Pampered to Death: A Deadly Calm Day Spa Mystery (3 page)

“I’m beat,” Andrea said pulling into the prestigious gated home of Brad and Jeanie Chadwick. She turned toward Cassie who was sitting in the back seat of her car. “Good luck.”

Cassie got out of the car after thanking the girls for their time. She hadn’t been home in a long time. She pointed to the two police cars that shared the driveway. “I guess Daddy forgot to mention we’d have company,” she said and then headed inside.

Jocelyn turned to Andrea. “They’re questioning him. Do you think they’ve got new evidence on him? I wonder if cops are swarming the spa again. Let’s go see if it’s clear to get in. We might find something that they overlooked.”

Andrea sighed. “You really want to go there now? You’re not itching to get home, maybe flop on the sofa with a pint of ice cream and some soothing music?”

“Are you kidding me, I could go all night. It’s like I’m energized! I mean, Cassie didn’t even know! I felt kind of bad about that, but why wouldn’t you tell your kid? It’s kind of an interesting turn of events, right?”

“Fine Columbo, let’s go check the spa.” She turned out of the long driveway and headed in the general direction of the spa.

“Columbo? Not Sherlock or Ms. Marple? What about somebody more current? I mean, hello, Columbo was eons ago – and might I point out, a man.”

“Fine, I’m a Monk fan. Or what about Nancy Drew? Wow, I can’t even remember those, it’s been so long since I read them.” Andrea rolled with the conversation. If she didn’t keep talking, she was going to wilt. It had been a long day, and it still wasn’t over.

The girls named a few others while driving over to the spa.

“Hey, why do you think the police are at the Chadwick house? Do you think they’re questioning Brad or asking for more details about her life? I wish I could remember more things that she’d said in the past, but everything sort of runs together when client after client checks out.”

“I did take note of what Cassie said,” Jocelyn said. “Something about an aunt that didn’t like her, I guess Jeanette’s sister-in-law. How do we find out about her? Is she a client? I have no idea what her name is. Add her to the list, but leave a note that we need her name still.”

“Sounds good,” she said as she pulled up to the spa. Andrea saw a frazzled Monica standing in front of the door. “What’s she doing here?”

“Let’s go find out.” The duo parked and walked over to their co-worker. “Hey Monica, what’s going on?”

“I think I lost my keys. I can’t find them. I’ve been digging through my purse, and my boyfriend said I didn’t leave them on the table. Stupid keys…” she mumbled.

“What are you here for? Did you need something? I’ve got my keys,” Andrea said.

She didn’t make eye contact. “It’s not important. I’ll just come another day.”

“We’re right here. I’ll open the door for you.” She knew that they were there to snoop, not that she wanted Monica to know, but what was Monica doing trying to get inside?

“I wanted to sneak in and not make a big ‘to do’ about it. I need to grab something out of my drawer. My spare cell phone is tucked under a few things.” She looked away sheepishly.

“Spare phone? Like one your boyfriend doesn’t know about?”  Jocelyn was all up in the gossip.

She shrugged and squeaked, “Sort of.”

“Come on, let’s go.” Andrea slid her key in the door. Opening the spa, she drew a deep breath. “Is this breaking and entering? We work here, but are we allowed to be here?”

“I’ll only be a minute,” Monica answered. “What are you guys doing here, anyway?”

Jocelyn’s palms were getting sweaty. She bit her lip and dug deep for a quick response. “I forgot something. Nothing important, but we were in the area, so we thought we’d quick run in and get it.”

Andrea added to the conversation to distract their co-worker. “Can I ask you something? This might sound odd, but I’ve been wondering, how come most of your clients are men? They’re always guys coming and going, but most of our spa guests are usually women. Is there something going on?”

Monica stiffened up. “What exactly are you insinuating? We’ve worked together for a long time. You know I’m not like that.”

“Right, I don’t mean anything by it. It’s more just curiosity.” Andrea looked to Jocelyn, begging for help.

Jocelyn joined in. “Yeah, I think it’s awesome, but how did you find so many male clients? I bet they’re better tippers.”

“Fine, I’ll tell you my secret. My father is a swimming coach and he sends his team in to get waxed. They like the full package and some places won’t do that. I’m discreet about it, the tips are good, and you have to promise not to say anything. If word gets out I do the full ‘kit and caboodle’ I might get in trouble. In New Jersey, certain areas are off limits to wax.” She looked down; regret already washing over her face. She shouldn’t have admitted to that. It could get her fired. Not like the spa would do much business after a client was murdered there. She’d just say the word, find a new place and the swimming team would follow her.

“Is there any truth to that, about swimmers and waxing, making them faster?” Andrea asked.

“My dad swears by it, and his team is always tops in competitions.” She didn’t have much more to say.  Monica reached into her drawer and dug through to find her phone. A loud groan rose up from her belly. “It’s gone. Do you think the police took it as evidence? I didn’t do anything. I’m not guilty. I just didn’t want my boyfriend to know I was flirting with one of the swimmers. I better get out of here. If I were you, I’d high tail it out of here as soon as you can. Who knows if anyone is watching this place,” she added for good measure.

Andrea’s eyes popped open wide. “I better sort through my stuff and make sure nothing was touched. Go on, we won’t be far behind you.”

That was the cue. Jocelyn waited for Monica to leave. She ran over and locked the door from the inside. This was their chance. It was now or never. If they were going to find any clues or information, they’d have to do it quickly and carefully.

Only Monica came back. Bang. Bang. Bang. She was knocking hard at the door.

Andrea sighed. She turned back to the door. “What is it?” she asked after opening the door.

“What’s going on?” She squinted and eyed Andrea suspiciously. She lifted onto her toes to look over Andrea’s shoulder. “And where is Jocelyn?”

Andrea was stuck for words. Monica waited, but when Andrea had nothing to say, Monica pushed past. “What are you guys up to?”

“Jocelyn,” Andrea called, looking to be saved from her momentary quiet spell.

“I think I found something-” Jocelyn stopped in her tracks on seeing Monica beside her friend.

“What exactly did you find?” Monica quizzed.

Andrea chimed in. “You might as well sit down. We need to talk.” They walked to the seating area of the waiting room and sat. She wasn’t sure where to start.

This was getting weird. Monica glared at Andrea. “What’s going on? Did you guys do something? Oh my gosh, did you… Right, I should be leaving. I didn’t see anything.”

“No, it’s not like that. We didn’t do it. We’re trying to find out who did. Some things aren’t adding up, and if this isn’t solved, the business may fold. The spa’s reputation is going to be in tatters. The only thing we know are the things we read in the police report and have heard. Let me ask you something, do you know anyone that wears clip-on earrings?” She hated to say it aloud.

“Clip-on’s? You don’t think…Carmen wouldn’t hurt a fly…well, I don’t think she would. Wow, do you think she killed Mrs. Chadwick?” Her mind was spinning, trying to put pieces of the puzzle together.

“No, I mean, I’m not sure. The thing is that it was found in the area where it happened. It could have fallen off at any time, not during
that
time, but if they struggled…I just don’t know.” Andrea said.

Jocelyn leaned against the arm of a chair. “I need this job, and if we don’t figure this out, the spa will end up folding. I can’t afford the lack of work this week as it is. Things will get ugly fast. We’re desperate to find answers, so the case can be closed and life can go back to what we know. It’s not like there are a ton of places around here to work at, and the ones that are have staffing. We’re all going to be in trouble.”

Monica closed her eyes. The only other person I know of that wears clip-on’s is that Olive lady. Maybe another client, but I’m pretty sure Mrs. Mackanack wears clip-ons. You know those big and gaudy fake looking jewels. Though, as much money as she’s into, they’re probably real.”

“Wait a minute,” Andrea said. “Now that you mention her, I know who you mean. Isn’t she somehow related to Jeanie. I remember a while back, we were setting up some appointments, and she made a snide comment to make sure her appointments didn’t intersect with Mrs. Chadwick’s appointments. She didn’t want to run into her. Let me think…yes, I think she’s something like her sister-in-law, or a cousin, or something through marriage. I forget. It’s been a while since we had the conversation, and she hasn’t been in lately. Maybe we need to go talk with her. ”

Jocelyn placed her hands on her hips, growing excited at the thought of another potential suspect. She leaned forward, her eyes bright. “There’s a possibility. I can’t imagine our Carmen doing something violent like this. Maybe that’s our answer!”

Monica looked away. Something was going on.

Andrea noticed the change in her body language. “Monica, what is it?”

She hesitated, and then sighed. “Fine, but you didn’t hear it from me. Last time Mrs. Chadwick was in, she made this snide comment to Carmen. Usually, she takes in in stride, only this time Carmen whispered under her breath about how much she hated the woman. She goes ‘one of these days I’m going to snap’ and then slid her finger over her throat, joking around. At least I took it as a joke.”

“Holy cow,” Jocelyn said. “That’s big, so she made a threat, even if it came off as a joke. Now, Mrs. Chadwick turns up dead. Did you tell that to the police?”

“Oh, gosh, no, she didn’t mean it. She was joking. If I said something like that, they’d take it seriously. She’s not like that. You know Carmen; she’s a sweetheart, not a killer. She made a silly face after she said it. She was letting out her frustration. I understood it was an expression.” Monica froze. What if it wasn’t a joke?

“I wonder what happened to your key,” Andrea mentioned. “Kind of weird that you’ve had it all this time and you lose it now? Where do you usually keep it?”

Monica shook her head. Somehow Andrea was back onto her key situation. “My key, I don’t know, I just toss it in my purse. It’s on its own key ring. Why does that matter?”

“What if somebody took it? When was the last time you used it? Do you remember the last time you saw it?” she quizzed.

“I usually don’t. You’re here before me and the door is unlocked. I haven’t locked up in ages.” Monica shrugged. She squinted and scrunched up her nose. “I probably saw it last week. I was switching wallets and purses. I got this great deal at the store and a cute matching set. So, I know it was there when I moved everything over.”

“And what have you done since that time? Did you go anywhere besides work or home?” Andrea was on a roll, hoping it might give them a possibility.

“Now that you mention it, I did go out to the bar with my boyfriend this week. But, that’s about all I did. He’d had a rough day, so we went up to Rosetti’s for a pitcher of beer and nachos. Otherwise, things have been pretty quiet.”

Jocelyn looked toward Andrea. They both knew where they’d be heading next. They wrapped up their conversation and left together. They were afraid to stay at the spa much longer, anyway. They could get in big trouble for being there.

Monica pulled out of the parking lot to head home. Andrea and Jocelyn needed to make a pit stop first, before heading home.

Rosetti’s was on the other side of town. Andrea closed her eyes and cautiously asked, “Do we really want to do this? Maybe we should go tomorrow. It’s been a long day.”

“We can wait another day, but the sooner we get there, the sooner somebody might remember if anything stood out to them,” Jocelyn said.

“You’re right,” she answered. “I’m going to sleep like the dead tonight; oh, no offense, Mrs. Chadwick.”

Pulling into the parking lot after driving across town, the girls started inside. Jocelyn saw a stray cat the owner seemed to have been feeding with a small bowl placed on the ground not far from the building. “Hey kitty,” she said and reached down to pat the cat. Jocelyn stiffened. She turned to Andrea. “It said ‘good luck’ but he doesn’t know anything.”

“That cat right there; it just spoke to you? It knows why we’re here?” Andrea shook her head, confused. “I thought you talked to them. It sounds like he’s the one doing the talking.”

“I don’t know how he read me that fast, or even how he knew to talk to me. And he says he’s not a stray, but he can’t go into his owner’s work because of health code standards, so he prowls around here until it’s time to go home.” Jocelyn couldn’t stop talking. The cat had a lot to say. “We better head inside.”

Andrea wrapped her hand around the door handle to pull, when she heard Jocelyn argue with the cat. “I did not think that…”

“Should I ask?” Andrea quizzed.

“No, just keep walking. He’s getting snippy with me.” Jocelyn hissed at the cat as if saying enough was enough.

That was just weird. Andrea hadn’t ever watched an interaction like that before. She knew of Jocelyn’s gift, or umm, talent, but she hadn’t seen it in action. The first time Jocelyn told her that she could speak to animals, she wasn’t sure what to say. It was different. Apparently the gift didn’t translate to people. She only talked to domesticated animals. Not chickens, not goats, not turkeys, but dogs and cats. Andrea wondered about horses, but didn’t bother asking. She opened the door and was greeted by loud music.

The women made their way to the bar and settled on two empty bar stools. They took in the scene and waited for the bartender to come over. This would be interesting. They’d never interrogated someone and interviewed them about a crime before. And this person wouldn’t have even been involved. It was a matter of casually asking about something that happened nights ago. Would they reveal any secrets, or look at the women like they had two heads and not a lot of brains going on.

The bartender made his way over. “What can I get you?”

Jocelyn smiled at the good looking man and smiled extra big. “Anything you’re offering and a Slow Gin Fizz.”

The bartender laughed. “I haven’t had an order for one of those in a long time.” He turned his attention toward Andrea and asked, “And for you?”

“The thing is…” she decided to wait. “I’ll take a diet soda please. Were you working this weekend?”

The bartender leaned in. “What?” The music was blaring loud enough to make some things easier to hear than others.

“Were you bartending this weekend? I wanted to ask you something,” she repeated.

“Oh, no, not me; she was.” He pointed to a woman carrying a tray to the bar. “We switch off schedules. Jenna was covering the bar over the weekend. I was working the floor.”

Andrea realized, she wasn’t sure if Monica was sitting at the bar drinking or in a booth. She might need to talk to both of them. She leaned in and spoke louder, to make sure he heard her. She had no idea the song was about to stop and a new one start. As she blurted out the words, ‘It’s about a dead woman,’ much of the crowd turned to look at her. She slapped her hand over her mouth, horrified everybody was staring. Thankfully, another song started and people went back to what they were doing.

“I don’t know anything about a dead woman,” the guy said, and went off to make their drinks.

“Way to go,” Jocelyn teased.

“I’m going to talk to blondie over there,” Andrea said pointing to Jenna. “You work the bartender over, and see if he knows more than he’s saying. Find out if he remembers seeing Monica here.”

“Will do,” she said with a mock salute to her friend.

Andrea slipped off of her chair and went beside the waitress that had filled in the slot of bartender over the weekend. “Excuse me,” she started.

“I’ll be with you in a minute, hon. Just let me know where you’re sitting, and I’ll come take your order,” she said, barely giving Andrea a glance.

“I need to talk to you,” Andrea started. “It’s not about food. A woman was killed, and I’m hoping you can help me with something.”

“I didn’t kill a woman, and I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, defensively. “And whatever Vinnie said, they’re all lies. I didn’t know the guy was married.”

Andrea closed her eyes. “I don’t know Vinnie, and I don’t care. Please, this has nothing to do with you. I’m hoping you might have seen my friend here. Can we talk?”

The woman eyed her up suspiciously. “Fine, but I don’t know anything about a dead woman.”

Andrea followed the waitress to a quieter area near the waitress station. “One of my friends and co-workers was here a couple days ago with her boyfriend. She has long black hair, real pretty girl, came in with her boyfriend. He shaves his head, is heavily tattooed, and speaks with an Irish accent.”

“Oh, sure, I know them. Monica and…” she tried to remember the guy’s name.

“Right, Nick. Anyway, it’s about Monica. When she was here, did you notice anything different going on?”

“Now that you mention it, yeah, I did. Weird, I didn’t think much of it once they left, but some lady seemed to be watching Monica more than usual. Some bohemian looking chick, bracelets up her arm… I only noticed because I commented on one of her bracelet’s to try to make her aware I was watching her. She wasn’t with anyone, and I hadn’t seen her before. Anyway, she left after Monica and Nick did. I haven’t seen her here since.”

“That’s exactly the kind of information I’m looking for,” Andrea said, thanking the woman. “There was a break in and well, someone died, and we’re trying to figure out who could have had access to the building other than the employees. Thank you so much, this is great. I’m sorry to have bothered you, but you may have given us a lead.”

“Great job, Scooby-Doo,” the woman winked. “Sorry that I was defensive earlier. I had a little run in of my own.”

“No worries,” she answered and followed the waitress back to the bar area.

Jocelyn was leaning into the bar, flirting with the bartender when Andrea returned.

“I think Cassie was here,” Andrea said.

Jocelyn snapped to attention. “Really? This is getting interesting.” She jotted her number on a napkin and told the bartender to call her sometime. The girls wrapped up and headed out.

The cat was waiting for her.

“Oh, thanks,” she said to the cat as they walked past.

“What did he say?” Andrea asked, wondering if she actually wanted to know.

Jocelyn grimaced. “He told me the bartender has a girlfriend and not to answer if he calls.”

“Wow, that cat is on the ball.”

“He’s a chatty cat, too.”