Murder Wears a Little Black Dress

by Debra Sennefelder

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Bernadette is leaving the boutique. I don’t believe this. Not only do I have to deal with Pepper about the tires, but now also about Bernadette.”

  “Pepper doesn’t like the psychic.”

  “I know.” There was going to be a whole new level to the Pepper glare. Why couldn’t the psychic stay away from the boutique? Was there really a spirit in there calling out for help to cross over? What was she thinking? The boutique wasn’t haunted. This whole situation was making her crazy and angry. Her friend from Bishop’s, Julie, would say she was crangry. Julie loved making up new words, and when she had one too many mojitos, she was practically talking a whole new language.

  Bernadette tightened the wrap over her navy wool coat and looked around before continuing to the curb. She was going to jaywalk. The minivan in front of Kelly made the left turn, thanks to a break in the traffic. Seriously, what was with the late-afternoon traffic? It was like summer all over again. Kelly inched up to wait her turn as another stream of oncoming cars approached.

  Bernadette stepped off the curb and out between two parked cars and waited until there were no oncoming cars. When the coast was clear, she stepped out from those cars and, just as she was past the rear bumper of a Mercedes sedan, a black van pulled out of a space.

  The van sped up toward Bernadette.

  Kelly’s eyes widened in horror as Bernadette and the van were nanoseconds away from coming together, and not in a good way. She ignored the blaring horn behind her, prompting her to turn.

  Why hadn’t Bernadette seen or heard the speeding van.

  Was she in a trance or something? Kelly shifted her vehicle into park and jumped out of the driver’s side.

  “Bernadette!” Kelly ran toward Bernadette as more horns blared. But all Kelly was focused on was the speeding van.

  Bernadette’s head swung to Kelly and then turned to the oncoming van, and she jumped back, landing on her side between two parked cars. Kelly’s pace picked up, and the black van sped by her. She caught a glimpse of a male driver, but her attention was on whether or not Bernadette was hurt.

  “Hey! You can’t leave your car in the middle of the road, lady!” a man shouted.

  Kelly scrambled to reach Bernadette and dropped down to her knees beside the psychic. Passersby stopped and started to converge around them. Her heart was pounding, and she was positive it would burst out.

  Please, please, please be alive.

  “Bernadette?” Kelly reached her hand out.

  Bernadette lifted herself up and sat on the pavement. “Did you see that van? It was like it was coming right for me.”

  Relief flooded Kelly. Bernadette was alive and looked unharmed from the incident. Kelly’s gaze looked around the crowd now surrounding them. Did anyone else see the driver?

  “I think you’re right. I think he was trying to kill you.”

  Chapter 14

  “My lord, what is going on in Lucky Cove?” Pepper had rushed out from the boutique and elbowed her way through the crowd that formed around Kelly and Bernadette. “Is she okay?” She peered over Kelly’s shoulder.

  Kelly nodded. “Did someone call 9-1-1?”

  There was a round of “yeses” from the crowd.

  Bernadette unfurled her body and straightened. “The van came out of nowhere! What was the driver thinking?”

  “Did you see the driver?” Kelly asked.

  “No! I barely saw the van in time. If you hadn’t called out to me…” Tears streamed down Bernadette’s face, smudging her mascara. She grabbed hold of Kelly’s arm. “You saved my life!”

  “Somebody gonna move this car?” a loud irritated voice called out.

  “Geez. I totally forgot.” Kelly’s head swung up to Pepper. “Sorry. I left your car in the middle of the street.” She wouldn’t be a bit surprised if Pepper rescinded her kind offer to loan Kelly the vehicle.

  Pepper exhaled loudly. “Is the key still in it?”

  Kelly nodded, and Pepper hurried away to move the vehicle off of Main Street.

  The whoop whoop siren of an approaching police car drew Kelly’s head around just in time for the vehicle to come to a stop and Gabe to exit. The tension that stretched across her shoulders eased at the sight of her good friend. She waved him over and then realized she and Bernadette were hard to miss.

  “What happened?” Gabe squatted next to Bernadette. “Are you hurt?”

  Bernadette shook her head. “Just a little sore.” She reached for her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She struggled to stand but eventually got to her feet.

  “Did you recognize the van?” Kelly guided the psychic up off of the sidewalk.

  “No, should I have?” Bernadette brushed off her maxi-length skirt.

  “Kell, I can take it from here.” Gabe stood and pulled out his notepad. “Can you describe the driver?”

  “I already told Kelly I didn’t see the driver.” Bernadette then turned to Kelly at the same time Gabe gave Kelly an annoyed look.

  Kelly seemed to be irritating a lot of people lately.

  “Can we go into your boutique? I’m not comfortable out here with all these people around.”

  “Sure. If it’s okay with Officer Donovan. I wouldn’t want to step on his toes.” Kelly cupped Bernadette’s elbow and led her into the boutique, without waiting for Gabe to respond. “We can go into the staff room.”

  Gabe followed Kelly and Bernadette into the boutique, and when they arrived in the staff room, Kelly settled Bernadette at the table and turned around, coming within inches of Gabe’s chest. Her gaze traveled upward, and he glared at her. He definitely wasn’t happy with her.

  “It’s more comfortable in here, and your questioning will be easier.”

  “You think?”

  Kelly nodded. “I’ll make us some tea.” She stepped away to the kitchenette, where she filled a teakettle and set on it on the stove. She pulled three mugs from an upper cabinet.

  “Did either of you see the license plate?” Gabe asked.

  Both women shook their heads.

  Bernadette shrugged out of her coat. “It happened so fast. I walked to the curb and stepped out to cross the street. I know I wasn’t in the crosswalk, but there weren’t any cars coming.” She stared off into space for a moment. “First Maxine’s murder and now this.” She turned back to face Kelly and Gabe. “I think my family is cursed.”

  “I don’t know about that, but what happened appears to be an accident.” Gabe wrote some notes on his pad.

  Kelly doubted Gabe’s assessment of the incident and opened her mouth to share her opinion when the kettle whistled. Tabling her thought, she prepared three cups of tea for them. She set two mugs on the table and then returned to the counter for her mug.

  “Bernadette is correct, it happened so fast. I saw the driver was a male, but I can’t tell you any more than that.” She took a sip of her tea. “I swear it was deliberate.”

  “You think the driver intended to run Miss Rydell down?” Gabe looked up from his pad.

  “I do! The van pulled out of the space just as Bernadette stepped out between the cars. It was as if the driver was waiting for her. And I think I know who did it.”

  “But you just said you didn’t see the driver,” Gabe reminded her.

  “I didn’t. I don’t know his identity, but I believe he’s the same person who killed Maxine.” Kelly set her mug on the counter with a thump. “Who else would have been driving the van deliberately trying to run Bernadette down? I have a theory.”

  Gabe looked wary. “I’ll bite. What’s your theory?”

  “I believe she was the target all along.” Kelly pointed to Bernadette.

  Bernadette whimpered.

  In an instant, Kelly regretted sounding so matter-of-fact about Maxine’s murder, but there was a killer on the
loose and she couldn’t worry about feelings at the moment. “At the time of Maxine’s murder, Bernadette was supposed to be giving a reading to Evan Fletcher. The killer mistook Maxine for Bernadette.”

  “That’s definitely a theory, Kell. Look, let me do my job, and if the driver of the van was the person responsible for Miss Lemoyne’s death, we’ll find him.”

  “There’s something you don’t know about.” Kelly pressed her lips together. She couldn’t believe she was going to bring up the murder dress, but the police needed to know everything. “The day Bernadette collapsed here, she had a vision of a man being murdered while his murderer wore the black lace dress.”

  Gabe shifted, just a bit. “I’m aware of the incident. All of Lucky Cove is.”

  “What you don’t know is the dress was consigned by Irene Singer.” Kelly lunged forward. “Bernadette had a vision about a murder and then Maxine is murdered and then someone tries to run Bernadette down?”

  Gabe just stared at Kelly and she huffed.

  “Do I need to draw you a map? A map of murder? Oh, I forgot. There’s also the threatening note left for me, and there was a guy who tried to break into Granny’s rental cottage when I was there all alone. Seriously, think about it. All these events are connected.”

  “Man, this is above my pay grade.” Gabe leaned back in his chair. “You said the driver was a man.” Then Gabe looked to Bernadette. “You said the killer in your vision was a woman. I’m not seeing how those two events are connected.”

  Kelly sighed and threw her hands in the air. “Maybe Irene Singer has a lover.”

  “Irene Singer? You think she’s involved?” Gabe asked.

  Kelly propped her hands on her hips. “The black lace dress was consigned by Irene.”

  “Her husband died in a car accident up in Maine. How exactly did she murder him?”

  Kelly sighed again. “I don’t know yet.” She crossed her arms over her chest and slinked down onto a chair.

  “When you figure it out, let me know. I’m going to get some more statements. Miss Rydell, you’ll need to come down to the police department to sign your statement. You too, Kelly. You also have that other statement to sign, remember?”

  “Thank you, Officer Donovan.” Bernadette took a drink of her tea.

  Gabe excused himself and walked out of the staff room.

  Kelly had to figure out a way to make him at least consider what she’d said, regardless of how unbelievable it sounded. “Be right back.” She jumped up and chased after Gabe before he reached the front of the boutique and grabbed his arm. “Hey, I know how all this sounds. Believe me…”

  “Kell, it sounds crazy. From the vision she had trying on the dress to you believing Irene Singer killed her husband.”

  “I admit I don’t know how all of these events are connected, but I believe Bernadette is in danger.”

  “Then let us, the police, do our jobs. I’m sure Detective Wolman will follow up. I’ll let you know when the report is ready to sign.” Gabe turned and exited the boutique.

  Pepper took his place in the hallway, and she didn’t look happy. Her glare had taken on a whole new level of scariness. So much so that Kelly took a step back.

  “How’s business been today?” Kelly asked in a casual sort of way.

  “Nice try. I swear if I could ground you, I would, but you’re not my kid. With that being said, I care a great deal for you, like you were my own. I have no doubt you were at the Thirsty Turtle because you’re trying to figure out who killed Maxine. And what’s this I hear about a threatening note and someone coming after you last night at the cottage?”

  “I can explain.”

  “I’m sure you can. And you will. But not now. We’re going to close the shop early today. I’m going to drive Bernadette home. You’re going upstairs to your apartment to make something to eat and rest. And think.” Pepper’s tone was firm, very maternal.

  “Sounds like you’re grounding me.”

  Pepper shrugged. “It does, doesn’t it?”

  “What am I supposed to think about?”

  “If I have to tell you, then you might as well pack up your bags and sell the business.” Pepper swept past Kelly and entered the staff room.

  Kelly leaned against the wall. Twenty-six years old and she was being sent to her room to make her own dinner. And to self-reflect. Was finding Maxine’s killer worth losing the business her grandmother entrusted to her?

  Chapter 15

  Kelly draped an infinity scarf over a torso dress form. As she adjusted the scarf, a yawn escaped her lips. She’d had a late night and a restless night’s sleep, thanks to the events of the day before. After closing the boutique earlier than usual, she climbed the staircase to her apartment and was greeted by a cuddly Howard. At first, she was suspicious of the show of affection by the feline but, worn down by the day, she scooped him up and accepted his companionship. Maybe he sensed she was in need of a little love. Maybe he missed Granny and was finally willing to accept Kelly into his life. Or, maybe he was just hungry. Kelly smiled. Option three sounded more like the cat she inherited.

  She came downstairs to the boutique thirty minutes before opening time so she could steam two of the tunic tops Regina Green consigned. After steaming, she dragged three torsos from the back storage room. She set them on a display table and covered two of them with tunics. The tops were in deep, rich jewel tones, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or a Friendsgiving gathering. The infinity scarf, a watercolor of purple hues, came from another display table. Now combined with the eggplant-colored tunic, it was striking.

  The middle torso was adorned with three necklaces. She mixed metals and sizes for a visual impact and added a wide belt at the base of the form. The third torso had a chunky necklace wrapped around the collar of the tunic. She stepped back and surveyed the display.

  Pleased with the visual appeal, she tidied up the jewelry she’d displayed on the table. She’d gathered all of the bracelets and rings the store had on consignment and arranged them on the table for maximum impact.

  One ring in particular, an oval leopard-print faux stone set in a six-prong golden base, called to her, but she was trying to make money and not spend it. Resisting anything leopard-print was a struggle. She caught a quick glimpse of her shoes—leopard-print loafers, enough said. She stacked a bunch of bangles in a rainbow of colors. She couldn’t resist. She reached for a black-and-white-striped fashion bracelet and slipped it over her hand. It looked good. Though, it didn’t go with the outfit she chose when she opened her closet after stepping out of the shower. She’d slipped on a midnight-navy velvet skirt and half tucked in a cotton collarless shirt. She took off the bracelet and set it back on the table.

  “Kelly!”

  Pepper’s voice drew Kelly’s attention from the display, and a moment later Pepper emerged from the staff room, carrying a travel mug, her Dooney and Bourke hobo purse hanging from her shoulder.

  “Good morning.”

  “Not for long.” Pepper scooted over to the sales counter and set her mug and hobo down. “Camille just texted me. Ralph is on his way over.”

  Kelly rolled her eyes. “What’s with him? I told him I wasn’t using his roofing guy.”

  Pepper walked across the sales floor and joined Kelly at the new display. “We all know he doesn’t take no for an answer.” She took a step closer to the display. “This is…interesting.”

  Kelly brightened. “You think so? The tops are from Regina Green.”

  Pepper folded her arms over her chest and then lifted one arm and tapped her cheek with a finger. “Very…different from Martha’s displays.”

  Exactly what Kelly intended. Not only did the merchandise in the boutique need an upgrade, so did the visual merchandising. Luckily for Kelly, she took two classes on the topic while in fashion school and was involved in the window displays at Bishop’s when she firs
t started working in the buying office.

  “It’s the rule of three. It keeps the eyes moving around the display.” Kelly adjusted a few more bracelets before she was satisfied with the overall display.

  “If you say so.”

  “I finished my article for Budget Chic last night after I made a quick dinner of mac ‘n’ cheese.”

  Pepper nodded. “I’m glad you had a productive evening.”

  Kelly’s head swiveled, and Pepper came into full view. “That’s all you have to say? After yesterday when you sent me to my room?”

  Pepper cracked a smile. “I did no such thing. You’re a grown-up.”

  The bell over the front door jingled, and both women looked expectantly toward the door, only to be disappointed by the arrival of Ralph. It was a contest to see which one sighed the deepest as his heavy footsteps marched into the boutique.

  “Quite a mess you have here.” He came to an abrupt halt, his gaze fixated on the new pyramid display.

  Pepper leaned into Kelly. “I now see what you mean by keeping the eyes moving. He looks confused.”

  Kelly stifled a laugh and shooed Pepper away. Pepper took the hint and walked back to the sales counter, where she sipped her coffee.

  “What are you talking about, Uncle Ralph?”

  “I heard all about the near hit-and-run yesterday outside the shop. And Nora told me that you told Gabe the psychic chick had a vision of murder and you suspect Irene Singer.”

  Well, wasn’t he the busy bee?

  “Since you heard all that, I’m not sure why you’re here. I have nothing new to add.” The fact he referred to Detective Wolman by her first name didn’t escape Kelly. Ralph was deeply rooted in Lucky Cove, and there wasn’t much he didn’t know.

  He sniffled and wiped his nose with the sleeve of his drab brown blazer. Classy. “The chief says Nora isn’t happy you’ve inserted yourself into her case.”

  Kelly propped a hand on her hip. Nora and the chief of police. Her uncle was quite chummy with the local law enforcement.