A Passion for Haunted Fashion

by Rose Pressey

  “Like what kind of things? Other than murder,” Rachel said.

  “I saw Morris arguing with someone on his phone. That wasn’t all either. I noticed James Chrisman hiding behind the curtain over here,” Brandon said.

  “Oh, he’s pointing this way,” Charlotte said with panic in her voice.

  “What if they find you?” Peggy asked.

  Was Peggy shaking? She seemed even more frightened than me. I froze, afraid to make a move. Would they notice I was hiding behind the curtain now? How would I explain that? And like Peggy said, would they find me? This was turning out to be a bad idea. Why did I listen to Charlotte? I hoped they didn’t come over here to check. Could they see the outline of my body behind the fabric?

  “That is odd. Why do you think he was hiding?” Rachel asked.

  “Okay, they’re not looking this way now. Whew.” Charlotte pretended to wipe her brow.

  “That was a close call,” Peggy said.

  “Your guess is as good as mine,” Brandon said.

  I hadn’t expected to find out that James Chrisman had been hiding behind the curtain. That would have given him the perfect chance to jump out and attack Morris. It went right along with my theory. Had I discovered the killer? Eavesdropping was nerve-racking, but so far it had paid off.

  I fanned my face. The heat was starting to get to me back here. Maybe a panic attack was setting in. I stared down at my white heels, hoping I could get out of there soon. That was when I noticed something on the floor right by my foot. Could I reach down and pick it up without being noticed? I wasn’t sure I was that flexible, especially in a pencil skirt. I reached out and put my foot on the object.

  “What are you covering up?” Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “Are you hiding something from us?”

  “She does look suspicious,” Peggy said.

  “Why do you automatically think I’m up to no good?” I asked.

  Charlotte pointed at my face. “Because you always get that wide-eyed look on your face when you’re not being truthful.”

  I scoffed. “You’re imagining things.”

  Charlotte tapped her foot against the floor. “Am I? Move your foot.”

  “I don’t want to draw attention to the curtain,” I whispered.

  “That didn’t stop you from moving your foot the first time,” Peggy said.

  “Fine.” I shifted my foot to the side so that the button was visible. “Happy?”

  “What is that?” Charlotte asked, leaning down.

  I knew what it was. Even behind there where it was dark. I’d recognize that button anywhere. It had been on the sweater that Heather had worn. I’d picked it out for her. What was it doing back here? I was sure there was a reasonable explanation.

  “It’s a button,” I said.

  “Why were you hiding it? I know there’s some reason by the look on your face.” Charlotte pointed.

  I would have to tell Charlotte the truth. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.

  “It was the button from Heather’s sweater,” I said.

  I felt Charlotte’s stare fixed on me. Finally, I met her gaze. Why wasn’t Charlotte saying anything?

  “This isn’t good. Why would the button be back here?” Peggy’s eyes widened. “Unless Heather was hiding back here.”

  “I’m sure there’s a good explanation for this,” I whispered.

  Charlotte lifted an eyebrow. “I certainly hope so.”

  We stood in silence as I contemplated my next move. Next, the worst thing happened. Something was tickling my nose. Probably the dust from the curtain. I wiggled my nose, trying to stop the tickle. It was no use. I held my finger under my nose, but the sneeze came out anyway.

  “What was that?” Rachel asked.

  “Oh, Cookie, I thought you were ready for prime time. This is a rooky mistake.” Charlotte placed her hands over her eyes, as if she didn’t want to see what happened next.

  I couldn’t help it if I had allergies.

  “It sounded as if someone sneezed,” Brandon said. “I thought we were alone in here.”

  “We are,” Rachel said. “At least I thought so. Now I’m scared.”

  “I heard this theater was haunted,” Brandon said.

  “A ghost that sneezes?” Rachel asked.

  Charlotte giggled. This was no laughing matter. Soon they would discover me behind the curtain.

  “I have to do something before they find me,” I whispered.

  Charlotte pushed the hair from her shoulders. “Calm down, Cookie. Let the professional take care of this.”

  After Charlotte pushed her shoulders back she marched from behind the curtain.

  “Where’s she going?” Peggy asked.

  “I’m afraid to find out,” I said.

  A loud bang sounded from across the room. Rachel screamed. Now my heart pounded. Was that Charlotte or had the killer returned?

  “What was that?” Brandon asked.

  “This place really is haunted.” Rachel’s voice was filled with fear.

  Charlotte had done something. But what? What sounded like running echoed through the stage area followed by silence filling the space.

  Charlotte popped back up. “Hurry up and get out of here before they come back.”

  I raced from behind the curtain and toward the back room. Charlotte had successfully chased them away. Charlotte wouldn’t let me forget this. Now that she’d saved me from being caught she would remind me of this forever. She did deserve a thank-you. When I reached the back room I paused and leaned against the wall.

  “That was a close one,” I said, trying to catch my breath.

  Charlotte quirked a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

  “Thank you, Charlotte. Without your help I would have been caught.”

  She studied my face to determine if I was being sincere.

  “You’re welcome,” she said. “You have to admit it was kind of funny the way they ran away. Did you hear Rachel scream?”

  “Charlotte Meadows, that’s not nice,” I said.

  She stared at me. I bit back my laughter.

  “Now what?” Peggy asked.

  “I think it’s time for me to get out of here.” I rushed across the room toward the kitchen area.

  Pausing briefly when I stepped inside the space, I scanned the room. When I realized no one was there, I raced for the door. I slipped out of the theater the same way I’d entered. No one knew I’d even been there. That eerie feeling returned as I hurried to the car. It felt as if someone was watching from the seclusion of the giant trees. A breeze swayed the branches; the only sound was the rustle of the leaves.

  “I wonder if the killer slipped in and out of the theater just like this. Maybe he ran away into the woods after the crime,” I said, pulling out the keys from my pocket.

  “The police should check around for clues,” Peggy said.

  “Surely they have by now,” Charlotte said. “Dylan should let you know what they found.”

  I rushed into the car. Branches moved even faster in the wind. Gray clouds were rolling in with an ominous-looking sky. At least I felt a bit safer in the confines of my trusty Buick. It was like a big metal hug. With the top down on the car that meant anyone could still get to me. I really was being paranoid. Luckily, no one jumped out from the woods to attack me. I cranked the engine and backed out of there.

  Charlotte rested back against the seat. “Whew, Cookie, sometimes the things you get into.”

  I scoffed. “As if you don’t love every minute of it.”

  Peggy leaned forward in the middle of the backseat. “This is fun. You two are a real hoot.”

  Chapter 11

  Charlotte’s Tips for a Fabulous Afterlife

  Always look your best in case one of the ghost hunters

  comes around and snaps your photo.

  There’s nothing worse than a bad photo that will be

  passed around to every ghost enthusiast in the world.

  Dylan and I had plans fo
r this evening. He’d asked me to go on a picnic under the stars.

  “How romantic,” Charlotte said dreamily.

  I decided on a simple black dress with spaghetti straps, a fitted waist, and a full skirt. Warmth from the sun still heated the night air, so the summer dress would be perfect. Plus, the full skirt would be comfortable as we sat in the park. My wedge heels were the perfect height for walking through the grass. The doorbell rang and I froze. Was it really Dylan this time?

  “He’s here!” Charlotte yelled. “Fix your hair, put on lipstick, do something.”

  She had popped out onto the front porch for a look. At least I had her to check for me now. I wished she’d been close enough to look the other night.

  I frowned. “I already did all that.”

  Charlotte looked me up and down. “Oh, I suppose you have.”

  In fact when I answered the door, it truly was Dylan. He wore tan pants and a white button-down short-sleeve shirt. His face lit up when he smiled.

  He leaned in and kissed me. “You look beautiful. Are you ready?”

  I picked up my little black clutch from the table by the door. “All set. I’ll be back later, Grandma.”

  Dylan frowned. What had I done? He didn’t know about Wind Song and Grandma Pearl. Panic set in as I scrambled to think of something to say. As if I didn’t appear wacky enough already, now I’d done this.

  I chuckled. “Why did I say that? I guess I have my grandmother on my mind. I meant to say Wind Song.”

  Charlotte smacked her head. She probably would have preferred to smack my head. “Cookie, what have you done?”

  “You should just tell him the truth,” Peggy said.

  He grinned as if he understood, but he probably thought it was another thing to add to my list of weird behavior.

  “Close one, Cookie. You have to be more careful,” Charlotte said as she walked along beside me. “Though I’m not sure he believes you. He’s a detective, you know. He can sniff out a lie.”

  Apparently Charlotte and Peggy were coming along on the date tonight too.

  “We can drive my car since it’s such a beautiful night,” I said.

  “Great idea.” Dylan opened the car door for me.

  Dylan had a bashful smile at times. I loved that the vulnerable side of him slipped through on occasion. It didn’t happen often. Most of the time he seemed calm and completely in control. I slid behind the wheel. With Dylan in the passenger seat and Charlotte and Peggy in the back, we took off. The park in the historic section of town would be mostly empty this time of night. The park wasn’t the only empty thing around town. The streets were mostly empty too. This was just part of small-town life. I found a parking spot on the street by the front entrance. Once outside of the car, Dylan grabbed the basket from the trunk.

  “I’m not sure you’re supposed to be in the park after dark,” Peggy said, looking around with wide eyes. “What if someone calls the police?”

  Charlotte scoffed. “Dylan is with the police department so he knows if he’s breaking the law, right, Cookie?”

  Did they have to be so chatty while following us? Dylan knew ghosts followed me, but I didn’t want to have conversations with them while on a date. A foundation occupied the middle of the park. Benches and picnic tables were scattered around the open space. The tall trees surrounding the open expanse made the space feel more secluded. There were oak, pine, and magnolia trees. Plus, the weeping willows’ long branches waving in the wind practically called for us to sit next to them.

  “How’s this spot?” Dylan pointed.

  “Perfect,” I said as I peered up at the endless twinkling stars.

  Dylan pulled out the blanket and spread it on the ground. Next, he placed the basket down and pulled out the contents.

  “This is awfully romantic . . . it seems as if he’s up to something.” Charlotte stared at the scene.

  After I sat on the blanket Dylan handed me a champagne glass. Charlotte screamed and I almost dropped the glass. The bubbling liquid splashed against the side of the glass.

  “Is everything okay?” Dylan asked.

  “He’s going to propose,” Charlotte screeched.

  “This is exciting,” Peggy said, popping her bubble gum.

  They were completely overreacting, right? It was too soon to think about marriage, right? However, Dylan did have a strange look in his eyes. Why was he smiling at me like that? Now the ghosts had made me paranoid. Charlotte was good at that. The moon shone across his handsome face as he smiled at me.

  Dylan finished his drink and set the glass down. He took my hand in his. “Cookie, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

  “Here it comes,” Charlotte said.

  “I don’t think I can breathe,” Peggy said, fanning herself.

  “Of course you can’t breathe, you’re dead, silly.” Charlotte rolled her eyes.

  Suddenly my chest felt tight. Air wasn’t filling into my lungs. Was I suffocating? Dylan didn’t ask the question though. Instead he jumped up and took off running.

  “Well, talk about cold feet,” Charlotte said. “I thought he would at least ask first before running away. Maybe at the altar, but not now.”

  Dylan ran out the park gate and toward my car. I spotted a man running away. I jumped up and sprinted in that direction. Dylan chased after the man.

  “What in the world is going on around here?” Charlotte asked.

  “I knew we shouldn’t be in the park this late,” Peggy said.

  I stopped on the sidewalk. After a few seconds, I spotted Dylan heading back.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  Dylan stopped in front of me. “Someone was messing around your car. I think he was trying to steal it.”

  “Good thing Dylan was here to stop him,” Charlotte said. “Now he can get back to that question; although it kind of ruins the vibe.”

  “You saw him trying to steal it?” I asked.

  “I’m pretty sure that’s what he was going to do. Let me make sure your car is okay and that he didn’t take anything.” Dylan headed over to the Buick.

  I didn’t know what I would have done if someone had taken my car. That was my most prized possession. I stepped over to the Buick, almost afraid of what I’d see. As far as I could tell everything seemed fine.

  Dylan pulled out his phone. “I just need to call this in.”

  The next thing I knew other officers had descended on the park area. Flashing blue lights lit up the night sky. I hoped no one passed by and saw me involved in yet another crime scene.

  “This isn’t romantic,” Charlotte said.

  No, it wasn’t, but I had other things to worry about. Like someone stealing my car. Soon even more police cars arrived. Dylan talked with them while I watched from the sidewalk. I was on high alert looking for the person to return. I suppose now that the police were here he would stay away. What if he was hidden somewhere watching the scene? What if he’d wanted more than my car? Could it have been the person who left the note?

  “How long is this going to take?” Charlotte paced across the sidewalk in front of me.

  I couldn’t answer because the other detectives might notice. Peggy fidgeted beside me. Clearly she wanted to wrap this up too. I was getting antsy from the ghosts’ impatience. Plus the fact that a mysterious man had appeared to be messing around with my car.

  Dylan stepped back over to me after speaking with the officers. They got in their cars. I assumed that meant this would all be over soon. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back to the picnic now. I would be too worried about who was watching us or if the person would try something again.

  “What do you think he was doing?” I asked. “Had he already gotten in the car?”

  “It looked as if he was trying to get behind the wheel,” Dylan said.

  “He didn’t have the key,” I said.

  “He wouldn’t need one if he knows how to start it without a key,” Dylan said.

  “Okay, now that everything is
settled down, I want to know what Dylan was going to ask you,” Charlotte said. “Go back over there to the picnic.”

  The blue from the police car had faded now, leaving us once again in the dark.

  Dylan caressed my arm. “You all right?”

  “Just a little shocked.”

  “We didn’t get a chance to eat the food,” Dylan said.

  “You know, after that excitement, I’m not sure I’m hungry. Maybe we should just leave,” I said, glancing around at our dark surroundings.

  “What? Don’t be a wimp, Cookie,” Charlotte said.

  Peggy rubbed her arms, as if fighting off a chill. “It is kind of scary.”

  Dylan watched me. “Sure, it’s been a stressful few days. I’ll take you home.”

  Dylan rushed over and grabbed the picnic basket. While he was gone I kept an eye on my surroundings, just in case this guy decided to attempt an encore performance. After making the trip back through town and on to my house, Dylan walked me to the front door. I would have asked him to come inside for a bit, but it was getting late and I knew he had to work early in the morning. I kind of hated the thought of staying by myself at the house. Though I suppose having two ghosts and my grandmother the cat wasn’t exactly alone. What if the person followed us home? Yeah, I was being too paranoid. . . or was I?

  “Don’t let him get out of here without finding out what he wanted to ask you,” Charlotte said.

  As I stood at the front door, I said, “There was something you wanted to ask me.”

  Charlotte and Peggy stepped closer so they could hear every word.

  Dylan looked down at his feet. “I just wanted to ask if you would go to the department’s award party with me?”

  “That’s it?” Charlotte tossed her hands up and disappeared through the front door.

  Clearly she was disappointed. What had given her the idea Dylan was ready to ask me to marry him? She’d almost gotten me to believe it.

  “I’d love to,” I said.

  Dylan kissed me good-bye and headed down the driveway in his police car. At least I was already inside with the door locked.

  “He left his bag in the car.”

  I frowned. “What bag?”