Healthy Homicide
C. L. Kraemer
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Book Heat Level: 1
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As she turned her phone on,
it immediately began to ring. Alexa sighed, checked the time-11:30-and
answered. Not soon enough her time would be her own.
"Alexa Bond."
"Ms. Bond? Are you
still on the property? This is Cyndi Palmer, and I really need to speak with
you. Can you spare a moment? I promise it won’t take long."
Something about the note of
desperation in Cyndi’s voice touched Alexa.
"Okay, but I’ve got a
noon meeting with the mayor pro tem, and I can’t miss it."
She turned and walked back
into the spa’s lobby. A piercing scream rent the air. Alexa’s skin prickled in
goose bumps. She stepped aside of the uniformed employees running in the
direction of the Vitamin Verandah. Spotting Cyndi Palmer, her normally tanned
face ashen, Alexa raised an eyebrow. Behind Cyndi was the spa’s assistant
manager, Marilyn, who strolled to Alexa’s side.
"I’ll bet it’s just
Vonnie Spencer trying to get her session for free. That woman is a menace.
She’s badmouthed and scared every employee here except the head masseuse. He’s
so stoic even she can’t ruffle his feathers. Why don’t you wait here? I’m sure
this will take only a moment." Marilyn winked, her bright, green eyes
twinkling as she strolled in the direction of the current crisis.
Alexa watched as Cyndi
dashed past Marilyn nearly knocking her over in the process and instructed the
receptionist to call 911. She picked the microphone up and flipped the switch.
"Ladies. I’m sorry but
we’ve had an emergency arise. I’d like to ask all of you to please dress and
come to the lobby. I’ll explain in more detail when everyone is out front. Your
appointments today are courtesy of the spa. Thank you." Returning the
microphone to the desktop, head in hands, Cyndi faced the wall mural located
behind the reception desk of a serene Tahitian beach.
Alexa moved to her side.
"Cyndi? Is there anything I can do to help?"
Sighing deeply, the tall,
elegantly muscled, tanned spa manager offered a lopsided smile.
"No, Ms. Bond. I’m
afraid you’re going to miss your meeting. When my appointment secretary went to
notify Ms. Spencer it was time for her Swedish sauna, well, she, she found
her…dead."
Alexa felt the blood drain
from her face. "Dead? Are you sure?" She shook her head. "I’m
sorry. That was a stupid question. Why is it necessary for me to stay?"
Cyndi pulled in a deep,
centering breath.
"I’m sure the police
are going to want to know who was where and what they were doing for the last
hour. At least that’s the way they do it on TV. Ms. Spencer had an appointment
for Vitamin Invigoration about the time you were set up for your massage.
"I requested you come
back because I wanted to ask you about an item that is going to be put before a
city council vote, but I think my hands are going to be full for a while.
"I’m so sorry. I think
this is the one time I’ll allow everyone to use their cellphones inside. Have a
seat. It looks as though it’s going to be a long afternoon."
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