Gossamer Ghost by Laura Childs Page B

Carmela. “I think we need to huddle with Mavis Sweet and pick her brain. See if she’s remembered anything. Or else we’ll have to come up with a new theory.”
    â€œGood idea,” said Ava. “Let’s call Mavis.”
    â€œI have a proposition for you ladies,” said Jekyl, abruptly changing the subject.
    â€œWhat’s that?” said Ava.
    â€œHow would you two lovelies like to transform yourselves into a pair of ghosts this coming Friday night?”
    â€œWhy?” said Ava.
    â€œYou mean for Halloween night?” said Carmela. “Jekyl, what is it you’re asking us?”
    â€œThe thing is,” said Jekyl, trying to look self-important, “I’m in charge of theming, decorating, and staffing the Ghost Train.”
    Ava glanced at Carmela and said, “What’s a Ghost Train?”
    â€œAre you serious?” said Jekyl. “The Ghost Train is being touted as New Orleans’s premier Halloween event and has been promoted up the wazoo!”
    â€œI’m sure,” Carmela said mildly. “Now tell us more about it.”
    Jekyl drew breath and gestured expansively. “Picture this if you will. A classic old passenger train consisting of six or seven plush Pullman cars, all glammed up with Halloween décor, and running on the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad between Audubon Park and the French Quarter.”
    â€œWait a minute,” said Ava. “You’re asking us to
be
ghosts? And, like, ride on the train?”
    â€œYes, I am,” said Jekyl. “Because I think you’d both make magnificent ghosts.”
    Carmela turned toward Ava. “Sounds like a sell job to me.”
    Jekyl held his index finger and thumb together. “It would be a tiny favor for
moi
.”
    â€œI hate to admit it,” said Ava, “but it does sound kind of fun.”
    Jekyl fairly beamed. “I knew I could count on you two! Now, you’re going to need costumes of course.”
    â€œWhat?” squawked Carmela. It wasn’t enough just to show up?
    â€œAnd not just the old bedsheet over the head with two eye holes cut into it,” said Jekyl. “I’d love it if you ladies devised something really spectacular.”
    â€œYou hear that, Carmela?” said Ava. “We’re going to be ghosts.”
    â€œOn the premier Ghost Train,” said Carmela, playing along.
    â€œWhich means we’re gonna need costumes that are really spooktacular!” said Ava.
    â€œThat’s the spirit,” said Jekyl, as he eased his way out of the shop.
    â€œHonestly,” said Carmela, “he does have a way of twisting your arm.”
    â€œBut it might be fun. And Baby’s party is Wednesday night, the Pumpkins and Bumpkins Ball is on Thursday, so we’re home free on Friday, right?”
    â€œThat’s what it looks like.” Carmela dug in her bag and pulled out her cell phone. “I’m going to call Mavis. See if we can drop by her place before we head off for the Zombie Crawl tonight.”
    â€œGood idea,” said Ava. “This whole Napoleon’s mask thing has got my curiosity itching.”
    â€œYou mean burning?”
    â€œYeah, that, too.”
    Carmela punched in digits, then waited a few moments. Mavis picked up on the third ring.
    â€œHello?” Mavis said in a shaky, tentative voice. It was obvious she’d been receiving calls from reporters, calls from police, and probably a few crank calls.
    â€œMavis, it’s Carmela.”
    â€œThank goodness,” said Mavis, sounding hugely relieved. “I thought it might be another reporter.”
    â€œI was wondering,” said Carmela, “if I could drop by and talk to you tonight? Maybe around seven?”
    â€œJust you?”
    â€œMy friend Ava, too.”
    â€œThis is about the investigation?” Mavis asked.
    Carmela thought for a few moments. Babcock had warned her to stay out of it, but