5 Conditioner and a Corpse by Cindy Bell Page A

raised.
    “ And it turned out I had a concussion…” Bekki began to say but her eyes were widening with every word she spoke. “That's it Nick!” she suddenly announced, and then winced at taking too big a breath. “I know where the drugs are, I know where they are!”
    “ What?” Nick narrowed his eyes. “One of the men we arrested admitted he was part of a drug running scheme with Barnes, but without having the actual drugs we can't trace them to the actual dealer.”
    “ Nick,” she met his eyes with a slow smile. “I want to see the stars.”
    He hesitated and glanced at the paramedic who only shrugged.
    “I'll go to the hospital and get checked out,” Bekki promised. “But first take me to the water, to the dock, okay?”
    “ Okay,” Nick sighed and gave her a confused look. She knew he had no idea what she was up to, but she was touched that he would agree to it anyway.
    He drove them down to the water. As he helped her out of the car she leaned heavily on his arm. The beauty of the place struck her, the combination of the early evening starlight, the subtle lap of the water, and the quiet creak of the old slab of wood rocking back and forth.
    “In the cooler,” she whispered.
    “ Do you think that's still there?” Nick asked with surprise.
    “ Just look,” Bekki murmured. “I used to tell Jasmine about this place. The time we spent here together. If she wanted to hide the drugs, this is the place she might have thought of.”
    “ Maybe she just tossed them out, or flushed them,” Nick pointed out as he walked towards the edge of the water.
    “ No,” Bekki shook her head. “She was going to turn them in. She was a good person Nick, and she never would have been a willing part of any of this.”
    Nick tugged the cooler out from under the dock. When he opened it up he shook his head with surprise.
    “It's here,” he called out to Bekki. “It's here!” He pulled out his phone and called in the find. As he walked back to Bekki she admired his moonlight streaked hair, and the way his lips seemed to anticipate their kiss before he even offered it. It was soft, as if he was afraid to hurt her, but full of reverence.
    “ Let me take you to the hospital,” he murmured.
    “ Yes,” Bekki nodded as he kissed her lightly on the forehead.
     
    ***
     
    After spending a few hours being carted from scan to scan Bekki was released from hospital with the orders to rest. Bekki actually liked the idea. She wanted nothing more than her very soft bed, and Nick's very warm body next to hers. He helped her inside the house.
    “ Let me get you something to eat,” he offered as he headed for the kitchen.
    “ No,” Bekki shook her head as she headed for the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. He followed after her to make sure she was comfortable.
    “ Want me to get you some extra pillows?” he suggested.
    “ No,” Bekki shook her head again and stared up at him with appreciation. “Just lay with me,” she pleaded. He smiled a little and kicked off his shoes. As he climbed into bed beside her he was careful not to jostle the mattress too much. When the warmth of his body curled around hers, Bekki could breathe easier.
    “ I'm so glad you're here,” she murmured as she began to drift off to sleep.
    “ I'm here,” he replied with affection. “I always will be.”
     
    The End
     
    More Cozy Mysteries by Cindy Bell
     
     
    Bekki the Beautician Cozy Mysteries
     
    Hairspray and Homicide
     
    A Dyed Blonde and a Dead Body
     
    Mascara and Murder
     
    Pageant and Poison
     
    Mistletoe, Makeup and Murder
     
    Hairpin, Hair Dryer and Homicide
     
     
    Heavenly Highland Inn Cozy Mysteries
     
    Murdering the Roses
     
    Dead in the Daisies
     
    Killing the Carnations