by Jenn Cowan
Finally, Preacher John stops preaching and I’m only mildly drenched in spit. He invites everyone to the town hall for lunch while Bethany and I guess me and Josh bury her mom. We follow Preacher John and the pallbearers to the cemetery behind the church.
Luckily, the snow has stopped and the sun is shining. The temperature is in the 50’s so the snow is melting. Gotta love the crazy Missouri weather. One day there’s a snow storm and the next it’s sunny and feeling like spring is upon us.
The walk to the grave site is clear. Bethany sniffles beside me and clings to my coat. I keep my arm wrapped around her for fear she’ll collapse. The poor thing is beside herself. I can’t imagine losing a parent.
Speaking of parents, my dad, you know my lawyer, he’s been stuck in Oklahoma for a week due to bad weather. I guess they got ice and snow for several days straight. Yesterday, the roads were finally clear and he was going to be here by dinner time tonight, but decided to drive back to Florida once I assured him I was no longer a suspect. At least I’m pretty sure Travis no longer considers me a suspect. Dad was happy to hear it and was even happier to head back to warmer weather.
He’s never liked the cold and only stayed in Missouri for my mom. Now she’s in love with the beach so I don’t think I’ll ever get them to move back…unless I give them grandkids, so far that’s not happening any time soon. I’m kind of bummed, not about not having kids although someday kids would be nice, but I was looking forward to seeing him even though I just saw him a couple weeks ago at Christmas. He promised they’d come for a visit in the spring so I have that to look forward to.
We stop next to the gravesite. Vicky’s coffin is placed before us and Preacher John gives one last blessing. Bethany steps forward and places a white rose on top of the coffin. Something catches my eye in the distance. Sally. She’s standing by the tree line, watching. I can’t see her face; she’s too far away. When Bethany steps back beside me and I take in her profile something clicks. Suddenly it’s like dominos falling and I think I’ve solved the case. At least I hope so because the plan that’s forming in my mind is crazy.
I let Preacher John escort Bethany to the town hall while I stay back and talk to Josh. We trail behind them slowly. I want to ensure we’re out of ear shot. Sally has disappeared, which is a shame because I would have loved to question her. “I need you to spread a rumor.”
Josh cocks an eyebrow. “A rumor? Me?”
I cringe. Josh is not the best person to spread gossip. In fact, he doesn’t gossip at all, but I need his help. “I think I figured out who killed Vicky.”
“What about April?”
I give him a look. “I think we all know Vicky did it.”
“Really? I thought we weren’t sure. Opening another spa doesn’t seem like a very strong motive.”
I shake my head. “I think it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
“I don’t follow.”
I sigh. “I think Vicky snapped after years of dealing with April’s family drama.”
Josh looks at me like I have eight heads. “I don’t understand.”
I pat his arm. “I’ll explain it later, but I need you to help me. Can you do it?”
“Of course. I would do anything for you.” He bumps my hip with his and gives me his signature Josh smile.
I smile. There’s my BFF I know and love. “I need you to start talking about the murder although I’m sure everyone will be whispering about it. Just interject yourself into the conversation and tell them I’ve figured out who killed Vicky and I’m headed to the spa to find proof right now.”
He frowns. “You’re going to the spa…alone.”
I nod although I’m not totally convinced this is the smartest idea, but it has to be done. I square my shoulders and face him when we reach the Jeep. “We have to set a trap for the killer. It’s the only way we’ll know for sure they killed Vicky.”
“And who killed Vicky?”
“I don’t want to say until I know for sure.”
“I don’t like this, Autumn. I should go with you.”
“Go with you where?”
“Travis.” Shoot he’s going to ruin my plan. I have to get rid of him yet he might be handy to have around if I end up getting myself in trouble. “I’m going to the spa to check on things. With all the snow and freezing temps, I want to make sure the pipes haven’t frozen.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You don’t have too.”
“I insist.” He gestures to his SUV behind us.
I cock an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest. “Have you been waiting for me?”
He shrugs and smiles.
Josh scowls. “As much as I hate to include him, you need to tell him what you have planned.”
I smack Josh on the arm.
Travis’s eyes grow dark. “What do you have planned, Autumn?”
“Nothing.” I avoid his eyes.
“Autumn,” he growls.
“I’m going inside to get something to eat then I’ll do what you ask, Autumn, but please be careful.” He squeezes my shoulder and I meet his eyes.
They’re filled with worry and something else I don’t want to see…love. Is my best friend really in love with me? I must be reading into things. I shake my head as Josh heads inside.
“Best friends again?”
I meet Travis’s eyes. “Always.”
He nods. “If you say so.”
I frown. I don’t like not knowing where me and Josh stand. We’ve always been best friends. Nothing more and nothing less. I plan to keep it that way.
“So, what’s your big plan?”
“Nothing.” I shrug and unlock my Jeep. “I’m going to the spa to check on the pipes. Make sure everything is ok since we haven’t been there in a few days.”
He narrows his eyes. “You’re lying.”
“Never.” I hold a hand to my heart as if he’s insulted me.
“Autumn.”
“That’s my name, don’t wear it out.” I slip behind the wheel. “Now if you’ll excuse me I want to check on the spa and come back for some lunch.”
“Why don’t you eat first and then check on the spa?” His crosses his arms over his chest and stands in front of the Jeep.
I need to think of an excuse quickly and God bless Mr. Higgins. “Have you seen the food line? It’s almost to the door.” I point to the door Mr. Higgins just exited so he could smoke a cigar.
Travis follows my gaze to the hall and sighs. “Fine. Go check the spa, but I’m coming with you.”
Shoot. Things aren’t going as planned. I could stomp on Josh’s foot for saying something to Travis about my plan, but I don’t have time. He’s probably already talking to someone in line. “Fine.”
Travis moves to get in the passenger side and I lock the doors. He knocks on the window when I start the engine.
My heart is beating wildly. He’s the police, but I need to do this alone. I can’t risk him spooking the killer. I turn up the radio as he knocks louder.
“Autumn, let me in.”
I shake my head like I can’t hear him as I pull out of the parking spot. I check the rearview mirror and he’s chasing after me. When I turn on the main road, I see him jump into his SUV. This is not going as planned.
22
I creep through the woods behind the spa. I took the long way to throw off Travis. My cell phone has been ringing non-stop. I finally turned it off. I don’t need Travis tracking me and ruining my plan. Hopefully, he thought I was using the spa as a cover for doing something else so he’s not waiting for me.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding as I take in the empty parking lot. Good. He’s not here. I unlock the back door. My hands are shaking and I’m pretty sure it’s not from the cold. A noise inside the spa makes me pause.
“Be quiet. I told you this was a bad idea.”
Sally. What’s she doing here?
I let the back door shut quietly behind me and tiptoe into the spa. A li
ght is on in one of the treatment rooms. What is going on? Something in my gut tells me to grab the folder and get the heck out of here, but the sleuth in me wants answers. I go to the office and retrieve the folder to ensure I’m on the right path. The folder has everything I’m looking for.
I tuck it under my arm and walk toward the treatment room. My hands are shaking and my heart is beating rapidly in my chest. I may pass out from fear, but I have to know the truth. When I reach the massage room, I take in the room. The Mayor is sitting in the arm chair. Alive, but looking kind of pale. His gray hair is sticking up in different directions and he’s still in his hospital gown. Dr. Gregory is sitting on the massage table in his white lab coat; he turns and glares at me. Sally’s still in her funeral clothes and was pacing the massage room before I walked in. Now she’s frozen, eyes darting around the room. “Care to explain, Sally?” I lean against the door frame.
“It’s not what it looks like, Autumn. I swear.”
I smirk. “It looks like you kidnapped the Mayor.”
She bites her red lips. “Well sort of, but he came willingly. Someone was trying to kill him. We had to keep him safe…right, Dad?”
I jerk at the word. Not because I didn’t know he was her dad, but I didn’t know Sally knew. “You knew?”
She nods.
The Mayor gives me a weak smile. “You found the folder.” He gestures to the file in my hand. “Where was it?”
“In Vicky’s desk.”
“I’ve been trying to find that file for weeks.”
“So, you’re the one who’s been breaking into the spa?”
The Mayor shrugs. “That file could have ruined me. Now…” He looks over at Sally and smiles. “Now, it doesn’t matter. The truth needs to come out. I’ve spent years hiding it and it’s only caused trouble.”
I frown. “Why didn’t you just ask Vicky for it?”
He sighs. “She was furious at me. Refused to talk to me. See me.”
“Why?”
“I knew about Sally before she did and I didn’t tell her about it. Sally wanted to meet her mother on her terms. I wanted to respect her wishes. When Vicky found out, she threatened to send everything to the paper. Ruin my reputation.”
“It would ruin hers too.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think she cared anymore. After my wife died, she became obsessed with finding Sally. When she found out I knew about Sally a whole year before telling her, she was furious. Wanted to hurt me like I hurt her all these years. My reputation is important to me and she knew it. I was going to tell everyone about Sally, but on my own terms not in some sort of front page news scandal.”
I nod. “You followed me?”
He shrugs. “I wanted to see if you found the file.”
“You broke into my Jeep, didn’t you?”
He shrugs again. “The door was unlocked. I found the file Sally gave you. It had some incriminating things in it so I took it.”
“What about the out of state plates?”
“I borrowed it from a friend.” His eyes met Dr. Gregory’s.
“Friend?”
“Dr. Gregory’s father and I have been friends for years. He was always bragging about his brilliant fertility specialist son. So, when April was trying so hard to get pregnant, his father recommended she see him. Didn’t think he’d get himself caught up with her.”
Dr. Gregory hangs his head. “April was a mistake.”
Sally crosses her arms and looks away.
The room falls silent for a moment. My thoughts are all over the place. “And Sally?”
The Mayor scrubs a hand over his face. “As you know from the file, Vicky and I had an affair. Once right after her husband died. She got pregnant. Bethany was only a few months old. Everyone thought Vicky was just having trouble getting rid of the baby weight. She gave birth in Chicago and we gave our daughter up for adoption. It killed Vicky to do it, but we knew it was for the best. This small town. I was married. She widowed. People would talk. Our businesses would suffer or worse. We did what we thought was best at the time. Then after my wife died, we started dating in secret and decided to find our daughter.” He smiles at Sally who returns his smile. “I asked Dr. Gregory to keep an eye on her. Make sure she was okay. Never expected him to fall in love with her.”
Sally blushes and Dr. Gregory smiles.
The Mayor continues, “Unfortunately, someone found out about Sally and started blackmailing me. I wasn’t ready to go public with anything until Vicky met her so I paid them. They bled me dry. I even started using funds from the city to pay them. I suspected April of the blackmail.”
“And you told Vicky your theory.”
“Yes.” The Mayor drops his head into his hands. “I know she killed April.”
“Because she told you.”
“No, she told me,” Sally piped up. “She was furious April was planning to open another spa and between learning I was her daughter, April’s snide comments about my massage techniques and the blackmail, she snapped. I was waiting for her in her office when she was asking you about April. I heard her stomp off, but thought she would come back in the office, but I heard the scrape of the knife against the sharpening block and the next thing I know Vicky…I mean my mom is coming in telling me she’s taken care of all our problems.”
I nod. My theory was correct, but I still can’t believe it. Vicky murdering someone. She was so sweet, but I can understand protecting your family. “That aligns with what Cat told the police too. So, Vicky killed April. Who killed Vicky?”
“I did.” A voice comes from behind me.
I turn to find Bethany holding a gun. It’s shaking in her hands. Her eyes are wild and filled with tears. “Why’d you do it?”
Bethany snorts. “She lied to me. My whole life she’s lied to me. I found that file when her secret compartment snagged my favorite scrub pants. The birth certificate, adoption papers, and a picture of him kissing my mother.” She points the gun at the Mayor.
He cringes and drops his head. “I loved her, Bethany. Your mother was the love of my life. I was just too stupid to do anything about it.”
“Shut up!” Bethany screams and tightens her grip on the gun.
My heart starts beating faster. Maybe it was a bad idea to lose Travis. Bethany could shoot us all and get out of town before we’re found. “Bethany, please put down the gun. We’re just talking there’s no need to…”
“Be quiet, Autumn. You wanted to play detective and put the clues together, now it’s my turn to talk. I know you figured out it was me at the gravesite. I saw it in your eyes when you looked at me. Only you don’t know why I did it, right?”
I nod although I’m pretty sure I know why, but it’s better to keep her talking so she doesn’t start shooting. I send up a prayer Travis drives by the spa and sees her car or Josh comes to check on me.
Bethany turns back to the Mayor. “You didn’t love my mother. You loved your status. Your money. Not her. We struggled. She worked so hard to build this spa for me. We almost lost it until I found the file. A way to black mail you into saving us.”
The Mayor’s head jerks up. “You’re the one who’s been blackmailing me.”
She shrugs. “A girls gotta do what girls gotta do and I had to save this spa. My spa. Except it’s not anymore, is it, Sally?”
Sally looks down at her hands as Bethany continues. “Mom planned to leave me the spa when she retired then she promises it to you,” she sneers at Sally. “But only if you stay here and marry this guy.” Bethany gestures to Dr. Gregory. “You all think you’re so smart, but I’m the genius here. I have dirt on all of you.” She sniffles again and narrows her eyes. “I know April found out about Sally and visited her in Chicago. She threatened you, right?”
Sally nods.
“But that didn’t deter you, did it?” Bethany didn’t let Sally speak before continuing. “You should have stayed in Chicago. Stayed away. Then I wouldn’t have had to kill my own mother.” Tears are running
down Bethany’s cheeks. “She was my best friend. We were partners. Then she found you and acted like I didn’t exist.”
“So, you smothered her?” Probably not the best choice of words, but I was shocked sweet Bethany killed her own mother.
“She wouldn’t listen. Kept going on and on about Sally and how we could all run the spa together. I didn’t want a sister. Never have. Never will.” She sneers at Sally. “I only wanted her to be quiet. To listen to me, but she wouldn’t. She just kept talking. I had to stop her from talking.” Bethany’s voice hitches and more tears spill from her eyes.
I want to reach out to comfort her and to try and take the gun from her, but I’m a little more than afraid of what she’ll do. “Did you try and run me over and shoot the Mayor?”
Bethany sniffles. “You were snooping around. Making a list of suspects. Mom was getting worried so I thought if you saw Dr. Gregory’s SUV, you would suspect him. I only wanted to scare you.” She pauses and almost looks guilty for trying to run me over then turns to the Mayor. “This is all his fault. If it weren’t for him, my mother would still be alive and so would April.”
I frown. “So, you stole his SUV? Or I guess Dr. Gregory’s SUV?”
Bethany nods again. “His SUV was parked behind the church at April’s funeral. Keys were in the ignition. I took it, tried to scare you then did a loop around the park and parked it back where it was. No one saw me. The Mayor was still in the town hall eating lunch.” She pauses again and tightens her grip on the gun. “He parked in the same spot when he went to visit April’s grave. I took it, shot at him then when Travis was chasing me, I parked it in my garage. No one suspected me until you decided to play detective.” She turns the gun on me. “I could have gotten away with everything. If only you would have kept your nose out of it. I’ll be sure to comfort Josh for you.”
An image of Bethany comforting Josh at my funeral flashes through my mind. My stomach turns as Bethany cocks the gun. “I’m sorry, Autumn. I really liked you.”
My heart pounds in my chest. I know I only have a few seconds before I’m dead. Everyone in the room is frozen then the next thing I know Bethany is on the floor. Travis is knocking her to the ground and reading her the Miranda rights. Josh rushes in and takes me into his arms. I don’t realize I’m shaking until he wraps his jacket around me and holds me to his chest. I breathe in his mint and tea tree scent. This time it does calm me as I watch everything go on around me.