5 Conditioner and a Corpse (6 page)

“
I don't know either,” Bekki admitted with a deepening frown. “But I know he did it. Or at the very least, he's lying about not seeing Jasmine after she came to the salon and before she died.”

“
How do you know that?” Nick asked with a furrowed brow.

“
Because,” Bekki picked up a tube of lipstick from the display on the receptionist desk, “of this!”

“
What does lipstick have to do with it?” Nick asked.

“
It was on his cuff,” Bekki explained as she opened up the tube of lipstick.

“
Well, Bekki,” Nick shifted slightly. “Rich and powerful men are known for having their affairs,” he explained with a slight blush.

“
I know that,” Bekki agreed. “But only one woman had a tube of this lipstick.”

“
How do you know it was that lipstick?” Nick asked. “There are so many different kinds of lipstick and shades I couldn't even begin to keep track.”

“
That's true,” Bekki nodded and then waved the tube of lipstick under his nose. “But not all of them are scented.”

“
Wow, that smells good,” he murmured as he breathed in the scent. “So you're saying that the lipstick on his cuff smelled like this?” he asked.

“
Yes,” Bekki said as she capped the lipstick once more. “And this is made by a local woman and only sold here. I haven't sold any, except for giving one to Jasmine, right before she left the salon.”

“
Wait, how do you know it smelled like this lipstick?” Nick asked as he went over the information in his mind.

“
Because I hugged him,” Bekki said with confidence.

“
You hugged a potential murderer?” Nick's eyes widened with shock and frustration.

“
I had to be sure,” Bekki explained. “I knew if I could smell the lipstick I would be certain that it was this exact same lipstick. Which means that Jeff saw Jasmine before she was killed, and after she was here. He saw her in the time that the murder occurred, and is acting as if he just drove into town.”

Nick nodded slowly and ran his hand back t
hrough his hair. “This is very good information. I'll take him in for questioning. In the meantime Bekki please…”

“
I didn't investigate!” Bekki said with a smirk. “He came to me.”

“
Well, just be careful,” Nick held her gaze intently. “Promise?”

“
I promise,” Bekki nodded as she glanced over at Sammy. “I don't think either of us were expecting to have him walk into the salon. Were we?”

“
I sure wasn't,” Sammy agreed. “Is it enough to arrest him, Nick?” she asked hopefully.

“
I can't be sure until he's questioned,” Nick explained. “But everyone is working on this.”

Bekki nodded and gave him a quick hug. As she pulled away, Nick wrapped his arms a
little tighter around her waist.

“
No more hugging murderers, okay?” he kissed her gently on the forehead.

“
I'll do my best,” Bekki replied with a small smile. He held her gaze briefly and then stepped out of the salon. Sammy was quick to lock the door behind him.

“
I have to admit Bekki this is freaking me out,” Sammy frowned as she rubbed her upper arms. “Do you really think it was him?”

“
One thing I've learned Sammy, is to always expect the unexpected,” Bekki sighed. A moment before she had been certain of her assumption that Jeff was the killer, but Nick had made a good point. Why would Jeff want to hurt one of his own employees? Why did those men coming looking for the supplies the other day if they didn’t kill her?

Bekki convinced Sammy to open the salon for afternoon customers now that there was a cop car regularly driving past. Bekki didn't want to disappoint her regular clients, and she also needed to do something to keep her mind off what was unfolding.

“
We're a less likely target the busier we are,” she explained to Sammy who still felt a 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 he looked up at her with a hint of pleading in his eyes. “There's just no evidence. We can't prove that he was in the room with Jasmine. The shirt he was wearing when we picked him up didn't have any lipstick on it. The only thing we have that lets us monitor him is the connection between the two men he claims are his bodyguards.”

“
I know it was him,” Bekki said firmly as she let her hand come to rest on his shoulder. “But I understand. Without proof there's no way to hold him,” her eyes began to shimmer slightly.

“
No Bekki,” Nick warned as he looked deeply into her eyes. “This is an extremely volatile situation. I need you to stay as far away from this man as possible. Understand? No matter what you're thinking, do not go looking for clues.”

“
I didn't go looking for him this morning,” Bekki pointed out as she raised her eyebrow slightly. “I was careful.”

“
Be more careful,” he said emphatically and pulled her hands into his. “I'm going to look more into his company and background and see if I can turn up something, anything, that we can hold him on. There will be a police cruiser coming soon and won’t leave until you’ve locked up. Be extra cautious, okay?”

Bekki nodded and gently touched her lips to his in a sweet soft kiss.
“Don't worry so much Nick, I'll be fine.”

He held her gaze as she pulled away, and the concern reflected in his eyes made Bekki certain that he would never stop worrying about her.

“Okay, I'll check in with you later tonight,” he stole another quick kiss and then left the salon. After Sammy had checked out the last customer of the evening she walked over to Bekki who was staring thoughtfully into space.

“
Isn't it frightening?” Sammy shivered a little. “To think that man is walking free.”

“
Yes it is,” Bekki replied, her voice flattened with determination. “Hopefully someone will turn up some proof.”

Sammy finished closing the cash register down for the night while Bekki checked the
locks on the back door. Then they headed out into the parking lot together where the police cruiser was parked. Bekki was used to closing the salon at night on her own, but she was secretly glad to have Sammy with her this time. The cruiser was a very welcome addition as well.

“
Do you want me to come over?” Sammy suggested. “We could have a girls’ night, watch a movie, drink some wine?”

“
Not tonight,” Bekki shook her head slowly. “I just want to spend a little time alone to think about Jasmine.”

“
Oh, of course,” Sammy smacked her forehead lightly. “I'm sorry Bekki I hope I didn't upset you. I know you had planned to spend the evening with Jasmine the night…” she hesitated to finish her sentence.

“
It's okay,” Bekki promised and felt a little guilty for lying to her friend. She had no intention of going home. “I'll see you in the morning, okay?” Bekki smiled at Sammy and gave her a quick hug.

“
I'll be here,” Sammy replied and hugged her in return. “Call me if you need me.”

“
I will,” Bekki promised her. Bekki climbed into the front seat of her car and began to drive off as if she was heading home. She knew that she would only have a little time before Nick started calling to check on her, or her mother dropped by to do the same. So she was going to have to make her clandestine adventure fast.

Bekki
turned down a side street and then drove back to the edge of town, back to the Harroway Harbor Motel. When she pulled into the parking lot she parked in the well-lit area right in front of the entrance of the office of the motel. The office was already closed for the evening, but Bekki still thought it was safer to be in plain sight. She easily spotted which motel room Jeff Barnes was staying in, by the two flashy cars parked in front of it. She put her car in park and stepped out of it. As she walked along the sidewalk towards the motel room she was careful to stay close to the wall. When she was at the edge of the motel room she paused beside the window and listened closely through it.

“
Right but someone killed her before we got our product,” she heard one angry voice saying loudly. “So now you're still on the hook for it, got me?”

“
I know, I know,” she recognized Jeff's voice replying. “I'm working on it. Okay? This is a little know nothing town, some pesky cop probably lifted the product for his wife. It's only a matter of time. I'll get it to you, okay?”

“
You better,” the angry voice replied. “Because the boss' patience is wearing thin.”

“
I understand,” Jeff replied. “But really guys, I think you need to relax a little. Why don't we enjoy the town while we can? Let's go try out some of the local fare, it'll give me a chance to eye up the locals.”

“
I am kind of hungry,” a third quieter voice said.

“
All right then it's settled, dinner out on the town boys,” Jeff announced as if he was in charge. It sounded to Bekki like things were the other way around.

When she saw the knob on the door starting to turn she ducked for cover between some other parked cars in the parking lot. She watched through a window as Jeff B
arnes and his two supposed bodyguards climbed into one of the flashy cars and drove out of the parking lot. Bekki waited until she was sure they had turned off the street, then she stood up. She walked over to the door of the motel room and took a deep breath. She was taking a risk, she knew that, but it seemed justifiable to her. As long as Jeff was free he could hurt other people, and Nick's hands were tied, he didn't even have grounds for a search warrant. Her hands were free however, and she had developed a knack for breaking in. She was just about to attack the door with a hairpin when she heard steps behind her. Taking a sharp breath she spun around, ready to attack, only to discover the owner of the motel.

“
Bekki! I thought that was you!” he said happily as he smiled at her. “What are you doing out here?”

“
Oh I,” she thought fast. “I was visiting my old friend Jeff Barnes, earlier today, and I'm afraid I left my purse inside his room. I hurried over here to get it from him, but I'm afraid I just missed him.”

“
Oh?” Mr. Parsons shrugged. “Well, here let me open it up for you. I know you've been through a lot, losing Jasmine.”

“
Thanks Mr. Parsons,” Bekki said with a smile of gratitude. “I will lock it up on my way out, okay?”

“
Sure, sure,” he nodded and gave her shoulder a light pat. “I'm really sorry about your friend Bekki. It's a horrible thing.”

“
Yes it is,” Bekki agreed, her heart pounding as he unlocked the door for her.

“
Have a good night, and be careful Bekki, okay?” he smiled at her with genuine affection.

“
I will Mr. Parsons,” she promised and tried not to let the guilt show in her expression.

As he walked away, Bekki slipped into the motel room. She couldn't believe her luck that he would happen to spot her, but she was glad he did. It made her feel less guilty that she didn't actually break into the room. She knew that she still had to work fast. If Jeff returned and found her here, who knew what he would do.

She still couldn't figure out what was so important about the supplies that Jasmine had, but she was determined to find the shirt that had her lipstick stain on it. She headed straight for the closet. When she opened it, she found a few crisp dress shirts hanging on the wire hangers. But not one of them had a lipstick stain on the cuff. Was it possible that he had discovered how to get the stain out? The thought of the stain made her think of something else. Maybe he had tossed the shirt somewhere as dirty laundry. She began digging through the bottom of the closet. There were only a few pairs of shoes, a small suitcase and a few old boxes that likely belonged to the motel. Inside the suitcase Bekki found some clothing, but none of the shirts was the one she was looking for.

Growing more frustrated by the moment as every second that passed meant Jeff could be on his way back, Bekki headed for the trash can. Maybe there was something in there that might indicate he had something to do with Jasmine's death. As
she sorted through the garbage, she noticed something. Her fingers were smudged with ash. In fact, all of the garbage in the top of the can had been placed on top of a pile of ash in the bottom of the can. She glanced up at the ceiling to discover that the smoke detector had been tampered with. Had he burned the shirt? Maybe he spotted the lipstick smudge, or maybe he became suspicious when Nick had asked to see the cuffs of his shirt. Either way it seemed pretty clear that whatever evidence might have existed to connect Jeff to the murder had gone up in smoke.