Facials Can Be Fatal

by Nancy J. Cohen

  “Don’t worry. She won’t have a leg to stand on.”

  Marla’s next customer arrived, and she didn’t have time to think about her problems until later. At home, she got occupied taking the dogs for a walk, preparing dinner, and then driving Brianna to a school function. Between her extracurricular activities and her driving lessons, Brie seemed to be handling a hectic schedule better than Marla.

  Depression weighed her down. After Brie retired to her bedroom for the night, Marla waited anxiously for Dalton to return home. As expected, he’d stayed late to work on his new case.

  Her thoughts returned to Valerie Weston. Had Rosana missed something in the woman’s health history, similar to what had happened between Marla and her client, Amber Connors? Or had Val’s death been due to an ailment no one realized she had? And what would this mean for the Friends of Old Florida annual ball? Marla wasn’t sure of Val’s role with the organization. She should give her contact there a call tomorrow to express her condolences. Maybe she’d learn more that way.

  Spooks nudged her ankle. She stooped to pet her cream-colored poodle, amused by his jealousy when their golden retriever vied for her attention. Playing with the dogs brought her a measure of comfort.

  Sleep wouldn’t come, though, until she’d talked things out with Dalton.

  “I hope we don’t lose the fashion show gig,” she said to him in bed later. “Yolanda attracts the publicity hounds when she debuts a new line. Our salon will be given credit for the models’ hairstyles.”

  Turned on his side toward her, Dalton stroked her bare arm. “Is this designer the same person who hired you?”

  “No, that was Lora Larue. She’s a board member for FOFL and is in charge of producing the gala event. I bet she’ll be devastated by Valerie’s death.”

  “You said you hadn’t met the deceased?”

  “That’s correct. Why, what have you learned about her?”

  “People respected the woman. I haven’t heard a negative word about Miss Weston yet.”

  “She shouldn’t have died. How old was she?”

  “Fifty-nine.”

  “And she has no close relatives in the area other than that sister who passed away? How sad. Had she ever been married?”

  “Marla, I know the lady expired on your property, but it’s my investigation. Don’t you have enough on your mind?”

  “I can be curious, can’t I?”

  “Maybe. Why is this fashion show so important?”

  “It’s about recognition, Dalton. That’s the same reason why I’d like our salon to be involved in photo shoots. I want to believe I’m doing more than just operating a salon.”

  “You’re serving your customers. Isn’t that enough?”

  “Ever since the excitement in Arizona, I have an urge for something more.” She couldn’t explain her restlessness, but their honeymoon adventures had left her dissatisfied with the status quo.

  “Oh, yeah? I have a suggestion.” His hand drifted to her belly. “We could increase our family.”

  “What?” His remark blindsided her. They’d already discussed this issue. “You know how I feel about having my own kids. Why are you bringing this up now?”

  “You just said you’re restless. And you’re a wonderful mother to Brie. Having a baby would give you a new focus.”

  “That’s exactly why I don’t want more children.” Sweat broke out on her brow. She’d thought Dalton and she were on the same page regarding this subject.

  Marla had been through hell and back when, as a nineteenyear-old babysitter, the toddler under her charge had drowned in a backyard pool. After seeing the parents’ grief, she never wanted to risk that pain herself. And until Dalton, she’d never considered herself capable of properly caring for a child. She’d gotten over that insecurity but still had too many plans to give up her life to child-raising for twenty years.

  “I’m just saying we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility like we have in the past,” Dalton said, his tone persuasive. “Maybe it’s something we should consider.”

  “I didn’t know you felt this way. I’ll think about it. Meanwhile, let’s talk about Brie instead. Your daughter wanted to take the wheel tonight.”

  He groaned. “She’s far from ready to drive after dark. That’s a big step. You know how much traffic University Drive has most of the time.”

  “You’ll have to face it sooner or later. The driving instructor will take her for the test when the time comes. She needs practice.”

  “Fine, I’ll take her around the neighborhood over the weekend. In the meantime, let her get a few more lessons under her belt.”

  Marla’s hand roamed to parts of him that sprang to life at her touch. She’d rather change his focus away from troubling topics.

  The next day at work, Marla found time during the day to call her friend Tally. Being a new mother, Tally would reinforce her belief that having kids wasn’t on Marla’s bucket list.

  “Hey, how’s it going?” Tally said on the other end of the line. She sounded tired, which was her usual complaint these days.

  Marla cradled the cell phone by her ear in the back storeroom, her favorite place for private calls. “Have I got an earful to tell you,” she said before relating her news.

  “Holy smokes, you weren’t kidding. Uh-oh, let me do a diaper change and call you back.”

  While waiting for the phone to ring, Marla stuck a batch of laundered towels into the dryer along with a fabric softener sheet. She set the dial and started the dryer before an interruption could occur. The familiar scent of chemicals in the air-cooled atmosphere brought her a sense of comfort.

  “Marla, the coloring agents have arrived.” Robyn carried a package into the room. Her shoulder-length, glossy brown hair swayed as she walked.

  “Okay, thanks. Leave them on the counter. I’ll sort the boxes on the shelves.”

  She’d begun that job when Tally called again. “So what’s this about Dalton wanting you to have kids?” her friend asked in a hushed tone. She must have put Luke, her almost four-monthold son, down for a nap.

  “He knows how I feel about having children. We talked about it before we agreed to get married. So why bring it up now?”

  “Brianna will be going to college in a couple more years. Maybe he’s experiencing early separation anxiety and is thinking ahead.”

  “What, to start all over again with another kid? We can travel once Brianna leaves home. And she’ll be back for the holidays and over the summer.”

  “Well, it’s something you two need to discuss further.”

  “How is Luke? Is he sleeping through the night yet?”

  “Huh, I wish. I hope to go back to work part time at the shop by the first of the year. Or not. I haven’t decided what to do. I love being home with Luke.”

  “You could take him to work with you since you own the place.” The Dressed to Kill boutique was a popular destination in Palm Haven. Tally’s assistant was filling in as manager while she was on maternity leave. But her words struck fear into Marla. What if she ever had a baby? She’d never want to give up the station in life she’d worked so hard to achieve.

  “I’m giving myself until New Year’s to make a decision,” Tally said. “Considering how you feel about kids, I hope you don’t have any regrets about agreeing to be Luke’s guardian?”

  “Certainly not. I love Luke as though he were my own. And you’re like a sister to me.”

  “You know we think of you as family, too. Ken and I are grateful you accepted the role. Neither of us would want to leave Luke in his brother’s care. But I want to be sure you truly understand what it would mean, if anything happened to us.”

  “Nothing is going to happen. I’m honored that you chose me. Dalton agrees as well.”

  “All right. Now what’s this about another client dying in your salon?”

  “Not the salon. It happened in the day spa while the lady was getting a facial. I’m hoping the autopsy says she died from natural causes. Have
you heard of Yolanda Whipp, the designer who has a shop on Las Olas?”

  “Sure. Her creations are gorgeous, but they cost thousands of dollars.” Tally took in a sharp breath. “Your staff is doing her fashion show? That’s an awesome opportunity.”

  “Tell me about it. Now I’m afraid they might cancel.”

  “Why, has anyone said so? Was Yolanda the one who hired you?”

  “No, it was Lora Larue. The show is part of a charity event for Friends of Old Florida, and Lora is on their Board of Directors. She’s the one who approached me.”

  “So call her and express your sincere condolences over the woman’s death. You said Valerie Weston was connected to their group?”

  “That’s right.” Marla knew she had to make that call. She dreaded doing it, however.

  “Do you think they’d cancel the entire fundraiser because of her passing?”

  “I would doubt it. Maybe they’ll acknowledge her death at their event, though. I’m not sure what her role was in the organization.”

  “You probably have nothing to worry about.” A wail sounded in the background. “I have to go. Luke just woke up. Let me know how things turn out.”

  Marla got busy with her customers and didn’t have a chance to follow through until late Thursday afternoon. But when she finally put in a call to Lora, she got the lady’s voice mail. After leaving a message, she recalled the scrap of paper Traci had given her the day before. Marla had copied the phone number into the Notes section of her iPhone. Retrieving the note, she compared the number of the person who’d made Val’s appointment to Lora’s contact info. They weren’t the same.

  Anyway, what did it matter? Dalton would track down the details. He might dismiss the whole case, depending on the coroner’s report.

  Traci strode her way before Marla could greet her next customer. The spa receptionist wore a concerned look on her face. “I still can’t get hold of Patty. What could have happened to her? Not that we need her to come in to work, but she should at least notify us if she has a problem.”

  “I agree.” Marla didn’t condone employees who were no-shows without notifying them. “Did she give any indication of something being wrong on Tuesday?”

  “Now that I think about it, she did seem a bit jittery.”

  “Maybe she had a family emergency. Did you try sending her a text message?”

  “Yes, no response. I left her a voice mail, too.”

  Marla frowned. “Give me her contact info, and I’ll ask Dalton to look into it. This is damn strange, especially considering what happened on Wednesday.”

  The hours flew by and so did the weekend, and Marla forgot about her concerns for the moment. On Sunday, she finally had time to think things through while taking a walk with Brianna at Treetops Park. Dalton had gone in to work and couldn’t join them.

  The cooler weather was perfect for hiking along the woodland trails. She sniffed earth-scented air as they trod over the soft dirt path. Branches of live oaks spread overhead in a shady canopy. Birds sang a greeting, and the occasional creature slithered under the brush.

  “So as I see it,” Brie said, her brow folded thoughtfully, “you have one main concern. You’re afraid the lady’s death in your day spa will affect your staff’s engagement at the society ball. How was she connected, again?”

  “I’m not sure. My contact there is Lora Larue, a board member. I’d never heard of Valerie Weston before Wednesday.”

  Marla had filled in the teen on recent events. She liked telling the girl about her concerns. While Brie was her stepdaughter, she’d also become a friend. It was gratifying to be able to talk to her this way in an even exchange. Marla didn’t believe in holding things back, like the older generation might have done to protect their offspring. Reality intruded soon enough, and it helped develop character to face it straight on.

  “It seems to me you’re worrying ahead of time. Why not wait and see how things turn out?” Brianna paused to take a photo on her cell phone of a green bird that had alighted on an overhead branch. She punched a few buttons to send it along to her social networks.

  “You’re right. I should just chill. It’s so beautiful out today. Let’s head toward the lake.”

  As they walked across the boardwalk fielding the marsh, she surveyed the ducks and turtles under an azure sky with lazy white clouds. While the north braced for a blast of cold air, here in South Florida the days were glorious. Her shoulders relaxed, and she inhaled a deep breath with a sense of tranquility. She’d tamped down her other anxieties, about the pending lawsuit at work and her application for the educator position. Those would work out somehow, too. She couldn’t be pessimistic in such beautiful surroundings.

  “Can I drive home?” Brie asked, staring at a white bird with a long neck.

  Marla eyed the water for alligators, but she’d never spotted them here. That didn’t mean they were absent, though. “That’s a good idea. You need the practice, and your dad hasn’t had time to take you out this weekend.” Her cell phone buzzed. “Speak of the devil, that’s him. Hello?”

  “Hey, Marla. Wish I could have joined you at the park, but things have taken a significant turn on this case with Valerie Weston.”

  “Oh? How so?” Her stomach churned. From his somber tone, she guessed she wouldn’t like his response.

  “We got the preliminary autopsy report. It shows she likely died from anaphylactic shock related to her latex allergy.”

  “What?” Marla gripped the phone tighter to her ear. “But Rosana was careful not to use latex gloves with her client.”

  “She wouldn’t need to wear gloves. Traces of latex were found in that stuff on the victim’s face.”

  Victim? What else did he know that she didn’t? “You mean the face mask?”

  “If that’s what you call it. We’re having the products used by the beautician analyzed.”

  “So you’re saying one of the lotions might have contained latex? But wouldn’t Rosana have known that? She told me she used different creams depending on the customer’s skin analysis and medical conditions.”

  “We’ll see what turns up. We took the jug of water she uses for the steam machine, too.”

  “Surely you’re not suspecting this was a deliberate act on someone’s part, if not Rosana’s mistake?”

  “I’ll let you know. Meanwhile, don’t count on my being home before dinner. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”

  “Wait, there’s something I’ve been meaning to mention. Our new hire, Patty, hasn’t been in to work since Tuesday. She’s a shampoo assistant at the day spa.”

  “You said she’s a new hire?” Dalton’s voice sharpened.

  “That’s right. She’s filling in for our regular girl who had a biking accident.”

  “Has anyone been in touch with her?”

  “The receptionist has tried to reach Patty, but she doesn’t answer her phone. We’re both worried about her. She should have contacted us by now. Can you follow up? I have her phone number and address.”

  “Sure, text them to me when you get a chance. Talk to you later.”

  Marla pocketed her cell phone and resumed their walk. “Rosana wouldn’t have used any products containing latex,” she said after relating to Brianna what her dad had said. “How could that stuff get into a face cream anyway? Isn’t it a powder?”

  Brianna’s soft brown eyes regarded her. “Marla, let Dad work the case.”

  “I hope he dusted for fingerprints. Maybe somebody else came in during the night when the cleaners were there. That’s what happened with Bertha Kravitz. Her killer came in when the back door was unlocked and put poison in the coffee creamer I kept just for her.”

  “Don’t panic. This isn’t the same thing.” Brianna patted Marla’s arm.

  “We don’t know that yet. Good God, what if someone murdered the woman?” Without watching her steps, she almost tripped on a tree root when they reentered the shady forest trail. She skirted the obstruction and headed along, her s
neakers crunching on dead leaves.

  “This could be an error on the beautician’s part. Maybe she got in a new product and didn’t read the ingredients. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”

  “You’re absolutely right.” Marla observed a squirrel leaping from branch to branch. “But just in case, I’d better make contact with the people involved in that fundraiser.”

  “It’s Sunday. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Let’s talk about the upcoming holidays.”

  “Okay.” Her spirits lifted. “Your grandparents are looking forward to taking you to Disney World over Christmas break.”

  “We have to get a tree in the next few weeks. And plan the family dinner.”

  Last year had been the first time Marla had decorated a Christmas tree. Previously, she’d been accustomed to lighting a menorah this time of year. Combining the holidays had been a new experience for her and one she looked forward to repeating with their extended families.

  “It’s our anniversary coming up, too. I’m not sure what to get your father. And I have to finalize arrangements for our holiday work party.” The weight of her responsibilities crowded in on her. This was always a hectic time of year. She should let this business with Valerie go until they learned more details. Her death still could have been accidental.

  But that’s not what the initial reports indicated when they came in a few days later. The face cream showed components of liquid latex. None of the ingredients listed contained the substance. So how did it get there?

  “What is liquid latex?” Marla asked in an undertone to Nicole at work the following Wednesday. She’d confided in the other stylist, having to share her news with someone else.

  “I have no idea, girlfriend. You can look it up during your break.”

  Dalton’s department was being mum on the case, but they’d finally released the body to Val’s brother-in-law and cleared the day spa to reopen. The funeral was scheduled for tomorrow. Thursdays being Marla’s late day at work, she’d be able to attend in the morning. She hoped to run into Lora Larue there and save herself another phone call. The woman had never called her back. Marla didn’t know if that was a bad sign or if Lora had merely been out of town.