Massage & Murder (A Cozy Spa Mystery Book 1)

by Jenn Cowan

  “No feelings, huh?” He runs a hand through his hair. “You’re a smart, independent and beautiful thirty-three-year old woman. You’ve never married. You hardly date. Unless…” he frowns and pursues his lips.

  “Unless what?”

  “You and Josh?”

  “Josh?!” I shriek. A few people chatting in the back turn toward us. I lower my voice. “You think I’m dating Josh. My best friend, who let me remind you as I did in high school is like a brother to me.”

  “But he’s not your brother.”

  I throw up my hands. “You’re insane. This is like high school all over again. You always were jealous of Josh. I’m not dating Josh and I didn’t kill April. Got it, detective?” I turn to leave.

  Travis catches my arm. “I still am,” he whispers in my ear.

  I turn to face him. “Still are what?” Our faces are inches apart. I hold my breath.

  “Jealous of Josh.” Then he lets me go and waltzes out the door.

  What the heck does that mean?

  6

  “Autumn! Are you alright?” Mary comes rushing up to me.

  I nod not sure I can trust my voice yet. My heart is racing and my arm still burns from Travis’s touch. Why does he still have an impact on me?

  “You two can still heat up a room,” Mary says, fanning her face with a program.

  I roll my eyes. “He’s accusing me of killing April. I’d say that calls for some heat.”

  Mary scoffs and waves a hand at me. “Everyone knows he’s just trying to find a reason to talk to you. You’ve ignored him for fifteen years.”

  My mouth drops open. Is that why Travis is accusing me of murder? I doubt it. I was the last person to see April alive and I have motive. I’d suspect me too if I didn’t know I was innocent.

  “I have some information for you,” Mary whispers, leaning in close to me. I can smell butterscotch on her breath.

  “About what?”

  “April.”

  I open my mouth to tell her to share it with the police, but pause. Maybe I do want to hear this. “What about her?”

  “She was having an affair.”

  I gasp. “Are you sure?”

  Mary nods. “With Dr. Gregory.”

  I gasp again. The guy’s like twenty. Well maybe not that young, but he’s young. Fresh out of med school. Came to Daysville a few months ago. “Does Bobby know?” I glance toward the front of the church where Bobby is gazing at his wife one last time before they close the casket.

  Mary shakes her head. “I doubt it, but it’s only a matter of time.”

  I frown and bite my lip. “Thank you for sharing this with me.” I pause. “Why are you sharing this with me?”

  “Because I know you. You’re making a list of suspects. Trying to solve this case before the police. Prove your innocence. If anyone in this town can solve April’s murder it’s you.” Mary pats my arm.

  I quirk an eyebrow.

  Mary laughs “You don’t remember?”

  I shake my head.

  “In fourth grade, Margo May’s cocker spaniel went missing. What was his name…Yawncy. Crazy name for an animal, but anyway, the police assumed it’d run off and brushed her off, but not you. You interrogated everyone. Followed the leads until you found that dog tied up in old Man West’s abandoned barn where Ralph Taylor was keeping it because Margo stole his Pokemon cards. You got Ralph his cards back and Margo got her dog back.

  I giggle then cough to cover it up since we’re still technically at a funeral. The whole thing is coming back to me. I was really into Nancy Drew mysteries as a kid and was determined to solve that case. Maybe I really am an amateur sleuth.

  Mary touches my arm and lowers her voice, “The police are not equipped for this. Murder doesn’t happen here. You will solve this case, Autumn. Mark my words, you will. Just trust your instincts, follow your leads and your gut and for goodness sake be careful.” She gives me a hug and hurries out the door.

  I walk slowly toward the back of the church and across the parking lot to the town hall. My mind is racing with everything Mary just told me. Were the police incapable of solving this murder? Is that why Travis is so eager to pin this murder on me? Could I go to jail for a crime I didn’t commit? The thought makes my stomach turn and growl all at the same time. It’s lunch time and crime solving time. Bring on the food and suspects.

  I yank open the door to the town hall and immediately am greeted with a blast of hot air. Paul, the gray-haired janitor takes my coat. Kind of fancy for a funeral. The smell of roast beef mixed with turkey and mashed potatoes wafts through the room. Three buffet tables are set up right inside the door and the line is to the door. I scan the sea of tables for Josh. He’s at the far end stuffing his face. Go figure. A full plate is sitting across from him. I sigh with relief. The man’s a saint.

  “What took you so long?” Josh mumbles through a mouthful of food when I sit down across from him.

  I roll my eyes and dig into my salad. “Manners. We’re in public,” I scold and glance around the table. Everyone is engrossed in their own conversations and doesn’t notice my impolite BFF.

  Josh swallows his food. “Again, what took you so long?”

  “I had a couple of people to catch up with.” I shrug and pick at my salad.

  “You mean Travis.”

  I almost drop my fork. How did he know? Oh wait. Small town. Gossip. I’m surprised Travis and I aren’t rumored to be back together by now. “I gave him and Cat my condolences.”

  Josh nods. His expression unreadable, which I know means he’s mad. He has a great poker face, but when he plays it, it means he’s masking his emotions and right now I know he’s mad.

  I change the subject. “Did you get a text from Vicky?”

  “No. Why?” he mumbles.

  I sigh. Thank goodness. “Travis told me the spa was able to re-open tomorrow. I thought maybe…”

  “You thought maybe you were fired and I was holding out on you.” Josh scoops up another forkful of roast beef, avoiding my eyes.

  I blush. I can’t help it. That’s exactly what I thought, but didn’t want Josh to think that. “I well… yes.”

  Josh shakes his head. I can tell he’s disappointed in me. He finishes his plate, stands up and leaves. I watch him knowing he wouldn’t actually leave me here. He gets in the dessert line. I sigh. I’m an idiot, but in my defense, it’s been a tough week. Between finding a dead body on my table, being accused of murder by the love of my life, who I haven’t talked to in fifteen years and dealing with all the rumors swirling around town, I’m bound to be a little paranoid.

  Speaking of being paranoid, I can feel someone’s eyes on me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Sally. She’s watching me from the buffet table. I get up and head in that direction, but she bolts. I mean flat out almost runs Mrs. Farmington from the grocery store over. No one else seems to notice, but Josh. He raises an eyebrow, shoves a brownie in his mouth and rushes to the coat closet. Good man.

  I hurry toward the exit and push at the doors, but get some resistance.

  “Umph,” someone says from the other side of the door then I hear the scuffling of feet and a yelp.

  Oh, no.

  I crack open the door to find Travis splayed out on the ground. Cat is by his side trying to help him up. I cringe as Josh hands me my coat.

  “What happened?” Josh peeks over my head. “Serves him right,” he mumbles.

  I elbow him, but he just smirks back at me.

  Cat helps her dad to his feet while I open the door the rest of the way. “I’m so sorry.”

  Travis brushes the snow off his coat. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

  I scan the parking lot in time to see a blue bug leaving the parking lot. Sally’s car. Shoot. I missed her. At least I know where she lives.

  “Autumn?”

  Oh right, he asked me a question. “It’s the weather. It’s getting colder.” The sun is shining down on us and the snow is starti
ng to melt. A pile of snow drops from the roof with a plopping sound to emphasize my lie.

  He grins, he knows I’m lying because I’m a terrible liar.

  I hold my head high and squeeze past them. Josh places his hand on the small of my back and steers me toward the Jeep. I glance over my shoulder to find Travis staring at us. His eyes dark and broody. Jaw clenching. The man was angry and suspicious, but did he have to look like a model from GQ? Someone should lock him up for looking so hot. I flush, thankful we’re outside so I can blame it on the cold air.

  Josh unlocks the Jeep. I see a piece of paper flapping under the tire and bend down to pick it up. The squeal of tires sounds in the back of the parking lot, but I ignore it. The writing on the paper has me frozen. The next thing I know someone tackles me and I’m falling. “What the” I hit the ground hard. My knees burn, my side aches and something sharp scrapes my forehead. I taste snow and blood then everything goes black.

  7

  “Autumn. Autumn.”

  I groan. Why does it smell like bleach and vomit?

  “Autumn. Wake-up.”

  I wish people would quit saying my name. It only makes my head hurt worse. My head. Why does my head hurt? I reach up and feel a bandage on it. My eyes are heavy as if someone is holding them shut. I’m able to open them just enough to see my best friend’s face. I smile and try to sit up, but flinch. My ribs feel like someone made a punching bag out of them. In fact, every part of my body aches. Even my toes. “What happened?” I rasp. My throat feels like I ate a bunch of straw.

  “Someone tried to run you over.” Josh pats my hand.

  It all comes back to me. I gasp and squeeze his hand. “You pushed me out of the way. You saved me.”

  Josh clenches his jaw and looks down at my hand.

  “Actually, I saved you.”

  “Travis?” I turn toward his voice. He’s hovering by the window. His suit is covered in dark stains that appear to be a combination of grease and slush. “You saved me?”

  He shrugs.

  I bite my lip. “Thank you,” I whisper holding his gaze for a moment. The world stops. My breathing hitches. The stupid heart machine gives me away and starts beeping rapidly. I hear Josh scoff next to me. Travis smiles and winks at me. There goes the beeping again. I take a deep breath and turn toward Josh. “Can we have a minute?”

  Josh opens his mouth to say something then scoots back his chair and storms from the room.

  I sigh and watch him go. This is the second time I’ve made him mad today. Is this day over yet?

  Travis clears his throat.

  I turn toward him. “What happened?”

  “A dark SUV came speeding through the parking lot. You were busy reading a piece of paper you’d picked up and didn’t see it coming.”

  “A dark SUV…did you see the plates?”

  “Out of state.”

  “License number?”

  He shook his head. “I was kind of busy making sure it didn’t run us both over.”

  I nod. “A dark SUV with out of state plates was at the spa the same morning April was killed.”

  “Did you get the license plate number?”

  I blush. “My eye sight isn’t what it used to be.”

  He smirks.

  “What?”

  “Still trying to avoid getting glasses.”

  “I’m too young for glasses.” I cross my arms and stick out my lower lip.

  He laughs. “That’s what you said in high school when you needed reading glasses.”

  “And I still think I’m too young for them.”

  “I think you would look cute in glasses.”

  I blush and glance away.

  Travis clears his throat again and taps on his notepad. “I didn’t get your statement the other day about the attempted break-in at the spa. Do you feel up to answering some questions?”

  I nod.

  “You showed up to work and found someone trying to pick the lock on the back door.”

  I nod again.

  “Can you describe this person?”

  “They were dressed in a black hoodie with a ski mask on their face. Medium height. Medium build.”

  “Anything else?”

  I bite my lip then shake my head.

  “Why would someone want to break into the spa?”

  I shrug.

  He sighs. “Autumn…” he pauses then holds up a piece of paper. “Can you explain this?”

  I squint to read it then gasp. “I found that underneath the Jeep tire.”

  “So, you think it was meant for you?”

  “Well someone tried to run me over so I’m pretty sure it was meant for me.”

  “Stay out of this or you’ll be next,” Travis reads. “Stay out of what, Autumn?”

  I bite my lip again.

  “You’re not investigating April’s murder like you did that dumb dog in grade school, are you?”

  Another shrug.

  “Autumn, we’re not talking about a dognapping. We’re talking about murder. April was murdered.”

  “And you think I killed her,” I shriek.

  Travis shakes his head. “I have to look at all the facts. You had access to the kitchen knives, you have a motive and you were the last person to see her alive. I can’t not suspect you…”

  “So, I planted the note and hired someone to try and run me over with the hope you are watching and would push me out of the way.”

  His expression darkens.

  “You really think I killed April, don’t you?”

  Travis opens his mouth, but then closes it.

  “Get out.” I point to the door.

  “Autumn.”

  “GET OUT!” I scream. My head throbs from screaming. I grab it to keep it from exploding. My ribs ache for yelling and suddenly, I’m exhausted.

  Josh comes running back in and gives me a once over. I’m also shaking and tears are streaking down my face. “You heard the lady, get out.” A smug expression on his face.

  Travis gives me a pleading look, but I simply glare at him. “I’m just doing my job, Autumn,” he mumbles on the way out the door.

  I want to tell him to ‘do it better’, but I refrain. He may be my cheating ex-boyfriend, but he’s still a cop.

  “Are you alright?” Josh rushes to my side and takes my hand.

  I nod and wipe my eyes. “Someone tried to kill me.” The emotions come full force and I’m sobbing and shaking. Josh climbs in next to me and holds me until I’m too exhausted to cry anymore. Then he tucks me in and I sleep. When I wake up, my head feels better and my body doesn’t ache quite as much, they must have given me some pretty good pain killers. Josh is there reading a book. “I want to go home,” I whisper.

  He nods and sets down his book. “The doctor is making his rounds now. We’ll ask.”

  I smile and close my eyes. The threatening note plays in my mind. “Who do you think killed April?”

  Josh clears his throat and I open my eyes as he shakes his head. “You’re investigating this, aren’t you?”

  “How can I not? Travis is trying to pin this murder on me. Mary told me the police aren’t equipped to solve this murder. They’re looking for a scape goat and I don’t plan to be one.”

  “Autumn, as much as I would like to believe Travis isn’t capable of solving this murder, the guy knows what’s he’s doing.”

  I snort.

  “You know he does.”

  I pursue my lips and roll my eyes.

  “He found the teenagers that were breaking all those windows?”

  I scoff. “We’re not talking about solving a minor criminal action, we’re talking about murder. There has never been a murder in this town. Jaywalking and speeding are the biggest crimes committed around here. Travis is in over his head and he knows it. The captain is going to retire soon and I bet Travis is gunning for his job. If he finds April’s murderer then it will put him in the running. I’m an easy fall girl.”

  “Autumn, you’re being si
lly. He won’t put you in jail unless you’re guilty.”

  I glare at him. I hate when he makes sense, but I still don’t think Travis can solve this murder, not to mention it looks like the killer is after me now. I need to solve this case and fast.

  Josh sighs. “I think Nikki has just as much motive as you do to kill April and she was at the spa.”

  I smile at him. There’s my best friend and side kick. “Not to mention Vicky.”

  He frowns. “Vicky?”

  “April was talking about opening another spa. It’s motive.”

  “I don’t think Vicky would kill April over that.”

  “The spa means everything to her.”

  “Sure, but murder? That seems extreme…crazy.” Josh runs a hand through his hair as his phone beeps. He slips it from his pocket. “Speaking of Vicky. She says the spa is re-opening tomorrow and wants to know if we’re ready to get back to work. What should I tell her?” He glances at my bandaged head.

  “I’m fine.” I sit up in the bed and keep a smile plastered to my face even when every muscle in my body protests. “We need to get back to the scene of the crime.”

  Josh groans. “The police have gathered all the evidence. There won’t be anything there for us to find.”

  I smirk. “You’re probably right, but it doesn’t hurt to check again.”

  He sends a text back to Vicky as he shakes his head. “You were almost run over by a beast of a vehicle and now you want to traipse around town looking for clues to try to catch a killer.”

  “With the help of my strong and protective best friend.” I bat my eyelashes.

  Josh grins and laughs before flexing an arm. “I am pretty strong.”

  “Incredibly.” I giggle. “No one will mess with me when I have you with me.”

  His eyes grow dark and his expression turns serious. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid. Don’t go anywhere dangerous alone.”

  “Dangerous? In Daysville? There’s not a dangerous spot in town.”

  “Autumn,” he growls.

  “Fine. I promise.” I hold up my right hand as if I’m on the witness stand, except my other hand has my fingers crossed underneath the blanket. I love Josh. He’s my sidekick, but he doesn’t have the guts to do what needs to be done. I know having him in my corner is essential to figuring out this case without him telling Travis. Plus having someone to bounce scenarios and suspects off of will be nice. “Now, who else should we add to the suspect list?”