The Corpse Wore Cashmere Read Online Free Page B

hoot.” A. K. opened a cabinet and made the coffee.
    “It was fun, wasn’t it? Oh, I ran into Jack at Tillie’s this morning.”
    “I know. He called me on the way to his apartment. You know you can’t keep anything from us. I didn’t think you’d mind if I told him what you said about seeing Lorraine’s face, considering he already knew about your—uh, what do you call it anyway—a gift?”
    “Sometimes it seems more of a curse. No, Jack understands more than anyone, but I don’t want it blabbed to just anyone.”
    A. K. tsked. “As if I’d ever do that.”
    The front door opened. Debbie, Sheila, and Melanie made their way to the office.
    “Ah, the smell of coffee,” Debbie said. The employees filled their mugs. “I heard on the radio they discovered more remains.” She screwed up her face as if tasting something vile. “This time, they only found a torso.”
    Susan grimaced, realizing a monster had chopped Lorraine’s body into pieces.
    “Did they give any details?” A. K. asked.
    “Just that it was a female.”
    For several seconds, no one said anything. The only sound was the gurgling of the coffee pot.
    “I know almost everyone in Palmetto and can’t imagine anyone capable of committing such a fiendish crime,” Melanie said.
    “I hope you’re right,” Susan said.
    Everyone migrated to the coffee pot and refilled their mugs. Susan couldn’t help but notice that Melanie’s hand trembled as she took a sip. Melanie, more than anyone, knew the pain of losing a loved one at the hands of a criminal. Her husband, Terrance Olivier, had been Wesley’s partner. The two had been in pursuit of a suspect. When Terrance opened the door to a trailer, a meth lab exploded, killing him instantly. Terrance’s body had shielded Wesley from serious injury.
    How did one ever get over something like that? While Susan’s nightmares speculated terrible things, Melanie’s were real. The blast had turned her handsome husband into a hideous-looking monster. The skin was burned from his face, his chest and arms ripped by shards of glass. And if Wesley had opened the door instead of Terrance, well, she…she didn’t want to think about that.
    “Last night, you said you were going to see Myrtle. How did it go?” A. K. asked Susan.
    “Terrible. The two sisters might have had their differences, but Myrtle was thrilled to have Lorraine home. I’m sorry their reunion came to such a horrible end…that they will never know a future together. Today’s discovery will only make it worse.”
    Again, the room fell silent.
    “Okay, there’s nothing we can do except to stand by Myrtle and pray for her. We have to have faith that the law will catch whoever is responsible. In the meantime, try not to dwell on the morbid details. We have the boutique and the costume shop to run, and I’m counting on each of you to do your best.” Susan eyed her employees, who nodded that they understood.
    While the employees rinsed out their cups, Susan opened the mail. “Ah, this looks good. Deb, think you could round up some of your model friends again? The women’s auxiliary at the hospital would love to have us put on a fashion show at their luncheon next week.”
    “Sure. A fashion show is great exposure, especially for those models interested in a career in the fashion industry.”
    “I can’t pay them anything,” Susan said, “but I’ll let them have an outfit of their choice at my cost. Melanie, I’d like for you to accompany the models.”
    “Me? Maybe Debbie or Sheila would be better qualified. I’ve never done anything like that.”
    “All you have to do is chaperon the models and write up sales.”
    “Guess I could handle that.”
    “Then it’s settled. I’ll let the committee chairman know we’ll be glad to participate.”
    “I’d like to bring up something,” A. K. said. “Now that we’re operating two shops, we’re stretched a little thin. Maybe we should consider hiring extra help, even if it’s part