Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore (9 page)

Chapter 14

 

 

We had just stopped talking to the cat when Ken walked through the door. He wore a black suit and red tie. His blond hair glistened in the sun.

“Oh, look who it is,” Charlotte said. She jumped up from the settee. “I wonder what he has to say?” she asked.

I wondered if it had to do with Hannah.

He rubbed the cat's head. She enjoyed it for a moment, but then gave up and went to her favorite spot by the window.

“What brings you by today?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“I guess I will just get right to the point.”

“Oh no, this doesn't sound good,” Charlotte said.

“Would you like to go out to dinner with me?” Ken asked.

Charlotte waved her finger at me. “Cookie Chanel, if you tell him no I will haunt you like you've never been haunted before.”

I knew she meant it too. At that moment Dylan flashed through my mind. Why was I thinking about Dylan? Just because Ken had asked me out?

Going out for dinner would probably be good for me. I hadn't been to a nice restaurant for dinner in ages. And as Charlotte would say, it would do me good to get out among socialized people. I would have just enough time after work to get home and change my clothing. I was sure Charlotte would want to have input into my outfit selection. I would let her think she was helping and then I would wear what I wanted.

I smiled. “Sure, that would be nice.”

Charlotte smiled widely. I knew she would have been unhappy if I had said no.

“You made the right decision,” she said. “Although it will be a tough decision between Ken and Dylan.”

“There is no decision, Charlotte. It's just a date.”

But who was I kidding? I knew I had feelings for both men. Maybe going out with Ken would help me get over that. I waved as Ken stepped out of the store.

 

 

Later that evening, I had just finished dressing for my date when the doorbell rang and I made my way to the door. Butterflies danced in my stomach. When I opened the door he smiled. Ken looked handsome in his dark pants and beige sweater.

“You look lovely,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“You kids have a good evening,” Charlotte said as I walked out the door.

She seemed a little too excited about the fact that I was leaving. Charlotte and Sam had managed to find a way to stay connected to my house. Charlotte could go away from me now, but for some reason she didn't want to leave Sam. I closed the door behind me and peeked through the little side window. Sam and Charlotte waved. I didn't trust them. Maybe Wind Song would tell me if they did anything wrong.

Ken held the door to his car open and I slipped in the passenger seat. “If it's okay, I thought we would go to Atlanta.”

“That sounds fine,” I said.

The drive to Atlanta was relaxing and conversation with Ken was easy. Shadows crept up as twilight stretched over town. The stars had begun to make an appearance.

“Sugar Creek certainly has been full of action lately,” he said.

I had no idea how it had happened, but he was right about that. It seemed strange that Wind Song had appeared at that time too.

“Sugar Creek has had more action than I like,” I said.

Ken took his eyes off the road for just a second to glance over at me. “Tell me how you got into the whole vintage thing.”

“The vintage thing? I guess it was playing with my grandmother's old clothing. She loved fashion. I don't know, I kind of think it's something you're born with. We all have a passion. Some of us are just luckier than others to find it. I know people go their whole life and never figure out what their passion is for, but it's there deep down all along. How did you get into law?” I asked.

“My father was a lawyer, so it seemed like the natural thing to do. He still practices in Atlanta,” Ken said. “Have you always lived in Sugar Creek?”

I looked out the window at the passing streets and houses. “That's where I was born and raised.”

“That must have been nice. I'm from Atlanta, but you already knew that.” A crooked smile tipped the corner of his mouth revealing a sweetness that I knew was behind his reserved demeanor.

After chatting for a while longer, I realized that we'd already arrived in Atlanta. Ken had pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Streetlights painted a yellow glow over the area. Traffic moved at a steady rhythm and people walked along the sidewalk. The red and yellow sign with the name TWIST lit up the night.

“I hope you like this place. It's Mediterranean fusion,” he said as he opened my car door and held out his hand to me.

“I'm sure I'll love it,” I said as I got out of the car.

We passed the people dining on the patio at the front of the restaurant. After entering the restaurant, we waited to be seated. It didn't look as though many tables were available. The place was decorated with white: table cloths, curtains, and china. The host took us to a table at the back of the room by the window. The aroma from the food lingered in the air, making my mouth water. We reached our table and the host pulled the chair out for me.

“Thank you,” I said.

The blond waiter appeared by our table. “Have you decided what you would like to order this evening?”

I still hadn't decided what I should eat. I scanned the menu and decided on the scallops. Ken placed his order for chili-rubbed chicken.

“I'm glad you agreed to come with me tonight.” He took a drink of water.

I couldn't tell him that the ghosts had threatened me if I didn't go.

“Thanks again for asking. Do you come here often?” I asked as I absorbed my surroundings.

I took a sip of my water and looked out across the restaurant. Across the room, I spotted a woman. She looked familiar, but I couldn't place where I knew her from. That was when I remembered her. The woman who had stopped in my shop. Rita Riggs was sitting with Shandra Johnson. Then I finally remembered that I'd seen Rita at the fashion show too. She'd been with Shandra then too. Maybe she was her assistant. That was odd. I wished I could find out more, but for now I would have to just enjoy dinner.

“If you'll excuse me, I'm visiting the ladies' room.” I stood from the table.

Ken pushed to his feet. “Sure.”

After making my way to the back of the restaurant, I shimmied into the small room and over to the mirror. I figured it couldn't hurt to touch up my makeup just a little. As I applied my lipstick, the ghosts crossed my mind. I was still surprised that they hadn't joined me this evening. A night out on the town was one of Charlotte's favorite things. What were they up to? The thought had barely left my mind when movement caught my attention. Over by the door, I spotted Charlotte. I rolled my eyes. She waved and winked. Where was Sam? Maybe he was sitting with Ken. Or had she left him at home. After all, I wasn't sure he had mastered the supernatural travel yet.

Charlotte moved over beside me. “What is going on in here? Why aren't you at the table with Ken?”

Before I had a chance to answer, the door opened. Shandra and Rita entered the tiny room. I was right. The woman was definitely the one who had been at my shop. Shandra was with her, but neither one of them acted as if they recognized me. I tried to look down so that they wouldn't notice me. I wanted to blend in with the room. Maybe they would talk and reveal more if they didn't know I was there. I pulled my powder compact out of my purse so that they wouldn't get suspicious.

“Can you believe she had the nerve to do that? It's no wonder that she's dead,” Rita said.

I tried to act as if I wasn't listening to their conversation, but my eyes were probably bugged out.

“I guess karma came around to visit her,” Shandra said.

That was a harsh thing to say. It sounded like she wasn't happy with Melanie. If what she had said was true, I could see why she was angry, but was she mad enough to commit murder?

“Wow, sounds like someone has a nasty temper.” Charlotte stood next to Shandra, eyeing her up and down.

Had Melanie taken Shandra's designs too? Had Melanie really taken the designs from Meaghan too? It was looking more and more suspicious. Could Melanie really do something like that? I never thought she would have done something like that, but I suppose it was possible. I would have to find out if the designs were really Melanie's. But how would I do that? Whom would I talk to?

The women left the room as I tried to process what I'd overheard. I had to find out more information from Shandra. The only way to do that was to ask her, but would she tell me? There was only one way to find out. She hadn't been all that friendly when I'd sat beside her at the fashion show; I doubted that had changed any now. Maybe I could start the conversation by asking her questions about her clothing so she would be friendlier.

“You know the saying she could charm the dew right off the honeysuckle?” Charlotte asked.

I shoved my cherry red lipstick back into my bag. “Yes.”

“Well, Shandra Johnson is the exact opposite. She'd make that honeysuckle bush shrivel up and die.”

“I don't know what to do, Charlotte,” I said.

“Cookie, when life hands you lemons, you put a slice in your sweet tea. Now go out there and solve this murder.” Charlotte pointed.

I opened the door and marched out of the room. The food had arrived when I made it back to the table. Sam had also arrived. He was sitting next to Ken. Sam flashed his bright smile when he spotted me, as if we were long-lost friends and he hadn't seen me in ages.

Ken stood when I reached my chair. “I'm glad you're back. I didn't want the food to get cold.”

After sitting down, I peered at my plate and wondered if I'd be able to eat after what I'd heard.

“Is there something wrong?” Ken asked with a worried look on his face.

I took a sip of my water and contemplated whether I should really tell him. Finally, I decided that I should share the info with him. I knew I had to tell Ken what I had heard in the restroom. It might mean nothing, but I had to tell someone other than Charlotte. After all, Ken was Hannah's attorney.

“Actually, something is wrong.” I placed my glass on the table.

His eyes widened. “What's the matter?”

I gestured with a tilt of my head. “You see that woman over there. The one with the blue dress on?”

He turned around and looked in Shandra's direction. When he looked at me again, he said, “I know her.”

“I figured you might. That's Shandra Johnson the designer. I overheard her in the restroom talking about how Melanie got what she deserved.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Of course she's sure,” Charlotte said.

“Yes, I'm positive. I wasn't sure if I should tell you, but I thought you should know,” I said.

“I'm glad you did. This could really mean something.” He twisted in his seat to get another look at Shandra.

I wasn't sure what he was thinking, but it could mean that someone other than Hannah had a motive to kill Melanie. He had to be thinking the same thing as I.

“You need to find this woman now,” Sam said.

“The woman with her came into my store,” I said.

“What is her name?” Ken asked.

“Rita Riggs. At least that's the name on the credit card.”

“I should talk to Shandra,” Ken said, placing his napkin on the table.

“Right now?” I asked.

“No time like the present.”

“I like this man,” Charlotte said.

“Sure, if you think it's a good idea.”

“It certainly can't hurt,” he said.

“First, we have to find her.” I pointed. “It looks like they're gone. I don't see them.”

“Maybe she already left,” Ken said.

I hoped that wasn't the case. How would I find out where she lived? Would she talk to me? A plan to see her without Ken was already floating around in my mind.

Ken pushed away from the table and headed toward the front of the restaurant.

“You should go look for her too,” Sam said.

After a couple seconds, I got up and joined him.

When Ken saw me he shrugged. “I can't find them.”

I blew the hair out of my eyes. “I guess they already left.”

Now I really would have to track her down.

After finishing our dinner, Ken and I left the restaurant and headed back to Sugar Creek. Charlotte and Ken rode in the backseat. It had been an eventful evening and I knew that I wouldn't just let the info I'd discovered drop. I knew that Ken wanted to find Shandra just as much as I did. Sam and Charlotte wanted it too. Ken and I talked about the case, but I soon realized that he had little to go on and it wasn't looking good for Hannah.