Murder of a Botoxed Blonde Read Online Free

probably retailed for five hundred a pop. Margot didn’t need Skye’s help; she could afford to hire the best private investigator in Chicago. “I’m a school psychologist, not a detective. You should be talking to the police.”
    “I have. They took my information, came out to the spa, and looked around. They said there wasn’t much they could do. They only have one or two officers on duty at any one time, and I need someone twenty-four/seven if I want to catch the vandal.”
    “Then you need to hire a security firm, not me.” Skye tried to avoid looking into the woman’s desperate eyes.
    “I did hire a firm. They’ve been on my payroll an entire month and haven’t caught anyone.” Margot pointed to the clippings in Skye’s hand. “All these stories are about you solving murders no one else could figure out.”
    “The newspaper overstated my contribution.” Skye flipped through the articles Margot had handed her, wishing she could convince Kathryn Steele, the owner of the
Scumble River Star
, to quit doing stories on her and go back to putting people who built houses from Popsicle sticks on the front page.
    “According to the latest piece, you signed on as a consultant for the local police.”
    “True,” Skye admitted. “But I only help as a psychological consultant, not as a detective.”
    “That’s what we need. Someone who can talk to people and figure out why they’re doing this to us,” Margot pleaded. “It’s nothing big, but it’s all extremely annoying. Outside, they’ve dug holes everywhere. We’ve had to replace so much sod I feel like we should buy it by the truck-load. Inside, they’ve ripped open the plaster. Tools and personal items have gone missing, doors are jammed, and at night we hear the most ungodly noises. I’m afraid if this continues once we have paying guests, the spa will fail.” Margot pulled a checkbook from her open purse. “Name your fee.”
    Skye shook her head. “I’m not a licensed private detective. I can’t accept money. Besides, I already have a job. I just don’t have time to investigate. You need someone who could move in and observe everyone around the clock.”
    “Please, just think about it.” Margot reached into her bag once more, this time producing a business card and brochure. “If we haven’t found the culprit in the next three weeks, please come for the ‘dry run’ opening. We’re offering the local women four nights at half price over the long Thanksgiving weekend, so it wouldn’t look odd that you were there. Of course, your stay and a friend’s wouldbe free of charge, with all the spa treatments and amenities included.”
    Skye thanked the woman, and said she’d consider it. She walked Margot Avanti to the front door and waved goodbye. As she made her way back to her cramped, hot office, Skye was tempted by the spa owner’s offer, then shook her head. Nothing was ever free.

CHAPTER 2

Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder
    “ Y ou what?” Trixie Frayne squealed, popping up from her chair and bouncing on her heels as if she were Tigger. She and Skye were in Skye’s office at the high school. “Are you out of your mind? Why would you turn down a free vacation at a spa?”
    Skye sat behind her desk with her feet propped on the open lower drawer, watching her friend. Trixie was the high school librarian. She also coached the cheerleading squad and cosponsored the school newspaper with Skye. Trixie’s energy level made a Chihuahua look sedate.
    “You can still call and change your mind, right?” Trixie gazed pleadingly at Skye.
    “Sure, unless they caught the vandal last night. But why should I?”
    “Because,” Trixie drawled the word, making it several syllables, “you and I could catch whoever’s messing around the first day, then we’d have the rest of the weekend to be pampered.”
    “What makes you think we could catch this trespasser so fast?”
    “Didn’t you see today’s
Star
?” Trixie demanded.
    “No.