Read Online California Schemin': Book One in the Malibu Mayhem Trilogy by Carolyn Keene - Free Book Online Page A

wonder he can still blink—he looks so weird.”
    “What’s weird,” I said, “is how Mandy and Mallory described Mia, like she’s a whole new person.”
    Bess pointed to the next beach. “Why don’t we find out for ourselves?” she said. I turned to see Mia Casabian, alone on the beach, doing tai chi.
    “I know it’s private property, but let’s go talk to her,” I said. “It’s a long shot, but maybe she’ll tell us why she never went home.”
    We walked along the shore to the retreat’s beachfront.
    “Hi, Mia,” I called as we walked over. “Nice to meet you. I’m Nancy and these are my friends Bess and George.”
    “Are you fans?” Mia frowned.
    “Yes, I mean, no, I mean…” Bess was flustered. “We’re living in Stacey Manning’s house while she’s away on business.”
    Mia glanced at the mansion behind us.
    “You’re not supposed to be here,” she said in almost a whisper. “This is the retreat’s private beach.”
    “I know. We just want you to know your sisters are worried about you,” I said.
    “Why won’t you go home, Mia?” George asked. “The pedicures here can’t be that good.”
    Mia shook her head. “I can’t. Roland says I have to focus on myself and the renewal process, not on my sisters.”
    “But Mandy and Mallory care about you,” I said.
    “That’s what they want you to think,” Mia answered. A smile swept slowly across her face. “Nobody cares for me as much as Roland.”
    What was up with this guy Roland? Most of all, what was up with this retreat?
    “What’s the renewal process all about, Mia?” I probed. “What do you have to do?”
    “It’s amazing!” Mia exclaimed. “For a whole week, students of Roland go through different challenges, both physical and mental.”
    “What kind of challenges?” George asked.
    “Only students of Roland get to find out,” Mia said with an apologetic smile.
    I was just going to ask about Inge when someone called Mia’s name. A guy who looked to be in his early twenties walked toward us. The sunburst logo on the shirt pocket told me he was a spa employee—or a Roland devotee.
    “Time for your aura evaluation, Mia,” he said with a tight grin.
    “Thank you, Scotty,” Mia said.
    Without a good-bye, she turned and headed back to the mansion. But Scotty stayed behind with us.
    “Can I help you?” he asked.
    I nodded toward our own beach. “We’re your neighbors,” I explained. “We just came over to say hi to—”
    “This beach is the private property of Roland and the retreat. You’re not welcome,” Scotty interrupted. He turned and walked quickly back to the mansion.
    “I would have asked him about the trash,” I finally said. “But he seemed way too scary.”
    “So did Mia,” Bess said. “Did you see the way her eyes lit up whenever she talked about Roland?”
    I did. And that made me think we had more to worry about than just the trash on the beach.
    “You guys,” I said, “I don’t think Roland is running a spa here.”
    “Then what is it?” Bess asked.
    “I think…” I paused and turned my eyes on the mansion. “It’s a cult.”

 

CULT CRASHERS
     
    “ A cult?” Bess repeated. “As in…brainwashing?”
    “Think about it,” I said as we walked along the shore to our own beach. “Everyone we met at the retreat talks about Roland like he was their brilliant leader.”
    “Mia and that guy Brad did seem pretty zombielike,” George agreed.
    “And don’t most cults persuade followers to hand over their worldly possessions?” I pointed out.
    “Mia’s bank account,” George remembered. “Roland could have convinced Mia to withdraw a huge chunk of money to hand over to him.””
    But when I looked at Bess, she seemed unconvinced.
    “I can’t believe stuff like that is happening next door,” she insisted. “The spa seems so classy and well run.”
    “The spa could be a front for the cult and the perfect way to attract more followers, Bess,” I said.
    “Now