"Probably worse." The stench of the room was already starting to make my head ache as we advanced toward the shady-looking security guard. He was heavyset, his shoulder-length, brown hair matted, and he sported a full beard in desperate need of a trim. He laughed with the male cashier while taking puffs from a foul-smelling cigar that made me nauseous. They stopped talking as Josie and I approached with trepidation.
"Hello, beautiful ladies." The guard looked us both up and down several times. "What can I do for you? Or better yet, what can you do for me?"
His foul breath was adding to my growing discomfort. "We're wondering if you could answer a few questions for us." I tried to resist the sudden urge to flee.
He grinned, revealing broken, stained teeth. "Listen, honey, I don't know what you two got planned for here, but don't worry. Ain't nobody gonna watch. Except me, maybe."
Ew. My stomach rumbled and not from hunger.
Horror was written all over Josie's face. "Um, that's not why we're here."
The guard surveyed Josie with a sadistic smirk, then turned and rested his gaze on my chest. The man behind the cage waggled his tongue at me. Suddenly I longed for a hot, cleansing shower.
"Well, it happens that we both break for lunch soon. We'd be glad to assist you lovely ladies." The guard winked at me.
"Ah, no. We're hoping you can help us find someone." I motioned to Josie, who removed the yearbook page from her purse. I folded it in half and pointed at Charlotte's picture. "Do you remember ever seeing this woman in here? The picture is over ten years old, but she still looks the same."
He glanced from the picture to my face. "What's in it for me?"
I shook my head in disbelief. Everyone had a price tag these days. "What do you want, Mister…er…"
"The name's Hank." He reached for my hand, but I backed away. "Not very friendly, are you?"
"Look, Hank." Josie sneered. "Are you going to help us or not?"
He took a puff of his cigar. "Fifty bucks."
I opened my mouth in astonishment. "Do you actually have anything to tell us if we give you the money?"
"Sassy little thing, ain't ya?" Hank chewed a piece of his cigar while keeping his eyes fixated on me. He turned and spat in the direction of a nearby wastebasket. He missed his aim, and the remnants hit the floor instead. "Yeah, I got something to tell. I seen her."
"You saw her." Josie stared at him in irritation.
"What are you, an English teacher?" Hank glared, then turned to me and held out his hand. "Fifty smackeroos, baby doll."
I blew out a sigh and reached into my purse for the money I'd taken from the ATM for Vido. I handed Hank a fifty-dollar bill. "Okay, now talk."
"She's in here all the time," he said. "Two or three times a week. I never got her name. She don't talk much to nobody."
I chewed my bottom lip. "Does she come in alone? What does she do?"
Hank stared at me like I was some type of moron. "She ain't ever alone. Got it? Hangs with some other broad. They always go in the back room." He pointed in the direction of the couple, still slobbering all over each other.
My mouth fell open as Josie and I stared at each other in shock. "What did the other woman look like?" I asked.
Hank shrugged. "I can't describe her. Think her hair's blonde. She ain't got one of those faces that sticks in my memory. You know what I mean?"
I sincerely doubted there was much that stuck in Hank's memory. "Are you sure it was the same woman each time?"
He scoffed. "Of course I'm sure. They're regulars. The dark-haired broad—she plays the machines while she waits for the other one to arrive. And she likes the Off Track Betting. Don't think she wins much. Told me she and the other broad were going away soon."
Josie put her hands on her hips. "Is that a fact?"
"You can put that in your cigar and smoke it, honey." Hank licked his lips. "You two little gals wanna go grab a beer with some real men?"
I glanced around, waiting for some real men to materialize. "Uh, thanks for the offer, but we have to run." I fished in my purse for one of my business cards and handed it to Hank. "If you see her again, would you please let me know? And maybe you could try to get a better look at her friend next time, too?"
"That ain't just her friend, honey." He chuckled.
My face grew warm. "Well, maybe you could try to describe her?"
Hank glanced at the card and read aloud, "Sally's Samples, made fresh daily. What you got for me to sample, honey?" He blew a kiss at me, and slipped the yearbook page and my card into his pocket.
"Oh my God." Josie yanked my arm and pulled me toward the door. "We need to get out of this sleaze-filled abyss now."
Hank yelled after us. "Hey, come back tomorrow. There's live music at night, and I got the moves, baby."
"Whatever you do, don't look back," Josie hissed in my ear. "We might get turned into stone."
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Back in the car, Josie grabbed a hand wipe and rubbed it violently all over her arms. "I feel like I've been digging ditches all day."
I shuddered. "That place was so disgusting, but at least we know why she goes there now."
"So she's gay." Josie shrugged. "What's the big deal?"
"It's not a big deal to us, but it might be to someone else."
Josie was silent for a moment. "Do you suppose Amanda knew and threatened to tell? Maybe Charlotte was afraid of someone finding out. Or…her partner was."
I took my eyes off the road for a brief second to stare at my friend. "I hadn't thought of that. Gosh, I wish we knew who she was."
Josie stretched back in the seat. "So timid little Charlotte's gay, and she may have a gambling problem. What if she stole money from the spa, and Amanda found out? You should call Brian and tell him."
"Tell him what, exactly? We don't have any proof this even connects back to Amanda's murder. And I'm sure he'd be thrilled to learn I've been doing more snooping."
"Uh-oh." Josie studied my face. "I know that look. You've got something else in mind." She watched me drive past our exit. "Where are we going now?"
"I think we need to have another chat with Liza and Zoe."
Josie sat upright. "Are you nuts? The only way that ogre touches me again is over my dead body."
"Relax. We'll see if they're willing to answer a few questions. Outside of the massage room."
She snorted. "I hope you have more cash, because that seems to be the only thing getting people to talk these days."
As I pulled into the parking lot of Amanda's Retreat, I realized there might be a problem with my plan. "What'll we do if Charlotte's there?"
"Guess we'll have to wing it. Come on. Let's get this over with."
A different receptionist was seated at the front counter today. The young girl appeared to be fresh out of high school, or perhaps even still in it. Her long, dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, which revealed a face with alabaster skin and crystal-clear blue eyes.
She smiled warmly at us. "Hi, I'm Connie. Do you have an appointment?"
I returned her pleasantries. "Actually, Connie, we'd prefer to speak with Liza or Zoe for a minute. It concerns a product they used on our skin Saturday."
Connie frowned. "Oh no. Which one of you had a reaction?"
"She did," Josie and I said in unison. We stared at each other in muddled confusion.
"Well, I mean Josie had the reaction. Of course, I'm concerned for her well-being." I started to babble, unable to stop myself.
Josie gave me a look I interpreted as shut up, you're blowing this.
Connie stared at me with regret. "I'm sorry, there are no refunds given."
"We don't want a refund."
Josie mumbled under her breath. "I sure as hell do."
Connie checked the computer screen in front of her. "Let's see. Zoe started a facial a few minutes ago, but Liza should be free shortly if you want to talk to her."
"Oh, great." Josie groaned. "I should have known."
I gav
e her a nudge with my arm. "That will be fine. Thank you."
"Would you like to take a seat in the waiting room?" Connie asked.
I was about to agree then shook my head. "We'll keep you company here, if that's okay."
Connie smiled. "Oh, of course."
Josie leaned over the marble counter. "So have you worked here long, Connie?"
"About six months." As Connie took a sip of her smoothie, I couldn't help but flinch. "I go to the local community college, so I split my hours with another girl."
"Terrible shame what happened to the owner." I watched her face closely.
"Did you know Amanda?"
I hesitated. "I wasn't friendly with her." God knows I spoke the truth.
Connie glanced into the waiting room where one young woman sat absorbed in a magazine. "No one was. She was a real bitch. Everyone here hated her."
I raised one eyebrow. "What was so bad about her?"
"She treated us all like slaves." The bitterness in Connie's voice was apparent. "All she ever did was complain that the place wasn't making enough money. I mean, give me a break. I get minimum wage here. Amanda should have been making a fortune, yet she claimed she was losing money. That's not why I hated her though."
"Well?" Josie propped herself up on her elbows.
Connie's delicate complexion turned a bright red. "She accused me of stealing. Can you believe it? I've never stolen anything in my entire life."
"Did the register come up short?" I asked.
"She claimed the books were off. I mean, it's not like she ever even looked at them much, not until last week when she wanted to buy a Jacuzzi. Some hot-looking guy was going to install it for her." Connie stopped to fan herself with a napkin. "I think I drooled on myself, he was so fine."
I was getting tired of hearing this. "Is that so?"
"Oh, yeah. She told him to come by her house, and she'd give him his deposit." Connie's smile was wry. "He seemed pretty annoyed, too."
Josie gave me a look as if to say, I told you so.
"Yeah, I don't think he was interested in her. Who could blame him, right? I'll bet that part about giving him his deposit was code for—"
I leaned over the counter to interrupt. "What happened when she looked at the books?"
She hesitated. "Amanda started yelling at her cousin. I think she accused her of taking some money too, because Charlotte was crying."
I remembered Mike's comments from earlier. Something for us to go on at last.
Josie drummed her fingers on the counter. "We know Charlotte. Um, have you ever seen her in here with a—friend?"
Connie wrinkled her forehead. "I don't think Charlotte has any friends."
This was a touchy situation. "Does anyone ever call on the phone for her?"
Connie's smile faded as she glanced from me to Josie in sudden alarm. "Are you guys, like, detectives or something?"
I shook my head. "We only want to know what happened to Amanda."
Connie's face turned the color of sugar. "Well, um, no one here killed her. I mean, we all liked her. Honest."
"Gee, that was a quick turn around," Josie whispered.
I tried to reassure the young girl. "We're not accusing anyone. We—"
"What the hell are you two doing in here?"
I froze and counted to five before I spun around. Charlotte stood behind me wearing a black sweatshirt, the hood pulled up over her head. She clutched two brass candlesticks, which she thumped on the counter in front of Connie. "A guy named Earl Schmidt bought these from me. He's already paid and will be coming by tomorrow to pick them up. "
"Aren't these from the waiting room?" Connie fingered the heavy objects. "Why are you selling them?"
Charlotte glared at the young girl. "You're not here to ask questions. Just do your job, okay?" She stood tall and glanced from me to Josie. "I asked why you were here."
I fought to remain calm. "I-uh, was here for a facial on Saturday and wanted to ask Zoe about the products she used."
"I don't believe you. You were snooping, and I'm going to tell Kate. She already hates you both." Charlotte's eyes glittered as she peered over her glasses at us.
"Go ahead and call her. There are a few things we'd like to tell her too." Josie put her hands on her hips and glared back.
Charlotte's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about?"
I wished Josie hadn't said anything. I didn't want to make Charlotte aware of the fact that we were on to her. I decided to play dumb. "What did you say to Kate? You know neither one of us would do anything to hurt Amanda."
She tapped her foot and gave me an impatient stare. "I don't know anything of the sort. You hated Amanda because she slept with your husband and was so popular with men. Guess you just don't know how to keep a guy."
"And obviously you don't want to." Josie narrowed her eyes.
Charlotte froze while I cursed my best friend in silence.
"What did you say?" She spat the words out.
"I said obviously you have no problem with guys." Josie glanced at her watch. "Oh my, look at the time. We should be going."
"Are you sure you don't want to wait for Liza?" Connie asked. "She should be done with her client any minute."
"No, Connie, we really need to leave." My heart drummed inside my chest. "We already know what products to ask for next time."
Josie and I both waved to Connie and started for the door.
"Are you sure you don't want to make another appointment?" Charlotte sneered at us. Her voice sent an icy chill through my body. "Don't come back here again or the next treatment you get will be very bad for your skin."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
When the light at the intersection turned green, I plowed ahead. "We still have no proof she's involved."
Josie's mouth dropped open as she gawked at me. "Are you kidding? She threatened us."
"I know, but we need something more concrete."
"I think you should call Brian and fill him in."
"Oh, yeah, that's sure to go over well." I could already hear his voice in my mind. Didn't I tell you to let the police handle this?
Josie blew out a breath. "Okay, so we don't have proof Charlotte killed Amanda. She did have a motive though. Amanda might have known about her little friend and threatened to tell the world. Plus, there's the fact she may have been taking money from the business, and now she's selling off the antiques?"
"If we knew who the other woman was, maybe it would all come together." I pulled up in front of the shop. "Might as well park here. They'll be coming to fix the back door tomorrow."
"Why not ask Mike to do it?" Josie teased. "I bet you'd get a premium discount."
I stuck my tongue out at her in a childish manner, then glanced across the street and froze. A black Cadillac was parked next to the curb. The driver's door opened, and Kate Gregorio emerged.
"Oh, shit," Josie groaned. "What's she going to do now? Set the place on fire?"
"Great." I rubbed my temples in agitation. "Maybe she's got Brian on his way to arrest me as well."
We both got out of the car and waited for Kate to cross the street. She was dressed in an expensive, black Valentino suit. With a pang, I remembered Amanda's funeral had been held earlier this morning.
Kate's cheeks turned scarlet when she forced her red-rimmed eyes to meet mine. She glanced up and down the street nervously. "I was hoping I could have a word with you, Sally."
I wondered if she was going to lecture me again, but I didn't have the heart to refuse her request when I looked into those despondent eyes. "Of course." I unlocked the front door, then held it open for Kate to enter first.
She stepped inside and gasped aloud as she observed the condition of my shop. Although the frosting had been cleaned up, garbage was still strewn all over the floor, and the shattered case was clearly visible. "My goodness, did you have a break-in?"
I nodded. "Someone's been threatening us."
Her worn face turned a sickly gray. "Do you mind
if I sit down?"
I held out a chair for Kate and seated myself across from her. Josie remained standing at my side.
Kate traced a pattern along the tablecloth with her slim fingers. "I wanted to apologize for my actions yesterday. I allowed myself to be swayed by other people's thoughts and don't usually act like that."
"It's okay. You're going through a horrible ordeal right now."
She blinked back a tear. "I lashed out at you because you threatened Amanda. I don't believe you harmed her, but it was so easy to place the blame on you."
That's what the killer wants, too. I gave Kate a wan smile. "I understand. Let's forget it, all right?"
She reached out to grab my hand in hers. It was like grasping a glacier. "I haven't been truthful about the entire situation."
Josie sat down and leaned forward. "What does that mean?"
Kate blew out a sharp breath. "Instead of blaming you, I should have been paying more attention to the activities at Amanda's Retreat. The president of Colwestern Bank called me this morning. It seems…" Her voice shook. "Charlotte has been making some very hefty withdrawals out of the spa's account."
Josie gave me her I told you so expression.
"Well, she is authorized to make withdrawals, right?' I asked.
"She's the accountant of record." Kate nodded. "But the bank president is a friend of mine, and he became concerned. In the last few weeks, Charlotte has withdrawn over one hundred thousand dollars."
"Holy cow." Josie's blue eyes were wide with astonishment.
Kate shifted in her seat. "Charlotte said you threatened Amanda at your shop. What you don't know is she later informed me you mixed up a special batch of cookies for Amanda with bee venom when you heard she was stopping by."
I was horrified by the lie. "That's not true. We think the bee venom came from the spa. Were you aware they used it there?"
Kate's eyes filled with tears as she nodded. "Amanda was so proud of her idea to feature the anti-aging facial. She wanted to be just like the big-city spas. But it's ludicrous to believe her employees would have anything to do with her death. She handpicked every one of those girls. I don't know what to think anymore. The final straw came when the bank called me. Charlotte withdrew twenty thousand dollars this morning. The account is nearly out of money. How does she expect the employees to get paid?"
Tastes Like Murder (Cookies & Chance Mysteries Book 1) Page 17