Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore Read Free Page A

Sugar Creek Police Department?” I asked.
    â€œDon’t you know that he’s a ghost?” Charlotte asked without looking at us.
    I studied the man closer, eyeing him up and down. He appeared very much alive to me, but then again, so did Charlotte.
    â€œSadly, the pretty lady is correct. I am in fact a ghost.” The man peered down at his white suede and black spectator shoes.
    Charlotte instantly took an interest in Samuel when he mentioned her appearance. She was so predictable. Charlotte was a sucker for a compliment.
    She moved closer to Samuel. “So what brings you here, Mr. Sanders?”
    Charlotte may have batted her eyelashes at him.
    â€œThat’s my hat.” He pointed at the gray fedora near Melanie’s body, which was now covered by a white sheet.
    I exchanged a look with Charlotte. She shrugged.
    â€œThat’s your hat?” I asked.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” he responded. “And I need it back.”
    â€œYou can call me Cookie,” I offered.
    â€œAnd you can call me Charlotte.” She flashed a big smile his way.
    I’d purchased the hat from an estate sale in Georgia. Apparently a bunch of people were very attached to their belongings. So much so that they didn’t want to leave them, not even in the afterlife. I couldn’t exactly go over and retrieve the hat for him.
    â€œI’m pretty sure the hat is now evidence. Sorry about that.”
    â€œThat’s understandable,” he said. “But you see, I never leave the hat.”
    Well, at least that meant he wouldn’t be hanging around. One ghost was more than enough for me. He could go to the police station and hang out in the evidence room.
    He stuffed his hands into his slacks’ pockets. “Oh well, maybe it was time for me to give up on the hat anyway. Hey, here’s an idea, I can just hang around with you. See, I don’t come into contact with people who can see me very often.”
    There were other people who could see him? Of course there were. Surely, I wasn’t the only person in the world capable of seeing spirits. Later when all this mess was settled I’d have to ask Samuel if he knew how that worked. What was I talking about? I didn’t want there to be a later. He needed to leave now.
    â€œActually, we’re not that great to hang around with,” I pointed out.
    â€œSpeak for yourself,” Charlotte said. “Feel free to hang around with us all you want,” she added.
    â€œThank you, darling.” He winked at her and I knew that I was not going to win this fight.
    â€œSo what happened here tonight?” he asked.
    I glanced back at the body. “She was murdered? I really don’t know all the details yet.”
    â€œWell, this just so happens to be my specialty.” He stood a little straighter and puffed out his chest.
    â€œMurder is your specialty?” Charlotte moved back a couple steps. As if he could still murder her.
    He chuckled. “No, I was a private investigator. A gumshoe.”

Chapter 3
    Cookie’s Savvy Vintage-Clothing Shopping Tip

    Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price
of an item at an estate sale or yard sale.
It doesn’t hurt to ask.
    Â 
    Â 
    â€œLike I said, I was a private investigator. That was back in the forties; 1946 to 1949, actually. That was when I met my demise.” He looked down at his shiny black and white shoes.
    Did I dare ask what happened to him? Yeah, I might as well because he probably would tell me eventually. Besides, I was curious to know what had happened. Morbid fascination, I suppose.
    Charlotte nudged me. “Ask him what happened. I know you want to.”
    She was beginning to know me all too well.
    I met his gaze. “So what happened to you, Mr. Sanders?”
    â€œPlease, call me Sam. Direct your attention for just a moment to the body under the sheet.” He gestured with a wave of his hand.
    Against my better judgment, I took