Read Online Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini: A Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery by Sue Ann Jaffarian - Free Book Online Page A

admitted.
    “I see, but you don’t want to wait for her. You want to check it now. Doesn’t your cell have an Internet connection?”
    “Yes, but websites are sometimes difficult to read because of its size.” She shrugged. “Guess there’s no harm in waiting until either Jackie calls or I get home tomorrow.”
    “Except that you’ll have ants in those fancy pants of yours.”
    Phil stood up. Pulling out his wallet, he dug out some bills and left them with the check. “Come on, let’s see what we can do about satisfying your curiosity.”
    Phil took Emma by the hand and guided her back to their hotel. Once there, he approached the front desk.
    “Do you have a business center with computers for guest use?” he asked the clerk, a young Latino in an impeccable suit and slicked-back hair.
    “No, sir, I’m sorry. We have a business center but no public computers.” When they started to walk away, the clerk added, “But you might try the library. They have public computers with Internet service.”
    Emma perked up. “Would the library be open today?”
    “Yes, ma’am. It’s open every Saturday until five o’clock. You’ll find it a few blocks over on Sumner, right next to the police station. Do you need a map?”
    Phil smiled at the young man. “We know where the police station is. Thanks for your help.”
    At the library, Emma logged on to the IMDB website and did a search for Tessa North. Her name yielded a hit. Emma clicked on the link.
    “It says here she was in five movies and two TV shows, all bit parts.”
    Phil looked over her shoulder. “Any personal information?”
    Emma moved the mouse over another link. “Here’s something interesting. Seems Tessa was born Theresa Nowicki on May 26, 1946. Doesn’t give a city, just Nebraska.”
    “That would have made her twenty-two-years old at the time of her death.” Phil picked up a stubby library pencil and a scrap of notepaper from a supply kept on the desk. He started scribbling down the information.
    Emma went back to the short list of films, opening each link and studying the information. On the third film, she saw a name that made her freeze. “Phil, I think I found a lead.”
    “To her death?”
    “I hope not, but it might lead to more information.”
    With an index finger, she stabbed at a spot on the screen. It was a list of people connected with the movie. Phil read the entry out loud in a quiet voice. “George Whitecastle, director.” He turned to look at Emma, his eyes wide. “Hey, isn’t that—”
    Emma cut him off. “It sure is.”
    It was Phil who broke the awkward silence brought on by the discovery on the computer. “Just because your ex-father-in-law directed one of Tessa’s movies doesn’t mean he knows anything about her. She was a bit player. He might not even remember her at all.”
    “I know, Phil, but maybe he will remember her. And if he does, he might remember someone named Curtis. I know it’s a long shot, but it’s worth a try. The Whitecastles are very nice people. I’m sure George will help me if he can. And look here.” She pointed to another name connected with the movie. “Paul Feldman produced this film. He’s a very close friend of George’s. I’ve known him for years, too.”
    After seeing George’s name, Emma got an idea. Methodically going down the list of people involved with each movie and TV show in which Tessa appeared, she looked for someone named Curtis. Nothing showed up. But Emma knew not all people involved with films were listed. There were always people behind the scenes, money people, as well as worker bees.
    As soon as they left the library, Emma called the home of her former in-laws. A maid answered and informed her that the Whitecastles were not expected home until Monday afternoon.
    “Now what would you like to do, Emma?” They were standing on the sidewalk on Crescent Street. Ahead of them was the bay; behind them, the town. People walked past them in both directions. Soon it