1 Hairspray and Homicide (5 page)

"Oh yes, his name is Pete, the dry cleaner," she giggled again. “I am not sure if they were still together though. I actually saw them in the parking lot the other day having a fight. They stopped when they noticed me but I overheard something about not getting a divorce,” she said in a hushed voice.

"Hmm," Sammy smiled to herself and added an extra dollop of conditioner to the woman's hair.

Mrs. Collingswood, the pastor's wife was in Bekki's chair.

"Oh dear sweetheart, I am so sorry you're going through this tough patch, but don't you worry, God always looks out for his own," she smiled sweetly at Bekki through the mirror. Bekki arched a brow and opted not to remind Mrs. Collingswood that she had not been to church in quite some time.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," she said and forced a smile.

"Well, considering all the trouble she causes, I'm just surprised she doesn't have more enemies," Mrs. Collingswood pointed out. "Do you know she even made a pass at Mr. Collingswood once? Can you believe it? A man of God?"

Bekki was surprised by that revelation. She knew that Daisy often flirted with the husbands of many of the women in town, but she had just chalked that up to Daisy's need for attention.

"I'm sorry to hear that," she said politely and began paying closer attention to what Mrs. Collingswood was saying.

"If you ask me, the police should be looking for that lover of hers. Maybe he wanted her to get a divorce and she refused. Or maybe he had a wife!" she gasped out as if she had solved the mystery right then and there.

"Maybe," Bekki agreed quietly and finished fluffing the woman's hair. "Thank you for your support Mrs. Collingswood," she smiled at the woman through the mirror.

"You have it sweetheart," she assured her. "And the support of the whole congregation."

Bekki smiled, her heart warming at the idea of a prayer circle being conducted in her honor. It was better than the image she had of the whole town pushing her out and judging her as a killer.

When their customers had left Sammy and Bekki met in the middle of the salon.

"Did you know..."

"...that Daisy had a lover," Bekki finished for her. "I heard, I wonder who he is."

"Oh I know who it is," Sammy said in a hushed tone. "His name is Pete, and he runs the dry cleaners."

"Hi Ladies," Nick said from the doorway of the salon. He tipped his head respectfully at Sammy and then locked eyes with Bekki. "Can I speak with you please?"

"Are you here to arrest me?" Bekki asked with genuine fear in her voice. Nick swept his hand over the back of his neck and gazed down at the floor for a moment in a gesture she had memorized when they were just teens.

"No, I'm not," he said dismissively and Sammy took the hint to escape through the front door of the salon. Once they were alone in the salon the silence was deafening.

"Well?" Bekki asked, a bite in her tone. "What is it? Do you want another chance to interrogate me?"

"Bekki," he breathed with frustration. "I just need some answers."

"I didn't kill anyone, how is that not answer enough?" she snapped in return and turned away from him. It had hurt her feelings to think that he would even consider the possibility that she could do something like that.

"Of course you didn't," he said flatly. "But what am I supposed to do? I have dozens of witnesses saying you were angry with Daisy, that you intended to teach her a lesson, that you even threatened her. She was killed in the time between when you left her salon and the time you arrived at Doug's bar, so you have no alibi. She called a police officer while you were in the salon, and when he arrived, she was dead."

"I don't need one," Bekki said through gritted teeth. "I didn't kill anyone. I'm sure the forensic evidence will prove it."

"So far the only thing the forensic evidence has done is ruled you in as a suspect," he shook his head as he stepped closer to her. "They found your fingerprints at the salon, and no evidence of a break in, which indicates that Daisy knew her killer. The only other prints were from her regular customers."

"Well, did you ask her lover?" Bekki asked smugly, ignoring his attempts to meet her eyes.

"Lover?" he paused as she nodded her head.

"Don't tell me a great detective like yourself hasn't figured out yet that Daisy had a lover on the side. I think that might be motive, don't you? Or do you only look at suspects that you have latent feelings for?" she challenged him and turned to face him in the same moment. He was stunned by her words, and stammered a response out.

"Bekki, that's not fair," he warned. "I didn't target you. The evidence led to you."

"Maybe, but you should know better Nick," she shook her head as she leaned against the counter of the reception desk. "How could you even suspect that I had something to do with this?"

"Well, after what you did to those two men..." he started to say.

"No," Bekki said sternly as she looked into his eyes. "You told me that you wanted to talk. I'm talking. What I want to know is, do you really think I did this?"

Nick held her gaze, his expression unflinching as he replied. "Of course not Bekki," he said quietly. "I know that you didn't kill Daisy."

"Then you can help me prove it," Bekki suggested as she stood up from the counter and stepped closer to him. "I need your resources to look into the background of a man who runs the dry cleaners in town."

"You mean Pete?" he asked calmly. "Is he Daisy's lover?"

Bekki shrugged a little. "I'm not sure, but that's what the rumor is."

"Well, you know this town and rumors," he said carefully. "Don't get too wrapped up in them Bekki."

"Oh, I think I'm wrapped up in the one that says I'm a cold blooded killer, Nick," she said and walked him to the door of the salon. "Just find out all the information you can on him, please?" she asked and met his gaze.

"I will," Nick said and started to open the door. Then he paused and looked back at her. "Bekki, I'm going to find a way to fix all of this, I promise."

Bekki was the one who was stunned as he walked out the door. His meaningful look had left her feeling that familiar flutter in her heart. Regardless of his promise, Bekki was not going to wait for him to fix things. Instead as soon as the salon was closed for the day she headed for the dry cleaner's. Unfortunately when she arrived the store was already closed. She peered through the front window hoping to spot some movement inside. As she was jiggling the lock on the door, wondering if she could sneak inside, she heard someone walking up behind her. She spun so fast that she could have easily struck out at the person who was standing just a few inches away from her. Luckily she caught herself before she did.

“No more going it alone,” Sammy insisted as she stepped up beside her. “I'm going to make sure that I stick to you like glue.”

“That really isn't necessary,” Bekki insisted as she sighed and turned away from the shop. “It's locked anyway.”

“That's okay,” Sammy grinned. “I happen to know just where he goes for his dinner.”

“Seriously?” Bekki shook her head in wonder. “How do you know everything that goes on in this town?”

“All a girl needs are ears to listen,” Sammy smirked and offered Bekki her arm. “Nick interrupted us at the salon before I could tell you that Mrs. Culpper mentioned that she saw Daisy and Pete having a fight the other day in the parking lot,” Sammy said with a satisfied grin as they walked down the street. “She overheard them say something about a divorce.”

“Interesting,” Bekki nodded her head and smiled, “well, that definitely makes him a prime suspect.”

Chapter Five

When they arrived at the small restaurant it was not very busy. It was a little after the dinner hour and the restaurant would be closing in only an hour. Still the waitress was courteous enough to seat them.

Sammy instantly hid behind her menu and hissed to Bekki. “That's him, over there, by the window!”

Bekki glanced over at the man that Sammy was referring to. He appeared to be in his late fifties, and had thinning blonde hair sideswept across his forehead. He was dining alone from what she could tell, and didn't seem to be the least bit broken up about it.

“Bekki, don't stare!” Sammy hissed and ducked down further behind the menu. “The man could be a crazed killer, you don't want him to know that you're looking at him.”

Bekki arched an eyebrow as if considering whether she did or not. However, she lifted the menu up in front of her face just before Pete glanced over in their direction. The waitress walked over to his table and refilled his soda, before heading over to take their order.

“What's good tonight Shara?” Sammy asked with a casual smile as the waitress stood with her pen poised above paper.

“Please Sammy, you know the menu doesn't ever change,” she rolled her eyes and chomped down on a wad of gum. “So, what are you guys going to have?” she inquired, stealing a curious glance at Bekki.

“Just some soup and salad,” Sammy requested.

“I'll have the steak,” Bekki said quickly, drawing a surprised look from Sammy. “What?” Bekki frowned. “I might be dining on prison food soon, I might as well enjoy the good stuff while I can.”

Sammy looked at her friend in horror, and Shara averted her eyes as if she wasn't eating up every word.

“Don't even think that way,” Sammy insisted. Then a moment later she glanced up at the waitress. “In that case we'll both have chocolate milkshakes.”

“Great,” Bekki flashed a smile, but her attention was still focused on Pete. “Is that gentleman over there having the steak?” she asked casually.

“Pete?” Shara glanced over at him. “Oh no, he's a beef stew all the way.”

“Really, not eating anything different tonight?” Bekki inquired curiously.

"Oh Pete?" Shara shrugged her shoulders mildly. "He's hungry as ever," she glanced between the two women and then lowered her voice. "I guess we all grieve just a little differently, you know."

"Oh, is he grieving?" Bekki asked as if she knew nothing about the situation.

"Well, the story goes this gal came back from New York City with a bone to pick with Daisy, she runs a salon in town. Anyway, this gal apparently offed Daisy, which is terrible enough, but poor Pete over there well, rumor is he had a thing with Daisy," she lowered her voice even further if that was possible. "Even though Daisy was married!"

"Shocking," Sammy said with an exaggerated gasp.

"Disturbing," Bekki shuddered slightly and lowered her eyes. She was glad that Shara had not recognized her, although Bekki did remember babysitting her as a kid.

"All so sad," Shara shook her head. "I mean, our town is usually so safe, too bad the riff raff always find their way in."

"Home you mean," Bekki said and locked eyes with the waitress.

"Sure, home," Shara nodded and then tapped her order pad. "I'll just get these orders in for you, back in a few minutes."

"Thanks," Sammy called out. Bekki and Sammy exchanged a long glance. So, it was not just a story about Bekki being arrested, but a certainty that she had committed the crime. That would be a lot harder to fight against, especially if the crime went all the way to court, and her fate was to be decided by a jury of her peers.

"I'm going to go talk to him," Bekki suddenly said, her heart pounding against her chest.

"What?" Sammy's eyes widened. "You can't Bekki! What if he knows who you are? What if he gets scared and decides to hurt you?"

Just as Bekki was starting to stand up, she saw Teddy walk into the restaurant. She sat down quickly and picked up the menu to hide her face. When Sammy saw Teddy she did the same.

"Oh my gosh, what is he doing here?" Sammy murmured as she ducked down further.

Teddy glanced around the restaurant a few times, as if assessing who was present, then walked slowly up to Pete's table. The men spoke too low for them to over hear their words, but their physical gestures explained a lot. Teddy paused beside the table and laid one hand on the top of it. Pete looked up at him and his ruddy cheeks went pale as he recognized the man. Teddy uttered a few calm words, though his fingertips were turning white from pressing so hard on the top of the table. Bekki braced herself, expecting a fight to break out at any moment, but instead, Pete gestured for Teddy to sit down. Teddy sat down across from the man who was known around town to be his dead wife's lover. They continued to speak quietly, their expressions not giving much away as to what they were discussing.

"Oh poor Teddy, he must not have any idea," Sammy shook her head as she glanced over at Bekki. "Can you imagine sharing a table with the man who killed the love of your life?"

Bekki shook her head slowly. Something was not sitting right with her. She was dying to hear exactly what the two men were saying. She was just about to stand up and see if she could get a closer table, when Shara returned with their meals.

"Here you go," she smiled at each of them, as if expecting more girl talk.

"Thanks," Bekki said in a rushed voice as she tried to peer around Shara to Pete's table. By the time the waitress walked away, Teddy was gone, and Pete was picking at his food again.

"That's it," Bekki said sternly and tossed her napkin down. "I'm going to find out what they were talking about."

"No," Sammy pleaded and tried to grab Bekki's hand to stop her, but Bekki ignored her. She strode right up to Pete's table and sat down across from him. Pete's mouth dropped open, dribbling a bit of his stew from his bottom lip as he met her fierce blue eyes.

"B-bekki," he stammered. He remembered her better than she expected, which she thought was fairly odd since she could not recall their lives crossing paths too often even when she was a child.

"Pete," she replied and glanced quickly around the restaurant before leaning across the table. "I'm sorry for your loss," she said carefully, wanting to gauge his emotional reaction. His expression shifted swiftly, in such a way that she did not expect. Instead of appearing grief stricken, or even guilty, he seemed to become enraged.

"How dare you?" he shouted and shoved his chair back from the table. "How dare you sit at my table after what you did to Daisy?"