Pampered to Death: A Deadly Calm Day Spa Mystery Read Online Free Page B

to the left. You’ll need to walk. We don’t allow cars past this point. It’s just over the hill. And don’t forget to come back on the weekend; we’ve got some great produce.”
    “Right, thanks,” Andrea said.
    The girls looked at one another and started on the footpath. Dirt and a line of pressed down grass led them to a trail.  
    “Oh, gross,” Jocelyn called out. “Watch out for the-”
    Andrea’s shoe went splat, right into the pile. “Oh yuck!”
    “Too late, sorry, I was trying to warn you. That’s disgusting,” Jocelyn whined as she wiped her shoe on the grass, trying to get as much of the gook off as possible. This was not in the plans, traipsing along a dirt path, the odd cow patty in the way and… “Oh, look how cute. There’s a bunch of chickens and turkeys.”
    One of the turkeys squawked loudly. His beady little eyes focused in on the women. He scuffed a foot back, like a bull ready to charge. With a sprint and burst of energy, the turkey came straight at them.
    “Run!”
    “Ahh! Go, go, go, the turkey’s getting closer.” The adrenaline flooded Andrea’s body as she tried to pick up her pace.
    “Don’t look back, you’ll slow down! Save yourself,” Jocelyn screamed as she bolted.
    “Running isn’t my strong suit. He’s going to get me. I didn’t think I’d die this way, being hen pecked.” Laughing only made running harder. Andrea started cracking up. Breathless, she grabbed her side as the stitch set in.
    “Keep moving! There it is! I see it!” Jocelyn grabbed Andrea’s hand to help. “Come on, one last push and we’ll be there.”
    That’s when they realized they’d have to stop and knock. Stop dead in their tracks. Jocelyn turned to look back as Andrea knocked.
    The chickens moved in closer, the turkey determined to get them. Just as the birds inched closer, they dispersed to eat the fresh grass by the shed. The girls looked at one another. Really? All of that? No climatic ending. They sighed just as the turkey changed his mind and charged them. A door opened as they screamed.
    “Fred, back off! Leave them alone,” the woman yelled.
    The girls were face to face with Cassie. She had a bohemian vibe, wearing metal, string, and leather bracelets around her wrist and up her arm. Her clothing dated her, like she’d been stuck in the seventies. 
    “What are you doing here?” Cassie side-eyed them suspiciously and added, “If I’d realized it was the two of you, I wouldn’t have called off the bird.”
    Andrea swallowed the urge to snap back at her. They’d never hit it off well. She forced herself to stay on course. “We’re here about your mother. We wanted to ask you some questions.”
    “My mother? What did she do now? Not that I care, to be honest. My parent’s lifestyle is a waste of time and money. What’s the matter, did my father come to his senses and finally bail on her?” Cassie groaned, hearing they’d traveled all this way to ask about her mother of all people. She never was on their radar, otherwise.
    Jocelyn looked at Andrea. Was it even possible? She cautiously guarded her response. “Have you talked to anybody from back home recently?”
    “Do I look like I have a phone at this place? I shun modern technology and choose to live off the land. You’re all wasting your brains, and think you’re so much better. I have only myself to answer to.” She was annoyed.
    Andrea softened her tone. They had to tell her. Her stomach twisted. They could cross Cassie off the suspect list, because she honestly had no idea that her mother was dead. “Cassie,” Andrea started. “I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you this. I thought you knew. Your mother died.”
    Cassie stared through them and then blinked. “What?”
    “She died recently. There were some odd circumstances that led the police to believe it wasn’t of natural causes.” She tried her best to be gentle with the news.
    Cassie let out a twisted, ragged laugh. “Figures somebody