Hannah's Hats: Super Sleuths Inc, #1

By Eddie Lay

After several strange hats are found in fifteen-year old Hannah's closet, she and her best friend Amber, along with neighbor Mrs. Kimble, set out to discover who they belong to and how they got where they were found. They not only complete their quest, but in the process they uncover a murder, deceit, and a secret that will change the life of one of them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eddie Lay
• Release date: May 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311762641

Eddie Lay

I married my wife Sandy in 1969. We have three children and 9 grandchildren. I was a combat cinamatographer in the US Army. I wrote a weekly article in our local newspaper and was a professional photographer for 20 years closing my studio in 1988. I was one of two writers for a weekly childrens video titled Kidzcan, and in 2006 saw my Mystery of the Hats story published in paper back.I retired from Ford Motor Company in 2000. Now I am an ebook author.

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HANNAH’S HATS

(The Girl In The White Dress)

By

Eddie Lay

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2016 Eddie Lay

License Notes

All rights reserved

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All caricatures are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

MRS. KIMBLE AMBER HANNAH

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GIRL IN WHITE DRESS

HANNAH’S HATS

BY

EDDIE LAY

The girl in the white dress

Fifteen-year-old Hannah was lying on her bed listening to her best friend Amber.

Me and mom were at the grocery store and this cute guy ask me where the avocado’s were. I didn’t know. I didn’t even know what they were, but I said I could help him look. So we started going up and down every isle; no avocado’s. When we got to the milk and eggs I knew I was running out of time, so I ask him his name. He said---

Amber continued describing in minute detail everything that happened after He said. A few minutes of this incessant prattle and Amber’s voice began to fade into the background as it always did when Hannah’s friend described the latest of a long line of coolest guys she met.

The two had gone through grade school, middle school, and now high school as friends. Together they survived fifth grade, and Mrs. Franklin. Amber was there for Hannah in middle school when her secrete love, Frankie Barstow, declared his undying love for Susie Conner. The two girls helped each other get through a lot of life’s tragedies, but sometimes Hannah tuned Amber out. This was one of those times.

Hannah stood and picked up the hat she found in her closet. Her fingers rotated the strange object as she examined every inch of fabric. The bell shaped form did nothing to improve its appearance, although the small beads covering the surface, did help. Preoccupied, she held it in front of her with both hands, and gently placed it on her head.

A strange warm feeling surged up her arm to her shoulder, and on to her throat. A feeling of being light-headed caused her to take a step with her right foot in order to regain her sense of balance. An explosion of light, much like a camera flash, went off in her face. Her hands flew to protect her closed eyes, but it was too late.

Massaging her eye sockets with the back of her hands, When they opened again she struggled to regain her sight. Colors and shapes started to form before her, and when her eyes readjusted, a gasp escaped her lips. Standing in front of her was a girl wearing a short white dress, a string of pearls, and a hat exactly like the hat Hannah was wearing.

The scene unfolding before her was like one out of a Sci-FY movie, where Hannah was looking through some kind of time portal. White streaks encircled the girl, like the water of a whirlpool, drawing Hannah’s attention to the center and the girl.

There was no sound, but Hannah could see large buildings, with cars clogging the street. The cars were from a long time ago, like ones in movies with the boxy shape and all the same color; black.

The girl appeared to be going into a door. She stopped, turned her head, and looked directly at Hannah. The hypnotic stare of her steel gray eyes sent chills down Hannah’s spine, and beads of sweat popped out on her forehead.

The girl’s lips moved without making a sound. Hannah strained to understand what she was trying to say, but she couldn’t and just as fast as she appeared the girl was gone. Stunned, Hannah searched the room, but she and Amber were alone. She let out a sigh, grabbed the hat from her head, and stumbled backward until the back of her knees touched her bed. She plopped down beside Amber who was still talking.

---so, I’ve been thinking about asking him out. What do you think?

When her friend did not answer, Amber turned to face her companion. With Amber’s face inches form Hannah’s she shouted, Hannah!

Hannah jumped. It took a second for her to realize where she was.

Uh…yeah, I guess.

You guess? You haven’t heard a thing I’ve said, have you? Amber asked. Are you all right?

Confused, Hannah blinked, trying to focus her attention on her friend. Did you…see something strange?

What do you mean strange? If you mean, Amber put her finger to her head, and moved it in circles, Then yes I did. You.

Stop goofing off. I’m serious. Just now, did you see a girl?

Uh, no. Where did you see a girl?

She was standing over by the…, Hannah pointed to the dresser. She moved her finger, pointing at the window. She was in front of…. She turned, and pointed to her closet door. There! She was standing there.

Amber looked at the door and then back to Hannah.

Have you been eating too many M&M’s? You know how you get after eating a lot of chocolate.

No I haven’t been eating chocolate. A few minutes ago I saw a strange girl. She was wearing a white dress and a hat like this one. She extended the hat for Amber to see. She looked like she was going into some door, but she stopped and looked at me. I thought she was going to say something, but then she vanished.

Amber’s mouth dropped. With her left hand on her hip, and weight on her left leg, she confronted her friend. A strange girl was standing by your closet door. She looked at you, and just, vanished?

Hannah nodded. It was scary.

You saw a girl that I don’t see, and she was trying to talk to you. Yes I would say it was scary.

Hannah did not respond to her friend.

If there was a strange girl in this room, why didn’t I see her? And when she vanished where did she go? In your closet?

Maybe you didn’t see her, because you were talking about some awesome guy you just met, by the way you think every guy you meet is awesome. And maybe she didn’t just vanish; maybe she did go into my closet.

The two girls stared at each other. Together, they stood, and took a step toward the closet door, but paused before traveling the remaining few inches. With her hand on the doorknob, Hannah eased it open a crack. Both girls peered inside before opening it further. Unable to see inside the dark interior, Hannah opened the door wide. Amber, pressed against Hannah from behind, peeked around her, and whispered.

I don’t see anything do you?

Hannah flipped the light on and stepped inside, leaving Amber standing in the doorway. After surveying the contents and finding nothing, she returned to the bedroom, turned out the light, and closed the door.

I guess you’re right. It does sound kinda goofy doesn’t it?

Well, duh!

Hannah grabbed Amber’s arm. If we’re going to the mall, let’s go.

Before closing the bedroom door behind her, Hannah glanced back at the closet.

2

Hannah gazed out the window at the bright sun with a few clouds. It was early April, sometimes days looked great, but they were cold. This was one of those days. Bright and sunny, fluffy clouds, and cold air. Still, she wished she was out side instead of sitting at this tiny desk, listening to Mr. Baker. History was never her favorite class, so she tuned him out the same way she did Amber when she talked about another boy. Watching the clouds was relaxing, it allowed her mind to wander back three days ago when her mother found the first hat in Hannah’s closet.

****************

There was a knock on the door and when Hannah answered it, Amber dashed past, shoved her and the door aside, and grabbed Hannah’s arm as she started for the bedroom.

Come on. Come on.

What’s wrong with you? Hannah asked, as Amber tugged, dragged, and pulled her down the hall. Amber was taller than Hannah, so she had no trouble maneuvering the smaller girl in any direction.

Wait ‘till you hear! You won’t believe it. You just won’t believe it, Amber said as she danced ahead.

Won’t believe what? Hannah stopped in the bedroom doorway, What?

Amber pulled her into the room,