Diamonds & Disguises

  Diamonds & Disguises

  A Presley Thurman Cozy Mystery

  Laina Turner

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  Laina

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Thanks for Reading

  About the Author

  Also by Laina Turner Website

  Copyright © 2019 by Laina Turner

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Chapter 1

  I walked through the doors of Silk, my upscale women’s boutique, thrilled to see it busy already. It had only been open thirty minutes. This was the kind of business I wanted to see every day. This was my first day back after being on vacation and, while it had been hard for me to leave, it was clear Molly, my manager, did fine without me. In fact, I felt a little pang of fear Silk was thriving because I wasn’t there. Maybe Molly was better at running the business? But isn’t that how it should be? As an entrepreneur, you were supposed to hire people who were skilled in the areas you weren’t, so you could focus more on what you were good at. I was good at ordering the product and the marketing. At least I felt I was good at it. The part I didn’t love was the actual selling. I wasn’t as confident as I needed to be to persuade people to buy. I was so relieved when I’d finally felt business was at the point I could hire someone to take that over for me. So, I should be grateful, not fearful.

  My name is Presley Thurman. A thirty-something redhead, lover of food, wine, cheese, and reality TV. I’d taken over Silk after its former owner was murdered and her husband let it run into the ground after her death. When I’d decided to buy it, it was failing. I’d signed the ownership papers, scared but confident at the prospect of being able to get it back to its former glory, and even more importantly; back to profitable. I’d long been in search of a meaningful career since leaving my human resources job. One that fulfilled me for more than just a paycheck and Silk did that for me. I loved being a business owner. Don’t get me wrong, it was super stressful, but I loved it.

  The road to restoring Silk to its former glory hadn’t been easy. For every step forward I’d taken two, or ten it seemed sometimes, steps back. But right before my vacation in Wisconsin, I’d started to see that I wouldn’t be working myself to death and end up bankrupt having invested my life savings away on something I ended up failing at.

  Now I could see that the store survived without me I was even more excited to dive back in. To focus on building Silk up for the holiday season, which was the busiest and the best opportunity to grow the business.

  Distraction free, I knew I could accomplish my goals.

  I needed to settle in, get back into my routine, and it would be fine. I should be happy Molly didn’t need me. That meant I could take more time off and travel with my boyfriend, Cooper. He traveled a lot for work, and it had been hard since buying Silk to not have the freedom to go with him. I felt like I hardly saw him. He was gone at least two weeks a month. As I walked through to the back door, Molly spotted me and ran over to give me a big hug.

  “You’re back! Are you refreshed? Did you get to relax? You look amazing in those wide leg pants. I’m so glad you’re back,” she said in a rush without giving me time to answer any of her questions. But that was Molly’s personality. She was super upbeat and talkative, which made her a good salesperson. She also had an amazing eye for what would look good on someone— even if it didn’t seem so on the rack. Once she got the customer to try the garment on, it always worked. It was a gift really. One I didn’t have.

  I was always afraid the customer wouldn’t look good in what I picked out and would run screaming from the store telling all their friends and no one would come in ever again. So, I was hesitant and that wasn’t a good quality when trying to convince someone to buy from you.

  Especially at what our clothes cost.

  I’d even had nightmares about it happening. People running away screaming that is. One of my best friends, Katy, told me I was being too over dramatic when I’d shared my dreams with her. Nightmares or not, when I’d finally felt I had the cash flow to hire someone to focus on sales I jumped at it. It caused a whole new host of reasons for sleepless nights, but it was worth it. Without Molly I couldn’t have taken a vacation. Even though it wasn’t all relaxing and laying on the beach as I’d planned, it had been nice to get away. And even better to be back. I’d missed this place.

  “I see the new wrap dresses came in.” I looked at how well one of my fall buys fit Molly Though everything looked good on Molly. She was blond, with natural highlights from the sun, blue eyes, tall, and toned. A body I would kill for but not enough to give up my lattes or my wine.

  “Yep. They came in on Tuesday and we’ve already sold a few even though it’s still hot out. The fit is amazing, and they aren’t too heavy so it’s a good transition piece.”

  Summer was hot and a miserable time to be in the city, but retail always pushed the seasons. One thing I’d always found a little annoying about the industry. All the items I’d bought for the fall collection would be here before the weather was cool enough to wear long sleeves and sweaters. Just like all the summer stuff came in when snow was on the ground and the lake effect weather had us all freezing. When I’d added the wrap dresses, I knew they’d look good with sandals or boots. They were a good way to integrate seasons.

  I set my stuff down in the office and went to get some coffee when I heard a blood-curdling scream coming from the sales floor. What the heck? I ran out and all I could see was a group of customers huddled in a group looking down at something. I glanced around for Molly and saw her staring at the same spot with a horrified look on her face.

  I got closer and, when I saw what they were looking at, I’m sure my face shared the same horrified expression. One of the customers was sprawled on the floor unconscious.

  “Did anyone call 911?” I asked and the group just sort of stared at me. I think they were in shock. I’d left my cell in the office with my stuff, so I rushed over to the cash stand, picked up the phone and dialed. I told them the situation and address then hung up and went back to the women sprawled out between the rack of dresses and linen shorts. I pushed my way through the crowd to reach her, knelt and checked to see if she was still breathing. God let her still be breathing. I pressed my ear close to her face heard shallow breaths. It wasn’t regular, or at least it didn’t sound it to me, but all I knew about medical stuff was from watching Grey’s Anatomy. At least she was breathing. Which caused me to breathe a sigh of relief. I rolled her over to her side even though I doubted she was passed out from drinking and in dange
r of vomiting. But it was the only emergency procedure I knew how to do.

  No one said a word and in a few minutes, I heard sirens getting closer, then saw the flashing lights through the front windows. I heard the voices of the paramedics asking people to move and then two men kneeled next to me and all but pushed me out of the way. Fine with me, I thought and stood up, letting the professionals take over. Molly came over and grabbed my arm. She still looked terrified and I couldn’t help but mentally cross my fingers that this incident wouldn’t scare her away. I didn’t want to lose her, and I felt selfish for even thinking that.

  “Is she going to be alright?” Molly said, her voice shaking.

  “I sure she’ll be fine. Probably low blood sugar or something. You know how these women are. Black coffee for breakfast and lettuce for lunch,” I whispered, trying to lighten the mood.

  Molly gave a small smile.

  “Why don’t you bring out the coffee cart and see if these ladies want coffee?” I said, more to distract her and the ladies in the store from what was happening.

  Molly nodded and walked to the back to get it.

  “Ladies, we will be bringing out coffee and pastries in just a moment. If you’d back up and give the emergency personnel some room, I’m sure they’d appreciate it.” The ladies backed up a little, but they were all enthralled it seemed with what was going on, though a couple looked guilty. Like they felt they shouldn’t be staring.

  It only took a few more moments until the paramedics had the woman loaded on a stretcher and into the ambulance.

  As they were pulling away, I saw a cop car pull up and two officers get out. They walked in and I went to greet them. I couldn’t help but noting they were both very attractive. Made me wonder for a moment if that was a requirement to being on the police force.

  “Are you the one who called 911?”

  “Yes. I’m the owner here. My name is Presley Thurman.”

  “I’m Officer Thomas and this is Officer Mills. We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

  “Sure. Want to come back to the office where there’s a little more privacy?” And where we didn’t have an audience, I thought. I didn’t want to give these ladies another free show.

  “No, this is fine. Officer Mills, why don’t you go get the statements from those ladies.” He nodded to the coffee cart where the majority of the women were standing.

  While Office Mills walked away, I thought, great this was going to make the gossip rounds. I cringed. What was wrong with me? Thinking about myself at a time like this. A woman passed out in my store and her health was much more important than Silk being gossiped about. I put a helpful smile on my face, determined to be more empathetic.

  “Now, what can you tell me about what happened?” Officer Thomas asked.

  “Nothing really. I wasn’t out here when it happened, and I don’t even know who she is. I’m not sure she’s been in before. Hey, Molly,” I called to get her attention from the coffee cart where she was serving the ladies who were talking to the other officer. She looked up. “Can you come over here and answer a few questions?”

  She walked over, trembling. I was curious as to why she seemed so nervous, but then maybe since I’d dealt with police before I was the one desensitized. This was a traumatic experience.

  “It’s OK. They just want to know if you saw anything.” I tried to put her at ease.

  “Sure,” she said softly. “I showed her the new wrap dresses and she suddenly turned pale. She seemed like she couldn’t breathe. Then she passed out and fell to the floor. I tried to catch her, but I think she might have hit her head. I’m sorry, I was just so caught off guard.”

  “No one is blaming you. It’s fine,” I reassured her.

  Officer Thomas made a few notes, then looked back up. “Has she been in before? Do you know her?”

  Molly shook her head nervously. “She said this was her first time in.”

  “OK. Thank you. I think we’ve got everything.”

  “Are you OK?” I asked when they left. She didn’t look okay, but that was to be expected after what had happened.

  “Yeah. Just a little freaked out, I guess. Do you think she’s going to be OK?”

  “I don’t know, Molly, but I hope so.”

  “Do you think he was cute?”

  “Who?”

  “That Officer Thomas.”

  I thought that seemed like an odd thing to focus on, but she wasn’t wrong. “Yes.”

  Officer Thomas was tall, well over six feet. Dark brown hair and very green eyes. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, though it was hard to tell a person’s age these days. If he were here under different circumstances, he might be a perfect guy for Molly. She’d been through a bad break up about a year ago and had been reluctant to date since then. She was a tall girl and they would look good together. “Though now might not be the best time to ask him out on a date.”

  Molly looked at me like I was crazy. “I wasn’t going to ask him out.” Then why mention he was cute? I was confused. Maybe she was in shock and didn’t realize what she was saying.

  “Do you want to go home? I can handle it today.”

  “No. I’ll be fine.”

  “OK, but if you change your mind, let me know.”

  “I will, but I think I’d rather stay busy.”

  After a couple hours, things settled back down to normal and it almost seemed like this morning never happened. I let Molly leave with about an hour left until closing, but at this time of night we didn’t usually have many customers and I could tell she was still rattled. At closing time I was up at the front, counting down the drawer when I heard a knock on the glass of the front door. I looked up and it was Officer Thomas again. My heart started pounding. I had a feeling this wasn’t good.

  Chapter 2

  I went and let him in and started to lock the door behind him when he stopped me by placing his hand on the door. “Wait on that. There are people right behind me.”

  I looked at him, frowning “What?”

  “Susan Milford didn’t just pass out. She was poisoned. So, this place is a crime scene.”

  The color drained from my face and my heart started beating furiously as three more people dressed in black jackets with Chicago Police Department on the back came through the door with equipment that must be to take fingerprints. They quickly set started to work taking pictures and writing things down.

  “You can lock the door now,” he said crisply.

  Hands shaking, I did just that. “Can I make a phone call?”

  “Sure, you can call your lawyer if you want,” he said, eyes narrowing. I wasn’t going to call a lawyer, though I could understand why he would think that and why he’d be a little suspicious of me calling one. Innocent people didn’t usually call lawyers right away.

  “That’s not the phone call I was going to make. Should I?” I asked, starting to get nervous even though I hadn’t done anything.

  “You’re not being charged with anything. Right now. We’re just collecting evidence. But go ahead, make your call. You’re free to do whatever you want. You can even leave if you’d like.”

  Was this a test or something? Like I’d up and leave? Say see ya., I’ve got dinner plans. Feel free to hang out here as long as you’d like. “No, I’ll stay but I will go to the back and stay out of your way.”

  I walked to the back as calmly as I could, and when I got to the office, grabbed my phone and dialed.

  “Hey, Pres. What’s up, how was vacation?” Wille answered on the first ring.

  “Willie. There are cops at Silk processing it as a crime scene,” I whispered, even though they couldn’t hear me up front. And who cares if they did. I had nothing to hide.

  “What?”

  I tried to stay calm and started to explain. “One of my customers passed out in the store earlier today. We all thought it was a fainting spell or maybe she didn’t eat. But that’s obviously not the case now.

  “I’ll be right there.”
>
  I grabbed a Diet Coke from the refrigerator even though caffeine was the last thing I needed. But I needed something to do with my hands. I tried to catch up on emails, but after reading the same email five times and not understanding a thing I read, I gave up and just sat there. I looked at the clock and it had been fifteen minutes since I talked to Willie. He should be here soon. I knew I’d feel so much better once he got here. He would know how to handle things. I’d met Detective Willie Landon when the former owner of Silk was murdered. During that investigation, we’d become friends and now it looked like I was in need of his professional help.

  Another ten minutes passed with me staring aimlessly at the wall, thinking I should call Cooper, and tell him what was going on. But I didn’t want to worry him at least until I knew more. Finally, I heard the door chime for the front door. That told me Willie must be here. Thinking positive, I walked back up to the front where Willie stood talking to Officer Thomas. Relief flooded my body and I instantly felt better knowing I had someone here on my side.

  I walked up to them and Officer Thomas gave me a look of annoyance. I assumed because Willie was here. He probably didn’t appreciate someone pushing in on his investigation, but I didn’t care. I was just happy to see a familiar face.

  I wanted to say, “Thanks for coming,” but knew it was probably better to keep my mouth shut. Officer Thomas could probably put two and two together and realize we were friends, or why else would Willie show up to a random crime scene?