Massage & Murder (A Cozy Spa Mystery Book 1)

by Jenn Cowan

  I want to tell her I can because I love this town, but know it won’t get me anywhere so I change the subject. “Did you take the money?”

  “Of course, I did.”

  “Did you give her the file of information you had on her?”

  Sally smiles, her eyes sparkle with mischief. “I gave her a copy. I still have the originals. Figured you would like to see it since you’re in it.”

  “Me? Why am I in there?”

  “You’ll see.” Sally digs in her bag and pulls out a file folder. “I won’t charge you. You’ve been so nice to me. Both of you.” She looks to Josh. “I’m quitting the spa. Moving back to Chicago. Brian made it very clear we were over and with the money April gave me, I can start fresh, maybe pursue something I’m actually good at.”

  I take the file, ready to dive into it, curiosity pushing me to open it, but I resist and smile at Sally. “Why did you become a massage therapist?”

  Sally laughs. “Brian suggested it. The schooling was short, pay’s good…if you have clients and I can set my own hours. It was something I could do until we had children.” She sighs and her tears form in her eyes. “Guess I’ll have to wait longer for that. My only dream has ever been to be a mom. I thought Brian would make that dream come true.” A tear drops onto the table.

  I pat her hand. “I’m so sorry, Sally.”

  She gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m leaving tomorrow. Bethany knows I quit. She told me Vicky was still in the hospital. Something about her breathing being erratic. I think I’ll pop over and tell them both good-bye. Vicky didn’t have to hire me or keep me on since I’m awful at massage, but she did. Maybe I’ll see if I can catch Brian. Try and change his mind one last time.” She gets up and I stand to give her a hug and so does Josh. When she leaves, I sit down and stare at the file folder.

  “Well open it already.” Josh reaches for the file folder.

  I swat his hand away. “Not here.”

  “Why not?”

  Before I can answer the door opens and a blast of cold air sweeps through the diner along with Travis and Cat. I slip the folder into my bag and take a sip of my tea, which is now cold. I fight back a grimace as they walk up to us.

  “Good morning, Autumn. Josh. Can we join you?” Cat asks, gesturing to the seat next to me. Her red hair is pulled back in a ponytail and her long green dress is covered by a black wool coat.

  I move over, but Travis shakes his head and guides Cat to the table behind us. He slides in behind Josh. His dark suit tightening around his shoulders as he picks up a menu.

  Josh rolls his eyes.

  I narrow mine and stare straight at the back of Travis’s head. Hopefully, he’ll feel the hate rolling off me. Guess he didn’t question Cat about the hair tie. If he won’t, I will. I turn my attention to Josh. “What color was that hair tie we found in the massage room yesterday?” I raise my voice so Cat can hear me over the 50’s music floating through the café.

  Josh smirks. “I think it was blue.”

  I nod and sneak a peek at Cat. She’s focusing on the menu, but I see her sneak a glance at me. Good she heard me. Josh got all the details last night over pizza and was ready to knock down Travis’s door to get answers. My dad is still making his way slowly through the snow storms, which keep popping up around the Midwest. He’s stuck in Oklahoma and isn’t sure when he’ll be here. Josh is determined to keep me out of jail in the meantime even if it means sending Cat to jail. I shudder at the thought. Surely, this is all a misunderstanding. “There was some writing in it too. A name. Do you remember the name on it?”

  Travis clears his throat loudly. Oh, like that’s not obvious.

  “Something with a c.” He rubs his chin as if trying to come up with the name.

  I bite my lip to hold back a laugh.

  “You found my hair tie, didn’t you?” Cat said, slapping down her menu.

  Travis turns and glares at me. “We did. I was planning to talk to you about it later.”

  “We can talk now.” Cat gets up and slides in next to Josh then waits for her father to join us.

  He slowly gets out of the booth. His chest rising and falling as if he’s taking deep breaths to calm himself down before sitting down next to me.

  Tiffany rushes out and takes their order. For the café being empty she sure seems busy. She disappears back into the kitchen then returns with coffee and orange juice before skittering off again.

  Travis places his arms on the table and clasps his hands. He takes another deep breath, but before he can say anything his cell phone rings and so does mine. We give each other a look then dig for our phones both turning our backs to each other as we answer.

  “Autumn, something awful has happened. Can you come to the hospital?” Bethany sniffs into the phone.

  “Sure. What happened?” My heart thumping a million miles an hour and my brain racing with scenarios.

  “I’ve got to go, but please hurry.” The line goes dead.

  I stare down at the phone then turn to Travis. His face is pale and he’s murmuring into the phone.

  “What is it?”

  “Bethany wants us to come to the hospital. Something bad has happened, but she wouldn’t give me any details. I hope Vicky’s ok.”

  Josh finishes his juice and tosses some cash on the table.

  Travis hangs up and tosses some more money on the table. “I have to go.”

  “Why? What happened?” Cat asks, reaching for her coat.

  “There’s been another murder.”

  “Murder!” Josh and I say in unison.

  I would usually call out Jinx and he owes me a massage, but Travis’s words have me stunned. “Who?”

  Travis stands and puts on his coat, avoiding my eyes.

  I scoot out after him and shrug into my coat. “Bethany just called me and told me to come to the hospital. Is it Vicky? Did something happen?

  He takes a sip of his coffee before clearing his throat and finally meeting my eyes. “Yes.”

  13

  I’m numb. People are talking and moving around me, but I can’t process any of it. My boss is dead. Not to mention a friend. Vicky gave both me and Josh a job fresh out of massage school. She took a chance on us and I hope never regretted it. Everyone loved Vicky. Who would do this?

  “Here, drink this.” Josh hands me a bottle of water then sits down next to me in the hospital waiting room.

  I unscrew the lid and toss back the water. The cool liquid feels good on my dry throat. “How did this happen?”

  “Travis is still asking questions. Gathering evidence. I overheard one of the nurses say they found her with a pillow over her face. Someone must have smothered her in her sleep.”

  I gasp. “How awful. Who would do something like that? More importantly why?”

  Josh drops his head into his hands. I know he’s upset. Vicky was so nice to both of us. She especially loved Josh. He was her favorite. The son she never had. Josh wipes his eyes and lifts his head. “Bethany is beside herself. I took her some water, but she’s inconsolable. Blames herself. Says she stepped out to get something to eat and when she came back…she found her mother.”

  “Poor thing. She has no one. Her father died when she was just a baby and now her mother’s gone.” I shake my head and swallow the lump forming in my throat. “Where were the nurses? Did anyone see anything?”

  “It was during a shift change. Vicky was at the end of the hall, right by the fire exit, which is conveniently broken. It would be easy for someone to slip in and slip out unnoticed.”

  “Do you think the murder is connected to the break-in or April’s murder?”

  “Maybe, but I don’t see how those two are connected.”

  I frown. “None of this makes any sense.” I pause. “We need to go over the suspect list for April’s murder.”

  “Again?” Josh groans.

  “Yes, again. Our boss and friend was just murdered. I think her murder and April’s are somehow connected. Not to mention Bethany ma
y be in danger. We need to solve this and fast.”

  “At least they can’t pin this murder on you.” Josh mumbles.

  I give him a look that says I don’t find him amusing. I glance around to be sure no one is listening. The waiting room is empty except for Cat listening to her iPod in the corner, earbuds tucked in tightly. Surely, she can’t hear me, but I keep my voice low. “Bobby, Nikki, Sally, the Mayor, Dr. Gregory, Vicky, Cat.”

  “Vicky’s out because well…”

  I grimace. “I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but what if Vicky killed April?”

  Josh cringes. “I can’t go there right now.”

  “Fine. We’ll put Vicky on the maybe list.” I pause and re-group then say. “I’m going to take Bobby and Nikki off the list.”

  “Why?”

  “One Bobby didn’t know about the affair.” I hold up my index finger and begin counting. “Two, he wasn’t at the spa and three, he seemed relatively happy with his life with April.”

  “Okay fine, let’s take Bobby off the list.” Josh sighs as if relieved.

  I continue. “Nikki was at the spa, had motive, but was also going to get some money from April in exchange for her silence about the affair so why kill April before getting the money? It doesn’t make sense.”

  “Revenge? Sometimes sweeter than money?”

  I shake my head. “Nikki had plans for that money. Also, she’s a yogi. They are all about peace and harmony. Killing is not that.”

  He nods. “Fine, Nikki’s out. Who’s next?”

  I glance around the room again to be sure no one is listening then lean into Josh. “Sally. She was blackmailing April and was at the spa. Not to mention April insulted her massage and slept with her boyfriend. Stole her dream of getting married and having babies. It’s a pretty strong motive.”

  “But April paid her off.”

  “So?”

  “So, it’s not like she got nothing. Why kill April?”

  “To make her really pay.”

  Josh doesn’t look convinced, but says, “So, Sally stays on the list?”

  “For now.”

  He sighs and leans forward, bracing his forearms on his knees and rolling the water bottle back and forth in his hands. “Who’s next?”

  “The Mayor.”

  “He wasn’t at the spa and April’s his daughter.”

  “True, but the Mayor also loves money and his reputation means everything to him. April cut him off. He was broke. Desperate.”

  “Bobby said April found out something about her father.”

  I bite my lip. “We need to find out more about the Mayor. He stays on the list.”

  Josh nods.

  “That brings us to Dr. Gregory. He was having an affair with April. She broke it off. He could have been angry. Killed her in a lover’s rage.”

  “But he wasn’t at the spa.”

  “Good point. What if he broke in? Hid somewhere and slipped in and out unnoticed.”

  Josh gives me a look. “Travis was in the break room the whole time. There’s only two exits and you and Bethany were standing by the other one. I doubt he killed April.”

  I stick out my lower lip and pout. “Fine. We’ll take Dr. Gregory off.”

  “What about Travis?”

  “Travis?”

  “You had him on the list after the funeral. April was threatening to send Cat to boarding school. He was at the spa.”

  “I don’t think Travis killed April,” I say softly.

  Josh frowns. “Because you know for a fact he didn’t kill April or because you don’t want to believe he’s capable of murder?”

  I don’t answer. Josh will flip out if I tell him I’m having feelings for Travis again. I’m not even ready to admit them to myself let alone anyone else. I mean the man cheated on me, broke my heart, hasn’t talked to me in fifteen years and now, I’m a suspect in his investigation. It shouldn’t bring on the warm fuzzy feelings yet I can’t stop thinking about him. I do know in my gut he didn’t kill April, but I need to stay objective. “Fine, we’ll keep Travis on the list.”

  Josh smiles as if he’s won a prize.

  My stomach churns and bile burns my throat. The thought of Travis killing someone shakes me to the core. It’s unfathomable. It’s the same feeling I get when I think of myself killing someone. The whole thing seems wrong.

  “What about Cat?” Josh nods toward the teen in the corner.

  I sigh and turn my gaze toward her. Did Cat kill her mother? Evidence is pointing that way. She was at the spa. Knew her mother was there. She admitted to seeing her SUV. Told her father she would make sure she didn’t get sent to boarding school. Her hair tie was found at the scene of the crime. All signs point to Cat.

  Cat looks up and smiles. She takes out her ear buds and walks over to us. “Can I join you?”

  “Sure.”

  She takes the seat next to me.

  I’m not sure what to ask. She’s a minor. Her dad’s a detective. I need to tread lightly. If Travis finds out Cat admits to murder in front of me, he’ll find a way to turn it around and convince the judge I persuaded her somehow. I know Travis. I know how he thinks. He’ll do anything to protect the people he loves. A prang of hurt sears my heart. Emotional scars take time to heal…sometimes they never do. I know in my heart Travis will protect Cat to the ends of the earth. Me on the other hand, I’m not sure.

  “I didn’t kill my mom,” Cat says quietly.

  I don’t respond. Saying nothing sometimes works better than asking questions. Makes the person want to talk to fill in the silence.

  “I was in the spa. My dad let me in the back door. I had to use the restroom. Too many hot chocolates at breakfast.” She smiles up at me.

  I smile back, but still don’t say anything.

  “When I was in the restroom, I heard my dad’s phone ring. He answered then I heard the backdoor open and the room went silent. I washed my hands and as I was getting ready to open the door, I heard Vicky mumbling about my mom. Then I heard the sound of metal scraping against wood then silence. I stepped out and spotted Sally sitting in Vicky’s office. She was busy on the computer so I went back into the break room. I was about ready to leave when I heard Vicky stomping down the hallway. She was muttering to herself then she disappeared into her office. Next thing I know, you’re shouting for help. I rushed out to get my dad, but couldn’t find him. I went back inside and heard you say my mom’s name so I made my way to the front of the spa. Bethany was on the phone with the 911 operator, Aunt Regina was comforting you on the couch so I thought I would go see if my mom was ok.” Cat sniffles. A tear drops onto her hand. “The door to the blue room was open. I peeked in and saw my mom. I thought it was a joke at first. Like someone was pranking me. I went in and shook her. She wouldn’t wake up. I must have lost my hair tie when I was shaking her.” She runs a hand over her short ponytail. “My hair is so short, mom wouldn’t let me grow it out and I hate having it in my face, it doesn’t take much for my hair ties to come out. That’s why I sewed my name into them because I’m always losing them and mom kept getting upset every time she had to buy new ones.” She gives me a shy smile.

  I smile back, trying not to roll my eyes at April’s pettiness. Hair ties are cheap and April was loaded. What kind of mother gets upset about hair ties when she drops $500 on shoes? I’ll never understand April. I reach out and squeeze Cat’s hand. “What did you do next?”

  Cat sniffles again and more tears fall down her cheeks. “I got some blood on my hands so I went to the bathroom to wash them.” Then she glances around. “I saw Vicky and Sally in her office. They were talking in hushed tones, but I swear I heard Vicky say, ‘She’s gone now’.”

  I gasp, but before I can say anything Travis is by Cat’s side.

  “How dare you.” His eyes are hard and full of venom. If looks could kill I would be dead right now.

  Cat pops up from her chair and rushes over to her dad before coming to my defense. “She didn’t. I told her.
Everything. I should have told you first, but I was scared. I think Vicky killed mom,” she whispers then breaks down into sobs.

  A gasp comes from behind us. “No, she didn’t,” Bethany cries.

  We all turn around to find her standing there shaking like she’s been out in the cold too long. Her face is pale, dark circles rim her eyes, her brown braid is a mess and her black scrubs are wrinkled and look like she slept in them. I stand and hug Bethany. “I’m so sorry about your mom.”

  She hugs me for a moment then glares at Cat. “How dare you say my mother killed yours.”

  Cat sniffles and hiccups. “I-I heard her.”

  “But you didn’t see her kill your mother, did you?”

  “Well…no.” Cat hiccups again.

  “You have no proof. For all we know, you’re trying to blame my mother to get away with killing yours.”

  We all gasp.

  I know Bethany is grieving, but this is wrong on so many levels yet could she be right? I glance over at Cat, her face is red and blotchy, tears are still streaming down her cheeks as she sobs into Travis’s chest. Travis is shooting daggers at Bethany with his eyes as he pats Cat on the back. Is Cat trying to blame Vicky since she’s dead? Using the whole dead woman tell no tales angle. Vicky can’t defend herself so it would make it easy to blame her, but then the real question is who killed Vicky? Sally? If Cat really heard Sally and Vicky talking about April ‘being gone’ maybe they were working together. Sally is leaving town and came over to visit Vicky and Bethany before she left; maybe she killed Vicky to ensure she wouldn’t rat on her. Speaking of Sally, where is she? I glance around the waiting room, but don’t see her. My eyes land on Bethany and I ask, “Did Sally come by?”

  Bethany crosses her arms and nods, still glaring at Cat says, “She went to see Dr. Gregory.” I open my mouth to offer to get her some tea when she says, “I’m not going to stand here and listen to this nonsense.” She sneers at Cat turns on her heels and stomps from the room.

  I stare after her in shock. I’ve never heard Bethany raise her voice or act like this. She’s always been quiet and sweet. I guess I would be upset too if someone accused my mother of murder. I won’t hold it against her. She just lost her mother.