The Lady Has a Past (Burning Cove #5) - Amanda Quick Page 0,40

mob connections.”

“He does.”

“But it’s possible whoever took her doesn’t know that.”

“It’s also possible ransom is not the goal here,” Simon said. He tossed the shard of glass into the trash basket. “This could be about something else besides money. Let’s get out of here.”

He turned off the lights and went through the doorway into the main room. Lyra followed.

He walked around the bed and cracked open the door. There was no one in the hallway.

“All clear,” he said quietly.

He heard the dressing table drawer open. He quickly closed the door and turned around in time to see Lyra reach into the drawer and remove a piece of paper.

“What did you find?” he asked.

“It’s a list of spa appointments for yesterday afternoon, the day that Miss Granville checked in to the resort. A massage, a facial, and the steam room.”

“Assuming Raina was using the name Granville, why would she waste time in the spa? She came here to meet someone.”

“She may have decided she had to book a few appointments in order to keep her cover story intact,” Lyra said. “A woman who checked into an expensive resort that specializes in exotic beauty therapies and didn’t take advantage of the facilities would cause people to ask questions.”

“Maybe.”

Lyra glanced at the schedule. “This is interesting. Next to the words Violet Herbal Facial there’s a note: Request Miss Frampton.”

“Does it look like Raina’s handwriting?”

“No. It’s in the same hand as the list of treatments. Whoever prepared this schedule wrote the note. It’s obviously the name of a specific treatment lady.”

Simon considered that for about half a second. “I wonder if Frampton was the person Raina came here to meet.”

Lyra looked skeptical. “I doubt it. I think it’s more likely she’s a spa employee. We’re jumping to a lot of conclusions here, aren’t we? We still don’t know if Raina was the guest in this room.”

“There is another possibility,” Simon said. “Maybe Raina’s acquaintance was the single woman who was booked into this room.”

“We need more information. I think I should book a spa day tomorrow and try to get some answers about Frampton.”

Simon hesitated. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It fits perfectly with our cover. I’ll be fine. The spa is bound to be a busy place. There will be lots of people around. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Well—”

“We both know we’ve got to figure out fast if someone named Frampton is involved in this thing. Gossip flows like a river in a spa or a salon. I’m in the best position to see if I can figure out who Frampton is.”

“Because everyone talks to you?”

“Sooner or later. Usually sooner.”

Chapter 18

Welcome to Guppy’s House of Beauty, Mrs. Cage. I’m Madam Guppy. I will be doing the initial evaluation of your beauty needs and recommending the treatments and therapies that will be most beneficial for you. Here at Guppy’s House of Beauty we take a scientific approach to matters of skin care, diet, and exercise.”

“I’m aware of your reputation, Madam Guppy,” Lyra said. “You are a legend in the beauty business, as I’m sure you’re well aware. When my husband asked where I wanted to go on our honeymoon I thought of the Labyrinth Springs Hotel and Spa immediately. He would have preferred Hawaii, but I was quite firm. Besides, I went to Hawaii last year on holiday.”

“I see,” Madam Guppy said. “May I ask what sort of work your husband does?”

Her full name was Edith Guppy. She was in her very late thirties or early forties, a sophisticated woman who had been blessed with a classic profile, an elegant figure, and a French accent. The owner of Guppy’s House of Beauty must have been truly stunning in her younger days, Lyra thought, and she was certainly aging well. Guppy was a walking testimonial to the treatments, therapies, and products she sold.

She was dressed in a stylish, crisply tailored suit the exact shade of deep violet that was the signature of her famous brand. The snug-fitting jacket had wide, sharply defined lapels, and the narrow skirt fell to precisely the right place on her calf. Her stacked-heel shoes were the same color as her suit.

There was a great deal of violet everywhere in the salon and spa. The front desk staff and the treatment ladies wore violet-colored uniforms. The walls and the upholstery of the furniture were the same shade.

The dramatic color was everywhere in Guppy’s office, as well, Lyra noted. That was where she was now. The front desk