Massage & Murder

by Jenn Cowan

  “She’s a client.”

  “Usually my client.”

  “You were booked. I was her only option.”

  “So.”

  “So, she’s still a client.”

  “She doesn’t have to be. I can work on her from here on out or Sally can if I’m booked.”

  “Speaking of Sally, are you planning to talk to her?”

  “Nice try changing the subject.”

  He shrugs. “Are you?”

  I nod. “I sent her a text asking if she was feeling up to visitors. She thought she might still be ‘contagious’, but wanted to know if we could meet her for breakfast. Thought it was just a twenty-four-hour bug.” I roll my eyes because I’m not buying the sick act. “Now, back to you. Are you going to ask out Violet or not?”

  “I don’t know. Do you really think I should?”

  I slip into my coat and grab my yoga mat. “Sure, why not?”

  “It’s just…well. Never mind.” He shrugs on his coat. “Wanna come over for dinner and a movie after your yoga class?”

  “You could ask Violet to join you for dinner and a movie. I’m sure she would love it.”

  His face turns red again and he looks uncomfortable.

  I chuckle and change the subject before he clams up like he does when he wants to avoid discussing something, “You could join me for yoga then we could grab Sushi, maybe go dancing.”

  Josh makes a face like I just asked him if he wanted to hang out with a pack of hungry wolves.

  I burst out laughing. “Okay. Scratch that. No yoga, sushi or dancing for you.”

  He hesitates. “Maybe I should go with you.”

  “Why?” I open the back door and come face to face with the person dressed in black. Their brown eyes look familiar. They take off running and Josh takes off after them.

  Car tires squeal in the distance. The same dark SUV with out of town plates. I hear a siren in the distance although I’m not sure how they knew someone was trying to break-in again. Maybe the police will finally catch this guy…or girl. From their build, I’m guessing it’s a guy.

  Josh comes back to me huffing and puffing then bends over placing his hands on his knees. “I really need to hit the treadmill more.”

  I pat his back and laugh. “Did you happen to catch the license plate number?”

  He shakes his head. “I was too busy trying to catch them and not break my neck. The parking lot is solid ice. I kept falling. They must have spikes on their shoes because they didn’t fall once.” He huffs, smoke coming out his mouth. “I’m going to call the police.”

  Sirens and lights come barreling into the parking lot, sliding to a stop in front of Regina’s salon. Travis jumps out and hurries inside. A fire truck and a couple firemen get out right behind him.

  Josh and I exchange a look, lock the door and head to the Salon. Hair chemicals mixed with smoke are the first things I smell. Smoke lingers in the waiting area. Travis is trying to calm Regina down. She’s crying and mascara is running down her cheeks. I cough and wave smoke away from my face. “Leave the door open.”

  Josh opens the door wider even though it’s freezing, the salon is like an inferno.

  “What happened?” I head over to Regina and Travis.

  Regina has her face in Travis’s chest, clinging onto his suit coat, her wailing is muffled. He’s patting her on the back. He mouths “Fire”.

  Well, duh. Any idiot could figure that out. Seeing he wasn’t going to give me any more details, I move toward the back of the Salon. Ted, an older fireman is hosing down a charred part of the back wall of the Salon. The window is broken and a flashlight is rolling around on the floor.

  “Hey, Autumn. Is the spa alright?”

  “I think so. Why?”

  “Someone threw a flashlight through the window. It knocked over a candle and well.” He gestures to the wall. “It could have been a lot worse. Luckily, Regina was here cleaning up or this place would have been gone in seconds. All these flammable products.” He shakes his head.

  “A flashlight? What a weird thing to throw through a window. Why not a rock?”

  Ted shrugs. “All the rocks are covered in ice, may have been the only thing they had.”

  I bend down to look at the flashlight. There’s nothing special about it. Black with a silver ring around the top.

  “Don’t touch it,” Travis orders from behind me. He snaps a picture then outlines it with spray paint.

  “Aren’t you going to bag it for prints.”

  He shoots me a look. “It’s too hot right now. I’ll have to wait till it cools.”

  “Right.” I blush and glance around, taking in the damage.

  “Josh said the intruder was trying to break into the spa again. I wonder if we’re dealing with the same person.”

  “Maybe. Use the fire as a distraction.” I rush to the front of the salon and toward the spa.

  “Autumn, what are you doing?” Josh calls after me.

  “I think the fire is a distraction. We need to check the spa.” I turn the corner and see the back door to the spa wide open.

  “Hold up, Autumn,” Travis says, pushing me to the side and taking out his gun. “They could still be in there.”

  The sound of file cabinets opening and closing is coming from inside.

  Travis puts a finger to his lips. “Stay here,” He whispers then disappears inside.

  I glance at Josh and motion for him to follow me.

  He grabs my arm and shakes his head. I shake him off and head inside, knowing he’ll follow me. I tiptoe into the break room, careful not to squeak my shoes on the tile floor. Josh’s sneakers squeak behind me and I freeze. The shuffling stops in the reception area then footsteps pound toward us.

  Travis steps out from the shadows and grabs the person. They fight against him, even take a few swings at him before connecting with his nose. He staggers back and lets go. Josh moves to intercept them, but his shoes are wet and he slips on the tile. I stick out my foot to trip them and they skid across the floor, but scramble up before we can reach them. Josh and Travis take off after him, slipping on the icy parking lot.

  I flip on the light and make my way to the front of the spa. The file cabinet drawers are open. Scrapes on the lock show it’d been picked since we lock it every night. A few client files are sticking out, which doesn’t make any sense. Why would this person be looking at client files?

  “Don’t touch anything, Autumn.”

  I jump. “Did you catch him?”

  Travis shakes his head, wipes his nose with the back of his hand where blood is trickling down and takes a deep breath. “I have a couple officers looking for the SUV. You two need to clear the scene, but first check to see if anything has been taken.”

  Josh comes in panting behind him. “I really need to do more cardio.” He gulps and holds his side. “Rooms are intact. Anything taken up here?”

  “May I?” I gesture to the file cabinet. Travis hands me a pair of gloves. I put them on and sift through the files. Every file is in alphabetical order based on last names. I shake my head. “Nothing appears to be missing.”

  Travis frowns. “So why break-in? What are they looking for?”

  I bite my lip.

  Josh shrugs and says, “Come on, I’m starving. How about pizza?”

  “Don’t you think we should call Vicky?”

  “I already did. Left a message for Bethany. She’s probably still at the hospital.” He checks his phone. “How about I call in a pizza? We can pick it up and go to your house.”

  I stare at the file cabinet, trying to figure out why someone would be looking at client files.

  Josh interrupts my thoughts, “Autumn?”

  “Yeah sure. Sounds good,” I mumble still staring at the file cabinet. “I’m going to look around a little bit more just to be sure nothing else is missing and then lock up.” I turn and glance up at him.

  He nods. “I’ll grab the pizza then come back and pick you up.” His stomach rumbl
es.

  I smile. “You better feed that thing.”

  “I know. I haven’t eaten since noon and…” He checks the clock on his phone. “It’s almost five thirty.”

  I gasp.

  “Don’t make fun. I’m a growing man.” He flexes his arm.

  “Growing?” I raise an eyebrow.

  He kisses his bicep. “These muscles need fuel.”

  “You’re ridiculous.” I push him toward the door. “Text me when you get back.”

  He salutes me and disappears.

  I tuck my hands into my scrub pockets and feel the plastic sandwich bag I put the hair tie in earlier. I take out the hair tie. Wisps of hair are caught in the tie. They look kind of red. Faded silver writing is on the inside, I squint to read it then gasp.

  “Autumn? What’s that?”

  “Nothing.” I hide it behind my back.

  Travis pursues his lips. “Hiding evidence is a crime.”

  “I’m not hiding anything.”

  “Give it to me, Autumn.” He holds out his hand.

  I roll the tie around my fingers before reluctantly handing it to him.

  He studies it for a second then his eyes grow wide. “Autumn, why do you have Cat’s hair tie?”

  I bite my lip.

  “Where did you find this?”

  I can’t look at him so I study my shoes.

  “Autumn, where did you get this hair tie?”

  “In the blue room.” I glance up at him.

  He narrows his eyes at me. “When?”

  “Today. It was on the rug underneath the massage table.”

  “Was Cat visiting you today?”

  I shake my head. Tears are starting to form in my eyes.

  “Was anyone else in the blue room before you?”

  I shake my head again.

  Silence fills the room. The only sound is the clock ticking on the wall behind me.

  I sneak a peek at Travis. His face is pale and his eyes are focused on the hair tie.

  “She always has one in her hair. When she kept losing them, she decided to sew her name in them. I thought it was kind of silly, but she wanted to keep track of them and avoid getting lice. Not that I can blame her for that. The morning April died, Cat had her hair in a ponytail. When we left, her hair was down.” His eyes meet mine. “Autumn,” his voice is raspy.

  My mind is spinning trying to think of ways the hair tie could have gotten into the blue room without Cat having killed her mother. Cat was a sweet girl. She wouldn’t kill her mother, would she? It didn’t make sense. What motive did she have?

  “Boarding school,” Travis whispers as if he read my mind. “Cat was angry about April wanting to send her away to boarding school. Told me she would make sure it didn’t happen. I tried to reassure her I would fix it, but we got interrupted by the attempted break-in call. Do you think…” his words trailed off.

  He looks so lost and broken, I can’t take it. I move toward him and wrap my arms around his waist. Travis rests his chin on my head. His musky scent takes me right back to high school. Sneaking kisses at our lockers, holding hands down the hallway, snuggled up in the bed of his truck. It’s all so familiar yet so overwhelming.

  “Am I interrupting something?”

  Travis drops his hands and practically shoves me away from him. I stagger back.

  “Cat, what are you doing here?” Travis stuffs the hair tie in his pocket.

  “We were supposed to go for pizza. Aunt Regina called and told me about the Salon so I thought I would just meet you here. She sounded like she needed some pizza too.”

  “You walked?” Travis runs a hand through his blond hair.

  Cat nods. “I was at the library. It’s only a couple blocks.”

  Travis nods slowly.

  “Why are you at the Spa and not at the Salon?” Cat looks back and forth between me and Travis.

  “Someone broke in.” I clasp my hands in front of me, feeling like a teenager caught making out with her boyfriend. My cheeks are flushed and my heart is racing.

  “Oh no.” Cat’s eyes grow wide. “Did you catch them?”

  Travis shakes his head. “I think we’re done here. Let’s go get Aunt Regina.”

  “What’s wrong?” Cat narrows her eyes at her father.

  “Nothing’s wrong.” Travis’s eyes go wide as if trying to convince her.

  “You’re acting weird.”

  “I’m not acting weird. Why do you think I’m acting weird? Autumn, I’m not acting weird, am I?” Travis rambles.

  I purse my lips and stifle a laugh. He’s so obvious. “Actually, you are. I think you should just ask her.”

  “Autumn, don’t.”

  “Ask me what?” Cat tucks a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Her hair is pulled back into a short ponytail at the base of her neck. Probably with a hair tie like the one Travis is hiding in his pocket.

  “Nothing.”

  “Travis, you-”

  “Autumn, NO,” he says firmly, glaring at me. “Let’s go, Cat.” He takes her arm and leads her to the back door.

  I want to call after him. Ask Cat the questions myself, but I know I can’t. It’s not my place. I’ll give Travis time to figure it out, but I can’t let it go. If Cat did kill April, I know Travis will do anything to protect her even if it means making me the scape goat and I can’t go down for this no matter how much I like Cat.

  12

  “She’s late.” I glance at the Elvis clock and tap my fork on the table.

  “Quit fidgeting.” Josh shoves another bite of pancake in his mouth, slurping up drops of syrup before they land on his dark gray suit.

  “Do you think she’ll show up?” I check my phone again then sweep a hand through my thick hair. I left it down for church, which now I’m regretting along with my wardrobe; a short black skirt with tights and a thin blue blouse. The temperatures are above freezing today, but it’s still cold.

  “She texted you she would meet us. It’s Sunday. People either sleep in or go to church. Maybe she overslept or services went long. Most people don’t get up and go to the seven am service like you make me do.”

  I make a face. “Successful people get up early.”

  “Not on Sundays. Sundays are a day of rest. So, rest, Autumn. Take a breath. You’re supposed to be an example of a person who is balanced, centered and at peace.”

  “Says who?”

  He finishes chewing and licks syrup off his lips. “I don’t know. I just assume that’s how we’re supposed to be.”

  “He’s right,” Sally says, standing next to Josh.

  I jump not realizing she’s standing there. Her black hair is tied back in a bun at the base of her neck. A floral dress is clinging to her thin frame underneath a thick plushy coat and her cheeks are rosy from the cold. “Good morning.” I gesture to the seat next to me.

  She slides in and removes her coat.

  Our blond waitress, Tiffany appears in her fifties themed uniform, poodle skirt and all to take her order.

  “Nothing for me, thanks.”

  Tiffany nods and dashes back to the kitchen.

  I open my mouth to say something, but Sally beats me to it.

  “I know why you asked me here.”

  “You do?” I glance at Josh, who gulps down his orange juice and raises an eyebrow.

  “You think I killed April.”

  “Well-” I look away not able to meet her eyes.

  “I didn’t.”

  “You didn’t?” I study her to see if I can pick up any tells that show she’s lying.

  She shakes her head. “I should have.”

  I frown. “Why?”

  “She slept with my boyfriend.”

  “Your boyfriend?”

  “Dr. Gregory.”

  I gasp. “Dr. Gregory is your boyfriend.”

  Sally nods then shakes her head. “He was until he broke up with me…because of her.”

  “Dr. Gregory told me he just got out of a long-distance relationshi
p before he moved here.” I cast Josh another look. He’s gaping at Sally like she’s an alien. Probably as surprised as I am she’s talking this much.

  Sally scowls. “April recruited him. Talked him into coming here. Into bringing his expertise to this dinky town. I told him it was crazy. His skills should be used in a big city, where he can help the most people, but he came here. Why?

  I shrug. “Tired of the big city?”

  “Yeah right. We love the big city. There’s nothing to do here. It’s so boring. If it wasn’t for her, we would still be living in Chicago.” Sally slaps the table.

  Josh and I jump. Luckily, the café is basically empty except for old man Harry sipping his coffee at the counter. He doesn’t even turn around. Probably doesn’t have his hearing aids turned on. I gape at Sally. Her anger throws me. I’ve never seen her utter more than a few words and here she is spouting her personal baggage. “So why did you move here?”

  “To get Brian to come home.”

  “Brian is Dr. Gregory.”

  Sally nods. “He’s my soulmate. We were going to get married. I’d just finished massage school. It was the perfect time to get engaged except when he takes me to dinner, instead of proposing, he breaks up with me. Tells me he’s moving here. It broke my heart. I cried for weeks then made a plan to get him back.”

  I study her to see if she’s lying, but I don’t think she is. “So, you moved here for him?”

  She picks at a piece of chipped nail polish. “Then I saw him with her.”

  “Who? April?”

  “Yes. They were kissing in his office when I went to take him lunch. That’s when I knew. Knew she was the reason he moved here. I’ve spent the past few weeks researching her and I found out a bunch of stuff that could take April Biggs down or well could have.”

  I want to know everything she has on April, but refrain. “Did you confront April?”

  “I threatened her. She offered me a ton of money to give her all the information I had on her and then told me to leave town. When I refused to leave until Brian went home with me. She ended things with Brian and gave him a big bonus to move back to Chicago, but he won’t leave. Says he likes it here. Wants to set down roots. Can you believe that?”

  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?”