Bad Hair 8 - Day Perish By Pedicure (16 page)

Marla repressed the urge to shout in triumph. At last, she was getting someone to open up. “Go on,” she said.

Amy Jeanne’s solemn brown eyes turned reflective. “Ellen didn’t listen to my warnings about men. She was a victim of date rape. After it happened, she started drinking, and that led down the road to drugs. She’s been in and out of rehab centers ever since. I can’t tell you how it broke my heart to see my baby sister destroyed, and it was all Chris’s fault”

“Chris couldn’t have known what the guy intended.”

“No, but she should have minded her own business.”

“Someone else must be thinking that same way. Chris’s death wasn’t an accident.”

Amy Jeanne stepped back. “Don’t look at me. I wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

“Then do you have any idea who might have poisoned her?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, although…I wonder…”

“Yes?”

“I know there was some bad blood between Miguel and Chris over a problem she developed after consulting his brother, a surgeon. I didn’t want to get involved, so I never asked him about it.” Amy Jeanne rolled the piece of gum in her mouth.

“Okay, thanks. Anyone else?” Marla closed her ears to the skywriting airplane droning overhead, advertising a beer joint on the mainland.

Glancing at her watch, her colleague gestured that they should move on. “I don’t like to gossip. What goes around comes around, you know?”

“Let me remind you that two people have died already. Don’t you want to help catch the killer? It could be one of us. Take Jan, for instance,” Marla said, hoping to provoke a response. “She’s been aiming for Christine’s position. Now she has a shot at being appointed director permanently.”

Amy Jeanne stood stock-still. ‘Janice wouldn’t harm a hair on Christine’s head, not even after she lost all that money. She scrapes to pay her mother’s medical bills and doesn’t even complain that Chris gained from her loss. I hope you’re not going to start any rumors about her, Marla, because I’ll be the first to knock you down.”

And having said that, Amy Jeanne stalked away, while Marla gazed after her with her jaw hanging open. Wow, she hadn’t expected that strong of a reaction! Interesting how Amy Jeanne seemed more defensive about Jan than about her own sister. How strongly had she wanted to see Janice Davidson move up the corporate ladder?

Glancing about as she headed back toward the pool, Marla searched for Georgia to discuss these new leads with her friend. Georgia must have gone off with Tyler, because there was no sight of either one of them. Her stomach growled, making her realize lunch hour had arrived. If she wanted to eat before their photo shoot, she’d better grab something now.

She caught Liesl stuffing down a hot dog at the poolside restaurant. The blonde wore a bikini top and sarong skirt. Mustard dotted the side of her mouth.

“May I join you?” Marla asked, plopping herself into a chair at the outdoor table. Brushing a dead insect off the Formica tabletop, she reached for the single-page laminated menu.

Liesl slurped her lemonade. “Sure, it’s a free country.”

Marla didn’t like the coldness in her tone. “If you’d rather I go elsewhere—”

“No, that’s okay,” Liesl reassured her quickly. “I’m sorry, I know I sound curt to you sometimes, and I’d like to explain.” She lowered her gaze. “I don’t often tell people about my background, because they can react badly. My grandfather, well, he was in the Gestapo.”

“So?” Marla gave the girl an appraising glance. “I don’t hold that against you.”

“Really?” Liesl’s face eased into a smile. “I’ve wanted to regard you as a friend, but I wasn’t sure if you’d…if you…”

Marla raised an eyebrow. “I’d be happy to consider you my friend, Liesl. What happened in the past is not between us. We can learn a lot from each other.”

“Bang on, Iuv. Like, how do you keep your figure so slim? Liesl asked after Marla placed an order for a cheeseburger and fries. “You’re not a health food and exercise nut like Jan.”

“I chase criminals with my fiancé.”

“In between cutting and styling at the salon? When do you find time to do everything?” Liesl dabbed at her cheek with a napkin. Her mood seemed to have brightened considerably since their discussion. She had a lilt in her voice.

“Funny, I was just discussing that very same topic with Amy Jeanne. Did you know her sister worked in the same salon as Chris? That’s how Amy hooked up with Luxor.”

“I didn’t realize that, but, then, Amy Jeanne doesn’t talk much about herself.”

Do any of you
? Marla wasn’t about to betray a confidence if Amy Jeanne hadn’t told anyone else about her sister’s problems. “She’s very loyal to Janice.”

“Clever of you to notice.” Liesl’s eyes flickered with amusement.

“You don’t think Amy would do anything to, uh, get Jan bumped up a level? Or could Jan have a ruthless streak that makes her dangerous?”

Liesl laughed, a pleasant sound like clinking glasses. “You’re way off base. Jan may be ambitious, but she isn’t stupid. She knew exactly why Chris promoted her to regional manager in the first place, but she’s willing to bide her time until she climbs the next rung on her own.”

“I don’t understand.” Marla leaned back when the waitress delivered her Coke. Her throat parched, she took a long sip.

Liesl polished off her last bite of hot dog. “At one of the hair shows, Chris bragged about an investment program that her financial analyst had recommended. It had been giving Chris a high rate of interest for several years. Jan, whose mother was ill, needed extra income. She opted into the scheme just before the market crashed.”

“That must have upset her.” The aroma of barbecued beef made Marla’s mouth water. Where was her meal already? She craned her neck, searching for the waitress who had vanished.
Figures, just when I’m on a tight schedule.

Liesl blinked. “From what I gathered, Jan ended up losing a bundle, but she blamed herself for not reading the fine print instead of Chris for leading her on. Chris got some kind of referral fee out of the deal, and she felt bad enough about what happened to Jan’s money that when the regional manager position became vacant, she recommended Jan for the job.”

“Wasn’t Tyler in line for a promotion, too?”

“Sure, luv, but he didn’t dare make a stink. Chris knew something about him that he didn’t want to get out, and that’s how she kept him on a leash.”

I got the impression that you had a thing for Tyler, Marla said to Liesl. “Did you feel Tyler was too tied to Christine to notice you?”

Liesl’s expression shuttered. “He noticed me all right, but maybe you’ve sensed it—Tyler will flirt with you and then he’ll back off. It’s, like, he’s a big fraud.”

“Do you think he’s gay?” Tyler didn’t come across that way to her, not with his swaggering confidence and scruffy style. But she’d been wrong before on this subject, much to her detriment.

Liesl sipped her drink. “Nope. It’s something else.”

Marla’s meal arrived, and she fell silent while she ate. The juicy burger filled her stomach with satisfying weight. Feeling the need to boost her blood sugar, she rationalized away the calories as necessary for brain function. She had to keep her wits about her if she wanted to stay one step ahead of the criminal amongst them.

While she contemplated what topic to address next, Liesl signaled for her check. Reluctant to end their dialogue, Marla blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Tell me, was Luxor involved in Christine’s deal with Dr. Greenberg, the dermatologist?”

Rummaging in her purse, Liesl paused to stare at Marla as though she were daft. “Luxor is donating a percentage of our profits from the sunscreen line to the melanoma society. Dr. Greenberg is on their board of directors. Why do you ask?”

“He met with Chris at the assisted-living facility where her mother lives. That struck me as odd, unless he’s a personal friend of the family.”

“Maybe Chris wanted him to examine her mum, luv. Lots of blokes in Florida have skin problems.”

“Chris’s mother mentioned that she thought he was after a donation.”

Removing a few bills from her wallet, Liesl tossed them on the table. “How do you know? Did you go see her?”

“I went to pay my respects.”

“Rubbish, Marla. You’re just damn nosy. If. I were you, I’d stick to the job at hand. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to pick up my headcase bag from my room. Do you need a Wave Runner? I brought one along.”

Marla pictured the triple-barrel curling iron. “That won’t be necessary, thanks. I’ve got my own kit.”

Left alone, she leaned her elbows on the table, not caring about her manners. She took a long sip of Coke while reflecting on their conversation. Liesl had indicated that she didn’t buy Tyler’s come-hither approach. Neither did she. Tyler had initially tried to hit on her when she’d met him, and when she flashed her engagement ring, he’d sidled up to Georgia. He ignored the only woman, Liesl, who appeared genuinely interested in him. Obviously, he’d used Georgia as a buffer after the cocktail party when they were all seated in the lounge. Had it been her imagination, or had Chris threatened him? What was he holding back from the rest of the gang?

Marla looked around at the crowded pool deck, sand dunes, and paths crisscrossing the hotel grounds, but there was no sign of Georgia. Maybe she’d gone back to the hotel room after leaving Tyler. And, maybe she’d learned something relevant from him. Eager to find out, Marla concluded her meal and hastened to their room. Georgia might already be inside.

No such luck. Their belongings lay scattered where they had left them. Oh well, she’d catch up with her friend soon enough. It was almost time for everyone to congregate, and Georgia was sure to report in for duty. Grabbing a pink sweater to wear under her jacket if she got cold later, plus her bag of tools, Marla left to seek Pirate’s Cove.

Following the signposts planted at appropriate intervals along the way, she arrived at a delightful lagoon fringed by coconut palms, sea grapes, and mangroves. Yearning to kick off her shoes and grind the white powdery sand under her toes, she instead focused on the group gathering under the shade of a spreading banyan tree. Jan, holding her clipboard, conducted an animated conversation with the photographer while Sampson and Ron were already at work on two of the models, seated on folding chairs. Turning her back to the ocean to reduce glare, Marla approached Jan for instructions. Georgia was nowhere in sight.

“I’m ready to get started,” she declared, noting that Liesl hadn’t shown up yet. Sampson didn’t spare her a glance. Ron nodded in acknowledgment. At least their artistic director had donned a pair of slacks and a polo shirt along with his usual composure, unlike in their earlier encounter, when he’d let his professional image slip quite a few notches.

“You can do Vivian,” Ron told her. “She’ll look great with a wet style, as though she’s just been swimming. Her golden rust hair goes great with that turquoise bikini. The colors should really jump out on the photos.” He buffed his nails against his chest. “Give her a liberal dose of gel before you scrunch. I’ve got a portable iron if you need one.”

“Thanks, I brought my own.” Marla inspected for ants before setting her bag on a fallen tree trunk. Straightening, she got a glimpse of Georgia strolling arm-in-arm with Tyler from the opposite direction.

Catching Marla’s gaze, Georgia winked.

Before they could even exchange a personal greeting, Jan bustled over, perspiration coating the skin above her upper lip.

“Tyler, it’s about time you showed up.” Looking harried, the regional manager thrust a hand through her chili-colored locks. Marla admired her outfit, ebony crop pants and a camisole top, thinking she appeared more approachable without her formal business suits.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get things done on time,” Tyler drawled, perusing her with his lazy gaze.

“Here’s the sequence of shots.” Jan thrust him a sheaf of papers. “Make sure you match each model to the products we’re advertising. Georgia can work with Miguel on which accounts to target for the promotional premium.” She waved at Liesl, who’d just joined their ranks, evidently satisfied that the artistic team could handle their end.

Marla’s efforts to draw Georgia aside met with futility as the hours raced by as fast as the clouds in the electric blue sky. When the crew finally wrapped up its work for the day, the early evening sun had already begun its descent. Maybe now she’d be able to find some private time with Georgia.

“What’s everyone doing for dinner?” Liesl asked, her pouty expression aimed in Tyler’s direction. Despite her words to the contrary, Liesl was still trying to gain his attention, Marla thought Interesting.

“Wanna meet at the Goombay Smash restaurant?” Miguel suggested. “I could go for the black beans and rice.” The Cuban sales rep had gone about his business while dancing salsa steps and humming along with music from his iPod. He’d dressed casually in denim shorts, a T-shirt advertising a radio station, and sandals.

“That sounds cool,” Tyler replied. “Count me in, dude.”

“I’m going for a swim, so don’t wait for me.” Jan raised a hand in dismissal. “I’ll probably just grab a health bar and fruit Smoothie later, anyway.”

“You’re deserting us? How are we supposed to charge our meals to the company tab without your illustrious presence?” Tyler teased, dimples creasing his cheeks.

She glared at him. “I have to account for every penny we spend. Chris knew her numbers, and I plan to follow her example.”

“You’ll be great,” Amy Jeanne said quietly from the sideline. She blew on a fingernail as though she’d just touched up her polish.

“Thanks, but I wasn’t aiming to get ahead in this fashion. You all know that, right?”

“You have my vote,” Sampson’s deep voice rumbled. His piercing dark eyes swept the group. “Our work seems to flow better with you in charge.”

“I’ll do my best to earn your confidence.” Turning her back on them, Janice tossed her clipboard into a briefcase.

Marla gazed at her companions in confusion. Did no one care that Chris had died an unnatural death? Had she so offended everyone that the only thing they cared about was that their lives moved more smoothly in her absence? Even if this were true, what about Heather? No one had even mentioned her name, and when Marla had broached the subject to the model whose hair she had done earlier, the girl claimed only the barest acquaintance with the victim.

“Is it my imagination,” she said to Miguel, who stood fiddling with his music device, “or is everyone happier with Chris dead?”

He gave her a startled glance. “I know I sleep better at night,
querida
. She can’t threaten my brother anymore.”

“Isn’t he a doctor of some kind?”

“
Si
, he is a surgeon. Chris was suing him and making his life miserable. I wanted to wring her neck for causing him such anguish.” Facing the ocean, he squinted at the horizon. “Felipe raised me after our parents passed away. I would do anything for him.”

Including murder
? “What was Chris’s claim against your brother?”

“Some female thing. I don’t like to talk about it. It gets me too upset in here.” Pounding his chest, he nodded once at her before stalking away.

“I didn’t realize Miguel felt so strongly about his brother,” she said to Jan, tapping the manager’s elbow to get her attention before she could leave.

Regarding her with annoyance, Jan said, “His family ties are very close. That’s a good thing, Marla. Maybe you should focus more on yours instead of prying into everyone else’s affairs.”

Marla realized she could be putting her future with Luxor at jeopardy by continuing with her probes, but she couldn’t let two souls haunt the earth while their murders went unsolved. No one else seemed to care, except for Sergeant Masterson. And where had the investigator gone? Peering around, she realized he hadn’t remained for the photo op. Had something else called him away, like an important new clue?

Considering her options, she couldn’t help but press on.
Justice, Justice, shall you pursue
had been the theme of her bat mitzvah speech, and it defined her current motto. Seeking the truth took precedence over personal ambition. If that meant Luxor would no longer request her services, so be it. Certain things were more important in life…and beyond.

“Just answer me one thing,” she called out to Jan as the other woman turned to walk away. “Why was Chris suing Miguel’s brother, Felipe?”

Jan turned back to face Marla, her eyes glimmering. “She claimed the surgeon botched her breast implants. But she could have been exaggerating.”

“Do you say that because you learned the hard way that Chris wasn’t trustworthy? Didn’t you put money into an investment she recommended, right before it went sour?”

“My, you’ve been a busy little worker bee, haven’t you?” The redhead’s lips tightened. “I rue the day I ever listened to her. Chris lied to me, but, then, I never should have mistaken her for a friend. It wasn’t until the market dived that I found out she hadn’t contributed one cent to that fund, while I’d lost thousands. I’m supporting my mother and felt the loss deeply.”

“You must have been really angry.”

“I’ll say! Chris thought the promotion would make up for her bad advice, but she was wrong.”

“Now you’re wearing her shoes as our acting director.”

Jan’s eyes hardened. “Let me make something clear to you. I would never harm someone to push myself up the corporate ladder. Hard work and being a team player are the things that get you ahead. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Nor should you, if you want my recommendation.”

Marla swallowed. “I appreciate your honesty. I hope you realize that I care about those people who died, and that I also want what’s best for Luxor. Covering up the truth benefits no one and just leads to problems down the road.”

“It already has. “Jan’s gaze softened. “You’re right, this has all been very painful. We should welcome your intervention, especially because you’ve helped the police solve crimes before. I just don’t want Chris’s death to impede our progress. She felt very strongly about donating our profits to the melanoma society, and I intend to fulfill her purpose.”

Before Marla could pose a question about the dermatologist or launch a probe about Heather’s role, the director slipped away. Marla turned back to the group, but people had dispersed after planning to meet at the restaurant at eight o’clock. Darkness rapidly approached. Swatting at a mosquito buzzing near her ear, she decided it was time to go inside and lather her skin with insect repellent.

“Georgia, we have to talk,” she said, signaling to her friend, who lingered by a fallen coconut. Georgia’s face held a wistful expression as she gazed out to sea. Starting down the path back to the hotel, Marla skirted a fallen palm frond and a lizard on the prowl. “What did you learn from Tyler earlier? I got the impression that he told you something important. Did you find out what Chris had on him?”

“You won’t believe it,” Georgia said, giggling. She glanced around to make sure no one in the vicinity could hear them. “Tyler is divorced. He has custody of his daughter, and he feels very strongly about parenthood. That’s kinda why he comes across as a big jerk. He acts like this real cool guy and then he backs off, because he thinks most single women won’t understand his responsibilities. Plus, he doesn’t want to do anything to rock the boat in terms of his relationship with his daughter.”

“So where did Chris fit in?”

“She knew about the child and used the situation to her advantage. Christine threatened to spread rumors about his promiscuity if he didn’t sleep with her. He was afraid it might jeopardize his custody agreement, but he wouldn’t give in to her, despite her manipulation. When Chris passed him over for promotion, he felt it was her way of exerting control. She gloated over his disappointment, but he still wouldn’t bend.”

“What a witch.”

“It certainly made me see Tyler in a new light. I respect him a lot more after he shared this. I know it took guts.” Georgia faltered, clutching Marla’s arm. “You’re not going to say anything to him, are you? I really don’t want him to know I’ve betrayed his confidence.”

“All right,” Marla said reluctantly. “Sounds like you two have reached a new understanding. Where does that leave you and Goat?” she asked to lighten the mood.

Georgia laughed, resuming her pace. “Like, Tyler and I are just pals. He’s cute but totally not my type, especially with a kid. We can have fun with each other, but that’s as far as it goes. Omigosh, look at that sunset. Awesome!”