All Dressed Up and No Place to Haunt (11 page)

Chapter 17

We followed Jessica through town, and she gave no indication she knew I was behind her. Most of the time, she was looking down at her phone. I had no idea how she hadn't wrecked yet.

“I wish she'd put that phone down and stop texting,” Charlotte said.

“You and me both,” I said.

“She's making me nervous,” Alice said in a shaky voice.

“I think she's pulling into the hotel parking lot.” Heather pointed.

I cut the wheel and made a right turn into the parking lot too. This was the same hotel where I'd met Shiloh the other day. Was she visiting Shiloh? We had to see what this visit was all about.

I whipped my Buick into a spot about three down from where Jessica parked. She jumped out of her car and strode toward the hotel's entrance. She was still looking at her phone. She would glance up every once in a while, I guess to keep from tripping.

“Why is she always in such a hurry?” Heather asked as she rushed beside me.

“I don't know. Doesn't she know that we don't do things fast around here? Nothing's going anywhere. That hotel will still be there in five minutes.”

Jessica disappeared through the revolving doors. Heather and I were just a few steps behind her now. We pushed through the door and came into the lobby. The main desk was on the left, a large sitting area to the right.

“There she is,” I said, pointing toward the lobby area.

Jessica stood with her back to us. Then she pressed the phone to her ear.

I stopped. “Looks like she's calling someone.”

“Probably the person she's here to meet,” Charlotte said.

Jessica had no sooner lowered the phone than Preston walked up to her. I rushed over to the potted dieffenbachia in the corner and motioned for Heather to follow me.

“I don't want them to see us,” I whispered.

Heather squeezed in beside me, one of the leaves hitting her in the face.

“I don't think that's going to conceal both of you,” Charlotte said.

“I don't have anywhere else to hide,” I said.

“So don't hide. Let her know you are here. Go confront her.” Alice motioned.

I scowled at her. “Have you lost your mind? I can't do that.”

“So this is what it feels like to be paparazzi?” Heather said.

I chuckled. “I don't like the job.”

I peeked out from behind one of the giant leaves.

“What are they doing now?” Heather asked.

“They're still talking.”

“I still say you should march right up there and confront her,” Alice said.

I wasn't listening to any of her advice.

“We can't stay like this for much longer because one of the employees will notice us. They may call the police,” Heather said.

How many times recently had we worried the police may be called on us? I'd lost count. Jessica and Preston stood close to each other. She touched his arm several times, and they laughed. I wondered what was so funny. Probably some insider actor humor that we wouldn't understand.

“What is the woman behind the front desk doing? Is she watching us?” I asked.

Heather peeked to her left. “No, not right now. That's not to say she won't notice us at any moment and tell us to get out of here. I've never been kicked out of a hotel before.”

“I've never been kicked out of anywhere before,” I said.

“Well, I should hope not,” Charlotte said.

Something like that would go against Charlotte's whole Southern upbringing. Of course, it would have made my mother fairly unhappy too. I didn't want to have to tell her I'd been kicked out of the Plaza. Leaves poked me in the face as I peeked out from the side of the plant again. That was when I saw Preston grab Jessica's hand.

“Oh, now they're holding hands,” I said.

“What?” Heather inched her way up and pushed the leaves to each side. “I can't believe it,” she said in disbelief.

“Next thing you know they'll kiss,” Charlotte said.

She was probably right about that.

“We can't just wait around,” I said.

“Oh, now they're walking away,” Heather said.

I stuck my head out just in time to see Jessica and Preston strolling down the hallway hand in hand.

“Where are they going?” I asked.

“If you have to ask that, Cookie, then I can't help you,” Charlotte said.

Preston certainly hadn't waited long before moving on with someone new. He had probably been seeing Jessica at the same time he'd been dating Nicole. And to think he had claimed to be engaged to Nicole. What a hound dog.

Heather and I stepped out from behind the plant.

“Well, I will have to talk to her later,” I said.

“I guess we should leave,” Heather said, sounding forlorn.

“At least you didn't get kicked out of the hotel,” Alice said.

“Is the woman at the desk watching us?” I asked.

Heather leaned over. “No, I think we're clear to leave now.”

My friend and I casually walked through the lobby. As we headed to the door, I spotted Shiloh, the film crew's costume manager.

“Look who it is,” I said.

Heather looked back.

“And she's wearing that blue Dior gown that was Nicole's. Come on, we should talk to her. I want to ask about the other clothing that she was supposed to have returned by last week.”

I turned on my heel and marched over to Shiloh. She was picking up a bottle of water that had been left for the guests on a table in the hallway.

“Maybe she was supposed to meet Jessica in the lobby,” Charlotte said. “It looks as if she's waiting for someone.”

When we neared Shiloh, I called out, “How are you, Shiloh?”

She whipped around, looked to Heather and then back to me again.

She forced a smile on her lips. “Oh, hello, Cookie. What are you doing here?”

“I thought I'd stop by and ask about the clothing again. Can you tell me when I'll be getting it back? Those are valuable pieces, you know.”

Her smile disappeared. She took a drink from the water bottle while we waited. She took a few more sips before finally placing the lid back on the bottle.

Shiloh was acting strange, like she didn't want to answer. But since Heather and I were staring at her, there was little way she could get out of it. Too bad she didn't know that Charlotte and Alice were watching her too.

Putting the empty bottle into a nearby trash can, she looked at me and said, “Oh yes, the clothing from the movie set.”

“Yes, that clothing. The reason you all hired me for the movie in the first place,” I said.

She released a deep breath and then said, “To be perfectly honest with you, I can't find the items.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “What do you mean?”

“Well, some of the garments were missing.”

Yeah, I knew which items they were too. I'd seen them at Jessica's trailer. I wondered if I should tell her about that. No, then I would have to explain why I'd been there. I'd let it go for a while and see if Shiloh located the garments.

“This is bad,” I said.

“I realize that and we will pay for any of the pieces that aren't returned.”

I decided to press my advantage. “I couldn't help but notice your dress. Nicole bought it at my shop. I'm surprised to see you wearing it.”

Her eyes widened. “This is my dress,” she said.

“Oh, Nicole gave it to you?” I asked.

She scowled. “No, I brought this dress from home. It is mine.”

“That is a rare dress. Where did you find it?”

She glared at me. “I don't remember. I've had it for a very long time.”

I wasn't buying that story. I knew my clothing, and that dress had come from my shop.

She grabbed another bottle of water and walked past us. “I'll bring the clothing by, or money, soon.”

Shiloh marched down the hallway.

“She's lying about the dress?” Alice asked.

“Yes, a big fat lie,” I said.

Shiloh stepped onto the elevator, the doors closing on her scowling face.

“That didn't go well,” Heather said.

“No, it didn't. What do we do now?” I asked.

“How about you go find Ken and take him up on his offer?” Charlotte said.

“Now that is the best idea I've heard all day,” Alice said.

I headed out across the lobby toward the exit. “You know, I hate to say this, but the ghosts might be right. Maybe I do need to have coffee with Ken.”

“I have to agree,” Heather said.

We climbed into the Buick and headed back to my shop. After dropping Heather off, I picked up Wind Song and headed for home. That night, I picked up the phone several times thinking that I would call Ken, but I never dialed. I also almost called Dylan's number, but chickened out. That didn't make Charlotte and Alice happy, but I couldn't please the ghosts all the time.

I climbed into bed while Charlotte and Alice discussed the (to them) obvious reasons why I should have called both men. I put in my earplugs and covered my head with the pillow, begging sleep to spare me from their inane chatter.

Chapter 18

The next morning, I was at the shop early because I had paperwork that I had neglected recently. Although I had a part-time accountant, I tried to keep track of my cash flow myself—both to save money and to feel I was running my business efficiently. I'd worn a white-and-yellow floral Parnes Feinstein dress with a yellow rose in my hair. My white sandals completed the casual summer look.

The ghosts were bored while I was busy with work. They still wanted to discuss the case. But frankly, I was getting nowhere with it and needed a break. It made me feel better to take my mind off the investigation and focus on invoices and bank statements. When I finished the paperwork, I needed to bring some clothing out from the back and place the items on hangers.

The items had just been cleaned and were ready for the floor. Some of them might even end up in the front window on a mannequin. The ghosts followed me to the back storage room. I had racks of clothing that were being processed or mended and a couple of chairs for break time. A small desk in the far corner was covered with boxes of vintage shoes that needed polishing or repairs. I sifted through the clothing and found the items that I needed—a wonderful collection of pleated swimsuits that would have looked good on Esther Williams. I could just picture my mannequins wearing them in the display window, surrounded by colorful beach balls and parasols.

“Are you going to call Ken and Dylan today?” Alice asked.

“Maybe.” I concentrated on sorting through the clothing.

“That's not the answer we were looking for,” Charlotte said.

I didn't respond. From the front, the doorbell jingled.

“If you'll excuse me, ladies, I need to wait on a customer.”

Charlotte stepped in front of me. “Not until you agree to call them.”

Alice stood beside her, looking equally determined.

My mouth dropped. “You two are seriously holding me hostage until I agree to call them?”

“This is for your own good,” Alice said.

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right.” I pushed toward the women, and my hands went right through them.

“Oh, don't do that,” Charlotte said when I walked through their arms.

“Then don't stand in my way.”

I reached the door and twisted the knob, but nothing happened.

“The door won't open,” I said. “What did you all do to it?”

Charlotte placed her hands on her hips. “I am offended that you would think I would do such a thing.”

“Well, forgive me, but you just tried to keep me back here until I agreed to do what you want me to do.”

“I am a lady and would never do something like that to you,” she said.

“Then why is it stuck?” I asked.

Alice and Charlotte shrugged.

“Maybe it's just the humidity,” Alice said.

I supposed it was possible.

“Just push on it harder,” Charlotte said.

I placed my hand on the knob and my shoulder against the door. I twisted and gave it a good shove. Nothing happened. I was starting to panic. What if I was stuck in here?

I shoved again, but I couldn't get the door open. I wiped my forehead and released a deep breath. I had to calm down. I didn't like being in small places.

“Don't panic, Cookie, the door will open. Everything will be just fine,” Alice said.

The bell over the front door jingled again. I wasn't sure if the customer had left or if another customer had come in, but I couldn't leave the store unattended for long. Even in Sugar Creek, shoplifting could happen, and my shop was full of valuable items. I would have to get out of there.

I tried to calm down and pushed the door again, but I had the same outcome. I'd never had any problems with this door before. After this, I would never shut it again.

“Hello?” I called out. “I'm back here. I can't get the door open.”

No one answered. I wasn't sure if that was because they couldn't hear me or were afraid to answer. Either way, no one answered or came to help me.

“Okay.” I released a deep breath. “Can you all see who is out there?”

Charlotte and Alice answered in unison, “Of course.”

They floated through the door. Now if I could just figure out a way that they could get the door unstuck for me. I tapped my foot against the floor and fidgeted while I waited for them to return. What were they doing? What were they waiting for? I was freaking out wondering what was happening on the other side of that door.

“Hello?” I called out. “What are you gals doing? Did you forget about me?”

Finally, Charlotte and Alice popped back in. I couldn't read the looks on their faces.

“Well, what is going on? Is there a customer out there?”

Charlotte shook her head. “No one is out there.”

“Great. I missed a customer. How unprofessional is that?”

“That's not the worst of the problems,” Charlotte said.

“Okay, now you're scaring me. What happened?”

“There's a chair against the door. It's under the knob. That's why you can't get out.”

The color probably drained from my face. Who would have done that? Why had they locked me in this room? Luckily, I remembered that I had my cell phone in my pocket. I pulled it out and dialed Heather. There was no telling how long I would have had to stay in there if I hadn't had the phone. I prayed that she would pick up because I didn't want to call 911

After I explained the bizarre situation to Heather, she said she would be right over. I hoped that the person who did this wasn't still in the store. What if Heather ran into the intruder? Maybe I should have called the police. After all, someone had done this on purpose. It wasn't an accident. Someone wanted me to stay in that room. What would Dylan say when I told him about this? After a couple minutes, the bell rang again. I hoped it was Heather this time.

“Cookie, I'm here,” she called out.

“Thank goodness,” I said.

The sound of the chair moving away from the door gave me some relief. Heather yanked on the door.

“Are you okay?” she grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room.

“I'm fine.”

Heather looked around the shop. “Who do you think did this?”

I blew the hair out of my eyes. “I honestly don't know. But I think someone was trying to give me a message. And that message has been received loud and clear.”

Heather scooted the chair away from the door. “What were you doing when it happened?”

“I was in there getting a few pieces of clothing. The ghosts were nagging me about calling Ken and Dylan. I really thought I'd left the door open.”

Heather frowned. “That's a scary thought.”

“Yes, it is.”

Wind Song was standing beside me, meowing. Heather and I exchanged a look.

“Do you think she saw who did it?” Heather asked.

“Would she be able to tell us if she did?” I asked.

“You should get the Ouija board back out and see,” Alice said.

“We need to use the Ouija board,” Heather said.

Charlotte chimed in, “I agree.”

It was a good thing I agreed, because I would have been outnumbered. Heather and I left the back of the store and went to the counter. I was still trying to figure out who would have locked me in and why.

When I reached the counter, I pulled up a stool. I needed to sit down and recover from my panic.

“What are these cards doing here?” Heather asked, pointing to tarot cards on top of the counter.

Three cards sat on top of the counter. I'd never seen them before.

“They're not yours?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No, I didn't have them.”

“The cards weren't there when I went to the back.”

Heather stepped closer and picked up each card, examining them.

“They're not the cards that Wind Song has been using. And they're not the cards that I use.”

“Who else would have tarot cards around here?” Alice asked.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I honestly don't know. There's no one else who uses the tarot cards that I know.”

“What about Heather? Does she know who uses the cards?” Charlotte asked.

“Charlotte wants to know if anyone else in town uses the tarot cards,” I translated.

“Several people, but they wouldn't leave them here. These cards look relatively new, as if they hadn't been purchased long ago.”

“This is certainly strange.” Alice paced across the space in front of the counter.

“So what do the cards mean?” I asked, gesturing toward them.

Heather held each card up, one at a time.

“This card is the justice card. Its meaning is for justice of the universe, not really justice in law or revenge. This card is the fool. Its meaning is for moving forward. And this card is the death card. Its meaning is for transformation, not really death.”

“That combination of cards is definitely trying to send you a message,” Charlotte said.

“Did they leave these cards on purpose?” I asked. “Meaning the message was that I'm a fool and they will get revenge with death?”

“Good thinking,” Alice said.

Heather frowned. “I think so, yes. But this person couldn't know anything about the tarot cards because he or she would know that these are not the literal meanings.”

“I don't think that matters to them. They just wanted to threaten me.”

“Well, it worked” Heather placed the cards back on the counter. “We need to use the Ouija board. I'll be right back.”

As Heather hurried out to retrieve the board, I studied the cards.

“Try not to worry, sugar. I'm sure that everything will be fine,” Charlotte said.

Alice stepped close. “I'm sorry that I got you involved in this.”

I shook my head. “Don't worry, Alice, you were just trying to help Nicole.”

The bell sounded above the door, and I jerked up to look. I was on edge, thinking that the intruder might return. But it was Heather with the board under her arm. Maybe I needed to rethink my policy on not having a Ouija board of my own. It looked as if I was going to need one.

Heather placed the board down on the counter once again. I set the planchette down in the middle, and we all looked toward the cat. Wind Song was still standing guard by the back door.

“It's okay, sweetie, you can come up here now,” I said.

She licked her paws and stared at us. If she came up, it would be on her own terms.

“Offer her a treat,” Charlotte said.

Before I had a chance to retrieve the bag of treats from under the counter, Wind Song strolled toward us. Just the mention of treats had worked. The cat hopped up on the counter.

“Maybe she doesn't want to use it,” I said.

Heather shrugged. “I guess we're about to find out.”

“Or maybe she saw nothing,” Alice added. “Cats can sleep through anything.”

I wished the ghost gals had seen who had been in the store. If only they'd taken a peek out there a little sooner. Wind Song swayed her tail and placed her paw on the planchette.

“I'd say she wants to use it,” Heather said.

The cat pushed the planchette around the board. All eyes were focused on the board. The first letter was
H.
Wind Song pushed to the second letter, which was
U.
Then she moved it to the
N.

“
Hun?
” Heather said.

“She's not finished,” I said.

Wind Song moved to the
G
and then to the
R.

“I think I see where this is going,” I said.

The cat just spelled out that she was hungry.

Charlotte and Alice laughed. “Okay, Wind Song. Message received”

Wind Song pushed the planchette again.

“Do you want to tell me what kind of food now?” I asked.

Alice snickered. Wind Song pushed the planchette to another letter. This time it was the
J.
Heather and I exchanged a quick glance. Then Wind Song moved it to the
E.
Next was
S
followed by another
S.
The cat was going to spell the name
Jessica
again.