Silenced in Sequins

by Debra Sennefelder

Another chill snaked through Kelly at the memory. It had been late in the afternoon when Serena returned to the office. She had marched over to Kelly’s desk and, without warning— mostly thanks to her regular Botox injections, which meant she showed no emotion, so there wasn’t a heads-up for Kelly—she was fired in front of everyone in the women’s buying office. Everyone.

  “I know Serena. She’s a legend on Seventh Avenue.” Kelly took a long drink of her coffee. The woman was indeed a legend on Fashion Avenue. She was better known as the dragonista of retail. The last thing Kelly wanted to do was bad-mouth Serena.

  “She’s quite a force of nature. When I go into the city, she arranges a personal shopper for me. Then we have lunch.” Yvonne leaned into her chair. “What is it you want, Miss Quinn? Do you want me to consign with your little shop?” She arched a colored brow.

  Yvonne was as direct and condescending as Serena was. No wonder they were friends.

  “Only if you’re interested.”

  Yvonne leveled a flat stare on Kelly. “I’m not.”

  She was as blunt as Serena too. “Consignment isn’t right for everyone.”

  “As I said, I’m between appointments. I don’t have the time nor the desire to play games. I will guess you’re here to talk about Diana’s murder. It seems everyone with idle time on their hands is interested.”

  Kelly tamped down her irritation toward Yvonne. The older woman had a lot in common with Serena, in addition to the already identified attributes. They both seemed to have no problem insulting people. In fact, they both acted like it was their duty.

  “When was the last time you saw Diana before her murder?” Kelly pushed her half-empty cup forward and rested her hands on the table.

  Her own boldness shocked Kelly, and Yvonne almost looked amused. “Even though it’s none of your business, I’ll tell you because you have the guts to approach me and to insinuate I’m a suspect. I saw Diana a few days before the party. We met for lunch. Satisfied?”

  “Where?”

  “Right here. If you’re keen on finding out who murdered Diana, then I suggest looking at Janine and Aaron. The poor sucker thinks he’s in love, but Janine is just as conniving as Diana was.”

  “What about Wendy?”

  Yvonne shook her head. “She’s not a killer.” Yvonne lifted her classic Chanel quilted leather bag off the table and stood. She slung the chain strap over her shoulder. “I have a daughter about your age, so take my advice to heart, dear. Focus on your shop, and stay out of this ugly business of murder.”

  Kelly remained seated as Yvonne wove her way through the round tables in the dining room to the hostess station, where she was handed her coat. She said a few words to the hostess before disappearing out the doorway. Kelly decided to finish her coffee, giving herself time to think.

  Yvonne had given her some solid advice, but Kelly was focused on her business. By helping Wendy, she was helping her boutique. That was the deal they’d made, and so far, she’d held up her end of the bargain. She’d asked questions and was confident she was drawing the same conclusion as Detective Wolman—that Janine and Aaron were the most likely suspects. Wolman was far too competent a detective not to see the writing on the wall.

  As Kelly swallowed her last drink of coffee, her cell phone buzzed with a text message from Breena. Her eyes nearly bugged out of their sockets when she read the text.

  Need you here now. Trouble.

  Chapter Nine

  Kelly dug through her tote, pulled out her wallet, and slapped down a few dollars for the coffee. She shrugged back into her coat and darted out of the bistro. When she arrived in the boutique, Gabe was seated at the table in the staff room, drumming his fingers on the table. A grim expression was etched on his face.

  He was the trouble referred to in the text.

  “Hi, Gabe. What’s going on?” She unbundled herself from her coat, scarf, gloves, and tote bag, dropping them all on her desk. She’d tidy up later, after finding out why Gabe looked so serious.

  Gabe stopped drumming his fingers. His beachy-blond hair had been cut. Gone were the soft waves he’d had since childhood. The almost buzz cut gave him a more mature look. “What’s going on? You’re doing it again.”

  Kelly pulled out the chair at her desk and sat. “Doing what? I’ve been at a consignment estimate.”

  “Asking questions about Diana Delacourte’s murder. It’s a police matter, and you can’t be poking around.”

  “What makes you think I’m doing that?” Kelly crossed her arms over her chest and eyed the swinging door to the sales floor. Now would have been a good time for an interruption.

  Gabe leaned forward. “Then why did Janine Cutter call Wolman and tell her you harassed her?”

  “What? That’s outrageous!”

  “I believe she feels the same way. Kell, I know how you get— “

  “Whoa, whoa . . . hold on there.” Kelly uncrossed her arms and pointed a finger at Gabe. “She invited me to her house for an estimate on clothes she wanted to consign. She’s the one who brought up the show and the other ladies and her affair with Aaron. We were talking. I wasn’t harassing her.”

  Gabe rubbed his hand over his head. His kind eyes flickered with annoyance. “Kell, do I need to remind you of what happened last month? How you almost got yourself killed?”

  “No, you don’t. It’s still burned into my brain.” Until recently, she’d had nightmares of the incident and how close she came to being the late Kelly Quinn.

  “Good. There’s a lot of work to be done in the boutique. You stayed here in Lucky Cove to build a business and a life. Getting involved in the investigation could put you in danger again, and you could lose everything if you’re arrested. You know how much lawyers cost.”

  When had the goofy boy Kelly had grown up with become so smart? It must have been while she was pursuing her now-faltered fashion career.

  “Thank you for caring.”

  “It’s more than caring, Kell. You’re like a sister. I’d hate to arrest you. Again.”

  Ouch.

  She didn’t want to think about that fateful night when the stars had aligned and she’d landed in handcuffs. Liv’s mother still hadn’t forgiven Kelly for getting her baby girl arrested. Ever since then, Mrs. Moretti muttered in Italian when she saw Kelly, and Liv refused to translate.

  “I promise I’m doing nothing that will get me arrested.” She stood and walked to the table. She sat across from Gabe and reached out for his hands. “I’m not going to risk this boutique or my life . . . again. You have my word.”

  Gabe stared at Kelly, and she sensed he wanted to believe her. She also sensed he believed she was withholding something too. Damn, he was a good cop. She hadn’t wanted to tell him about Wendy’s offer or the fact she’d made a deal with the reality diva. If she told him, he’d stay and lecture her and probably arrest Wendy for something, maybe tampering with a witness? She had no clue.

  “Okay, okay.” Gabe patted Kelly’s hand and then stood. “I’ve said my piece. Consider yourself warned when it comes to Wolman.” He grabbed his leather jacket off the back of the chair and put it on. He pulled out a pair of gloves from his pocket and slipped them on.

  “On a different note, how’s your mom feeling? She’s been sick, but she keeps telling me she’s fine.”

  “Yeah. She tells me too. Dad and I are keeping an eye on her.”

  “I’m doing the same. I don’t want her to overdo it. I love having her here, and she’s beyond helpful, but I want her to be healthy.”

  “Maybe you need to be here more and not out chasing killers. Maybe then she can feel like she can take time off. She feels responsible for this shop.” Gabe zipped his jacket.

  Kelly lowered her eyelids. Gabe’s words were harsh but true. Pepper had a deep sense of responsibility, not only to the shop, because she’d worked there for twenty years b
eside Martha, but also to Kelly.

  “I didn’t mean for it to come out like that, Kell. Sorry.” Standing beside her, he rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  “You’re right. I’ll do better. I promise.” She officially felt like last year’s must-have now hanging haphazardly on a discount store’s markdown rack, like one of the items people mocked after a season and whose only purpose would be as part of a Halloween costume. She patted his hand to affirm she wasn’t angry with him. “Thanks for warning me about Wolman and what Janine told her.”

  He let go of her shoulder and left through the back door, allowing cold air into the staff room. Kelly shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. She rubbed her arms vigorously to warm up. She had a lot to think about, but she was also hungry. She stood, walked back to her desk to get her phone out of her tote, and texted Liv to see if she wanted to have Chinese for lunch. She walked out of the staff room. It was time to get to work and send Pepper home for the day. Liv texted back and said she’d pick it up and be there soon.

  Lunch plans with a friend put a smile on Kelly’s face, and it broadened when she saw more than a handful of customers browsing with garments in hand. Maybe things were turning around for the boutique without her extra efforts. Well, a little thanks needed to be given to the refurbishing and to the targeted advertising she’d done. She gave a little shrug. What mattered was the fact that she had customers.

  A snafu at the bakery had Liv running behind and texting she’d arrive with lunch as soon as she could. To tide herself over, Kelly snagged a protein bar from her stash of snacks in the staff room. It should be enough to hold her over until lunch arrived. By the time Liv showed up with Chinese takeout, Breena had reported to work and insisted she’d be fine on her own while Kelly ate. If she needed help, she’d text Kelly. Kelly appreciated the offer, especially because she wanted to discuss the Marvin Childers situation with her friend and didn’t want to risk anyone overhearing them.

  Liv looked confused when Kelly told her they’d be eating upstairs rather than in the staff room, where they usually ate lunch.

  “Get out! Your granny remarried and told no one?” Liv’s look of astonishment must have been how Kelly had looked when she’d discovered the marriage certificate. How and why did someone keep a marriage a secret? What could have been the reason?

  “I know for certain she never told me. I’d think she would have told Pepper because they were as thick as thieves for as long as I can remember.” Kelly drizzled duck sauce over her egg roll and then took a bite.

  “They were besties, like us. Can you imagine us at their age? What secrets will we be telling each other then?” Liv took a mouthful of her chicken lo mein. She didn’t want to share Kelly’s Szechuan chicken because it was too spicy for her taste buds.

  After Kelly swallowed her bite of egg roll, she set it down and wiped her fingers with a napkin. “Maybe something like one of us got hitched in Vegas.”

  Liv laughed. She set her chopsticks down. She worked them with precision while Kelly fumbled with hers, always had, and that was why she used a fork. She scooped up rice, along with a piece of chicken.

  When Liv had arrived with the large shopping bag of food, Kelly realized they might have over-ordered, because there was enough food to feed not four but six people. Lucky for Howard. He appeared at the smell of the chicken and gave Kelly sad kitty eyes, and she caved like the new pet-mommy she was and broke off a few bits for him, careful to remove all the sauce.

  “Do you know Marvin Childers?” Kelly prepped another piece of chicken for Howard. Yes, she was setting a bad precedent of feeding the cat while she was eating her meal, but he was being adorable and she wanted to bond with him as her granny had.

  “He’s your granny’s husband?” Liv stopped dishing out more lo mein and stared at Kelly.

  “Don’t call him that. Wait, do you know him?” Kelly set down the pieces of chicken for Howard, and he ate them in a dignified manner, though she was certain he wanted to pig out.

  “Not really. He used to live out by the water and was an illustrator. He’s retired now. The library had showings of his work over the years. I don’t know where he is now.” Liv filled her plate with more noodles and chicken.

  “What were they doing in Vegas?” Kelly stroked Howard’s head, and he purred, melting her heart.

  He was becoming more loving with each passing day, and it was what she’d hoped for. Little did she know a month ago that she’d be trying to have a cat love her. Go figure.

  Liv lifted her wineglass and took a drink. “My guess is they went as part of the Senior Center’s annual trip. The Center stopped doing it a few years ago after one of the seniors got hurt on the trip.”

  “Then I should be able to verify it, right? Who runs the Senior Center?” Kelly took a sip of her wine. She normally didn’t drink wine with lunch, but it’d been a rough day, and one glass wouldn’t be too bad. At least she hoped not.

  “Harriet O’Neal. She can be a little ornery. Be sure to pick up a couple of her favorite cupcakes from the bakery before you see her. They’ll soften her.”

  “Ornery? Great.” Kelly took a gulp of her wine. Sipping just wasn’t working.

  “Don’t worry. This will all work out. I’ll also see what I can find out about Marvin, like where he’s living these days.”

  “Thank you. I can’t lose my inheritance.” A soft meow had Kelly looking at Howard. He’d positioned himself by her chair at the table. “Or Howard.”

  “You’ll never lose Howard. And you won’t lose the boutique or your home.”

  Kelly gave her best friend a knowing look.

  “You’re worried that if Marvin is the rightful heir, he’ll sell to your uncle?”

  Kelly nodded.

  Liv reached forward, lifted the wine bottle, and topped off Kelly’s glass. “We won’t let it happen. But we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves.”

  Too late. That train had already left the station. Kelly’s mind was a hamster wheel of worry and a nonstop film reel of finding Diana’s body.

  “Hey, let’s talk about something more festive.” Liv set the bottle down.

  Kelly cringed. No, she’d rather talk about the strong possibility that she would lose her fragile livelihood and home either to an old man she didn’t know or to Wendy’s bad-mouthing her to everyone who followed her on social media.

  “When are you going to decorate your apartment?” Liv took an exaggerated look around the living room. “Hang a stocking for Howard?”

  Kelly pressed her lips together to form a pseudo-smile—part-happy, part-displeased, and part-annoyed. Her entire world was again on shaky ground, and her best friend wanted to talk decorating? How could she hang ornaments in the boutique or in her apartment when, at any moment, she could lose everything?

  Kelly reached for her wineglass and took a long drink. She was being overdramatic, and she needed to ratchet it down a notch.

  “Having a little crazy time in your head?” Liv lifted her glass, leaned back, and took a sip. She knew Kelly all too well. “Everything’s going to work out fine. You have to believe that. And what may help is a little holiday spirit. Let’s plan to decorate soon. Okay?”

  Kelly studied Liv over the rim of her glass. Her friend’s optimism was palpable. Adding some holiday cheer to her apartment might help Kelly not think twenty-four/seven about the murder or her business. She might enjoy being in the moment—something she hadn’t been able to do since her firing from Bishop’s and her granny passing away.

  “Sounds good. While we’re at it, we can decorate the boutique too. Pepper found some stockings to hang on the fireplace. How about tonight?” She’d had fun decorating Frankie’s tree the other night, and the sugar cookies were an extra bonus. She wondered if she could get Frankie to bake her a batch for her own decorating.

  Liv frowned. “No can do. I’ll be at
the community center all night. I’m organizing a gingerbread house decorating event. We have a ton of stuff to go over.”

  “Bummer. Well, then soon. Or I’ll never hear the end of it from Pepper.”

  “You’ve got it.” Liv leaned forward and held out her glass. “Here’s to holiday cheer.” She clinked her glass against Kelly’s.

  “Holiday cheer,” Kelly repeated.

  They finished lunch and cleaned up their plates right before the impending storm hit the island. What had started out the night before as a prediction of a few flurries had turned into a full-fledged snowstorm with varying reports of accumulation. The weather people couldn’t agree on how much snowfall the island would have by tomorrow morning.

  When Kelly said good-bye to Liv at the back door downstairs, the snow was already coating the road. She hurried from the door to the sales floor and instructed Breena to leave for the day, before the roads got too messy and dangerous. She would close the boutique at six.

  Breena left without an argument. Kelly considered closing early, but there was still traffic on Main Street, so there was a chance she could get a few customers before closing, though she was doubtful she’d have many first thing in the morning if the snow continued to fall at this steady clip, because most people would be digging out.

  Chapter Ten

  Kelly woke with a start, shifting Howard from his cozy spot, curled up along her legs, which earned her a glare. Her gaze darted around the bedroom and up to the ceiling. Okay. It was only a dream, a terrible Christmas-decorating-induced dream. The pieces of the dream that woke her came together.

  She was tangled up in silver garland. The garland was so tight she couldn’t move her hands or feet. It trapped her. Beside her was a tree so tall it broke through the ceiling—a big gaping hole through to the attic space and roof.

  Wendy had also been present in the dream. Handcuffed, she was shouting she’d destroy the boutique since Kelly didn’t help her clear her name. Summer was also there, lying on the floor, doing leg circles with expert precision. Between inhales and exhales, she shouted repeatedly that Kelly had ruined her chances of getting on LIL.