A Food and Wine Club Mystery Boxset Books 1 through 5

by Cat Chandler

  Suzanne reached into the box next to her and started removing items, setting them on the counter in front of her. “Oh, they had very different ideas on how to make a living with genealogy.”

  Having already been told that, Nicki smiled. “So I’ve heard.”

  “I read Viola’s last book where she tracked down the connection between that rich girl from Connecticut and the Dutch monarchy, all the way back to the fifteen hundreds, or something like that. Although the connection was through a line from the wrong side of the blanket, as Viola called it. From a commoner not from any noble house, or something like that.”

  “Really?” Nicki was genuinely surprised at that. She was not a genealogist, certainly, but thought those types of records might be hard to come by so far back in time.

  “I asked Maxie about it,” Suzanne went on as she finished unloading the first box and put the empty carton on the floor. “She said that Viola had made several interesting assumptions, and I should look on the whole story more as entertainment than fact.”

  Nicki smiled. That sounded like something Maxie would say. Very polite and professional, but certainly to the point.

  “Maxie would know,” Suzanne added. “She always has said that anyone can say anything like it’s true, whether it is or not.” The now-brunette pressed her lips into a thin line. “I think that book’s at least ten years old, or something like that. Viola told me that she used to do a lot of work establishing connections in the seventeen hundreds, so applicants could get into the Daughters of the American Revolution. But after she hit on this Dutch monarchy thing, she moved to Europe to continue her research over there.”

  While Nicki was digesting that, Suzanne made another jump in the conversation.

  “We’ve had some very, very interesting sign-ups for your class in Italian main dishes that’s starting tomorrow.” Suzanne’s eyes sparkled, and there was a hint of smug satisfaction in her voice. “Lorenzo Romano is on the list.”

  Nicki’s mouth dropped open. “The executive chef at Mario’s Ristorante?”

  Suzanne nodded as she bounced up and down on her seat. “The very same one. That’s quite a coup for us, and a huge compliment to you.”

  And a lot of pressure, Nicki thought, teaching Italian cooking to an Italian chef. Who is also from Italy.

  “Aside from doing a breakfast dishes series, I also had an idea to do a dessert course. You know, like baking from scratch. I’m sure Jake would sign up for that. You remember him, don’t you?”

  “How could I forget him?” Nicki laughed. “The cook from Eddie’s.” She raised an eyebrow at Suzanne. “Would this have to do with him wanting to get into the catering business?”

  “Maybe.” Suzanne shrugged. “But I’m sure we have a lot of home bakers who would love to take a few classes from a real chef.”

  “Who does desserts on the side,” Nicki reminded her. “I’m not a baker.”

  “You can do anything,” Suzanne scoffed. “What about that cupcake tower you made for Alex’s wedding? That feat is all over town, and Roe over at the bakery in Soldoff told me she’s had three orders from engaged couples wanting the very same thing.”

  Amused, Nicki grinned. “It’s the current fad.” Her mind still on the potential murder, Nicki did a subject change of her own. “Did Viola do any other books making royal connections to ordinary people?”

  “Well, that particular person wasn’t exactly ordinary,” Suzanne said. “She was a socialite, and quite wealthy. I imagine she paid well enough that Viola had to find something.”

  A little disappointed, Nicki sighed. “I suppose so.”

  “Usually her books were about more shady sorts of connections. She had one where she linked a young athlete to Jesse James, and yet another woman to a pirate. But those are even older than the monarchy one.”

  “Really?” So Viola wrote sensational genealogy books? Thinking that was an interesting tidbit of information, Nicki was silent for a long moment.

  “What does your boyfriend think of all of this?”

  Suzanne’s question jarred Nicki out of her own thoughts. “Matt? He isn’t concerned at all. I’ve told him that Viola’s death is being considered an accident.”

  Suzanne laughed. “Uh huh. And will he be calling Chief Turnlow to check up on that?”

  “Of course not,” Nicki protested, but mentally crossed her fingers because that sounded exactly like something Matt would do. Wanting to nip Suzanne’s potential to gossip about Matt in the bud, Nicki reached over and grabbed the notepad she’d brought into the kitchen earlier that morning. “Shall we get started on planning out tomorrow’s class?”

  Suzanne looked a little disappointed, but she dutifully reached into her large tote and pulled out the Day Planner that she always carried with her. “All right.” She handed Nicki a neatly folded sheet of paper. “Here are the names of the students and how they described their cooking levels.”

  For the next hour, the two women carefully went over each step they’d take in the class, including where on the island they would seat each of the six students attending. They were finishing up when the front door slammed, and the sound of flip flops echoed down the hallway. Jenna popped into the kitchen a moment later, all smiles.

  “I came to offer my services as a test subject for anything you’re cooking up for your class tomorrow afternoon.” She looked around and her face fell when she didn’t see anything on the stove.

  “We didn’t need to cook today,” Suzanne said. “Nicki told me she didn’t need to practice veal parmigiana.”

  Jenna grinned. “I’ve had it, and she’s right. I don’t think Nicki or anyone else could make it any better.” Jenna settled herself on a stool and propped her chin in her hands. “But I’m starving.”

  “I was going to send out for something tonight,” Nicki admitted. “It’s been a hectic day.”

  Suzanne got to her feet and gathered up her tote. “I have to be going. I’d love to stay and have a girls’ night in, but I have a date.”

  Nicki’s smile reached from ear to ear. “That’s wonderful!” As far as she knew, this was the first date Suzanne was going on since her divorce almost a year ago.

  Jenna was also grinning at the suddenly starry-eyed Suzanne. “Do tell? Who is this incredibly lucky guy?”

  Despite having seen forty some time ago, Suzanne giggled as if she were still in high school. “If it works out, I’ll let you know. We’re going to Mario’s for dinner, and then do a little wine tasting at the rooms that stay open later.”

  “Have fun,” both Nicki and Jenna called out as Suzanne fairly skipped her way out of the kitchen. Jenna winked at Nicki.

  “Dinner at Mario’s and then sampling wine at the local tasting rooms? The whole town will know who she’s on a date with before her salad arrives.”

  “Absolutely,” Nicki laughed. “Small towns have very efficient gossip mills.”

  Jenna gave Nicki an exaggerated blink of her eyes. “Speaking of dates, boyfriends, and such, I got your email about buying a gift for Matt, and more importantly, that he sent you something.” She looked around. “Is it here yet?”

  Nicki shook her head. “Nope. It was probably delayed. The other fact of life about small towns is that special deliveries are rarely on time.”

  “So what are we talking about here? Flowers, jewelry, maybe a bottle of French perfume?”

  Knowing Matt’s very practical engineering mind, Nicki rather doubted it. “More likely the latest food processor. The guy does tend to think with his stomach sometimes.”

  Right on cue, the doorbell rang. Nicki stepped around the counter and headed for the hallway with Jenna right behind her. Hoping Matt hadn’t sent anything too big or extravagant, Nicki opened the door, expecting to see a delivery man.

  Instead, it was someone Nicki had hoped she’d never have to actually meet in person. Speechless, and unable to form a coherent thought, Nicki simply stared at the woman who’d completely intimidated her from the moment she’
d first talked to her on the phone.

  She didn’t even move when Jenna stuck her arm over her shoulder and held a hand out.

  “Hi. I’m Jenna. And this very quiet person is Nicki. Can we help you?”

  The woman shifted her gaze from Nicki to Jenna and smiled politely as she shook the much taller Jenna’s hand which had the computer geek’s arm bouncing against Nicki’s shoulder.

  “Hello. I’m Jane Markley, Matt’s assistant? I’m pleased to meet you.”

  Chapter One Hundred Eight

  “May I come in?”

  Jenna clamped a hand around Nicki’s shoulder and pulled her back. “Sure. Nicki? Why don’t you help Jane with her suitcase?”

  Horrified, Nicki’s gaze tracked downward to the black hard-shell suitcase sitting by the admin’s side. “Um. Well, I…” She stumbled a little when Jenna forced her to take another step backwards.

  “Why don’t we all get comfortable?” Jenna’s arm came across Nicki’s chest and pushed her back against the wall, leaving Jane enough room to slip by.

  The thin woman with her hair pulled severely away from her face into a tight bun at the nape of her neck, and wire-rimmed glasses set firmly just above the bridge of her nose, marched into the townhouse, leaving her suitcase on the front step.

  “Why don’t I get that and take it right up to the guest room for you?” Jenna offered. “You are staying, aren’t you?”

  Jane gave a brisk nod. “That’s what I was instructed to do.”

  “Instructed?” The one word brought Nicki out of her stupor. Instructed? What had Matt done?

  “Yes, of course. Matt was very specific.” Jane pinned Nicki with a single look. “I gather you’ve found another dead body?”

  “It’s not as if it’s a weekly occurrence,” Nicki muttered under her breath.

  “Of course not.” Jane responded as if Nicki had spoken right up. “Weekly would be a gross exaggeration.” She looked around. “Is the kitchen this way?”

  Jenna had retrieved Jane’s suitcase and was standing just inside the still-open front door, next to Nicki. “Yes, it is. Go on back and have a look, and Nicki will be right behind you.”

  As Jane started down the hallway, Jenna gave Nicki a strong poke in the side. “Snap out of it.”

  “She terrifies me,” Nicki hissed back. “And Matt knows it, too.”

  Her friend grinned. “Interesting way to keep your snooping under control.”

  Annoyed, Nicki glared back at her. “This isn’t funny, Jenna. She thinks she’s going to stay here.”

  “Why wouldn’t she?” Jenna countered. “It’s not as if you two don’t know each other in a weird, electronic-device kind of way.”

  That might be true, but somehow it wasn’t very comforting. Nicki looked over her shoulder to be sure Jane was out of earshot as she lowered her voice. “Maxie has more room. Be a best friend and suggest that to her.”

  Jenna shrugged. “I could, but she wouldn’t listen. Apparently her instructions are to stay with you, and she strikes me as the type who always follows her instructions to the letter.”

  Getting more irritated by the second, Nicki barely managed to restrain herself from stamping her foot. “What was Matt thinking? Why would he do this to me?”

  Jenna’s lips twitched as she stared down at her friend. “Well. I think because you told him about the dead person just across the street, and then made him promise not to get on a plane. A promise, I’d like to point out, that he’s keeping.”

  “Also not funny,” Nicki snapped before she started to wring her hands. “What am I going to do?”

  Jenna looked toward the kitchen and then back at Nicki. “Go in there and be the gracious hostess you usually are?”

  “Fine.” Nicki narrowed her eyes. “You aren’t going anywhere, are you?”

  Walking backwards, Jenna pulled the suitcase to the foot of the stairs as she grinned at Nicki. “Just up to the guest bedroom. I’ll be at your side in the kitchen in nothing flat.”

  Since that was as much as she could ask, and knowing that the longer she stood in the entryway the ruder she was being, Nicki took a deep breath and started forward. Every step of the way she told herself that it would all be fine. This was her home and Jane was a guest, and there wasn’t any more to it than that. She’d save the rest until eight o’clock. When Matt called.

  Sending me something. Nicki let out an inelegant snort. She’d bet the man had been laughing his head off when he tapped out that message.

  Taking a deep breath, Nicki took the final step that brought her into the kitchen. She remembered to put a smile on her face and hope she didn’t look half as jumpy as she felt.

  “Hi, Jane.” She had to pause and clear her throat. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting in here. I’m so glad to finally meet you in person and want to welcome you to my home.”

  Jane raised both eyebrows. “Did you practice that speech all the way down the hall?”

  Belatedly remembering she needed to breathe, Nicki drew in a lungful of air and then let it out again in a loud whoosh. Deciding to simply go with her gut, she nodded. “Yes, I did. But I do apologize. You took me by surprise.”

  For the first time since Nicki had been dealing with Matt’s admin, Jane smiled. “I thought I probably would. If it helps any, I was dreading our first meeting because I was sure Matt hadn’t told you about it.” She shook her head, which didn’t move even one hair on her head. “I’ll need to speak to him about that.”

  “So will I,” Nicki declared, amazed when Jane smiled again. “But I am glad to meet you, and I hope you’ll enjoy your stay. I’d ask what brings you here, but I’m assuming you’re supposed to keep an eye on me?” Nicki paused with a sigh. “Because of the dead body and all.”

  “You do seem to have a knack for finding them.” Jane looked around the well-appointed kitchen. “I can see why you enjoy spending so much time in here. It really is a very functional space.”

  Thinking that was the highest compliment Jane probably gave to anything, Nicki smiled. “Thank you. Maxie not only renovated it but let me design it. I couldn’t ask for a better landlady.”

  “She is a marvel,” Jane agreed. She pointed at the assortment of kitchenware on the counter. “Are you planning on starting your own line of cookware?”

  It certainly did look that way. Nicki scooped up the box Suzanne had left on the floor and hurried around the island. She not only had a counter covered with bowls, platters, and small appliances, she also hadn’t done a thing to put dinner together. And considering the time difference between Kansas City and the West Coast, she was sure Jane was probably starving.

  “I’ll have this put away in just a minute. Are you hungry?”

  “I was about to go out and get us dinner,” Jenna called out from the doorway. “What’s your preference? Burgers or pizza?”

  Sure that Matt had raved about her cooking, Nicki closed her eyes in embarrassment. The usual fast-food fare was not a great way to make a first impression.

  “Is Eddie’s open by any chance?” Jane asked.

  Nicki’s eyes flew open. “Eddie’s?”

  “My favorite,” Jenna declared. “Cheese or no cheese on that burger? Nicki’s a ‘no cheese’ since she only eats the meat, lettuce, and tomato anyway.”

  “Which is how she no doubt keeps that trim figure of hers,” Jane said. “I’d love some cheese. Thank you.”

  Once Jenna had slammed the front door shut, Nicki gave Jane a weak smile. “Jenna grew up on a farm. She still isn’t used to doors that aren’t attached to a barn.”

  “I did too, so that’s perfectly understandable.”

  Nicki’s teeth worked on her lower lip. “Um. Do you slam doors too?”

  “Only when I’m angry.” Jane rested her hands on top of the counter. “I imagine most people revert to their childhood traits when they’re angry.”

  Nicki sincerely hoped not. She used to stick out her lip and stamp her foot on the floor.

  “Are yo
u sure you want a hamburger? I can make something else.”

  Jane perched on the edge of a stool and shook her head. “I’d love to try a hamburger from Eddie’s. I understand Matt ate a dozen or so test burgers before you hit on the right combination of meat and spices.”

  The memory of both Matt and Jenna practically turning green with burger overload had Nicki almost giggling. “Yes, he did. And was very manly about the whole thing. Jenna got sick, but Matt managed to keep it all together.”

  “He never told me that,” Jane chuckled. “But I should have guessed. He didn’t have another hamburger for months after he got home from watching you solve that murder.”

  “He did more than watch,” Nicki protested. “Matt’s a big help.”

  The admin shrugged. “He’s a big worry wort when it comes to you. Which is why I’m here. You were quite correct when you said that he sent me to keep an eye on you.” Jane leaned forward. “But I was happy to come. I’d like to solve a murder,” she admitted in a conspiratorial whisper before straightening up again. “When do we get started?”

  Hating to have to disappoint Jane, Nicki still had to shake her head. “We don’t even know that there has been a murder. I keep telling everyone, Chief Turnlow thinks it was an accident.”

  “Was it?”

  The simple, direct question was so very “Jane”, that Nicki had to smile. “I don’t know. Some things point to murder, and others to an accident.”

  “Have you set up your murder board?”

  “Barely,” Nicki admitted. “There’s not much on there.”

  Jane slid off the stool. “Well, let’s go have a look at it.”

  With a good two hours to go until Matt called, and Jenna still on her hamburger run, Nicki had nothing else to offer Jane as entertainment, so she nodded her agreement and led the way toward her office. Once inside, she pointed to the large whiteboard that dominated the far wall.

  “There it is.”

  Jane walked over and studied it in silence for a full minute before glancing back at Nicki.