5 Conditioner and a Corpse by Cindy Bell Page B

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    Growing more frustrated by the moment as every second that passed meant Jeff could be on his way back, Bekki headed for the trash can. Maybe there was something in there that might indicate he had something to do with Jasmine's death. As she sorted through the garbage, she noticed something. Her fingers were smudged with ash. In fact, all of the garbage in the top of the can had been placed on top of a pile of ash in the bottom of the can. She glanced up at the ceiling to discover that the smoke detector had been tampered with. Had he burned the shirt? Maybe he spotted the lipstick smudge, or maybe he became suspicious when Nick had asked to see the cuffs of his shirt. Either way it seemed pretty clear that whatever evidence might have existed to connect Jeff to the murder had gone up in smoke.
    Bekki almost jumped out of her skin as a cell phone beeped. She found it under a chair in the room.  It had probably fallen out of someone’s pocket. It was a different brand to the one Jeff had with him when he came into the salon. Bekki snatched up the phone. When she read the text message she felt her blood run cold.
    Did you kill him yet?
    Bekki held her breath and quickly put the phone back where she had found it and backed away from it. She realized that Jeff was in more than just a bad and dangerous business deal, it looked like he was having his life threatened. Whether he knew it or not, he might be the next murder victim in Harroway. Bekki hurried to the door of the motel and opened it up ready to run out. Just as she stepped outside the door a shadow fell across the sidewalk. She looked up with a gasp to discover Mr. Parsons standing outside.
    “ Did you find your purse?” he asked with a slight frown. “I felt a little bad leaving you here all alone, considering what happened here, so I thought I'd come back and check on you.”
    “ Oh uh, turns out he took it with him,” Bekki said with a light laugh. “He just called me on his cell phone to let me know he had it. Sorry for all the trouble.”
    “ Sure,” he nodded and smiled. “Just glad that you were able to figure it all out. Do you want me to walk you to your car?” he offered.
    “ No thanks Mr. Parsons, I'll be just fine,” Bekki promised him and hoped that he didn't see the ash smudged on her fingertips. As she hurried off down the sidewalk her mind was spinning. Nick had been right when he said that the men Jeff was dealing with were very dangerous. She could only wonder if Jeff knew how dangerous they were. Was it possible she had it wrong all along? Maybe Jeff was the one in danger? She couldn't think straight as she started her car. She was just about to put it into drive when her cell phone rang. She checked the ID to discover it was Nick.
    “ Your mom said you're not home,” Nick said urgently. “Are you okay?”
    “ Yes,” Bekki said quickly. “Why were you talking to my Mom?”
    “ Uh well,” he cleared his throat hesitantly.
    “ Nick?” she pressed with a frown as she pulled out of the parking lot.
    “ She and I were just discussing the best way to keep you safe,” Nick admitted with a sigh.
    “ Nick, I can take care of myself,” Bekki warned him with frustration, but her voice was soft.
    “ Just this once Bekki, let us do what we can to help you, okay?” Nick pleaded. “Can I come over?”
    Bekki was just pulling into her driveway. She glanced down at her ash covered hands and bit into her bottom lip guiltily. She didn't want to lie to him more than she already had.
    “I just need a shower and to head straight to bed,” Bekki explained haltingly. “I just need a night to myself.”
    “ Okay, but I'll be home in an hour, so if you want some company, just call me. I love you, Bekki.”
    Bekki smiled at his words and hesitated only a moment before she replied. “I love you too, Nick.”
    As she climbed out of her car and headed toward s the door of her house, she found herself being a little extra cautious. She glanced