'Bout to Dye in Birmingham by Beth Hamer Miles

Author:Beth Hamer Miles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: comedy, pandemic, humorous, 2020, funny mystery
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

As we reached the back of the salon, the dirt road gave way to tan pea gravel, which formed an area for additional parking. By that point, I was sweating through my scrubs. A huge maple tree stood to the left of the building in the back of the lot. I aimed for the tree and parked Mrs. Castinelli behind the wide trunk, mostly to keep her wheelchair stable, but also to keep her out of sight—just in case.

I headed with purpose to the back door. If anyone besides Lula was inside, I'd just tell them I was having car trouble or I needed to use the bathroom. If it was only Lula, I'd help her with her mother any way I could. After that, I'd be calling the police.

I started to knock, but then I heard voices. I tried the knob. It turned easily, and the door opened a crack.

I stuck my head into the dark interior, which looked like a storage room and carried the vague scent of cleaning products. Shelves full of beauty supplies and out-of-season holiday decor were stuffed from floor to ceiling. A large trash can was pushed against the wall beside a utility sink with a gooseneck faucet. Beyond that, a connecting door only stood open about a foot, and I could see the pink sinks and chairs running down the left side of the room. The bell over the front door tinkled, and footsteps crossed the floor.

"I'm counting them now," said a female voice whose cold tone sounded familiar.

I slipped inside. There was movement in the mirrors over the sinks, so I crept towards the doorway to get a better view.

Patti Wright was behind the receptionist's desk looking down at the countertop, which was hidden behind a half wall. I couldn't see what it was she was supposedly counting. I could see her amethyst nose piercing, though, glinting purple like a fat, out-of-place booger.

"Did you hear me, Brittany?" she asked.

"Yes ma'am," came Brittany's meek reply.

"Lula better hope they're all here. I'll need her bookkeeping records too, so I can track everything."

"Yes ma'am," Brittany said again.

"Here, get rid of these bags. Did you bring the suitcase I asked for?"

"It's in my car," Brittany said. I could see her stoop behind the counter near Patti and gather up what looked to be discarded trash bags. When she had her arms full, she began walking in my direction. I spun around, crouched down behind the trash can, and squeezed halfway under the utility sink.

The door to the storage room swung wide, and Brittany flicked the overhead fluorescent light on. She dumped the armful of black plastic bags into the can right beside me. Then her eyes met mine and she froze. I put my finger to my lips. She frowned as if she was undecided then slowly nodded. I pointed towards the door that led outside, and she gave another small nod.

"Miss Patti?" she called. "I'm going to pull my car around back and bring the suitcase in this way.

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