Lights! Camera! Puzzles! by Parnell Hall

Author:Parnell Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Epub3
Publisher: Pegasus Books
Published: 2018-11-12T00:00:00+00:00

38

The high-fashion fabric store on Bleecker Street bore little resemblance to the tie-dye tapestry shop it had been before. Stephanie had made the change seamlessly into the modern age. She still might have the heart of a hippie, but she had the efficiency of a savvy businesswoman.

When Cora came into the shop, Stephanie was at the computer, calling up vistas of design for a well-to-do customer. Cora got the feeling the young woman had come into the shop for drapes, and was leaving with a complete architectural makeover.

When the customer finally left the shop Cora said, “So, what did you sell her on?”

“I don’t think she’s really interested in furnishings,” Stephanie said, “but I planted ideas in her head, let her bring them up, and then congratulated her on thinking of them. She’s convinced she’s a savant when it comes to interior decoration.”

“You’re diabolical. Do you use that ploy on men?”

Stephanie smiled. “Are you thinking of any man in particular?”

“I’m thinking of a man you can let your hair down for, parade around in nothing but a cotton shift over your scrawny body—which I hate you for, by the way—someone as comfortable as that.”

“He told you we had a fight?”

“You had a fight? Really? I’m so sorry to hear it.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Can you close the shop and go to lunch?”

“I’ll have to check with the boss.”

“Isn’t that you?”

“Damned if it isn’t.”

Cora and Stephanie had brunch at a small café up the block. It was late for lunch, but they had coffee and croissants. The croissants were large, moist, rich, and to die for. Stephanie had two of them.

Cora shook her head. “You can’t eat like that and keep your figure.”

Stephanie smiled like a contented cat. “Not fair, is it?”

Crowley and Stephanie had been on a break when Cora started her affair with him. When Cora learned of her existence it had been a shock in more ways than one. Stephanie was the first “other woman” Cora had ever actually liked. When Stephanie and Crowley were together, the three of them got along just fine.

“You have to patch it up,” Cora said.

“I have to patch it up? Why does it have to be me?”

“Because guys are stupid. It may be entirely their fault, but you just got to get around that.”

“It’s not like you to butt in, Cora. Well, it is, but this seems out of the blue. What’s the story?”

“Crowley has a murder investigation. I’m not sure he’s thinking straight.”

“You think he needs relaxing?”

“In a big way.”

“And you came to get me. Instead of moving in to relax him yourself.”

“Well there’s a wrinkle.”

“Who is she?”

“Who said it was a woman?”

“Would you be here if it wasn’t?”

Cora gave her a rundown of the murder and explained the Angela Broadbent situation.

Stephanie understood perfectly.

“So, you don’t want to compete with the movie star. You want me to compete with the movie star.”

“You going to be there?”

“With bells on.”

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