5 Conditioner and a Corpse by Cindy Bell Read Free Book Online Page B

little uncomfortable about reopening the salon.
    “ I guess,” Sammy sighed and escorted the first customer to one of the empty chairs. During the afternoon all that people wanted to talk about, was the break-in and Jasmine’s murder. The entire town knew about it and each person had their own theory about what had happened.
    “ That woman was so gorgeous that I assume it was a jealous lover,” Mrs. Paultren who was one of the librarians at the local library pointed out.
    “ Sure it could have been,” Ms. Culpper agreed with a slight shrug. “But, maybe she was a government spy. Maybe her cover was blown somehow.”
    “ Rubbish!” Mrs. Carter hissed. “What in the world would a government spy be doing in Harroway? Inspecting the changing of the leaves?” she demanded.
    This caused the other two women to giggle. Bekki bit into her bottom lip as she added a touch of hairspray to Mrs. Carter's hair.
    “Oh dear,” Mrs. Paultren suddenly gasped, having caught sight of Bekki's expression. “Shame on us for gossiping like this. After all, the poor deceased was a friend of Bekki's, wasn't she, Bekki?”
    Bekki nodded and offered a tolerant smile. “It's all right Mrs. Paultren, when terrible things happen they should be talked about.”
    “ But never joked about,” Mrs. Carter admonished. She was the wife of one of the most prominent businessmen in town, and carried herself as if she was a bit more educated and refined than the others.
    “ I just can't believe that such a terrible thing could happen in our little town.”
    “ No town is immune,” Bekki said sadly as she finished the styling she was working on. “But I'm sure the police will work quickly to solve this case.”
    “ Don't you mean Nick?” Mrs. Paultren giggled quietly.
    Bekki smiled despite herself and caught Mrs. Paultren's eye s. The ladies had been teasing her for quite some time about her romance with the detective. Most of them had watched Bekki grow up and they felt they had a right to be involved in her personal life as an adult also.
    “ All right ladies,” Bekki shook her head. “Can't we talk about something a little more cheerful? How are the holiday plans coming along?”
    Bekki chose the right topic because the question launched all three women into a frenzy of debate and excitement. While they discussed whether the sparkling white lights they put up on the main street every year were tacky or magical, Bekki found her mind drifting. She could not get the visit that morning off her mind. She had been waiting for Nick to call about his conversation with Jeff Barnes, but her phone had been silent. It wasn't until she was about to close up for the night that Nick walked through the door of the salon. His expression was drawn, with his lips tight and his eyes narrowed. She could tell that things had not gone as he had expected.
    “ What happened?” Bekki asked without even greeting him.
    Nick glanced over at Sammy and the last remaining customer, then walked over to Bekki. He grabbed her gently by the curve of her elbow and steered her out of earshot.
    “I want you to be cautious.” he warned her as he glanced over her shoulder and then back into her eyes.
    “ Why should I have to be?” Bekki asked, her eyes widening. “You arrested him, didn't you?”
    “ I'm sorry Bekki,” he shook his head, his eyes drooping with disappointment. “I couldn't.”
    “ So, you're telling me the man who killed Jasmine is out walking around town?” Bekki asked, her voice growing a little more shrill with each word she spoke. Nick reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Bekki could see from the clenching of his jaw and the vein bulging on his forehead that he was as frustrated as she was. She knew how important it was to him, to protect her and have justice served.
    “ I'm sorry,” she said quickly and reached up to gently stroke the curve of his cheek. “I know that you did everything that you could.” 
    “ I did,” he murmured as