Bekki the Beautician 10 - Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer Read online

  Cosmetics, a Cruise and a Killer

  A Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mystery

  Cindy Bell

  Copyright © 2014 Cindy Bell

  All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

  All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter One

  Bekki had been staring out the large front window of the salon, thinking of how the day would unfold, when her cell phone began to ring shrilly. She was startled out of her contemplative state, and rushed over to answer it. When she saw the name on the phone she gasped with surprise, and smiled.

  “Hello?” she said swiftly as she answered the phone.

  “Hi Bekki, it's Andrea Mayfield,” a familiar voice responded.

  “Andrea, it's so good to hear from you!” Bekki said happily. “It's been so long!”

  “I know, too long, I'm sorry I haven't been in touch, but ever since you moved back to Harroway my life has been a little crazy,” she admitted with a soft laugh.

  “Mine, too,” Bekki laughed as well as she thought of all the changes that had happened in her life since moving away from New York City and back to her home town. “What's going on with you?” Bekki asked eagerly.

  “Well, remember how I wanted to open a little salon of my own?” Andrea asked.

  “Sure,” Bekki nodded. She and Andrea had spent a lot of time talking about what it was like to own a salon, since Bekki had grown up in the one her mother had owned, and had now given to her to run.

  “Well, I did open a little salon,” Andrea laughed a little. “Only it was on a cruise ship. Now I've got six different salons on different cruise ships.”

  “Wow! That's amazing!” Bekki said happily. “What a great idea!”

  “Well, I thought it was,” Andrea said with stress entering her voice. “But it's actually very difficult to always keep them fully staffed. If someone calls in sick I need to find someone to cover for them before the ship departs.”

  “That must be stressful,” Bekki said with a frown.

  “It is,” Andrea agreed. “Which brings me to the reason I called you.”

  “Oh?” Bekki asked with interest.

  “I need to fill in some spots on a cruise that is leaving from Parkdon, in two days,” she explained quickly. “I need someone with management experience. I don't know anyone from Parkdon, but that's not too far from you is it, Bekki?”

  Bekki's eyes widened. “No, it's about thirty minutes,” Bekki replied.

  “Well, what do you think, Bekki? I know you're running your own salon now, so the answer is probably no, but I just thought I'd try. The cruise is a short one, and everything would be covered, food, boarding, everything.”

  Bekki was surprised by the offer. Her initial thought was that it wouldn't be possible. But the more she thought about it, the more she didn't see a reason to say no. It was only for a few days after all, and could be a very fun experience.

  “Andrea, thank you so much for thinking of me. What a fantastic opportunity,” Bekki said happily into the phone as she straightened up the front desk of the salon.

  “I honestly couldn't think of anyone better to fill in the position, but I know it's last minute,” Andrea explained. “I understand if you can't do it.”

  Bekki swept her gaze over the empty, still quiet salon. She knew it wouldn't be quiet for long, soon it would be bustling with locals who needed their curls spruced or a summer cut. She loved running the salon but a change of pace would be very nice. She was also feeling a little antsy lately. She missed the uncertainty of living in the city, where anything could happen at any moment. In Harroway it seemed as if everything was routine. She had even fallen into a routine with her husband, Nick, who was a police detective. They woke up in the morning together, they shared breakfast, they kissed goodbye and went their separate ways. It was lovely, but it was always the same.

  “I can make it happen,” Bekki finally answered as she smiled. “Just let me make some arrangements and I’ll get back to you today to confirm.”

  “Fantastic!” Andrea cried out happily. “The ship sets sail on Thursday,” she paused a moment and then added. “If you have anyone else you can bring we have one other spot to fill. Is there a stylist in your shop that might join you?”

  “Absolutely,” Bekki replied as she thought of her best friend, Sammy. She and Sammy had been best friends as kids, but when Bekki had moved to New York City they had grown apart. Since she had been back in Harroway they had picked up their friendship once more, and Bekki couldn't imagine going on a cruise without her.

  After Bekki hung up the phone she barely had a moment to think about the cruise before her first customer walked in. As she got busy with the first cut of the day, she nearly forgot about the cruise until Sammy walked in. She smiled at Bekki.

  “Good morning,” she called out and set down a cup of coffee for Bekki.

  “Good morning, Sammy, boy do I have a surprise for you,” Bekki grinned mischievously and finished the final touches on the haircut.

  “Why does that frighten me?” Sammy asked half-heartedly. Bekki could tell that she was not feeling as cheerful as she was trying to make herself appear. When Bekki finished with the customer, Sammy's phone began to ring. She looked at the name on her phone, hesitated for a moment, and then answered.

  “Hi, Morris,” she said quietly. “I've been trying to reach you,” she paused a moment and sighed. “Yes, I know you're busy,” she admitted. “I was just hoping you could make tonight instead…” she stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. “Right, you already have plans, okay,” she said with a hard edge to her voice. “Well, then why don't you call me when you’ve got time for me, I mean if you want to,” she added and hung up before Morris could answer her.

  Bekki stood a few feet away from Sammy. She didn't want her friend to think that she had been eavesdropping, even though she had been.

  When she saw Sammy's shoulders begin to shake, she stepped up behind her.

  “Sammy? Are you okay?” she asked softly and touched her lightly on the shoulder.

  “I'm sorry,” Sammy sniffled and wiped at her eyes. Then she slid her phone back into her pocket. “I didn't mean to bother you.”

  “You didn't bother me,” Bekki insisted and pulled her friend into a hug. “What's going on? Problems with Morris?”

  “Yesterday, he canceled another date we had planned,” Sammy shook her head slowly and sighed. “I guess I just need to face the facts.”

  “What facts?” Bekki asked as she frowned. Seeing Sammy who usually h
ad a cheerful disposition so upset was hard.

  “Morris is much younger than I am,” Sammy pursed her lips and walked over to the front window of the salon.

  “Only by a few years, Sammy, that's not a huge difference,” Bekki protested.

  “It is to a man,” Sammy sighed and shook her head. “I don't know what I was thinking. When we first started seeing each other I told myself it was just for fun, and not to take it too seriously. But,” she frowned as she turned to face Bekki again. “I just couldn't help it. He's such a good man, and so kind and attentive. He's everything I've been hoping for.”

  “So, what's the problem?” Bekki asked incredulously. “I've seen Morris with you, I know he cares about you,” Bekki said firmly.

  “Yes, I thought so, too,” Sammy's voice hardened slightly. “But I know the signs when a man is no longer interested. They stop calling, texting, dates get canceled, they always seem too busy for you. Have you seen the newest rookie at the department?” Sammy asked with a hint of jealousy. “She's quite beautiful.”

  “Oh, Sammy, I'm sure that's not what is going on with him,” Bekki said sternly, but as soon as the words left her lips she regretted speaking them. She would hate to tell Sammy something that wasn't true. The behavior that she had described was pretty good evidence of a man who had lost interest. But Bekki couldn't believe it. Morris nearly tripped over himself with nervousness whenever he was around Sammy. It was only recently that he had seemed more comfortable and secure around her.

  “Bekki,” Sammy gasped out as she tried to hold back the tears that were forming in her eyes. “I think he's seeing someone else.”

  “What?” Bekki asked with surprise. “What makes you think that? Just because there's a new rookie? Morris wouldn't do that. He wouldn't still be dating you and seeing someone else, too.”

  “Why not?” Sammy asked with a shrug. “We never said we were exclusive. I was so stupid, I didn't even think it needed to be said. We've never had that talk about what we want from our relationship, and now, he's moved on.”

  “I'm sorry, Sammy,” Bekki sighed and walked over to her friend to hug her again. “I know it hurts when it seems like someone you care about is pulling away.”

  “It's okay,” Sammy frowned as she pulled away from Bekki. “I should have seen it coming. He's handsome, young, wears a uniform, why would he want to be with an old lady like me?” she asked and shook her head.

  “Hey, watch it!” Bekki snapped and laughed a little. “You're the same age as me. Besides, Morris isn't that much younger than you, and even if he was it wouldn't matter. I've seen the way he looks at you, Sammy. I really think that maybe there's some confusion going on.”

  “Confusion?” Sammy shook her head and crossed her arms. “I don't think there's anything confusing about the last three dates we planned being canceled. I don't want to force myself on anyone. I'm done with this.”

  “Sammy,” Bekki pleaded and grabbed her hand tightly with her own. “Don't panic, okay?” she asked as she looked into her friend's eyes. “Maybe you just need a little break, some time away?” she suggested.

  “What do you mean?” Sammy asked, her eyes still glistening with tears.

  “The surprise I have for you is that I just got an offer from an old friend to step in as the stylist on a cruise ship, and she asked if I had anyone that I could bring with me and of course I thought of you,” Bekki smiled at her, hoping that the news would cheer Sammy up. “It'll only be for a week, but maybe some fresh air and some time away will help you sort out everything that's going on. Plus,” Bekki lowered her voice with a growing smile, “It'll give us a little girl time, no boys allowed!”

  “Hmm,” Sammy thought about this for a moment and then slowly nodded. “That sounds perfect,” she began to smile. “What better place to drum up some new interest than a cruise ship?”

  “Wait, what?” Bekki shook her head quickly. “That's not what I meant.”

  “Well, it's what I mean,” Sammy said sternly. “Morris isn't the only fish in the sea you know, there are plenty of other men that I could be with,” she said, attempting to sound confident. Bekki could tell that the confidence was fake. Sammy had always been a little insecure about her looks despite the fact that she was beautiful. Bekki knew that Morris' behavior was probably a big blow to the confidence she was beginning to build up. Bekki’s protective instincts made her want to march right down to the police station and demand to know just what Morris was thinking. But she knew that her instincts sometimes led her astray of the right thing to do.

  “All right,” Bekki said with a sigh, she wanted to be supportive of her friend. “If that's what you want then I'm sure a cruise ship will be a great opportunity.”

  “It is,” Sammy said with a reassuring nod. “How exciting,” she added as she started to genuinely cheer up. “But what about the salon?” she furrowed a brow. “Who's going to run it while we are gone?”

  “I'm sure that my mom wouldn't mind taking over,” Bekki suggested with a mild smile. “My dad has been trying to get her interested in woodworking and other projects, so I bet she would enjoy the escape. We can keep the schedule light for the time we're gone.”

  “That sounds so great,” Sammy sighed happily as she nodded. “I think I could use an escape myself.”

  As they spent the rest of the day catering to customers, Bekki's mind kept traveling back to Morris. She was not usually a bad judge of character. She didn't think Morris gave any signs of being a player, but maybe she had overlooked them because he had tried so hard while Nick was training him. It was hard for her not to be angry about it as she felt protective of Sammy.

  ***

  When Bekki arrived home that night she found Nick cooking a delicious dinner. She smiled as she watched him fuss over the boiling pots on the stove. It never failed that when she had the chance to slow down and observe him she felt like the luckiest woman on earth. It wasn't just because he was handsome, it was because it seemed as if with everything he did, he thought of her as well.

  “Hi babe,” she said as she walked up beside him and took a deep breath of the aroma that was drifting off the cooking food. “Smells delicious.”

  “It will be, if I don't burn it,” he chuckled and leaned over to kiss her. When she pulled away from him she realized for the first time that she might not enjoy the cruise as much without him. The idea of sailing the seas, and seeing paradise seemed much more pleasurable if Nick was with her.

  “Any chance you could get some time off work?” she asked hopefully, though she already knew the answer. Nick arched a brow as he looked over at her.

  “Time off? Are you kidding? I've been fighting overtime for a week. I'm lucky if I make it out the door when my shift is over,” he smiled and then turned down the temperatures on the stove. “Why?”

  “Well, I have a friend that needs some hairstylists to cover a shift on a cruise,” she began to explain.

  “That sounds like fun,” he murmured and hooked his arm around her waist to pull her close to him. “So, you're telling me you're leaving me?”

  “Just for a little while,” she grinned and gazed lovingly into his eyes. “As long as it’s okay with you.”

  He sighed heavily and offered a dramatic roll of his eyes. “I always knew this day would come.”

  “What day?” Bekki asked and tried not to laugh as she knew he was being intentionally emotional.

  “The day I would have to sleep without you by my side,” he explained and shook his head again. “I just didn't think it would be this soon.”

  “Don't worry,” Bekki smiled as she studied him intently. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “The truth is, I'll miss you,” he whispered as he searched her eyes intently. “But you deserve a break, Bekki. You've been working so hard, and I know I'm not always the best company.”

  “Wrong,” Bekki kissed him softly and then met his gaze again. “You are always the best company.”

  “Thanks,” he mur
mured and leaned in for another kiss, before the scent of smoke wafted between them. “Oh no!” he groaned and turned back to the stove. Bekki laughed as he struggled to get control of the elaborate meal he had been preparing. Once he finally gave in and tossed the pots into the sink she already had her cell phone out.

  “Cheese or extra meat?” she asked as she prepared to call for pizza.

  “Both,” he said and his shoulders slouched with defeat. Bekki hugged him around the waist and smiled. “Don't worry I didn't marry you for your cooking.”

  “Good,” he sighed.

  ***

  Bekki and Nick snuggled on the couch as they waited for the pizza. Bekki kept glancing up at him.

  “What?” he finally asked after the fourth steady stare.

  “Oh, nothing,” Bekki glanced away again.

  “Bekki,” he warned and pulled her closer to him. “I know you better than that. What's on your mind?”

  “Well, it's not about me actually, or you,” Bekki explained hesitantly. “It's about Sammy, and Morris.”

  “Oh,” Nick nodded a little. “What about them?”

  “Sammy seems to think Morris is blowing her off,” Bekki answered and studied his expression. “She said there's some new rookie that might have caught his eye.”

  “Cheryl?” Nick asked with surprise. “No way, she's married,” he said firmly. “To be honest I haven't had much chance to talk to Morris, we've all been pulling extra shifts though. Maybe he's just busy?”

  “Maybe,” Bekki nodded a little. “It just seems strange to me that all of a sudden he's not returning her calls.”

  Nick sighed and frowned. “Well, you know I don't like to get into the middle of these things,” he reminded her.

  “I know,” Bekki agreed. “I just wanted to know if he seemed different to you.”

  “Well, now that you mention it, he has been even quieter than usual when I do see him. I just thought it was because he was tired, we're all tired,” he added and stretched his arms out as he yawned.