Old News and Tea-Leaf Clues: A Fun Cozy Mystery (Olivia Twist Mystery Series Book 2) by Jorgensen Irene

Author:Jorgensen, Irene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Apatite Publishing
Published: 2022-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The next morning came too soon after a sleepless night thinking about Jake. Sometime around midnight, hope had flared that we’d end up married. Then I’d moved to despair, convinced that not even a room full of gamblers would pool their money to bet a nickel on Jake and me making it.

What if he recognized me when he came to fix the electronic chimes? And if he didn’t—should I reveal my identity? By morning, I still felt muddled and unclear.

Now fully dressed except for the sandals I held in one hand, I followed Annie and Mallory—who wore their spa robes. In bare feet, our toes splayed with pedicure sponges, we duck-walked down the plush carpeted hallway to the reception room of the Restore & Rejuvenate Spa. Soft, fluted music and the scent of sandalwood incense greeted us.

Rachel, the snarly receptionist, sat at the desk parked a few feet in front of a short flight of oak stairs. My pedicurist had confirmed Kendra Barnes’s office was on the second floor.

A phone buzzed. The receptionist picked up the receiver to answer it.

I sank onto a winter white couch by a large window with a view of the parking lot surrounded by lush gardens and trees.

“I don’t know about this.” Annie plunked down beside me. “Trevor told you to stop investigating.”

She said the sheriff’s name like it was a piece of exquisite dark chocolate. His presence might severely curtail my psychic activities if they ended up dating.

“No, he didn’t.” I removed my toe sponges. “He asked us if we were clear on what the prof wanted for the assignment. Besides, I’m sleuthing, not investigating.”

Mallory laughed. “Do you not fathom those two words mean the same thing?”

“Investigating is a legal term, and sleuthing isn’t. And I’m sleuthing. Are you sure Kendra is here today?”

“Not one hundred percent. She might’ve called in sick. Ooh, beauty confections on sale.” Mallory walked on her heels to a shelved wall full of products.

“She’ll never make it as a private investigator if she doesn’t learn to focus.” I tossed the toe sponges into my tote bag.

“I hope Trevor doesn’t get wind of this.” Annie poked at the magazines on the coffee table. “Have you figured out how to approach Kendra?”

“It depends.”

“On what?”

“Not now.” I thrust my chin toward the receptionist who approached us.

“Oh, dear,” Rachel said to me. “You should still be lounging in your robe for the full restorative experience.”

“It’s quite all right, love. The spirits keep me on a tight schedule.”

“Oh, of course, Madame Mystic. I hope you all enjoyed your pedicures.”

“Yes, indeed,” I said.

Annie kept silent.

Rachel reorganized magazines and fanned them across the table. “Would you like a cup of green tea?”

I glanced at my watch. “No, thanks.”

She smiled. “Just let me know if you need anything.”

“What a beautiful spa,” I said. “Do you own it?”

“I wish. Kendra Barnes owns it.”

I stood. “I’d love to give a proper thank you to Kendra for the experience. Is she here today?”

Rachel stared blankly at me for a beat before she glanced at the stairway behind her desk.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.