Read Online 5 Conditioner and a Corpse by Cindy Bell - Free Book Online Page B

a millionaire,” she added as she paid her bill. Or a murderer, Bekki thought to herself but she bit her tongue. She never felt the need to prove herself to anyone, and was always very respectful to the ladies that frequented the salon, many had been customers before Bekki was even born.
    “ I'll take that into consideration Mrs. Potts,” Bekki said with a smile as she handed her the receipt. “Don't forget to come in for a trim.”
    “ I won't,” Mrs. Potts smiled and left the salon. Bekki stared after her with a sinking feeling. Jeff was still targeting her. She could only hope that he didn't notice the smudges of ash on the phone or that his closet had been disturbed.
    “ Aren't you supposed to be meeting Nick for dinner?” Sammy reminded her as she walked over with Morris on her arm.
    “ Sure but not until seven,” Bekki glanced down at her watch and was surprised to see it was already after six. “I guess it's time to close up,” she said.
    “ I've got to get back to the station before my shift is over,” Morris explained. “You both be careful and call me if anything strange happens.”
    “ We will,” Sammy promised. Then with a pink glow in her cheeks she planted a kiss on his cheek. He was soon blushing too as he waved goodbye and walked out of the salon.
    “ Well, isn't that sweet,” Bekki grinned. “Looks like you've got someone to protect you now, too.”
    “ It's nice, isn't it?” Sammy said with a slight shrug.
    Bekki looked up at the brand new lock on the door, and thought of Nick waiting for her, cooking up something delicious in the kitchen, and then smiled as she nodded. “Yes, yes it is.”
     
    ***
     
    When Bekki arrived at Nick's house for dinner, she could smell the garlic from outside the front door. Her mouth watered as Nick knew that Bekki loved pasta. Bekki was slender, but not because of her diet, she liked to eat. She opened the door and stepped inside to hear a lovely classical tune playing on his stereo system. She followed the delicious aroma of pasta into the kitchen, and when she rounded the corner she was met with a shocking surprise. Nick, in a white apron, was stumbling backwards. The apron was soaked with crimson across his chest.
    “ Nick?” Bekki gasped as she rushed into the kitchen. “Are you okay?”
    He caught his balance on the kitchen island and sighed as he nodded. “Had a bit of a spaghetti sauce mishap,” he explained sheepishly. Only then did Bekki notice the sauce splattered on the counter and the bottle laying on the floor of the kitchen. She sighed with relief and helped him to take off the apron. “How do you feel about Alfredo?” he asked with a lopsided grin.
    “ Anything will be wonderful,” Bekki said with confidence as she laid her hands gently against his chest and leaned up for a kiss. She felt his muscles relax beneath her hands as the kiss grew sultry and deep. When she pulled away he was smiling dreamily at her.
    “ Let me help you clean this up,” Bekki offered as she reached for a roll of paper towels.
    “ No way,” he said sternly. “You've done enough cleaning at the salon recently. I'll take care of this, you just take this to the living room and relax,” he poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her.
    “ Thanks,” she smiled and carried the wine into the living room. She did feel relaxed being with Nick, she had always felt a sense of safety and comfort with him. A few minutes later he joined her in the living room.
    “ Dinner will be ready soon,” he promised as he dropped down onto the couch beside her and draped his arm across her shoulders. “How was work today?” he questioned.
    “ It was busy, which was a nice distraction,” she replied.
    ‘W hat are you not telling me,” he looked over at her with a sweet smile. Bekki was surprised by this, she didn't think he suspected anything.
    “ How did you know?” she frowned.
    “ I am a detective after all,” he pointed out, and the smile still played on