by Rose Pressey
“What can I get for you, Cookie?” Dixie wiped her hands on her apron.
“I’ll take the apple and chicken salad,” I said. “Oh, and unsweetened tea.”
Charlotte placed her hands on her head as if she might faint. “Let’s not get ridiculous now, Cookie. I know I said watch what you eat, but unsweetened tea is just offensive.”
“Coming right up,” Dixie said with a smile.
I was just glad that she had a few more healthy choices on the menu. She had listened to me and other Sugar Creek residents. While Dixie handed the order back to the chef, she got my tea.
She brought the to-go cup to me. “How’s it going today? Anything interesting?”
Peggy leaned against the counter. “I think she means about the murder.”
“Dixie loves to gossip,” Charlotte said.
I unwrapped a straw and shoved it into the cup. “There was one thing. I’m trying to find out the significance of the words floral and delivery.”
Dixie held up her finger. “Hold that thought.”
She turned around to grab the salad. Next she placed it in a bag with some of the vinaigrette dressing I liked.
“She probably thinks you’re crazy,” Charlotte said.
Dixie leaned close across the counter. “Does this have to do with the murder investigation?”
“Yes, it does,” I said, handing her the money for my order.
“Wish I could help more,” Dixie said around a sigh.
I took the bag. “There was one other thing.”
“What’s that?” Dixie asked with wide eyes.
“Do you know Marie?”
Dixie’s mouth dropped.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Marie works at the florist. She delivers the flowers.” Dixie’s voice was filled with excitement.
“Oh my gosh,” Peggy said.
“Bingo,” Charlotte said as she thrust her index finger in the air.
“Thank you, Dixie. You’ve helped more than you know.”
“She didn’t do that much,” Charlotte said.
I had to get over to the flower shop.
“You’ll let me know what happens?” Dixie asked as I turned to head outside.
“I sure will, Dixie. You’re the best.” I waved and headed out the door.
Naturally I was headed right over.
“Hey, what about me? I’m not too shabby with this detective stuff,” Charlotte said as we walked along the sidewalk.
“Of course, Charlotte. Don’t be jealous,” I said.
“I’m never jealous,” Charlotte said.
“Sometimes I think you are,” Peggy said.
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Peggy.
“Well, you are,” Peggy added.
There was no time to eat my salad right now. That would have to wait until later. I had to check out that flower shop.
Chapter 13
Charlotte’s Tips for a Fabulous Afterlife
Don’t take things too seriously.
Things can change in the blink of an eye.
One second you’re here and the next poof you’re gone.
“The flower shop closes for lunch break soon,” I whispered.
“You can’t hide back there forever,” Charlotte said.
If someone saw me hiding in the bushes they might call the police. What if Dylan was the one who showed up for the call of a possible burglar? It looked as if I was casing the joint. In reality, I was just trying to see if Marie really worked there. If she was inside I didn’t want to go in and have an awkward encounter with her.
“Oh, the door just opened.” Charlotte moved behind the big azalea bush with me, as if someone would see her too.
Would anyone ever see Charlotte other than me? It didn’t look that way. I still didn’t know why I was able to see the ghosts. I’d never had psychic ability in the past. Peggy had already been behind the bush with me. My guess was that sometimes the ghosts forgot that other people couldn’t see them either.
“It’s Marie,” Peggy whispered.
Now my anxiety increased. I hoped Marie didn’t notice me watching her. She paused for a second and looked around. Did she sense my stare? I held my breath, waiting for her to look my way. Instead, she continued down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. Thank goodness I’d gone unnoticed. She was holding a large bouquet of mixed flowers. Marie wore a shirt with the shop’s logo on the breast pocket.
“It looks as if she really does work here. So that was what Grandma Pearl meant about the floral delivery,” I said.
“But what about it?” Charlotte asked. “Just because Marie works here doesn’t mean anything to the murder.”
“I guess Grandma Pearl was just helping us find her. I wish I could go in there and ask someone about Marie.”
“Why can’t you?” Peggy asked.
“She can and she will,” Charlotte said, trying to grab my arm.
She kept forgetting that her hand moved right through me. Or maybe she didn’t forget and she just hoped that at some point it would work.
I frowned. “What do you mean can and will? Since when do you tell me what to do?”
“I don’t tell you what to do, but I know your personality and you won’t let a little nervousness stop you from going in there.” Charlotte flashed a mischievous smile.
I peeked through a break in the branches. “You’re right. I won’t let that stop me.”
“You won’t let what stop you?” the male voice asked from behind me.
I jumped and fell forward into the bushes.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
When I managed to look around I saw Ken reaching down to help me up.
“Uh-oh,” Charlotte said.
“This is awkward,” Peggy said.
I took Ken’s outstretched hand and broke free from the branches. His stare was focused on me as I ran through possible excuses in my mind. Unfortunately, I wasn’t coming up with anything that sounded reasonable.
I brushed the needles from my clothing. “I’m fine.”
Ken looked around. “Who are you talking to?”
“Ghosts.” Charlotte laughed.
“I was on my phone.” The words came out before I even thought about them.
“Nice try, Cookie, not the best excuse though,” Charlotte said.
“I give it three out of five stars. Not a terrible attempt,” Peggy said.
Were Charlotte and Peggy related? They certainly acted alike. He looked down at my hands. Sure, I didn’t have the phone in my hand, but I had to stick with the story.
“You might as well tell him what you found out. He is here to help you,” Charlotte said.
“To be honest with you, I was thinking of going into the florist.” I gestured over my shoulder.
“Buying flowers?” Ken asked with a smile.
“Only if I have to,” I said.
He studied my face. “Why do you say that?”
“What I mean is I want to talk with the shop’s owner. If I have to buy flowers to do that I will. Actually, it’s probably best if I do.”
“You’re starting to ramble,” Charlotte pointed out. “Get to the point.”
“Is there something you found out?” Ken asked.
How would I tell him that my dead grandmother gave me the information? Technically, Dixie told me that Marie worked here. That sounded much better than a possessed cat.
I gestured toward the storefront. “I found out that Marie works here. I really want to ask her questions about her relationship with Morris.”
“Now you just sound like a stalker.” Charlotte stood beside Ken.
She eyed him up and down.
“I like his suit,” Peggy said as she checked out Ken too.
“Have you tried talking to her?” Ken asked.
“Yes, she walked by the shop and I went out to talk with her. She wasn’t exactly receptive to the conversation.”
“You could have tried harder,” Charlotte said.
“It
was a weak attempt,” Peggy said.
If only I could talk to those two right now. Their critique wasn’t wanted or needed.
“So what’s your plan?” Ken looked to his left as if he sensed Charlotte.
She batted her lashes and blew a kiss at him. Peggy giggled.
“That’s where the flower shop owner comes into play. Maybe she would have information about Marie,” I said.
“She’ll probably be reluctant to discuss anything about one of her employees,” Ken said.
“See, Ken is a smart guy.” Charlotte wiggled her finger.
“You’re probably right. If only there was another way,” I said.
Ken smiled. “That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to talk with her.”
“I like the way he thinks.” Charlotte gestured.
“You should listen to him,” Peggy said.
It wasn’t like I had another option. It was talk to the owner or nothing. Plus it was kind of getting strange standing in the bushes.
“Would you like to come with me?” I asked.
Ken glanced over at the shop. “I guess I could do that.”
The fact that he hesitated made me question doing this. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea. Nevertheless, I would do it. Ken and I walked to the entrance. The ghosts followed along behind us. A mixture of floral scent hit me when I stepped inside. No one was in the room. Though a bell had chimed when we entered. I assumed someone would be out to help us soon.
A gray-haired woman stepped out from the back room. She was barely visible behind the forest of flowers. Soon she stepped around them and to the counter. She wore the same style shirt as Marie with the shop’s logo on the front. Though her top was blue instead of Marie’s red. Her gaze focused on Ken. She acted as if she recognized him. Did she know he was an attorney? Maybe she thought she was in trouble. I guess it was better than if I’d brought Dylan in with me. She would have thought she was being arrested.
“Welcome to the Petal Palace. May I help you?” She smiled while watching Ken.
“I’d like a dozen red roses please,” Ken said.
I hadn’t expected him to order flowers. Should I order flowers too?
“I’d like a dozen too,” I said.
The woman eyed me as if she was a little surprised.
“Now you just look strange,” Charlotte said.
I panicked. Maybe I shouldn’t have ordered flowers too.
“Two dozen red roses coming up.” She turned toward the cooler full of colorful blooming flowers.
Ken looked at me and smiled. I figured he wasn’t totally put off by my ineptness. I moved closer to the counter, as if moving in on my prey. Okay, that was a bit dramatic, but I did feel a bit like a spy on a covert mission. She checked over her shoulder several times.
“This is such a lovely shop. Are you the owner?”
She looked back at us again, narrowing her eyes.
“She certainly is a suspicious one, isn’t she?” Charlotte asked.
“She looks guilty of something,” Peggy said.
“Yes, I’m the owner,” she said.
I had to find out before I proceeded with more questions.
Our presence seemed to make her nervous. As she packaged the roses, I decided to use that time to ask questions. After all, it was the whole point of this trip. If I didn’t act soon it would be too late. Soon she’d give us the roses and we’d have to leave. I loved flowers as much as the next girl, but looking at them after a failed mission would just be a sad reminder of my failure.
“I thought about having the roses delivered, but I wasn’t sure if you have delivery service,” I said.
Charlotte scoffed. “Subtle, Cookie. All florists have delivery.”
The owner frowned. “Yes, we deliver.”
“Do you deliver to the Sugar Creek Theater?” I asked.
“Another smooth question.” Charlotte leaned against the counter.
“This is better than watching any play at the theater.” Peggy stared with wide eyes.
Charlotte’s commentary was making me nervous. I wasn’t sure what questions to ask or how to broach the subject of Marie. I was doing the best I could. Ken could feel free to jump in and help at any time.
“Maybe Ken can save her,” Peggy said.
Charlotte pointed. “Look at him. He’s staring like a deer caught in the headlights. He’s no help. Is this the way he acts in the courtroom? If so, Heather should consider new counsel.”
That was easy for Charlotte to say . . . she didn’t have to talk to this woman. It was stressful and I could totally understand if Ken was nervous. Charlotte could feel free to help any time she wanted to tell me what to ask.
The owner finished wrapping the roses, placed them in separate boxes, and put them on the counter. “Is that all?”
Her tone sounded as if she was ready to get rid of us. Actually it was more like she was telling us not to bother to ask for more. I wouldn’t let her off that easily. I suppose I could come right out and ask about Marie. Though I doubt she would give an honest answer to a couple of strangers.
“I recognized someone I know who just left your shop. Does Marie work here? I know her from the Sugar Creek Theater. I’m doing the costumes for the production,” I said with a smile.
“I suppose that’s better, but still rather obvious,” Charlotte said. “And I doubt you’ll win her over with a dazzling smile.”
The woman typed on the computer. “Your roses will be nineteen ninety-five.”
Was she going to answer my question? I handed her my credit card and stared the whole time.
She scanned the card. “Yes, Marie works here.”
Finally, an answer. Why did she seem reluctant to talk about Marie? She handed the card back to me and repeated the steps for Ken. When she was finished I figured I’d lost my opportunity to ask any more questions. Plus, I had a dozen roses. I suppose they would be a pretty addition to my shop. When I picked up the box the woman looked right at me.
“Marie made a delivery to the theater the other day.” The woman had lowered her voice as if she was afraid of being overheard.
Was she trying to tell me that she was suspicious of Marie’s trip to the theater?
“Did something happen during the delivery?” I pushed.
“Enjoy the flowers,” the woman said with a forced smile.
“I think that means she’s done talking to you,” Charlotte said.
Ken opened his mouth to speak, but another customer entered, stopping him. I was glad that it wasn’t Marie, but disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to get this woman to talk more about what she’d just told me. Now I was even more nervous at the thought of being around her.
Ken touched my arm and motioned for us to leave. I suppose the conversation was over for the day. I held my roses in my arms and walked out with Ken. I foresaw more flower purchases in my future. We walked back over to the bush where I’d been hiding. It was kind of like our secret meeting spot where we could huddle and discuss the outcome. After all, if the woman saw us hanging around still she might call the police. Plus, Marie might return and see us.
Ken handed me the bouquet of roses that he’d bought. “These are for you.”
I hugged the roses in my arms along with my bouquet. “For me?”
He flashed his gorgeous smile. “They’ll look beautiful in your shop.”
How did he know that was where I’d planned on putting them? I suppose it was an easy guess. Sometimes I could be so predictable.
“Oh, how sweet,” Charlotte said.
“It’s romantic,” Peggy said, practically swooning.
It wasn’t romantic. Ken was just being a nice friend, right?
Checking over toward the street I noticed Dylan’s car at the red light. He was looking right at us.
Charlotte followed my stare. “Uh-oh.”
How would I explain that Ken was giving me flowers? Plus we were hiding behind a large bush. I knew what it would look like to Dylan. I would h
ave to just tell him the truth, but would he believe that? The light turned green and he took off.
“What do you think about what she said?” Ken asked, bringing me back to my current surroundings.
“She seemed nervous, right? Like she wanted to say more,” I said, still distracted by seeing Dylan.
“Maybe she knew more,” Ken said.
“I’ll have to buy more flowers.”
Ken smiled.
“It sounded as if she was hinting that Marie delivered flowers to the theater the day that Morris was murdered, but who received the delivery?”
“Maybe Morris was the recipient of the delivery. Only Marie was delivering a knife instead of flowers,” Charlotte said.
“That’s something we’ll have to find out,” Ken said.
“Thanks for the flowers,” I said, gesturing toward the box.
Ken’s gaze lingered on my face. “I should be going. We’ll talk soon?”
“Yes, talk to you soon.” I tossed my hand up in a wave.
Ken walked away and I headed for my car. Now I needed to call Dylan. I’d have to explain that it wasn’t how it looked.
Chapter 14
Cookie’s Savvy Tips for Vintage Clothing Shopping
Don’t forget vintage clothing shops have clearance
racks as well. You can find great bargains there.
While working with the vintage clothing was usually when my clearest thinking occurred. Hanging the clothing, sorting through it, and styling outfits were all therapeutic. So I wasn’t too surprised when I remembered something I’d seen in one of the crime scene photos while styling a beautiful emerald-green Dior dress onto one of the mannequins in the shop.
“What’s on your mind?” Charlotte asked as she sat on the settee watching me.
“There was a gum wrapper next to the body. What if the killer accidentally dropped it?” I asked.
“A wrapper? What if Morris was chewing gum?” Charlotte groaned. “I hate that smacking sound people make when they chew gum. It’s gross.”
Peggy popped another bubble and stared at Charlotte.
Charlotte shrugged. “Sorry, it’s the truth.”
“This clue could lead me to the killer,” I said, checking the zipper on the dress.
“How would you possibly track down who left the wrapper?” Peggy asked between popping.
