5 Conditioner and a Corpse by Cindy Bell

he looked up at her with a hint of pleading in his eyes. “There's just no evidence. We can't prove that he was in the room with Jasmine. The shirt he was wearing when we picked him up didn't have any lipstick on it. The only thing we have that lets us monitor him is the connection between the two men he claims are his bodyguards.”
    “ I know it was him,” Bekki said firmly as she let her hand come to rest on his shoulder. “But I understand. Without proof there's no way to hold him,” her eyes began to shimmer slightly.
    “ No Bekki,” Nick warned as he looked deeply into her eyes. “This is an extremely volatile situation. I need you to stay as far away from this man as possible. Understand? No matter what you're thinking, do not go looking for clues.”
    “ I didn't go looking for him this morning,” Bekki pointed out as she raised her eyebrow slightly. “I was careful.”
    “ Be more careful,” he said emphatically and pulled her hands into his. “I'm going to look more into his company and background and see if I can turn up something, anything, that we can hold him on. There will be a police cruiser coming soon and won’t leave until you’ve locked up. Be extra cautious, okay?”
    Bekki nodded and gently touched her lips to his in a sweet soft kiss. “Don't worry so much Nick, I'll be fine.”
    He held her gaze as she pulled away, and the concern reflected in his eyes made Bekki certain that he would never stop worrying about her.
    “Okay, I'll check in with you later tonight,” he stole another quick kiss and then left the salon. After Sammy had checked out the last customer of the evening she walked over to Bekki who was staring thoughtfully into space.
    “ Isn't it frightening?” Sammy shivered a little. “To think that man is walking free.”
    “ Yes it is,” Bekki replied, her voice flattened with determination. “Hopefully someone will turn up some proof.”
    Sammy finished closing the cash register down for the night while Bekki checked the locks on the back door. Then they headed out into the parking lot together where the police cruiser was parked. Bekki was used to closing the salon at night on her own, but she was secretly glad to have Sammy with her this time. The cruiser was a very welcome addition as well.
    “ Do you want me to come over?” Sammy suggested. “We could have a girls’ night, watch a movie, drink some wine?”
    “ Not tonight,” Bekki shook her head slowly. “I just want to spend a little time alone to think about Jasmine.”
    “ Oh, of course,” Sammy smacked her forehead lightly. “I'm sorry Bekki I hope I didn't upset you. I know you had planned to spend the evening with Jasmine the night…” she hesitated to finish her sentence.
    “ It's okay,” Bekki promised and felt a little guilty for lying to her friend. She had no intention of going home. “I'll see you in the morning, okay?” Bekki smiled at Sammy and gave her a quick hug.
    “ I'll be here,” Sammy replied and hugged her in return. “Call me if you need me.”
    “ I will,” Bekki promised her. Bekki climbed into the front seat of her car and began to drive off as if she was heading home. She knew that she would only have a little time before Nick started calling to check on her, or her mother dropped by to do the same. So she was going to have to make her clandestine adventure fast.
    Bekki turned down a side street and then drove back to the edge of town, back to the Harroway Harbor Motel. When she pulled into the parking lot she parked in the well-lit area right in front of the entrance of the office of the motel. The office was already closed for the evening, but Bekki still thought it was safer to be in plain sight. She easily spotted which motel room Jeff Barnes was staying in, by the two flashy cars parked in front of it. She put her car in park and stepped out of it. As she walked along the sidewalk towards the motel room she was careful to stay close to the wall. When she was at