by Rose Pressey
It popped and she continued chewing.
“What a way to burst her bubble,” Charlotte said.
I slumped my shoulders. “She’s right though. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten Dylan’s hopes up.”
“He probably doesn’t expect much,” Charlotte said.
I frowned. “Thanks for the confidence.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Well, it’s true.”
I busied myself with folding clothes. Though I’d probably just have to redo them later. My anxiety was making me do a sloppy job. A few minutes later Dylan arrived. He hurried over to where I stood by the counter.
“What did you find?” That little frown line appeared between his eyes.
Nerves danced in my stomach.
“Well, you have to tell him,” Charlotte urged.
I gathered my nerve and said, “When I was walking back to the shop I spotted Patricia.”
“Yes?” he asked with interest.
I pulled out the little piece of foil paper. “She dropped this.”
“This is cringe worthy,” Charlotte said. “I want to cover my eyes and ears. Unfortunately, I can’t do both at once.”
“I can’t watch,” Peggy added, covering her eyes with her hands.
They were the ones who had encouraged me to call Dylan.
Dylan took the wrapper. “It’s like the one in the crime scene photo.”
I glanced at Charlotte and Peggy and gave them a smug look. Now it wasn’t so embarrassing after all.
“Exactly,” I said.
“He’s good. I’ll give him that,” Charlotte said.
“Where did you find this?” Dylan frowned.
“Patricia tossed it in the general direction of the trash can outside. I picked it up.”
“So we know she chews this type of gum. Without proof of her buying it this doesn’t help us much.”
“You tried, Cookie,” Charlotte said as she sat on the settee.
“Better luck next time.” Peggy sat beside Charlotte.
I wasn’t giving up that easily.
“So what if I prove that she made a purchase?” I asked.
“That would be a lot of work.” Dylan ran his hand through his hair.
“Yes, but if I get proof . . .”
Dylan released a deep breath and said, “Then, yes, if you get proof that would link her to the scene of the crime.”
I smiled. “Consider it done.”
“That is a lofty aspiration,” Charlotte said. “But I have faith in you.”
She should have faith in me, considering she was the one who had pushed me to get involved in the first place. Now I couldn’t not be a part of this madness.
Dylan grinned. “Just be careful. What do you have in mind?”
“I plan to go to every store in town and ask if they have video of Patricia buying this gum.”
His eyes widened. “That’s a lot of work.”
“I have to try,” I said.
The bell over the door caught our attention. I was surprised to see Heather walk in. She still looked just as glum with slumped shoulders and a frown.
She shuffled over to the counter. “I saw Dylan’s car out front and stopped by to ask him if he had any news. I’m sure he doesn’t.”
Heather sounded defeated. She didn’t even look at us when she spoke.
“As a matter of fact I do have a new clue,” I said.
“Is it that gum wrapper again?” Heather asked.
I frowned. “Yes, but this time it really is promising.”
“So it’s technically not a new clue since you already told me about it,” Heather said.
Charlotte laughed. “She has a point.”
“Heather, I know it probably doesn’t seem as if we are trying to find someone else to link to the crime, but I’m working on it. These things take time,” Dylan said.
“Because you all think you have the killer already.” Heather stared at Dylan.
I had to break up the tension in the room, which meant getting rid of Dylan for the time being.
“So I’ll let you know if I find any more information about the wrapper.” I gestured toward Heather with a tilt of my head.
Dylan nodded, taking my cue. “I’ll just take this for safe keeping.” He tucked the wrapper into his pocket. “I’ll call you in a bit. Nice seeing you, Heather.”
She tossed her hand up in a halfhearted wave.
“I don’t think you’re her favorite person right now, Dylan,” Charlotte said.
Peggy waved her hands. “The tension in here is thick.”
Dylan kissed me good-bye and headed for the door. He rubbed Wind Song on his way out.
“So what’s this all about?” Heather asked when Dylan walked out. “What’s so promising about the gum wrapper?”
“I just have to go to every store in town and ask if Patricia bought a certain kind of gum.” I rearranged the necklaces by the counter, not looking at Heather. I knew how crazy this sounded. Sure, it was unlikely that I’d find the information I needed, but I had to give it a shot.
Heather stepped in front of me, so I couldn’t avoid looking at her. Her eyes were wide. “That could take forever. What if she bought it somewhere else?”
“I have a feeling she didn’t,” I said.
“You know, now that I think of it, every time I saw her at the theater she was chewing that gum,” Heather said. “She came to see Morris a lot.”
“She must really love that stuff,” Peggy said as she chewed her gum.
“Yes, imagine that.” Charlotte rolled her eyes.
“As soon as I close the shop I will start my search,” I said.
“May luck be on our side,” Peggy said.
“We’ll need it,” Charlotte said.
Chapter 20
Cookie’s Savvy Tips for Vintage Clothing Shopping
A damaged vintage item can still be used.
Maybe that great dress can be altered into a blouse,
or the fabulous shirt can be made into a scarf.
There are other uses for the vintage items
even if you think they are too far gone.
Don’t be too quick to toss them.
Once the piece is gone you’ll never get it back.
“We should have some kind of plan before you go willy-nilly around town asking people if Patricia Chrisman bought Wrigley’s Spearmint Gum from their store. They’ll think you’re even crazier than they already do.” Charlotte paced across the floor.
“Thank you, Charlotte. I’d forgotten how crazy I am. You hadn’t reminded me in a few hours.” I rolled my eyes.
“No time for sarcasm right now. We have work to do.” She placed her hands on her hips.
I tapped my fingers against the counter. “Well, we can narrow it down to stores that are close by where she lives and works.”
“That would make the most sense,” Peggy said.
“Okay, good idea. That’s a start,” Charlotte said.
“Mr. Dierck’s is the closest.” I said.
“Let’s roll.” Charlotte motioned over her shoulder as she marched toward the door.
Peggy was right behind her with a bounce in her step. Her poodle skirt swayed with each step. What was I thinking? It really was crazy to think I could track down a killer with a gum wrapper. That wouldn’t stop me from trying though.
We piled into my car and I pointed the Buick toward Mr. Dierck’s Food Mart and Easy Gas. It was right around the corner from Patricia’s house. I pulled into the parking lot and into a space up by the door. Lucky for me I was the only car in the lot. This would mean the attendant would have more time to speak with me.
“I hope Patricia doesn’t stop in here while I’m inside asking about her.” I glanced around at the empty parking lot.
“Don’t worry. What are the odds that would happen?” Charlotte asked with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“With me? Pretty good.” I got out of the car and walked inside the store.
The coo
l air circled me as I looked around. Aisles of miscellaneous items took up the space in the middle of the room. Coolers with drinks and other chilled items took up the outer walls. Mr. Dierck was behind the counter. I knew him because he used to play golf with my dad. I figured if I asked him not to mention this conversation to Patricia Chrisman he would agree since he liked my father. It would be a favor. Though he would probably tell my father. My dad would ask me not to get involved in a murder investigation. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d made that request. He’d also say if I promised to stay out of it he wouldn’t be forced to tell my mother. Heaven knew I didn’t want my mother to find out. She’d be in the Prius and on her way to Sugar Creek faster than I could say tofu. Mr. Dierck stared at me as if he didn’t know me. That was just his way though.
“Are you sure he knows you? He’s looking at you suspiciously.”
Once I reached the counter, he smiled. “Cookie, what a pleasant surprise. To what do I owe this honor?”
I smiled. “Good evening, Mr. Dierck. How are you?”
“Well, my golf game is bad, but other than that I can’t complain.” He offered a lopsided smile. The little wrinkles crinkled around his eyes.
“He knows you want something,” Charlotte said from over my shoulder.
“Yes, I can see it in his face,” Peggy chimed in.
“Listen, Mr. Dierck. I’m researching something and I wondered if I can ask you a question.” I searched his eyes for a reaction. Any sign that he would be willing to help me.
His brow pinched together. “Sure, I’ll try to help.”
Whew. That was a step in the right direction. I’d been worried he would say no. Although I thought he would help, there was no way to know for sure until he confirmed it.
“Now let’s see if he still wants to help after you ask him the crazy question about a gum wrapper,” Charlotte said.
“Oh boy. It sounds wackier every time you mention it,” Peggy added.
“Well, I know you have a lot of customers, but I wanted to know if you remember a specific one.” Silently I said a little prayer that he would remember Patricia.
“This is a long shot,” Charlotte said.
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Peggy said.
I knew it was a long shot, but I was willing to give it a try.
“Unless the person is a regular I probably wouldn’t,” he said.
That was what I was afraid of. Nonetheless I pressed on with my question. I pulled out my phone. Patricia liked social media and had quite a few selfies on Instagram. It had been easy to find a photo of her. “This is the woman.” I showed him the phone.
He moved his eyeglasses and peered at the picture on my phone. “Patricia. Yes, I know her. Lovely lady.”
He wouldn’t think she was lovely if I proved she was actually a killer.
“Well, I can’t believe it.” Charlotte tossed her hands up in the air.
“I’m shocked,” Peggy said.
“When’s the last time she came in?” I asked.
My anxiety increased as I waited for an answer.
He tapped his chin with his index finger. “I guess I saw her a couple days ago.”
Would this be enough? After going to the trouble of tracking her down, would it just be dismissed? Just coming into the store meant nothing really. I had to prove that she had bought the gum.
“Do you happen to remember if she bought this gum?” I reached down and picked up a package from the display in front of the counter.
He gestured at the gum and said, “Yes, she always buys a package. That and a Diet Coke. How did you know?”
I guess he thought I’d just performed a neat trick. No neat tricks, just old-fashioned detective work.
“Now ask him about video,” Charlotte said.
“This is getting real interesting,” Peggy said with excitement in her voice.
“Would you happen to have that on video . . . you know, if the police asked for it?” I tried to sound casual, but this request was far from casual.
“You’ve really piqued his interest now,” Charlotte said.
His eyes widened. “Yes, I could provide that, but is it a crime to buy gum?”
“It’s a crime to murder someone,” Charlotte quipped.
“Good one, Charlotte,” Peggy said with a point of her index finger.
“Not a crime to buy the gum. This may lead to something much worse,” I said, placing the package back on the display.
“Don’t tell him too much,” Charlotte said.
He eyed me and said, “I’ll help if I can.”
“He doesn’t sound too thrilled about that,” Peggy said.
“No one wants to be involved in a murder investigation,” Charlotte said.
“Thanks for the information. If you see her will you keep this conversation just between us?” I asked.
“As far as I’m concerned this conversation never happened,” he said with a wink.
“He’s probably saying that because what you asked is so weird,” Charlotte said.
Weird it was for sure, but I didn’t care because I had my answer. I was one step closer to finding the killer. I turned and hurried out of the store before he asked me questions that I wouldn’t want to answer. The ghosts and I piled into the car and pulled away from the store.
“I’m shocked that you were actually able to pull that off,” Charlotte said. “I guess my skills are really starting to rub off on you.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I’m a natural at this kind of stuff?” I pushed the brakes when the red light turned.
“I suppose you’re not bad.” Charlotte grinned.
As we sat at the red light I checked in the rearview mirror. “Does that woman in the car behind us look familiar?”
Charlotte and Peggy turned around for a look. The woman behind the wheel wore a giant straw hat and dark sunglasses.
“How in the world would you know? She’s covered up like some kind of starlet trying to avoid the press,” Charlotte said.
“That’s what makes me suspicious. There’s just something off about it.”
“Well, there are a lot of wackadoos in the world.” Charlotte swirled her index finger next to her temple.
The light turned green and I pushed the gas.
“I’m sure it’s nothing to be worried about.” Charlotte dismissed my concern with a flick of her wrist.
Nonetheless, I kept glancing in the mirror, watching the woman. She stayed close to my car. A little too close for my liking. It was as if she was keeping pace with me on purpose.
Chapter 21
Charlotte’s Tips for a Fabulous Afterlife
Learn to use your energy wisely.
You don’t want to waste moving an object
on the wrong person. What if you want to scare
someone and you just used all the saved up energy
on someone else. Again, choose wisely.
“She is riding your bumper like you’re towing her car,” Peggy said.
“Okay, so maybe it is something to be concerned about,” Charlotte said. “What is her problem?”
“I don’t know, but I need to get away from her.” I made the next right turn and so did the woman.
“Drive to the police station.” Charlotte pointed. “She won’t follow you there.”
“I don’t think I necessarily believe that, but I’ll do it anyway,” I said.
“And punch it too. If the police stop you, fine, you can tell them a crazy woman is following you.” Charlotte had shifted in the seat so she could get a better look at the car behind us.
“I wish we could get her license plate number,” I said, hurrying through a yellow light.
Of course when I accelerated so did the woman in the black sedan. She had great driving skills, but I wasn’t impressed. The street where the police station was located came into view.
“I wonder if she knows where you’re going?” Peggy asked.
“Well, she’s about to find out,�
�� Charlotte said.
I made the next right and whipped the car into the parking lot. Dylan’s cruiser was parked in his usual spot. At least I needed to talk with him anyway. I’d tell him about what Mr. Dierck had said. The car sped past, but I noticed the woman looked my way.
“She’s probably cursing you for doing that.” Charlotte laughed. “Don’t mess with Cookie, Charlotte, and Peggy.”
“You outsmarted her,” Peggy said.
Thank goodness that was over. Who was that woman and why had she been following me? Plus, I couldn’t help but wonder if she would be waiting somewhere when I left the station. I’d have to go through that ordeal all over again. I pulled into the space and put the car in park. I released a deep breath and shut off the car.
“Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ll tell Dylan about this just yet,” I said with my hands still on the steering wheel.
“Normally I wouldn’t agree with that, but I think you’re right,” Charlotte said. “You have no proof that she was actually following you.”
“Or even who she was,” Peggy said.
“I do plan to get answers to those questions though,” I said.
Of course I needed to tell Dylan what I’d found out from Mr. Dierck, but I thought it could wait until later this evening. There would be nothing he could do with that information right now.
Before Dylan caught me in the parking lot, I backed the car out and pulled onto the road. With my luck the woman would be waiting around the corner for me. I’d be on the lookout for that car again. As I headed toward the shop, the image of that woman behind the wheel of her car stayed in my mind. Why did she seem so familiar when I couldn’t even see her face? It hit me . . . her hat. I knew they sold those hats in the boutique in town. That was why she seemed familiar. It wasn’t her; it was the hat. Now if I only knew who owned one of those hats. It wasn’t vintage, and I’d even thought of purchasing one for myself.
“What’s on your mind, Cookie?” Charlotte asked. “I know when you get quiet that you’re up to something.”
I scoffed. “That’s more like a description of your behavior than mine.”
“Touché,” Charlotte said with a click of her tongue.
