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the percentage fee, she paid for overhead expenses, stocked the shelves, and scheduled advanced training seminars.
    “Detective Vail took things from the front desk,” Claudia said. “Wilda promised to set things straight when she gets here, but I am afraid she may consult her crystals instead of the appointment book. We are scared, mademoiselle. If we lose this job, we shall have to go home.”
    A tall, model-thin brunette sidled up to her. “ Je suis Lisette. I am sorry if Carolyn made us do mean things to you. It was not our wish to cause harm. We had to obey, or she would have dismissed us. You will forgive, non ?”
    Marla lifted her chin. “I fired that manicurist she suckered me into hiring after catching the woman pilfering our supplies. Not only did Joy talk against me to customers, but one day she put depilatory into our shampoo bottles. Carolyn must have paid her well to sabotage me. How about the rest of you? Did you get a bonus to order that truckload of toilet paper in my name? Or to cancel that delivery from Sebastian that I really needed?”
    The girls exchanged glances. “We’ll do anything you ask if you’ll help us,” Lisette pleaded. “Right, Claudia?”
    The Mona Lisa look-alike nodded curtly, giving Marla the impression that the younger hairdresser looked to her for guidance. Had Claudia hoped to gain management of the salon for herself? Possibly, if Carolyn had relied on her. Surely she wouldn’t expect to inherit ownership, though. Why the devil was she so desperate to keep her current job? Marla surveyed the other stylists. Were they here on work visas, meaning they’d be shipped back to France when their documents or employment expired?
    She’d have to ask Vail these questions. He might be more familiar with immigration regulations, plus he’d be looking into the background of Carolyn’s staff along with anyone else who had been close to her.
    The detective had wanted Marla to talk to Carolyn’s sister, but she’d been negligent in fulfilling his request. Avoidance behavior was something she was becoming adept at, especially in regard to any actions involving Carolyn. Now would be a good time to contact Linda Hall. Then she’d have an excuse to call Dalton with news.
    “I’ll come in tomorrow when Wilda Cleaver is here,” Marla promised the French stylists. “Maybe we can work out some sort of agreement.” As in a noncompetition clause in exchange for my expert advice . Too many salons existed already in nearby shopping centers, as ubiquitous as Chinese restaurants, pizza kitchens, and bagel dens. What she’d really aim for would be to persuade the new owner of Hairstyle Heaven to change locations.
    Marla wished she could convince Dalton Vail to do the same. While she spent weekends at his house, she still felt uncomfortable surrounded by his dead wife’s belongings. He hadn’t removed a single knickknack since Pam died three years ago. It drove a wedge between them, one that she’d chipped at but barely budged. If she ever made her move permanent, a new house might be their only solution.
    In the meantime, she divided her time between his ranch-style home and her one-story town house. As she drove into her driveway, she noticed her neighbor, Goat, walking his dog. The black poodle yipped and tugged on its leash, yanking its scraggly-haired owner in Marla’s direction. Hearing her own dog, Spooks, bark in response when she emerged from her Camry, Marla unlocked the kitchen door and grabbed his leash from its hook. Her male white poodle bolted out the door to meet his lady love, Rita. The two poodles sniffed each other while Marla addressed Goat.
    “Aren’t you at work today?” she said, glancing at his parked van. Goat, whose real name was Kyle Stanislaw, ran a mobile animal-grooming business. His thin straw-colored hair, sparse beard, and menagerie of pets had given him his nickname. Today he defied the August heat in a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and a new addition: an