It made sense, but Mattie predicted that Anya would be devastated.
“I’ll do it,” Stella said, looking at Mattie. “Be sure to observe how they react.”
“We also need to get a complete list of Adrienne’s current massage therapy clients,” Mattie said.
“Okay, let’s head out to the hot springs now,” Stella said, putting down her marking pen. “We have a good investigation started here. Nice job on the lead work. Let’s all meet back here tomorrow at eleven so I can brief you on the autopsy. And I do not want to include Brody in that meeting, Sheriff, no matter what you find in his report. I’ll talk to him separately to brief him on what he needs to know, and then we’ll decide his level of participation.”
The flinty look in Stella’s gaze told Mattie that the detective meant what she said, and there would be no negotiation.
Chapter 14
Mattie drove and Stella rode shotgun on the trip to Valley Vista hot springs. Once they were on the way, Stella leaned back in her seat, and Mattie could feel the detective studying her.
“What?” Mattie asked, giving her a sideways glance while keeping an eye on the road.
Stella gave her a knowing smile. “So you spent the night all alone with the handsome vet.”
Mattie snorted, shaking her head. “Not alone exactly. We had a corpse with us.”
“Well, I guess there was that.”
“Yes, there was that. He patched Robo up, and we stayed up all night guarding the gravesite. Strictly business.”
“Hmm. I see.” Stella looked out her window, pursing her lips.
Mattie let the silence lengthen. After reaching the turnoff, she turned onto the gravel road that led to the hot springs. It ran straight up into the foothills like a flat, gray ribbon. The health resort sat one-third of the way up the mountain, surrounded by a cluster of white yurts. Both she and Stella had been to it once before, when they were investigating Grace’s murder.
She parked beside the bathhouse that had been under construction when she’d first visited, noticing that it now appeared to be finished. They left the vehicle and followed the pathway that led to the office. The flaps at the entryway, which had been open last summer, were now closed tightly against the autumn chill. Mattie couldn’t imagine going through a Timber Creek winter with canvas walls. Standing outside the secured doorway, she gave Stella a questioning look, which the detective answered with a shrug. Mattie rapped lightly on one of the yurt’s wooden supports.
Anya Yamamoto opened the flap and gestured for them to come inside. Dean Hornsby sat at his desk, working on his computer, its light reflecting off the lenses of his glasses. He stood, slightly stooped, a look of surprise crossing his face. On the other hand, Anya’s emotions remained hidden behind her typical, inscrutable expression.
“Detective, Miss Cobb,” Hornsby said, looking at each of them in turn, “to what do we owe the pleasure?”
It irritated Mattie that Hornsby refused to address her by her title. She’d corrected him before, but this time she let it go.
“It’s about Adrienne,” Anya said, her dark eyes riveted on Mattie.
Mattie nodded, meeting her gaze.
“We’re here in an official capacity,” Stella said. “I regret to have to tell you this, but Adrienne Howard has been found dead.”
Pain registered on Anya’s face before she turned it downward to stare at her clasped hands.
Hornsby looked stunned. “That can’t be.”
“I’m sorry,” Stella said. She waited a few beats while Hornsby looked helplessly about the room.
Anya raised her eyes to look at Stella. “What happened to her?”
“Her death is under investigation as a homicide,” Stella said.
Anya’s lips parted as her breath caught. “Someone killed her?”
“Yes.”
“Where did you find her?” Anya asked.
“In the mountains. We’re not releasing the exact location,” Stella said. “I understand you reported Adrienne missing on Thursday. Do either of you have a theory as to where she might have gone when she left here?”
“I have no idea,” Hornsby said.
“I thought she went hiking, but I didn’t know where,” Anya said, her face starting to show the strain of trying to control her emotions. A tear slipped down her cheek, and she swiped it with a finger. “She goes hiking alone quite often.”
“Do you know of anyone who might do Adrienne harm?” Stella asked.
Both denied that kind of knowledge.
“That’s an important question, and I want you both to take your time thinking about it. You can call me if you come up with ideas,” Stella said. “Right now, we need to take a look at Adrienne’s employment records, her living quarters, and where she works.”
“I can’t show you employment records,” Hornsby said.
Stella took out the warrant she carried in her case. “Yes, you can, Mr. Hornsby. This is a homicide investigation, and I can show you our search warrant.”
He shook his head. “I mean, I don’t keep employment records.”
“A résumé? An application form?”
Hornsby shrugged, casting a sidelong glance at Anya. “We don’t bother with those things. It’s hard to attract good therapists to Timber Creek. If one can show her credentials, and if Anya observes a good aura, we hire. Such was the case with Adrienne.”
Stella raised a brow. “I see. That’s uh . . . rather unorthodox. Do you have any knowledge of Adrienne’s past work history or where she lived?”
“She came from Willow Springs,” Anya said.
“When did she move here?”
“The end of April, soon after the rest of us.”
“Where did she work in Willow Springs?” Mattie asked.
“She worked for a chiropractor.” Anya paused to think. “I don’t recall her ever mentioning his name.”
“Do you know where she worked and lived before Willow Springs?” Mattie asked.
“No, Adrienne didn’t like to talk about her past.”
Mattie found it hard to believe how little Adrienne’s employer and friend seemed to know about her, but then Brody was no better.
“Could you show us Adrienne’s living quarters, Ms. Yamamoto?” Stella asked.
“We share a yurt. You’re welcome to search the entire room,” Anya said, turning to get her coat.
Stella handed a business card to Hornsby. “I’ll probably call you again, Mr. Hornsby. But in the meantime, if you think of anything that might help our investigation, please call.”
Hornsby nodded, taking the card and looking at it.
Mattie and Stella followed Anya down a pathway between the white canvas buildings. Mattie had seen Anya’s treatment area and a guest yurt during her last visit to the spa. They were utilitarian structures, sparsely furnished, and she thought it more likely that leads would be found in the victim’s sleeping space rather than her work space.
Anya remained silent while their footsteps crunched along the gravel pathway.
Stella quickened her step to walk beside Anya while Mattie followed. “Were you and Ms. Howard close?”
Anya hunched forward, hands in her coat pockets. “I would say yes.”
“Do you know anything about her love life?”
Anya glanced at the detective before continuing to walk with downcast head. “Adrienne was a woman in love who loved her career. She didn’t have any enemies that I know of. She had a kind and gentle soul.”
“In love with . . . ?”
“Deputy Brody of course. I think you already know that.”