Massage & Murder

by Jenn Cowan

  “Bobby wasn’t at the spa unless he was the one trying to break-in, but Cat would have seen him, right? It’s not like it’s easy for him to hide.”

  “Unless he and Cat…” Josh trails off.

  I pursue my lips. “Cat didn’t kill her mother.” I pause and think about the facts. “I don’t think Bobby or Nikki did either. They’re not going on the list. I think I have this narrowed down, but I don’t have enough to go on yet.” I scroll through my phone and tap Bobby’s number.

  His phone rings and then goes to voicemail. I leave a message telling him to call me and hang up.

  “It is kind of late. He’s probably asleep.”

  I nod and study my suspect list again. I draw a circle around Vicky and begin to draw lines to the suspects who could have killed her. I was having a hard time coming up with any. “Sally and Dr. Gregory were both at the hospital, but Sally told us she was talking to Dr. Gregory and didn’t learn of Vicky’s death until Bethany told her about it. Dr. Gregory was at the hospital, but was with Sally since she was trying to convince him to move back to Chicago.”

  “So, they’re each other’s alibis, that’s convenient,” Josh mutters.

  “Right?” I draw a line from Sally and Dr. Gregory to Vicky. “What’s their motive?”

  “Motive?”

  “Why kill Vicky? They’re leaving town. What’s the benefit?” If she killed April or was taking the fall for April’s death based on Cat’s testimony, why kill her?”

  “Tying up loose ends. Making sure she doesn’t incriminate them?”

  “Maybe. It still doesn’t make sense why they were working together. What’s the connection? I feel like we’re missing something.”

  Josh yawns.

  I glance at the clock. It’s pushing eleven. “Let’s stick a pin in this and get some sleep.”

  “I’ll take the couch.” He plops down and covers up with a blanket before I can protest.

  “You could take the guest room,” I mutter to myself because he’s already asleep.

  His eyes are closed and soft snores escape his lips.

  I roll my eyes and turn toward my bedroom when I hear a soft knock on the front door. It’s late. Who could be knocking?

  20

  I’m a little more than nervous to answer the door especially with someone stalking and shooting at me. I could ignore it, but the sleuth in me really wants to solve this case. I peek through the peep hole and let out the breath I’m holding. I flip the lock and open the door. “Bobby, what are you doing here?”

  “I got your message.” He holds up his phone.

  “I just left it.” I frown. “You could have just called me back.” I gesture for him to come in and shut the door and lock it.

  “I was already on my way over to see you. The roads are a little dicey so I didn’t want to risk talking and driving.”

  Josh stirs on the couch, but doesn’t wake up. So much for my strong and protective body guard.

  “Let’s go in the kitchen so we don’t wake him,” I whisper and motion for him to follow me. “Do you want something to drink? Water? Tea?”

  “I’m good. Thanks.”

  I gesture to the wooden chairs. “Have a seat.”

  He sits down and places a file folder on the table. “To answer your question, I only went to a handful of April’s appointments. She struggled with endometriosis. Suffered several miscarriages. Supposedly, Dr. Gregory was a specialist in the field although I never felt like he really knew anything more than any other doctor we saw through the years.” He looks down at the folder in his hands. “Guess it doesn’t matter, now.”

  I reach out and squeeze his hand. “I’m sorry, Bobby.”

  He shakes his head. “It’s probably best we never had a child together. Maybe a blessing in its own way. We weren’t really in love and having a child would have made things more…difficult.” He gulps and blinks back tears before shaking his head again. “Anyway, I think I found something.”

  “What is it?” I’m anxious to see what he has, but a part of me feels bad for not letting Travis in on everything I know so far. “Did you call Travis?”

  Bobby quirks an eyebrow. “Why would I call Travis?”

  “Because he’s the detective on your wife’s murder investigation.”

  “Travis blows me off all the time. I think he resents me for getting to spend so much time with Cat when she was growing up. I can’t help it the man chose to be a cop and works crazy hours.” He shrugs his shoulders then gets down to business. “This may be nothing, but I think it’s important and I know you won’t ignore me especially since it sounds like someone is after you now.” Bobby’s leg was bouncing up and down.

  I gulp. The man has a point. “Whatcha got?”

  Bobby slides the folder over to me. “I found this in April’s SUV. The police didn’t search it since it technically wasn’t part of the crime scene. I’ve been so busy with the funeral arrangements and tying up loose ends I just got around to picking it up from the spa today. This slid out from underneath the seat.”

  I pick up the folder and open it. There are several photos of the Mayor and Vicky. One is of them kissing, but it’s recent. Vicky’s hair was shorter and curlier and the Mayor is gray. “So, the Mayor and Vicky were still seeing each other.”

  “Still? What are you talking about?” Bobby frowns.

  Shoot, I hadn’t meant to let that piece of information slip. “I found a photo of the Mayor and Vicky kissing about twenty years ago.”

  “Twenty years ago?! He was still married to April’s mom.”

  I nod.

  “So, the Mayor was having an affair. I knew it.”

  “You did?”

  “In middle school, I saw them together one evening in the park. It was after football practice. I was supposed to meet my mom at the café and I was late. I took a shortcut through the park and saw them sitting on a park bench together. Vicky was crying and the Mayor was holding her. I figured he was simply being a friend, comforting a widow, but as I look back on it, it seemed like it was something more. They both looked sad as if they were grieving something together.”

  “Grieving together? What could they be grieving? The Mayor wasn’t a friend of Vicky’s husband, was he?”

  Bobby shakes his head. “No, I don’t recall the Mayor ever having any friends.”

  “Ever? That’s sad.”

  “The man is money hungry. It’s all he cares about. Money and his reputation.”

  “Hmm.”

  “What?”

  “I just wonder if there was something else they shared.”

  “Like what?”

  “A child?”

  Bobby laughs. “April was the Mayor’s only child. I mean Bethany looks just like her mom, but I can see some of her dad in her. There’s no way she’s the Mayor’s daughter.”

  I stare down at the recent photo of Vicky and the Mayor. “I guess you’re right, but what’s with the photos? The blackmail? Why wouldn’t Vicky and the Mayor just come out in the open, say they were dating. Why the secrecy? Both of their spouses are dead. Their children are grown. It doesn’t make sense.”

  “April would have thrown a fit if she found out the Mayor was dating Vicky. Those two never got along.”

  “Why?” My headache’s pounding behind my eyes, but I need more details. I have to push on.

  “Some ridiculous feud between April’s mom and Vicky. I can’t remember what it was about.” He frowns and rubs a hand over his scruffy face.

  “A feud…do you think April’s mom knew about the affair?”

  “Probably. She knew about everything; sometimes it seemed like she had the gossip even before it happened.”

  I snort. “Or created it.”

  “True,” Bobby scoffs.

  I study the photos again. “Looks like the park was their meeting place, which is odd, it’s usually busy.”

  “Not where this bench is located. It’s on the back side of the pond, kind of tucked back in th
e trees. A great place for privacy, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his eyebrows up and down.

  I laugh because his bushy eyebrows wiggling up and down look ridiculous then cover my mouth so not to wake up Josh. “What do you think these photos have to do with April and Vicky’s murders.”

  “Cat heard Vicky kill April. Maybe April was blackmailing her.”

  I raise my eyebrows at him. “How do you know about Cat’s testimony?

  He gives me a look. “Small town, Autumn. Everyone knows about what Cat heard at the spa the day April died.”

  “Right. I keep forgetting this town’s gossip mill churns 24/7.”

  Bobby smirks. “Gotta love a small town.”

  “I guess.” I bite my lip. “Small town gossip isn’t helping us catch a killer though. Surely, someone knows something.”

  Bobby shrugs. “What if the Mayor killed Vicky?”

  “Because he found out she killed April?”

  Bobby nods.

  “It’s possible, but who is trying to break into the spa and why? And who shot the Mayor? He has to be working with someone or someone has it out for him.”

  Bobby frowns. “I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe the Mayor owes someone money.”

  The text on his phone comes to mind, but I don’t share it with Bobby.

  “Hmm. Then I’ve got nothing.”

  I pat his hand. “We’ll figure this out. Thanks for bring these by. Can I keep them?”

  “They’re all yours.” Bobby yawns and moves to stand up then sits down. “Autumn, please find out who killed April. I know she was an awful person most of the time, but I saw glimpses of her no one else did. I grew to love her in my own way. She didn’t deserve to die. Not like she did. Please, I’m not going to be able to move on until I get her justice.”

  “I know how you feel. She was once my best friend. I loved her before she stole Travis. Then I hated her, but you’re right, she didn’t deserve to die like that. I promise you, we’ll find out who killed her and Vicky and hopefully we’ll find the Mayor…alive.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Didn’t you hear the Mayor is missing?”

  “No.” Bobby jumps up. His face goes pale as he starts to pace the kitchen. “I thought he was still in the hospital. When did this happen?”

  “Right after I left you in the waiting room. The officer watching him was knocked out. Someone kidnapped him…or he left on his own accord, which I doubt.”

  Bobby groans. “I knew I should have hired personal security for him.” He sits back down. “There’s something else. I didn’t want to tell anyone this, but April was getting strange messages on her cell phone. She only had one message saved from the day before she died, but the phone records show a call every day for the past two weeks from a blocked number.”

  “What kind of strange messages?”

  “Someone telling April to meet them at the park with another $5,000 if she wants more information. I checked our bank statements and April withdrew $5,000 of cash every day for two weeks.”

  “Sally.” I slap my hand over my mouth, I hadn’t meant for her name to slip out. I need to gain a filter if I’m going to be successful at this sleuthing business.

  “Sally? What does Sally have to do with this?”

  I sigh. No use trying to back track now especially if Sally’s story is starting to have cracks in it. “Sally told me she was blackmailing April. Found out a bunch of stuff about her and I guess me.”

  “What did she find?”

  “I don’t know. Sally gave me the folder, but I left it in the Jeep and someone stole it. They left me a bunch of blank papers. I guess I’m getting close to figuring this all out, but I feel like I’m not.”

  Bobby places a hand over mind. “Autumn, you need to be careful. I know I asked you to look into this, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to you not to mention Nikki would kill me.”

  I smile and pat his hand. “I’ll be fine. My body guard is primed and ready to protect me.”

  “Body guard?” Bobby cocks his head to the side.

  I stand and move into the living room. “He’s quite a force to be reckon with.” I stifle a laugh as Josh snorts in his sleep and drool drips onto the couch cushion.

  “I bet he is.” He pats my shoulder. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

  “I will.” I walk him to the door and wave to him as he leaves before locking the front door. Bobby’s concerned words are running through my mind, but I can’t stop. Not until this case is solved.

  21

  It’s Thursday. A week since I’ve been here and for the same reason. A funeral. Only this time it’s not April’s, it’s Vicky’s. I’m seated in between Bethany and Josh with my back against the cold wooden pew. My black dress is freshly dry cleaned and pressed although I must say I hadn’t planned on wearing it again for a long time. I’m fidgeting with the funeral program, which outlines Vicky’s life. Her smiling photo is staring back at me with the phrases such as loving wife, mother, respected business owner, and upstanding member of the community written below it.

  I glance up at Preacher John as he reads another scripture. A fleck of saliva lands on my program. I never sit in the first row for this very reason, but Bethany asked and I couldn’t deny her. She’s sniffling next to me in a black pant suit, her hair braided to one side. Her nose is bright red, eyes puffy and mascara’s running down her cheeks. I place an arm around her and give her a gentle squeeze. The poor girl has no one left. Both of her parents are dead. So are her grandparents. Vicky was an only child so there are no aunts or uncles or even cousins to comfort her. My heart aches for her.

  Another speck of saliva flies across the pulpit. Josh’s pants are unfortunately the landing spot. He’s looking dapper in his black suit and striped tie. His hair is kind of messy, but the beachy look works for him. Miss Violet Viles keeps sneaking glances his way. She’s sitting a couple rows back and I can feel her eyes on us. Josh is of course oblivious to any of this. I’ve nudged him a few times and nodded her way, but he seems intent on paying attention to Preacher John. I probably should be too, but as I’ve mentioned before, I hate funerals. My skin is crawling and I’m ready to get out of this dress asap.

  Not to mention, the Mayor is still missing. Mother Nature put a crimp in searching for him when she decided to dump close to three more inches of snow on us and the freezing temps weren’t making it easy for crews to clear the roads so everyone was pretty much snow bound. Travis did call yesterday, but he didn’t have any updates, at least none he cared to share with me. The tip they got turned out to be a bust. A few high schoolers had tied up one of the boy’s little brothers and had put him in the trunk to scare him. Ms. Harriet lives across the street and thought it was the Mayor they were stuffing in the trunk. The little brother was fine, but the parents were livid. I can’t say I blame them. So, there are currently no leads on the Mayor’s whereabouts.

  Travis did offer to escort me to the funeral, but I came early to support Bethany. Me and Josh are still tiptoeing around each other. Our conversations are short and stiff. I miss my best friend, but I’m not sure how to find common ground with him or Travis. I’ve decided I need some time. Time to think, clear my head, focus on solving this case then I can figure out what to do with these boys. Yes, boys because that’s how they’re acting.

  More saliva lands on my program and I sigh. I’m definitely taking a shower when I get home. Preacher John has moved on from scripture to the eulogy. I glance around and spot Mary a couple rows back. She’s fanning herself with a program and smiles at me. I smile back before facing the front again. Mary called me yesterday and told me Dr. Gregory has been calling into sick to work since the Mayor went missing and rumor has it Sally left town. I went by her apartment yesterday before yoga and no one answered the door. The curtains were drawn so I couldn’t see inside. One of her neighbors said she hadn’t seen her in a couple days.

  I feel like I have all the pieces I need
to solve this case except for the file in Vicky’s office. I plan to sneak into the spa after the funeral. Bethany will be busy burying her mom and eating lunch so it will give me an opportunity to check out what’s in the file. I wish I could get my hands on the information Sally had on April and the Mayor and of course me, but I have a feeling I won’t be seeing it anytime soon. I’m kicking myself for not looking at it sooner. Of course, my life has been a little crazy lately…nothing like a few break-in’s, murders, someone stalking and shooting at me, fighting with my BFF and reconnecting with Travis to keep me busy.

  Preacher John continues to drone on about Vicky and that’s when I see her. Sally. She’s standing off to the side. The church is crowded so several people are standing. She’s hiding behind on of the pillars. I almost didn’t recognize her. She’s dressed in black. Her hair isn’t up in its usual bun, but cascading down her back. Tears are falling down her cheeks as she stares at Vicky’s body. I tilt my head to the side to study her better. She seems really upset. Are those tears of grief or guilt?

  “Who are you staring at?” Josh mutters beside me.

  “Sally.” I nod toward her.

  He follows my gaze and frowns. “I thought she left town.”

  “Guess not.”

  “Why is she crying?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to figure out. She only knew Vicky for a month. We should be the ones bawling like babies.”

  Josh scoffs. “Thanks for making me feel bad. You know I don’t cry in public.”

  I roll my eyes. “Me neither, but Vicky wasn’t only our employer, she was our friend. Who was she to Sally?”

  Bethany squeezes my hand and I turn toward her. “Will you and Josh go with me to the cemetery?”

  Shoot. I was hoping to sneak over to the spa and grab the file while she was burying her mother. I know, not very compassionate, but I’m trying to find out who killed her mother. It’s really for her benefit. “Of course.” I squeeze her hand back. Guess I’ll have to go later tonight.