Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore by Rose Pressey Page A

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.”
    â€œDon’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.
    â€œWhat is she doing here?” Charlotte snapped.
    â€œWho?” Sam leaned over for a better view.
    â€œIt’s the woman who owns the salon down from my shop. I had no idea she was into estate sales,” I whispered.
    â€œYou 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?”
    â€œRemember 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.
    â€œMaybe 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.
    â€œWow, it’s like stepping back in time,” Charlotte said as she absorbed her surroundings.
    â€œDo you think she saw me?” I whispered.
    â€œI don’t think so. You’re not so sly though,” Charlotte declared.
    â€œYou could work on your skills a little,” Sam said.
    I smirked. “Thanks for the advice, guys.