by Rose Pressey
Heather clutched the side of the counter. I guided her over to the settee. “Here, have a seat.”
“She couldn’t see the ghosts before and now she can. This is amazing,” Minnie said.
Heather stared at Minnie.
“Heather, this is Minnie. I met her in the graveyard this morning.” I gestured.
That sounded so strange when I repeated it out loud. I was glad no customers were in the store to hear that.
“Why is she here?” Heather asked, looking Minnie up and down.
“I’m not sure yet. Why are you here, Minnie?”
Minnie tossed her hands up. “Beats me.”
“Okay, never mind that right now. There is something else I need to tell you,” I said.
Heather rubbed her temples. “More ghosts?”
“More murder,” Charlotte said.
Heather gasped. “Murder? Who?”
“Tyler Fields, the photographer for the photo shoot. Someone killed him in the cemetery this morning.” I hated to sound so blasé about it, but those were the facts.
“Do they know who did it?” Heather asked.
“Not yet. I saw one of the models run from that area right after it happened. She screamed and acted shocked when she found his body.”
“She claims to have found the body. She could have murdered him,” Charlotte said.
“Do you think she has a reason to murder him?” Heather asked.
It was strange watching Heather talk directly to Charlotte. No longer did I have to be the go-between in their conversations. Though that might be a bad thing. There were a lot of comments from Charlotte that I didn’t relay to Heather. It would only cause an argument.
“That’s what I intend to find out,” I said. “In the meantime, why do you think you can see the ghosts?”
Heather looked Charlotte up and down. “Charlotte, you look exactly how I imagined you would. Of course I’ve seen pictures, but that doesn’t give you a true image of the person.”
Charlotte quirked an eyebrow. “Well . . .”
I held my breath, hoping that Heather wouldn’t say the wrong thing.
“You’re gorgeous.”
Charlotte waved her hand. “Oh pshaw. Why, thank you, Heather.”
Was Charlotte actually blushing?
“Seeing you is much more accurate. Since you don’t have the scowl in the photos.” Heather pointed at Charlotte’s face.
Charlotte glared at her.
Heather turned her attention to Minnie. “And you are as pretty as an angel.”
Minnie’s smile spread across her face, lighting up her blue eyes.
Heather leaned back in the settee. “I have no idea why I can see the ghosts now. I did nothing different.”
“That is odd,” I said. “I would say it’s a good thing to see and talk with the ghosts, but I’m not so sure.”
“Hey . . .” Charlotte placed her hands on her hips.
“Besides you all, of course,” I added with a smile.
When a customer entered the shop, Heather and I stopped our conversation with the ghosts. As I stood next to the rack of dresses helping the customer, I caught movement out the window. Krissy and the guy from the cemetery were standing on the sidewalk across the street. They were having another heated discussion. He seemed to be unhappy all the time, at least on the occasions I’d seen him. What was going on that made him so unhappy?
“Which skirt would work better with this blouse?” the woman asked, snapping me back to attention.
She held up a dark, golden-colored, quilted satin circle skirt from the 1950s. It had a side zipper with two hook clasps.
“That’s one of my favorites,” I said, still somewhat distracted.
I’d almost decided to keep the skirt for myself. After reaching over to a different rack, I pulled a top off the rack. The white short-sleeved blouse had a fitted waist and tiny buttons up the back.
“This would be perfect.” My gaze traveled back to the window.
“Oh, I love it.” She took the hanger from me.
“What is so interesting out there?” Charlotte asked.
Minnie and Charlotte had now moved over to the window and were peering outside. Wind Song had sat up on the windowsill and was staring too.
The customer paid no attention to my distraction. She’d moved on to another clothing rack. I surveyed the items the woman was holding up. Though my attention on the clothing was short-lived. I had to see what the couple did next.
“I think the pink blouse would look nice with the skirt. What do you think?” the woman asked.
I didn’t even look at the woman when she spoke. “It would look lovely.”
My current customer service skills were out the window. Literally. The couple fought some more. He grabbed her arm and she yanked it away. I seriously contemplated calling the police. I hadn’t liked the way he grabbed her arm. He seemed as if he was trying to get her to stay. He needed to accept if she wanted to leave.
“I’ll take both outfits,” the woman said.
Somehow in spite of my bad sales pitch I’d sold the items. I watched as Krissy marched down the sidewalk. The guy got into a car and took off in the opposite direction. At least he’d left her alone. This left me with a bad feeling though. I definitely needed to check into it more.
Chapter 4
Charlotte’s Tips for a Fabulous Afterlife
Don’t settle for the backseat when you can ride shotgun.
The day had been busy with customers. Of course that made me happy, but the ghosts had been anxious for me to find out more about the guy we’d seen with Krissy. I had to admit I wanted to know more about him as well. Something about him sent a shiver down my spine. I suppose it was because he’d seemed like such a bully.
Dylan had been busy with the murder case. So far I hadn’t been able to get any information from him. I hoped that changed soon. I finished some of my paperwork and shut off the lights. Heather had a few readings tonight, so she wouldn’t be able to go anywhere with me until later. The ghosts, however, were already waiting by the car as I locked the shop’s door. As soon as I reached the car, the ghosts hopped in. Apparently Charlotte had already warned Minnie that she got to ride in the front passenger seat because Minnie sat in the back. I slid behind the steering wheel and turned on the engine. Fuzzy dice dangled from the rearview mirror. This set of wheels was my pride and joy. My grandfather had left it to me. The shiny chrome glistened in the sunshine. The leather seats felt like butter.
“Such a beautiful car you have.” Minnie ran her hand along the leather seat. “So modern.”
Charlotte laughed. “It’s a 1948 Buick.”
“Oh . . .” Minnie said with pursed lips.
“Well, that is modern for her,” I said.
“Where are we going first?” Charlotte asked.
I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel in rhythm with The Platters singing “Only You.” Not only did I dress in vintage and drive an old car, but I listened almost exclusively to the oldies as well. Not everything in my life was retro, but a great deal of it was. Even my house was decorated with vintage items, although I liked to mix old with the new.
“Town sure has changed a lot.” Minnie peered out the window in awe of the scenery.
“I wish I’d seen it back in those days,” I said.
“All the buildings were here,” she said.
I cruised down the main street of town. Seeing the old brick buildings restored and full of businesses made my heart happy. Flowers in the large planters along the sidewalks clung to the last days of warmth before the cooler weather set in. A banner hung high above the street announcing the upcoming fall festival. There was a hayride that I was particularly looking forward to. Not to mention Dixie Bryant’s apple cider. Dixie owned Glorious Grits. That was the diner in town. It was one of my regular stops.
“Hello? Are you listening to me?” Charlotte snapped her fingers, bringing me back to the current conversation.
; “What did you say?” I asked.
“You never answered about where we’re going first,” Charlotte said.
“Well, since I don’t know that guy’s name I suppose I will have to find that out first. I can’t find him if I don’t know his name.” I made a left turn.
“No, you cannot.” Charlotte agreed.
“How do you do that?” Minnie asked.
“I’ll talk with Krissy Dustin. I’m sure Dylan has instructed everyone not to leave town,” I said.
“But you don’t know where she’s staying,” Minnie said.
“It’s a small town. Finding anyone is never that difficult. Especially a gorgeous model.”
“Why don’t you just ask Dylan where she’s staying?” Charlotte asked with a sheepish smile.
“I doubt he wants me involved in the investigation, which means he’ll keep all this information tight-lipped.” I mimicked zipping my lips. “So don’t even suggest that I should ask.”
“I already suggested,” Charlotte said.
“I thought I’d go by all the hotels and check. There are only three in town.” I made a right turn at the light to head away from the historic section.
“Don’t forget there are two bed-and-breakfasts now,” Charlotte said.
“That seems like a lot of hard work,” Minnie said around a sigh.
“Like Charlotte always says . . .”
“Hard work pays off.” Charlotte finished the sentence for me.
“Where do you start?” Minnie asked.
“I guess I’ll ask the first hotel I come to. Which is the Red Rose Inn just down the road.” I gestured.
“Keep your hands on the wheel,” Charlotte warned with a wave of her finger.
“This is exciting.” Minnie bounced in the seat.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “Easily amused, isn’t she?”
A couple minutes later I turned into the inn’s parking lot. I’d barely parked the car and shut off the engine when I spotted him.
“Whoa, isn’t that him?” I pointed across the parking lot.
“That’s him, all right. I’d recognize that bully anywhere,” Charlotte said.
“What will you do now?” Minnie asked.
“I suppose I could start up a conversation.” I pulled the keys from the ignition.
“Like what? Oh, did you see that murder today? How about this weather?” Charlotte quipped.
“Okay, I know this is a delicate situation.” I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel. “I’ll have to come up with something quickly.”
“What is he doing anyway?” Charlotte asked.
“He’s looking around. Maybe he’s waiting for someone,” I said.
No sooner had the words left my lips than a couple guys approached the man. They talked for a few minutes until Krissy’s friend walked into one of the rooms and slammed the door. One of the men he’d been talking to held his hands up in frustration, as if he couldn’t believe the guy had stormed off.
“Wow, that was something. Too bad they didn’t punch him,” Charlotte said.
“Oh, Charlotte. Be nice,” I said.
“Now we have to know what that’s all about,” Charlotte said.
I opened the car door. “Yes, we do.”
The men stood there for a moment. I guess to see if the other one would come back out of the room. After a few seconds they turned and started to walk away. I hurried across the parking lot to catch up with them.
“This is so exciting.” Minnie hurried along beside me. “I never thought I’d get to do something like this.”
“Hang with Cookie and you’ll get into all kinds of trouble,” Charlotte said.
As we rushed toward the men, I said, “You are half the reason I get into trouble.”
“I meant that in the best way possible,” Charlotte said in her syrupy-sweet voice. “And you admit I am only half the reason.”
We were now behind the men. I had to say something. They were muscular and tall. They towered over me, which meant they were a little intimidating.
“Excuse me. Can I get directions?” I called out.
“Oh dear, this will not end well.” Charlotte massaged her temples.
As if ghosts got headaches. She was so dramatic.
The men turned around, briefly eyeing me up and down.
“We’re not from around here, so I’m not sure if we’ll be of much help,” the bigger of the men said.
“I could have told you that would happen,” Charlotte said.
I had to think of something quick.
“What are you looking for?” the other man asked.
“Cookie, you look like a deer with its eyes caught in the headlights,” Charlotte said.
“Say something,” Minnie urged.
“Say anything,” Charlotte added.
“Just looking for Glorious Grits,” I said.
Charlotte groaned. “Glorious Grits? That’s what you came up with? Have I taught you nothing?”
The men exchanged a look.
The taller one said, “Sorry, never heard of it.”
They turned to walk away.
“Do something.” Charlotte gestured.
“This is making me nervous,” Minnie said.
“That man you were talking to. Is his name Derek? If so, I bet he knows how to find the place.” I rushed my words.
Minnie and Charlotte groaned. Charlotte was already rubbing off on Minnie. Hey, it was the best I could come up with under such pressure.
“No, his name is Darrin Silva,” the bigger guy said.
“Well, at least you have his name now. That’s a start,” Charlotte said.
“He’s not from around here?” I asked.
The guy studied my face, as if he were suspicious. “No, his girlfriend is in town for a modeling thing.”
“Oh, so he’s a model too?” I pressed.
The men laughed.
“Nah, he just likes to follow her around.”
“I saw that he seemed upset,” I said.
The man gave me that suspicious look again.
“You’re digging a deeper hole,” Charlotte said. “Maybe you should stop while you’re ahead.”
“I was walking through the parking lot and he caught my attention,” I said. “It was hard not to notice.”
“Okay, that’s better. Keep this up and you might actually get somewhere,” Charlotte said.
“Yes, good job, Cookie,” Minnie added.
“Yeah, he has a temper. I guess that’s why Krissy wanted to break up with him,” the other guy said.
“Now you’ve got them talking; keep it going.” Charlotte motioned.
“Krissy is his girlfriend? I guess he would be upset if she wanted to break up with him,” I said.
“Yeah, but it’s no surprise she wanted to dump him.”
The men looked at each other.
The bigger guy shoved his hands into his pockets. “He’s a possessive guy. I guess he thought Krissy was cheating on him with this photographer guy.”
“Aha! Now we’re getting somewhere. A motive for murder.” Charlotte punctuated the sentence with a jab of her finger.
I wondered if these guys knew about Tyler’s murder. They had to know since it was plastered all over the afternoon newspaper. It had made the news in all parts of Georgia. Soon we’d be called Murder Creek instead of Sugar Creek.
“Are you good friends with Darrin?” I asked.
“No, we just know him because of our girlfriends.”
“So you’re here with your girlfriends too?” I asked with a quirked eyebrow.
I guess the guy realized what I was thinking.
“Yeah, but this is a one-off. We don’t usually follow them around like Darrin does.”
“He seems honest. I believe him,” Charlotte said.
That was shocking. She never believed anyone.
“Good luck on finding the place you’re looking for. Glistening Grits?” the guy asked.
Charlotte laughed
. “I’d like to see glistening grits.”
“Glorious Grits,” I corrected.
“Right. Well, good luck.” The guy tossed his hand up in a wave and they turned to walk away.
“At least you have a name now,” Minnie said.
“Yes, and I hope I find out more,” I said.
I walked away from the area where I’d been standing while talking to the men, but I couldn’t help peek over my shoulder several times. They hadn’t bothered to look back at me, so I suppose they weren’t suspicious of my questioning. That was a good thing. I’d hoped to spot Darrin again though. With his temper, maybe it was best if I didn’t have any interaction with him. I was concerned for Krissy’s safety. I’d have to speak with Dylan about that. I’d tell him I’d seen them arguing, but I’d leave out the part about coming to this hotel.
“Is that all you’re going to do here?” Charlotte asked.
“I’ll speak with the hotel manager. She’s been into my shop before, so maybe she’ll provide me with more information. I assume if Darrin is here Krissy is with him also,” I said.
“Unless she dumped him, which is what she should have done,” Charlotte said.
Chapter 5
Cookie’s Savvy Tips for Vintage Shopping
Look for items that are being sold in a bundle.
You might find a hidden gem.
When I stepped inside the hotel lobby, I was relieved to see the manager behind the counter. The décor of this place looked like it hadn’t changed since the 1950s, which was fine with me. Upholstered, teal-colored chairs with chrome legs and a kidney-shaped coffee table sat in the far corner of the room. The manager reminded me of Grandma Pearl when she was younger. Well, at least from the photos I’d seen of my grandmother when she was younger. The resemblance was definitely there.
Nancy Klondike had dark hair cut into a short bob style that reached just below her chin. Nancy ran a lot, so she had a lean, athletic build. She probably stood at five-foot-five. She immediately cast a look of surprise when I entered. I bet she wasn’t used to seeing locals around here. Well, maybe a few who wanted to remain discreet.
“How can I help you, Cookie?” she asked.
“Well, at least she remembered your name,” Charlotte said as she walked beside me. “That’s definitely a plus for you.”
