Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore

by Rose Pressey

  “What have you got for the cat this time?” I asked Heather.

  Heather pulled the Ouija board from her bag. “Nothing unusual, just the Ouija board.”

  “Nothing unusual? I’d say the cat using the board is a little unusual,” I said.

  “Well, of course, but at least we’ve seen her do it before.” Heather placed the board on the counter.

  Wind Song jumped up and made her usual graceful stroll over to us. In one giant leap she was on top of the counter in front of the board.

  “Looks like she’s ready,” Sam said as he moved closer to the action.

  Heather placed the planchette on top of the board. Wind Song immediately positioned her delicate paw on it. We waited with bated breath to see what message the cat would relay. Wind Song moved the thing around the board at a steady pace. Heather had a pen and paper ready to jot down the message. We exchanged a look.

  “Does she always take this long?” Sam asked.

  “Not usually,” I said.

  Finally Wind Song stopped on a letter. F was the first letter. She moved on to the next, which was A. By the time she was at H, I knew she was spelling FASHION. Wind Song started moving the planchette again, though, so I knew she wasn’t finished. There was another word with the first. This time she spelled out SHOW.

  “Fashion show?” Heather asked.

  Wind Song looked directly at Heather and meowed.

  “I guess that was a yes,” Charlotte said.

  Wind Song glanced at me and then jumped down from the counter. She strolled back to her favorite spot in the sun. Right before closing her eyes, she looked at me again.

  “Wow. Even the cat wants you to investigate the murder,” Sam said.

  “Do you think that’s what she meant?” I asked.

  Charlotte threw her hands up. “Of course that’s what she meant.”

  “What did she mean?” Heather asked.

  “That I should continue to investigate the murder.”

  “I wish she’d told us more,” Heather said.

  Charlotte leaned against the counter. “Well, people in hell want ice water, but that’s not happening. We have to take what we can get.”

  Heather picked up the board and placed it back in the bag. “Maybe she’ll have more for us if we wait a while.”

  I blew out a deep breath. “I just don’t know how long we have to wait though.”

  Heather frowned. “I understand, but at least you’re helping Hannah.”

  “I don’t even know if I should be helping her. What if I’m helping a killer?”

  Charlotte studied her fingernails. “That would be bad.”

  “I know you’ll figure things out. I’m off to work. Call me later?” Heather asked.

  “Talk to you soon,” I said.

  Wind Song’s message had been vague, but I had a feeling it was something important.

  Once Heather left, Charlotte asked, “What does Wind Song mean? You’re surrounded by fashion; it will be hard to narrow it down.”

  Charlotte was right, it would be hard, but I would have to try.

  “Well, she is just a cat; like you said, I guess we’re lucky to get any message at all.”

  Chapter 9

  Cookie’s Savvy Vintage-Clothing Shopping Tip

  Vintage clothing can make a great investment.

  After sorting through the invoices for the day, I grabbed my purse and keys. “It’s time to go, everyone.”

  I knew it would be pointless to try to leave them behind. Charlotte and Sam followed me out the door and I locked up. Sam slipped into the backseat only after he’d made sure Charlotte was safely in the front seat.

  As I pulled away from the curb, Charlotte asked, “Where are you going?”

  “Home,” I said without looking over at her.

  “You can’t go home now.”

  “She’s right, now is not the time to take a rest,” Sam insisted.

  “I have to go home. I have work to do.”

  “You have other work that is more important.” Charlotte glared at me.

  I steered onto Magnolia Street. “Here’s what I’ll do.”

  “I don’t like the sound of this,” Charlotte said.

  “I’ll call the models on my list when I get home.”

  In all honesty I wanted to hear what the models had to say just as much as Sam and Charlotte did.

  Charlotte sighed. “I suppose that will work.”

  I glanced in the rearview mirror.

  “Works for me,” Sam said. “After all, it is rude to just pop in uninvited.”

  “Exactly,” I said as I pulled onto my street.

  I lived in a two-story white cottage. Pink asters in cute little white pots flanked the front door. During the summer, I had kitschy pink flamingos in the front landscaping, but since fall was coming, I had added pumpkins on my front porch. The flamingos would have to wait until spring to make an appearance again.

  After letting Wind Song out of her cage, I slipped into my favorite pink pajamas: the ones with the pastel-colored macaroons on them. For dinner, I decided to have some of the leftover vegetarian black-bean chili I’d made the other day. I’d made a little too much, so I’d have to take the extra to Heather. I’d never eat it all by myself. Heather always loved my homemade chili. It was my mother’s recipe. I’d also made jalapeño cheddar cornbread.

  Once I’d prepared dinner, I settled into my favorite living-room chair to do a little blogging. I’d spotted new celebrity photos of the stars wearing vintage items and I couldn’t wait to post them. Charlotte and Sam sat across from me on the sofa while I worked. I tried to ignore their stares, but I felt their eyes on me. Charlotte and Sam stood at the same time and began walking back and forth across the living-room floor.

  After finishing my chili, I got sick of their pacing and picked up my phone to place the calls.

  “It’s about time. I thought you’d never take the hint,” Charlotte pronounced.

  “You weren’t exactly subtle about it,” I said.

  Sam and Charlotte stood nearby so that they could hear every word of my end of the conversation. I suppose I could have put it on speakerphone for them, but that might only encourage them to want me to do more snooping tonight. That was not happening if I had anything to say about it.

  After finding the paper with the names that Melanie had given me, I went down the list, but I wasn’t having much luck getting in touch with any of the models. Ten minutes had passed without an answer. I was ready to give up, but I had one more call to place. Jamie Meyer answered on the second ring. Now that I had her on the line, I really had no idea what I was going to say.

  “My name is Cookie Chanel,” I said.

  “Oh, I remember you. The vintage clothing, right?” she asked.

  “Yes, that’s me.”

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “Everything is fine. I just wondered if I could meet with you to discuss the show.”

  “Put her on speakerphone so we can hear,” Charlotte urged.

  I knew I would regret this, but Charlotte’s sad eyes and Sam’s frown made me feel guilty. I pushed the button and Jamie’s voice could now be heard throughout my living room. Charlotte and Sam smiled.

  “Does this have anything to do with Melanie’s murder? Because I really don’t want to talk about it.” Her voice quavered with apprehension.

  “Tell her no,” Sam urged.

  I didn’t want to lie, but I knew if I said yes she wouldn’t meet with me.

  “No.” My voice was less than confident with my answer.

  “Okay, I guess I could meet you tomorrow. Can you come by my place?” she asked.

  I jotted down her address and hung up.

  “Great job,” Sam said.

  “I thought you were going to pass out there for a minute when you had to lie to her.” Charlotte laughed.

  “That’s it. I’m going to bed.” I stifled a yawn as I jumped up from my seat.

  Now that I had set
up a meeting, I hoped that Charlotte and Sam would let me go to bed without any interruptions. All I wanted was a full eight hours of sleep.

  Chapter 10

  Sam’s Surefire Sleuthing Pointer

  When using a car for a stakeout, make sure it

  doesn’t stand out. Pick black, gray,

  or another similar color.

  The next morning the sun streamed through my window. I jumped up ready to take on the day. First, I’d hit the estate sale I’d found in the paper last night and then the meeting with Jamie Meyer. My visit with her would make the ghosts happy, but I honestly didn’t think I’d learn anything new by talking with her. She’d already said she didn’t want to discuss Melanie’s murder. How did they think I could possibly get her to talk about it?

  After my morning routine, I dressed in a pair of fitted gray Yves Saint Laurent wool pants from the eighties and a Chanel cream color sweater from the same period. The styles of both had come back around again, so my look actually wasn’t so retro. Everyone would probably think I’d bought the clothing at the mall. I was fine with that, though, because I knew differently. The pants were so soft they felt like butter to the touch, and the sweater had faux pearl buttons creating a necklace around the collar.

  I pulled the Buick up to the address listed in the newspaper. It was a modest-sized redbrick ranch style. Nothing like the size of the mansion that Charlotte had lived in. No matter the style of home, I never knew what great bargains I might uncover on these trips. My excitement grew as I climbed out from behind the Buick and made my way to the front door.

  A woman stood with the door open and welcomed me in. Piles of clothing, books, and other items were scattered around the room. It wasn’t as organized as I’d hoped, which would make my job a lot harder. It was still something that had to be done.

  Charlotte stepped around the room surveying the mess. “This place is a disaster. How do you think you’ll ever find anything.”

  “Don’t be so negative. I bet I’ll find something,” I said.

  As I browsed through the garments hanging on a rack by the front door, I noticed a woman walk through the door. She looked familiar right away. I’d barely made it across the floor when I realized it was Brooke House.

  “What is she doing here?” Charlotte snapped.

  “Who?” Sam leaned over for a better view.

  “It’s the woman who owns the salon down from my shop. I had no idea she was into estate sales,” I whispered.

  “You need to find out why she’s here. I bet she followed you,” Charlotte said.

  I looked over at her. “You think? I don’t think she would do that, would she? Why would she do that?”

  “Remember Wind Song warned you about her.” Charlotte pointed a cautioning finger.

  I glanced back at Brooke. “That’s true, she did warn me about ‘a fashion show and house around the corner.’ Brooke’s last name is House and she was at the fashion show.”

  At the time I had no idea what the cat’s message had meant. But soon Brooke House had marched into my shop and I knew she was someone I should look out for.

  “Maybe I should find out why she is here.” I took off in the same direction where Brooke had gone.

  I wasn’t sure what I’d say once I caught up to her. Maybe I wouldn’t say anything at all. I would just see what she was doing. Obviously, Brooke wasn’t following me because she acted as if she hadn’t even seen me. Brooke went to the front door and paused. I ducked into the room to my right so that she wouldn’t see me. Now I was standing in the kitchen. If the homeowners saw me they’d probably kick me out of their home for acting like a crazy person. I glanced around the room—avocado green appliances and a mustard yellow table with matching chairs. This room was retro, but I didn’t think they’d gone for that look on purpose.

  “Wow, it’s like stepping back in time,” Charlotte said as she absorbed her surroundings.

  “Do you think she saw me?” I whispered.

  “I don’t think so. You’re not so sly though,” Charlotte declared.

  “You could work on your skills a little,” Sam said.

  I smirked. “Thanks for the advice, guys. Now back to business.”

  I peeked out from the room and saw that Brooke was going out the front door.

  “I have to catch her,” I said.

  I took off from the room and toward the door. When I reached the entrance, I paused and looked outside. Brooke was walking toward the driveway. A park bench was at the edge of the yard, though, and she sat down and pulled out her cell phone.

  “You have to go over there so you can hear her.” Charlotte waved her hand.

  “You can go that way and she won’t even see you.” Sam pointed.

  “I think there’s always a chance that she can see me,” I said. “But I’ll give it a try.”

  I kept my eyes on Brooke as I made my way off the porch and over to the line of azalea bushes at the edge of the property. She still hadn’t noticed me. If she did, she never looked my way, so I assumed she hadn’t spotted me. Sure I felt a little ridiculous, but I had to finish what I’d started.

  “She’s on the phone,” Charlotte said.

  “I have to know what she’s saying,” Sam insisted.

  I kept my eyes on Brooke. Soon she’d probably feel my stare. “I’ll try my best. Why don’t you go over there and listen so that I don’t have to.”

  “We don’t go anywhere without you, remember?” Charlotte lifted one finely arched eyebrow questioningly.

  I sighed. “Yes, I had forgotten for a moment.”

  I should have remembered though. They never got very far from my side.

  “Once I get closer, then you can listen in to her call,” I offered.

  Charlotte’s delicately arched eyebrows knitted together. After a pause, she said, “I suppose we can do that.”

  “That would be the best thing to do,” I said.

  I couldn’t believe that I had actually followed Brooke outside. If she knew what I’d done she’d surely think I was crazy. I finally reached the edge of the yard near where she sat.

  Once at the bushes, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to get close enough to hear her without actually hiding in the bushes. I hoped that there wasn’t some scary creature underneath there. I got down on the ground and started to crawl under them.

  “Not one of your best moments, Cookie,” Charlotte said as she stood behind me.

  I decided to ignore her. The branches pulled at my clothing.

  If this messed up my Chanel sweater, then someone was going to be in big trouble. Who, I wasn’t sure, but someone would be in trouble. I inched my way under the brush more. The smell of damp earth surrounded me.

  Now I was under the branches completely. I just knew that a spider would be on my face soon. When I looked over, I spotted Charlotte and Sam under there with me. At least they hadn’t made me go alone. I leaned close so that I could hear her conversation. I just needed to move some of the branches back so that I could listen in better. I reached out and started to move the bush, when something touched my face and I let out a screech. After the sound escaped my lips, I knew that I had made a huge spying mistake.

  “What have you done?” Charlotte asked.

  “This isn’t good,” Sam said.

  Footsteps sounded from in front of me and then next thing I knew sunlight flooded the area. Brooke was leaning down in front of me. She had pulled the branches back.

  She frowned. “What are you doing?”

  “This doesn’t look good,” Sam repeated.

  “I don’t know how you will explain your way out of this one,” Charlotte criticized.

  Yeah, I didn’t know how I would either. But I had to say something, because Brooke was glaring at me.

  “I lost my earring,” I mumbled.

  “No, no, that is a terrible excuse,” Charlotte said.

  Maybe she was right, but it was too late now. I’d already said it.

  “Are you spyin
g on me?” Brooke peered into the bushes.

  Of course that was exactly what I was doing.

  “No, like I said, I lost my earring earlier when I got here.” I flashed her a wide smile. “I’ve looked everywhere, but this was the one spot I hadn’t looked yet.”

  Her brow furrowed. I knew she still wasn’t buying my excuse, but there was reasonable doubt, so she couldn’t really say anything to the contrary.

  “I don’t believe you, Cookie. I think you were trying to listen to my conversation.” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Why would I do that?” I asked innocently.

  “Why is she worried about it unless she knew that she had done something wrong?” Sam said.

  He had a valid point.

  Brooke placed her hands on her hips. “Why would you listen to my conversation?”

  I finally climbed out from under the bush, brushing off my clothing. “I wouldn’t. I told you I was looking for my earring.”

  “You are wearing both of them.” She pointed.

  “I didn’t say I was looking for the earring I’m wearing now.”

  She couldn’t argue with that. Brooke stared for a moment longer, then turned on her heel. “I am leaving.”

  She mumbled something under her breath as she walked away, but I couldn’t quite make out what she had said. It was probably better that way.

  “That was completely awkward,” Charlotte said.

  “Yeah, don’t remind me. She will tell everyone in town how strange I am.”

  “Well . . . they probably already think you’re a little eccentric, don’t you think?” Charlotte pointed toward my clothing.

  I suppose she did have a point. But I didn’t want it to get around that I was weird. Right now I could be considered quirky. That could easily turn to just plain nutty in a matter of hours.

  “People know me in town; they probably wouldn’t believe her anyway.” I walked back toward the house.

  “What are you doing?” Charlotte asked.

  “Looking for vintage clothing, what else?”

  Chapter 11

  Cookie’s Savvy Vintage-Clothing Shopping Tip