Murder by Manicure (24 page)

"Me? Why don't you ask Dalton Vail? He's more appropriate as an escort. If he can't come, then I'll join you."

"Okay, I'll get back to you.” Disconnecting from Tally, Marla dialed Vail's direct number at the police station.

"Marla, what is it? You know I'm busy,” his gruff voice answered.

Her pulse accelerated at the sound of his low, masculine tone. “Cookie wants to see me tonight, and I thought you might like to come along. I believe she knows who killed Jolene."

"I wish I could get away, but I'm stuck here for a while,” he said, regret filling his voice. “Don't you dare see that woman alone. If you can wait—"

"Thanks, Dalton, but I have to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak. I'll let you know if I learn anything."

Disappointed, she hung up and redialed Tally's number. “Vail can't come. You still want in?"

"Right on, girl. Dinner cruise, huh? Believe me, I'd rather eat than exercise any day."

Traffic along Route A1A was heavy as Marla headed south toward Bahia Mar. On the left stretched an expanse of beach ending at lapping waves. A veil of gray in a darkening sky blurred the horizon, but Marla wasn't interested in the scenery. She was anxious to discover what Cookie had learned. Signs directed her to park behind the Radisson Hotel. Stopping at a gate, she obtained a ticket, then drove toward a parking lot in the rear.

"I called ahead to add your reservation,” she said to Tally as they strolled past a glass-bottomed boat charter. Her skin chilled in the nippy air, and she buttoned the suede jacket she'd worn over a cashmere sweater and dark pants. Tally looked snazzy as usual in a designer ensemble, her wavy locks fastened off her face with a tortoiseshell comb.

As they approached the ticket window, Marla examined her reflection. Her chin-length glossy brown hair curved inward at the edges, its wispy bangs gracing her forehead. She'd applied apricot lip crayon and mud shadow to complement her toffee eyes.
Too bad Dalton isn't here,
she thought regretfully. Tally was a good friend, but cruising down the river with the handsome detective would have been an interesting diversion. And in case things got rough—not that she anticipated any trouble—he would have been handy to have around.

The inside of the boat consisted of two rows of vinyl-strip chairs, six on each side of a center aisle. White overhead racks stored a supply of orange life vests. As Marla took a seat, she scanned the worn linoleum floor and faded blue paint peeling off the side walls that ended midway at a black railing, providing an open-air view of their surroundings.

"I hope it won't be too windy,” Tally remarked, glancing at the family of tourists occupying a row in front. Seats were rapidly being filled, which surprised Marla since it was a weekday night. Then again, this was tourist season, so all attractions were bound to be crowded.

"Do you think Jolene's killer is on board?” she whispered.

A frown centered on Tally's brow. “That seems unlikely."

"You never know.” She gave a furtive glance to the boat's occupants: a mix of families, couples, and prearranged groups. People chattered in French and German while seagulls soared past. A lady in nautical attire sat next to Marla. The woman wore a red, white, and blue striped shirt with a gold embroidered anchor; navy pants; gold button earrings; and assorted necklaces that clinked when she moved. Great, thought Marla, now she and Tally wouldn't be able to talk in private.

The ship's horn blew, making her nearly jump out of her skin. Slowly, the boat backed away from the dock. Over a loudspeaker, Captain Randy introduced himself and the crew, mentioning there were three hundred people aboard. Heading west, they cruised by a yacht basin and into the Intracoastal Waterway.

"When will we reach the island?” Tally asked, checking her watch. “I'm hungry."

"You can enjoy the barbecue while I look for Cookie. If I recall from a previous visit, there's a number of parrots in cages hanging from trees around the walkways. Then again, maybe Cookie tends the animals in the show. She didn't give a specific place to meet her.” Her gut clenched. “If Cookie uncovered a new piece of evidence, it's possible she tipped off the killer. Two people have died already. Someone is going to extremes, and I'm not even sure why."

Tally's attention centered on the million-dollar mansions facing the water shaded by sea grapes, queen palms, and spindly
Schefflera.
Banana plants hung over the river's edge. Descriptive commentary on the loudspeaker contributed to the background clatter of the ship's engine and the passengers’ babble.

"What did Eloise tell Vail?” Tally asked.

"I'm not privy to that information. He doesn't confide in me. I should've asked Brianna. His daughter knows more about the case than anyone."

"Smart kid."

Tally's comment was meant to draw a reaction, but Marla merely stared at historic Stranahan House as they cruised by downtown Fort Lauderdale, known as the Venice of the South for its system of canals. Fortunately, the drawbridge was open, or they'd have been delayed. In her mind, an imaginary clock ticked away the minutes leading toward another disaster. The sooner they reached Cookie, the better.

Passengers exploded off the boat when they reached the island on the New River, where a barbecue dinner and a variety show awaited them. Marla veered away from the mob, spotting a beautiful white cockatoo in a cage. Raucous bird cries blended with songlike chirps as she found a pair of lovebirds and a toucan further along the path. No sign of Cookie.

Once everyone had herded into the main corral for the all-you-can-eat feast, Marla scoured the island. She and Tally split up to search the twisting gravel paths littered with dead leaves. Stars glinted in the night sky overhead, providing dim illumination for the heavily shaded trails. Skeletonlike branches stretched toward her, competing with thickly rooted ficus trees for domination.

Maybe she'd have better luck looking backstage where Cookie might be preparing for the show.
Wait, there's a sign partly hidden by that bougainvillea plant.
It led to an alligator pit. Wouldn't it be in Cookie's nature to feed the creatures?

With a purposeful stride, Marla ended up at the fenced-off crater. Peering over the edge, she wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted her: a woman's body, lying on the ground face-down, clad in jeans and a sweater. Even in the dim light, she could identify Cookie's strawberry blond hair.

"I don't know how Cookie was killed,” Marla commented to Nicole the next morning at the salon. “The police interviewed me and Tally. Cookie's body was still pliable when they arrived, meaning she'd met her end shortly before I discovered her, but there weren't any overt signs of violence."

Shuddering, Marla visualized the chaos that had followed after she'd notified the boat's crew. Then had come the fear that the murderer was still among them. Whoever had ambushed Cookie might stalk her next. Terror pursued her until she and Tally reached shore and the safety of her car.

"I imagine Detective Vail wasn't too happy to hear the news,” Nicole said with a sympathetic grin. Cutting a client's hair at the next station, she snipped automatically.

Marla paused, hairbrush in hand. Her next appointment hadn't arrived yet, and she'd been cleaning her counter.

"All I heard from Dalton was how he'd warned me not to meet Cookie. Unlike the media, he's being very closemouthed about this case."

"Yeah, I saw the news report earlier this morning. A woman was found dead in the alligator pit at the Royal Barge dinner cruise. That's going to hurt their business! Tourists will shy away until the commotion dies down."

"Not necessarily,” Marla commented. “It may have the opposite effect."

"Wasn't she the woman who picketed in front of your salon?” asked Nicole's customer, a scion of the community who'd been listening with interest.

"Yep, that's her.” Marla clenched her teeth. No doubt the news story accounted for so many unexpected walk-ins today. Other folks wanted to assess her reaction. Normally, Thursdays tended to be quiet, but this morning had been incredibly hectic. While this wasn't the preferred method for increasing business at the cash register, Marla didn't begrudge the extra income.

Cookie's demise wasn't the only news making the rounds.

"Marla, I heard you and Arnie Hartman broke off your engagement,” said Abby Whitehall, one of Marla's clients, later that morning. Possessing boundless energy, the taller woman used up calories faster than a marathon runner. She'd been thin as long as Marla had known her.

Giorgio piped in from across the room. “You should have heard Arnie moon over that blonde.
Mama mía!
I don't blame him.” His hands imitated an hourglass figure.

"Is that so!” Abby exclaimed, her hazel eyes twinkling. “Arnie left you for another woman?"

"No, that's not what happened at all,” Marla said. “I know Arnie likes Jill, I mean Hortense, and it doesn't bother me. He was upset because I'd spent the night at Dalton Vail's house."

"Oh! You're sleeping with the detective?"

"Marla, pick up the phone,” yelled the receptionist from the front desk. “It's Tally Riggs."

"I'm in the middle of highlights. I'll call her back."

"So give me the juicy details,” Abby urged, her gaze alight with curiosity. “Since when have you and Lieutenant Vail been a number? Are things really hot between you?"

"Pretty warm right now,
bubula
. He's mad at me for sleuthing on my own last night."

"Is he jealous over Arnie?"

"Our personal life is irrelevant until he solves this case. I spent the night at his house because someone threw a bomb in my window. He did me a mitzvah, that's all. Nothing happened between us—especially with his daughter, Brianna, playing chaperon."

"A bomb! Thank goodness you weren't hurt."

It was lunchtime when she finally returned Tally's call, dialing the number for Dressed to Kill Boutique. “Have you heard anything new about Cookie?” Marla said when Tally answered.

"No, sorry, I was hoping you'd spoken to Vail. That was so awful. I can't forget what the poor woman looked like, lying there like a broken doll.” A heavy silence fell. “Anyway, that's not why I called. That man was here today, the one who buys clothes for his girlfriend and tries them on."

"What about him?"

"I realized why he looks so familiar. I think I've seen this guy at the club!"

"Perfect Fit?"

"You got it."

"Who is he? One of the members?"

"I'm not sure. Want to go tonight? I'll skip my aura class."

"Okay. That reminds me, I intend to stop by Eloise's office later. I'd like to know where she was last night."

As it turned out, Eloise wasn't to be found at her office, but she had signed in at the sports club when Marla and Tally showed up at seven o'clock that evening. Searching for her, they invaded the pool area, where a Splashfit class was underway—mostly senior citizens, it appeared from their uniformly gray hair. Steamy humidity mingled with a strong scent of chlorine as they passed the whirlpool, frothing and bubbling away.

"Marla!” hissed a nearby voice.

She whipped her head around and located the speaker, who was nearly submerged in the hot tub. Jill's blond hair was protected by a turban, and as she emerged from the water like a goddess, Marla noted that the head wrap provided more cover than her meager swimsuit. Jill grabbed a thick towel and draped it around her shapely torso.

"What are you doing here?” Marla demanded. “Have you seen Eloise?"

Jill waved a greeting to Tally. “I think Eloise went upstairs to use the machines. It's horrible about Cookie. You know, for a while I suspected her, but now...” Her voice trailed off.

Tally met her eye to eye. “You haven't talked to Detective Vail today, have you? Marla's not had any luck getting in touch with him."

"No, sugar. I had a nice schmooze with Arnie on the phone, though. That man is such a sweetheart. Do you know he asked me to attend his daughter's chorus concert?"

"Did you accept?” Marla had always thought school functions were the most boring events.

"Of course, and I'm so excited to meet his kids! I've always dreamed of having a family, but it didn't seem as though it would happen for me. Arnie may be a bit older, but that doesn't matter. He needs me."

"Oh, joy.” Inwardly, Marla wished her luck. She had no desire to play mother to someone else's children or her own. Never mind that Brianna came with Dalton Vail. That didn't bear thinking about right now.

They walked together toward the women's locker room. Being next to two statuesque blondes made Marla feel like a shrimp. She entered the locker room under the arch of Jill's arm holding open the door. A cool rush of air-conditioning dried her skin.

"I wonder if Dalton is avoiding me. He blasted me on the phone last night for meeting Cookie. I told him you were with me, Tally, but it didn't make any difference. That man has to learn he can't control my actions. I'm not a schlemiel he can push around."

"He cares for you,” inserted Jill, a lopsided smile on her face.

Marla warmed toward her. The girl really could be nice when she exhibited her true feelings. “I know, but he shows it the wrong way.” Luck was with her; Eloise sat on a bench in the locker room, sprinkling yellow powder on her toes.

"What is that stuff?” Marla blurted, seeking an answer to a question niggling in her mind.

Eloise glanced up. Her hair, normally coiffed after a visit to the salon, hung in wet strands as though she'd just showered. “It's an antifungal powder. Don't spread it around,” she added facetiously.

"Oh, gross! You have athlete's foot?” Jill wrinkled her nose.

"Were you in here dusting that on your feet the night Jolene died?” Marla asked. “I saw some powder beneath her locker."

Eloise frowned, emphasizing the age lines on her round face. “I may have used it then, but I can't remember."

Plopping her bag on the bench, Marla signaled to Tally. “Go ahead and get changed if you want. I'll just be a minute.” She turned to Eloise after her friend had walked off with Jill. “What happened when you left with Detective Vail yesterday? You didn't return for your appointment."