She opened her mouth to explain, but I stepped in front of her, silencing her words. “She’s getting immunity for this, right?”
Watson sighed.
“The charges will be dropped. Her name will be kept out of the case,” I said.
“I think we can work that out.” Watson agreed. “Her name will be in the police files. Her statement will be in there too of course, but we can keep her out of the press.”
Satisfied, I yanked a chair with metal legs over near Julie and sat down beside her. “You can talk now,” I told her.
She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for the permission.”
I ignored her smartass tone. “You’re welcome.”
Watson watched us with veiled amusement. I would likely hear about this later.
“Can I ask a question first?” Julie asked, directing her words at Watson.
He nodded.
“Why were the police at the salon tonight?”
He cleared his throat. “We had an anonymous tip.”
“A tip about what?”
“Drugs,” he said simply.
Annoyance flashed through me. “Why wasn’t I notified? This is my case.”
“Because you’re undercover. You would have been notified after we verified the tip,” Watson replied.
“Do you know if it was a man or woman that called in the tip?”
He glanced down at a stack of papers on his desk. “A female.”
“She set me up,” Julie murmured, sounding shell-shocked.
“What?” I asked.
Julie was quiet a moment as she worked through whatever it was in her mind. Then she looked up. “The owner of the salon, Susan Highland, is probably the one who called in the tip. She was the only one who knew I was there tonight. She knew I was alone. She asked me to lock up.”
“Why would she do that?” I asked.
“Because she’s the one who’s been working with Dom. She’s the one who’s been holding the drugs.”
“Explain how you know this, Miss Prescott.” Watson urged.
“Several weeks ago, my boss Susan asked me if I would take on more responsibility at the salon. She wanted me to start doing the inventory—you know, keeping track of our hair supplies, our products, things like that.”
Watson and I both nodded so she continued.
“She also asked me to take over the display and things. I thought it was a little strange that she wouldn’t ask someone more senior, but she said it was because I had the youthful vibe she wanted to represent the salon.” Julie sounded disgusted. “Now I know that it was because she just thought I would be gullible enough to take the blame.”
“How does any of this connect with the drugs and this case?” Watson asked impatiently.
“I heard her on the phone recently, after hours, arguing with someone. Saying there wasn’t enough room for something. It was an awkward conversation, and when she was done, she seemed flustered and upset. I didn’t really think much about it until what happened earlier.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“I had to stay late to finish the inventory so I didn’t have to go in tomorrow. I was the last one left. I was in the back room, out of sight. Susan was in her office. Someone came in the salon and I overheard him and Susan arguing.” She glanced at me sheepishly. “I listened at the door.”
I nodded.
“The guy seemed a little familiar, but I didn’t realize who it was at first. Anyway, he was demanding to see the ‘supply,’ and I was going to hide, but then I heard him slap her.” She paused for a moment and took a sip of water. I couldn’t help but notice how her hand trembled finely. “I went out into the salon. It was Dom.”
“You’re sure it was him?” Watson asked.
“I’m sure. I met him before. I think he might have recognized me.”
“Then what happened?” I didn’t like where this was going.
“Dom left. Susan seemed upset and she asked me to close up. After she left, I got curious… I knew you were looking for the drugs, and after hearing Susan and Dom, I suspected they were at the salon.”
“You went looking for them?” I groaned. “You should have called me.”
“I don’t have your number,” she snapped.
“So you found them and that’s when my officers arrived, finding you with a room full of drugs.”
Julie nodded at Watson, relieved that he understood. “Yes, exactly. I swear those drugs aren’t mine. I found them. Really!”
“We believe you,” I assured her, slipping my arm around her shoulders.
“How does a salon owner fall into business with a drug cartel?” Watson asked in a thoughtful tone.