Facials & Fugitives (A Cozy Spa Mystery Book 4) Page 5

I roll my eyes. “Before Hailey goes in, it's working, the moment she goes in it isn’t, and as soon as Hailey's done it’s fine. Tell me that isn’t suspicious.”

  He wipes a hand down his face. “It’s strange, but stuff like that happens.”

  “How often?”

  “Well, it’s never happened before.”

  I smile. Checkmate. “Have you researched anything about Hailey Marshall?”

  Travis gives me an irritated look. “Of course, I have. She owns a mystical shop in Florida.”

  “A mystical shop?”

  He nods. “Hailey sells candles, incense, books, knick-knacks, that sort of stuff.”

  “Oh, so you mean witchy stuff?”

  He scoffs. “Not everything is supernatural or paranormal or whatever it is you like to call it.”

  “But Hailey is. She’s a witch, and I’m going to prove it.”

  “Oh, yeah. How?”

  I bite my lip and contemplate how exactly I'm going to prove it.

  “Autumn, I know Halloween is four days away and your enthusiasm for the holiday is contagious, but don’t let your imagination get the best of you. Trying to prove Hailey is a witch or that she’s casting spells on equipment or Josh, it'll make you look foolish. Please let this go.” He squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll check into her more and see if she has any connection besides Maggie to the victim. Maybe she's involved somehow, but I want you to promise me to stay out of this. Stay here. Focus on Josh. He needs you right now.” Travis leans in and kisses my forehead. “I’ll be back in a little while.”

  I watch him leave. My forehead's tingling from his kiss. Will he always affect me? I shake it off and turn back to Josh. His eyes are still closed, and he’s breathing deeply. I pull up a chair, never letting go of his hand and am about to sit down when I hear a familiar voice in the hall.

  Hailey.

  10

  “I’m looking for Josh Parker’s room.”

  I stiffen and tighten my grip on Josh’s hand.

  Moments later, Hailey comes waltzing in the room with her long flowing dark hair and bohemian style multicolored skirt and a fitted black top. Her bracelets jingling as she approaches Josh. “What happened?”

  I glare at her. “You tell me.”

  Her eyes grow wide, and she dares to appear surprised. “I-I heard there was an accident.”

  “You heard. You weren’t there.”

  She shakes her head. “Josh dropped me off at a whimsical little shop and went to pick up our food. When he didn’t come back, I walked to the diner, and the owner told me what happened. I guess he had just picked up the food when he got hit.”

  I narrow my eyes at her, trying to determine if she’s lying to me. “Why are you here?”

  “I came to check on Josh. I didn’t realize he was in intensive care. They told me his WIFE was with him.” She gives me a pointed glare.

  I ignore her comment and ask again, “Why are you here?”

  She cocks her head. “I told you. I came to see Josh.”

  “No. Why are you in this town? Why did you bring Josh here? He never leaves Daysville. Never had the desire to leave.”

  Hailey snorts. “That’s the problem. The man is attached to that town. He needs to see the world. To see there is more than just you.”

  “And you plan to show him that?”

  A sly smile plays on her lips. “Why, yes. That’s the plan.”

  “Why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why Josh?”

  She shrugs.

  “You put a spell on him, didn’t you?”

  Hailey takes Josh’s other hand in hers and traces a finger along his palm, muttering something under her breath. Then she places his hand back down and says, “He should wake up soon. I’m going to get something to eat from the cafeteria.”

  Before she leaves, I ask, “Did you have anything to do with this or Roger’s murder?”

  She pauses at the door, tapping a white painted nail on the frame. “Things aren’t as they seem.”

  A chill fills the room, and I shiver. What’s with the cryptic "things aren’t as they seem?" Should I be looking at someone else responsible for Roger's murder? If Maggie didn’t kill Roger, was it Hailey? The mystery person driving the van that hit Josh? Maybe it was Gil? Why was he in the spa yesterday? He’s never come into the spa. Ever. I’m pretty sure he steers clear of me. Why? That’s a mystery too. I sigh.

  “Autumn.”

  I gasp. “Josh!” I pop up from my chair and kiss his cheek. “You’re awake. How are you feeling?”

  He gives me a half smile. “Like I got hit by a car.”

  I smack his arm and quickly apologize and rub the spot when he flinches.

  “I can’t remember the last time you gave me a massage.”

  I open my mouth to give him the date, but I can’t remember either. We used to trade all the time, but lately, we’ve been off. Each of us tiptoeing around the other. Him giving me space so I can figure out what I want and me giving him space, for no reason at all besides me being a big ole chicken. “Well, as soon as the doctor clears you, you’re getting on my table.”

  He smiles then closes his eyes. “Guess I better get hit by a car more often.”

  I squeeze his hand. “Don’t say that. I’m never letting you out of my sight again. Why did you come here? You never leave Daysville.”

  Josh frowns. “I’m not in Daysville?”

  “No. You came to Brachsville with Hailey.”

  “Who’s Hailey?”

  “Your wife.” Hailey steps into the room and holds up her left hand where a gold band glistens underneath the light.

  Josh’s eyes grow wide, and he glances down at his left hand, which is in a cast so he can't see the bottom half of his fingers.

  Hailey holds up a larger gold band. “The nurse says they took it off when they put your arm in a cast.”

  I blink. My mind is having trouble processing this. “Wh-when did this happen?”

  “We flew to Vegas late last night. We were going to take a few days for a honeymoon. That’s why we came to Brachsville. Don’t you remember, sweetie?”

  I cringe at the pet name. Josh hates them.

  Josh glances at me, and at our intertwined hands then moves his hand away. “I-I don’t remember." He frowns and turns to me. "You weren’t there, Autumn?”

  My hand feels cold without Josh’s warmth. I pull it back and cross my arms. “I wasn’t invited.”

  He turns to Hailey and says, “I wouldn’t get married without Autumn being there. She would be my best ma-woman.” The monitor next to Josh starts beeping, indicating his heart rate’s going up.

  Hailey is at his side in an instant. “Shh.” She places a finger to his lips and instantly Josh’s heart rate goes down. “Rest, sweetie.”

  His eyes close slowly, and his breathing eases.

  I narrow my eyes at her. “Did you just put another spell on him?" When Hailey doesn't answer, I continue, "Josh would never marry someone he barely knows. Someone he doesn't love. There's no way Josh would fly to Vegas to get married. He hates Vegas. Went for a bachelor party one year and vowed never to return."

  Hailey straightens and smiles. “When you know. You know.”

  I bristle. “There's no way Josh would marry you. Just two days ago we were…” What were we? We're friends. Best Friends. Maybe something more? Did Josh even love me anymore? The questions begin to plague me.

  “I cleared everything up with the nurses and let them know you are his best friend and wanted to know how he was doing. Now, that I’m here, you can leave.”

  “I’m not leaving.”

  Hailey smiles.

  “Yes, you are,” Nurse Betty growls from the doorway.

  11

  “I can’t believe they got married.” I shake the proof in my hand.

  “I’m sorry, Autumn.” Travis casts me a glance then returns his eyes to the road.

  Tears pool in my eyes as I stare down at the copy of Josh a
nd Hailey’s marriage license. Travis was able to obtain a copy from the Elvis Chapel in Vegas. My stomach rolls and I swallow down the bile forming in my throat. I crumple it up and throw it on the floorboard. “I can’t believe she kicked me out of his room and then turned the nurses against me so I couldn’t even see him. He’s going to wake up and think I abandoned him.” I rest my head on the back of the seat and close my eyes. “He doesn't even remember her or them getting married. They can get an annulment, can't they?” I glance over at Travis.

  His sunglasses shield his eyes, so I can't read them. The sun came out in time to give us a beautiful sunset for the drive back to Daysville. “I don’t know, Autumn. Josh will have to consult a lawyer, and you know how Josh feels about divorce.”

  I groan. Josh has always wanted a marriage like his parents. They fell in love in grade school, well his father did, it took his mother a little bit longer to realize her feeling. They got married and had Josh. It’s a sweet love story, and Josh has always wanted the same thing. He doesn’t believe in divorce, but this is different. This marriage is voodoo or some crazy love spell. There’s no way he would marry someone he barely knows.

  “I checked out Hailey again. She’s clean. Almost too clean. She doesn't even have a speeding ticket. There’s also nothing to tie her to the victim besides Maggie.”

  “What’s her financial status?”

  Travis frowns. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, did you check out her financial records.”

  “Yes.”

  “And was there anything suspicious?”

  “Why are you asking?”

  I bite my lip because I know Josh doesn’t want people to know about his financial wealth, but this is a matter of life or death. Well, maybe not, but it’s significant. “Josh is rich.”

  Travis huffs out a laugh. “I know the spa pays well, Autumn, but rich? Really? That’s a stretch.”

  I shake my head. “Harold taught Josh some things about the stock market. He’s invested well, and he's quite wealthy.”

  Travis’s face turns stoic. “How rich?”

  “Like he could buy a small island and live there for the rest of his life in a nice home with a staff on hand to cook and clean and garden for him.”

  Travis’s grip tightens on the steering wheel and his jaw clenches. “Are you sure?”

  I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. “Of course, I’m sure. Josh told me.”

  “Really?”

  “Well, not so much told me as I was searching for my Christmas present and found his bank statements.”

  Travis smirks. “You and your Christmas presents. Do you still hate being surprised?”

  “Surprises are the worst.” I make a face I hope resembles disgust.

  He laughs then shakes his head and mutters, “So, Josh is rich. Who knew?”

  I grab his arm. “Don’t tell anyone. You have to promise me. He doesn’t want anyone to know, and he certainly wouldn’t want anyone to treat him differently. Money changes people, you know?”

  Travis nods. “So, you think Hailey found one of Josh’s bank statements and convinced Josh to fly to Vegas to get married so she can get access to his accounts?”

  “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  “And you think she put a 'spell' or something on Josh because there's no way he would ever agree to this?”

  “You know Josh. He doesn’t jump into things. It took him three weeks to decide on a new refrigerator. Do you think he would make a decision as big as marriage in one night?”

  Travis sighs. “No, but how do we prove it?”

  I throw my hands up in the air. “I have no idea.”

  Travis’s phone rings and the station's name pops up on the screen. He answers and mutters something then hangs up.

  “Everything OK?”

  “No, Maggie’s gone.”

  I sit up straight in my seat. “What?”

  He nods. “The cell was locked, and there’s no indication of how she escaped.”

  “Hailey,” I spat.

  “Autumn, Hailey’s in Brachsville with Josh. There’s no way she could break her sister out of jail.”

  “Maybe not physically, but…”

  Travis rolls his eyes. “Hailey isn’t a witch, and even if she were, no magical spell could break Maggie out of jail without someone seeing her.”

  I mull over his words. “What if Hailey had help?”

  “From who? We’re talking about someone walking into a police station and breaking out a prisoner. The place is crawling with cops. It’s impossible.”

  “Not for someone who is a witch or in cahoots with a witch. Have you ever heard of an invisibility spell?”

  Travis begins to laugh, which turns into full hysterics.

  My face flushes and I clench my fists. “It’s not funny.”

  He continues to crack-up.

  I’m on the verge of slapping him when he finally pulls himself together.

  “Thank you, Autumn.”

  “For what?”

  “For making me laugh. I needed it. With everything going on this year, I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.”

  Part of me wants to be mad at him, but the other part is glad I could give him a good laugh even though I’m completely serious. It may sound delusional to most people, but I believe in the paranormal. Laura showed me that just a few months ago. Ghosts exist, why can’t witches, who can cast spells and make people invisible? “I’m sorry.”

  Travis coughs and lifts an eyebrow. “For what?”

  “For all the stress you’ve been under this past year. I know it hasn't been easy. Our town used to be the safest town in Missouri. There was never any murder and crimes were minimal. Now, people are scared to go out at night. There’s even talk about not having Halloween on Thursday for fear of someone getting murdered. Children used to run the streets without a care in the world. Now, their mothers hover over them like helicopters. It’s sad.”

  Travis reaches over the console and squeezes my hand. “We’ll make Daysville safe again.”

  I stare down at our hands, remembering how we used to hold hands in high school while we cruised through town. Everything has changed so much since then. Life is different now. We’re different now. Josh is married to a woman he barely knows. A woman who wouldn’t even be in our lives if I hadn’t hired her sister at my mother’s insistence. I wouldn’t have had to hire Maggie if Bethany hadn’t killed her mother, Vicky. If Vicky hadn't kept secrets and killed April, none of this would be happening. All of this started with the spa. It’s the source of almost everything that’s happened over the year.

  Is the spa cursed?

  12

  It's Monday morning, and it's just after seven. My head still hurts, but not as bad. The bruise is already starting to fade with the use of my favorite miracle cream, arnica. I slip on my black scrubs, grab some chamomile tea and a slice of peanut butter toast then walk to work since I'm without my Jeep.

  The morning is overcast and cold, which fits my mood perfectly. I walk briskly to the spa to keep warm. It was not a day to skip wearing a coat. When I reach the spa, I head to the back office and plop down at the desk to figure out how to manage the day.

  Most of Josh’s clients texted me last night after the Daysville rumor mill informed them of his accident. They all want to get on my schedule, so I have to do some juggling to make it work.

  Thankfully, word hasn’t gotten out about Josh and Hailey's marriage, but I know it’s only a matter of time.

  My phone beeps, signaling a text. It's my dad. He's checking to make sure I made it into work.

  He was stunned by the news of Josh’s marriage, and my mother must have been eavesdropping because I could hear her sobbing in the background.

  We discussed Josh’s situation in great detail last night and talked about any possible loopholes. Sadly, there weren't many, if any, since Josh signed the marriage license. My dad assured me he would help Josh if he wanted it.<
br />
  Then he surprised me with something completely unexpected.

  A new Jeep.

  I guess he talked with Martin, the owner of Daysville Dealership and bought me a new one. I was planning to call the insurance company this morning, but it seems my dad already handled it. He assured me I would have keys in my hand and a new Jeep in the spa parking lot by closing time. With all the murders in town, he didn’t want me walking around by myself. Something I was kind of worried about too, especially since Josh probably won’t be around to walk with me.

  I text him back a smiley face and a thumbs up then drum my fingers on top the desk and stare at the computer screen.

  The account numbers are off, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why. Sally called and left a message for me to check them because they seemed off to her too. Why didn’t I catch this sooner? I need to quit letting other things occupy my mind and focus on the one thing I’ve always been sure of, the spa.

  Someone pounds on the back door, making me jump. Who could be here this early in the morning? I know it’s not Josh. He’s still in the hospital. His mother called me late last night after she had a chance to talk to him on the phone. She’s as upset about his marriage as my mother. They were hoping he and I would get married and we all could become a family. There was even talk about the name of their first grandbaby. A tear drops from my eye, and I swipe it away.

  The knocking continues, and I rush to the door, pushing away all thoughts of Josh. I wish there were a peephole so I could see who it is. I say a quick prayer for protection and push open the door.

  A hand covers my mouth and pushes me inside. I bite down as hard as I can, and the person drops their hand and yelps.

  “Sheesh, Autumn. Why’d you do that?”

  “Gil?” I step back and cross my arms. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you. Why’d you bite me?”

  “I thought you were going to kidnap me. Why’d you put your hand over my mouth?”

  “I didn’t want you to yell at me and slam the door in my face.”

  I raise an eyebrow at him. “Why are you here?”