Massage & Murder

by Jenn Cowan

  Josh shrugs and lowers his voice. “Everyone hated April, but enough to kill her, I’m not sure.”

  “What about Sally?”

  “Sally? Why would she kill April?”

  “April insulted her massage the day she was murdered. Refused to have Sally work on her.”

  Josh nods. “Makes sense. April liked deep tissue massage. Sally definitely doesn’t have that skill.”

  “Why do you think Sally became a massage therapist?”

  He frowns. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean she doesn’t love it. Not like we do.”

  Josh smirks. “No one loves massage like we do. We’re massage nerds. No other therapists quiz each other on the different muscles and attachment points.”

  I laugh. “I’m not saying she has to, but she always seems so bored. Like she’d rather be anywhere else and when she does get a client, she almost seems scared.”

  “Scared?”

  “Yeah like she’s afraid to work on them.”

  “Well she doesn’t have a lot of experience. Vicky told me she just graduated about a month ago before she moved to town. It’s probably just nerves.”

  I bite my lip. “Maybe, but it seems like something more.”

  Josh rolls his eyes. “You’re reading into things, Autumn.”

  I open my mouth to protest when Dr. Gregory walks in.

  8

  Dr. Gregory smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, which are red rimmed and glassy. His black hair is slicked back. He reminds me of a young Keanu Reeves in a lab coat.

  “How are you feeling Miss Fisher?”

  I cringe. I hate being called Miss Fisher. Reminds me of my school days when I was talking too much in class and my teachers would call me out on it. “Better. Can I go home?”

  He makes a note on his iPad. “Let me do a couple of tests then we’ll talk.” He eyes Josh. “Are you the boyfriend?”

  I groan. Does everyone think we’re secretly dating?

  Josh grins. “Just the best friend. I’m going to grab you some tea.” He pats my hand and slips out the door.

  “Best friend?” Dr. Gregory raises an eyebrow.

  I shrug. “I’m a lucky girl.”

  He pulls a light pen from his pocket and shines it in my eyes. “I’ll say.” He clicks off the pen. “You’re lucky that SUV didn’t make you a pancake.”

  I frown and raise an eyebrow, unsure of his strange bedside manner.

  “Sorry. I’m not myself today.”

  “Because of April?”

  Now it’s his turn to frown. “What do you mean?” Then unwraps my bandage and checks it. “It’s just a scratch. Probably cut it on rocks.” Then he re-wraps it.

  “I know you two were having an affair.”

  He shakes his head and looks out the window. “How did you find out?”

  “It’s a small town.”

  “Too small. Sometimes I wonder why I moved here.”

  “Why did you move here?”

  “Because of April. I had a new fertility treatment she was trying. Everyone in town knew she wanted another baby…with Bobby.” He gets up and walks to the window.

  “Does Bobby know about the affair?”

  He turns to me with a serious expression on his face. “Do you think I would be alive right now if he did?”

  The man has a point. I couldn’t see Bobby taking that news very well. Although he wouldn’t go after April, he would go after the doctor. But would someone who loves Bobby go after April if they found out about the affair? My thoughts float to Nikki.

  “April was upset about the affair. Quit her treatments. Decided she and Bobby were happy without a child.”

  “And were you?”

  “Was I what?”

  “Upset about ending the affair?”

  “It was a mistake. We both realized it. I just got out of a serious relationship and wasn’t looking for anything especially with a patien-” his words are cut off by yelling at the nurse’s station.

  “Bobby,” I whisper and lock eyes with the doctor.

  He goes pale and looks about ready to faint. “He’s going to kill me.”

  I want to tell him that he won’t, but then I see Bobby tearing down the hallway and I can’t be sure. Someone cuts him off. Travis. Bobby pushes him out of the way like he’s tossing a ragdoll then practically takes the door off the hinges flinging it open.

  “You!” Bobby points a finger at Dr. Gregory.

  “It was a mistake.” Dr. Gregory holds up his hands to protect to his face.

  Bobby balls his fists, his nostrils are flaring and his jaw is clenching and unclenching. “You slept with my wife,” he growls

  “I’m sorry.”

  Bobby’s eyes narrow and he lunges for Dr. Gregory as Travis and Josh tackle him to the ground. “Let me go! He slept with my WIFE!”

  “Get out of here NOW!” Travis yells at Dr. Gregory, who doesn’t have to be told twice.

  I open my mouth to inquire about going home, but decide now isn’t the time. I can only hope he signs my discharge papers.

  Josh slams the door shut with his foot and works with Travis to get Bobby to sit down in a chair. Travis has Bobby’s arms pinned behind his back and is clicking on a pair of handcuffs.

  “You can’t arrest me. I haven’t done anything.” Bobby struggles against the cuffs.

  Travis opens his mouth, but I interrupt him. “Bobby, who told you about the affair?”

  Bobby blinks and focuses on me like he didn’t realize I was here. “A note. Slipped underneath our front door. I found it when I got home from the cemetery.”

  “A note? Do you still have it?”

  He shakes his head. “I left it on the kitchen table.”

  I bite my lip not sure I should pry especially since he’s a grieving husband, but I need to eliminate Bobby as a suspect and Travis doesn’t seem to be upset I’m asking questions. He’s still trying to catch his breath so I continue, “Did you suspect April of having an affair?”

  “No. Never. April and I were still trying to have a baby. We were happy except…”

  “Except what?”

  “Well the past few weeks she’d been acting weird. Starting new business. Crying one minute then happy the next. I figured it was from the hormone shots, but then all the sudden she says she stopped treatments and we need to work on our marriage. Decides Cat needs to go to boarding school. That it will help her get into a better college. I knew something was up, but I didn’t pry.”

  Travis clenches his jaw. “She makes straight A’s, she’s going to get into a good college.”

  Bobby scoffs. “I know that, but she’s April’s daughter. It was her decision.”

  “Not just her decision.”

  “Well it’s not anymore, now is it?” Bobby snaps.

  The men glare at each other for a moment then a nurse pops her head in the door. “Detective, there’s a call for you at the nurse’s station. They said it was urgent.”

  “Don’t move,” Travis orders Bobby then glances at Josh and nods.

  Josh rolls his eyes, but places a hand on Bobby’s shoulder.

  Travis casts me a sideways glance before heading out the door.

  Once he’s out of earshot, I know it’s my chance to get some more answers. “Bobby, do you know who killed April?”

  He sighs and hangs his head. “No one liked her. It wasn’t a secret.” He sighs again and looks up at me. “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but a couple of weeks ago I came home early from a business meeting and found her and the Mayor arguing in the living room.”

  “What were they arguing about?”

  Another sigh. “The Mayor’s broke.”

  “Broke? What do you mean?”

  “I mean he’s got nothing. He’s deep in debt. Spent every last cent of his fortune…of April’s inheritance.”

  I gasp.

  “April was livid. I figured that’s why she stopped fertility treatments although we have plenty of money. It’s
not like she needed her inheritance, but the treatments weren’t cheap and it’s not like they were working. I guess I wasn’t meant to be a dad.” Bobby looks down at the floor.

  I feel tears brimming and quickly blink them away, but not before Josh sees and cocks his head at me. I shake my head and clear my throat, tapping down my own desire to one day have kids although it’s looking bleak. “Do you think the Mayor killed April?”

  Bobby’s head snaps back up. “No.” Then he pauses. “I mean I don’t know. He has a life insurance policy on April. Has since she was a little girl…but kill his own daughter for money. We were helping him…paying his debts off, but last week April told me to quit paying his bills. Said she found something that made her question her father.”

  “Did she say what she found?”

  Bobby shakes his head. “She told me she was looking into it and would tell me when she found proof.”

  “So, did you stop paying his bills?”

  Bobby nods then his eyes get wide. “The Mayor threatened April last Saturday…two days before she was killed. Told her she’d be sorry for interfering.”

  “Interfering in what?

  Bobby shrugs. “No clue.”

  “Have you told any of this to the police?” I see Travis coming down the hall.

  “Not until I find out what the Mayor is hiding.”

  “So why tell me?”

  Bobby smiles. “Margo May.”

  I smile back. Solving that dognapping case is sure coming in handy.

  Travis walks in and motions for Bobby to stand up. “I’ll walk you out. Dr. Gregory is in the process of filing a restraining order against you so I don’t want to see or hear that you’re anywhere near this hospital or his home, understood?”

  Bobby nods then as Travis steps behind him to unlock his cuffs, he mouths. “I’ll call you.”

  I smirk as I watch the men leave. Travis peeks back at me. His expression unreadable. I look away not wanting to deal with him or the butterflies dancing in my belly every time I see him. I turn toward Josh. “The Mayor just got added to our suspect list. I need to get out of here.”

  9

  “I need all hands-on deck. Sally called in sick and the spa is booked solid today. Everyone is requesting you, Autumn,” Vicky says, staring at the computer screen.

  “Me?” I raise an eyebrow at Josh.

  Vicky nods. “Seems everyone wants to talk to the new sleuth in town. Determine if they’re on your suspect list.”

  I gulp. “My suspect list? That’s ridiculous. I don’t have a suspect list.”

  “You don’t?” Vicky straightens and narrows her eyes at me.

  I shake my head and try to look innocent. The bell above the door rings and a blast of cold air blows in the waiting room.

  “Oh, Autumn. Just the person I was wanting to see.” Nikki stomps her feet on the mat. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

  I open my mouth to respond when Vicky cuts in, “Autumn has a full schedule today. Her first client is waiting. You’ll have to talk to her when she’s not working.” Vicky hands me a file and pushes me toward the green room. I check the time and see I’m five minutes late. I groan, this will make me late all day. I wash my hands and briefly glance at the file folder. It’s a new client.

  Michael Millum.

  Hmm. Must be someone traveling through or someone new has moved to town and I’m not up on the town gossip.

  Knocking softly, I enter the room, the table is empty. I step in and the door shuts behind me. My palms begin to sweat and I feel like I’ve just walked into a trap. Could April’s killer be behind me? I gulp and turn slowly. “Travis! What are you doing in here? You scared me to death.” I smack him in the gut. He doesn’t even flinch. Stupid six-pack.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I wanted to talk to you. Figured this was the only way.”

  “The only way? Have you not heard of a phone? You know where I live.”

  He runs a hand through his red hair. “I don’t have your number and I went by your house…you weren’t alone.”

  “So, you make up a fake name and stalk me at my work?” I gesture to the file.

  Travis smirks. “It’s not a fake name. I use it as my alias when I’m undercover.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “Alias? Since when does police work in Daysville require undercover work?”

  His eyes grow dark. “I don’t just work in Daysville.”

  “You don’t?”

  He shakes his head.

  I narrow my eyes. “Where else do you work?”

  “In Kansas City and St. Louis. I help out on a few cases every now and then to make some extra money.”

  I nod. “What kind of cases?”

  “If I told you well you know…”

  I roll my eyes then frown. “Are you in danger?”

  He shrugs. “It comes with being a cop.”

  “Not in Daysville.”

  He shrugs again. “I need the money. Daysville cops don’t make much. I have a kid. Bills.” He pauses. “I’m up for Captain, if I get it then I’ll quit my side gigs.

  “I see.” I cross my arms and try not to let him see how much the thought of him being in danger affects me. “So, you want to talk. Talk. I’m surprised you don’t just drag me down to the station? Interrogate me since you think I’m guilty.”

  Travis sighs. “I’m just doing my job, Autumn. You have a motive. You also have means and opportunity.”

  I snort. “So, do you.”

  His eyes grow dark and his jaw tightens. “What do you mean?”

  “Cat. April was planning to send her away to boarding school. You two were going to court over it. You were in the break room the day she was murdered, right by the knives. You too have means, motive and opportunity.”

  Travis scowls. “The rumor mill is really churning. We weren’t going to court. How did you know I was here?”

  “It’s a small town, Travis. Bethany told me a cop was here to question me about the attempted break-in. You were the first officer on the scene. Only…” I bite my lip, thinking back to that awful day. “You came in through the front door, but Bethany told me you were waiting in the break room.”

  “I can see your mind putting the puzzle together. You are investing this case, aren’t you?” He rubs his eyes then winces.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He rubs his shoulder. “Nothing.”

  “Nothing my eye. What’s hurting?”

  “Really, Autumn. I’m fine.” He moves his shoulder to prove it, but ends up flinching.

  “Lie down.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Take off your shirt and lie down on the table.”

  “No. I’m here to talk not get a massage.”

  “Vicky is charging you either way so you might as well let me work on your back.”

  He scoffs. “Fine.”

  I smirk. “You’re the only person I know that complains about getting a massage.”

  He starts to unbutton his shirt and I turn my back to him. “Slip under the sheet and lie face down with your head in the face rest.” The massage table creaks and I hear shuffling. When the room goes quiet, I turn around and oil my hands. “Where does it hurt?”

  “Here.” He taps his trapezius muscle. “It’s been killing me for weeks.”

  “And you’re just now getting a massage?”

  “I’ve been kind of busy.”

  I snort.

  “What? I have.”

  “Busy with what?”

  “Work.”

  “Work? What kind of work? Daysville hasn’t had anything exciting happen since well last summer. The high school kids breaking windows.” I run an elbow down his back.

  He moans. “Oh man. That feels good. You really did find your calling.”

  I smile. I can’t help it. His words warm my heart and then he changes the subject and says something stupid.

  “Have you ever thought of killing April?”

  “I believe w
e were discussing your motive, detective.” I put an elbow into his shoulder blade and he groans.

  “I didn’t kill April. Sure, I was mad, she was trying to send Cat away, but we would have worked it out. April had been acting strange the past few weeks. Making erratic demands…more than her usual ones.

  “What do you mean by ‘erratic demands’?”

  He moans again when I knead the muscle back and forth. His voice comes out sleepy and he yawns before saying, “I shouldn’t be telling you this, but the whole thing is ridiculous. She wanted me to investigate City Hall. Look into the Mayor’s spending habits.”

  “Did she say why?”

  “She thought he was doing something illegal.”

  “Like what?”

  “She didn’t know. Hence the investigation.”

  “Did you look into it?”

  Austin shakes his head. “I can’t just open an investigation into City Hall without proof. It’s career suicide.”

  “I bet April didn’t like that.” I move to work on his neck.

  “That’s when she started threatening to send Cat to boarding school. Told me if I didn’t look into City Hall and the Mayor, she would send her away.”

  I gasp. “So, she was blackmailing you?”

  “Not really blackmailing.”

  “What do you call threatening someone to get them to do what you want?”

  Travis doesn’t respond.

  I continue to work on his back in silence. Thinking about everything he just told me.

  His deep voice interrupts my thoughts. “Why didn’t you let me explain about April in high school?”

  The question catches me off guard. “I-I You broke my heart, Travis.” Emotion catches in my throat and I choke it down. Tears come quickly and I can’t blink them back. One falls on his leg.

  He stiffens. “I-I saw you.”

  “Saw me what?” I cover his back and move to the front of the table.

  “You and Josh.” He lifts his head and stares at me.

  “Me and Josh?”

  Travis opens to his mouth to answer when a muffled scream comes from another room. He jumps up, thank the Lord he left his pants on, shrugs on his shirt and hurries from the room. I follow him, trying to get the vision of his bare chest out of my mind.