How to Frame a Fashionista

by Debra Sennefelder

  “Now, where were we?” Serena entered the room and went for her wine.

  “Sorry I have to go. But we do have to talk. Soon.” With her purse in hand, Kelly swept by Serena and ignored the woman’s outrage at her quick departure.

  Running out of the house, Kelly pulled her phone from her purse and found Ella in her list of contacts. As she yanked open the Jeep’s door, her call went to voice mail. Frustrated and worried, she used the AI function on her phone to call the newspaper. The receptionist told her Ella wasn’t in the office. Kelly opted not to leave a message.

  Chapter 15

  Behind the steering wheel, Kelly pulled out of the driveway and headed back to town. Nightfall was setting, and she tried to figure out where her day had gone. Oh, yeah, she’d been busy sticking her nose into Wolman’s case. Now wasn’t the time to give herself a good talking to. She had to get to Ella’s place. ASAP.

  She didn’t have a phone book handy, but the next best thing was Liv. The Moretti family knew everybody in town, and she was confident her friend would know where Ella lived. While she waited for Liv to pick up the call, she considered calling Gabe, but she had no solid proof Ella was in danger. She only had vague text messages she wasn’t supposed to have seen.

  “Hey, what’s up?” Liv’s chipper voice should have made Kelly smile. Instead, she frowned. She hated to be the one to burst her friend’s happy little bubble.

  “Nothing good. Do you know where Ella lives? I need to see her. Now.”

  “What’s going on?” Liv’s voice lost its perkiness. Now, a severe tone came through the phone line.

  “She could be in danger.”

  “What? Kelly, what’s going on?”

  “No time to explain. Do you know where she lives?” Kelly rolled through an intersection despite the Stop sign. A woman’s life could be at risk. One little traffic infraction wasn’t a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

  “Sure. In the cottage behind the house I live in.”

  “Seriously?” Talk about a lucky coincidence.

  “For about a year now. I’m on my way home. I’ll meet you there. Shouldn’t you call the police?”

  “And tell them what? I have a bad feeling. Hopefully, I’m over-reacting.” Kelly disconnected the call and pressed down on the gas pedal a little harder. What was one more traffic infraction?

  Kelly arrived at Liv’s residence. The adorable yellow Victorian house had a wrap-around porch with planters waiting for summer blooms. The first floor housed a pottery shop while upstairs there were two apartments.

  The businesses at this end of Main Street didn’t have the luxury of communal parking lots behind the shops. Navigating her Jeep into a space between a van and a pickup truck, she spotted Liv’s mini coupe a few spaces away. Her breathing hitched before she saw Liv appear from the building. She let out her breath. Thankfully, Liv hadn’t taken it upon herself to go back to the cottage. With the Jeep parked, she got out and met Liv on the walkway.

  “Now, are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Liv propped a hand on her hip and gave Kelly a firm look. It was clear she wanted an explanation.

  “I’m not sure.”

  Liv shook her head and then led Kelly around the back of the Victorian. “I know you know more. Spill.”

  “I think Adrian Chase and Serena are in cahoots. I think his business dealings are shady, and Ella must be onto it also.”

  “Cahoots, huh?” Liv tossed a look over her shoulder.

  “It’s a real word.” Kelly tramped behind, trying not to obsess on the worst-case scenario.

  Between the house and the enchanting cottage was a small patch of grass. A lit gravel path led to the cottage’s front door.

  Liv pointed to the blue compact parked beside the cottage. “Looks like she’s home. I wish I could afford to rent this cottage. It’s charming inside. I got a peek before Ella moved in.”

  They reached the white vinyl-sided cottage, and the front door was open. Liv stopped and turned around to Kelly.

  “Maybe we should call the police now,” Liv said.

  “Let’s look first. Maybe the door didn’t latch all the way.” Kelly walked toward the cottage and eased the door open, calling out Ella’s name. When there was no answer, she peered in. A kitchenette was to the right, and the living area was to the left. She entered and called out Ella’s name again.

  “We have to call the police.” Liv followed Kelly inside the cottage.

  Kelly passed a wooden desk, cluttered with takeout menus, flyers, church bulletins, and other papers. The thick carpet absorbed the sound of her footsteps. She reached another partially opened door, and after inhaling a deep breath, she pushed the door open and then let out the breath.

  “What is it?” Liv hurried to Kelly’s side. “Is she…dead?”

  “Who? Who’s dead?”

  The loud, demanding voice had both Kelly and Liv jumping. They spun around and found Ella standing in the doorway.

  “You’re alive,” Liv cried out.

  “Of course, I am. What are you two doing in my house?” She shut the door. “I’m waiting for an answer.”

  “I thought you were in trouble,” Kelly said.

  “She did. She thought you were dead. Well, you heard that.” Liv rested her hand on Kelly’s shoulder and squeezed. She always had Kelly’s back and now facing a very unhappy looking Ella, she wasn’t going to waver.

  “Or you thought you could break in and search my house. What are you looking for?” Ella marched over to the desk and scanned it before she pulled her cell phone out of her jeans back pocket.

  “We did no such thing! Your door was open. And the only thing we were searching for was for you.” Kelly stepped forward. “Who are you calling?”

  “Hello, I’m calling to report two intruders in my house.” Ella cast a cool look at Kelly and Liv.

  “She’s calling the cops!” Liv hurried to Kelly’s side. “Do something. I can’t get arrested again.”

  “I’m sorry, Liv.” Kelly’s stomach knotted. The last thing she wanted was for Liv to get into trouble because of her.

  “Don’t be sorry. Just fix this.” Liv shoved Kelly forward. Kelly tripped over her feet and almost knocked right into Ella. That wouldn’t have been a good thing.

  “Please, don’t do this. We were worried about you. We…I think you’re in danger.” Kelly gave her best sad face and prayed to any power-to-be to help her and Liv get out of this mess.

  Ella studied Kelly for a long second and then rolled her eyes. “Never mind. There’s been a misunderstanding.” She disconnected the call and set the phone back down.

  “Thank you.” Kelly glanced over her shoulder.

  Liv laid a hand over her heart and mouthed, “Thank you.”

  The knot that had bundled up in her belly vanished, and Kelly turned back to Ella with her arms wide open for a grateful hug.

  Ella raised her palms, staving off an intrusion into her personal space.

  Kelly immediately stopped. She realized she overstepped once already and didn’t want to do it a second time. She lowered her hands and took a step back.

  “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?” Ella shrugged out of her blazer and draped it on the chair at the desk.

  “I saw a text message with your name in it, and the person who wrote it said they’d take care of you.” Kelly now considered the fact she may have indeed jumped to conclusions. AC could have been the initials for anyone. A name from the past popped into her head. Andrea Cooper, the director of cosmetics at Bishop’s. Shoot. She’d forgotten all about Andrea or AC as everyone called her. Ella could have reached out to her for a comment on Serena’s arrest. Double shoot. She probably did just make a really big mistake.

  “From whom? To whom?” Ella demanded.

  “Tell her.” Liv came up beside Kelly and nudged her
.

  “Actually, I’m thinking…Have you been in contact with an Andrea Cooper?”

  “Why do you ask?” Ella asked.

  A loud banging at the door startled all three of them.

  “Lucky Cove Police!”

  Kelly’s head dropped. It was Gabe at the door. Of all the officers in Lucky Cove. Wait, there weren’t that many officers in the town. Maybe that’s why it seemed like he was always on duty, catching Kelly where she wasn’t supposed to be.

  “Gabe?” Liv paled. “What’s he doing here? We’re going to get arrested. My Nona will be heartbroken. It would kill her.”

  “We’re not going to get arrested. Besides, your Nona dotes on you. She’ll forgive you. Eventually.” However, Kelly was certain there would be no more homemade lasagna in Kelly’s future if Liv got into any trouble because of her.

  “He was probably dispatched because of my call.” Ella walked to the door and yanked it open. “Good evening, officer.”

  “Officer Donovan. You called 9-1-1. Is everything okay?” Gabe looked past Ella and his baby blues landed on her visitors, or intruders, depending on how you viewed the whole situation. “Kelly? Liv?”

  Kelly smiled and gave a little wave. How was she going to explain this to him?

  Liv leaned over to Kelly. “The bright side is at least it’s not Detective Wolman at the door.”

  “I apologize for the call to emergency services. It was an accident, and I promise it won’t happen again,” Ella said.

  “What led to accidentally calling 9-1-1?” Gabe entered the cottage.

  “We can explain, right, Kelly?” Liv asked.

  Kelly’s gaze bounced from Liv to Ella, to Gabe, and back to Ella. Oh, boy. It looked like she didn’t have a choice but to tell Gabe the entire truth of how she and Liv ended up inside Ella’s cottage.

  “I’d forgotten they were coming over,” Ella jumped into the conversation. “I stepped out, leaving the front door unlocked. I don’t know where my mind is today. Anyway, they let themselves in, and I jumped to the wrong conclusion when I saw my door open. Again, I’m truly sorry for my mistake.” Ella offered a small smile, but Kelly doubted Gabe was buying the story.

  “Liv, is that what happened?” Gabe asked.

  Kelly had to give him points for directing his question to Liv and not to her. Her friend was an honest person who didn’t intentionally break into someone’s house. Whereas Kelly, well, it was a gray area.

  Liv cleared her throat. “She’s correct. She wasn’t inside when we arrived, and we let ourselves in.”

  Nice way to skirt the truth.

  Kelly almost gave her friend a high-five but stopped herself. “Look, Gabe, we’re all sorry that the police got involved in this misunderstanding.” Now, that wasn’t a lie, because she’d probably misinterpreted the text message on Serena’s phone.

  “Well, I’m glad everyone is okay. Please be sure to lock your door next time, Ella.”

  “I will. I promise.” Ella walked to the door and grabbed hold of the knob. Before leaving, Gabe gave Kelly a look that told her they’d be having a talk soon.

  “That was close.” Liv headed for the door after Gabe was gone.

  “Hold on. I covered for you two trespassers.” Ella stepped in front of the doorway and propped her hands on her hips.

  Kelly wasn’t surprised the reporter wanted something in return for lying to Gabe. “What do you want?”

  “I want to know what led you to my home. Why did you think I was in danger?” Ella lowered her hands to her side.

  “The good news is I’m probably wrong about you being in danger. I think I jumped to a conclusion.” Kelly averted her gaze downward. She hated sounding so impulsive and flighty. Shades of her younger self were emerging, and she didn’t like it.

  “Shocking.” Ella’s tone was mocking, and Kelly deserved it.

  “Look, I promise to tell you everything once I figure it all out.” Kelly hoped the promise of an exclusive would suffice the reporter.

  “Oh, come on. I need more. Does this have anything to do with Tawny’s murder? Serena Dawson? Was it her text message you read?” Ella walked toward Kelly, her steps deliberate, and her gaze intense. “It was her text!”

  “I promise you’ll be the only reporter I speak to.” Kelly held out her hand to Ella.

  “We have a deal.” Ella shook Kelly’s hand.

  “Great. Let’s get out of here, Kell.” Liv didn’t wait for a reply; she was out the door in a flash.

  Kelly followed, wondering if she’d done the right thing. Had she really misunderstood the text? If not, Ella could be in danger.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Kelly tied her sneakers’ laces while Howard batted a catnip toy around in the living room. He’d burn off his breakfast calories while tiring himself out just in time for a mid-morning nap. She tried not to be envious of the fur ball, but she couldn’t help it. He hadn’t a care in the world. Meanwhile, her belly was tangled up with worry over a myriad of things.

  When she returned home after her breaking and entering situation, she made a call to Julie, her closest friend from her time at Bishop’s. Julie still worked at there and graciously shared her employee discount from time-to-time. She asked Julie to find out if Ella had reached out to Andrea Cooper. Her friend was full of questions, but Kelly didn’t have the energy to explain her request. She promised to do so very soon. Then they spent the next half hour talking about their relationships, the upcoming trends, and possibly a girls’ weekend in the fall. Being in retail, they were always planning months in advance.

  Her phone buzzed with a reminder to get a move on. She told Marvin, last night when he’d called, she’d meet him for coffee at Doug’s Variety Store. After Christmas, she closed the boutique on Sundays until spring. Between the low sales on the shortest business day of the week and operating with a lean staff, it didn’t make sense to be open. Even Pepper welcomed the change. Now, though, she had the whole day to dwell on how close she’d come to getting into serious trouble with the police.

  Her stomach somersaulted again. It had been doing that whenever the scene at Ella’s cottage flashed in her mind.

  With her sneakers laced up, she slipped into a jacket over her yoga pants and graphic tee. She then grabbed her key holder, where she stashed her credit card, and headed out of the apartment after saying goodbye to Howard.

  So far, the lazy Sunday morning greeted her with no new leaks. Even though the repair would cost a small fortune, she looked forward to waking up not on pins and needles expecting to find the roof collapsed because of water damage. Downstairs, she left through the back door and hurried to Doug’s.

  Stepping inside Doug’s, she scanned the store and found Marvin had not only secured a table for them, but he’d ordered them coffee and muffins. Bless him.

  She made her way toward him. When she reached the table, he stood and kissed her on the cheek. He wore a navy fisherman sweater over gray pants. He looked alert and well rested. It was a stark contrast to when she first met him. He’d been living in isolation and feeling unwell. Now he was out and about daily, organizing an art show with the Lucky Cove Arts Council and making a weekly card game at the senior center. He often said that it was because of Kelly that he felt the zest of life again. She wasn’t too sure about that, but whatever role she’d played in him finding the joy of living again made her heart warm. He’d been a good friend to her grandmother, and she wanted to be a good friend to him.

  “Good morning, Kelly. I got us coffee and something to eat. Doug said you love apple crumb muffins.” Marvin beamed. He enjoyed doting on Kelly.

  “I do. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve met a muffin I haven’t loved.” This morning, though, she had little appetite. There were too many worries jumbled in her head, and unanswered questions about Tawny’s murder matched them. Not showing interest in t
he muffin would disappoint Marvin, so she tore back the liner paper from the pastry and took a bite.

  “You sound like your grandmother.” Marvin took a drink of his coffee. He always ordered a decaf black.

  Kelly smiled. “She loved her baked goods.”

  “How are you doing?” Marvin bit into his chocolate chip muffin.

  Kelly set the pastry down. “Honestly. It’s all a mess. Somehow, I got caught up in Tawny’s murder. I thought Serena and Tawny’s business partner conspired together to kill her. But I think I’m wrong. I don’t see how they’d even know each other. They don’t exactly travel in the same worlds. Unless Serena is involved with Jason and they schemed with the business partner to kill Tawny. You know, it’s possible. Then…I’m…I’m worried Mark and I are breaking up because of the murder.” She stopped talking when she realized how certifiable she sounded.

  Marvin pushed aside his plate and reached for Kelly’s hand. “Slow down, dear. With all that you’ve just said, is there anything you can do right this very minute?”

  Kelly shook her head. There wasn’t.

  “Exactly. So, let’s enjoy our coffee and muffins. While we do, we can talk through each thing you mentioned. Okay?”

  Kelly nodded. He had a way of talking her off the ledge. While she hadn’t much of an appetite when she’d left her apartment, her stomach grumbled now, and the muffin didn’t seem like it would be enough.

  “Could I get an egg sandwich?”

  Marvin smiled. “Of course, dear. You stay put. I’ll order it for you.” He stood and walked to the counter to place the order.

  Kelly reached for her coffee and leaned back. She sipped her hot beverage and let it warm her insides. The morning was frosty and made her wonder if spring would ever arrive. Marvin returned with her sandwich, and while she ate, she talked through all of the things that were weighed on her mind.By the time Marvin left to go home to let his dog, Sparky, out, Kelly felt a hundred times better. Thanks to Marvin, she had a plan. She would tell Serena she was on her own now. Whatever guilt or misguided loyalty she felt was gone. She had the boutique to manage, and she needed to be laser-focused if she wanted to achieve her financial goals. Next, she and Mark would have a talk. As much as she dreaded the conversation, it had to happen. And soon.