Aromatherapy & Arsenic (A Cozy Spa Mystery Book 7)

by Jenn Cowan

  Margo glares at me. “I didn’t kill Lindy.”

  “You’re right, you didn’t, but you gave me a list of bogus suspects to send me on a wild goose chase, didn’t you?”

  Margo’s face turns red. “Only because he was blackmailing me.”

  “Who?”

  She pinches her lips together as if she doesn’t want his name to slip out.

  I pat her arm. “It’s okay. I already know.”

  I make my way around the table and stop in front of the killer. “You used Lindy as your own ‘vision’ board if you will. Sent her flowers, chocolates, love notes, expensive jewelry, even pretended to love her, when all you really wanted was information. To see your future, your ‘businesses’ future, the town’s future and how you could rise to power. How to become the Mayor with her by your side or so you made her believe. You never had plans to leave your wife. No one in town would ever vote for you if you were an adulterer. You got Lindy to fall in love with you, but once she saw you for who you really were, she was going to rip the rug right out from under you. Tell everyone in town about your affair, about your secret underground deals, about your drug deals and your shady businesses. She was going to ruin you. You couldn’t let that happen, now could you, Captain?”

  His face is completely red and his eyes like daggers. “I don’t know what you’re talking about Mrs. Parker. You’re walking a thin line though. Accusing me, the captain of the police department, of doing illegal things and cheating on my lovely wife, I would never. I think you’re as delusional as Lindy was.”

  “Hmm. So that’s how you plan to play this, Captain?” I smile. “Ok. Bring them in, Detective.”

  Several men enter the town hall with Travis behind them.

  “Who are these men, Autumn?” Judge Holliday inquires, raising his voice over the murmurs in the crowd.

  I hold up a hand to silence everyone and the room quiets. “These men work for the captain. They do his dirty work. They’ve each issued a statement detailing everything they’ve done for him and the list is quite long. Dr. Thatcher’s awake and is singing like a canary. He admitted to his crimes, crimes the captain told him no one would know about as long as he set the morgue on fire destroying Lindy’s autopsy report, which showed the captain’s fingerprints on Lindy’s body. When the captain realized Dr. Bain hadn’t died in the fire, he had Dr. Thatcher call Dr. Bain to meet him at his office then Dr. Thatcher killed him.”

  Commotion by the backdoor draws my attention. “Oh, Officer Oliver, there you are. Thank you for joining us. It seems Officer Oliver also did some dirty work for the captain including mugging Mrs. Bain then trying to cover Dr. Thatcher’s tracks by messing with the evidence at my house. Although once Travis caught Dr. Thatcher, Officer Oliver got scared and decided to hide out in the woods. The cold weather seemed to get the best of him though. He showed up at the hospital, thinking he had frostbite because he couldn’t feel his fingers and toes. Would you care to share with the council and some of the town, what you did for the captain?”

  Officer Oliver glances nervously at the captain then straightens his spine and replies, “Everything Mrs. Parker’s saying is true. The captain’s corrupt along with half of the police department. He’s blackmailing several people in town including Margo when Lindy told him about her affair with Dave last year.”

  I turn to Margo. “So, the captain had you give me a fake list of suspects so I wouldn’t come snooping around him?”

  Tears are running down Margo’s face while Dave rubs her back. “I didn’t know he killed Lindy. He told me he wanted to solve the case before you so he could prove to the council that he was a capable captain.”

  “You’re certainly anything but that Captain Rivers. What do you have to say for yourself?” Judge Holliday demands.

  “I want an attorney,” the captain declares.

  “You’ll need one,” my dad mumbles.

  “Detective Mills, please read Captain Rivers his rights and escort him to the jail. I’ll be along shortly to sort out this mess in the department.”

  Captain River glares at me as Travis cuffs him and begins reading him his rights. As he passes me, he mutters, “You’ll pay for this Mrs. Parker.”

  “Threatening me, Captain?”

  He smiles an eerie smile. “Oh, no. It’s a promise and it’s already done.”

  I frown. “What is?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Come on. Let’s go,” Travis chides, pushing the captain toward the door.

  “Autumn, we need to go to the hospital,” my dad says, rushing up to me.

  “What? Why?” my heart starts to race thinking about the captain’s threat.

  “There’s been an accident.”

  “An accident? What happened?”

  “I’m not sure on the details, but it looks like a hit and run.”

  My head starts to spin and I reach out and grab the table to keep from passing out. “A hit and run. Who?”

  “Josh.”

  20

  “Little Beth was sliding down the hill across the street from Mrs. Baker’s house. You know all the kids love that hill when it’s covered in snow. Her sled was going too fast and she slid into the road. Josh was shoveling Mrs. Baker’s driveway like he does every time it snows when he heard the screeching of tires. Mrs. Baker said the truck was slipping and sliding all over the road and going way too fast. There was no way it could stop before hitting little Beth. Josh didn’t even think twice before he dashed into the road and pushed little Beth out of the way. He slipped on the ice and went down. The truck just… like he was nothing then drove off.”

  I blink and stare at my mother as she tells me what happened to my husband. It’s like my mind can’t comprehend what she’s telling me. I hear what she’s saying, but I don’t want to believe that the captain paid someone to have my husband run over or was he referring to something else and this was an awful accident? “And what has the doctor said?” I twist my wedding ring around and around nervously on my finger.

  “Josh is in surgery. Multiple broken bones, internal bleeding. It doesn’t look good, Autumn. I think you need to prepare yourself,” my mother says, softly looking over at Josh’s mom weeping in the waiting room chairs across from us. “The poor thing just got him back only to lose him again. It doesn’t seem fair.”

  I swallow the lump in my throat as the doctor enters the room. From the droop in his shoulders and the ashen look on his face I know what he’s going to say before he says it.

  “Mrs. Parker?”

  Josh’s mother and I both stand and approach the doctor. She takes my hand in hers before facing the doctor. “I’m his mother and this is his wife. Can you tell us how Josh is?”

  “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but due to the extent of his injuries and the amount of blood loss we were unable to save him. Josh died on the operating table.”

  My mother-in-law drops to her knees and begins to wail. My father-in-law draws her into his chest and rocks her like a baby.

  I stand there frozen in place. I knew this was coming. Lindy predicted it. I just thought I had more time. Time to protect him. To prove her vision wrong. My stomach churns. I know this is my fault. I caused this. My sleuthing got my husband killed. “Can I see him?” I whisper.

  “Of course,” the doctor says turning to lead me down the hall. To Josh. My husband. My dead husband.

  “Did he suffer?” I choke out as we stop in front of the operating room.

  “No. He was unconscious when the paramedics brought him in. He died a hero, Mrs. Parker. Saving that little girl’s life. She gets to grow up because of his selflessness. You should be extremely proud of him.”

  “I am,” I whisper as the doctor opens the door.

  “I’ll be out here when you’re done.”

  I nod and step into the room.

  There’s blood on the floor. Josh’s blood. A clean sheet covers his body and he looks like he’s sleeping. There’s a scrape on his left cheek an
d his lip’s busted. I can’t see the rest of his injuries and I’m not sure I want to.

  I walk around the table and take his left hand in mine. His gold wedding band glistens in the fluorescent light. I kiss his hand. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have stuck my nose into all those cases. I should have given massages and spent every second of my life loving you. Please forgive me. I should have kept you safe,” I sob into his hand.

  “You couldn’t have kept him safe, Autumn,” Josh’s mom says, stepping up to the table and taking Josh’s right hand. “It was an accident. Josh died saving that little girl and he’ll forever be a hero.” She sniffles and strokes his dark hair. “He loved you so much. You made him so happy.” She locks eyes with me. “Thank you for that.”

  “He made me happy too,” I say, blinking back tears.

  “He told me about Lindy’s vision. You two not being able to have kids together. I didn’t understand it because you were both healthy. I guess now I know why you weren’t going to give me a grandchild.” She wipes her eyes. “Josh was talking about adopting before he took Rosco out for a walk.” Her eyes widen. “Rosco! He was with Josh.” She kisses her son’s hand then rushes from the room.

  I watch her go, knowing I should go with her to check on our dog, but I can’t stand to leave him. This will be the last time I see him before they cremate him. Josh and I made a will shortly after we got married. We wanted to be sure each other were taken care of if something happened to one of us. I stroke his forehead and stare at him for what feels like seconds, but when my father touches my shoulder and tells me it’s time to go, I see I’ve been standing there for almost an hour. “I can’t leave him,” I sob into Josh’s chest.

  “I know, sweetie, but it’s time to let him go,” my dad whispers, pulling me off Josh’s chest.

  I kiss Josh’s hand and slip off his wedding ring then look at my handsome husband one last time before leaving the room.

  My father wraps an arm around my shoulder as we leave the room.

  The doctor nods to us before heading into the room with a couple of nurses.

  “No one can find Rosco. He must have gotten scared and run off. Josh’s parents are out looking for him now along with most of the town. Want to join them?”

  I nod, knowing Josh would want me to find Rosco and bring him home.

  We step out into the snowy night and I stop to stare up at the sky. The snow’s still coming down, but in big flakes now. I take a deep breath and let it out. As I start toward my dad’s Lexus, I hear something. “What was that?”

  My father stops. “What?”

  I hear it again. “Whimpering. Where’s it coming from?” I begin looking around.

  “Autumn, I don’t hear anything.”

  I pause then hear it again. “Rosco? Here, boy.”

  More whimpering.

  I follow it to a bush at the side of the hospital. “Oh, Rosco.” I scoop up the injured puppy and wrap him in my coat. He’s covered in snow and blood. “We need to get him to Doc Wright.”

  My dad pulls out his phone and begins making calls.

  I talk softly to Rosco while hurrying to the car. “It’s going to be okay, boy. We’ll get you all fixed up.” I’m trying not to cry, but Rosco’s breathing is labored and his whimpering is growing quieter. “Hurry, Dad. He needs to see Doc right away.”

  “I know, honey, but the roads are slick. I’ll get there as quick as I can. Doc Wright is on his way. He’ll be ready when we get there.”

  When we reach the vet clinic, I hurry inside and hand Rosco off to Doc Wright then sit and wait.

  Josh’s parents join us, but don’t say anything. They both look exhausted and cold and huddle together in a corner.

  My mother comes in shortly after them and wraps an arm around my shoulder. I must have dozed off because she’s shaking me to wake me up. “Honey, Doc Wright wants to talk to you.”

  I rub my eyes and stand up. The Parkers are sleeping in the corner so I don’t disturb them and head toward Doc Wright. “How’s Rosco?”

  “I wish I had better news, Autumn. Unfortunately, the little guy didn’t make it. I’m sorry.” He pats my shoulder. “Little Beth said Rosco barked to get Josh’s attention then raced into the road with him to save her. They were both heroes today. I’m sorry they’re not here so we can thank them.”

  I choke back a sob, which wakes up the Parkers. When they see me crying, they get up and leave without a word.

  “This is going to be difficult for them. I think they were hoping Rosco would be alive so they would have a connection to you. Their granddog, if you will,” Doc Wright says, sadly.

  “They’re my in-laws. They’ll always have a connection with me. They’re like my second parents. They have been since I was little.”

  Doc Wright smiles. “You’re young, Autumn. You may not think so now, but eventually you’ll get remarried and have babies that aren’t connected to them.”

  I frown, thinking of Lindy’s vision of me and Travis getting married and having twins. “They’ll always be a part of my family. No matter what.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss, Autumn. Josh was a wonderful man. He’ll be missed.”

  I give him a sad smile. “That he will. Thank you for your help and coming out in this awful weather to try and help Rosco.”

  “It’s what I do. Be careful going home.”

  “You too.” I turn to my parents and sigh. “I guess it’s time to go home.”

  They don’t say anything as they wrap their arms around me and we walk out into the night.

  When we reach the car, I stare up at the sky again. It’s clear now and the stars are out. “What now?” I whisper into the night.

  21

  6 Weeks Later

  “Autumn, are you in here?”

  I look up from the stack of papers on my desk. “Mrs. Parker, how are you?”

  “I hope I’m not intruding,” she says, glancing nervously around the office. She hasn’t been to the spa since Josh’s death.

  “Of course not, come in.” I move a few books off the folding chair in the office and gesture for her to sit down.

  She sits and fidgets with her purse. There are bags under her blue eyes. Blue eyes that look so much like Josh’s. A few more wrinkles grace her forehead and there’s more gray hair in her brown bun. “I’m sorry to just barge in. I guess I could have waited until you got home. Your mother said you’ve been sleeping at the spa.”

  I blush. My parents moved back in with me, saying the Parkers needed some space and privacy to grieve. I love my parents, but they are a little overwhelming especially when I need time to grieve. They always want to watch a movie or play cards. I think they think keeping me busy is the best medicine to heal a broken heart. “The holidays have been busy and I can’t keep up with clients, charting and the books. I’ve fallen asleep here a few nights, that’s all.”

  “Josh would want you to hire someone to help you. He wouldn’t want you to run this place and see clients. The spa was busy with just the two of you. He always talked about hiring another therapist to take your client load so you could focus on sleuthing or your ba… baby,” she chokes out.

  I blink back tears because I’ve cried so many over the past few weeks. I should be all cried out and extremely dehydrated yet it seems every day something reminds me of Josh and I escape to the office to cry my eyes out. “How are you and Mr. Parker holding up?”

  She waves a hand. “We’re getting ready to head to Florida. We need to get away, but I wanted to give you something I should have given you weeks ago. Josh gave it to me the morning of your wedding. He asked me to give it to you in the event anything ever happened to him.” She pulls a white envelope out of her purse and hands it to me. “He loved you so much, Autumn. He told me that he knew you chose him because he was the safer choice. You knew he loved you and would never hurt you.”

  I open my mouth to protest, but she cuts me
off.

  “Josh knew you would never love him the way you loved Travis and he was ok with that. He thought maybe eventually you would, but even if you didn’t, he’d do everything in his power to make you happy. You made him happy, Autumn.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand. “The past few months of his life were his happiest. I’ve never seen him as happy as he was the day you became his wife.” She blinks back tears then sniffles. “Josh sent out an email to the entire town. It was something automatic that went out in the event of his death. I don’t know how he did it, but it went out today. When I read it, I knew I had to give you this letter asap.”

  I frown. “Email? I didn’t get an email.”

  “He didn’t send it to you. You get this letter.” She pats the envelope in my hands.

  “What does the email say?”

  “That you were the love of his life and that you have his blessing to be happy. To move on with your life. He doesn’t want you to mourn him for months or even years. He wants you to get remarried and depending on how old you were when he died, have babies if you want. It’s basically an email telling everyone in town how much they meant to him and to support you in any way possible.”

  Tears brim my eyes and I cover my mouth with my hand.

  “It’s time, Autumn.”

  I lower my hand. “Time for what?”

  “Time to let Josh go. To live your life. We’re taking your parents with us to Florida. I convinced your mother this morning that you need space to heal and to begin living again.”

  “But it’s only been six weeks.”

  “I’m not saying you have to get married tomorrow, Autumn. I’m simply telling you that it’s time to go out. Hang out with Nikki. She’s been having a tough time with morning sickness, but she’s almost passed it so she’ll be up to going out. Margo has a party this weekend. I know you’ve been invited. I saw the invite in the trash when I was having tea with your mother. It’s on the counter. You should go. Josh wouldn’t want you to be like this.” She gestures around the office. “Working and sleeping at the spa.” She sighs. “He always admired how social you were. He got out more when he was around you. As you know, he was a homebody, but you helped coax him out of his shell.”