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

would be sundown.
    Emma gave him a suggestive glance. “It’s our last night on Catalina. I say we watch the sunset, put the hot tub to good use one last time and, if so inclined, head out for a romantic dinner.” Before he could respond, she added, “The ghosts are only invited to the first part.”
    “Fancy Pants, I like your style.”
    “But first, there’s one last errand I need to run.”
    As the sun went down on their last night on Catalina, Phil and Emma joined Sandy Sechrest on her bench. With her was another ghost, that of an elderly man whom Sandy introduced as her husband, Howard. The two couples, living and dead, sat companionably side by side and watched the sun disappear. The women were in the middle.
    “I bought your painting today, Sandy,” Emma told the spirit. “Just before I came to watch the sunset.”
    “The one with Tessa?”
    “That’s the one. I’m going to put it in my office to remind me of you and my time here on Catalina.” The ghost smiled with pleasure.
    After waiting a moment, Emma asked Sandy, “Did Tessa ever tell you she was an actress?”
    The spirit knitted her brows in thought. “Can’t remember exactly. She talked a lot about the movies, but I thought it only the star-struck fancy of a young girl.”
    “Seems it was more than that. She appeared in a handful of films and a couple of TV shows. Nothing major, mostly bit parts in silly things. I’m wondering if that was how she knew Curtis.”
    “I’m afraid I can’t help you, Emma. Sorry.”
    “It’s okay. I have connections in Hollywood through Grant’s family. I’m going to check with them.” Emma looked at the ghost, not caring if any live people noticed. “Sandy, it has been a pleasure getting to know you. I hope we meet again. Feel free to come visit me and Granny on the mainland.”
    The ghost smiled at her and placed a hazy hand on top of one of Emma’s. Emma couldn’t feel the hand but was touched by the gesture. “You’ll have to come here for those visits, Emma. Except for minor surgery about six years ago, I haven’t left my beloved island in over fifteen years.”
    Emma glanced at Phil and smiled. “Guess we’ll just have to come back, then.”

Even though she knew the way, a uniformed maid led Emma upstairs and into George Whitecastle’s private study. It was the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Emma had called George that morning, hoping to get a green light for an unplanned visit. A little over an hour later, she was kissing her ex-father-in-law on his sunken cheek.
    “Thanks for seeing me, George.”
    He smiled warmly at her, then shifted his frail body in his large leather chair until he found a comfortable spot. The chair was dark red and had been his favorite for as long as Emma could remember. Across his lap was a blue and gold throw sporting the UCLA Bruins logo. Like both Emma and Grant, George was an alumni of the university. Sprawled on the floor next to George’s chair was an elderly Golden Labrador, its muzzle as white as its owner’s remaining hair. The dog greeted Emma with solid whacks of its tail against the floor but didn’t get up.
    Emma squatted and scratched the old dog behind its ears. “How are you, Bijou? Still standing guard, I see.” The animal licked her hand and thumped its tail a few more beats. Unsure of how Bijou would react to Granny, Emma had asked the ghost not to tag along. They would rendezvous later at Milo’s place.
    The Whitecastles lived in a small mansion in Bel Air, a very wealthy section of Los Angeles just off Sunset Boulevard near the UCLA campus. Like most rooms in the home, the study was large and filled with tasteful, expensive furniture. Two of the four walls of the study were lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stuffed with books, memorabilia, and awards, including two Oscars, from George’s long and illustrious career in the film industry. Beyond the bank of windows that looked down over the estate’s manicured lawn, Emma could hear