Haunted Hair Nights by Nancy J. Cohen

Author:Nancy J. Cohen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: halloween, murder mystery, holidays, amateur sleuth, cozy mystery, haunted house, novella, women sleuths, mystery series
Publisher: Nancy J. Cohen

Chapter Six

“I think they all might be guilty,” Marla said to Nicole at work on Tuesday, after bringing her colleague up to date.

“Get out of town. You can’t believe a bunch of kids conspired to commit murder,” Nicole replied. The cinnamon-skinned stylist looked as sleek as ever in a patterned maxi-dress, her black hair clipped atop her head and her face expertly made-up. Nicole loved to read mystery novels, so Marla could always count on her to debate suspects in a logical manner.

She’d brought to work the mannequin heads and tripod stand she had purchased the day before. Hopefully, she would have a chance to work on them today. Although her schedule was full for the first few hours, maybe later she’d have some spare time.

The aroma of brewing coffee drifted her way from the coffee pot set up for customers. Robyn, the receptionist, had gone to Bagel Busters for their morning order. Everything sparkled from a fresh cleaning the night before.

Marla lined up her favorite products and plugged in her tools in preparation for the day. “The bad guy has to be a teacher, parent, or student. On the teacher side, there’s Principal Underwood. He’s hoping to gain from Mr. Ripari’s death by the provisions in his will. Underwood must mean to impress the school board. Having a generous benefactor for his facility can only be to his advantage.”

Nicole frowned at her. “I thought you said another family had filed a claim for the estate.”

“That would be the Conroys. Dalton is researching that aspect.” Marla stowed her handbag in a drawer and then stared at Nicole. “You’ve reminded me of something. The missing marriage certificate would prove their inheritance rights. It could be hidden inside the house in the woods. Mr. Ripari never lived there. After the restaurant closed, the place was shuttered.”

“Wait, tell me the history again. I forgot the details.”

“Frank Conroy bought the land in the 1930s for agricultural use. After a drought, he sold his holdings at a steep discount to William Ripari, Senior. Ripari built a house on the estate. Years later, he leased the property to a consortium for a pioneer theme park, with the caveat that his house be preserved as a historical exhibit.”

“So he moved out at the time?”

“Obviously. Anyway, when the tourist park closed, his son Joseph tore down the attractions but kept the house. He converted it into a successful restaurant. This establishment lasted until he died.”

Nicole leaned against her counter. “So what happened then?”

“Joseph’s heir—our deceased history teacher—restored the home’s furnishings that had been left in storage, but he never moved in. I’d guess his appreciation of history made him hang onto the place, until he received an offer to buy the property. The buyer’s proposal promised to save the residence as part of a living history attraction.”

“That sounds like a good compromise. How does the Conroy family fit in?”

“Frank Conroy blamed Ripari Senior for the devaluation of his land. Frank had a daughter. Rumor says Janet had a secret relationship with Ripari’s other son, Nathan.

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