Tipsy (Take It Off #5)(34)
Author: Cambria Hebert

Watson was silent on the line for a long time. “You saying you think you’re gonna die, Gray?” he asked gruffly.

“I have no intention of dying, sir. But I just… I want to be sure she gets the respect she deserves. She isn’t my wife, but…”

“You don’t have to explain, son. I understand. You have my word.”

The tightness between my shoulder blades seemed to ease a little with his promise. I gave him Julie’s name and address and then cut the connection.

After putting the secret cell back where I was hiding it, I put the car in drive and went back to the ghetto.

19

Julie

Twelve. That’s how many haircuts I did today. That doesn’t count the couple of eyebrow waxes and two highlights I did as well. My fingers were numb from holding the scissors. My feet were growing blisters the size of my head, and my shoulders ached from holding my arms up to work.

I swear every walk-in that came in today was pointed in my direction. But I made a lot of tips and I sold quite a few products, which would mean some extra commission. I couldn’t wait to go home to peel the boots off my tired feet, take a long hot bath, and sip a glass of wine.

But first, I had to finish work.

Of course my busiest day on the floor styling hair was also my day to stay late and go through inventory and call the supplier. I thought about putting it off until tomorrow. But tomorrow was Saturday. I wasn’t entirely sure if my suppliers were open on Saturdays. I’d always placed my order on a weekday.

Not to mention tomorrow was my day off. After today, I sincerely wanted to sleep half the day away. I’d rather yank my toenails out with a pair of tweezers than get up early and come in here again tomorrow.

Most of the girls were finishing up their day (some had already left) when I peeked out the window at the darkening sky. There was a lot of cloud coverage today; the sky seemed lower than usual, like it was heavy and pressing in on the town. I could see the trees outside swaying in the wind, and I wondered if perhaps a rainstorm was heading our way. Living so close to the coast sometimes made the weather here unpredictable.

Enough stalling, I told myself and headed into the back room where I kept my clipboard and inventory sheets. I did pause to quickly brew myself a mug of coffee with the Kuerig that Susan bought for all the girls last Christmas.

I definitely needed a pick-me-up after today. I felt the beginnings of a monster headache behind my eyes and hoped the caffeine would kick it out of my head. After my coffee was done, I added a splash of creamer from the fridge and carried it over to where I kept my notes.

I glanced at the list and sipped my coffee as I went through the cabinets, double-checking to make sure I had everything listed that the salon would need. I liked to order in bulk. It seemed easier to place one larger order every couple weeks than to constantly be ordering stock.

After making all the notations and double-checking the order, I pulled out my cell to place the call to the distributor. Just before I hit send, I realized I didn’t check the display out front. After the busy day we had, I knew we were running low on several products. With a sigh, I set the phone down and took another gulp of coffee. Clipboard and pen in hand, I started out to the front.

The sound of the front doors opening and closing heavily had my footsteps slowing. I wasn’t sure why, but the sound… It just seemed different than usual. More forced.

I heard the clicking of Susan’s heels on the tile and then her muffled gasp. “What are you doing here?”

I kept just inside the back room, instinctively knowing I shouldn’t go out there.

“You haven’t been answering your phone,” said a voice that seemed vaguely familiar. I tilted my head, trying to decide where I’d heard it before.

“I’ve been busy,” Susan said tightly.

“Busy doing what?”

“I have a business to run,” she said, and I swear I heard the hint of fear in her tone. My stomach began to knot, wondering what the hell was going on.

“So do I, and when you don’t answer the phone, I start to wonder,” the male replied. I heard his footsteps shuffle farther into the room. “Wonder if maybe you’re going to turn on me.”

“I’m not.”

“I’m gonna need to see the product.”

“It’s safe.”

“I want to see.”

“What if someone saw you come in here?”

“So?” he challenged. “Everyone needs a haircut from time to time.”

The tension coming from out there was thick; I felt it oozing through the doorway, trying to tangle me up in its nasty web.

“It’s in the back,” Susan finally said. I guess she was going to show him whatever it was he wanted to see.

But wait… I was in the back.

The minute they stepped into this room, they would know that I was eavesdropping. Something told me that wasn’t good.

I looked around for a place to hide, my eyes landing on the door to what Susan said was where the water heater and stuff was. I turned to flee, to hide, when the man’s voice caught my attention once more.

“Let me remind you,” he said, low and menacing. “You work for me. Those who try to turn on me, who try to venture out on their own… It doesn’t end well for them.”

A charged silence permeated the air, and I imagined Susan and whoever it was out there locked in a stare-down. It was a good time to get to hiding.

“You killed him, didn’t you?” Susan said, accusation thick in her tone.

Wait a minute. I stopped, turned back to the doorway. Who killed who, now?

“That’s a pretty serious accusation,” the man said mildly. Like being accused of murder wasn’t that big of a deal.

Who is this guy?

“You told me he was out on a job. No job would last this long. You kept me on a string. You knew when I realized what you did that I wouldn’t do this anymore.” I could hear the emotion welling up in Susan, like she had some sort of closed valve in her throat and the pressure from what she was feeling was bottling up behind it, ready to explode. “I should have realized sooner.” Her voice cracked.

“Listen, bitch.” The man breathed. “I don’t have time for your moaning. Like I said. You work for me. Now show me the stuff.”

“Get out,” she demanded.

Whoa. Props to the boss lady. She had some lady balls. I pumped a fist in the air. You go, girl.

“What did you just say?” he practically growled. Little goose bumps prickled my skin at his threatening and dangerous tone.