next to me. He’s wearing another Jude-style dark velvet robe. But instead of cats, there are goats. Miniature goats frolicking around.

“Yeah.” I pull it from around my neck and hand it to him.

“You ’bout ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be. Reese here yet?”

He shrugs, nonchalant as ever. “She’s hiding somewhere.”

I smile, but there’s no opportunity to comment on Reese’s ninja-like disappearing ability.

Jude turns to face the crowd, lifting his megaphone to his face. “All right, babies, listen up!” He waits for the chatter to settle down before continuing. “Tonight’s challenge is a board game we all know and love—with a twist. Tonight, it will be all about the brains.”

Someone in the crowd yells, “Braaaaains!”

“No, it’s not a zombie hunt, although that would be a mighty fine idea. I’m talking about a trivia challenge, Bedlam style! Our players will begin at the start square.” Using a small stack of notecards in his hand, he points to the starting square. “The goal is to make it to the key at the end. I will be asking each player trivia questions, and if they answer correctly, they move forward a spot. If they answer wrong, their opponent will have the opportunity to answer. If the opposing player answers correctly, they will move forward two spaces.”

Reese shows up then, stopping next to me. I offer her a smile, but she gives me the dead eye and turns her focus to Jude.

“Our chutes and ladders,” he points them out, “are just like the board game. You reach a square with a ladder, you follow it up. You reach a square with a slide, follow it down and backward in the game. Any questions?”

“What’s Beast’s real name?” someone yells.

“I don’t know, why don’t you ask him?” Jude drawls, eliciting scattered laughter. He smiles indulgently at the crowd, then turns to us. “Fitz, since you are the reigning champ, you’re up first. Are we all ready?”

The crowd yells.

Reese and I nod.

“Fitz. What color are aircraft black boxes?”

Is this a trick question? I have no idea. “Black?”

“Wrong.” A harsh buzzer fills the air. “Reese?” Jude nods at her.

“Orange,” she answers, her eyes sliding to mine.

A loud ding ding ding sounds.