Regan stared out at her as she stretched her legs and arms. Veronica is generous, she thought. She doesn’t have to treat me to all that. It’s going to cost her a fortune. Regan walked into the bathroom and looked at her reflection, complete with two dark circles under her eyes. I guess the anti-aging facial isn’t coming a minute too soon.

Chapter 40

“ARE YOU COMFORTABLE, Miss Reilly?” the young “aesthetician” with perfect skin and makeup asked Regan as she finished wrapping her body in a plastic film and thermal blankets.

About as comfortable as one can get with slimy smelly seaweed covering just about every inch of available skin, Regan thought. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“That’s good because anyone who gets claustrophobic can really get bothered by this.”

Now she tells me.

“But you’re going to feel sooo good when this is over. All the dead skin cells will be washed away and the toxins will be flushed out of your system.”

“That’s what a woman at my table told me.”

“Who’s that?”

“Immaculata Buttacavola.”

“Oh yes, she was in here the other day. Lovely woman. She enjoys talking about her family.”

“I know.”

“As a matter of fact, she’ll be back this afternoon to get her hair done. Said she’s going to some party tonight. I suppose that must be yours.”

“Yes.”

“Lovely,” she said in that soft whispery voice that beautifiers were trained to use in these darkened self-improvement tombs. “Relax. Enjoy. I’ll be right outside if you need me. In a half hour we’ll unwrap you and you’ll take a shower before the second part of the treatment.” She shut the door reverentially and Regan closed her eyes.

Minutes passed and Regan realized that she couldn’t relax. Thoughts of Athena and her family once again consumed her. Athena’s body found under a pile of leaves, still and lifeless. Penelope being poisoned. Questions about Cameron Hardwick. Regan squirmed as the blanket heated up and she realized how limited her ability for movement was. It paralleled the way she felt about her work on the case. Not much she could do in the middle of the ocean. She was stifled. Damn it! I’m wasting my time here, she thought as sweat seemed to ooze from every pore.

The body mask was becoming too warm. It made her feel wet and soggy. She tried to move her arms but they were pinned to her sides by the heavy blankets.

An instant of sheer blind panic seized Regan as she imagined Athena’s body rotting in the woods adjacent to Llewellyn Hall, covered by dank-smelling muddy leaves.

“Miss. Misssss,” she called.

Chapter 41

IT WAS 3 P.M. BY the time Regan and Veronica got back to the suite.

A coiffed, manicured, massaged, made-up Regan said, “Thank you, Veronica. After a bad start, that turned out to be really nice.”