Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore

by Rose Pressey

  “No, just someone who is being nosy,” Charlotte answered.

  Meaghan waved her hand through the air. “Well, you saw her attitude; it’s no wonder that she finally killed someone.”

  I had seen Hannah’s attitude, but it didn’t seem as if she was capable of murdering someone.

  I gestured across the room. “I have to get some things so I can get out of here. Thanks for your help. Let me know if you need anything.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  Meaghan hurried away.

  “Who was that woman?” Sam asked.

  “That was Melanie’s assistant, Meaghan,” I whispered.

  I gathered my items and finally loaded them into my car. It had been a long day and I was looking forward to the comfort of my bed. A cup of tea might help me relax. I climbed behind the wheel of my 1948 Buick convertible. Chrome shone under the moonlight. The red car caught attention everywhere I went. The white leather interior was buttery soft. Fuzzy dice dangled from the rearview mirror.

  Sam whistled when he saw the car. “Now this is some car.”

  “Thank you.” I unlocked the door. “It was my grandfather’s.”

  Charlotte sat in the passenger seat and Sam was in the backseat. She was all smiles every time she looked at him. He was winking at her a lot. It was like being around a couple teenagers.

  I drove through town and then headed home. My small white house was on the outskirts of town. It wasn’t a mansion like Charlotte’s place, but I loved my home. After pulling into the driveway and then hopping out of the car, the ghosts followed me to the front door. I wasn’t sure what they would talk about while I was sleeping, but I hoped Sam didn’t want to hang around my bedroom like Charlotte. She loved being my annoying alarm clock.

  After shoving the keys into the lock, I opened the front door and stepped inside. I’d decorated my place with mostly fifties-style furnishings. I had a white sofa in front of the living-room windows with two chairs on each side. I’d recently picked up a couple bright orange leather lounge chairs. They really added a lot of pop to the room. A large starburst clock decorated the far wall, and a funky silver floor lamp sat in the corner.

  Wind Song was sitting in her favorite spot on the back of the sofa. She meowed and then jumped down when she saw me.

  “Are you ready for dinner?” I asked.

  She meowed again and followed me across the living room and into the kitchen.

  “The cat can read the Ouija board and tarot cards,” Charlotte explained to Sam.

  That wasn’t something I had planned to tell him, but it was too late now. Besides, if he hung around long enough he probably would end up witnessing it firsthand.

  “The cat talks?” His eyebrows rose.

  Charlotte laughed. “No, she doesn’t talk. She’s just psychic.”

  He looked at us as if we were crazy. His reaction wasn’t surprising.

  As I spread peanut butter across a couple slices of wheat bread, Charlotte and Sam discussed the ins and outs of being a ghost. Like how to walk through walls, using energy to move objects, and other supernatural stuff. I had to admit that the conversation was kind of fascinating, but I had work to do.

  I carried my sandwich back to the living room and settled on my favorite chair to check my messages and try to write on a blog post. It would be hard to keep my mind off what had happened though. One minute everything was fine, and then the next Melanie was gone. It was so tragic and hard for me to make any sense out of something so awful. Who could do such a thing? I found it hard to believe that Hannah would have been mad enough at Melanie to kill her. Perhaps I didn’t know the whole story. There must have been something else going on between them. Of course I knew that Sam would want me to find out.

  I felt eyes on me as I typed. Finally I stopped typing and I looked over to see Charlotte and Sam standing in front of the fireplace staring at me. Wind Song was sitting beside them on the floor. She was watching me too.

  “What is going on with you all?” I asked.

  “You’ve been quiet since we got home. We’re just wondering what you are thinking. Are you really going to investigate the murder?” Sam asked.

  As if I had a choice? I knew Charlotte wouldn’t let me get away with not investigating. Every time she looked at Sam’s pale blue eyes she swooned.

  “You will probably regret it if you don’t look into this murder,” Sam continued before I could answer.

  He was determined to convince me. Little did he know that I was already convinced. I’d already agreed to do it and I wouldn’t go back on my word. My grandpa always said that your word was the strongest thing you had. Once you let people know they couldn’t count on your word, you were as good as done. I’d never forgotten his advice.

  Sam paced across the living-room floor. Charlotte watched every move he made. The cat studied both of them. This was quite a scene.

  “You see, this is very important to me.” Sam talked with his hands as he walked. “I loved that hat and I wore it anywhere I went. It was my signature piece and everywhere I went, the hat went too.”

  I thought I knew where this was going, but I wasn’t sure.

  “I died in an automobile accident, but I know the accident was anything but an accident. My partner cut the brake line on my car. Anyway, the worst part is they failed to bury me with my favorite hat. How can I move on without my hat?” Sam waved his hands.

  “Gee, I understand your dilemma, Sam, but how will I get the hat back for you? It’s part of evidence now.”

  “Well, if you can solve the case, then maybe you can get the hat.”

  “So is this more about the hat or solving the case?” I asked.

  He looked me right in the eyes. “Both, but they are equally important.”

  “Oh, Cookie, this is all so tragic.” Charlotte placed her hand against the back of her forehead as if she was about to faint.

  Talk about dramatic. She was about to give Scarlett a run for her money.

  I closed the lid of my laptop. “Where are you from, Sam?”

  “I’m from Savannah.”

  Well, I suppose I could ask Dylan for Sam’s hat and then he would move on.

  Sam’s focus was on me like a laser beam. “I have a question for you, Cookie.”

  “Okay, let’s hear it.” I set my laptop on the small table beside the chair.

  “Where did you get the hat?”

  I jumped up to take my dirty dishes to the kitchen. “I can’t possibly remember where I picked up the hat. I mean, I buy a lot of things and I can’t remember where I get every item.”

  Charlotte stood behind me, mere inches from my ear. “Cookie Chanel, you had better think hard, this is very important.”

  I walked back out of the kitchen with the ghosts and the cat following me. “I know it is important, Charlotte, but I can’t remember. I promise I will do my very best to try to figure it out. But why do you want to know anyway?”

  “Because maybe I will find out who sold my stuff. I never gave them permission to do that,” he said.

  I hated to remind him that he was dead and couldn’t give permission now.

  Charlotte stared at me. “I guess as long as you are willing to try.”

  I knew if I didn’t she would be back to her old tricks of trying to annoy the heck out of me.

  I stopped at my bedroom door. “I will think about it tonight while I sleep.”

  Charlotte frowned. “How can you think about it while you are sleeping?”

  “It clears my mind,” I said.

  Without giving her a chance to say anything else, I closed the door and slipped into my pajamas. After brushing my teeth, I stepped out of the bathroom. I jumped and clutched my chest.

  “Cookie, don’t you care about that man?” Charlotte blurted.

  I weaved around Charlotte. “Of course I care, Charlotte.”

  “Then why do you seem so blasé about helping him?” She followed me to my bed.

  I pulled back the covers, fluffed my
pillow, and then climbed under the sheets. “I promised I would look into it tomorrow. You are just imagining things because you have the hots for him.”

  She huffed. “I what? I most certainly do not.”

  “Oh please, it’s as obvious as a billboard out on the interstate.” I tucked the blanket under my chin.

  She stomped over to the door. “We’ll discuss this in the morning.”

  With that she disappeared out the door leaving nothing but a cool breeze. I knew that we would discuss it too. At least now she would be talking to Sam instead of pacing across my bedroom floor. I would finally get much-needed sleep. I was no dummy, though, and I knew that I had to agree to help Sam. I wanted to despite what Charlotte thought. Plus, I wanted to help Melanie. She had helped me by letting me be a part of the fashion show. It was the least that I could do now to help her. Even though I knew that I wanted to help, I also knew that I wouldn’t be able to get the ghosts to leave me alone unless I agreed to look into Melanie’s murder.

  Chapter 5

  Cookie’s Savvy Vintage Shopping Tip

  If you love an item, don’t be discouraged

  if it doesn’t fit. You can always tailor it.

  The next morning, I hopped out of bed as if it was on fire. The sun glimmered through the windows making the whole room glow a buttery yellow. As I crossed the room it hit me, why was it so quiet? I’d grown accustomed to Charlotte waking me every morning like a loud and annoying alarm clock. So where was she now? In my bare feet I padded across the hardwood floor and over to the door.

  When I made it to the living room, I found Charlotte and Sam sitting next to each other on the sofa. They were giggling and hadn’t even noticed that I’d entered the room. I cleared my throat. They whipped around and stared at me like a couple of teenagers who’d been caught making out in the backseat of a Buick. Charlotte was wearing a black Dior pencil skirt with white Louis Vuitton blouse. Her red heels were Louis Vuitton too. Another perk of being a ghost, Charlotte could wear any outfit she wanted. Sam wore another dark suit. This time his tie was a soft yellow with red dots.

  “Never mind me. I’m just going for breakfast.” I threw my hands up as I strolled past toward the kitchen.

  “Oh, good, you’re awake,” Charlotte said as she trailed along behind me.

  “Good morning, Cookie,” Sam called out from somewhere over my shoulder.

  “Good morning, Sam,” I responded.

  “Sam and I think you should get started looking into Melanie’s death right away. So go put on one of your spunky outfits and let’s get this show on the road.”

  “Aren’t you forgetting that I have a little shop that I have to open up this morning so that I can get some of that green stuff that pays the bills?” I turned on the brewer and picked out my favorite mocha coffee.

  Charlotte waved her hand. “Yes, yes, as soon as you do all that we can go look for clues. Better idea, why don’t you have Heather look after the shop for you?”

  “Heather has a shop of her own. She doesn’t have time to open the store for me.” I popped wheat bread into the toaster, then pulled out the apricot preserves Heather had made for me.

  “You’re not making this easy for us, Cookie.” Charlotte placed her hands on her hips.

  After putting food and water in Wind Song’s dishes, I grabbed the latest edition of Lucky magazine and sat at the table to enjoy my coffee and toast. After breakfast, I planned a little yoga to get my day started. Since I hadn’t found any estate sales scheduled for the day, I’d decided to take it easy this morning.

  Charlotte had other plans for me though. She paced the floor and let out a sigh every few minutes. When I looked at Sam, he shrugged. Finally, I put the magazine down, then put the dishes in the sink.

  “Fine. We’ll go look for clues before I open the shop. But don’t make this a habit.” I waved my finger.

  Charlotte flashed a satisfied smile as I marched out of the kitchen. At least she’d left me alone to pick out my outfit for the day. I’d settled for a pair of navy blue pedal pushers that had tiny red roses on them. My top was a sleeveless white eyelet lace blouse. I finished the outfit with red sandals and a funky gold clutch bag for a bit of fun.

  After applying ruby red lipstick, for a finishing touch to my makeup, I headed for the front door. Wind Song was already waiting by her carrier. She knew that I’d drop her off at the shop while I dragged the ghosts all around town.

  Charlotte and Sam sat together in the backseat, so it was just me and Wind Song in the front. Picture-perfect scenery flowed past the window with oak trees full of deep green leaves stretching toward the endless blue sky. I turned up the music so I wouldn’t have to listen to the ghosts’ laughter. Elvis played on the radio and I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel in rhythm to the music. I had a feeling that today would be a good day. But then again, my intuition had been wrong in the past.

  Chapter 6

  Sam’s Surefire Sleuthing Pointer

  Carry all the items you need. Like a private eye

  survivor kit. Food, water, latex gloves . . .

  I parked the Buick in front of It’s Vintage, Y’all. The car always attracted attention and that was a good thing for my shop. I could use all the advertising I could get. Sam and Charlotte waited in the car while I took Wind Song into the store. Since I didn’t have them trailing behind me, I decided to pop in and say good morning to my best friend, Heather Sweet. She owned the occult shop next door.

  Ironically, I’d learned recently that she wasn’t psychic at all. Despite the fact that she gave tarot card readings. The Magic Marketplace was on the first floor of an old brick building. The smell of incense slapped me in the face as soon as I stepped through the door. Heather set her book on the counter and raced over to me as soon as I walked in. She wore an oversized black sweater with black and white polka-dot leggings underneath. Her black boots hit just above her ankles. Heather had her blond hair pulled up into a loose bun.

  “Are you okay?” she wrapped her arms around me.

  I hugged her back. “I’m fine.”

  I’d called her last night after I’d gotten home. Of course she’d wanted to come over right away, but there was no need. There was nothing she could have done to take the images of what I’d seen out of my mind. Heather was probably more in shock about what had happened than I was.

  “So they arrested the model for murder?” she asked.

  We walked across the hardwood floor over to the counter. Magic and spell books lined the shelves. Tables were full of crystals, candles, bottles of herbal potions, and other items needed for mystical purposes.

  “They stuffed her in the backseat of the police car and drove off. She was handcuffed and everything.”

  Heather sat on the stool behind the counter. “And to think you were working alongside a murderer the whole time.”

  I tapped my fingers against the counter.

  Heather narrowed her eyes. “What? I know that look. What are you up to?”

  I glanced down at a stack of tarot cards she had on the counter. “The ghosts want me to investigate the murder. We don’t think Hannah did it.”

  Heather’s mouth dropped open. Finally, she said, “Ghosts? We don’t think? What are you talking about?”

  I released a deep breath. “Here goes . . . I picked up another ghost last night.”

  Heather rubbed her temples; then she said, “This is crazy. I can’t believe it. Is it Melanie’s ghost?”

  “No, this ghost is a man who claims to be a private investigator from the 1940s.”

  “This is crazy,” Heather exclaimed.

  After explaining what had happened, Heather said, “What are you going to do?”

  I picked at the edge of the Fool tarot card on the counter. “I guess I’ll look into Melanie’s murder.”

  “Well, I know I won’t be able to stop you from doing that. All I can say is, please be careful.”

  I felt eyes on me. When I glanced over at the door, I
spotted Sam and Charlotte standing there waving for me to hurry up.

  “I have to go,” I said.

  Heather followed my stare. “Are the ghosts there?”

  I headed toward the door. “Yes, and they’re very impatient. I’ll call you later.”

  “Remember to be careful,” Heather called out as I exited out the door.

  I threw up my hand and headed down the sidewalk. Once back at the car, Charlotte and Sam were leaning against the hood. The scowl on Charlotte’s face told me she wasn’t happy.

  “What? I needed to talk to Heather,” I said as I made my way around to the driver’s door.

  Sam pretended to open the car door for Charlotte and then gestured for her to climb into the front seat. He was being very much the gentleman.

  “That can wait. Right now we have work to do.” She winked at Sam, then slid into the passenger seat again.

  Who knew ghosts could be so demanding?

  I shoved the key into the ignition. “You know, Charlotte, you can catch more flies with honey.”

  “Buzz, buzz,” she said.

  I bit back a laugh and cranked the engine. The inside of my car was pristine white leather. I made sure to clean and treat the leather at least a couple times a month. The car was more than a car, it was my home away from home.

  “So where are we going?” I asked.

  Sam leaned forward from the backseat. Charlotte and Sam exchanged a look.

  “You all are scaring me. Based on your expressions I know I’m not going to like what you all have to say.”

  “Don’t freak out, but you really have to speak with Hannah,” Charlotte urged.

  I focused on the road ahead. “Hannah is in jail.”

  Charlotte leaned back in the seat. “Yes, that’s where you have to go to speak with her.”

  “I can’t do that,” I said.

  “You have to.” Sam sat back in the seat.

  I let out a deep breath. “This isn’t going to end well.”

  “You’ll see. Everything will be just peachy,” Charlotte said with a smile.