Chapter 16

Betty turned around and tugged on Beaux's leash, and he woofed loudly at Katrina before turning to leave the establishment with his owner. Betty stood outside the building, fuming. She begins fumbling through her phone's contact list, searching for the Cornerstone's number. Before she could hit the 'call' button, a young woman came out of the salon and approached her. "I'm sorry about that, Miss."

"Oh, well, those things happen sometimes. I'm just frustrated because I really wanted to get my hair and nails done today. It's been ages since I've pampered myself. Now I don't know what I'm going to do. My name's Betty, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Betty. I'm Veronica Justice. No one will tell you this, but I certainly own it. I'm sort of the town know it all. If there's a secret, I know it."

"So, you're the unofficial paparazzi here?"

"Yeah… in away. Let me tell you, you are the big news in town this week. I can't believe you've had such a rough start in our little hamlet."

"Tell me about it."

"How can I help you, Betty?"

Betty sighed and scrutinized Veronica. She seemed as if she had good intentions, but at the same time, Betty didn't know whether or not to trust her with anything she had discovered so far in their unofficial investigation. "If you know who killed that poor girl, please tell Sheriff Walker, I'd love to get the Cornerstone in good shape by the time of the annual party. Apparently, that's a huge event here. I wasn't aware that it would be practically mandatory."

"Ah, yes… you most definitely will be hated forever if you cancel that. Sadly, I don't know who killed that girl, but if you still want that makeover, I may know some people."

"That's okay, I'll just try for another day or something. Thanks though Veronica, I appreciate the support. "

"Here. Take my card, and if you need anything at all, feel free to email me or snap me."

Betty smiled at the business card. She didn't have a clue about social media, but she did enjoy email and was proficient at it. "I will, thanks again."

"Oh and Betty… a word of friendly advice? If I were you, I'd just let the authorities handle the murder in their own time. You definitely don't want to get mixed up in that business. After all, who knows more people may get hurt."

"What do you mean?"

"Take that as you will, Betty."

Before she had the opportunity to respond, Veronica flung her dark brown hair over her shoulders and turned to walk away. She opened the salon doors and went back inside, awaiting her appointment. Apparently, his nails couldn't wait a second longer. Betty looked down at Beaux, who was still on high alert after the confrontation inside. "Well, I guess that's that. Come on, Commander, let's sit in the car and figure out what we're going to do now."

Betty signed and pulled her phone out of her purse. She was at a loss and slightly upset. She had really wanted to spend some quality time revamping her hair and wardrobe, but being new in town, she didn't know of anywhere else to go that had great reviews. Feeling slightly embarrassed that she had to actually rely on someone else for emotional support, she dialed the Cornerstone. "Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast this is Stephen, how can I help you?"

"Stephen, it's Betty. Can you put Charlotte on the phone for me, please?"

"Why sure thing, Miss Betty. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Everything's fine. I'm just having a bad day is all."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Betty. If you need me to do anything, you let me know, and I'll take care of it."

"That's sweet Stephen, thanks, I appreciate it."

"I'll get Miss Charlotte now."

Betty patted Beaux Jacques on the hand, who gave her a tentative lick on the hand in return. He could tell she was frustrated and laid his head in her lap. She stroked his fur and waited patiently for Charlotte to pick up the phone. Betty could hear the pots and pans rattling in the kitchen as Charlotte put the phone to her ear. "Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast, this is Charlotte, how can I help you?"

"Just the voice I needed to hear. Charlotte, it's Betty."

"I knew who you were, haha. What do you need, Betty?"

"Sigh. I don't know. I've just had a bad day. I didn't get my makeover because of Beaux. Not that I would've paid that awful woman for anything after the way she insulted me. I'm just disappointed, I suppose because I wanted to take some time to do that for me. "

"I know. Why don't we just do it?"

"You mean you could revamp my hair?"

"Why absolutely. I'd love to hang out with you anyway, Betty. I don't have a very active social life here in town, so let's just make an evening of it. If you're feeling a bit frisky, we can put Beaux Jacques to bed and go out and see the nightlife."

"Okay, that sounds like a plan. I think I'm going to go ahead and do some shopping. Is there anywhere I can go that will not fight me over Beaux?"

"Yeah. There's a really nice shop off of the main street on Vinton Ave. It's called 'Red,' in honor of the wine country we're in. I think you'll find some things that will suit you there. Also… I think they have some nice lingerie that would blow our humble postman's mind."

"Charlotte! That's the last thing on my mind, I promise you that. I'm completely focused on getting the Cornerstone up to par so I can relax."

"Mhm. If you say so…"

"Haha. I'll see you tonight. Let me know when you're settled after work, and text me your address."

"Okay. I'll see you soon."

Charlotte hung up the phone in the kitchen and turned to Stephen, who happened to be standing in the doorway, listening in. "Miss Charlotte is Miss Betty, okay? She didn't sound well. Do I need to go take care of a problem for her?"

"Haha. Aww, you're sweet, Stephen, but no. She's okay now. She just was having a bad day."

"It's been my experience that most bad days can be remedied with a swift punch to the nose."

"Oh no, Stephen, really she's fine that way, it's just … girl stuff."

"Ah. Well, okay, but you let me know if she needs anything."

"I will, Stephen, I promise."

Betty buckled her seat belt and started her car, placing one of her favorite CDs from her youth in the cd player, then patting Beaux on the head. "Well, Commander, let's go buy a new wardrobe, why not? Then I say we'll stop for lunch before heading home, how's that sound?"

Beaux woofed in reply, and Betty laughed. The mood was light once again as she let her long hair blow in the wind, and she felt the sun shining on her face. It had been a long time since Betty had allowed herself to feel this free, and she was going to take advantage of every minute her free day provided her with. She pulled into the parking lot of 'Red' and discovered it was empty save for the cars which must have belonged to the management and employees working there. She quickly opened the car doors and clicked her key fob to lock the vehicle. Beaux padded happily beside her as he opened the doors to the retailer and heard a small bell that hung from the doorsill chime, announcing her arrival.

As soon as she entered, she was greeted by a young clerk who appeared to be in her early twenties. Even though Betty wasn't ancient, looking at the younger woman immediately made her feel dated. "Hi, welcome to Red. Can I help you find anything?"

Betty pulled Beaux's leash, and he immediately heeled, sitting by her side. Betty reddened and cleared her throat. "Ahem. Um… I haven't done this for a long time, but yes… you can help me. I'm looking for a change."

"Mid-life crisis, huh? I've seen it plenty of times, come with me, and we'll see what we can do."

Betty chuckled while looking down at her outfit. "Something like that, yeah. Okay, I'm looking for an entirely new wardrobe. I just bought the Cornerstone, so I'm looking for something a little less…well, something that doesn't make me look like the lawyer I am."

"No problem, Betty, I'm Brittany. I don't know if you realize it or not, but you're a bit of a local celebrity around here. Veronica Justice just tweeted about how you met her today."

"From the salon?"

"Yeah, I guess you had the unfortunate experience of going there earlier. I'm sorry, we're all not like those people, I assure you. "

"Why would she be posting about me online?"

"Veronica Justice is the news in this town. Her life's mission now is to expose anyone and everyone who had something to do with that messy murder."

"Is she a suspect herself?"

"I'm not certain, but if she is, she's keeping quiet about it."

"Enough of that, though, you came to relax… so what's your favorite color, Betty?"

"I like the grey. "

"Go on.."

"Oh, and some shades of purple, but mostly grey."

"Sigh. I see you live dangerously for certain, haha, let's go shopping."