by Rose Pressey
“No, who is it?” I asked.
“He’s the jockey who was going to ride our horse in the Derby.”
“Oh, that’s terrible,” I said.
“Bummer,” Maureen said.
“What happened to him?” Danielle asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I came down the hallway, and he was just lying on the floor.”
“His name is Ramon Gooden.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said, giving her a hug.
“I have to make a call,” she said with panic in her voice.
Danielle disappeared down the hallway. There were quite a few people standing around. They were whispering and looking at me too. This was awkward. I hoped that I’d be able to slip out of there soon. Finding a dead body was a traumatic experience.
Most people had been allowed to leave, but I had to stay around to be questioned by the police. Maureen and Charlotte were becoming bored.
“When do we get to leave?” Charlotte paced across the floor.
Danielle was waiting around with me. The police had talked with her, but they didn’t have nearly as many questions for her as they did for me. I wished that Detective Dylan Valentine was here. He worked for the Sugar Creek Police Department back home in Georgia. We’d grown quite close recently. This made Charlotte extremely happy though she liked my friend attorney Ken Harrison too.
As I stood by the door waiting for the police to tell me I could leave, I spotted something on the ground. It had fallen behind the fake potted plant. I was surprised the police hadn’t seen it. The gold, shiny object looked like a bracelet. I looked around to see if anyone else had noticed it.
“Leave it to you to find the fashion item,” Charlotte said.
I inched over closer to the spot. When I felt no one was watching, I leaned down and picked up the item. Was this considered evidence? Should I have really touched it? I didn’t know if this even had anything to do with the murder. The thing had probably rolled under there when someone dropped it. I had seen this bracelet before. Well, not this exact one per se, but I knew the designer. Cartier started making this particular style of bracelet in the 1970s. It was still as popular today as it had been in the past. The style hadn’t changed either.
“Oh, Cartier.” Charlotte pursed her lips. “Nice find.”
“It is a classic,” I said, staring at it a bit longer.
I shoved it in my pocket. I wasn’t sure why I wasn’t turning it in to the police, but I felt as if I had to research this. Maybe I would call Dylan and tell him about finding it, though he would probably tell me to give it to the police. Detective Anderson was apparently the lead detective investigating what had happened to Ramon. He had given me his card and said to call if I remembered any other details, so it wasn’t like I didn’t have a contact number. Nevertheless, revealing that I had discovered something at the scene of the crime would be a wait and see situation. Maybe I’d tell and maybe I wouldn’t. The bracelet was expensive. But any number of people in this place could have afforded it. I felt bad for being sneaky, but it was something that I felt I had to do.
“I know what you’re doing, Cookie,” Charlotte said.
I looked down at my shoes so no one would see me talking. “What am I doing?”
“You don’t want to give the bracelet to the police because you want to track down the owner yourself. You can’t keep yourself away from a mystery.”
Okay, so she was right about that, but was that so wrong? I was only trying to help.
“I am just trying to help.”
“You can help by giving them the evidence.” Charlotte placed her hands on her hips. “Now give it to that officer.”
I didn’t budge.
“Cookie Chanel, you give that bracelet to the police right this minute. They will think you’re stealing it.”
Why was she always right? I walked over to the officer standing by the exit door and handed him the bracelet.
“He’ll probably keep it,” I mumbled.
“That’s not nice. You stop being sassy. What’s gotten into you lately?”
I didn’t need to be scolded.
“Hey, you,” someone whispered from over my shoulder.
I gasped.
“Oh, don’t do that,” Charlotte clutched her chest. “You scared me.”
She was scared? How did she think I felt? I was startled too when I saw the dead jockey standing behind me. I stared at him, unable to speak.
“Can you tell me what’s going on around here? Am I dead?”
“Oh, another one,” Charlotte said.
Yes, that was exactly my thought. Telling someone that they were dead was never easy.
“Yes, I’m afraid you have passed on to the next dimension.” I said with a wave of my arm, as if showing him the exit door.
Eternity is right through that door, sir. Please watch your step on the way out.
“He hasn’t gone anywhere,” Charlotte said. “He’s just dead, but not yet in the other dimension. He’s still on this plane.”
Charlotte seemed upset that another ghost was with us. At this point, what was one more? He couldn’t be any more talkative than Charlotte and Maureen. My relaxing trip to Kentucky had certainly turned upside down.
“What happened to me?” Ramon asked.
“All signs point to murder,” Charlotte said matter-of-factly.
Chapter 6
Cookie’s Savvy Tips for Vintage Shopping
Don’t be afraid to try new things.
Just because the style isn’t current
doesn’t mean you can’t wear it.
I was back at the bed-and-breakfast. Needless to say, I was stunned by the turn of events. I was even more shocked when I realized that the ghost of the dead jockey had followed me back to the bed-and-breakfast. He knew he’d been murdered, and now he needed me to find his killer. How could I possibly do that? I was in a new town and knew hardly anyone. Scratch that, I knew no one here.
Hannah Olson, my landlady, had tapped her foot against the hardwood floor and placed her arms in front of her chest. Based on the glare she gave me, I knew she didn’t appreciate that I was late coming back. She also didn’t appreciate that I’d told her about being involved in a murder investigation.
“I don’t know what kind of shady business you’re involved in, but I don’t want you bringing that stuff back here.” She stomped off.
“I’ll haunt her tonight,” Charlotte said.
“Oh no! Don’t make things worse than they already are. The whole city of Louisville is booked for the Derby, and I’d never find another place to stay if she kicked me out.”
What would be even worse was if the owner found out I’d brought back the ghost of the man who’d been murdered. Was there an extra charge for ghostly guests?
After feeding Wind Song, I slipped into my pajamas and applied my nightly face cream. I plopped down on the bed and closed my eyes. Hannah would probably prefer that I not lie on top of the white and pink floral-patterned duvet. I didn’t have the energy to move anything off the bed. The dainty pink pillows were under my head.
“You can’t go to sleep yet,” Charlotte said. “You have to talk with Ramon first.”
I opened one eye. “What’s to talk about?”
“The fact that I was murdered.” The wrinkle between Ramon’s eyes deepened.
I sat up in bed. “So you think you were murdered for sure? Tell us what happened.”
I didn’t think he wanted to talk about it.
“I remember a strange feeling, as if I couldn’t see clearly. Next thing I knew someone attacked me from behind. Then I was floating around looking at my lifeless body on the floor.”
“That says to me murder,” Charlotte said.
“I need you to find my killer,” Ramon said.
“If anyone can do it, Cookie can,” Charlotte said.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Charlotte. There’s not enough time in the day to solve all the mysteries I seem to encounter.
There’s Maureen, did you forget about her?” I motioned. “She needs me to find out why she’s hanging around.”
Maureen stepped forward. “I can wait if Ramon needs help first. I’m in no hurry . . .”
I held up my hand to stop Maureen from finishing her sentence. “Of course, you’re in a hurry, Maureen. Don’t be bashful about asking for my help.” I had already promised her my time.
Ramon flashed a sad look my way. “I guess I’ll just hang around with you and wait. You have to find my killer.”
“The only clue at the scene was a bracelet,” Charlotte said. “It could be the killer’s. Who would have owned the Cartier bracelet?”
I waved my hand. “I’m not sure if I could find that out.”
“Just harass her. She’ll eventually give in and do it.” Charlotte leaned against the dresser.
“I’m not as easily manipulated as you think.”
“She hates it when you wake her up singing. Oh, and pop in on her when she’s in the shower too. That makes her testy.”
Ramon’s eyes widened.
“Don’t you dare,” I warned.
I’d told him I couldn’t do it, but I knew I would. It wouldn’t be easy though. I didn’t even know where to start. I suppose I’d find a way. Ramon looked at me with his big brown eyes.
I sighed. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
Charlotte tossed her hands up.
“What?” I asked.
“I can’t believe you gave in so easily. It took me forever to convince her.”
I propped my hands behind my head and smiled. Yes, it gave me a little bit of satisfaction to ruffle Charlotte’s feathers. She’d been doing it to me for quite a while, and now it was payback time.
As soon as Wind Song, aka Grandma Pearl, spotted Ramon’s ghost, she rushed over to him. She weaved around his legs and meowed.
“I think the cat likes you, Ramon,” Charlotte said.
“She doesn’t usually take to people that quickly,” I said. “Although Grandma Pearl seemed to like Dylan awfully quickly.”
“Who can blame her for that?” Charlotte said. “I liked him quickly too.”
I sat down on the bed with my laptop. Just because I wasn’t at home in Sugar Creek didn’t mean that I wasn’t going to blog. I planned to post throughout my entire experience visiting the Derby. I would have a lot to talk about. I had just started typing when Wind Song came over and sat beside me. She stared down at the keyboard, and the next thing I knew she was placing her paws on it.
“She wants to type a message,” Charlotte said.
I moved my hands so that she could move her paws around to all the letters. It wasn’t easy for her to use the keys. When she’d hit one key, three letters would appear. Her paws were too big. How would I ever make out this message? There were a few numbers and other symbols mixed in, though there were some letters. This was like a puzzle.
“I think she’s spelled the word poem,” Charlotte said.
“You could be right. Is that what you wanted to spell, Grandma Pearl?”
She meowed.
“I’d take that as a yes,” Maureen said.
“I can’t believe what I’ve gotten myself into,” Ramon said. “A cat who types?”
“What do you think she means by poem?” Charlotte asked.
“I don’t know, and it looks as if Wind Song is ready for a nap,” I said.
Grandma had already closed her eyes and was lying on the pillow.
Chapter 7
Grandma Pearl’s Pearls of Wisdom
Throw kindness around like confetti.
The next evening arrived, and I was dressing for the latest event. I wore a 1980s red Donna Karan gown with a draped cowl neckline and ruching through the bodice. My nude-colored Jimmy Choo heels, a faux-diamond necklace, and matching stud earrings finished the look.
“Okay, you can come in now,” I called out to the ghosts.
Instantly, they popped into the room. Ramon whistled.
“Cookie, you look gorgeous,” Maureen said.
“I’m still upset that you didn’t wear the blue dress, but this one does look great.” Charlotte winked.
“Thank you, everyone. I’m glad you like it.”
I picked up my bag and checked my makeup one last time.
“You’d better hurry. You don’t want to be late.” Charlotte motioned for me to hurry.
I was attending an exclusive charity event tonight. Celebrities and other influential people would be in attendance, as well as people who Ramon thought might have clues as to who was responsible for his death. Also, I was supposed to meet the other people who worked with Danielle. I was never good with crowds. I never said the right thing or acted cool.
I’d helped select the dress and jewelry for Danielle. I hoped she was happy with what I’d picked out. She’d been busy, and I hadn’t had a chance to talk with her since I had dropped off the dress at her hotel. I was always nervous when I picked out stuff for others. What if she wasn’t wearing the dress and had opted for something else instead? Maybe she’d tell me she didn’t need my help any longer.
I hugged Wind Song. “We’ll be back soon, Grandma. Sorry we can’t take you with us.”
If I knew her, she was probably thinking, “Oh sure, take the ghosts, but not a cat.”
“This event will be great,” Ramon said. “We can talk with a lot of people who might have clues about who would want me dead.”
I hurried down the hallway. “You think they will talk to me about you? They don’t even know me.”
“You’ll figure out a way,” Charlotte said.
The bed-and-breakfast owner was by the front door when I reached the foyer.
“Good evening. I suppose I will have to let you in at a late hour again this evening.” The scowl on her face let me know she wasn’t happy about this prospect.
“I should be back by eleven,” I said.
“Eleven? Even Cinderella stayed out past midnight,” Charlotte said.
The woman sighed and said, “I suppose I’ll have to wait up. I guess I can watch the eleven o’clock news since I know you’ll be late.”
I forced a smile and headed out the door.
“I wouldn’t leave her a good review on Yelp,” Charlotte said.
Once outside, I weaved around the rosebushes, down the walking path, and reached my Buick. I pulled away from the house and drove along the winding, narrow road. The red and orange rays of the setting sun eclipsed the blue sky. Darkness was quickly moving in. I wished Dylan had been able to attend this event with me.
After getting lost a couple of times on the winding roads of a massive local park, I located the street where the party was being held. The mansions were on the outer edges of the park. My destination stood out because a large crowd had gathered to get a glimpse of the celebrities. I pulled up to the parking area and showed my invitation and my identification.
After getting out of the car, I headed toward the house. I was nervous about going into the party alone. I wished Danielle could have met me outside. Most celebrities were arriving by limousine. The crowd cheered when someone stepped out from the back of a dark car. I couldn’t see who was in the latest one though. Somehow, I ended up walking the red carpet at the same time as this celebrity.
Once inside the mansion, I stood by the door, trying to take it all in and also trying to hide. There was so much to look at, including the stunning house and all the celebrities. Crystal chandeliers lit every room. Marble and hardwood floors and extensive moldings reminded me of Charlotte’s house.
“Stop gawking,” Charlotte said. “Try to act natural, like you belong here.”
“I don’t think I belong here,” I whispered.
“Why do you say that?” Maureen asked.
“I don’t like this kind of stuff. It’s too much for me. I like things less glitzy.”
“Oh, please, you love glamour,” Charlotte said.
“Yes, quiet glamour.”
“I don’t even know
what that means,” Charlotte said.
“Oh, look, it’s Jon Voight,” Charlotte said as she walked away.
This probably wouldn’t end well for the actor. When I peered across the crowd, Charlotte was already standing beside him. She touched his arm, and he looked around as if he’d felt a breeze. Bringing the ghosts here was probably a bad idea, but it wasn’t like I’d had a choice. I looked out over the crowd again. Was that Richie Sambora and Megyn Kelly talking? I didn’t like being here alone at all. If I didn’t spot Danielle soon, I was just going to leave. I’d much rather be back at my room reading a book . . . in my own quiet, private world. Well, private with three ghosts and a cat that was actually my grandmother.
“Glad you made it,” a woman said from over my shoulder.
When I turned around, Danielle was standing behind me. Another woman was with her. It was the woman from the earlier event, the one who’d been staring at me. Now I realized that maybe she’d been staring at Danielle. The woman looked my way again. Her dark brown eyes seemed as if they could stare a hole right through you.
Danielle looked at my dress. “You look great.”
I was afraid to mention her dress for fear that she would tell me how much she hated it.
“Thank you, and that dress looks fantastic on you,” I said.
She smiled. “I absolutely love it. I’ve gotten a lot of compliments on it.”
Whew. That was a relief. Just a few more outfits for her, and I’d be finished.
“Cookie, I’d like you to meet Mandy Neville.” Danielle gestured at the woman standing next to her.
The woman stared at me as she took a sip of her champagne. Chills tingled down my spine. I should have attempted a handshake, but I knew without trying that Mandy wouldn’t want that.
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
She gave me a halfhearted smile and said, “Nice to meet you too.”
“That didn’t sound genuine,” Maureen said.
“She’s a trainer,” Ramon said. “She just takes some getting used to, that’s all.”
“Well, I don’t like her.” Charlotte had returned.
I could always count on Charlotte to give me her honest opinion.
