“Beauty Costs” in ‘The Chelsea Detective’ Season 4
When the reclusive proprietor of a beauty salon is murdered, Max and the team discover that beauty has its price and its victims
It’s another day in picturesque Chelsea, with early customers arriving at Blessings Holistic, a salon run by Sonia Blessing (Anna Brecon). But one of Sonia’s employees, Bella Dooley (Moyo Akandé), is frustrated that her boss won’t find the time to discuss a troubling issue. Sonia takes one of her top clients, Tara Mason (Laura Aikman), into the basement for a treatment. Even after Tara has left the shop, Bella can’t get Sonia’s attention. Beautician Kathy Ahmed (Anshula Bain), watching the confrontation, accidentally drops hot wax on a client’s arm, and Sonia is furious.
Tara returns home to find her husband, Piers Mason (Lee Ingleby), about to go away for a golfing break with his mates. He’s concerned about her health, so when the walker, Reece Gilmarsh (Gabriel Akuwudike), arrives at the house to return Tara’s dog, Piers tells him to take the dog for the weekend since his vulnerable wife isn’t well. Tara drops her medication on the floor, convincing her concerned husband that her anxiety levels are rising, and he decides to stay home to look after her. He serves her wine and sushi and fusses over her.
On his boat, DI Max Arnold is about to eat a huge and delicious sandwich and enjoy football on the TV when his Aunt Olivia calls. There’s an intruder in the garden! Again! Max can’t find any sign of intruders, not even foxes, but he agrees to stay overnight to help her feel safe. The next morning, Max suggests a security upgrade.
The next morning, Bella and Kathy arrive at the salon, surprised, then worried, to see no sign of their boss... until they find Sonia dead in the shop.
