by Rose Pressey
“The one he carries with work stuff,” Charlotte said.
“Why did he have that with him? How did I not see him with it?” I asked.
Charlotte shrugged. “He put it in the trunk when he put the picnic basket back there. I don’t know how you didn’t see it.”
That was odd. Maybe Dylan hadn’t meant to bring it along on our date.
“You should take a look at it,” Charlotte said.
I waved my hands. “I can’t do that. That’s going through his things, and I will never do that. I’ll give it to him in the morning.”
Charlotte tapped her foot against the floor and crossed her arms in front of her chest. “At the very least you need to bring the bag inside. What if someone steals it from the car?”
Peggy’s gum was stuck to the end of her finger as she gestured. “Charlotte’s right.”
“I’m always right, dear,” Charlotte said with a big smile.
She had a point. Now I had to go back out there in the dark. What if the person had followed us and was lurking around? The same person who rang the doorbell and left the note? The one who had tried to get my car? Was this the same person responsible for all these things?
I sighed. “Fine.”
I didn’t bother to put my shoes on for the trip. My anxiety spiked as I opened the door and peeked outside. The silence was almost eerie. It was as if the sounds of nature were scared silent too. I was almost sure it was just my imagination, but it really felt as if someone was watching me.
“Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to walk to the car?” Charlotte tapped her foot against the floor.
“I don’t see you going out there,” I said.
With a blink of the eye Charlotte was outside by the car.
“Now get out here now.” Charlotte pointed.
Peggy was now beside Charlotte. It looked as if I was outnumbered. Wind Song meowed.
“Oh sure, take their side,” I said. “It’s easy for you all. You’re already dead. Doesn’t matter if there’s a murderer out there.”
“What can we say, we’re lucky.” Sarcasm dripped off Charlotte’s words.
I released a deep breath and took off in a sprint for the car. I pulled up the heavy trunk and scooped up the bag.
“See, that wasn’t so hard now was it?” Charlotte asked.
I slammed the trunk shut and raced toward the front door. That feeling of being watched didn’t go away. Of course I hadn’t expected it to either.
As soon as I crossed the door’s threshold I stumbled over my own feet and fell face-first onto the floor. I groaned and looked around. The contents of Dylan’s bag had scattered across the hardwood floor. I pushed up with my arms. Charlotte and Peggy stared at me with wide eyes.
“You’re right, Charlotte, she is clumsy,” Peggy said.
I managed to get myself up from the floor.
“What is all this?” Charlotte had moved closer to the bag.
I waved my arms as if that would shoo Charlotte away. “I don’t know, but we’re not going to look at it.”
“It’s kind of hard not to look now with everything out in the open like that.” Charlotte leaned down for a closer look. “Oh, it’s crime-scene photos from Morris’s murder.”
“Do they have photos of the body?” Peggy asked the morbid question.
“They have a picture of the murder weapon,” Charlotte said.
“Will you two stop that?” I asked as I joined them next to the photos.
“It can’t hurt to take a little peek,” Peggy said. “After all the pictures are on the floor and you have to pick them up.”
“You can’t close your eyes while you do it,” Charlotte said.
She was right about that.
“I suppose I can’t help it if I see them by accident,” I said.
“Now you’re talking.” Charlotte flashed a devilish smile.
“Though I doubt Dylan will believe that it was an accident,” I said.
“Well, that’s his problem.” Charlotte placed her hands on her hips.
I reached down and picked up the photo of the knife used to kill Morris. I looked over my shoulder as if I was expecting Dylan to be back there giving me a disapproving stare. Instead, Wind Song was sitting behind me. She meowed. I wasn’t sure if Grandma Pearl approved or not. Knowing her, she was probably all for it. I studied the photo.
“Well?” Charlotte said. “Can you make anything of it?”
“This knife is interesting. I’ve never seen one like it.” I gestured toward the photo.
“Do you know a lot about knives?” Peggy asked.
Charlotte laughed. “Unless it has to do with fashion, then no, she doesn’t know a thing about them.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t find out,” I said.
“I don’t think that will be easy,” Charlotte said.
“I have to give it a try though. I mean, this knife has to be kind of unique. Where do they sell them? Are there a limited number? Maybe that would lead me to the killer.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Perhaps.”
She didn’t sound convinced. I peeked at the other photos. It showed Morris, so I wasn’t interested in looking any longer. I’d seen enough. Now I was reliving the instant I found Heather standing over the body. That wasn’t something I wanted to remember. I gathered the photos up and stuffed them back into the bag.
“He’ll never know you saw them,” Charlotte said.
“I hope not, because I don’t think he’d be happy if he knew that I had looked.” I placed the bag on the table by the front door.
“It was an accident,” Peggy said.
“Was it?” I raised an eyebrow.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Charlotte narrowed her eyes.
“Never mind that. It’s getting late and I need sleep. I have an estate sale in the morning.” I headed for the bedroom.
Charlotte groaned like a teenager who’d just been asked to do their homework.
“Fine. You can sleep now, but tomorrow you have to find out more about that knife.” Charlotte followed along behind me.
Peggy was on Charlotte’s heels. It was like I was the conductor of a ghost train. After curling up under the covers I tried to doze off. After a few minutes of ghost chatter they finally quieted down. Charlotte was silent for the rest of the evening. She was probably pouting because of what Dylan asked. I was still worried about the person who had been messing around my car. Would they return to my house tonight? If they’d left the note, too, then it didn’t look as if they would stop harassing me any time soon. They wouldn’t stop until I stopped snooping around and trying to find the killer. Had Dylan seen the killer tonight when he’d seen the man by my car?
Chapter 12
Cookie’s Savvy Tips for Vintage Shopping
Just because the person is working in the store
and offers advice doesn’t mean
they know vintage clothing well.
The next day, after dropping off Dylan’s bag at the police department, the ghosts and I headed to the shop. Heather was still home in bed. I’d called to check on her. She promised she’d be in to her shop soon. Of course, I couldn’t help but worry about her. The ghosts and I had already stopped at the estate sale. I’d actually found quite a few good items there. I was surprised to find a 1960s sleeveless white with orange and yellow tulip print Lilly Pulitzer dress. It had a full-length prairie-style skirt, and the neckline featured a collar with pleated lace. Also I’d scored a 1970s long-sleeved Geoffrey Beene white-and-red-striped shirt. The pin-tucked pleats on the front and fitted waist were the bee’s knees. Now I was ready to get to work. I had a bunch of items to process and get out on the floor.
In the past few days I’d fallen behind with work and I really needed to catch up. At least the ghosts understood that I had stuff to do this morning. Charlotte was always more interested in trying to solve the murder. I wanted to crack the case, too, but I also had my passion for vintage fashion. I hung a few dresses
on mannequins and next I had to work on the front windows.
Charlotte was basking in the sunshine by the window when I moved to the front of the shop to work on the display. Summer was here and I had plans for making a bright and cheery scene. I was buttoning up a hand-sewn light mint–colored cotton crepe dress when movement caught my attention. A woman was walking past the shop. For a split second our eyes met. She looked away quickly. Where had I seen her before? Her long brown hair tumbled along her shoulders. The woman’s haunting dark eyes looked as if she could stare a hole right through me.
“Did you see her?” Charlotte appeared next to me in the window.
If anyone saw me moving my lips they’d think I was talking to myself. At least I could act as if I was speaking to Wind Song. She had been asleep in the front window next to me while I worked. Now she’d woken up and was staring at the woman out on the sidewalk too. That meant Grandma Pearl was probably in control.
“That’s Marie Damon.” Peggy had moved and was now standing to my right. “The one Morris was also seeing.”
“How do you know?” I asked.
“I saw her at the theater. They came down to the costume room once. They were kissing so I took off and went upstairs.”
“Are there any other secrets you’re not telling me?” I asked.
Peggy furrowed her brow. “No, I think that’s about it.”
“Marie acted as if she knew you,” Charlotte said. “Did you see the way she looked in here?”
“She probably saw me at the theater, but what is she doing here now? I need to talk to her, but what will I ask? It’s not as if I can come right out and ask if she killed Morris.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Charlotte sashayed away from the window.
“Why would she want to talk to me?” I asked.
“Here she comes back.” Peggy pointed.
“You have to talk to her.” Charlotte motioned toward the door.
“What would I say to her?” I asked.
“Maybe jump out there and tell her there’s a sale,” Charlotte said.
“Oh, that’s not obvious.” I placed the pants I’d been ready to put on the mannequin down and rushed over to the door.
I still had no idea what I would say to Marie. With my anxiety spiked I opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. My gaze locked with Marie’s right away.
“Don’t panic, Cookie.” Charlotte was right beside me. “Just act normal . . . wait, don’t act your kind of normal; that might scare her away.”
Charlotte always had the witty comments. It was too late for her less-than-sage advice. I had already freaked out. I had to say something.
“It’s a beautiful day.” I forced a smile.
Marie refused a smile in return. She didn’t answer me either. Also, she kept walking.
Charlotte ran ahead and waved her arms in front of Marie. Of course Marie didn’t notice. “Great job, Cookie. You’re losing your chance.”
I couldn’t let Marie get away. I wouldn’t give up that easily.
“Excuse me, but have I seen you somewhere before?” I asked.
Marie stopped and looked back at me. At least she had paused instead of walking faster. Maybe I wasn’t so bad at this after all. The ghosts and I stared in anticipation. Would she answer?
Marie eyed me up and down. “I don’t think so.”
“Don’t let her get away,” Charlotte said.
I pointed. “Yes, now I remember. You were at the Sugar Creek Theater. See, I design the costumes for the production.”
Marie’s expression changed. She looked like a trapped animal.
“I don’t know what you mean.” The crease between Marie’s brows deepened as she frowned.
“Oh, so she’s going to play as if she has no clue. That screams guilty.” Charlotte crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“I never liked her.” Peggy eyed Marie up and down.
Well, she was having an affair with Morris and I was certain she didn’t want anyone to know. That would explain why she would deny being there. Now I had to get her to admit to the affair.
“I saw you at the theater one day. You were friends with Morris.” My gaze was locked on her.
There was no way she would get out of answering that question.
Her eyes narrowed. “We spoke on occasion.”
“If by spoke you mean made out in the costume room like a couple of teenagers,” Peggy said.
Charlotte laughed.
“It’s a tragedy what happened,” I said, shaking my head.
Morris had always been nice to me. He always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. No matter what other people said about him.
“I have to go now.” Marie turned on her heels and hurried away.
Charlotte’s perfectly sculpted eyebrow lifted. “She’s got guilty written all over her face.”
“Not so fast, Sherlock.” I held up my hand. “We can’t accuse her of murder based on one conversation. Maybe she’s just upset by what happened to Morris and doesn’t want to talk.”
“I’m with Charlotte,” Peggy said. “Guilty. Let’s go get her.”
Charlotte smiled. “Thank you, Peggy. At least someone else around here is thinking rationally.”
I rolled my eyes and headed back into the shop. “You call chasing her down the sidewalk rational?”
“Not chasing . . . merely following with concern,” Charlotte said.
I went back to dressing the mannequin. Charlotte had other things in mind.
Charlotte leaned close to the cat. “Pearl, I bet you have something to say about that lady who just walked down the street. How about we get the Ouija board so you can tell us.”
“She only talks when she’s ready,” I said, buttoning the shirt.
Wind Song meowed and jumped down from the window. She strolled over to the counter and jumped up. So Grandma Pearl was ready to talk after all.
Charlotte laughed. “Your grandmother enjoyed gossip just as much as I did.”
I knew when I was outnumbered. If Grandma Pearl wanted to talk I was all for it. Though the last time had been a little scary. It was daylight now, though, and surely nothing spooky could happen. I pulled out the Ouija board and placed it on the counter in front of Grandma Pearl. To strangers it would look as if I wanted a cat to play with the thing. For that reason I always made sure no one saw us. The only people who knew about this were Heather, Dylan, and the ghosts. And that was the way I wanted to keep it. Maybe Grandma Pearl really did have something to say about Marie. If Wind Song was taking over, though, she would just want to instruct me on what cat food to buy next.
“Is this Wind Song or Grandma Pearl talking?” I asked.
The cat stretched her long white paw and placed it on the planchette. We waited with bated breath. Grandma Pearl had become a lot better at using the board. I suppose she was getting the hang of it. She glided the planchette across the board with ease. The next thing we knew she had spelled out a word.
“Floral?” Charlotte repeated the word.
That was an odd choice.
“Anything else, Grandma?” I asked.
“Maybe she’s talking about perfume,” Peggy said.
Grandma Pearl moved the planchette again. This time she spelled the word delivery.
“A flower delivery?” Charlotte’s eyes lit up. “Oh, maybe someone is sending you flowers? A secret admirer?”
How did Charlotte get secret admirer from that?
The bell above the door chimed and Wind Song jumped down from the counter. Heather had just entered the shop. Wind Song strolled by her and over to the window to sleep again. Heather’s shoulders were slumped. That was her permanent posture as of late. She shuffled over to the settee and plopped down. Dark circles lined Heather’s eyes. She leaned back and released a deep breath.
“She’s walking around like a chicken with an egg broke in it,” Charlotte said.
“You would, too, if you were a murder suspect,”
I whispered.
“She looks like a zombie.” Peggy pointed. “What was that zombie movie? Oh yeah, Creature with the Atom Brain. I saw that movie at the drive-in theater with my boyfriend. Oh hey! I remembered something.”
I moved over to Heather. “How are you?”
Heather stared at me with her blank expression. “What does it matter?”
“Oh, this is worse than I thought,” Charlotte said. “Tell her to suck it up, buttercup.”
I wasn’t sure now was the right time to relay that message.
“Are you opening your shop today?” I pushed Heather’s hair away from her face.
Heather shook her head. I hated to see her like this. There had to be something more I could do.
“We’re working on some leads.” I smiled.
Heather just gave me a blank expression.
She stood from the settee. “I think I’ll go for a walk.”
We watched as she walked out the door and headed down the sidewalk.
“Well, that was depressing,” Charlotte said.
“The poor thing,” Peggy said.
“I’ve never seen her like that,” I said.
Now more than ever I had to find the killer. Heather was acting as if her life were over. She’d done nothing wrong and I had to prove it. So far I had suspects, but nothing to connect one of them to the murder. I had to find out what the words floral deliver y meant. Plus, find out about that knife. I had a long to-do list. Unfortunately, it would have to wait until I had a chance to leave the shop. My new part-time employee would be here in a bit. That would give me a chance to look into these clues. In the meantime, I had to finish the window.
Once Brianna was there to work I took off toward the diner for a quick bite.
“Where are we going next?” Charlotte asked. “Do you really think you should be eating here again?”
I cast a glance over at her. “I’m going to get a salad, for your information.”
She scoffed. “If you say so.”
I entered the diner and headed straight for the counter to place my order. Dixie spotted me and waved. I hoped that she would wait on me instead of Patricia. Actually, I didn’t see Patricia anywhere. A few seconds later Dixie came over.
