Chapter Twelve

When Kate arrived at the Hamilton Springs Hotel for the spa day she’d won at Jessica’s shower, a uniformed attendant ushered Kate to the dressing room and gave her a pale green gown, a fluffy white robe, and slippers. Soft music played in the background. Kate changed, leaving her clothes and purse in a locker. When she came out, another attendant stepped forward and led her down a hallway. Her feet sank into the plush carpet that muted all other sounds.

“Your friends are in here,” she said, opening a door to an elegantly decorated lounge. “May I get you some mineral water or juice to drink?”

“Water would be wonderful. Thank you.”

“Kate! I’m so glad you made it,” Jessica said, jumping up from an upholstered chair. She wore a robe just like Kate’s.

Monica looked displeased at Jessica’s enthusiastic response, as if she’d made a social gaffe, but luckily Jessica didn’t notice. Monica turned back to Renee, seated next to her, then took a sip from a china cup. Kristin was on the other side of Monica, listening to their conversation. Renee looked up and gave Kate a smug smile.

“Good morning, Kate. Nice you could join us,” Renee said, greeting her as if she was the hostess.

Interesting that Renee hadn’t mentioned she would be there, Kate thought. She wondered how Renee had finagled an invitation—and where she’d left Kisses.

“Hello, Kate. Looks like the party can start now,” Monica said in a dry tone, making Kate feel as if she’d held them up, though in truth she was five minutes earlier than the time she’d been told.

Jessica rolled her eyes at Monica’s comment, then smiled at Kate. “Come sit with me,” she said, waving her over to an empty chair beside her.

Just as she sat down, five attendants came into the room.

“Good morning, ladies,” one of them said. “We’re so glad to be able to serve you today. I’m Jenny.” She introduced the other masseuses, then went on. “You’ll each receive a massage, a facial with a special pumpkin-papaya mask, then a pedicure and manicure to complete your treatment, followed by a light lunch in the Bristol’s tearoom. Kate, if you’ll come with me, I’ll be giving you your massage today.”

Kate followed Jenny to a private room. Soft lighting and music set a relaxing ambiance. The subtle scent of blackberry and sage soothed Kate’s senses. As Jenny massaged her shoulders, Kate felt the kinks release. She hadn’t realized her muscles were tense.

After the massage, Jenny gave Kate a glass of cold water and returned her to the lounge. Monica and Renee were waiting for their next appointments. Kate sat across from them.

“That was wonderful,” Kate said. “I didn’t realize my muscles were so tight.”

“You need regular massages to stay in shape,” Renee said. “It helps circulation and the immune system, you know.”

Kate knew Renee was a regular at the spa. “I’ll remember that,” she said, though Kate knew the spa would remain a special-occasion treat for her.

“Monica and I were just discussing the wedding plans,” Renee said in her low, raspy voice. She took a sip of imported water, then stretched her hands above her head, wiggling her shiny, French-manicured fingernails. “I find these luxurious surroundings enhance the creative processes.”

Kate smiled graciously and started thinking about how she could help negotiate a truce between Jessica and her stepmother.

Lord, please intercede between Jessica and Monica so they can find common ground and a united purpose. Bring them together to become a family. If there’s a way I can help, please show me. Make it clear, ’cause right now, I don’t see how, but you can do all things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jessica and Kristin came back into the room at the same time. Kristin immediately went to the far side of the room, distancing herself from Jessica, who started telling Renee all about her mother’s pearls.

Kate couldn’t help wondering what was going on in Kristin’s head. She and Jessica had grown up together. She was one of Jessica’s bridesmaids, yet she’d aligned herself with Monica. The room was quiet, but somehow the tension was palpable. Kate was relieved when the attendants came to take them for facials.

ON MONDAY MORNING, Kate turned her studio into a photography set. White sheeting covered the worktable and frame that surrounded the wire-ornament tree she’d hung with samples of her stained-glass Christmas ornaments for the coming season. She’d already taken photos of a leaded cornucopia and Thanksgiving pieces, as well as a few items left over from her summer garden series. Her son-in-law, John, had instructed her on how to upload items to her Web site.

Kate clicked pictures from several angles, trying to catch the various facets of the objects. When she finished, she carefully wrapped a few pieces in tissue to deliver to Smith Street Gifts.

Plugging her digital camera into her laptop computer, she spent the rest of the morning uploading the pictures and formatting them with descriptions, enlargements and prices. It was nearly lunchtime when she printed out glossy pages of her work and slipped the new pages into clear sleeves in her portfolio.

After lunch, Kate took her portfolio and stained-glass pieces and drove to Pine Ridge. She spent an hour delivering items to two gift stores that had made orders online, then she got back in her car and started to pull out of her parking space when she glanced across the street and saw a red Mustang convertible. It looked familiar.

Just then, Jessica’s cousin Kristin came out of a pawnshop. She was putting something into her purse. When she glanced up, Kate waved. For an instant, Kate thought she’d made eye contact, but Kristin looked down and hurried to her car. She got in, started the car, and pulled out, cutting off a car coming up the street. Kate watched, perplexed, as Kristin drove away. Turning off her engine, Kate got out, crossed the street, and went inside the pawnshop.

“Good afternoon. Can I help you?” a man behind the counter asked.

“Hi.” Kate stepped up to the counter, looking at the jewelry pieces and collectibles in the glass case. “I just saw someone I know come out of here. I know she has some lovely pieces. I’d hate to see her part with something she treasured just for a loan.”

“I can’t disclose her transaction,” the man said. “Privacy laws. And I have to hold the item for forty-eight hours. I can tell you that she didn’t take a loan, but if you want to purchase it back for her, you’ll have to wait until Wednesday. I’m sorry.”

Kate noticed a large book laying open off to one side of the counter. She could see a page with pictures of pearl necklaces. There was also a measuring device on the counter with calipers at one end, as if the man had been measuring something small.

“Oh well, perhaps it’s something she doesn’t want anymore.” Kate tried to sound nonchalant. “That happens. It was jewelry, wasn’t it?”

“Can’t give that information, ma’am,” the man said.

Kate wrote her name and number on a scrap of paper and handed it to him. “If you would call me when it’s available, I might be interested in buying it.”

“I suppose I can do that.”

“That’d be wonderful. Thank you. I’m sure you have to mark it up to make a profit. How much should I expect to pay?”

The man thought for a moment. The doubt was back in his expression. He rubbed his chin. “I’d guess about five hundred dollars. It’s an unusual piece.”

Kate thought of the jewelry from the safety-deposit box. The tiara would be worth much more, but the pearl necklace might be in that price range at a pawnshop. “Please don’t forget to call me.”

He looked at the note she’d handed him. “Kate Hanlon. You’re in Copper Mill. She’s from...from out of town. You sure you know her?”

“It was Kristin Holloway, wasn’t it?”

He didn’t reply. “I’ll call you,” he said.

“Thanks. Then I’ll see you on Wednesday.”

As she drove back to Copper Mill, Kate wondered about the jewelry Kristin had sold. Where had she gotten it? Had she taken it from Jessica? Kate didn’t want to accuse her of stealing, but what else could she think? She’d witnessed Kristin helping herself to Jessica’s wardrobe and jewelry box without permission. From Jessica’s reaction, Kate surmised it happened often. Could Kristin have had access to Jessica’s trust fund as well?

Kristin jumped to the top of Kate’s list of suspects. Kate hated to think that anyone close to Jessica would take her inheritance, but she’d still be relieved if she could prove it was someone other than Trace. That seemed like the ultimate betrayal.