Page 48 of The Other Lady Vanishes

Alarmed, the saleswoman started talking very quickly. “I’m sure we can find a few things in your price range.”

“The accessories will not be a problem,” Raina said. “I think I’ve got a bag and a wrap that will go nicely with that dress. I also have some earrings that will work, as well. That just leaves the shoes. Unfortunately, mine will be too big for you, Adelaide, although we might be able to wad up some tissue to stuff into the toes.”

The saleswoman smiled a mysterious saleswoman smile. “I’ll be right back,” she said.

Adelaide and Raina looked at each other.

“I’ve got news for you,” Raina said quietly. “Not a lot but it might prove useful. I’ll tell you when we’re finished here.”

“Does it have anything to do with Thelma Leggett?”

“Yes.”

The saleswoman appeared as if by magic. A pair of strappy, high-heeled dancing sandals dangled from her fingers. The shoes were made of silver leather. They seemed to radiate starlight.

Adelaide gazed at them, mesmerized.

“Oh, my,” Raina said softly. “Yes, indeed, I think those will do nicely.”

“I’m sure they’re too expensive,” Adelaide began.

“I was going to put them on sale next week,” the saleswoman said. “I’ll let you have them for the sale price now.”

“We’ll take them,” Raina said.

Adelaide looked at her. “I can’t afford them, even if they’re on sale.”

“I’ll loan you the money if necessary,” Raina said.

Adelaide gave up. “All right. But only if they fit.”

The shoes fit as if they had been made for her. Adelaide took a deep breath and opened her handbag to take out her wallet. At the rate she was going through money, she might have to take in a real boarder after Jake left town.

By the time she and Raina left the dress shop, she was feeling dazed by the amount of money she had just spent. It was not as if she still had access to her inheritance, she reminded herself. She was living on a waitress’s wages.

“Don’t worry about it,” Raina said. “Think of the dress and the shoes as an investment.”

“In what?” Adelaide said. “I’ll probably never wear them again.”

“You live in Burning Cove now. Trust me, you will have other opportunities to wear that gown and those fabulous shoes. Let’s have coffee and then we can go to my place to pick up the wrap, the earrings, and the evening bag.”

“I need something to help me get over the shock of spending all that money. I suppose it’s too early for a martini.”

“Save the martini for tonight when you’re actually wearing the new dress and the shoes,” Raina said.

They found a small, shaded table at an outdoor café in a busy shopping plaza. Smartly dressed women with bags from various nearby stores strolled past, chatting with friends and discussing the latest fashions.

She was not a huge fan of coffee—she preferred tea—but it was good to have coffee with a friend, Adelaide thought. It made her feel almost normal.

She and Raina were gradually working their way into a deeper friendship. One day they might even feel free to exchange their most closely guarded secrets. But that day had not yet arrived. How did you tell a new acquaintance that a few months ago you had been diagnosed as having suffered a nervous breakdown? That you had been used as a test subject in a secret experiment conducted in an insane asylum by a doctor who was later murdered?

A story like that would make even a very good friend question your sanity.

When the coffee was delivered, Raina raised her cup in a small salute.

“Here’s to a great evening out,” she said.

“You do realize this isn’t a date.” Adelaide fortified herself with a sip of the strong coffee. “Jake and I are curious about Dr. Paxton because he seems to have gone missing on the night Zolanda died. But I doubt that we’ll learn anything useful. You said you had some news of Thelma Leggett?”