the costume shop

As the detectives pulled into the parking lot, they saw a banner across the Spirit Halloween store informing everyone that everything in the store was fifty percent off.

Jake parked in the first empty space he could find. The detectives got out and made their way towards the entrance. There were plenty of customers coming in and out of the doors.

When they stepped in, they made their way through the bargain shoppers, and both looked around, trying to spot anyone who might work there.

Sally finally spotted a man in a pirate's costume wearing a name badge on his chest. “Right there. “ She nodded in his direction. The man was sorting through the costumes in a cart.

They stopped next to him.

He glanced up. “Can I help you?” He continued to look through the cart, looking like he lost something important.

“Yes.” Jake pulled his badge out and showed the man.

The man dropped a Smurf costume in his hand.

“I’m Detective Stone.” He’d put the badge in his pocket. “And this is Detective Beaumont. Can we have moment of your precious time?”

Ummm,” The man looked around the store and gulped. “Sure. What can I do for you?”

“You can start by telling us your name.”

The man looked at Jake, then Sally, then back to Jake. “Stewart. Stewart Fuller.”

“Alright, Stewart. Were you working here on October twenty- ninth?”

Stewart” glanced at Sally, then focused on Jake. Of course. The week before Halloween, we work a lot. And we all work the last three days.”

Jake nodded. “Okay. Well we’d like to know if you encountered a shopper that day that purchased a Zorro costume and plastic blade?’

“Well.” Stewart looked at Sally, then back to Jake. “All of our Zorro costume comes with a plastic blade.”

Alright. Do you remember anyone, A lady who purchased the costume?”

Stewart rubbed his chin and thought a moment. I think we sold so many. Which is surprising, seeing how that character is so old- fashioned.”

“Well. The lady we are talking about has short brown hair. She is about in her Sixties.”

Stewart looked blankly, which quickly turned to a look of revelation. “You know. I believe a lady matching that description did by one.” He paused a moment. “Honestly, it’s hard to forget her. Frankly, she gave me the willies.”

“How so?” Jake sternly asked.

Stewart lightly shook his head. “There was something about her that just seemed... off. “ He cleared his throat. “She was babbling about starting her life over. Said something about she finally getting a new family.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Like I really care.”

The detectives looked at one another, then Jake pulled a piece of paper with a picture of Emily, which he got from the newspapers that was next to the article about the accident. He showed it to Stewart. “Is this the lady?”

Stewart closely examined it. Then, finally, he said, “She is much younger there. But that is definitely her.”

Jake put the paper back in his pocket. “Thank you for your time.” He quickly said. Then he and Sally bolted out of the store.