Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore (19 page)

“This is too spooky,” I whispered.

I unlocked the door and eased it open. “What are you doing, Cookie, you shouldn't open the door.” Charlotte tried to stop me, but her hands went through the door.

I ignored her and opened the door anyway.

Suddenly, a man appeared in front of me and I jumped back again. Dylan reached out and grabbed me before I fell.

“Whoa. Sorry, are you okay?”

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You didn't call and let me know you were okay. Plus, you didn't answer your phone.” He frowned.

“Oh no. I must have forgotten and I think my cell phone died.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Well, that's one way to get me to drive to Savannah.”

“How sweet is that?” Charlotte said. “He cared enough to drive all the way here.”

“I'm sorry that you had to drive all the way here,” I said.

“That's okay.”

“How did you find me?”

“I'm a cop, I have my ways,” he said with a smile. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“I'm fine. But I did see someone outside my room window.” I gestured over my shoulder. “I think it was the same man I saw at the store trying to take my car.”

“Where was he?” Dylan asked.

“Around the back of the house.” I pointed.

“Wait here for me.” Dylan took off across the lawn and around the side of the house.

If my father saw him, he would freak out. I just hoped that no one was really there and that Dylan would be fine.

“It's a good thing he showed up.” Sam stood on the front porch.

It did help ease my fears knowing that Dylan was here now.

I folded my arms in front of my waist and peeked out into the darkness. I thought about turning on the porch light, but I didn't want to draw attention if the man was out there watching us. I just hoped that Dylan would hurry up and come back. The longer he was gone the more I worried that something had happened to him. After a couple of seconds, I spotted Dylan walking back from around the house.

“Did you find him?” I asked.

Dylan's impressive stature was lit only by the hazy moonlight. “I didn't see anyone. What did he look like?”

I held my arm up indicating his height. “He was probably six-foot-five with dark hair and a beard.”

“A big guy with dark hair? That doesn't tell him much,” Sam said.

“Well, aren't you going to ask him to come inside?” Charlotte asked. “After all, the man did drive all this way for you.”

“Would you like to come inside?” I asked.

Dylan looked me up and down. I forgot I was wearing the pink pajamas.

“Sure, if it's okay?” he said.

There would be no way to keep this from my parents. “It'll be fine. I'll make you some coffee,” I said.

Just then light flooded the area. Dylan's handsome face came into plain view. He shielded his eyes from the blinding light. The front porch was bathed in a yellow glow.

“Is everything okay?” my father called from behind me.

“They may want to check the wattage of that bulb,” Charlotte said.

I whipped around. “Dad, this is Dylan Valentine. Dylan, this is my father, Hank. Dylan just stopped by to make sure I was okay. He thought I was driving back to Sugar Creek.” This was a little embarrassing, but I would work through my blushing cheeks.

My father eyed Dylan up and down. “Oh, well, would the young man like to come in?”

I was surprised that my dad didn't threaten to get his shotgun. I wasn't sure Dylan would appreciate that. Not to mention my father didn't even own a shotgun. He'd only fed that line to my potential suitors in high school. I never thought I'd be reliving that nightmare all over again.

Dylan stepped into the foyer and my mother appeared in the hallway. She stopped short and pulled her robe tighter around her chest.

“Oh, is something wrong? I didn't know we had company.”

I knew Dylan hadn't expected to meet my parents tonight.

“Mom, this is Dylan Valentine. He came to check on me since I was supposed to drive back to Sugar Creek tonight. Dylan, this is my mother, Margaret.”

Her expression eased as she stared at him.

“Brownie points for the detective. Or is that tofu brownie points,” Sam said.

My mother marched over to Dylan and motioned for him to follow her. “Well, come on in. I'm glad you were checking on Cookie. I am always worried about her. She doesn't seem to understand that though.”

“Oh dear, this is not good for you, Cookie.” Charlotte laughed.

We went to the kitchen where my mother made us sit around the kitchen table. After brewing Dylan a cup of coffee, my parents proceeded to sit in front of Dylan and ask his life story. They were confused and thought that he had really come to ask me for a date. I yawned and my father must have caught the hint.

He pulled on my mother's arm. “We should go to bed. It's getting late.”

She looked as if she was going to protest, but then it finally clicked and she stood from the table.

“It was nice meeting you. Please stop by any time,” she said in her sweetest Southern voice.

“Thank you for everything,” Dylan said with a smile.

“Good night,” my father said.

“Your parents are very sweet,” he said when they had walked away.

“Thanks. I think they're pretty great. What about your parents?” I asked.

“They live in Atlanta. Maybe you can meet them sometime.”

I smiled. “I'd like that. Would you like to sit on the back porch?”

There was a screened porch on the back of my parents' house. I'd almost forgotten about the strange man I'd seen out there. My parents would be upset that I hadn't told them right away.

Dylan stood. “I'd love to.”

I would have been worried about sitting out there after seeing the strange man, but with Dylan there it didn't bother me nearly as much. He followed me onto the porch and we sat in the white wicker patio chairs. When I glanced back, I didn't see Charlotte and Sam. I was shocked that they hadn't come outside too. Palm leaves rustled in the gentle wind and an endless amount of stars sparkled in the vast sky above. When I glanced out, I spotted a shooting star streak its fire across the sky. Dylan and I talked into the wee hours of the night. The chat seemed comfortable and easy. Somehow it brought us closer together, but exactly how was hard to explain.

Finally, Dylan stretched, and said, “It'll be light soon. I should go and let you get some rest.”

When I walked him to the door, he leaned down and kissed me. When I opened my eyes, he placed his finger under my chin. “Lock the door behind me. I'll call you soon, Cookie.”

I was still in a daze from the kiss and I only mumbled okay, then bolted the door after he stepped out.

Chapter 27

 

 

I'd just finished my mother's breakfast, which consisted of wheat and seeds, when my phone rang. Good thing I'd remembered to charge it with my mother's cord. I thought it might be Dylan, but when I grabbed my purse and pulled out the phone, I saw that it wasn't his number.

“Cookie, this is Meaghan.”

I almost dropped the phone. I hadn't expected this call.

“By the look on her face I take it the call is a surprise,” Charlotte said to Sam.

“I need to talk to you,” Meaghan said.

“Okay, I'm listening,” I said.

“No, I need to talk to you in person.”

“Is there something wrong?” I asked.

“It's just something I would feel more comfortable talking about in person. I have information about the murder,” she said.

Wow, I hadn't expected her to say that.

This was a weird twist of fate. She didn't need to know that I had planned on visiting her anyway. “Okay, where are you?”

I jotted down the address and hung up.

“I'm still not sure this is a good idea,” I said.

“We should definitely go to her,” Charlotte said.

Sam straightened his necktie. “I agree. We have to see what she says.”

This sounded as if it could be dangerous, but I knew that I wanted to go too.

“Okay, so we'll go to the address she gave me,” I said.

“Don't you think you should call Dylan and let him know?” Sam asked.

“Why? I don't know for sure that Meaghan has done anything. And I don't know what she wants,” I said.

“Well, she did say that she had information about the murder.”

I sighed. “I suppose I could call him.” I dialed his number, but it went to voice mail. To make the ghosts happy, I left a message telling him that I was headed into downtown Savannah.

After saying good-bye to my parents, I climbed behind the wheel of the Buick and headed for the highway. I had the top up now because the air was a little cooler. Sand dunes and waving sea oats faded from view in my rearview mirror.

My cell rang. The screen displayed that the number was unknown. Normally I would ignore it thinking that it was a telemarketing call, but this time I picked up thinking that maybe it was Meaghan again.

“Cookie Chanel,” I said.

“This is Ms. Chanel?” the soft female voice asked.

“Yes, who is this?”

“Who is it?” Charlotte whispered, as if the caller would hear her.

“You probably won't remember me. My name is Rita Riggs. I came into your shop.”

Charlotte released a little gasp.

“This has more twists and turns than a pretzel,” Sam said.

“I remember you. You bought something from my shop. Is everything okay?” I tried to sound as professional as possible.

“I contacted you through your blog, but I never heard from you,” she said.

So it was her. What did she possibly want?

“I'm sorry. I wasn't sure the request was valid.”

A rustled noise sounded from the other end of the line. A conversation sounded from the background.

“Are you still there?” I asked.

More rustling and a pause, then she said, “I'm still here. I need to talk with you.”

“Okay. I'm listening,” I said.

“Can you meet me?” she asked.

I glanced at Charlotte. She shrugged.

“When did you have in mind? What is this about?”

She was starting to make me nervous. Well, more nervous because I was already a bundle of nerves.

“It's about Melanie's murder.”

I almost dropped the phone. “I can meet you. When and where?”

The line went silent.

“Hello?” I said.

I looked at the phone. The call was dropped.

“Call her back,” Charlotte urged.

“It was an unknown call. I can't.”

“Maybe she will call back,” Sam said.

A sick feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. “I hope so.”

What were the odds that Meaghan and Rita would call me on the same day claiming to have information about the murder? And if they had details, why didn't they go to the police?

“What do you think she could possibly have to tell you?” Sam asked.

“Maybe she wants to confess to the murder,” Charlotte said.

“I highly doubt that,” I said.

At least Sam and Charlotte were talking to each other more now. It had really hurt Sam's feelings that Charlotte had shut him out. But I could understand why she would have reservations.

I followed the signs for the historic section of Savannah. As soon as I reached the historic part, live oaks draping with moss from every branch came into view. Historic buildings showcased the breathtaking architecture, and cobblestone streets added to the charm. On the left we passed a historic cemetery that looked like something out of a scary movie with the wrought-iron fence and trees shading the area.

“This is where she said she'd be,” I said as I merged off the highway and navigated to the street that she'd given me.

“What is the building number?” Charlotte asked.

“223,” I said.

Charlotte turned to look out the window. “Okay, I'll tell you when I spot the building.”

It was nice to have Charlotte looking out for me.

“Do you see it yet?” I asked.

“No. Are you sure you got the right number?” she asked.

“No, but I am almost positive,” I said.

“It's hard to see the numbers on the buildings. You're going too fast,” Charlotte said.

Maybe I did have the wrong address. “I'll have to drive down to the next street and turn back around.” I steered and made the next right.

“Cookie's not good with directions,” Charlotte said to Sam.

“That is not true,” I said as I turned down the next street. “You all need to be on the lookout for this place.”

I drove around the block four times before I finally figured out which building I was supposed to be looking for. Now I had to find a place to park my car. That wouldn't be easy. It looked as if spaces were hard to come by.

Just a block down the street, I found an available space. It was the only one too. After maneuvering the car between a white van and a red Prius, I finally cut the engine.

“I must say, Cookie, your driving skills are most impressive.”

“Why thank you, Sam,” I said as I shut my car door.

Sam and Charlotte followed me down the sidewalk. I hoped that I could remember which building it was now that I had passed it up in the car.

“I love the old charm of this city,” Charlotte said.

“It is romantic.” Sam winked at Charlotte.

We made the short walk back to the building. I looked up at the numbers above the door.

“This is the one.” I walked up the stairs with Charlotte and Sam on either side of me. Having a ghost escort was kind of fun after all.

“This is a strange place to meet. I'm getting a bad vibe,” Charlotte said.

I felt the same, but it was too late to turn back now. I'd already made the drive all the way there. But maybe I shouldn't have come here alone.

“Just don't turn your back on her. That's how my killer got me. I should have been watching when he sabotaged my car,” Sam said.

“Me too!” Charlotte added.

“Duly noted,” I said.

Sabotaged his car? Had the man been trying to do that to my car? That would be a weird coincidence.

When I stepped into the building, I noticed that there were signs to my left that directed me to the space I was looking for. The Stanley Photography Studio was on the third floor. When I looked back to tell Charlotte and Sam that we needed to go to the third floor, they'd disappeared. It was unlike them to want to miss out on the action. I headed for the staircase and when I glanced up, I spotted Charlotte and Sam on the landing. Charlotte shrugged. Benefits of being a ghost. At least Charlotte and Sam had ghostly talents. I had to take the human way up, one step at a time.

The building was eerily quiet. I suppose the other businesses were closed for the day. I made it all the way to the third floor.

“You are slow,” Charlotte said when I'd finally reached the top step.

“It's a lot of steps and I can't float,” I said.

At the end of the hall was the sign for Kurt Stanley, the photographer. Once in front of the door, I knocked.

“It doesn't appear that anyone is here,” Sam said.

“Yes, it's beginning to look that way.” I hoped that I hadn't driven all the way to Savannah for nothing. Meaghan had seemed like she'd been in such a hurry to talk with me.

When I couldn't find her, I said, “We should go. She's obviously not here. I'll try to call her once we're outside.”

Something was making me feel uneasy in the building and I was glad to get out of there.

“Sounds like a good idea,” Charlotte said.

I knew by the look on her face she was having the same feelings as I. I began to wonder if something had happened to Meaghan. Had she found out something about the murder and then the killer had done something to her too? Maybe I was being too paranoid, but better safe than sorry. I turned around and headed toward the stairs.

A bang echoed through the building and I froze.

“What was that?” Charlotte asked.

“Let's get out of here.” I moved down the hallway in a hurry.

“What if Meaghan is in there and needs your help?” Sam asked.

I suppose he could be right. “Maybe I should go back and check the door again.”

“It didn't open the first time, what makes you think it will be any different now?” Charlotte motioned for me to go down the stairs.

“It probably won't, but I have to give it a try anyway.”

Charlotte sighed. “If you insist, but just make it snappy. I have the heebie-jeebies.”

“I promise I'll hurry,” I said.

I turned around for one more look. Once in front of the door, I knocked, and called out, “Meaghan, are you there?”

No sound came from inside the room.

“Okay, she's not there, now can we get out of here?” Charlotte asked.

“Yeah, let's go,” I said.

As I turned to leave, another bang sounded out.

“There it is again.” Sam stopped.

I glanced to my left and spotted another doorway across the hall.

“That door is open and it sounded like it came from there.” Sam instinctively reached for his gun, but his holster was empty.

Charlotte grabbed Sam's arm. “Cookie, don't even think about going over there.”

“The door's open, so I have to just take a little peek,” I said.

“Bad idea, but then again you never listen to me,” Charlotte said.

“Oh, don't be so dramatic. That's all I do is listen to you,” I said.

“As if,” she replied.

“Okay, this is no time to quarrel, ladies,” Sam said.

I inched toward the door. “Sam's right. I'll just take a quick peek and then we'll go.”

Charlotte glared at me. “Fine.”

I eased the rest of the way over to the door. It was open a little, but I didn't see anyone inside. The room looked vacant since there was no furniture.

I knocked. “Hello. Is anyone in there? Meaghan, are you there?”

“Okay, no one answered, let's go.” Charlotte tried to pull on my arm. Of course her attempt didn't work.

I pushed on the door and opened it farther. Just as I'd thought, no furniture was in the room.

“Maybe the place is haunted.” Charlotte chuckled. No matter if she was a little scared, she always kept her wit.

“Well, if it is, the ghosts are hiding, and I can't say that I blame them.” I walked into the middle of the room.

The next thing I knew I felt a hard knock on the back of my head. I fell to the floor and everything went black. The walls closed in on me. The muted voices of Charlotte and Sam were the last things I heard.

“Cookie, wake up. Cookie, get up.”

A bright light flooded my vision. I opened my eyes and saw Sam and Charlotte standing in front of me.

Oh, heavens! Was I a ghost now too?

“It's about time you woke up,” Meaghan said.