Free Haunt Couture and Ghosts Galore by Rose Pressey Page A

said.
    â€œOh, do you know her?” Sam asked.
    I sighed. “No, not at all.”
    Charlotte scoffed. “Well, good luck on getting her to talk with you then. If you want to speak with her, you’re going to have to wait in that line. You’d better get in line before someone else comes and it’s even longer.” Charlotte pointed as if commanding me to move.
    I reluctantly got in the line. I had to think of another way.
    Charlotte watched me. “I know that look in your eyes, Cookie. I know you’re plotting something and it probably won’t end well.”
    I looked down at my shoes. “Oh, have a little more faith in me, okay?”
    I scanned the area and then I devised a plan. Without saying a word to Charlotte or Sam, I marched through the clothing section. Several racks of clothing were next to the table where the designer sat. Charlotte and Sam had caught up to me.
    It would be perfect for me. I could hide in the clothing and then pop out beside the table and just step into line as if I had been there all along. Was it sneaky? Sure. Did I like cutting in front of people? No way. But it had to be done.
    When I reached the rack of clothing, I knelt to the ground.
    â€œWhat in the name of Coco Chanel are you doing?” Charlotte asked.
    â€œMaybe she’s dehydrated and delusional,” Sam said.
    I didn’t have time to explain what I was doing, so I crawled under the rack of clothing.
    â€œOh, she’s really lost it now,” Charlotte said.
    After inching across the floor under the rack of clothing, I peeked out from behind a couple pair of pants. So far no one looked over and noticed me. I made it all the way out and then stood as if everything was perfectly normal. I rushed over and cut in front of the line. My move had now made me the second one in line.
    â€œHey, you can’t do that,” the woman behind me said.
    When I glanced over, I saw Charlotte holding her hands up to her face. “Oh, I can’t look at the disaster.”
    At this point everyone was complaining and it had caused quite a scene. The next thing I knew security guards had me by the arms. Both had official blue uniforms and large muscles.
    â€œHow sweet, an escort. Guys, it’s really nice, but not necessary,” I said, trying to remove my arms from the men’s tight grip.
    â€œOh, Cookie, how low have you fallen? Kicked out of Saks? It’s sacrilege,” Charlotte said as she walked along behind the security guards.
    â€œDon’t you worry, Cookie, I’ve been kicked out of plenty of places. It’s all in the name of private investigating. It’s how you know you’re doing the job the right way.”
    His words weren’t really helping. The next thing I knew I was back out in the parking lot.
    â€œWell, way to go, Cookie, look what you did.”
    I brushed off her comment. “Oh, Charlotte, don’t be so dramatic. I’ll just go right back in the other door.” I waved my hands.
    â€œYou are going to get arrested. As sure as I had Saks Fifth Avenue on speed dial, the police are going to throw you in the slammer.”
    I marched around to the other entrance. I held my head up high and acted as if I hadn’t just gotten kicked out. That was no easy task either. I glanced around but didn’t see the security guards. My heart thumped wildly as I made it back over to the line. This time I stood at the back. Better safe than sorry. I’d just have to wait it out. My turn finally came around. I was last in line and my feet now hurt.
    The security guards were still by the table, but surprisingly they didn’t look at me.
    â€œI don’t think they recognize you,” Sam said.
    â€œThat’s shocking considering the hissy fit she threw,” Charlotte said.
    â€œI didn’t throw a fit. I just voiced my opinion. Big difference.”
    The woman looked up at me. I forgot that I was supposed to have her book