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

by Gillian Larkin

  Gemma said, “I still think you should tell the police. Harry’s covering up for Lori. The police need to talk to her again.”

  Sienna looked as if she was considering something. “I might let the police know. But I don’t want them poking their noses into my business.”

  Something came to Julia. She thought about her conversation with Cain, and what had been written in Erin’s diary. She said to Sienna, “Those certificates on the reception wall with your name on are fake, aren’t they?”

  Sienna blanched. “How do you know that?”

  “My colleague recognised you as a visitor to a local prison. And Erin has made notes about certificates in this diary. And I heard you earlier talking to someone on the phone about getting better ones made. I presume you’re talking about better certificates. Did Erin work out they were fake?”

  “You’re a nosy cow. You’re both nosy cows, but I might as well tell you. Yes, she worked out they were fake. Erin visited many colleges to see what they offered. She noticed how their certificates were laid out and it didn’t take her long to figure out mine didn’t match the colleges as they were supposed to. And, yes, I was visiting my forger in prison. He’s useless. But that’s brothers for you.”

  Julia said, “Did Erin threaten to go to the police?”

  Sienna smiled and looked towards Erin’s bed. “No, she didn’t. She always gave people a second chance. She was that kind of person. I told her I’d always wanted to run a spa but I didn’t have the qualifications, and I was too ashamed to go to college to get them. I left school without taking any exams at all. Erin said she’d help me. It was her idea to let staff practise on me so I could talk to guests with authority. I was talking to my brother on the phone earlier. I told him to get some better looking certificates until I can replace them with legal ones. I’m not doing any harm. I don’t practise on anyone. Erin understood this. She was a good person.”

  Gemma said, “Did she ever send you any letters? Any threatening letters?”

  Sienna frowned. “No, never. Why? Did she send them to someone else?”

  “Probably,” Gemma replied. “Do you know if she’d fallen out with anyone recently? Is there anyone she didn’t get on with?”

  “Only Lori. But no one gets on with her.” A slow smile spread across her face. “I think I will tell the police about me and Harry. And I’ll do it in front of Lori. I can’t wait to see the look on her stupid face.”

  “Does Harry know about the fake certificates?” Julia asked.

  “No. I suppose I’d better tell him before you two do.” Sienna looked at her watch. “I can’t tell him now. He’s having a one-on-one session with your mum.”

  “He’s doing what!” Julia exploded.

  “It’s just a talk about your mum’s future exercise programme. He’s not going to try anything on with your mum, not when he’s got me.”

  That didn’t reassure Julia at all. She didn’t trust Harry Lewis.

  Sienna said, “Is there anything else you want to grill me about?”

  Gemma raised her eyebrows in Julia’s direction. Julia shook her head.

  Sienna opened the door for them and held her hand out for the diary.

  Gemma pulled the diary to her chest. “You’re not having this. It’s police evidence.”

  Sienna swore at them and opened the door wider.

  As they walked along the corridor, Gemma said, “She may look like an angel, but she doesn’t sound like one. What shall we do now?”

  “I want to do some more checking on Harry. There’s something going on with him and I can’t work out what it is. I’ll go to my room and borrow Mum’s ipad. Do you want to come with me, or are you going to your room to change?”

  “I’ll come with you. I’ve got a treatment soon, so I may as well stay in my gown. And I’ll phone the inspector when we get to your room.” She gave Julia a playful nudge. “And I’ll tell him breaking into Erin’s room was all your idea.” She laughed when she saw Julia’s expression. “I’m only kidding.”

  Julia tried to smile but there was a sense of unease growing in her. And it had something to do with Mum.

  Her fears were confirmed as they walked towards Mum’s room and heard a male voice inside. It was unmistakeably Harry’s voice.

  Chapter 31

  Julia didn’t have a key to Mum’s room so she dashed into her own room and through the adjoining door. Gemma was right behind her.

  “Aha! I knew you were up to something, Harry Lewis!” Julia declared.

  Gemma said, “Who are you talking to? There’s no one here.”

  Julia frowned. “Then where’s Harry’s voice coming from?”

  Gemma pointed towards the television. She walked closer to it and then jolted backwards and put a hand over her eyes. “He’s on the telly. He’s doing some sort of exercise in very tight shorts. My eyes have been scarred for life! Switch it off.”

  Julia did so and ejected the DVD that was playing. “It’s Harry doing yoga.” She held the DVD disdainfully by the edge and looked around for the cover. She winced when she saw it. “Yuk! He’s in his swimwear. Aren’t there decency laws to protect people against things like this?”

  Julia’s face scrunched up in disgust as she put the DVD back in its case. She then put the case in the bedside drawer.

  Gemma still had her hands over her face. “Is it safe to look yet?”

  “It is. I wonder why the DVD was playing?”

  “The spa has probably arranged it, as some sort of brain washing treatment.” Gemma looked over to the bedside table. “Your mum’s got a good supply of water over there. Do you think she’ll mind if I have a bottle? They offered me tea at the station but I refused on principle.”

  “Help yourself. But I think it’s Harry water. There’s a picture of his grinning face on it.”

  “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Gemma took a bottle and unscrewed the lid. She took a big gulp. “I’m thirstier than I realised. Well, what do you think about all these things Sienna and Harry have been saying? Do you believe them?”

  “I do. And I think they deserve each other.” Julia reached for the iPad on Mum’s bed. “I want to do some more checks on Harry. Let’s go into my room. There’s a lingering whiff of Harry in here.”

  Gemma grinned. “That would make a good name for his brand of aftershave.” She took another drink of water and followed Julia into her room.

  They settled themselves on the sofas and Julia opened the patio doors.

  Gemma said, “I suppose I’d better phone DI Thostlewaite.” She took out her phone. “Oh, look. My hubby’s left me ten messages. I’d better phone him too. I’ll phone DI Thostlewaite first.”

  Julia switched on the tablet and started a search on Harry Lewis. There were a lot of results and all the top ones referred to the Harry Lewis who worked at the spa. Not only did Harry have many websites, he had videos posted on YouTube. Julia looked at the stills of the videos and decided she didn’t need to see Harry in action again.

  Gemma said, “I can’t get hold of DI Thostlewaite so I’ve left him a message. I’m going to phone Arnie now. I’ll do it in the hall in case he gets all lovey-dovey.”

  “I can’t imagine him ever doing that,” Julia said. “You should see how many websites Harry has. There’s one devoted to weight-training, another one for yoga and even one for meditation. I think there’s even more. I’m having a look at the first one.”

  Gemma wagged a finger at her. “Now, don’t be falling in love with him, Julia. I won’t be long.” She left the room, taking her water and phone with her.

  Julia looked through the first page. Harry was certainly an expert when it came to marketing. Not only could you book visits with him here at the spa, for an obscene amount of money, you could request a home visit. And if that wasn’t enough, you could join his exclusive online club for an eye-watering amount of money. And for that, you would receive exclusive videos and Harry’s thought for the day.

  Julia imagined that mo
st of Harry’s thoughts were about making more money. She thought of the word ‘scam’ in Erin’s diary. Was this what Erin was referring to? At their first meeting, Erin had told Julia that clients told her secrets. Could one of Erin’s clients have let slip how much she was paying Harry for his various clubs and merchandise? Perhaps Erin then confronted Harry about it. He wouldn’t want to give up his scam so easily.

  But Sienna did say she was with Harry at the time Erin was murdered. That was annoying.

  Julia sighed and leant back on the sofa. Why did women fall for him so easily? He was good-looking, that was true. But he had no charm, and he certainly didn’t have good manners. He had zero respect for women. It was a mystery. She didn’t understand it.

  Gemma came back into the room, a slight blush on her cheeks. “He did get a bit lovey-dovey with me. I’m glad you didn’t hear him.”

  “Did you tell him what we’ve been up to?”

  “Of course not. I’ll tell him later.” She walked over to Julia, placed the empty water bottle on the table and said, “So, what have you found out about the lovely Harry Lewis?”

  Gemma reached forward and turned the bottle so that Harry was smiling directly at them. Julia could have sworn she saw Gemma smile back at him for a second.

  Julia showed Gemma the information she’d found. Gemma listened and nodded. She asked Julia to play a couple of the videos. Julia reluctantly did so and stared out of the window until the videos had finished.

  When Julia had finished telling Gemma her thoughts about Harry and his money making ventures, Gemma said, “I think you’re being too hard on Harry. There’s nothing wrong with making a living. And if he’s got the demand for his services, he may as well carry on.” Her phone beeped and she looked at it. “I’d better go. I’ve got a Reiki treatment. Do you think your mum will mind if I take some more water with me? I’m still thirsty. I’ll replace the bottles later.”

  Gemma definitely smiled at Harry’s face on the bottle as she stood up and went through the adjoining door. Julia’s eyebrows rose as she heard a drawer opening. Gemma called out a goodbye and left by Mum’s door. Was Gemma taking Harry’s DVD with her?

  Things were starting to make sense.

  Julia folded her arms and glared at the bottle. “Right then, Harry Lewis. I know exactly what you’re up to. And I think I know how you’re doing it. You sneaky, conniving good-for-nothing.”

  Julia glared at the bottle for a bit longer then she suddenly remembered Mum was having a one-on-one session with Harry. She jumped to her feet and raced to the door. As she ran down the corridor she took her phone out and left a message for DI Thostlewaite. She was panting as she spoke and she hoped he could make out her words, especially when she told him who had killed Erin Baker.

  Chapter 32

  Julia threw herself at the reception desk. It wasn’t Sienna behind it this time. Julia shouted, “Harry Lewis! Where is he? I need him right now.”

  The man behind the desk gave Julia a knowing smile as if red-faced women asked him that all the time. Which they probably did. He said in a gentle voice, “I’m sorry, but Mr Lewis is with a client at the moment. And I do believe his diary is full for this week.”

  Julia waited a second to get her breath back. “I know he’s with a client. He’s with my mum and I need to speak to her urgently. Tell me where he is, please.”

  The man replied, “He’s in one of the consulting rooms, number six. It’s down that hallway.”

  Julia took off before he could say another word. She raced down the hallway. The door to room six was open and Sienna was standing there.

  Sienna saw Julia and put her hands out to stop Julia running into the room. Sienna hissed, “I’ve already said I’ll tell him in my own time. I’m going to speak to him as soon as his session with your mum is over.”

  Julia was in no mood to be stopped. She pushed Sienna to one side and stormed into the room. Harry was sitting behind a desk. Mum was sitting too closely at his side with a smile on her face. She was handing her bank card to Harry.

  “No! Stop! Mum, put the card in your pocket and move away from that evil man.”

  Mum turned to look in her direction; her eyes were glassy. “Julia, dear, stop shouting. This is a private session and you shouldn’t be here.”

  Sienna grabbed Julia’s arm and said, “No, you shouldn’t be here. I’m asking you, politely, to leave.”

  Julia shrugged herself free. “I’m not going anywhere. Do you know what he’s up to? Do you know about all his schemes?”

  Harry whipped Mum’s bank card from her hands and moved it towards a machine at his side.

  Julia cried out, “If you so much as swipe a penny from my mother, I swear I will throw myself at you and crush you! And I’m not some skinny-minny that you’ll be able to throw off. Give that card back to my mother. Now!”

  Harry’s hand hovered and uncertainty crossed his face. He turned his attention to Mum and gave her a gentle smile. “But Catherine here wants to join my online club. I need to complete her membership.”

  Julia’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not even her name. If you’re going to drug people and steal from them, have the decency to get their names right.”

  “Hang on,” Sienna said. “What are you talking about? Who’s drugging who?”

  Julia’s hand was shaking with rage as she pointed at Harry. “Him. He’s put something in that water he sells. The water makes women go all happy and soppy, and the first thing they see is Harry’s face on the bottle. They’re associating Harry with the happy feeling of the water. And there’s something in the water, possibly salt, that makes them unable to fully quench their thirst. So they have to drink more water.”

  Harry snorted. “You think I’ve put some sort of love potion in my water? You’re as stupid as you look.”

  Sienna’s perfect brow wrinkled. “Your clients do go through a lot of water, Harry. I’ve noticed that before. And you’ve even given me that bottled water.”

  Harry gave them both a look of disgust. “If you think that, Sienna, then you’re as stupid as Catherine’s daughter. Why would I tamper with the water?”

  Julia said, “The exercise classes! You give out free water to the women there. They drink it and focus their attention on you. You probably play some sort of subliminal messages in the music during the workouts. I know it’s possible.”

  Harry looked down at the card in his hand.

  Sienna moved closer to Harry. “Tell me this isn’t true. You wouldn’t really do something like that to our guests, would you?”

  Julia said, “He is doing something to them. I’m not exactly sure what, but it’s something to do with the water. He drugs people and convinces them to hand over money for his many products. Have you seen how much he charges for his online membership club? It’s an outrage. Look at my mum. Look at her eyes. And look at what she’s been drinking.”

  Sienna’s gaze moved from Mum’s face to the empty water bottle in front of her. Sienna said, “Harry, please tell me this isn’t true. It can’t be true. You wouldn’t do that to me. We’ve got something special.”

  Harry threw Mum’s bank card on the table and got to his feet. “I’ve nothing to say to either of you. Sienna, I’m leaving you, and I’m leaving this so-called excuse for a spa. Move out of the way.”

  Sienna shoved him in the chest and he fell back into the chair. She cracked the knuckles on her hands. “You are not going to make a fool of me, Harry. I was about to tell you about my past. That past involves me being able to defend myself. It’s been a long time since I was in a fight with a man. But I’m willing to give it a go.” She raised her fists.

  Harry’s hands flew to his face and he screeched, “Not my face! Any where but my face.”

  Mum looked over at Julia and said, “Hello there, love. How long have you been standing there? I’m going to join Harry’s club. Isn’t it exciting? He’s such a lovely man. Don’t tell your dad about him!”

  Rage coursed through Julia as sh
e looked at Mum’s lovely face. She turned to Harry. “Did Erin find out what you were up to? Is that why you killed her?”

  Sienna lowered her fists a fraction. “I’ve already told you he was with me. I can prove it. There’s a camera in our secret room. We set it to record. It has the date and time on the recording. We like to watch ourselves afterwards.”

  Julia felt her stomach lurch. She could do with a strong cup of tea.

  Tea!

  Of course!

  Julia said to Harry, “You’re not in this scam on your own. Someone is sending customers to you. Someone who probably uses the same kind of drug in her tea.”

  “Who?” Sienna said.

  “Indigo Sunset. When Mum had her first session with Indigo, she was given tea. And Mum felt marvellous afterwards. It was Indigo who arranged for Mum to join Harry’s exercise class, even though it was fully booked. It’s the same group of women who see Indigo first, who then join Harry’s class.”

  Sienna said, “But I thought Indigo was with your mum at the time of Erin’s murder?”

  Julia put her hand on Mum’s shoulder. “Look at how confused she is after one bottle of water. For all we know, Indigo could have hypnotised Mum into thinking they’d had their session as planned when all the time she was in the tank room with Erin.”

  Harry dropped his hands and gave them a smug smile. “But Indigo was attacked in the woods last night, by the real killer.”

  Julia said, “No, she wasn’t. We have her word, and your word, about the attack. If it was the real killer, they would have killed her. Indigo did that to throw suspicion off herself.”

  Harry muttered, “I told her it was a bad idea.”