The man glanced her way and then moved his computer mouse in a furtive way, closing down his screen.
“I’m Anya Yamamoto and this is Valley Vista’s owner, Dean Hornsby. We’re delighted you came to pay us a visit.”
Mattie shook hands with the woman. She looked to be thirtysomething and a little more than five feet tall. She had black hair in a straight bob, almond-shaped eyes, and flat cheekbones. She held her small mouth slightly pursed.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Mattie said. “Rainbow mentioned you to me, too.”
“I’m sorry we missed meeting you last night.”
Mattie dipped her chin in acknowledgement and turned to Dean Hornsby, offering a handshake. “Mr. Hornsby,” she said.
He arose to shake her hand. He stood slouched with rounded shoulders and a protruding belly, his body looking as soft as his handshake. He wore his brown hair in a bad comb-over, and he peered at her through Coke-bottle lenses. “Welcome, Ms. Cobb.”
“That’s Deputy Cobb, sir.” She wanted him to know this was more than a social call. “Rainbow told me about your spa, and I was hoping to take a look.”
Anya wore a white flowing garment that gave the appearance of being gauzy and cool. She reminded Mattie of a Bedouin, which suited the surrounding encampment. Hornsby had on khaki shorts and a tan shirt with a button-down collar, making him look like he was just about ready to go on safari. All he lacked was the hat.
Anya stepped toward her with a slight smile. “I’ll be glad to show you around. It will give us a chance to get to know one another better.”
Motioning toward his computer, Hornsby said, “I have some work to do, so I’ll leave you girls to it.”
“Mr. Hornsby, I want to speak with you, too,” Mattie said.
“Certainly.”
“Rainbow says you have big plans for out here.”
“Yes, we do. I’m sure Anya can explain everything to you while she gives you the tour.”
Mattie waved a hand toward the tent opening. “Place like this must cost a lot of money to set up.”
“I have the capital for it, but I’m not sure I understand why it’s any of your concern.”
“What brought you here to set up a business in such an isolated place?”
Hornsby looked impatient, making Mattie wonder why he felt so pressed to get back to his computer. “The hot springs. I wanted to set up a resort that was far from the crush of the city. So here we are.”
“Where are you from, Mr. Hornsby?”
“Phoenix.”
Mattie knew little about Phoenix except that Brody liked to go play golf there almost every time he took vacation. “What did you do there?”
Hornsby began to bluster, growing red in the face. “I need to get back to work. For some reason, I’m beginning to feel like this is an interrogation. What’s your concern?”
“My concern is stopping drug traffic in Timber Creek.” Mattie observed him to see his reaction.
Hornsby sputtered. “You can’t possibly think that we have anything to do with that.”
“Do you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then you won’t mind telling me how you got the capital to front this operation.”
Hornsby glared at her. “I’m a legitimate businessman. And I raise capital like any businessman does, through past earnings and investments.”
“From what source?”
“Technology and soft goods! Now, I must excuse myself and get back to work.”
“Just a few more questions, Mr. Hornsby. Do either of you know Grace Hartman?”
“She is the young girl who was killed,” Anya said. “No, I did not know her.”
“Mr. Hornsby?”
“No.”
“Do you know her parents?”
Both indicated they did not.
“How about Mike Chadron?” Mattie asked. “Do you know him?”
Anya shook her head. “I do not know this person either.”
“What is this all about?” Hornsby asked. “Why all these questions? Who is this Mike person?”
“Mike’s a local resident who was found dead last night.”
Anya frowned. “Also killed?”
“His death is under investigation.”
“It’s ridiculous for you to imply we might have something to do with these deaths,” Hornsby said.
“I implied nothing. I’m simply asking you if you knew these people.”
“No, I didn’t.” Hornsby gestured toward the door. “Now, I insist that you leave. I must get back to work, and I think you’ve wasted enough of my time.”
He sat down at his computer and put his hand on the mouse, making Mattie’s fingers itch to get at it herself.
Anya stepped forward. “You’re welcome to stay, and I’ll show you around. We have nothing to hide here.”
Hornsby’s reaction to her presence had been strange from the beginning, and she wondered why. She decided to see what she could discover through Anya. “Thanks, I’m still interested in a tour.”
Anya smiled. “Let’s go outside.”
Mattie turned to Hornsby. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Hornsby. If your business is legitimate, of course you’re welcome here.” If not, we’ll find out about it and shut you down. “I’m sorry if my questions disturbed you. I’m just doing my job.”
He gave her a brusque nod of dismissal.
She followed Anya out into the hot sunshine, Robo close at her side.
As they walked, Anya said, “Your suspicions are misdirected, Mattie. May I call you Mattie?”
“You may.”
“I expect that you are suspicious of almost everyone, and we are no exception. Is that true?”
“Part of being a law officer.”
Anya gave her an appraising look that made Mattie wonder if the woman could read her mind. Just before she got really uncomfortable, they reached the next yurt. Pulling aside the flap, Anya gestured with a delicate hand for her to step inside.
“This is where I work.”
The yurt was as large as the other. It was filled with the clean aroma of sage, and a padded massage table covered with lavender-colored sheets stood in the center. One of the walls was lined with floor cupboards containing Lord knows what. Two end tables, one holding a large bowl filled with black stones and the other a small CD player, sat against the opposite wall.
Anya flipped a thumb switch on a cord leading to the bowl filled with stones, turning it into a circling fountain accompanied by the soothing sound of bubbling water. “Has Rainbow told you about our health spa?”
“Not in detail.”
“We’ll be providing a variety of health services in conjunction with the healing qualities of the mineral hot springs. Several of our yurts are set up for guests. Though our bathhouse isn’t yet completed, we have already hosted a few guests.”
Drawn by the bubbling fountain, Mattie touched one of the black rocks; its surface felt smooth as glass. Robo raised his nose up to the table to take a drink. Mattie quickly stopped him. “No, Robo. I have water for you out in the car.”
Anya’s laughter sounded like a tinkling bell. “Let me get him some when we go outside.”
Remembering the tainted water in Robo’s water bowl in her backyard, Mattie said, “No, he’s fine, really. We won’t stay long, and I can take care of him.”
“He’s a beautiful dog. May I pet him?”
“Sure, just hold out your hand for him to sniff first.” As Anya complied, Mattie said, “Robo, meet Anya.”
He waved his tail while he was being petted, and Mattie noticed he seemed to have no concerns about the woman. She’d also noticed him sniffing around at the unusual scents the room contained, but so far, no alert.