by Rose Pressey
“Chocolate cake?”
I laughed. “Sure.”
“What about you? How’s Kentucky?” Heather asked.
“Hectic, I guess.”
“Any news on the murder?” she asked.
“Nothing new. What about there? Any clues about Maureen?” I asked.
“Actually, I was just getting ready to call you.”
I knew Heather was easily distracted.
“I found out where Maureen died.”
“Really? Where?” I asked.
“At her home. In the kitchen while she was baking a cake.”
Maureen’s gaze was focused on me.
“You’re talking about me,” she said. “What is she saying?”
“How long ago did this happen?” I asked.
Maureen had never told me how long she’d been a ghost.
“This happened several years ago.”
“How tragic,” I said.
“Cookie, please don’t keep us in suspense,” Charlotte said as she paced in front of me.
I had just a few more questions for Heather, and then I’d give the ghosts all the details.
My next question was a difficult one. “Heather, do you know how it happened?”
Charlotte froze in front of me. She knew what I was asking.
“Actually, yes, I do. Maureen was strangled. They found the rope at the scene.”
Suddenly I felt as if I couldn’t breathe.
“Are you okay?” Heather asked.
“This doesn’t sound like good news,” Maureen said. “I’d better sit down.”
Who would do such a thing to Maureen?
“How did you find out this information?” I asked.
“Turns out your mother was persuasive with the police.”
“Did she offer them cookies?” I asked.
“Yes, the chickpea ones.”
“No wonder the police talked.”
“I think they’re considering adding her to the force,” Heather said.
I laughed.
“Do they have any leads on who may have done it?”
“They believe it was someone Maureen knew. There were no signs of forced entry.”
“But it wasn’t the husband?”
“Of course not,” Maureen answered.
“I don’t know,” Heather said. “I have a customer. I’ll call you soon.”
“Make their magical dreams come true,” I said with a laugh.
“Ugh,” Heather said.
Charlotte and Maureen stood in front of me with their arms crossed in front of their chests. They tapped their feet against the floor.
“Well?” Charlotte said.
“Maureen was murdered in her house. Someone strangled her.”
Maureen plopped down in the chair next to the window. She stared straight ahead and said, “I can’t believe this.”
“It will take a while for it to sink in. She’ll be okay after a bit,” Charlotte said.
I grabbed my bag. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” Charlotte asked.
“I want to find the horse groomer who disappeared. Plus, I think we should go to Dr. Rivere’s house.”
“Good idea. I think she might hold a clue,” Maureen said as she followed me.
I was on my way to Dr. Rivere’s home so that I could ask her questions personally. Luckily, I had found her address. Twenty minutes later, I pulled up in front of the beautiful, two-story brick house. The ghosts followed me out of the car and to the front door.
“Don’t mess this up, Cookie,” Charlotte said.
“What is that supposed to mean? I can’t ask questions?”
“Just don’t make her suspicious so that she won’t answer your questions.”
I rang the doorbell, but no one came to the door. I pushed it again, but still no one opened the door. Reluctantly, I decided to give up. Apparently, she wasn’t home.
“What do you think’s going on?”
“I don’t know. She wasn’t at her work, and now she’s not at home.”
“That’s a little concerning,” Maureen said.
“Yes, and she’s not the only one who is missing. Corbin the groomer hasn’t been around either,” I said.
“Do you think their disappearance could have something to do with my murder?” Ramon asked.
“Anything is possible.” I moved away from the door.
Before I reached the car, a woman was waving at me from the house next door.
“Are you here to see Dr. Rivere?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m here to see her.”
“Are you a friend of hers?” She looked me up and down.
“No, we’re . . . I mean, I just need to ask her a few questions.”
“Something happened to her, didn’t it? I knew something happened.” The neighbor seemed upset.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“She usually stops by to see me every couple of days. When I didn’t see her, I went over to check. She didn’t answer. Like I said, she usually stops by to see how I’m doing or just to say hi.”
“But she hasn’t lately?” I asked.
“Not for a couple days,” the woman said.
“And you live in this house?” I pointed.
“Yes, this is my home. Are you a detective?”
“She should be,” Maureen said.
“No. Like I said, I’m just a friend.”
Charlotte scoffed. “You’re such a liar. Whatever it takes to solve the case though. I’m proud of you, Cookie.”
“Do you think she’s okay?” the neighbor asked.
“I think she’s fine.” I handed her a card. “You’ll call me if you hear from her?”
“Absolutely.” She took the card.
“This just keeps getting weirder,” Charlotte said as she got into the car.
I turned the ignition and pulled away from the curb. “Now to Corbin’s.”
I’d gotten Corbin’s address and decided to check out his house too. Like Ramon said, I knew that Corbin’s disappearance had something to do with Ramon’s murder.
“Are you sure you know where you’re going?” Charlotte asked as I turned left.
“No, what made you think I know where I’m going.”
“Cookie, you should use a map,” Maureen said.
“I’m using the navigation on my phone, but that still doesn’t mean I know where I’m going.” I slowed down to look at the street sign.
“Edgewood Drive. That’s where I’m going. See, I didn’t get lost.” I counted down the houses.
“It sure doesn’t look as if anyone is home,” Charlotte said.
The only light cutting through the dark night came from the streetlights and the nearby homes. Corbin’s address was dark and quiet.
I stepped out of the car. “It looks as if he hasn’t returned either.”
“Maybe Corbin and the doctor are together,” Maureen said.
“Together in a shallow grave dug by the killer,” Charlotte said under her breath.
“Don’t talk like that when I’m walking out here in the dark by myself,” I whispered.
“Just telling the truth. You should always be on guard.”
I eased up onto the porch. I was seriously having thoughts of running back to my car. Pushing back my doubts, I got up enough courage to knock on the door.
“He’s not there,” a male voice said.
I jumped and clutched my chest.
“Who said that?” Charlotte spun around.
“Over here,” the man said.
I looked to the right and spotted a man sitting on the front porch of the house next door.
“Looking for Corbin?” he asked.
“Yes. Have you seen him?”
“Are you a cop?”
“Why does everyone think Cookie is a cop?” Charlotte asked.
“No, just a friend,” I said as I stepped closer to the man’s porch.
“He took off. He didn’t say where he was goin
g.”
“Do you know why?” I asked.
The man leaned back in his rocker. “Not exactly, but I heard someone was after him.”
“After him? What do you mean?”
“I mean someone was trying to hurt him.”
“But you don’t know who?” I asked.
He rocked back and forth. “No, and I hope I don’t find out.”
The longer I stood out there in the dark, the spookier it got.
“Thank you,” I said.
It was time for me to get back to the hotel. I got the strange sensation that I was being watched.
Chapter 31
Grandma Pearl’s Pearls of Wisdom
Never underestimate the power of a hissy fit.
The day had arrived for the Derby. Dylan was picking me up, and we’d ride together. Lewis had invited Ken to be a guest at his table, along with me and Dylan, so I knew I’d see him there. I was fine with that, but I didn’t know how Dylan would react. I wondered if he’d think that I had arranged for Ken to be at the table with us. I supposed it would be a bit awkward. Dylan had given the information to the police about the drugs I’d seen in Elise’s office. I still wasn’t sure what excuse he’d given for how I’d found them. He was concerned about my snooping, but he didn’t know the half of it.
“You’d better hurry, Cookie, or you’ll be late,” Charlotte said.
I’d decided on a red dress with a white floral pattern. Actually, it matched the red roses of the Derby. My strapless Givenchy dress was white brocade silk with golden floral embroidery. It had a fitted waist and a bell skirt that hit just above the knees. My wide-brimmed hat was white with a cluster of red roses on the side. My gold Gucci wedge heels and matching bag finished the look. I didn’t want to be too matchy-matchy. Dylan wore a light beige Hugo Boss suit with a vintage light blue Hermès tie and crisp white shirt. I’d picked out the tie. I didn’t want us to be the coordinated couple.
We had to park far away from the action and catch a shuttle to the track. The twin spires were visible from a good distance away. The excitement was hard to describe, but it definitely swirled in the air. The crowd grew larger the closer we got to the entrance. The historic section was evident—a brick floor and old structures that were surrounded by new additions. Once we gave the attendant our tickets, we were directed to the elevators that would take us to the upper level. It felt as if we were being escorted into a secret FBI room.
Once at the top, we were guided to the assigned table. Everyone was already seated. Lewis and his wife. Elise and her husband. Danielle and her husband were there too. Mandy was down at the paddocks with the horse, preparing for the big race.
There was a lot to take in at the track. With so many people and excitement, for a brief time I forgot about the ghosts next to me and the murder investigation. But when Charlotte started excitedly pointing out celebrities, I was yanked back to reality. But I couldn’t acknowledge her and remind her not to get so excited. Maybe I could slip away and let her gain her composure. I had no idea she would get so excited about seeing Joey Fatone. I mean, I had liked some of NSYNC’s songs, but I didn’t like them that much.
I wasn’t expecting to see Kristina at the Derby. She looked at me when she walked by. The smirk on her face told me she wasn’t happy with me. She wore a white sleeveless dress that had a multicolored floral pattern. Her yellow hat was so big that it looked as if she might tip forward from the weight.
Dylan hadn’t mentioned what had happened with her. The last time I asked, he said he was working on getting the information. Apparently, the police had released her. That didn’t mean she wasn’t the killer though. I touched Dylan’s arm.
When he looked at me, I motioned with a tilt of my head. That was when he spotted Kristina. Before he even had a chance to speak, his phone alerted him to a text message. After Dylan read the screen, he showed it to me. The message was from the detective Dylan had been talking to about the case.
“She was just released this morning. I guess because they didn’t have enough evidence,” Dylan said.
“Just in time for her to make the Derby,” I said.
I didn’t think Ramon had even noticed her yet. He was standing a short distance away, talking with Charlotte and Maureen. It looked as if they were plotting something. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
Dylan had been talking with Elise’s husband. I looked down the long table. Ken was sitting at the other end beside Lewis. We made eye contact, and he smiled. He really was a sweet guy.
I was thrilled that the outfits I’d picked out had turned out fabulously. Even though I was having fun, a dark cloud hung over the event because of the murder. Nothing felt safe. It was as if I was waiting for a storm to hit.
Since Charlotte was still stalking the celebrities, I had to get her out of the room and talk with her. I pushed to my feet. Dylan got up too.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’ room.”
“Do you need me to help guide you through the crowd?” Dylan asked.
“Such a sweet offer,” Maureen said. “Some guys are nice.” She shot daggers at Ramon with her eyes.
“I’ll be okay,” I said with a smile.
Dylan seemed a bit nervous, but he smiled in return.
“I won’t be long.”
I weaved through the crowd and eventually came to the ladies’ room.
“Wow, look at the line.” Charlotte pointed.
There was no way I was waiting on that line. Besides, I wouldn’t be able to talk with Charlotte and the ghosts privately there anyway. There had to be somewhere else to go.
I turned around and headed down the hallway. That was when I spotted Mandy. Her back was facing me, so I didn’t think she’d seen me. What was she doing up here? They said she was down at the paddocks with the horse, waiting for the race.
“You should follow her,” Charlotte said.
“Dylan will be upset if you don’t come back soon,” Ramon said.
“He probably noticed that line when we came in, so I think he knows it will be a while,” I said.
I would follow her for just a bit to see where she was going. Maybe she was looking for Lewis.
“I hope she doesn’t see you,” Ramon said.
I followed Mandy down the hall. When she got on the elevator, I had to wait. I couldn’t follow her into the elevator.
“There are stairs.” Charlotte pointed. “If you hurry, you can beat the elevator.”
“In these shoes?”
I wasn’t sure hurrying was an option, but I decided to give it a shot. There was no way I would catch Mandy if I had to wait for the next elevator. Rushing the crowd of people, I hurried to the staircase and made my way down as fast as my shoes would allow. When I stepped out of the stairwell, I spotted Mandy.
“Where is she going?” Charlotte asked.
I’d come this far, so I decided there was no sense in turning back now. We left the track area and headed toward the barn. The horse was already at the paddocks, so I wasn’t sure why Mandy was going back to the barn.
“Where is she going?” Charlotte asked again.
“Maybe she forgot something for the horse,” Maureen said.
I kept my distance. If she had looked back, she would have seen me following her. I would have to think quickly to explain why. Finally, we made it to the barn. I peeked around the side of a stall. Mandy was headed toward the office.
I had to hide so that Mandy wouldn’t see me. Most of the stalls were empty, so I lifted the latch on the nearest one and stepped inside.
“Cookie, be careful in there and don’t step on any . . . well, horse droppings.” Charlotte pointed.
I looked down at my feet. Luckily, the stall was clean. I closed the door behind me so that Mandy wouldn’t notice. It was hard to stand perfectly still; I was so nervous that I was shaking. Mandy had always given me the creeps. And this time was worse. I peeked out through the space between the door and the wall.
Luckily, I had a clear view of the office from this vantage point.
“What is she looking for?” Maureen asked.
“I bet I know what she’s looking for. The drugs. She probably wants to make sure they’re still there.” Charlotte craned her neck for a better view.
“Because she left them there on purpose,” I whispered.
“Exactly,” Charlotte said.
I watched as Mandy rummaged through the office.
“It looks as if she is looking for something else,” Charlotte said.
“Charlotte, you should go in there and see exactly what she’s up to,” I said.
“Well, even though she gives me the creeps too, I guess I can do that.” Charlotte left the stall.
Maureen and Ramon stayed behind with me. Just as Charlotte made it to the office door, Mandy came out. I moved back so that she wouldn’t see me. I held my breath as she walked by.
“Thank goodness, she didn’t look over this way,” Maureen said.
Charlotte popped up beside me. “Sorry, but she took off before I got there. Now you need to go in there and see what she was looking for.”
“What if she comes back?” I whispered.
“I’ll see where she’s going,” Charlotte said.
“She’s probably going back to the paddocks. They’ll have to saddle the horse soon,” Ramon said.
Charlotte appeared again. “She’s headed back toward the track.”
I released a deep breath. “I guess that means she won’t come back. At least I hope she doesn’t come back.”
When I peeked out, I spotted Mandy. “She’s still there.”
“What is she doing?” Maureen whispered as if she would be heard too.
Mandy’s phone rang, and she pulled it out of her pocket.
“Looks like she got a new phone,” Charlotte said.
“Yes,” Mandy said hastily.
“Is she ever in a good mood?” Charlotte asked.
“Now that I think about it, not really,” Ramon said.
“I don’t understand what he saw in her,” Maureen said.
Charlotte quirked an eyebrow. “Did you look at her? She’s mildly attractive. That’s what he saw in her.”
Maureen and Charlotte laughed, as if they were at a stand-up comedy show.
“What do you want, April?” Mandy asked. “I thought you said you were going to fix her for me.”
