All Dressed Up and No Place to Haunt Read Free

fine.” I told myself he was just doing his job.
    â€œSmile at the man,” the ghost said. “Show him that gorgeous grin.”
    How did she know I had a nice smile?
    When the detective had walked away, I glanced around. It seemed as if no one was looking my way, so I asked the ghost, “Who are you? And why are you here?”
    â€œMy name is Alice Neill. I would shake your hand, but you know . . .”
    Yes, I was aware that if the ghost tried to shake hands with me, her hand would simply pass through mine. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Alice,” I said, “but I really should be going now.”
    â€œAren’t you going to introduce yourself?” She examined me as if checking for a name tag. “Besides, you can’t leave yet, the detective still wants to talk with you.”
    I sighed. “My name is Cookie Chanel.”
    Her eyes widened. “Cookie Chanel? That sounds like Coco Chanel.”
    â€œWell, you could say I was named after her.” I didn’t feel like getting into the details.
    â€œYou’re the one responsible for the clothing on the set?”
    â€œYes, that’s me.”
    â€œThat was my dress.” Alice motioned toward where Nicole had been.
    I frowned at Alice.
    â€œYou look confused,” she said.
    â€œI don’t understand what you mean.”
    â€œJust like I said. That was my dress. The one that the actress was wearing. It was mine. And one of my favorites, I might add.”
    This day had taken a bizarre turn, and it just kept getting weirder.
    â€œThe dress is why I’m here,” she said. “I loved fashion when I was alive, so I like to stay close to my treasures. Of course I love fashion now too, but I don’t get to shop often.” She chuckled.
    â€œThat dress can’t be yours,” I said. “It was donated by a woman in Belleville.”
    She looked pleased. “That’s my granddaughter.”
    â€œYou don’t look old enough to have a granddaughter. You can’t be any older than me.”
    â€œHow old are you?” she asked.
    â€œI’m twenty-nine.”
    â€œYou look younger. But yes, I do look twenty-five, don’t I?” she asked with a smile.
    The more she talked, the more befuddled I became.
    â€œSo how can that be your dress?” I scanned the area to see if anyone was watching.
    Detective Valentine glanced my way again. Thank goodness he hadn’t spotted me talking to myself.
    â€œI look as I did when I was young.”

Chapter 3
    Cookie’s Savvy Vintage Fashion Shopping Tips

    Do you plan on collecting items?
You should research the designer
or time period you plan to collect
before heading out to the stores.

    I’d learned a few things about how being a spirit worked when I’d run into the ghost of Charlotte Meadows. Things like the fact that walking through doors was optional. Ghosts still did it, but they didn’t have to. Now I was finding out that ghosts could take on the appearance they had when they were younger. I wondered what age I’d pick if I were a ghost. Probably the age I was now. Twenty-nine was a good age. I’d finally learned how to apply my makeup well, so that counted for something. I’d always had a little too much eyeliner when I was younger.
    The ghost was still standing next to me. To be honest, I didn’t know quite what to say to her. I should be used to talking with ghosts by now, although chatting to one ghost didn’t make me an expert by any means.
    â€œWhat do we do now?” Alice asked.
    What was she asking me for? I didn’t have the answer. I watched in stunned silence as the police and other experts worked the crime scene. Detective Valentine looked my away again.
    How had I managed to be at the scene of a crime again? He finished the conversation with another officer and headed in my direction.
    â€œOh, that handsome man is watching you. Is he your husband?”