For Old Crime's Sake (Chase Charley Mystery Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

man.
    A man played the saxophone at the corner of the street and a delivery truck was being unloaded on my right. I pushed open the door and stepped into the salon. Varying shades of teal colored the space and black and white photos of the city decorated the walls. To my right was a sitting area with uncomfortable modern metal chairs. A glass coffee table sat in front of the chairs with hairstyle magazines and tabloids on top.
    The receptionist’s desk was currently unattended. It always was. It wasn’t because they didn’t have a receptionist, it was because she was always in the back talking on her cellphone. I had no idea who she talked to so often. I had the feeling that the owner cared a lot though. I had no idea why the owner didn’t fire her.
    I grabbed a magazine and was about to sit down when I spotted my stylist Jessie. She smiled and motioned for me to come back. I tossed the magazine on the table and hurried back. I’d have to read the latest gossip about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie later.
    Jessie motioned for me to sit in the chair. The salon was full and the other clients and stylists watched me as I made my way to her station.
    Jessie wore high heels every time I saw her. I had no idea how she stood for so long in those things. She had short blonde hair with pink streaks. Today she wore a denim skirt and pink blouse.
    She pulled out the cape. “So what’s going on?” She started to drape it around my neck.
    “I didn’t come for a style. I need to know what the deal is with that house you sent me to last night,” I said.  
    “What do you mean? How was the party?” She leaned against the small table next to her.
    “The party was a bomb. No one was there. The lights were off and everything.”
    “What do you mean?” she asked.
    “There was some man there and he was stuffing a body into the trunk of his car. Turns out he’s a cop. Needless to say, he recognized me from TV and called my boss.” I stared at her through the mirror.
    She made a timeout signal with her hands. “Wait. Back up. I am confused. There was a dead body?”
    I nodded. “Yes, but of course I’m sure he would deny it was a dead body. I know differently though.”
    She nodded. “Right.”
    “You don’t believe me, fine, but I need to know who was supposed to throw the party.”
    Jessie looked around, and then, when she was sure no one was listening to us, she said, “Well, you didn’t hear this from me, but the party was supposed to be hosted by no other than Bentley Miles.”
    “The actor?” I asked.
    “How many other Bentley Miles do you know?” She grabbed her scissors.
    “What about this cop? Why would he be at the party?”
    “Oh, I bet he was there for security. Do you think Bentley killed someone and they covered it up?” Her eyes widened.
    “I don’t know, but that seems farfetched.”
    “He’s a famous actor.” She pointed with her scissors. 
    “That doesn’t mean he didn’t kill someone.”
    She placed her hand on her hip. “True, but still… I will try to find out what happened.”
    I nodded. “Thank you. That would mean a lot.”
    “Are you sure you’re not ready for a touchup of color?” she asked, looking at my head in the mirror.
    I stared at my reflection. “I’m okay for now.” I looked for any gray hair, but couldn’t find them. “So what about this cop? Do you think you can find out any information about him?”
    She shook her head. “I can try but I can’t make any promises. Why are you so interested in him?”
    I looked at her as if she had lost her mind. “He had a dead body in his trunk. My investigative mind will not let that go.” I wondered if I should tell her that he had stopped me.
    She looked around the salon again. No one seemed to be paying attention to our conversation. And it was a good thing because they may have called the police on us.
    “You don’t know for sure that it was a dead body.”
    “What else could it be?” I asked.
    “It could have