Juliet Shadows: a touch of velvet

Chapter 4

7:00 am

I spun round, taking it all in. These people are payed to pose and preen? What sick world am I living in? Are things supposed to end up all twisted and messed up? I didn't express these feelings aloud but I shouted them in my head so loud I thought it would burst out of my ears.

Caleb seemed to be in his element, striking up conversations with every girl in an outfit. They were smart and just walked past him.
"Are these girls deaf or what?" He whispered.
"They've got a job to do." I whispered back. Then I spotted a man I recognized from all the advisements. "And so do we." I grabbed Caleb's arm and dragged him over to the tall guy in a dark green corduroy jacket with gold silk lining, beige chinos and eighties black and white brogues. I wouldn't be surprised if he wore a jaunty boater with a feather sticking out of it. He was chatting with two women, one holding up three perfume bottles and the other holding a yellow leather belt and a blue silky thing.

"Mr. Francis Velvet?" I said, confidently tapping him on the shoulder.
"Yes what?" he said, turning around. I showed my badge and he immediately dismissed the ladies by saying "The blue sash and what are you crazy? Give the girl the new Jimmy Choo fragrance, it will go with the atmosphere of the dress."
"Detective Juliet Shadows and this is Defective Caleb Swift." I said to catch Caleb's attention. "We need to talk."
"I brought everything here, and yes I attend the speeding course on my ticket by your officers are the ones who haven't added the points yet alright? I am a respectable citizen." Francis raised his hands as if that was supposed to humble him. "Can I get your officers a drink?"

No sooner then he said this a woman in a blue shirt and smart trousers and a black waistcoat appeared with a tray of three champagne flutes filled with bubbling Prosecco and half a strawberry floating most gracefully on top. We all took a glass. Caleb downed it, put the flute back on the tray and then spoke.

"No sir. It's about your daughter's murder." Caleb said, tactless as always.
"My daughter?" he laughed "You must be mistaken officers. My daughters fine." Francis said, taking us back.
"Then why was her body found outside the theater at midnight?" Caleb asked. I felt like banging my head against a wall.
"No, it wasn't. my daughter is over there. Angel, honey blossom, come and see these officers for me please." Velvet called across the room. A girl in her late teens walked up in a sky-blue dress, embroidered with old-fashion roses, which looked very modern, oddly.
"Can I help you, officers?" she said, her voice like that of a song bird.
"Preciouses cupid, this is Detective Shadows and..." he trailed off pointing at Caleb.
"Detective Swift, your ladyship." Caleb took her hand and kissed it. "Oh, your hand smells like daisies and cherries and all the gorgeous things in this world." He smiled at her. "The new Mary Kay hand lotion or just your natural armorer?" She giggled nervously and withdrew.
"This is my daughter, who is not dead, Clover Valentine." Francis said, putting his arm around her shoulder.
"How do you do?" She said offering me her hand. I shook it politely, amused by her old-fashioned manners. She then completely ignored us by starting up a whole new conversation with her father, which gave me time to mull things over. How is she alive? We found her body seven hours ago. Her driver's license was found in a purse which was in the victim's bag. She couldn't be anyone else.

I tuned back in to the conversation at precisely the right time.
"Daddy, I simply can't find my purse. I've looked everywhere for it. Its simply gone." Clover said despairingly.
"Don't fret, honey blossom. It will turn up."
My mind suddenly jumped.
"Please Miss Velvet, was your purse in a silver glitter bag from your 'The Glitzier, The Witzier' collection?" I inquired.
"Why yes."
I withdrew the plastic bag from my pocket. "Like this?" I held it up.
"Oh, Detective Shadows you found it! Where was it? Was anything stolen?" She exclaimed.
"Nothing was stolen and it was found on our victims arm."
"A dead person stole my bag?" Clover looked faint.
"No before they died." Caleb said frowning.
"No, I knew that." Clover glared at him.
"Could you do something for us Mr. Velvet?"
"For the police, anything." He grinned.
"Could you and your daughter"
"Delightful daughter." Caleb added, leaning towards her. I restrained him as I saw Clover shrink back in grimace.
"If you and your daughter could come to our lab and identify the body?" I asked.
"You want us to what?" Francis spat his champagne right at Caleb, who just stood there while someone else's drink was being launched at him
"It's vital if we want to solve this case." I said firmly.
"No, we are not looking at a dead person. I don't care how important it is."
"She was your model." Caleb said sincerely, wiping his face with his sleeve.
"How you know that? If she stole my daughters purse, she could be anyone."

I didn't think of that.

"She was wearing your dress."
"She could have nicked that too. I refuse. We refuse. Now it's time for you to go." ​Francis gave me a shove. I remained rooted to the spot.
"You will do as we ask, we are the police." Caleb stepped forward.
"I have a job to do."
"No, you don't." Caleb and I exchanged a smug look.
"What?"
"We shut down your little catwalk. We told the reporters that this area is now a Permit Only zone while we solve this case."
"You can do no such thing!"
"We can and we did. So we will see you at 10 o'clock. That time ok with you?"
"No. We aren't going."
"We didn't ask you if you could come, we ask what time was good for you. 10 o'clock?" I said.
"Yes. Fine." He muttered. "Abigale, gather the girls together in the hall. I must address them about this problem." He spoke to a blonde girl in a black skirt suit and white blouse and glasses, clearly his secretary. Then Francis walked away.
"Oh, one more thing Frank!" Caleb bellowed. Francis turned around. "What champagne is that? It's delicious."
"Its Prosecco's finest umm... wait why am I telling you? Find out yourself." He walked away.
"Sorry about my father. He just didn't expect this." Clover sighed before walking away as well. Then this Abigail person walked up and simply said "I assure you, you can expect our full co-operation and support."

This was just confusing. So Clover Velvet is still alive and the victim is just, no one. Sometimes I hate this job.