Styled for Murder

by Nancy J. Cohen

  “You mean how Jack tried to get money from Davinia? Who would have been madder about it—Craig, Brad, or Oscar?”

  Marla considered the options. “Craig might have felt protective of his ex-wife, but Brad and Oscar had more to lose.”

  “Why do you suppose Brad didn’t fire Jack at the time?”

  “Probably because Jack knew Brad’s secrets, and Brad didn’t dare risk being exposed. Craig said Brad had owned other companies. I remember he’d used the name Brad Quincy when George Eustice partnered with him. It’s likely he took on an alias as often as he changed his company name.”

  ****

  Marla got back in time to drop Robyn off at home and make it to daycare to retrieve her son. In the car, she debated whether to call Dalton or not. Instead, she texted him that she’d picked up Ryder and was headed home. They could talk later when they’d decompressed from the day.

  Busy with the baby, Marla didn’t have time to think twice about anything else until Anita called after dinner. Dalton wasn’t home yet, having notified her he’d be working late. She was so tired, her eyelids drooped, but she still had to give Ryder his bath.

  “Hi Ma,” she said wearily into the phone. “What’s up?”

  “We have good news,” Ma replied in a cheery tone. “Juan notified us that he’s coming over tomorrow to finish his part of the bathroom, and Lenny will be doing the shower seat. The glass doors should arrive on Thursday.”

  “That’s fantastic. I’m glad to hear it.” Now that they’d been paid, the guys could finish this job and move on. Likely they’d seek work elsewhere if the design company folded.

  “I just want to get it done at this point,” Ma added, her voice determined.

  “Yes, I agree. How’s Reed? Has he said anything more about what’s on his mind?” Oh, crap. She’d forgotten to ask Davinia how she knew Reed and what so-called favor she’d done for him in the past.

  Ma clucked her tongue. “He’s still not talking. Nor have I heard from Michael. You’d think your brother would call to see how we’re doing, but I suppose he’s dealing with his own problems.”

  Marla should call Michael and suggest he phone Anita. She could detect the hurt in her mother’s voice when she mentioned him.

  “I have to get Ryder’s bath ready,” she said, glancing at him in his highchair. He was playing with his food and had pieces in his hair as well as on the floor. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  Ryder was already down by the time Dalton came home, but by then Marla was too exhausted to talk. She’d be more clear-minded in the morning to discuss things.

  With the dawn came a new round of morning chores. Finally, Marla got caught up and told Dalton what she’d learned the day before. He acknowledged her report with a series of grunts and head nods.

  “What’s the matter with you? We’ve barely spoken since Brad was killed. I know you’re busy with his case, but this news could be important.”

  He stuffed their son’s bag with his daily essentials. It was his turn to drive Ryder to daycare. “Wanner is accusing Pete Ferdinand of killing Jack and Tobias. He isn’t willing to believe Brad’s death is related. I’m not so sure myself.”

  “It has to be, Dalton. They were all involved in something together. I could talk to his sister again—”

  “No. You will not put yourself out there any further. This is sucking enough energy from us when our child should be the priority. It’s my job to see that justice is done.” He shook his head. “Not for much longer, thankfully.”

  Her shoulders tensed. “What does that mean?”

  He stalked to the refrigerator and withdrew the baby’s prepared lunch. “Just that I hope to wrap this case soon,” he muttered without meeting her gaze.

  She glared at him. What was going on? She could demand an answer but didn’t want to push him while he was working a case, so she let it go for now. Later, they’d be due for a heart-to-heart conversation.

  After he departed along with Ryder, Marla called her brother to exchange news.

  Charlene answered in a breezy voice. “Hi, Marla. You’ve just missed Michael. He’s already left for the office.”

  Marla made a snap decision. “Actually, I really wanted to talk to you. Michael told me how you’re not happy. He’s upset that you want to leave and move back north.”

  Charlene gave a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to leave him, but I’m looking for a better position than the jobs available in this area.”

  “I understand that becoming a school principal has been a lifelong dream, but isn’t there anything in Florida that would suit you? Do you really have to move out of state, or are you homesick for your family there?”

  “I’ve never been thrilled about living in Florida with the heat and humidity. But I wouldn’t go if I could find a suitable offer.”

  “Is that the only reason? Or do you need a break from my brother?”

  A brief silence ensued. “Michael spends so much time at work that we don’t do things together as a family anymore. When I complain, he snaps back that he’s earning a living so we can have a decent lifestyle.”

  “Status has always been important to him. I know you don’t feel the same, but we’d hate for you to move away.” She tried to sound supportive, but her voice came out with a tinge of resentment. Marla didn’t like seeing her brother hurt.

  “It’ll only be a temporary separation, Marla. I’m not asking for a divorce.”

  “What about the children? Are you willing to uproot them from their friends?”

  “They can stay here during the school year. I’ll take them in the summer.”

  You’re willing to leave your kids? Marla couldn’t believe her ears. This wasn’t the sweet and caring schoolteacher she’d known. What had caused Charlene to change?

  “I’m sorry to hear this,” Marla said, attempting to sound sympathetic but failing. “I can’t believe you’ve exhausted all the possibilities in Florida. We’d miss you if you left. You’re part of the family.”

  “It’s my dream, Marla. I want to live it before I’m... too old. It’s best this way.”

  Marla’s throat clogged. Had Charlene been about to say something else? Good God, was there something wrong with her that she wasn’t telling anyone?

  Hoping she was being overly imaginative, she resolved to ask Michael to check Charlene’s calendar. Maybe there were some unexplained appointments, such as doctor visits. Or maybe Charlene was having an affair. Marla didn’t want to believe that explanation, but it would account for the disconnect between the couple.

  Either way, maybe she could improve things for her brother if she advised him to spend more time with his family on weekends instead of going into work. She left him a text message to call her and proceeded to get on with her day.

  ****

  It was mid-morning and Marla was at work when her phone rang, but it wasn’t Michael. She answered the unknown call hesitantly, aware her next client was getting shampooed and would be at her chair within minutes.

  “Hi, this is Hannah Brody,” a woman’s voice answered. “We met at Jack’s funeral.”

  Good heavens, was this Jack’s former girlfriend? Marla pictured the willowy brunette she’d briefly met on the cemetery grounds. “Oh, yes, I remember you.”

  “Can we talk? There’s something I need to tell you.”

  Marla shot a frantic glance heavenward. Her busy schedule just got busier. “I could spare some time at lunch, but it’ll have to be quick. Can you meet me on this side of town? There’s a deli called Bagel Busters in my shopping strip. We could grab a bite to eat while we chat.”

  “Okay, I’ll be there at noon. And Marla, please don’t tell anyone about our meetup.”

  When the time came, Marla made her way over to her friend Arnie’s restaurant. As she entered the deli, her nose picked up the scents of garlic, pickles, and freshly baked bagels. Her mouth watered, and she considered what to eat that would be quick.

  Arnie left his cashier’s post to give
her a hug. His mustache quivered as he stepped back to regard her. He wore his customary apron over a tee shirt and jeans.

  “Marla, it’s good to see you. To what do I owe the honor?” His dark eyes twinkled with pleasure.

  “I’m meeting a friend for lunch. Sorry I haven’t stopped by more often.”

  “That’s okay. I know you’re busy.” Arnie signaled to Ruth, a waitress. “Marla needs a table. Take good care of her, okay?”

  Ruth winked at him. “You got it, boss. Come this way, please,” she told Marla.

  Arnie’s eyes sparked with curiosity as she turned to go, but he didn’t say another word and resumed his post. She knew he wanted the latest news on the murder cases, but she’d have to catch up with him later.

  She studied the menu until Hannah arrived. When the woman showed up at the entrance, Marla stood and waved. The brunette gave a nervous glance over her shoulder before joining her. Was she afraid she’d been followed?

  Hannah wore a loose-fitting top over stretch pants. Had she gotten a mite heavier in the midsection since they’d last met? Marla remembered her observation of Hannah rubbing her belly at the memorial service, and her theory about its meaning intensified.

  She didn’t let her notion show on her face. Instead, Marla greeted Hannah with a smile and inane chitchat to put her at ease.

  Once they’d ordered their meals, she steered the conversation around to Hannah’s request to see her.

  “What’s this about?” she asked, spreading a paper napkin on her lap.

  Hannah picked up her spoon and twirled it in her hands. “I’d attended Jack’s funeral to pay my respects, but my feelings were mixed about him. He wasn’t always a good man.”

  “In what way?” Marla tilted her head, waiting patiently to hear what his former girlfriend had to say. Did she know about his activities regarding the copper ring?

  “He had a temper. I know I provoked him to lash out at me. It wasn’t his fault that I was so inept all the time.”

  Marla’s mental antennae stood up. What was Hannah saying? That Jack had been abusive to her?

  “Do you mean your boyfriend hit you?” she asked in a gentle tone.

  Hannah put down the utensil in her hand and bowed her head. “Jack said I made him do it, but then he apologized afterward. I loved him and didn’t mean to upset him. My brother didn’t like Jack and urged me to walk out, but then I’d be alone.”

  “Yes, you’d mentioned your brother’s disapproval of your relationship,” Marla said, taking a sip of the hot coffee the waitress had poured.

  “Stuart wasn’t around at the start. He was finishing his tour of duty overseas. After his discharge, he got a job nearby. He said he’d take care of me if I left Jack.”

  Marla rolled this information through her mind. “What brought about your decision to break things off?”

  “Jack forbade me to see my brother. He knew Stuart didn’t like him. It got to the point where I was caught in the middle.” She held her belly and regarded Marla with sad eyes. “When I learned I was carrying Jack’s baby, I had a hard choice to make. Jack had a mean streak, and I was afraid of what he’d do to hurt me if he got angry.”

  “I thought you might be pregnant,” Marla said in a soft tone. “So you decided to heed your brother’s advice and told Jack you were leaving him?” From news articles she’d read, this could be a dangerous stage with an abusive partner that led to domestic violence.

  Hannah nodded, a pained expression on her face. “Stuart promised to protect me from Jack. I... I’m afraid he’s carried through on his words.”

  Marla gaped at her. “Surely you don’t mean...?” Was Hannah saying she thought her brother had murdered Jack to get rid of him?

  “I don’t know what Stuart did to get Jack off my back, but he promised Jack wouldn’t bother me anymore.”

  Hannah didn’t speak as the waitress approached with their lunch. The young woman didn’t make a move to pick up her fork. Marla, short on time, wanted to eat but didn’t dare disrupt the flow of their conversation.

  “Are you living with Stuart now?” Marla asked, attempting to comprehend the woman’s situation.

  Hannah took a sip of water. “Yes, and he’s been wonderful to me. I’m just terrified he’s done something bad for my sake.”

  “You do know I’m married to a police detective, right?” Marla asked, unable to stave off her hunger any longer. She took a bite of her grilled cheese and tomato sandwich. As its savory flavor met her tongue, she squirted some ketchup from a container onto her plate and dipped a French fry in it.

  “That’s why I wanted to talk to you,” Hannah said. “This doubt is killing me, and stress isn’t good for my condition. I need to know if Stuart had anything to do with Jack’s death.”

  “Has he said or done anything in particular to raise your suspicions?”

  Hannah’s shoulders lifted and fell. “Not really, but then I overheard someone say Jack had died from a broken neck. That narrows down the people who could have done it.”

  “Where did you hear this?”

  “I don’t remember. But Stuart had military training. Your average person wouldn’t know how to kill someone with their bare hands.” She spoke in an undertone, darting anxious glances at the other patrons.

  “This may be true, but it doesn’t mean your brother was involved,” Marla said, admiring the girl’s thought processes. She thought of Craig who’d also served in the military. And hadn’t Pete acquired his tattoo while in the service? “If you don’t mind, I’ll pass this information along to my husband. Do you live in town?”

  “Stuart’s place is located in west Boca.”

  “All right.” Marla hesitated, debating how much to reveal. “I’m tending to believe the design center people are involved in Jack’s death. A couple of other men he knew from work have also met suspicious ends.” She didn’t mention how the permit inspector’s manner of death didn’t match the others. That is, assuming Brad had been killed the same way as Jack. She needed to ask Dalton for confirmation.

  Hannah shook her head. “That’s horrible, but it also makes me feel better if there are other possibilities.” She took a bite of her turkey and avocado wrap and proceeded to devour her lunch with a healthy appetite. Maybe getting this off her chest had helped to relieve her fears.

  Marla delved into baby topics and offered her advice to the mother-to-be. She was careful not to offer too much personal information. Even though Hannah’s visit seemed forthright, she couldn’t fully trust anyone until the murderer was found.

  On her way back to the salon, she paused outside to call Dalton and fill him in on Hannah’s revelations.

  “That’s interesting, especially in light of my news,” he said. “I was going to notify you. We’ve received the M.E.’s report. Brad’s neck was broken, same as Jack’s.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Marla’s lunch churned in her stomach. She sank onto the bench in front of her salon, absorbing this information.

  “Tobias’s death has to be related to the others,” she said, adjusting her earpiece. “Did he have anything wrapped around his neck?”

  “Not to my knowledge. There has to be something we’re missing to tie these cases together,” Dalton agreed.

  “What does Wanner say?”

  “He’s still convinced Pete is guilty of the two crimes in his territory. However, Pete was in custody when Brad was murdered.”

  “You should check into the suspects with military or martial arts backgrounds,” Marla said, reflecting on her conversation with Hannah.

  “Good idea. We’ll talk later. Stay safe.”

  Marla entered the salon, pushing aside these issues to focus on work. Ryder occupied her mind for the rest of the day after she left. Dalton worked late again, grumbling that he was missing out on playing with his son.

  “Have you progressed at all on the case?” she asked him after they were both in bed.

  He gave her a morose glance, his hair st
ill damp from the shower. “Brad didn’t have any family members other than Davinia. I doubt she’d be capable of breaking a man’s neck, unless she’d had fight training for her acting roles. Or, she could have convinced her manager to do it for her. He’s a possibility on his own, but I can’t figure a motive for him other than protecting his client. As for the office staff, I’ve pretty much eliminated Nadia, who wasn’t present that day.”

  “How about Lenny, the tile guy? Did you interview him?”

  “He has an alibi. It’s been verified.”

  “Is George Eustice still high on your list?”

  He nodded. “Brad was late on his payments for two granite orders with installs. Plus, he covered for Jack, which might have fueled George’s anger. But the daughter says her father didn’t leave her side at the festival, even when she performed her duties as garlic queen. The pageant director vouched for him.”

  She cleared her throat. “There’s one person you’re not mentioning. I’ll go visit my mother tomorrow morning. Reed needs to come clean about his role.”

  ****

  Anita greeted Marla with a bright smile when she opened the door to her home in Boynton Beach. She wore an apricot top over a pair of cocoa Capri pants, the casual clothes reflecting the relaxed look on her face. A gold chain around her neck was paired with hoop earrings, and her white hair appeared freshly styled although in need of a cut. It was getting long now that Marla noticed. Not that Anita had any time for a visit to the salon with all that had been going on.

  Ma hooked a red-painted fingernail, signaling for Marla to follow her inside.

  “Come and take a look at the bathroom. It’s all done except for the shower doors, and they’re being installed this afternoon.”

  Marla followed her with trepidation, remembering her first peek at the remodel. At the threshold of the master bath, she paused. It was like night had turned into day.

  The shower gleamed with its finished seat, gray tile design, and generous alcove. Her gaze swept the white cabinetry with dual porcelain sinks, the granite countertop, decorative mirrors, and new vanity lighting. The room looked elegant and yet practical at the same time.