Treated and Dyed (A Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mystery Book 13) (4 page)

When Bekki woke up the next morning, she noticed that Nick had already gone. This wasn't unusual as he sometimes got called in early, especially when he was working a case. She wondered if it was because of some kind of development in the Black case. As she dressed she thought of Stella again and the possibility that she was poisoned. It made her uneasy to think that someone could be killed so easily.

As Bekki drove to the salon she noticed that the sidewalks on main street were a little busier than usual. She guessed that everyone had come up with some kind of reason to head to the main part of town so that they could discuss what had happened to Stella. Bekki pulled into the parking lot of the salon and noticed that Sammy had already turned the sign to open. She opened the door and stepped inside to find her best friend wiping down the front counter.

“Morning Bekki,” she said warmly. Bekki noticed that there was a cheerful vase of bright yellow daffodils on the counter.

“Morning Sammy,” Bekki said and gave her friend a quick hug. “Nice flowers.”

“Aren't they pretty?” Sammy asked with a smile. “Nancy is dropping them off to each of the shops on the strip in honor of Stella.”

“How lovely,” Bekki said. She felt genuinely warmed by the gesture. Nick had been right. The town had snapped out of its state of shock and Stella's memory would be honored. “I can't imagine we have many appointments for today,” Bekki said as she began looking through the appointment book.

“I've had two cancellations this morning, so I think we'll mainly be looking at walk-ins,” Sammy said. She was sweeping the floor though there wasn't much to sweep. Sammy always liked to keep busy, even if she could just as easily be lounging in a chair waiting for a customer to show up. Bekki closed the appointment book and walked over to the counter where she had left Stella's purse.

“Well, then I might run this purse over to Jodie. I meant to take it to her last night but I forgot to bring it with me,” Bekki said.

“Sure, I don't think we're going to be busy at all.”

Bekki turned towards Sammy in time to see Sammy walking towards the water cooler. She grabbed one of the paper cups from the dispenser and began filling the cup with water. Bekki stood frozen in place. Her reaction hadn't caught up with her thoughts, until she saw the filled paper cup in Sammy's hand. Suddenly she lunged forward.

“No, Sammy don't drink that!” she shouted. Sammy looked up at her with surprise. Bekki slapped the paper cup out of Sammy's hand. The cup tumbled to the floor and the water it contained splashed across the tiles.

“Bekki, what are you doing?” Sammy demanded. Her question was punctuated by someone clearing their throat. Bekki looked up and over at Nick and his new partner, Dave, who were standing just inside the door.

“Something wrong with the water?” Dave asked. The way he pronounced the word 'water' made his New York accent very clear.

“I just didn't think it was a good idea for her to drink it,” Bekki explained. Sammy was still staring at her in a state of shock. Nick's features crumpled into a grimace and he reached up to sweep his hair away from his eyes.

“We need to ask you a few questions, Bekki,” he said calmly.

“I need to ask you a few questions,” Dave corrected Nick. “Nick's a little too close to you, don't you think, Bekki?” he asked.

“Why yes, Dave, I guess being married we would be a bit close,” Bekki responded. She caught a glint in Nick's eyes at the tone of her voice. Dave had only been partners with Nick for a few weeks, but Bekki was having a hard time tolerating him. He had a brash attitude and seemed to think he was the best detective in the world since he used to work in the city. Dave either didn't notice Bekki's cynicism in her response, or he didn't care because he only nodded.

“Good then, can we speak in private?”

“Yes,” Bekki agreed.

“We'll just be out front,” Nick said and held the door open for Sammy. Sammy glanced over her shoulder at Bekki. She whispered to Nick as they stepped outside but Bekki could still hear her.

“Do you think it's safe to leave them alone together?”

Bekki tried not to smirk.

“The situation is that Stella Black did not die of natural causes. We suspect that she may have been poisoned by something that she ingested. Did you notice what she ate or drank while she was in the salon?” he asked. His coal black eyes were stern as he studied her.

“The water,” Bekki said quietly. “I gave her a cup of water from the water cooler.”

“This water cooler?” Dave asked. He pointed to the only water cooler in the salon.

“Yes,” Bekki replied. She gritted her teeth to keep from pointing out that it was the only water cooler.

“So, that's why you were concerned about your co-worker drinking the water?” Dave asked.

“My best friend, and yes,” Bekki said.

“You already suspected that the water might be poisoned?” Dave asked and walked towards the water cooler. “Why would you think that?”

“I didn't really think it. Nick mentioned that you were coming to the salon today as Stella might not have died from natural causes, and when Sammy filled up a cup of the water I remembered giving Stella a cup. I just thought it was better to be safe,” Bekki explained.

“Oh?” Dave turned back to face her. “So, you didn't poison the water?”

Bekki scowled at him. She wanted him to know that she didn't appreciate the question.

“No Dave, I didn't poison the water,” Bekki replied.

“We'll just have to check that out,” Dave said. “This entire salon is now considered a crime scene. You'll have to close until further notice. Do you have any problem with cooperating with the investigation?”

“Of course not,” Bekki said. She crossed her arms and watched Dave like a hawk. He was looking at everything in the salon. He picked up shampoos and hair gels and sniffed at them as if he suspected something.

“She didn't eat or drink anything else?” Dave asked. He paused in the middle of the salon. Nick peered through the glass door at the two. Bekki reminded herself to be on her best behavior. As much as she was beginning to dislike Dave, she didn't want to cause any trouble between Nick and his partner.

“Actually, she did have one of her candies,” Bekki said. She walked over to the counter where she had stored Stella's purse. “The paramedics left this here yesterday. I meant to give it to her daughter last night,” Bekki said. She turned around with the purse to find Dave standing directly in front of her. He was a broad man. Nick was lean and muscular, but Dave was bulky, like a bouncer at a club. Bekki hadn't really noticed that he could be a little intimidating until that moment. “The candies are in her purse,” she said. She held it out to him.

“We'll need to take that,” Dave said. He took the purse from her. “Did you take anything out of here?”

“Did I steal from a dead woman?” Bekki suddenly said. Nick swung the door open in the same moment. Bekki guessed that he had noticed her tense expression.

“I didn't say that,” Dave said. He moved away from her a few steps. “I just meant, it's important that we have everything that was on her person the day of her death.”

“That's all I have,” Bekki said. She made sure her tone was calmer. Nick paused beside Dave.

“Everything okay here?” he asked.

“Looks like we might have a few possibilities of where the poison came from,” Dave said. “We'll need to test the water in the water cooler, and there are some candies in this purse that Bekki says Stella ate.”

“You didn't eat any, did you?” Nick asked. There was urgency in his eyes as he looked at her. “Or drink any of the water?”

“No,” Bekki replied quickly.

“I'll give you a minute,” Dave said. “But it would probably be best if you weren't here while the scene is processed.”

Bekki nodded. Dave stepped outside where Sammy was still waiting.

“He is quite charming,” Bekki said.

“He's a good detective,” Nick assured her.

“I can't believe that she was poisoned. Do you really think it could have been in the water, Nick? Sammy almost drank it!”

“Shh, it's okay,” Nick hugged her. “I'm sure it wasn't in the water. How would anyone get it in there? You opened the salon yesterday, right? You were alone here?”

“Yes,” Bekki nodded.

“Then it's fine,” Nick said. “She could have had some tea at breakfast that had slow-acting poison in it. She could have even taken some tainted medication. We'll know more when the tox screen comes back. For now, we're just being extra cautious. We don't want anyone else getting hurt.”

“That's good,” Bekki nodded. “Do you think you'll be home for dinner tonight?”

“I hope so,” he said. He kissed her forehead lightly. “Don't let Dave get to you. He's just a little…”

“A little what?” Dave said. He closed the door behind him.

“Traditional,” Nick said.

“If you mean I don't go around fondling my wife on the clock, sure,” Dave said. He winked lightly at Bekki. Bekki glared in return.

“That's because no one's stupid enough to marry you,” Nick said. Both men chuckled. Bekki realized she had taken Dave's comment too seriously.

“Can't blame a woman for not having good taste,” Dave said.

Bekki couldn't help but smile a little.

“I'll see you at home, Bekki,” Nick said and kissed her cheek once more. Bekki stepped out of the salon to find Sammy waiting for her.

“That guy sure is a piece of work,” Sammy said. “I don't know how Nick puts up with him all day.”

“Maybe he's nicer than he seems,” Bekki offered but she wasn't convinced. “We have to shut down the salon while they process the scene, do you want to have lunch?”

“It's a little early,” Sammy pointed out.

“Brunch then?” Bekki smiled.

“Sounds good,” Sammy agreed and they said their good-byes.

As Bekki and Sammy walked down the sidewalk in the direction of Angela's Bakery, Bekki noticed several people peering through the windows of their shops, or stepping out onto the sidewalk to gawk at the police cars in the parking lot of the salon.

“Looks like everyone wants to know what is happening,” Bekki said quietly to Sammy.

“It's the biggest event in town,” Sammy said. She had a touch of bitterness in her voice.

Bekki knew that horrible events grabbed the attention of a small town. Even though she had been back home for so long she was still fending off questions about how she could leave her family behind and disappear to New York City.

“I'm sure once they've figured out who did this, everyone will settle down,” Bekki said.

“Unless they don't find out,” Sammy said. She opened the door to Angela's Bakery for Bekki. “Then it'll be town folklore.”

As Bekki stepped inside she could see that the bakery was busy. It was the transition time between the breakfast foods available and the lunches that Angela's offered. Bekki wasn't feeling very hungry, but she was looking forward to spending time with Sammy. As she selected a sandwich Sammy chose a salad. One of the clerks behind the counter handed them trays with their food on it. Angela was tied up at the register with customers leaving from breakfast. Bekki and Sammy carried their food to a high, wooden table. The seats were also high with thick, brown cushions. Bekki tried to relax and get comfortable, but her mind kept skipping back to the salon. It annoyed her to think of Dave roaming through the salon.

“I bet Dave is touching everything,” she said. She sighed and stared down into her mug of coffee.

“Hopefully, he'll do a good job,” Sammy said. She was always trying to look at the positive side since she was so happy with her boyfriend, Morris. As a patrol officer he had been trained by Nick and it wasn't long before he and Sammy had fallen for one another. Bekki was pleased to see her friend so happy, but she didn't feel quite as positive about what was happening back at the salon.

“I'm sure he's doing a good job, I just can't seem to bring myself to trust him,” Bekki said. “Maybe it's because he reminds me of the city so much. I don't know.”

“He's no charmer,” Sammy said. “He has a rough way about him. You're spoiled by Nick, he's such a gentleman.”

“He is,” Bekki smiled a little. “I'm looking forward to spoiling him a little tonight.”

“I'm sure he's going to need it at after working with Dave on the case all day,” Sammy said. “So, tell me everything that Dave had to say,” Sammy said. “Obviously there's a lot more going on here than a simple heart attack.”

“Yes,” Bekki sighed. “They've opened a murder investigation.”

“Murder?” Sammy gasped. “They don't suspect you, do they?”

“No,” Bekki shook her head. “At least I don't think so. But they do think that she was poisoned.”

“How frightening. Oh!” Sammy stared at her with wide eyes. “That's why you smacked the water out of my hand.”

“Yes,” Bekki replied. “I didn't think it was the source of the poison, but I'm not taking any chances when it comes to you.”

“Thanks,” Sammy said. “I can't believe I almost drank that. Do they have any suspicions as to what might have been poisoned?”

“I don't think they've narrowed it down yet,” Bekki said. “But she only drank the water at the salon and ate one of her candies.”

“Oh, those candies are so good,” Sammy moaned. “I love it when she leaves a few behind.”

“She offered me one, but I have to say, I'm pretty glad I didn't take it,” Bekki said. “Could you imagine if it was the candy that was poisoned?”

“How can you even poison candy?” Sammy asked.

“I’m not sure,” Bekki shrugged.

“What kind of sick person would poison candy anyway?” Sammy said. She clucked her tongue lightly and then lowered her voice as a group of people had walked through the door. “Whoever did this had to be getting something out of it, Stella was loaded.”

“The only person that would probably benefit from Stella's death is her daughter,” Bekki pointed out.

“What did you think when you went to see her?” Sammy asked.

“Not much. She was drunk. She didn't make much sense, and by the time I left she had passed out,” she frowned. As Bekki recounted the story of the night before, she suddenly recalled the empty bag of candy in Jodie’s garbage.

“Well, I guess the one that would stand to benefit the most would be Jodie,” Sammy said. She finished her food and began sipping at her coffee.

“What did you say?” Bekki asked. She looked up at her and attempted to focus on Sammy's words. The memory of the empty candy bag had left her distracted.

“I'm sure that her daughter will inherit everything,” Sammy shrugged. “I mean, Stella had no other family to leave it to.”

Bekki bristled slightly. She recalled Hattie O’Neal gossiping about the difficult financial position that Jodie's husband had put them in.

“Maybe,” Bekki said quietly. She wondered if what she had seen the night before hadn't really been a drunken haze as a result of grief but was the result of her guilt. “But she would have stood to inherit that money no matter when her mother died. I'm sure that Stella would have helped her out if she really needed it.”

“That's not what I hear,” Sammy said. She took a sip of her drink, then put her mug back down on the table. “She was hard on Jodie. She sent her to boarding school when she was young.”

“How did you find out about that?” Bekki asked.

“It's all everyone is talking about,” Sammy said. “I don't think that there is an iota of Stella and Jodie's life that isn't being examined today.”

“I remember that she didn't go to school locally, but I just assumed she went to a private school. I can't imagine being separated from my mother so young.”

“Well, Stella was not like your mother,” Sammy pointed out.

“I guess,” Bekki said quietly.

“How are you doing with all of this, Bekki?” Sammy asked. “I can't believe that you were with her when she passed.”

“That's the thing, I wasn't,” Bekki frowned. “Maybe I would feel better if I had been there with her when it happened, but I had gone into the storage room to get her favorite shampoo. I wasn't there when she actually died. I hate to think of someone dying in the salon.”

“I know it's hard, Bekki, but the important thing is that she was in one of her favorite places. You know how much she looked forward to her visit with you,” Sammy said. “I'm sure she was the happiest she could be.”

“I hope so,” Bekki said.

“Try not to dwell on it too much,” Sammy warned. “If you get caught up in it, you won't be able to think clearly. I might have a lot of faith in Nick and Morris, but you and I both know that you've got a knack for solving mysteries, too.”

“Sometimes,” Bekki agreed. “But I'm not sure that I have a clue this time.”

“Do you two need anything else?” Angela asked. She paused beside their table.

“No, I think we're done,” Bekki said. She handed Angela money to cover the check.

“Thanks, I'll be right back with your change,” Angela said.

“Have you talked to Stella's lawyer?” Sammy suddenly asked.

“Should I have?” Bekki asked. “Do you know who he is?”

“Actually, I do,” Sammy replied. “Morris has worked with him on a few cases. He's from Lightbrough and handles a lot of the wealthy citizens of Harroway and the surrounding towns. He might have some insight.”

“That's a good idea, Sammy,” Bekki said. “He might be able to tell me if Stella had a problem with anyone lately, if they had maybe been threatening her.”

As they stood to walk towards the exit of the bakery the door swung open. Bekki's mother, Marie, stepped through the door.

“Mama, hi,” Bekki said. She hugged her. Sammy gave her a tight hug as well. “How are you?” Bekki asked.

“I’m fine,” Marie replied. “I was more concerned about you.”

“I'm okay,” Bekki assured her. “Sammy and I just had brunch since they closed the salon for the investigation into Stella’s death. I wish I had known you were going to be out and about today,” Bekki said. “We could have all had brunch together.”

“Oh, it's okay, another time,” Marie said with a sad smile. “I'm just here to talk to Angela about making arrangements for a memorial for Stella tonight.”

“That's such a good idea,” Bekki said warmly. “It's nice of you to do that.”

“Stella deserves to be honored,” Marie said. “She had a rougher time than people know, and she's always tried to be fair even though she could be a little tough.”

“More than a little, so I hear,” Bekki said.

“Well, it couldn't have been easy for her,” Marie said. “Anyway, I was also going to stop over at Get and Go to check on Holly.”

“Holly Smith? Why?” Bekki asked.

“I stopped in there a few days ago and she was so upset. I tried to get her to talk to me, but she's so private. With Stella dying, I just thought it might be a good idea to stop in and see if she's doing okay,” Marie explained.

“That's nice of you,” Sammy said.

“Running a business is never easy,” Marie said.

“I can stop in and check on her if you'd like, Ma,” Bekki said. “I wanted to pick up some wine for dinner tonight anyway.”

“That would be great,” Marie smiled. “It would give me more time to plan the memorial with Angela.”

“Let me know if you need help with anything,” Bekki said. “The salon is closed while the police investigate.”

“So, it's true?” Marie asked with surprise. “I thought everything I was hearing about Stella being murdered was rumors and gossip.”

“It looks like she was poisoned,” Bekki said in a lowered voice. “I'll let you know if I find out anything more from Nick.”

“Please do,” Marie nodded. Her normally cheerful expression was troubled. “Stella didn't deserve that. She was a strong and determined woman. If someone killed her they must be brought to justice.”

“I agree,” Bekki nodded.

“I'll talk to you later, sweetheart,” Marie said as Bekki and Sammy walked to the door.

“Are you making Nick a special dinner?” Sammy asked as they stepped outside.

“It's just my way of saying thanks. He is always making an effort to make me feel special, so I figured it was time to return the favor,” Bekki smiled.

“Sounds good to me. Morris and I are spending the afternoon together in Springfield,” she said.

“Fun! Antiquing?” Bekki asked.

“Probably more like wondering and grazing the food carts,” Sammy admitted with a laugh.

“Either way I'm sure it will be great,” Bekki grinned. She hugged her friend goodbye and then began walking towards the Get and Go. The convenience store itself had been a fixture of the main street for decades. When Bekki's father had owned it, it was called Harroway Shop. When Hattie purchased it from him she had named it Hattie's Place. She had eventually sold it to Stella, who then rented it out to Holly. Bekki had to admit that she liked Holly's name choice the best. It described exactly what the shop was, a place to get what you needed and go on your way.

When she reached the store Bekki noticed that there was a for rent sign in the window. She was a little surprised by that. Bekki stepped inside the shop. She noticed that there was a customer at the register with Holly. As she waited for Holly to finish with the customer she began browsing the aisles. She lingered in the candy aisle as she noticed a display for the candy that Stella liked so much. It was the only box on the rack that was empty. When she heard the tinkle of the bell over the door she turned back towards the register. Holly was straightening the small items beside the register.

“Hi Holly,” Bekki said as she walked up to the counter.

“Hi,” Holly replied with a tight smile. “Is there anything that I can help you with?”

“Are you moving out?” Bekki asked. “I noticed the for rent sign in the window.” Bekki peered behind the counter to see if there were any moving boxes lined up. She didn't see anything but extra stock behind the counter.

“No, I'm not moving,” Holly said. “That's just one of Stella's scare tactics.”

“Oh?” Bekki asked. She hesitated a moment. She wondered if it was possible that Holly hadn't heard about Stella's death.

“Nothing to take seriously,” Holly added. “So, was there something you were looking for in particular?”

“I just wanted to check in really,” Bekki said. “With everything that was happening.”

“You mean you came in to gossip?” Holly asked. “I'm sorry I don't know anything about what happened to Stella.”

Bekki was somewhat taken aback by the woman's words. “I didn't come in to gossip. I was with Stella when she passed away. I just wanted to see how you were doing. My mother mentioned that you were quite upset the last time she stopped in.”

“Yes, well I've been quite upset for some time,” Holly admitted. “I am constantly having to deal with issues with this place.”

“I see,” Bekki said. “Was it hard working with Stella?”