Bad Hair Day 2 - Hair Raiser (20 page)

*Chapter Twenty*
"You wouldn't believe how calmly Marla faced David when he approached her in that funeral home," Cynthia confided to Eloise Zelman, a wealthy mortgage broker, at Taste of the World. "I hid behind one of those tables they use for, ugh, preparing bodies. If it were me, I'd have been screaming my head off, but Marla kept her cool the whole time."
"You helped put him on ice," Marla added, clinging to the arm of Lieutenant Vail, who looked smashingly handsome in a rented tuxedo. "Now David is in the deep freeze, where he belongs."
Despite what he'd done, she had a hard time picturing Newberg in prison. He'd believed what he was doing was right, but for all the wrong reasons. To preserve his sense of honor, he'd killed people. David couldn't have done a greater dishonor to himself, and yet he didn't realize it.
Twisted minds were beyond her comprehension, more in the sphere of things Vail was accustomed to dealing with in his routine. She didn't envy him his work.
"Marla is a hairdresser," Cynthia said to her friend. "I love how she did my hair, and she gave Annie a great cut, too. You should make an appointment," she urged. "Marla owns the Cut 'N Dye Beauty Salon in Palm Haven."
"Really?" Eloise, a fiftysomething woman who kept her hair an attractive shade of auburn, turned an interested eye on Marla. "How did you come to be involved with Ben Kline's killer?"
"It's a long story." Marla gave her escort a pleading gaze. She didn't want to discuss her recent troubles all night, but people were curious and drawn to lurid details like spectators at an accident.
Vail caught her cue. "Let's go for a drink. Can I get you ladies anything?" he asked the others politely.
"No, thanks," Eloise replied. "My husband Sam is at the bar getting me a strawberry daiquiri. I swear, I'm going to need to work out extra hard after the holidays this year. Cynthia, you should join me."
Her cousin chuckled, and Marla was glad to see her in such a gay mood. "I'm not into group exercise, darling. Besides, Perfect Fit Sports Club is too far west for me to drive. It's closer to where Marla lives."
"What is?" Tally's voice called from behind.
Letting go of Vail's arm, Marla whirled around. A smile split her face as she regarded Tally and Ken spiffed up for the occasion. Tally, her blond hair in an upsweep, looked great in a black-chiffon creation.
"We're talking about a sports club," Marla explained. "Eloise was saying she'd have to exercise more to wear off the extra calories after all these parties."
"So will I!" Tally exclaimed. "After that big bash you threw at your salon, you might think about it, too." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Not that you're ever concerned about your weight. Maybe you should work on muscle power in case you confront any more murderers."
"God forbid!" Vail cried, rolling his eyes. "Come on, Marla, I need a drink." Taking her firmly by the elbow, he steered her away from Tally's bemused glance.
Marla glowed inwardly with satisfaction. All that she'd hoped for had come to pass. Earning her cousin's respect was worth everything she'd suffered. Their fundraiser was a rousing success, even if it had to be held in tents on Cynthia's extensive estate. Bruce had even convinced the new trustee that Ocean Guard still met the terms of the agreement.
"It's a good thing Bruce was able to get the preserve cleaned up before tonight," she confided to Vail, as they strolled toward the bar set up on the lawn. Colorful lanterns strung among the trees lit the way, while a jazz band provided musical accompaniment for the festivities. Laughter and a steady hum of chatter sounded through the cool night air. Marla shivered in her skimpy cocktail dress. It had cost a bundle, but she couldn't resist when she'd seen it in Tally's boutique. _Better watch what you eat, or you won't fit into it after tonight,_ she warned herself.
_Talk about snug outfits._ Annie loomed in sight, showing off her youthful figure in a short black skirt and a low-cut top that revealed more cleavage than Marla would ever permit had she a daughter. The girl's textured haircut set off her high cheekbones to advantage. She wore too much makeup, but instead of distracting from her looks, it enhanced them.
"Marla, have you met Cash Halliday? He's a new friend of mine." Annie's heavily mascaraed eyes exuded warmth.
Marla eyed the youth at her side, a gangly guy wearing baggy pants, a shirt that wasn't tucked in, and an earring stud in his nose. Quite a difference from Shark's conservative image, she thought. At least this fellow's scruffy appearance was more in line with teen culture.
Marla exchanged a few more words after introducing Vail, then watched as the couple strolled away holding hands. "Annie didn't waste any time getting a new boyfriend," she remarked.
"How about you?" Vail said quietly. His dark eyes gleamed as he peered down at her. He seemed taller in the moonlight, sturdy like the trunk of a live oak. Silver highlights glinted in his ebony hair, slicked off his forehead.
_How could I ever have been attracted to David?_ Marla wondered, thrilling to the pure physicality of Vail's presence. The angles of his face sharpened as he turned partly into the shadows. Just being near him made her pulse race. David had never produced that effect. She'd been snowed by his presumed interest in her, just as Annie had been bowled over by Shark. At least both of them knew better by now.
"You're not still jealous over David, are you?" she asked perceptively.
"Huh." Aware that other couples passing by were giving them curious glances, he indicated they should move on.
"What did you say?" Her heels sank into the soft soil as they headed toward the catering tent.
A flush crept up his face. "I thought you were interested in, uh, seeing me, you know."
"I can see you very clearly right now." A betraying twitch curved her lips.
"Hell, you know what I mean."
"Yeah, you want my exclusive attention. It surprised you when I started going out with David. I have other friends, too, Dalton, and I won't restrict myself to dating just one person. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in finding out where our relationship can go."
Vail's face closed like a curtain. "I see."
"No, you don't." Her voice gentled. "Please understand. I'm afraid of getting burned like I was before, so I can't rush into any commitments. And you're overbearingly protective sometimes; even you have to admit it. I don't like being told what to do."
"Unlike Stan, I respect your abilities, Marla. I'm only concerned for your well-being. You put yourself at risk to catch a murderer twice now."
_Didn't things happen in threes?_ "I know. Next time, I'll swallow my tongue before I volunteer for anything again."
"Impossible." His expression softened, and his mouth quirked into a smile. "Guess I want too much too soon."
"Go on," she teased Vail, "you're just upset because I solved Ben's murder."
"With Newberg's prints and DNA, we've got our case. I have to confess, I was leaning toward Barletti. We knew he was Popeye's heir a while ago, but I couldn't tell you."
She stepped back. "After all I've done, you still don't trust me?"
He grimaced. "When you stick your nose into police business, you can get badly hurt. Most people never see in a lifetime what I do in my line of work. You don't belong there, and I can't help it if I want to protect you from that world. I've lost someone I cared about once already. I don't know how I'd take it if anything happened to you."
His words brought tears to her eyes. Did he really feel so deeply about her? She wasn't ready for this, not now, maybe never. "Your life is in jeopardy every day when you're out in the field. I'm willing to accept that risk, if you can give me the same consideration. Let me find my own way, Dalton."
He plowed a hand through his hair. "All right, but level with me. Is there a chance that you and I might -- "
"Yes ... no. I don't know." The heat from his body radiated toward her like the rod of a curling iron. Her insides quivered in response. Thinking of rods brought to mind certain male body parts, and that mental picture played havoc with her hormones.
"Did I tell you how much I like that dress?" he rasped, raking her with his dark glance.
"No, but you can tell me now." Moistening her lips, she resisted the urge to move closer.
"We have unfinished business, remember? I promised you something when we said good night after the show with Brianna, but circumstances weren't right when we met again."
He put his hands on her shoulders, and his warmth spiraled through her like a torch. "I'd like to fulfill that promise tonight," he said in a husky tone. "Every time I'm with you, I feel so ... restless. Don't you feel that way, too?"
"Yes," she whispered. A delicious weakness swept her when his dark gaze lowered to her mouth.
"Maybe that's why I come down so hard on you about your activities. I'd really rather be coming -- "
"What's that?" Anita chimed, moving in with a crowd of relatives. "Marla, why are you lingering here? Go get something to eat. You're too thin."
"Yes, Ma." What lousy timing! Reluctantly, Marla disengaged herself from Vail's overpowering presence. Gads, that man had the power to raise her to a level of tension that cried for release. _Okay, Marla, chill out. You're in a public place here._
"Nice to see you again, Lieutenant. How are things down at the station? Marla told me you passed accreditation."
"Yes, ma'am."
"So have you cut back on your hours?"
"Well, not quite." He threw Marla a panicked glance, but she ignored him and marched toward the bar. Not that a drink would help. At this rate, she'd need to jump in the pool to cool off before the night was over.
Poor Ma. She'd been disappointed about David. So what if the guy had murdered a few people? He was a nice, Jewish man who happened to be a wealthy accountant. _Too bad, Ma, he'll need his bankroll to pay the lawyers. So will Stefano, who's being charged with illegally dumping medical waste on private property._
She detoured to a food station offering freshly prepared crepes. "Hey, Pierre. Glad you decided to join us at the last minute."
The stout French chef blustered at her approval, his white toque wobbling on his head. "Once you found out Barletti paid zat son-of-a-gun assistant to tamper with my expensive rum, I realized what a fool I was. _Mon dieu!_ Who would have thought a funeral home owner was behind all our troubles?" He shifted the saute pan in his hand. "I see you brought Alex Sheffield back to Taste of the World. You've got _chutzpah,_ no?"
Helping herself to a plateful of mushroom crepes, Marla laughed. "I just don't let anything, or anyone, get in my way."

_Author's Note_
Dear Reader:
HAIR RAISER was fun to write because I could talk about one of my favorite subjects: food. With all the chefs signed up for Taste of the World and Marla's trip to the Bahamas, I delighted in describing the different meals she encountered. Her adventure in Nassau followed my own journey where I diligently scribbled notes and sampled the cuisine. Similarly, Marla's feast with David takes place in a fictional Moroccan restaurant that bears a strong resemblance to a Fort Lauderdale dining establishment. Another area attraction turned into cousin Cynthia's estate in the story. If you visit Fort Lauderdale during the balmy winter season, be sure to tour Bonnet House. Lush tropical gardens at the beachfront mansion are a tribute to the region.
If you thought Marla's troubles were over after she stopped dating David by the end of HAIR RAISER, wait until you see what happens between her and Dalton Vail in the next book, MURDER BY MANICURE. Vail's jealousy over David pales in comparison to the mess Marla lands herself in next. And if you haven't yet read PERMED TO DEATH, the first book in _The Bad Hair Day Mysteries,_ I hope you'll run right out and get it!
I love to hear from readers, so please write to me, P. O. Box 17756, Plantation, FL 33318, or e-mail me at [email protected]_ or _nancyjcohen.com_ and I'll answer you personally.
Nancy J. Cohen

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