Chapter 40: Simone - Hunter or Hunted

“Oh my God, no way!” Mallory managed between laughs. Clutching her ribs with one hand, she held onto her nearly empty wineglass with the other. “That can’t be true.”

“I looked it up after Junie told me.” Simone laughed as she unfastened the cape around Mallory’s shoulders. “The national animal for Scotland is, in fact, a unicorn.”

“That’s so cool. I love when the kids come home from school with some weird bit of knowledge like that.” Still laughing, Mallory sat forward and inspected her extensions in the mirror. “Holy shit, these are amazing! I mean, they have to be for the price, but seriously. Thank you so much, Simone.”

“Thanks for trusting me with your head.” Simone smiled at her in the reflection, bouncing the long blonde curls that dangled around Mallory’s face. “Just remember, if you want them to stay looking this good, you have to keep up on six-week appointments. The expensive part is the hair, which you already own now, so your next session will go way smoother. At least on your wallet.”

Mallory waved her off, still admiring herself. “I’m not worried about the money. I’m just amazed at your skill. Let’s mark that six weeks on the calendar. I will forget if we don’t.”

“Thursdays still good for you?” Simone headed for the checkout counter.

“Yep.” Mallory stood and gestured down the hall. “As long as you don’t mind Gabby coming, Thursdays are great.”

“Mind? I love when the girls get to play.” Simone typed around on the computer, filling in the noon appointment slot with Mallory’s name. “I love when they tire each other out and are dead asleep by 10 P.M. even more.”

“The trouble is definitely going to be keeping her asleep while I get her into the car.” Mallory passed her card over the counter. “Chris’s gonna have to get her out. I handled her all night. He gets evening shift.”

“Fair split if you ask me.” Simone jotted the date and time on an appointment card and passed it to Mallory, careful to avoid the candle burning on the granite. “Do you need some help? I don’t mind.”

“After standing there doing my hair all day? Your back has got to be killing you.” Mallory stowed everything into her purse and gave a smile. “I got it. But thanks. Seriously, thank you for the hair. It’s gorgeous.”

“Thank you for the business.” Simone offered a smile in response. “And drive safe. I think all the snow has finally melted, but you never know.”

Heading toward Simone’s office in the back, Mallory said, “Oh, there’s definitely still some black ice out there!”

Probably, but it was the least of Simone’s concerns.

Although lately, she hadn’t had many of those. Concerns.

Life had been good. Peaceful. Calm. Happy.

The text message that lit up her watch reminded her of that fact.

Edwards

We’re still on for fishing at the lake tomorrow morning, right?

Simone

Wouldn’t miss it :-)

She smiled at her watch as she shut off the screen. Practically dancing like a Disney princess, she began her close-up shift. Sweeping the floors, wiping down her station, sanitizing the reception area. Mallory came out a moment later with Gabby’s arms wrapped around her neck, head nestled against her mom’s new, perfect curls. When Simone held the door open for her, Mallory mouthed a quick, “Thank you!” Simone smiled and waved.

As of late, Simone had been dancing on the clouds.

Considering where she stood in life today, she had a hard time believing what her life had once been. Years ago, of course, but even a few short months ago. When everything happened with David, and then Angela, Simone considered packing a bag and starting over again. Now, though, she couldn’t picture a life anywhere else.

She had the greatest friends, the most wonderful little girl, the best boyfriend she could’ve imagined. As she fluttered around the salon, consolidating all the small garbage cans into a big bag, she noticed pain in her cheeks. Pain from smiling so much. She told herself to pull the smile down, but it wouldn’t leave her lips. It was like she’d gotten Botox injected in a very strange way that left the corners of her lips permanently lifted.

If David’s death hadn’t terrified her enough, Angela’s arrival certainly had. But much to Simone’s shock, Angela had obeyed the restraining order. Edwards had let her know that Angela still lived in town. She worked at a gas station off the highway.

While she wasn’t gone for good, she kept her distance, and that was enough for Simone. The scene Angela made on New Year’s could’ve ruined someone’s reputation in Black Pines, but dating the hot cop who knew everybody, who everybody loved, did a lot to help Simone’s situation. Shortly after the fact, even Mallory had apologized to her. Not that Mallory had done anything wrong to begin with, but Simone appreciated the clarity. Knowing that the bridge hadn’t burned.

The bridge looked stronger than ever now. Mallory had given Simone’s card to everyone at the PTA, and business was booming. Mallory’s hair alone put an extra grand in Simone’s pocket today. It wouldn’t be long, and she’d be able to afford that house she and her daughter were dreaming of. Maybe by the time she had that kind of money in savings, she and Edwards would be in a position to look at places together.

Still in her la-la fantasyland, Simone left the door cracked as she headed out the rear entrance. A few steps outside stood the dumpster. When Simone lifted the lid to toss the bag inside, though, an awful clunking and clatter sounded.

All the garbage inside the bag spilled onto the concrete.

She didn’t have to fight it now. The grin finally fell.

On her knees, Simone picked up the trash piece by piece and tossed it into the dumpster on her right. In the dim glow of the moonlight, she struggled to make out every piece of trash. Her coffee cup from Maple & Thyme earlier, the prepackaged snack bags that Mallory had brought, was easy enough to collect. As for all the hair trimmings? Well, nature would have to clean those off the damp cement. The birds might use it for their nests or something anyway. Simone wasn’t going to ruin her good broom over a little bit of⁠—

A smell floated to Simone’s nose.

Cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke mixed with something else. Something sweet. Something cheap.

Cheap perfume and cigarette smoke.

The tap-tap of feet on concrete grabbed her ear.

She straightened to look for the source when⁠—

Bam!

A deep ache, swallowed quickly by blackness.

* * *

The Story Continues in Virtue or Vengeance.

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