Shear Murder
Page 1
SHEAR MURDER
A BAD HAIR DAY MYSTERY
SHEAR MURDER
NANCY J. COHEN
FIVE STAR
A part of Gale, Cengage Learning
* * *
Copyright © 2012 by Nancy J. Cohen.
Five Star Publishing, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously.
No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced, transmitted, stored, or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, scanning, digitizing, taping, Web distribution, information networks, or information storage and retrieval systems, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
The publisher bears no responsibility for the quality of information provided through author or third-party Web sites and does not have any control over, nor assume any responsibility for, information contained in these sites. Providing these sites should not be construed as an endorsement or approval by the publisher of these organizations or of the positions they may take on various issues.
* * *
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA
Cohen, Nancy J., 1948−
Shear murder: a bad hair day mystery / Nancy J. Cohen. — 1st ed.
p. cm.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4328-2554-6 (hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-4328-2554-2 (hardcover)
eISBN-13: 978-1-4328-2747-2 eISBN-10: 1-4328-2747-2
1. Shore, Marla (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 2. Women detectives—Florida—Fiction. 3. Beauty operators—Fiction. 4. Florida—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3553.O4258S54 2012
813'.54—dc23 2011034912
* * *
First Edition. First Printing: January 2012.
Published in conjunction with the Author.
This title is available as an e-book.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4328-2747-2 ISBN-10: 1-4328-2747-2
Find us on Facebook– https://www.facebook.com/FiveStarCengage
Visit our website– http://www.gale.cengage.com/fivestar/
Contact Five Star™ Publishing at FiveStar@cengage.com
Printed in the United States of America
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 16 15 14 13 12
This story is dedicated to my fans for your continued support, encouragement, and enthusiasm. I wouldn't have finished this book without your repeated requests for more Marla Shore stories. Thanks to all of you for being my inspiration.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
* * *
Many thanks to Diane Davis, former chair for the Florida-Caribbean Judging Center of the American Orchid Society, and to author Sharon Hartley, avid orchid hobbyist, for sharing your knowledge of orchids. Your input added to the authenticity of this story and is greatly appreciated.
With gratitude to Detective R.C. White, Fort Lauderdale Police (retired). Thank you for answering my crime-related questions and for generously sharing your expertise.
CAST OF CHARACTERS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)
* * *
Marla Shore— Owner of Cut 'N Dye Salon in Palm Haven, Florida.
Angela Moran— Senior editor for Home & Style Magazine.
Anita Shorstein— Marla's mother.
Arnie Hartman— Jill's groom and owner of Bagel Busters, he is also a friend of Marla's. His children are Josh and Lisa. Their nanny is Graciella.
Babs Winrow— Marla's regular client and senior VP of Tylex Industries.
Bev Hartman— Arnie's mother.
Brianna Vail— Dalton's teenaged daughter. Nickname is “Brie.”
Cornelia Oakwood— Falcon's mother.
Cynthia & Bruce Rosen— Cynthia is Marla's cousin. Bruce is her husband. Cynthia's brother is Corbin.
Dalton Vail— Marla's fiancé and Brianna's father. Homicide detective in Palm Haven.
Dellene Hallberg— Senior editor for Boca Style Magazine.
Detective Brody— Homicide detective.
Diane Potts— Orchid class instructor.
Eddy & Alexis Rhodes— Jill's uncle, a real estate attorney, and his wife.
Georgia Rogers— Marla's former college roommate who lives in California.
Goat— A dog groomer. His real name is Kyle. He has a black poodle named Rita.
Grant Bosworth— Photographer for Home & Style Magazine in Palm Beach.
Griff Beasley— Photographer for Boca Style Magazine.
Falcon & Leanne Oakwood— Falcon is founder of Orchid Isle. Leanne is his wife and Torrie's friend.
Hally Leeds— Society columnist for Boca Style Magazine.
Jennifer Cater— Stylist at Cut 'N Dye Salon.
Jill Barlow— Marla's friend and Arnie's fiancée. Jill works in public relations at Stockhart Industries.
Jim Rawls— Jill's wedding photographer.
John & Kate Vail— Dalton's parents, both retired.
Kathy Wilkinson— A private investigator from North Florida.
Kevin & Dana Rhodes— Jill's cousin Kevin is a Realtor. Dana is his wife.
Lance Pearson— Marla's friend and a computer systems analyst.
Luis— Receptionist at Cut 'N Dye Salon.
Michael & Charlene Shorstein— Marla's brother and sister-in-law.
Moss & Emma Cantor— Marla's elderly neighbors.
Nicole Johnson— Hairstylist at Cut 'N Dye Salon.
Pete Schneider— A real estate agent.
Philip Canfield— Jill's wedding florist.
Rachel— Torrie's office assistant.
Roger Gold— Anita's boyfriend. His son, Barry, is an optometrist.
Samuel— Executive chef at Orchid Isle.
Sandy— Sales director at Orchid Isle.
Scott Miller— Torrie's husband who owns a clock repair shop.
Spooks— Marla's cream-colored male poodle.
Stan Kaufman— Marla's ex-spouse and an attorney.
Susan Beamer— Waitress at Jill's wedding.
Tally & Ken Riggs— Tally is Marla's best friend. Ken is her husband.
Torrie Miller— Jill's sister and matron of honor. She's a fashion reporter for Boca Style Magazine.
Yolanda— Owner of a fashion boutique in Fort Lauderdale.
CHAPTER ONE
* * *
If these two women don't stop arguing, one of them is bound to kill the other before the day is done. Marla Shore tucked her shears into a drawer before the leggy bride sitting in her salon chair grabbed them to stab her sister.
“Your nail polish looks like blood,” Jillian Barlow said to her sibling and matron of honor. “Why did you wear such a horrid red? It'll clash with your dress.”
“Who cares? It's not as if you gave us a choice with your color scheme,” Torrie Miller replied, staring into the mirror from the station on their right.
“I thought lavender gowns would go perfectly with the flowers at Orchid Isle.”
“So they will, for your bridesmaids. You made me wear plum. I don't look good in dark colors.”
“It's not your wedding, is it? Oh gosh, I'm going to be sick.” Bending forward, Jill clutched her stomach. Damp strands of blond hair clung to her face.
Marla picked up her blow dryer and twirled the chair around to face her client. “You'll be fine, Jill,” she said in a patient tone. “You're having prewedding jitters.”
Owner of Cut 'N Dye Salon, Marla had done any number of bridal parties. She'd seen attacks of nerves ranging from throwing up to throwing a fit. This was no different, except the bride and groom were frien
ds of hers. Marla's bridesmaid gown waited in her Camry. She'd be heading to Orchid Isle along with the other wedding attendants right after their hair appointments.
“Am I making a mistake?” Jill's blue eyes misted. “I mean, there's a seven-year age difference between Arnie and me. While I adore his kids, I hope he doesn't plan to expand the family. I have no wish to get pregnant at thirty-four and ruin my figure.”
Not after what you paid for cosmetic enhancements. Marla didn't want kids either, but for different reasons. She, too, had jumped into the maternal arena by sharing the responsibility for her fiancé's teenage daughter. Marla wouldn't trade her relationship with Brianna for anything, and she suspected Jill felt the same toward Arnie's family. Naturally Jill would feel nervous getting married for the first—and hopefully the last—time.
“You love Arnie,” she reassured her friend. “You've even converted to Judaism for his sake. You'll be a great wife and mother. Now let me finish your hair, or we'll never get out of here.” Without waiting for a reply, she switched on the blow dryer, using a round brush to lift and roll one section of hair at a time.
In the background, she heard the whirr of other dryers, the chatter of excited voices, and jazz music on the speaker system. Reflecting on her own choices, Marla hoped she'd made the right decision regarding her salon expansion. Rather than relocating to the new town center, she'd decided to remain in the same shopping strip to avoid inconveniencing her customers. Instead, she'd moved to a larger space that had become available while also renting the adjacent empty store for her new day spa.
Getting a new property manager—Marla didn't get along with the old one—had clinched the deal. She'd signed a long-term lease with favorable terms and began renovations. Despite the chaos, she'd kept good her word to do Jill's wedding party.
Finished with the dryer, Marla exchanged it for a curling iron. All of her other operators were busy doing Jill's friends.
“That's too severe,” Torrie said to her stylist, before the girl spritzed her with shine. “The upsweep works, but can't you give me some curly things around my face to soften the look?”
“You, look softer?” Jill scoffed. “That's not your norm.”
Torrie, a slim brunette, shot her a searing glance. “Don't talk to me about my behavior. Look in the mirror. All that you see isn't what you get.”
Jill stiffened. “You promised never to say a word—”
“I know. If you play nice, I will, too. Anyway, we need to talk about our property before we see Uncle Eddy later.”
Marla began working on Jill's elaborate hairdo, trying to concentrate on her task and ignore the bantering between siblings. She hoped their fancy coiffeurs didn't frizz in the humidity. Outdoor weddings in South Florida were always risky. At least November was a better bet than summer in terms of rain.
Clipping back a section of Jill's hair, she used her curling iron to twist the remaining strands before assembling the massive waves with jeweled pins. Exhilaration swept through her. She loved using her artistic talents for bridal parties.
Her turn came next. In just four weeks, she'd become a bride for the second time. Her nuptials were set for December eighth. She swallowed hard. How will I ever be ready?
“Listen,” Jill said to Torrie. “Kevin said we might want to consider doing a land swap.”
“What's that?” Torrie squeezed her eyes shut while the stylist sprayed her hair.
“A trade-off of sorts. I'm not clear on the details, but it involves selling our property and exchanging it for another.”
“No way, darling. Our lot has a great location on a busy corner. We shouldn't have any problem finding another tenant.”
“Marla, give us your advice.” Jill lifted her gaze to meet Marla's in the mirror. “You once owned that joint property with Stanley Kaufman. This concerns a parcel of land that Torrie and I inherited from our father.”
Marla paused, comb in hand. She didn't care to be reminded of past dealings with her ex-spouse. “What are you talking about?” If it were me, I'd be more worried about the catering arrangements at my ceremony and my groom arriving on time.
“Torrie and I need to reach a mutual understanding before our cousin Kevin tries to smooth-talk us at the wedding. He's a real estate agent.”
“Oh. Haven't you two discussed this subject before now?”
“Torrie lives in Miami. We haven't had the chance to get together. You know, what with the wedding plans and all.” Jill's aloof expression told Marla that she hadn't sought the opportunity, either.
“We've been talking on the telephone,” Torrie added, as though that would explain their lack of agreement.
Plucking a can of holding spray from the counter, Marla shook her head. “You don't want to involve me. Every time I get sucked into a situation, someone ends up dead.”
Before either sister could reply, Nicole signaled to Marla from the chair on her left. “Babs says her scalp is burning. I used the twenty-volume peroxide like you said.”
Marla glanced at the blond woman occupying an empty manicure station while her hair processed. Babs had never reacted that way before.
“Will you excuse me?” she said to Jill, putting down her spray can. Rummaging in one of her roundabout drawers, she fetched a pink packet of artificial sweetener.
Striding toward the business executive, Marla smiled. “Hi, Babs, thanks again for letting me put you in Nicole's book for today. What's this about your scalp hurting?”
Babs winced. “I can feel the dye sizzling. It's really uncomfortable, and I'm afraid it'll damage my hair. Did Nicole use the proper solution?”
“Yes, I told her what to mix. Sometimes this will happen if you develop a sensitivity. You haven't changed any of your medications lately, have you? Chemicals can affect your body as well as your hair.”
Babs's face brightened. “Actually, I did. My doctor put me on something new for my blood pressure.”
“Well, let me sprinkle on some sweetener. This reaction happens a lot when clients change medicines and forget to tell us. We aren't sure what the secret ingredient in the sweetener is, but it works.” Marla ripped open the package in her hand, applied the granules to the woman's scalp, then kneaded it in after donning a glove.
“That feels better, thanks.” Babs's posture relaxed.
“You have another twenty minutes on your timer. Can I get you a magazine or a cup of coffee?”
“No, I'm fine. Go back to your bride. She looks upset.”
Jill was still arguing with her sister when Marla returned. She was so agitated that she'd begun picking at her just manicured nails.
“I told you to get a durable power of attorney drawn up,” Jill told Torrie. “What happens if you're incapacitated and we have to make important decisions?”
“Scott can make them for me.” Torrie watched in the mirror while her stylist patted a stray hair into place.
“Are you kidding? This is between us, not our husbands.”
“Don't worry so much. We need to resolve one thing at a time. Then I'll think about the next step.”
“At your pace, we'll never solve anything.” Jill twisted in her seat. “Marla, is it better for us to form a limited liability company? I'm not sure a partnership agreement is the right way to go.”
Oh, like I'm a legal expert? If I were, I'd have avoided marrying Stan the big-shot lawyer during a bad time in my life.
Unsnapping Jill's cape after a final spritz of holding spray, Marla shrugged. “From what I understand, the most important reason for putting your business assets into an LLC is to protect you from being personally liable.”
Torrie hunched forward. “Setting up an LLC would cost us more money in attorney fees. I can't afford to keep paying these high bills.”
Jill arched an eyebrow. “Oh, like the salary you make isn't enough, plus the money Scott brings in from his job?”
“Hah, that sheep is stuck in his pen. I can't rely on him for much longer.”
“What's
that supposed to mean?” Jill stared at her sister.
Torrie collected her purse. “A gal has to look out for herself, that's all.”
Jill turned to Marla. “Did Torrie mention she's a fashion reporter for Boca Style Magazine? Maybe you can submit makeover photos of before and after hairstyles to her. I know you've been wanting to get some free publicity for your new spa.”
“Good idea.” Marla nodded. “I've been hoping to do more photo shoots but haven't had the time.”
“Marla worked with Luxor Products at the Supreme Show in January,” Jill explained to Torrie. “They brought models to her salon and took photos to advertise their new sunscreen line.”
“We did another session in the Keys. I've been meaning to follow up with the photographer,” Marla said. “I've been too busy between expanding the salon, getting ready to move into our new house, and planning my own wedding. I can't believe the date is nearly here. We haven't even—”
“I'd be happy to look at any photos you send,” Torrie cut in. “Think about tying them in with a holiday issue.” She glanced at her watch. “Are the other girls ready yet?”
Marla surveyed the bridesmaids. “They're not quite done. I could take them in my car if you and Jill want to go ahead.”
“Karen is driving the others down.” Jill brushed some stray hairs off her jeans. She'd dressed casually for her appointment, her bridal ensemble delivered ahead to the gardens where the wedding would take place.
It had been a brilliant stroke to book Orchid Isle for her wedding the same weekend as its grand opening. Since the press would be in attendance at this new attraction, the fledgling nature park would get plenty of free publicity, a boon for its developer, Falcon Oakwood.