Death At The Spa (Julia Blake Cozy Murder Mystery Book 10)

by Gillian Larkin

  “Ms Blake, I might have known you’d be mixed up in this. What are you doing there? Did you know my wife was going to be there? Have you arranged this whole murder business just to annoy me?”

  Gemma tutted. “Arnie, stop being ridiculous. This isn’t about you. And stop looking at Julia like that, it’s very rude.”

  DI Clarke looked at his wife. “You don’t know what she’s like. She gets in the way of police procedures. She’s always finding dead bodies.”

  Gemma’s tone was cold as she said, “Arnold Clarke, get that accusing tone out of your voice. Julia has helped you in the past, whether you care to admit it or not. And, for your information, it was me who found the dead body. Are you going to have a go at me now?”

  DI Clarke’s gaze lowered and he mumbled, “Of course not. Sorry. It’s just that whenever Ms Blake is around …”

  Gemma interrupted him, “I will not hear another unkind word against Julia. I haven’t known her long but I like her. She’s thoughtful and considerate. She was at my side when I found the body.”

  “I knew she’d be somewhere nearby!” DI Clarke declared.

  “Arnold, what did I just tell you? Not another word against Julia. I am not coming home. I’m staying here for the remainder of my break. I will speak to you later.” Her tone softened. “Don’t forget to read Charlie’s favourite book to him later. And give him a kiss from me.”

  “I will do.” DI Clarke’s look went to Julia. “I’m saying this in as friendly a manner as I can, Ms Blake. Don’t interfere in this murder enquiry. DI Thostlewaite is good at his job and I’ve no doubt he’ll find the person responsible for this murder. Okay?” He gave her a tight smile.

  Julia pressed her lips together and nodded.

  Gemma turned the phone fully back to herself. “I’ll speak to you later, Arnie. I love you.”

  “Love you too,” came his mumbled reply.

  Gemma ended the call and shook her head at the phone. “Does he always talk to you like that?”

  “Yes. I suppose he has good reason to. I do get in his way sometimes. I didn’t like lying to him then. Why didn’t you tell him you were a suspect? He could have done something to help.”

  Gemma gave her a small grin. “Oh! Did I forget to tell him that? Never mind. Anyway, he didn’t say anything to me about getting involved. And it’s not your fault if you’re at my side when I make some enquiries, is it? Don’t worry about Arnie, I’ll deal with him.” Gemma put her phone away and took a drink of water. “Right, who shall we interrogate first?”

  Julia didn’t get the chance to reply as there was a knock at the door. She opened it to find a pale-looking Sienna Moss standing there. It was obvious she’d been crying.

  Julia opened the door wider and said, “Do you want to come in?”

  “No, thank you. I don’t want to take up any more of your time.” She nodded to Gemma who came to stand at Julia’s side.

  “I wanted to apologise for this terrible event. I can’t tell you how sorry I am that you saw such a disturbing scene.” Her voice cracked and she swallowed. “Please let me know if you need any counselling. We have many qualified people who could help you.”

  Gemma said, “There’s no need for that. I used to work in the police force and I’ve seen much worse. Do you know how she was killed?”

  A sob escaped from Sienna and she looked away. When she looked back, there was a forced smile on her face. “I’d rather not talk about it, thank you. I’m still in shock. I can’t believe that lovely girl was murdered. It’s beyond belief.”

  Julia said, “Are you sure you don’t want to come in? I could make you a hot drink.”

  “That’s very kind of you but I’ve got plenty to do. I haven’t told the staff yet. That’s going to be difficult. I wanted to apologise to you both, and to let you know we won’t charge you for your spa breaks, not that it’s any consolation for what you’ve been through. Also, any treatments you have will be free, so, please, feel free to take as many as you like. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Thank you,” Julia said. “I only met Erin a few times and she was very friendly. Did she have any enemies? I heard her talking on the phone to her room-mate, Lori, and they seemed to be having an argument.”

  Sienna’s posture changed. She stiffened and a hard look came into her face. “Lori? I’m sure you must have been mistaken about that. Erin wasn’t the type to argue with anyone. I won’t take up any more of your time.” She turned and stalked away, her head held high.

  Gemma said, “Did you see how she changed at the mention of Lori’s name? She doesn’t like her at all. I think that’s who we need to speak to first.”

  Chapter 12

  “I’m not sure about this,” Julia said a short while later. “Lori might have cancelled her exercise class. She might have heard about Erin and be too upset to work.” Julia pulled at her exercise T-shirt. “This must have shrunk in the wash. It used to be baggy on me.”

  Gemma was dressed in her exercise clothes too and Julia noticed the price tag hanging from the back of her shorts. She pulled at it and handed the label to Gemma.

  Gemma smiled. “Thanks. You’ve discovered my secret. I don’t do exercise. Apart from running around after an active five-year-old.”

  They headed in the direction of exercise hall 2. According to the timetable that Erin had given Julia earlier, Lori Sanders would be leading a legs, bums and tums class. Julia was half hoping that the class would be cancelled.

  No such luck. As they entered the hall, a young woman dressed in tight exercise clothes waved energetically to them. “Ladies, just in time. We’re about to start! Yay! I’m Lori and I’ll be leading your class today. Yay!” She bounced on the spot and waved her hands from side to side above her head. Her brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and that bounced energetically too.

  Music blared out and Lori began to jog on the spot. “Come on, ladies, I want to see you smile! This is fun!”

  Gemma mumbled, “It doesn’t look like fun to me. Look at how many people are here. There’s only room at the front of the class.”

  Julia said, “That’s a good thing. We can keep an eye on Lori.”

  “I’m more worried about her keeping an eye on us. There isn’t one ounce of fat on her. That’s not normal.”

  Lori spotted them loitering and called out, “Come on, you two. You’re missing all the fun. Jumping Jacks! Give me twenty! Yay!”

  Julia and Gemma reluctantly made their way to the front of the class. Julia started doing jumping Jacks. Her legs, bum and tum did not like being bounced about so much and Julia could only manage five. Her underwear did not support so much activity.

  It looked like Gemma felt the same way; she’d given up on the jumps and was walking on the spot instead. Gemma grimaced. “Are you having fun yet? Look at how happy Lori is. Do you think she knows about Erin yet?”

  Julia walked slowly on the spot. “I don’t think so.”

  Julia and Gemma did their best to keep up with Lori. It was impossible as the young woman bounced, jumped, danced and wiggled without running out of steam or enthusiasm.

  The music eventually slowed down. Lori came to a stop and beamed at everyone. “Wasn’t that great fun? Yay! Now it’s time to attack those bums and tums. Grab yourself an exercise mat and we’ll start our floor work.”

  Julia and Gemma followed the other people in the hall to the side of the room where a pile of exercise mats were stacked.

  Gemma nudged Julia and hissed, “Look who’s just come in. It’s that Harry fella.”

  Julia looked over her shoulder and watched as a solemn-faced Harry came into the hall. The smile dropped from Lori’s face and she walked towards him and put her arms around his chest. Harry muttered something.

  “I can’t hear what he’s saying,” Gemma said. “Let’s move closer.” She shot forward to the mats, grabbed two, and then dashed back to their original positions at the front of the hall. Julia followed her.

  Julia and Gemma
went through the pretence of stretching out their muscles as they listened to what was being said.

  Harry was saying, “I know you’ll get through this. I know you’ll miss her. Be brave, we all have to carry on.”

  Lori let out a heavy sigh and said, “I’ll try my best. You know how close Erin and I were. I’m devastated that she’s gone.” She rested her head against Harry’s chest. The look of despair on her face disappeared and was replaced by a smug grin.

  Gemma’s eyebrows rose and she muttered, “She looks like the cat who’s got the cream.”

  Julia nodded and muttered back, “She seems to be enjoying that hug. I wonder if Harry is the one she was talking about on the phone with Erin?”

  Harry gently pushed Lori away and said, “Keep going. Stay strong. That’s what Erin would have wanted.”

  Lori’s lower lip trembled delicately as she gazed up at him.

  Harry gave her a small smile and walked out of the hall. Lori watched him leave, a smile growing on her face.

  As soon as he’d gone, Lori clapped her hands and said, ‘Right, ladies, let’s get back to our exercises. Are you having fun? Are you having a great day? I know I am. Yay!”

  Julia and Gemma shared a look before lying on their exercise mats for the next round of torture.

  Chapter 13

  “I don’t think I can walk,” Julia said as they left the exercise hall later. “I haven’t used some of my leg muscles for years. I didn’t know muscles could hurt so much. How are you feeling?”

  Gemma let out a groan and put a hand on her stomach. “I can already feel the pain here. It’s going to be worse tomorrow. Who wants a six-pack anyway? The only six-pack I’m interested in is a six-pack of cupcakes.”

  Julia noticed the concern in Gemma’s face as they walked though the quiet seating area. “Gemma? What’s wrong?”

  Gemma frowned. “People are looking at me. I can feel it. They think I had something to do with Erin’s death. I can see it in their faces. They must know I was the last one to see her alive.”

  “You weren’t the last one to see her alive, the murderer was. I’m sure no one is looking at you suspiciously.” Julia cast a glance to her left and caught the look on a waitress’ face. She wasn’t smiling and she was giving Gemma a suspicious look. “Shall we go into the garden? I could do with some fresh air. I need to take some more photos of the garden for Cain too.”

  “Yes. Then we can have a good talk about Lori. She didn’t seem at all bothered by Erin’s death. I want to find out what, and who, they were arguing about shortly before Erin died. It must have something to do with her death. Did you tell the police about that conversation?”

  “I did. They said they’d look into it. They’ll probably question Lori.” Julia held an exit door open for Gemma. She noticed Mum sitting with a group of women at the far side of the room. They were all deep in conversation. Julia waved a hand in greeting but Mum didn’t see her. Did Mum know about the murder yet? Is that what they were talking about?

  Gemma walked through the open door and Julia was about to follow when she heard her name being called.

  It was Mum. She jogged over to Julia’s side and said, “There you are. I’ve been looking for you. Where have you been?”

  “To an exercise class with Lori.” Julia pulled a face. “I’m not going to another one, I’m going to be aching later. How are you? Are you making new friends?”

  “I am. We met in the exercise class that I’ve been to.”

  Gemma came back through the door and said hello to Mum. “Which class have you been to?”

  “The one that Harry Lewis teaches.” Mum’s eyebrows rose. “I was expecting some sort of gentle aerobics class. There was some of that, but there was some salsa dancing too. There was an unnecessary amount of wiggling bottoms and thrusting hips, in my opinion. But the other women seemed to like it. That young man is too handsome for his own good. Do you know, he’s got his own range of DVDs and CDs for sale? You can buy them after the class. He’s even got his own range of bottled water, but we didn’t have to pay for those.” She held a bottle up with Harry Lewis’ face on the label.

  Julia smiled. “You do look better for it, Mum. You’ve got a glow to your cheeks.”

  Mum nodded. “I do feel better. I’ve booked myself in for his next class too. He told me his classes are usually booked months in advance, but he would make an exception for me. He’s such a smooth talker. He looks at you as if you’re the only woman in the room. But I’m not falling for his deep brown eyes and his gyrating hips.” She pointed the bottle in Julia’s direction. “Haven’t you something to tell me? Something to do with you finding a murdered body?”

  “Erm,” Julia began.

  Gemma said, “It was me who discovered the body. How did you find out about it?”

  “People were talking about it in the class. Is it true she was found floating in a tank of melted chocolate?”

  Julia nodded. “It was awful. The police are dealing with everything now.”

  Mum gave her a steely look. “And you’re going to let the police deal with it? You’re not going to interfere with their investigation in any way?”

  “Erm,” Julia said again.

  Gemma said, “I’ll be helping the police with their enquiries, in an unofficial manner. And I’ve asked Julia to help me.”

  “Why would you do that?” Mum said.

  Gemma looked left and right. “I was the last one to see her before she went into that room with the tank. The police think I’ve got something to do with her murder. And the staff do too. They’re giving me funny looks.”

  The three women looked left and right.

  Mum said, “I think you’re right about that last part. You do what you have to. I can’t stop you, Julia. I know what you’re like. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I will,” Julia said. She moved closer to Mum and said, “If you hear anyone talking about Erin, will you let us know?”

  Mum laughed. “Now you’re getting me involved? Of course I will. I’d better go. I’ve got another session with Indigo. I wonder if she’s heard about Erin yet?” Mum gave Julia a swift hug and then went back to join her friends.

  Gemma said, “You should have told her to keep an eye on Harry Lewis. If he was having a secret affair with Lori, he wouldn’t want his fans to know about it, would he?”

  “Of course not. They’d stop coming to his classes and buying his merchandise. You’ve got a suspicious mind, Gemma Clarke. I like it.”

  Julia opened the door again. “Come on, let’s have a little wander around the rear of the building. Perhaps we could mosey over to where the chocolate therapy rooms are. We could even have a little peek at those patio doors that were open earlier.”

  Gemma went through the door. “I like the sound of that. We might find a certain kind of French cigarette which is only smoked by one member of staff. Or part of a unique handkerchief could be caught on one of the bushes, perhaps with the initials of our killer on it.”

  Julia laughed. “Did you ever find such obvious clues when you worked for the police?”

  “Never. Let me tell you about some of my solved cases.”

  Gemma chatted to Julia as they walked around to the rear of the building. They came to an abrupt stop as someone barred their way.

  It was DI Thostlewaite. He beamed at them. “Ladies, how lovely to see you again so soon. You’ve got the most becoming glow on your faces.”

  Julia’s eyes narrowed. “Is that another way of saying we look sweaty? If so, we can’t help it. We’re only human.”

  DI Thostlewaite chuckled. “I didn’t mean that at all. Now then, what are you doing here? I trust you’re not making your way towards the crime scene?”

  “Of course not,” Julia replied.

  Gemma said casually, “Is the crime scene this way? I had no idea.”

  All humour faded from the inspector’s face. “I’m glad I’ve bumped into you, Gemma. Did you know Erin Baker? Have you ever m
et her before? Perhaps when you worked in the force?”

  Gemma’s brow furrowed. “Not that I remember. And I’m good at remembering faces. Why are you asking?”

  “No particular reason. Have you ever been to any other spas? Perhaps you saw Erin there.”

  “No. This is my first visit to a spa. Why are you asking me this? And don’t say for no reason. I know you’re asking me for a reason.”

  DI Thostlewaite tapped the side of his nose. “We’re following leads. You know I can’t give you any more information. Now then, ladies, I can’t stand here chewing the fat with you all day. I’ve got work to do. I believe the rose garden is worth a visit. It’s over to the left. I trust I won’t find you wandering in this direction again.” He beamed at them and waited until they turned around and walked away from him.

  When they were out of earshot, Gemma said, “Why was he asking me those questions?”

  Julia sighed. “I’ve got a theory about that. But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  Chapter 14

  Julia took Gemma towards the rose garden. It took them a while to find a quiet spot as it seemed that everyone else had the same idea. Julia took a few photos along the way and sent them to Cain.

  They eventually found a deserted bench in a quiet corner. Julia stood on the bench and looked over the hedge behind. There was no one there.

  “Just checking that no one is listening to us,” Julia said as she sat next to Gemma.

  Gemma said, “So? What’s this theory you’ve got?”

  “From the questions DI Thostlewaite was asking you, I think he suspects Erin’s murder was due to you.”

  Gemma’s cheeks flushed. “What? Why would you think that? This has nothing to do with me. I can’t believe you’re saying that.”

  “Hear me out. You might have met Erin during your time in the police force. She could have looked different.”

  Gemma folded her arms. “I told the inspector I didn’t know her. Don’t you believe me? Do you think I’m lying? If you think I killed Erin Baker, you’d better just come right out and say it.”