Kiss & Makeup: Beauty Secrets Mystery Book 2

by Stephanie Damore

  I drove straight home and got Captain Jack and myself secured for the night. He seemed content as could be once he commandeered my couch pillows. It would take more than a comfy pillow to calm me. I loaded up a bowl with three scoops of my beloved mint chocolate chip ice cream and started tooling around online. I found out that Paulette’s ex-husband, Randy Berger, owned a small appliance repair store on the south side of town. I saved the store’s address into my phone with a promise to check it out tomorrow. I obviously knew he was divorced, but that was the only record I could find in the county clerk database. No other marriages, or any children for that matter, came up when I ran additional searches.

  Next, I Googled “Whip McGovern”. He was handsome, with dark hair and broad shoulders. He looked more like an athlete than a politician, also younger than I had expected. I ran a quick background check on him, returning nothing significant, no college degrees, business licenses or marriages. Only thing I really found were about a dozen different recent headshots. The man really seemed to love the camera, and probably himself. There wasn’t much to note on his campaign website either, just the usual economic promises of yesteryear. I would have to dig deeper if I wanted to find out what he was really like. I made a note to find out who his friends were, or better yet, his enemies.

  It looked like tomorrow morning would be busy. With a game plan, I hoped to sleep better that night. Even if it was alone. I wondered what Finn was doing. It freaked me out thinking of him bobbing around out there in the middle of the ocean. It didn’t seem to bother him one bit. I supposed that was the important part; he loved his job. Still, I’d feel better when he was back on dry land or doing day trips. These crazy weeklong trips of his were going to drive me batty.

  9

  My phone woke me from a delicious dream that I did not want to end. I sighed, still thinking about Finn, and reached over to my nightstand to grab my phone. It was a county number. My heart rate picked up. Last time I received a call from a county line, it was Aria in jail.

  “Sug’, you there?” Mrs. J. asked.

  “Don’t tell me—”

  “That Detective’s gone and arrested me!”

  I was not surprised. “What happened?”

  “Well, I may have been buying a bus ticket to get out of Dodge. You know, until this mess all blew over.”

  “That’s not suspicious or anything. You know murder’s not something that just blows over.”

  “Hush now. That Miss Priss said she just wanted to ask me a few questions, but I knew better. I told her to get lost.”

  “That all?” Sarcasm dripped from my words.

  “I might have also threatened her with a little voodoo magic. Just a bit. It’s in my blood, you know.”

  “Awesome.” I wasn’t sure what charges Mrs. J. was being held on. It sounded like Detective Roxy had a few to work with.

  “You gotta help me, honey girl. This whole place is run by a bunch of fools.”

  “Keep that to yourself. I’m already working on it. You just behave and let your lawyer do the talking.” I was hoping to turn something up with Randy or Whip and set Detective Roxy down the right path. It sounded like most of her efforts right now were focused on getting something to stick on Mrs. J. I already tried to tell her that was a waste of time, but I understood following the evidence. I intended to follow the motivation. Like Mary said, who had the most to gain?

  Mrs. J. grumbled about not needing a lawyer, but I put the kibosh on that. “You like orange? Then just keep talking. If not, then be on your best behavior.”

  I couldn’t solve this murder soon enough.

  I hung up with Mrs. J. and took Captain Jack out to do his thing. He didn’t pee, poo, or chew on anything throughout the night, so I considered that a success. He did however sleep plastered to my side. Surprisingly, I was okay with this. The pup and I had more in common than I originally gave him credit for, like a love of shopping and sleep. Finn might’ve been an early riser, but Captain Jack seemed to like to stay in bed for morning cuddles. This whole “man’s best friend” thing was new to me, as my mom didn’t allow any pets in the house. Well, the rule used to be: if it could be under water for five minutes and still be alive, I could have it. She probably had a goldfish in mind. However, one day I found and brought home a baby alligator instead (what? I’m a southern girl) and that put an end to that.

  I had a little bit of time until Randy’s appliance shop opened, so I took a nice hot shower and doubled up with my mint deep-conditioning treatment and orange zest body scrub. I hadn’t told Mrs. DeVine what happened yesterday and the more I thought about it, the more I decided it would be best to have some answers first. If I could solve this little mystery, I could move forward with my business. Just another thing to think about. Speaking of business, I remembered that I was supposed to have a Beauty Secrets product shipment delivered on Saturday. I may be focused on my own beauty line, but Beauty Secrets was still my bread and butter. I had a home party booked for the following night and unless those products showed up first thing this morning, I’d have to put in a rush order and pay for overnight shipping. When I got out of the shower, I brought up my email and clicked through my inbox until I found what I was looking for—my shipping confirmation. A quick track of the package confirmed it had been delivered on Saturday, just as planned, only I had no idea where it was. I guess it was possible that someone could’ve stolen it. We did have a ton of extra visitors in town with Seaside Days this past weekend. Although, most people didn’t walk behind the stores. It was mostly employee and tenants that parked back here, but I couldn’t rule that out.

  I ran downstairs to see if it had accidentally been dropped off to the antiques shop. It wouldn’t have been first time if it had ended up there.

  “Morning, Kathleen,” I said to the shop’s owner when I walked in. She was in the front window arranging a glass display. “Don’t put that out, I want it.” She had the most beautiful Murano glass vases that I had to have. The pink swirled glass would look perfect on my mantel.

  “It’s yours. What about these?” She held up a crystal champagne flute with rose gold stems. Aria would love them and I did still need to get her a wedding gift.

  “Sold. Now stop showing me stuff,” I said with a smile. Kathleen knew just what I liked, and I could spend way too much time and money browsing her inventory. I always found too many things that I loved and had to have. If I was looking for a rug, I’d come out with a tea set, a vintage sign, and a rug. Just like today. I don’t know why I thought it would be any different.

  “Hey, my Beauty Secrets order didn’t by chance get dropped off here on accident, did it?”

  Kathleen thought for a second. “Nope, haven’t seen anything. I can call Mary and see if she saw it. She closed yesterday.”

  “No, this would’ve been delivered on Saturday.”

  “Then I don’t think we have it. Sorry.”

  “Shoot, that sucks. Well, at least you did help me find the perfect wedding present for Aria. She’s seriously going to love these flutes.” I seriously loved them.

  “Well, you’re welcome then. I’ll let you know if your shipment shows up too.”

  “Thanks, yeah, keep an eye out. My shipping confirmation shows that it was delivered on Saturday, so if you don’t have it, I’m guessing it was stolen.”

  “Are you getting into trouble again?” Kathleen semi-joked. My spring had been quite eventful.

  “Gosh, I hope not.” In reality, it was more like, aren’t I always?

  “Let us know if you need anything. Feel free to have your shipments sent here and I’ll sign for them.”

  “Thanks for the offer. That’s a good idea. I’ll do that.” This is what the town of Port Haven was all about—neighbors helping neighbors. Not neighbors killing neighbors and burying them on the beach. I said goodbye to Kathleen and set off to find out who hadn’t gotten that memo.

  10

  Captain Jack and I left my apartment just after ten o’clock. I
wasn’t brave enough to ask my parents to watch him again and, without a crate, there was no way he was having free reign of my place. My start had been delayed as it took a little bit longer than I’d expected to put that rush order in, but I had to do that first - either that, or cancel the party, which I really didn’t want to do. If Serenity Now tanked before taking off, I’d need every Beauty Secrets client I could get. Thankfully, my shipments came with insurance, so if the package never showed, I’d at least be able to file a claim. Until then, I ordered enough trial-sized lipsticks, nail polishes, and promo packs to get me through tomorrow. I tried to always have the latest deal on hand. I learned early on that if clients could see it—or better yet, try it—then they would buy it. I’d like to think that my missing products were the result of some shipping snafu, but I knew better. I swore if Justine was behind this, she would pay. Instead of waiting around to see what other stunts she would pull, I also ordered a wireless Wi-Fi camera and a few door sensors online that I could monitor with my cell phone. Extra security was smart all around.

  RB Appliance Repair was in a strip mall wedged between a second-hand retail shop and a Chinese restaurant. If the interview was a bust, at least I could grab some Lo Mein for lunch. Captain Jack sniffed his nose out the window and I knew he approved of the plan.

  Randy Berger was a bear of a man. Grizzly beard, two hundred and sixty pounds, at least six foot five. He looked as solid as they came. But I was thinking that all wasn’t as it seemed. Maybe it was his red-rimmed eyes or the Cary Grant movie playing on his little television in the background, but there was more to Mr. Berger than what first impressions led you to believe. He hummed to himself while he worked on the inside of a window air conditioner. Captain Jack wiggled in my arms. I wasn’t sure if Randy allowed dogs, but I couldn’t very well leave the little guy in my car. Even with the windows cracked, it was way too hot. I might be new to this whole pet-owner thing, but I wasn’t an idiot.

  “I’ll be with you in just a minute,” he said, taking a handkerchief out of the back pocket of his overalls and blowing his nose. It sounded like an elephant with a cold—loud and wet. Captain Jack tried to bury his muzzle in my armpit. I felt the same way, but resisted the urge to plug my ears. Randy tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket.

  I tried not to stare, but I couldn’t see how this man had been married to Paulette. I couldn’t imagine her washing his overalls or his handkerchiefs. I was betting all her clothes had been dry-clean-only. He and Paulette must’ve been like oil and water. As in, motor oil and sparkling mineral water. That’s probably why they were divorced.

  “Now, what can I do for you?” He looked up for a just a moment, but continued to work.

  “My name’s Ziva Diaz. I’m a friend of Mrs. Birdie Jackson’s.”

  CLANG. Randy dropped a screwdriver and whatever part he had been holding. I flinched. Captain Jack barked. That was the wrong name to drop.

  “What do you want?” He looked up and stared me down while saying the words. I might have been intimidated if he didn’t look like he was about to cry.

  “Wait, hang on.” I held up a hand. “You loved Paulette, am I right?” Of course, I was right. His palms were face down on the counter now, and I could see the indent from the wedding ring he still wore. “Well, I’m here for her because, right now, justice isn’t being served and it needs to be.”

  “Says who?”

  “Me. I know Mrs. J.’s not the killer.” At least, I was pretty sure she wasn’t.

  “What’s that have to do with me?” Randy looked wary.

  “I was hoping you could help me out here, try and figure out who would want to kill Paulette, and don’t say Mrs. J...”

  Randy closed his eyes and shook his head. “I just don’t know what to think. Paulette could be difficult, but not enough to be murdered. She didn’t deserve this.”

  “No enemies?”

  “Well now, we hadn’t been close for the last couple years, but none that I can think of unless this has something to do with that boyfriend of hers.”

  “You think Mayor Potts is somehow involved?”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me. He’s a bit of an idiot. Who knows what he could’ve gotten them into.”

  I nodded. I could see that. Mayor Potts was the type of guy who could walk into an armed robbery and not realize it. More than that, I wondered if someone like Whip had it out for him. “I know Mrs. J. and she didn’t get along, but did she have a habit of feuding with anyone else?”

  “No, no feuding, but you know who I was just thinking about?”

  “Who?”

  “That Vicki Kline woman. I couldn’t remember her name when the police asked me.”

  “What about her?”

  “She was always following Paulette around. An odd duck, that one. Something’s off about her.”

  “Okay, thanks. I’ll keep her in mind.” Captain Jack wiggled in my arms and I was afraid he might tinkle if I put him down. I gave Randy my card and told him to give me a call if he thought of anything else, and we got out of there. Sitting in my truck, I thought about our next move. What had we learned? One: Randy was still in love with Paulette. Unless it was one of those “if I can’t have her no one else can” deals, then he wasn’t the killer. Two: he was the second person to mention Vicki Kline as a person of interest. Then I remembered what Maryanne said at the hospital about grayantoxins. Plants. Could it really be all that simple? Vicki did love her plants. She told me so, but if there ever was anyone who looked less like a murderer, it was her. Then again, what did I know? Last time I tried solving a murder, I became friends with the killer. I definitely couldn’t read people as well as I thought I could.

  If I turned left, I’d head back toward town. If I turned right, I’d head further toward the country, but maybe that’s exactly where I needed to go. If anyone knew about Vicki, it was Suzanne. They clearly weren’t friends. Maybe she could tell me why. Plus, I needed to ask Suzanne about purchasing her honey for my products.

  Suzy-Bee Honey Farms was about as picturesque as it could be. A small produce stand was at the end of a long, winding driveway stocked with honey jars, fresh-cut flowers, and fresh peaches. Flowering fruit trees lined her driveway, which lead up to a gorgeous white farmhouse with a sweeping front porch and double-door entryway.

  Chickens roamed around the front yard and a dog barked somewhere on the property. It all felt very Martha Stewart-ish to me. Captain Jack wanted to get out of my arms, but I had no idea how trained the pup was. Just my luck, he’d bolt for the woods that surrounded the place, and I’d never see him again.

  No one answered her door when I knocked, but her white Lexus SUV was parked next to the house, along with a delivery van with the Suzy-Bee logo on it. I wasn’t going to snoop, but seeing that I had driven all the way out here, I might as well take a quick peek around the property to see if I could find her.

  I walked around the back of the house and was amazed at how beautiful Suzanne’s gardens were. The back of the property was even more gorgeous than the front. Blooms in white and purple, and hot pink and yellow dominated the landscape. Everywhere I looked, there were bushes and shrubs, climbing vines, and planter boxes bursting with color. My nose tickled and I knew I’d have to keep my visit short or my allergies would kick into overdrive. Flowers were not my friends. Never had been.

  I stopped short at the sight of row upon row of white beehive boxes arranged in the bright, open yard. Guess I underestimated how many bees it took to make honey. The thought of hundreds or even thousands of bees all buzzing around freaked me out. Maybe this wasn’t the best plan? I didn’t want to be stung. It had been a couple years, but the last time one got me, my hand swelled up to an unhealthy size and I had to chug a bottle of Benadryl. I had pretty much avoided the little winged devils since then. I could never understand how something so cute could inflict so much pain.

  Before I could turn tail, I spotted Suzanne a couple rows ahead, working on one of her hive boxes. She appeare
d to be moving it. I was surprised that she didn’t have any protective gear on. Just a straw sun hat, white capris, and a pink button-up blouse. Me? I’d be suited up like I was working with nuclear waste.

  Suzanne looked up, startled.

  “Hi, sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

  “No, that’s okay. Just wasn’t expecting anyone, that’s all.” Suzanne had just finished moving one of the hive boxes onto a dolly and was looking inside it, examining it.

  “Isn’t that dangerous?” I motioned to what she was doing. Captain Jack sniffed toward the box. “Don’t put your nose in there, buddy.”

  Suzanne looked over at Captain Jack but didn’t even acknowledge him. Instead, she picked up the smoker at her feet. “It can be, which is why I have this.”

  I knew bee keepers used them, but I didn’t know how one worked. “Does that stun them?”

  “Not at all. It actually makes them think there’s a fire. When a bee detects smoke, it focuses on consuming honey and protecting the queen, and not so much on what I’m doing.” Suzanne took out a piece of broken honey comb. It looked amazing, except for the bees that were starting to swarm. I backed off a little.

  “Doesn’t the smoke stress them out?” Suddenly, I felt sorry for the little guys. I mean, they were super important pollinators, weren’t they?

  “I’d rather have them a little stressed out than dead. If you don’t smoke them, chances are they’ll be more aggressive and sting you. They sting you, they die. So, stress is by far the better alternative.”

  Well, when you put it that way… “That makes sense.” Still, I kept my distance.

  “I don’t bother them all that often, only to check on the heath of the colony. This one here I’m just getting ready to move.”