Ultimate Concealer, A Toni Diamond Mystery: A Toni Diamond Mystery (Toni Diamond Mysteries) by Nancy Warren Read Free Book Online Page A

man wasn’t responsible for the decorating. She wondered if he’d bought the house from a color-blind silent movie fan and never got around to redecorating.
    “Toni,” he said, walking forward with his hand outstretched. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. You have a really nice daughter.” His voice was rich and resonant, and when she shook his hand she noticed that his skin was soft.
    “Thank you. It’s nice of you to let her stay.”
    “No problem. I’ve got lots of room.”
    He shook Linda’s hand next. And Linda, who never met a single man she didn’t think might be marriage material for her daughter said, “I’m taking the girls to dinner. Why don’t you join us?”
    He put his briefcase down and pushed his glasses more firmly onto his nose. “That’s nice of you, but I’m afraid I have to work tonight.”
    “Oh, that’s too bad.” She glanced at his briefcase. It was pretty obvious that he was newly arrived home from work. As though feeling some explanation was necessary, he said, “I have a second job.”
    “It’s a tough economy, all right,” Linda said. “And I understand Las Vegas was hit real hard.”
    “Yes,” he said faintly. Then, “Well, if you’ll excuse me,” and he picked up his briefcase and left the room.
    “Honey, we’re going to go check into the hotel now. Why don’t you come with us? We’ll get a suite and use the spa. It will be a girls’ vacation. You can see your father whenever you want.”
    She could see that Tiffany was torn. Finally, she shook her head. “I think I should be here when Dad gets back.”
    Linda started to speak but Toni kicked her ankle and spoke over her. “Okay, Tiff. We’ll pick you up for dinner at six.”
    “Why didn’t you make her come with us?” Linda wanted to know as they pulled away from the curb.
    “Because she needs to find out what her father is like, and we need to let her. Maybe they’ll figure out a way to have some kind of relationship. I don’t know.”
    “I know you’re right but it makes me crazy that Dwayne is feeding her that line of bull.”
    “I know.”
    They headed to the hotel, Toni feeling a lot better now that she’d seen Tiffany, and checked in. The room contained two queen-size beds, a small seating area with a pull out couch, a chair and a built-in unit with the TV. The bathroom didn’t have nearly enough counter space for two women who not only made their livings selling cosmetics, but who also believed wholeheartedly in their benefits.
    While they were prettying themselves up for dinner, Toni checked her messages. There was one from Patience Vernon, one of her newer recruits to the Lady Bianca team. She returned the call while Linda re-did her face.
    Her smile was so automatic that she didn’t even notice she was beaming with positive energy when she pushed send on her cell phone.
    “Patience! I was so happy to get your message. It’s Toni Diamond.” She always identified herself even though all her team had call display. She’d learned in one of the many sales seminars she’d attended that it was a good practice both to assume anyone calling you was offering good news and always to give your name. With anyone other than her own sales team she’d usually identify herself as Toni Diamond of Lady Bianca Cosmetics since she knew every time she linked the two together a little more cosmetics karma went out into the world.
    “Hi, Toni,” Patience said when she answered. Toni did not receive beams of positive energy coming back her way.
    She pulled up Patience’s file on her computer. They’d worked on sales goals together and, since Patience was a beginner, they were starting with friendly fishing. Her goals were small enough to be readily achievable which would lead to a feeling of success, and that would spur her on to larger goals and greater success.
    Toni always found, however, that getting that first flush of success was critical.
    “I bet you’re calling to tell me that you’ve