The Saucy Lucy Murders by Cindy Keen Reynders Page B

surprised. Lucy didn’t wear makeup or perfume or anything that would enhance her looks. It was against her religion. “But isn’t vanity a sin?”
    “Of course, dear. And I wouldn’t be caught dead there under normal circumstances. But we are, after all, on a mission to try and ferret out a murderer. God will understand.”
    Having one’s nails done was far too sinful for a Sunday-go-to meeting gal like Lucy and far too long and painstaking a process for Lexie. But since they would be suffering for a cause, Lexie figured she would bite the bullet.

C HAPTER 3
    W HEN L EXIE AND L UCY WALKED INSIDE Nailed to the Wall a few days later, the shop bell tinkled on the door. The place exuded a comfortable feeling with ivy-stenciled walls, floral wreaths and posters with perfect models in perfect clothes advertising the latest hairstyles and nail polish. The floor had thick, rose-colored carpet and there were plenty of mirrors for women to observe themselves after various cosmetic procedures. Unfortunately, it reeked of polish remover and other mysterious substances.
    Upon Lexie and Lucy’s entrance, everyone froze in the different stations of beauty treatment— massage, pedicure, manicure, and hairdressing—and looked up. Before long, low, tittering comments flowed across the room.
    “Well, well, well,” Carma Leone said as she walked in their direction. “Look what the cat dragged in. The preacher man’s prodigal daughters.”
    “Hello, Carma,” Lexie said, ignoring her former classmate’s condescending remarks. “Nice to see you, too. It’s been a long time.” Carma graduated from Moose Creek Junction High School the same year as Lexie. But her looks had changed drastically over the years—for the better.
    Back in high school, Carma had been tall and plump. Her hair had been greasy; she’d worn dorky glasses and perpetually slumped her shoulders. Now the ugly duckling had blossomed into a lovely woman with dark, exotic good looks and mysterious green eyes. Her black smock and black slacks emphasized her sleek, sophisticated look. Sleek and sophisticated like Cat Woman.
    Carma’s dark brows arched into an expression of curiosity and she folded her arms across her chest. “What brings you ladies here today?”
    “Would you have time to do our nails this morning?” Lexie held up her ragged paws.
    Carma’s dark brows arched. “I’m dying to know why two little brown sparrows such as yourselves would care to have your nails done.”
    “I suppose that’s our business, Carma,” Lucy said. “Unless you’d rather we drive over to Westonville and pay someone else to do them.”
    Carma smiled, but her right eye began to twitch a little. “Actually, I have a cancellation this morning and so does Georgia. We’d be more than happy to take care of you.”
    “Thank you.” Lexie wished desperately shecould give Cat Woman a piece of her mind. But it would be pointless to irritate Carma. They were here to soak up the latest gossip and she wasn’t about to let her personal feelings ruin the opportunity.
    “Georgia will do your nails, Lucy. Go ahead and have a seat at her station and she’ll be right back. She’s just powdering her nose.” Carma pointed toward a desk adjacent to hers and Lucy lowered into a chair.
    “You’re looking good,” Lexie said to Cat Woman as she sat at her station. “And you seem to be doing good with your business.”
    Carma sent her an icy, insincere smile. “I’m so sorry to hear about your parents passing away. And your divorce. You and Dan always seemed so meant for each other.” Her face took on a peculiar expression.
    “Things change.” Lexie fought down the sting of Dan’s betrayal for the millionth time.
    Carma started to buff Lexie’s short, ragged nails. “And your daughter? How is she doing?”
    “It was rough at first, with the divorce and all. But now she’s fine. She’s a freshman at Westonville University this fall.”
    “My, my, children do grow up