Bad Hair Day 4 - Body Wave by Nancy J. Cohen Read Free Book Online

in addition to the relatives. Let me know if you get the job caring for her grandmother."

"I will." She hesitated. "Good night, Dalton. Someday soon I'd like to cook dinner for you and Brianna."

"Sounds great." He gave her a quick peck on the mouth, nothing like the hot kisses she'd anticipated.

Just as well, Marla thought during the drive home. Why start something they couldn't finish, at least not now? Too many issues still divided them, and while part of her wondered what might have happened tonight if she'd accepted Dalton's company, putting off that scenario presented a more comfortable option.

     * * * *

Friday rolled around before Marla could think about Stan and his problems again. Two quick phone calls set her weekend schedule. She arranged for a job interview with Florence Pearl on Sunday morning. Meanwhile, Gary Waterford agreed to meet her at his workplace around six o'clock.

She located Waterford's Air-Conditioning Emporium in downtown Dania, past the antique district and a few doors from Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor on South Federal Highway. Fortunately, the street wasn't crowded for a late Friday afternoon, and she found a parking space with little effort.

Wearing a tangerine sweater and black corduroy slacks, she strolled along the sidewalk, casting a longing glance at the restaurant. Maybe she'd run in there later for a quick meal. Established in 1956, Jaxson's had the best foot-long kosher hot dogs with grilled onions. And don't mention the homemade ice cream! Visions of a hot fudge sundae with coffee ice cream and mounds of whipped cream swirled through her mind. Why worry about a few extra calories? This counted as walking exercise, right?

All thoughts of food vanished when she pushed open the door to Waterford's business. A chemical odor like burning wires entered her nostrils. Wrinkling her nose, she surveyed the display of mechanical parts lying haphazardly on the grimy floor.

"Yo, how ya doin'?" drawled a lanky young man behind the counter. He pushed aside a section of newspaper he'd been studying and gave her a blatantly admiring glance.

"I'm looking for Gary Waterford," she said, shifting her handbag strap to the other shoulder.

"That's me." He smiled, revealing a row of uneven white teeth that would benefit from braces.

Marla appraised him. Bleached blond hair covered dark roots in an unkempt style that needed a couple of inches snipped off the ends. Stubble on his square jaw was either a permanent fixture or else he hadn't bothered to shave. She dropped her gaze to his sweatshirt and well-laundered jeans. Combined with the grease stains on his rough-hewn hands, his manner suited a laborer more than a desk jockey. Was this why he had appealed to Kim? His primal aura of raw masculinity would have been a direct contrast to her willowy beauty.

"How can I help you?" Waterford said.

She fumbled for a way to begin. "I'm Marla Shore, and I've come to talk about a former friend of yours."

"Who's that?" The look he gave her implied they couldn't possibly share a common acquaintance.

"Kimberly Kaufman. I understand you knew her before she married."

"Yep, that's right."

"You were dating her, I believe?"

"That's my business, lady. Who sent you here?"

"Leah Kaufman. She was Stan's wife when Kim became involved with him."

"I remember. What's the matter? Is Kim all right?" Darn, she'd hoped he already knew. This wouldn't be easy. "I, uh, have some bad news."

"Tell me!"

She fortified herself with a deep breath. "I'm so sorry; this may come as a shock. Kimberly passed away over the weekend. I thought you ... someone might have told you."

His face drained, and he took a stumbling step backward. "I don't believe it."

Marla glanced away, imagining what it must be like for police officers who had to tell families tragic news on an ongoing basis. "She was killed. Stan asked me to talk to people who knew her. I visited Leah, and she gave me your name."

"Where the hell do you