Close to a Killer by Marsha Qualey

Author:Marsha Qualey [Qualey, Marsha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Published: 2014-12-06T05:00:00+00:00

12

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST A YEAR there was a Walk-ins Welcome sign taped to the front window of Killer Looks. Barrie took it down.

“What did you do that for?” Daria asked.

“You won’t need this today,” Barrie replied as she motioned Nan and her three companions inside the salon. “This afternoon is continuing education, isn’t it? I have three volunteers.”

“Continuing education?” Daria murmured as she accidentally aimed a blow-dryer at her client’s ear.

Mrs. Dunhill redirected the dryer. “What did Barrie say?” she asked.

Daria switched off the appliance. “She found some volunteers for our continuing education afternoon. News to me,” she added softly.

“This is Nan Lattimore, Mom” Barrie explained. “She runs the People’s Center up on Lagoon.” The women shook hands.

“What a wonderful idea” Mrs. Dunhill said to Daria. She exchanged nods with Nan. “The center is one of our foundation’s favorite recipients and I’ve known Nan for years. Excellent things going on there. If you contribute one afternoon a week to her clients, you’ll take a big step toward regaining control.”

Daria put a hand on her hip and looked at the ceiling. “Control.”

“I always told my children that you recover from a stumble with forward motion,” Mrs. Dunhill continued. “Some pro bono work will be good practice, good service, and”—she lowered her voice—“an opportunity for good press.”

You don’t stay rich, Barrie decided, by being slow. She sent a broad thank-you smile to Mrs. Dunhill.

The tall brunette claimed the chair next to the state’s richest woman. “I’m Meg. It’s nice and cool in here. I don’t ever want to go back outside, but we all have interviews at Burger King later. Do you have a cigarette?”

“Yes, I do,” Mrs. Dunhill said, “but they won’t let you smoke in here. Otherwise it’s a perfect salon.”

Crystal stepped behind Meg and fingered a strand of hair that had slipped free of the bun. “How short do you want to go?”

“Short!”

“I could do a nice bob—nothing too girlish, don’t worry about that—but something to give it lift and body.”

“And makeup,” Meg answered. “The girl said we’d get facials and everything. Full works. Do you do peels?”

Daria looked at her daughter and lifted her eyebrows. Full works? she mouthed.

Barrie guided the other two women toward empty stations. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure who’s who,” she said.

Nan jumped in. “This is Helen,” she said, putting a hand on the woman who had raved about her new shoes. “And this is Judy.” Judy hadn’t spoken all afternoon and she jumped back from the minister’s touch. She dropped her head, letting her long snarled hair drop over her face.

“I haven’t had my hair cut in five, maybe six years,” Helen said loudly. “Will you wash it first?”

“You bet,” said Barrie. “I’ll do that while my mom is finishing her client. Then she’ll work on you.”

TaNeece sidled up to Judy. “Do you have an interview too?” Judy nodded. “Well, then, I’m going to make you look so good no one would dare to not give you a job.

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