A Disguise to Die For by Diane Vallere Page B

them.”
    â€œWhere’s she now?” he asked.
    I flopped back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “Ather store, probably. The last time I saw her was this morning. Someone vandalized her car and Dig towed it for her.”
    â€œMargo, listen carefully. If the police go digging into Ebony’s past, they’re going to find some things out that she’d rather not have become public. You need to do something for her.”
    â€œSure, Dad, what?”
    â€œYou need to contact Takenouchi Hoshiyama and ask him for his help.”

Chapter 9

    â€œWHAT DOES TAK Hoshiyama have to do with anything?” I asked.
    â€œYou know him?”
    â€œHe was at the party. He’s a friend of Blitz’s.”
    â€œTak is friendly with most people, I’d imagine. He worked for the district attorney’s office in Clark County until a few months ago.”
    â€œHe’s a lawyer?” I asked.
    â€œNo, city planner, I think. I don’t know why he moved to Proper, but when Don had trouble with his neighbor encroaching on his property line, Tak was a big help.”
    â€œWe’re talking about murder here, not property lines,” I said.
    â€œMargo, Tak is a smart man and he comes from a good family. Everything’s going to be okay, but Ebony is going to need some help. Do you want me to come home? I can.”
    â€œNo, you haven’t had a chance to get out of Proper for years. Stay with Don.”
    â€œOnly if you’ll promise to call Tak. Think about everything Ebony’s done for you. She’s our family. Do this for her.”
    â€œYou don’t have to ask twice.”
    The tone of the conversation shifted from the joy of discovering the sci-fi costumes to the seriousness of Ebony’s situation. My dad had promised to head back the following day. I told him to take it easy and promised to call Tak in the morning. Though sincere, both promises felt empty. Usually a talk with my dad left me feeling warm and cozy. Today, not so much.
    *   *   *
    EBONY didn’t answer any of her phones. I left messages to call me back and hung up. My next call was to my roommate in Vegas. Maynard expected me to show up for work on Tuesday, and it wasn’t looking as though I was going to make it.
    â€œMargo? Is this Margo? The phone says it’s you but I can’t hear you. Hold on, let me get to the hallway, where I get better reception. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Hello? Margo?”
    â€œHi, Crystal, I can hear you. Can you hear me?”
    â€œOf course I can hear you. Maynard’s been asking when you’re coming back. I don’t think he likes me as much as you. He keeps telling me to dress the part. What exactly do you wear for this performance?”
    â€œThink
Desperately Seeking Susan
,” I said. “Vintage ’80s dance class with a tux jacket over top.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. You’re coming back tomorrow, right?”
    â€œThat’s why I called. I’m going to be here longer than I thought. Do you think Maynard will hold my job for me?”
    â€œGirl, I’m doing what I can, but those doves freak me out.”
    â€œThanks, Crystal.”
    â€œVintage ’80s with a tux jacket, huh? Where am I supposed to find that?”
    I sighed. “The bottom two drawers on the right-hand side of my dresser.”
    â€œYou have two drawers filled with costumes for Magic Maynard’s act? You are one weird woman.”
    *   *   *
    IT was close to eight o’clock when I finished my phone calls. I prepared an unfulfilling dinner of Fruity Pebbles doused with milk and carried the bowl downstairs. Halfway through, I abandoned it on the counter and walked around the store, determining what needed to get done for the week.
    First item: restock the flapper section. Headbands, I already knew, but we were low on garters and fishnets too. There were a few dresses left