Framed to Death (A Faith Hunter Scrap This Mystery Book 4) by Christina Freeburn

in.”
    It appeared that Charlotte wanted to talk to me as much as I wanted to chat with her. I stepped inside.
    The walls in Polished were painted a soft shade of turquoise, making the place look cheerful and inviting without being overly bright. In a corner near the front door was a coffee station with a Keurig and coffee, tea, and hot chocolate pods. The manicure stations at the back of the spa were a burnished nickel with yellow leather cushions, and the chairs in the waiting room were the same color as the ones in the stations, except with orange and yellow fabric covering them. The far wall had wooden shelf units attached displaying nail polishes in a multitude of hues and shimmers.
    Hannah pointed at the polishes. “Why don’t you pick out a color and I’ll let my mom know you’re here for your pedicure. Felicity, can you man the desk while I get the station set up? Mom appreciates you coming in to help out today.”
    “As I told her, I can always use the extra money.” Felicity placed a pile of towels on the counter and took over scheduling appointments.
    Pedicure? Why not? I browsed the collection of nail polishes, my gaze drawn toward the ones containing glitter.
    Hunched over, Lake Breckenridge shuffled into the store, looking left, then right. Lake was in her early forties and had never had a problem with her back. Did she get injured in the fire the other night, or was she up to something? I watched her inch toward the customers sitting in the waiting room.
    Lake reached behind a woman, dropping some glossy flyers onto a table with magazines. Instead of landing on the table, the leaflets scattered over the floor and onto the woman’s lap. With her cheeks blazing, Lake ran out of the nail salon, nearly colliding with Hannah.
    “She’s getting bolder.”
    The woman crumbled up the flyers in her lap and dropped them into a nearby trash can.
    I picked one up. It was a pitch for a direct sales company that sold nail wraps. The back of the flyer had a handmade label with Lake’s email and address on it.
    “Her business has been struggling, and the fire Thursday night isn’t going to help her much.” Felicity limped over, slowly bent down, and collected the papers on the floor.
    “It’s still not right for her to advertise her new business venture here.” The woman helped Felicity gather up the remaining flyers. “Why don’t you see if your husband can speed up Lake’s claim? Didn’t she switch her insurance over to his company?”
    “Allan filed it already,” Felicity said. “There’s not much else he can do.”
    Hannah touched my elbow. “My mom can take you now.”
    A few of the customers in the waiting area grumbled.
    “After I take you back, Mom asked me to run over to Home Brewed to get some coffee and pastries for those waiting. Our treat.” Hannah spoke in a loud voice.
    The rumbles of discontent stopped.
    The phone rang, causing Felicity to shuffle toward the counter. Leaning over, she picked up the receiver then made her way into the closed-off hostess area. “Thank you for calling Polished. How may I help you?” She tapped her finger onto the computer screen. “There’s nothing available today; the soonest I can get you in is Wednesday morning.”
    “My mom is waiting for you.” Hannah pointed over her shoulder.
    Charlotte was sitting in front of a chair at the far end of the store. At the base of the chair was a tub filled with water. The large leather seats looked inviting. A control was on the left armrest, offering choices of different speeds of back and shoulder massages.
    “Have a seat.” Charlotte added a peppermint scent to the water.
    The crisp, clean scent washed over me, bringing to mind Christmas and relaxation. I’d never had a professional pedicure before and was looking forward to it.
    Charlotte pulled a tray closer to her. “I’ll take the polish.”
    I handed it to her, removed my socks and shoes, and then hoisted myself into the raised chair. The line was