The Corpse Wore Cashmere by Sylvia Rochester Page B

Susan assisted the woman, her friends had no problem selecting their outfits, including accessories. They approached the check-out counter with their charge cards in hand.
    “Looks like you’ve done this before,” Susan said.
    A buxom, gray-headed woman wearing way too much rouge wiggled her way to the front of the line. “We’re from New Orleans, my heart, where masquerading is a way of life.”
    Spoken like a true native of the Big Easy, Susan thought. Before Susan could finish ringing up the sales, several men wandered into the shop.
    Miguel walked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. “Need some help?”
    “Would you mind? A. K. should be here shortly.”
    Susan helped an elderly man select a costume, while Miguel had fun outfitting the younger guys. A. K. showed up in time for the next wave of customers.
    “Thank you, Miguel,” Susan said after the customers left. “I think we can handle it now.”
    “Maybe I’ll hang around for a while, just in case.”
    The foot traffic was nonstop until lunchtime.
    “Whew, that was almost as wild as our grand opening,” A. K. said. “We’d better grab a bite to eat and give our tootsies a rest while we can.”
    Miguel stepped forward. “Come with me. I’ll make sure you get a table and quick service.”
    Susan locked the kiosk, and she and A. K. followed Miguel into one of the dining areas.
    “Care to join us?” Susan asked.
    Miguel shook his head. “Maybe another time. I have some things I need to tend to. Enjoy your meal.”
    The waitress was friendly and fast, and the food was delicious.
    “Have you heard anything further from Wesley? Did he talk to the D.A. about getting a warrant for Karl’s bank account?” A. K. asked.
    “I suppose the D.A. didn’t get to his office till about nine, and it’s only noon. I don’t look to hear from him until tonight.”
    A man wearing a dark, navy blue policeman’s uniform approached their table. “Excuse me. Are you two ladies in charge of costumes?”
    Susan’s first thought was that they had been robbed, but Miguel had assured her they had security. She gave the officer a nod.
    “Miguel told me I could find you here. I’m Deputy Kerry Lightfoot. Dylan was my partner in Gulfport.”
    “Is something wrong? Did something happen to Dylan or Wesley?” Susan asked.
    “Oh, no, it’s nothing like that.”
    Then her mind skittered across their hasty exit from Palmetto. “Were we supposed to get a permit or a temporary occupational license?”
    His deep voice set her mind at ease. “I wouldn’t know about that, but the hotel manager assured me everything is in order. Besides, this is not my jurisdiction.”
    “Oh, that’s a relief. I’m Susan Griffin and this is my partner, A. K. Williams.” As she folded her napkin, the uneasy feeling in her stomach calmed. “What can I do for you, deputy? Do you plan to attend the festival? If so, I’d be glad to outfit you at no charge.”
    “I’d like nothing better, but I’m on duty this weekend. I just stopped by to introduce myself. Dylan called last night and told me about the case involving Lorraine Thigpen. Biloxi and Gulfport aren’t far apart, and law enforcement eventually gets to know most of the casino and hotel employees. I’ve never heard anything bad about Lorraine, and as far as I know, she never got into trouble with the law. Anyway, Dylan asked if I’d do a little investigating on the side, see if I could find out why Lorraine left Biloxi, if she was close to anyone, and anything else that might help them.”
    Susan hoped her face didn’t betray her feelings, but she didn’t appreciate Dylan calling out the posse, no doubt at the urging of Wesley. She wanted to be the one to find out answers. In less than a day, hadn’t she put Wesley onto Karl? What could this deputy discover that she couldn’t? In fact, she was willing to bet the employees would be more likely to talk to her than to a cop.
    Lightfoot paused, and his gaze drifted from