Free 1 Hairspray and Homicide by Cindy Bell Page A

his head in his hands. "She's gone."
    "I'm sorry Teddy," Bekki said with genuine sympathy. "I know that losing someone you love can be the worst feeling that you ever experience."
    "It is," he agreed and looked up at her with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry you got mixed up in all of this Bekki.”
    “Can it really be your fault?” she asked in a gentle tone. “Really the fault lies with Daisy and Pete, doesn't it?”
    Teddy stared at her, stunned by her words. “What are you saying?” he asked, and swallowed thickly.
    “After so many years of marriage, after you had been so loyal to her, to find outabout them, had to be the harshest experience.”
    Teddy hung his head. “I had no idea that Daisy was with Pete. I only suspected when I found the deed to the Dry Cleaners in her papers. She was a joint owner with Pete.  I can't believe all those years of marriage led to this," his voice raised with anger over his last words.
    "I know that must have hurt you," Bekki assured him and took one of his hands in hers. "You did so much for Daisy, and treated her with so much love. To find out she betrayed you must have really pushed you over the edge."
    "It did," he admitted, his words torn by a sob.
    "And when she didn't even deny it," Bekki murmured, making sure her voice was loud enough for the microphone to record. "All of that anger you must have felt."
    "She laughed in my face," he gasped out, and then suddenly his face went pale. "I mean, I didn't mean to say that!"
    Bekki met his gaze sternly. "Calm down Teddy. Everyone will understand why you did what you did. Daisy was horrible to everyone, worst of all you. She trampled all over your heart, how could you not react when she told you the truth?"
    "No," he shook his head firmly. "No, I wouldn't do that to her!"
    "Of course you wouldn't. Not on purpose," Bekki prompted him gently. "But when that anger came over you, you couldn't control yourself, could you?"
    "No," he wept and laid his head back into his hands. "I couldn't stop myself. She just wouldn't stop laughing at me. Oh what have I done? "
    “So, you blackmailed Pete to help you frame me or he would have lost half the dry cleaners?” Bekki questioned.
    “I am so sorry Bekki,” he wept.
    Bekki sat back slowly as she heard the door open to the salon. She heard the footsteps of the police officers approaching. As she watched Teddy being led away in handcuffs she couldn't help but feel some sympathy for him. He had discovered that his entire marriage was a lie. It had been devastating for Bekki when she found out about Trevor cheating on her, and that was only after two years. Daisy and Teddy had been married for at least thirty.
    Bekki felt warm hands slide down over the curve of her shoulders followed by a gentle squeeze.
    "Are you okay?" Nick asked gently.
    "I think so," Bekki sniffed and wiped at her eyes.
    “What you said in there, about knowing how it feels to lose someone you love,” he paused a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. “That was about Trevor wasn't it? Did he break your heart?”
    Bekki stared up at him, her lips dangerously close to his. “No,” she shook her head slowly. “It wasn't about Trevor.”
    Nick's eyes widened slightly but his next question was lost on the tip of his tongue. “You did good work Bekki,” he finally said, reluctantly changing the subject as he knew it was not the time or place to hash out their past.
    "At least we finally know the truth,” Bekki sighed with relief. “No matter how sad it may be.”
    Nick nodded as he helped her up from her chair. "Thanks to you, Bekki. You helped us figure it out."
    "So, maybe I'm not a bad influence after all?" Bekki asked, her lips curving upward into a mild smile.
    "I wouldn't go that far, just yet," he grinned, and they walked out of the salon together.
     
    The End
     
    Other Books in the Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mystery Series
    A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body