Grapes of Death

by Joni Folger

  That left no clear-cut suspects for him, unless you counted Pam Dawson, and he’d yet to interview her in depth.

  Elise couldn’t wait to get back home and check out the pages of the notebook she’d copied. Surely they held a clue that might lead to her Uncle Edmond’s killer, and better still, officially take the heat off her and her family.

  Twelve

  Though it was Sunday, Jackson went into the office mid-morning to set up a bulletin board and arrange the information he’d gathered so far. With the investigation into Edmond’s murder getting underway, he knew the shit was fixin’ to fly, which meant his to-do list was going to grow at a rapid pace. He needed to get organized, figure out his next steps.

  He needed to get ahead of the game.

  Tacking Edmond’s picture to the top of the board, he methodically gathered his supplies. After opening a new packet of index cards, he pulled out several and jotted down one name on each.

  He’d spent several hours going over the first half of Edmond’s journal after his dinner with Elise and Stuart the previous evening. Most of the entries listed there were in some kind of code—which he’d only begun to chisel away at—but he had deciphered a couple of the initials that had been used with some frequency. He figured they were a good place to start.

  One of those sets of initials—and the first name he wrote on a card—belonged to Denny Rodriguez. Denny owned El Diablo, the honky-tonk out on Highway 20 where Edmond had gambled away just about every dime he’d managed to borrow or steal. Lord knew the man had rarely actually worked for anything.

  The journal had an entire section dedicated to the countless wagers Edmond had placed at the dive, his meager winnings, and—more often than not—his heavy losses. There were also several dated entries noting harassment, and a number of threats had been made regarding repayment of what he owed.

  After he’d pinned Rodriguez’s card onto the board beneath Edmond’s photo, Jackson stood frowning at it.

  With Edmond up to his eyebrows in debt and no way to get clear, it wasn’t inconceivable that Denny had sent someone around to give him some physical incentive to come up with the cash. And it wouldn’t be the first time in history a simple roughing up had ended in murder. Still, you’d have to be pretty stupid to kill someone who owed you that much green. After all, it would make it impossible to recoup your losses.

  Jackson leaned back against the desk and rubbed his jaw as another possibility ran through his head. The murder could have been presented as a message to others in the same situation: pay your debt or suffer the consequences. In that case, Rodriguez would have to weigh what was more important—getting paid or making a statement to keep others in line. It was something to think about and to confront Rodriguez with when he questioned him.

  The next name going on a card was Henry Kohler. Kohler’s vineyard was one of River Bend’s biggest competitors, and Henry had employed Edmond for several months before his death. Of course, that wasn’t illegal or even immoral, but as Elise had pointed out, it was odd. And now that he really thought about it, why would Edmond work for Kohler Winery when he could work at a vineyard that had been in his family for decades?

  Jackson supposed there could be an espionage angle there. The boutique wine business was extremely competitive. Coming up with a unique hook to set your vineyard apart from others—finding that edge—was imperative. Was Edmond spying for Kohler, perhaps passing on secrets about River Bend’s operation? It was possible, but what secrets would that include? It would have to be something exclusive to River Bend. Elise’s hybridization process crossed his mind.

  He followed Kohler’s card on the board with one for Pam Dawson. She was probably a long shot, but Jackson believed her perfectly capable of killing Edmond in a fit of rage. And along with being bat-shit crazy half the time, Pam had no alibi to speak of and plenty of rage.

  She also had a powerful motive: money.

  Edmond had sweet-talked close to ten grand worth of motive out of her. And the fact that she’d used her restaurant as collateral to get him the money in the first place had to have added fuel to that anger. Had she found out about Edmond’s deceit earlier than she’d said? Jackson could see how that could have pushed her right over the edge.

  As hard as it was to do, Jackson made himself add Elise’s name to a card and stuck it up on the board as well. He knew in his heart she wasn’t the murderer he sought, but until he could clear her without question, she had to be considered.

  She had no decent alibi, other than the phone call Stuart confirmed they’d had, but what about motive? Elise was passionate about her work and incredibly tight-lipped where her research was concerned. Could she have somehow found out that her uncle was giving away her secrets to a competitor?

  Jackson shook his head. “No way. Not even then,” he said to the empty room.

  Finally, with disappointment, he added one more name to a card and tacked it up next to Elise’s. Though he had a tentative alibi, Ross wasn’t being as forthcoming as Jackson hoped he’d be. Maybe his best friend wasn’t outright lying, but Jackson had known the man from boyhood and could tell when he was hiding something.

  And Elise’s brother was definitely hiding something.

  His alibi was weak at best, and they both knew it. One look at the shock on Caroline’s face when Ross had said he’d been home during the time of the murder, plus the fact that she didn’t confirm or deny it, told Jackson that it was probably a fabrication.

  But why? What would Ross want to hide so badly that he’d put his wife on the spot and lie to his best friend? With no way to refute Ross’s claim, he’d have to wait and see how it played out. But it was disturbing.

  “What’re you doing here on a Sunday, Jackson?”

  He looked up to find Darrell Yancy, arms crossed, leaning against the door frame. The deputy lifted his chin toward the bulletin board. “Suspect board?”

  “Yep. Gotta start somewhere, Darrell. With the ME’s report making this a homicide, I thought I’d get a jump-start before beginning interviews tomorrow.”

  Yancy made a pfft sound. “Must break your heart to have to put a couple of your precious Becketts up there.”

  The smirk on the other man’s face did exactly what it was designed to do—push Jackson’s buttons. But he wasn’t about to let this donkey’s ass press him into saying or doing something he’d regret later.

  So he took a deep breath and reined in his irritation. “No, I don’t like having to consider my friends as suspects, but I can’t rule them out simply because they’re my friends.”

  Yancy narrowed his eyes as he shoved away from the door frame. “Are you sayin’ you think I’d ignore evidence that involved my friends?”

  “I don’t know how you run your investigations, Darrell, and I don’t much care. I’m just telling you how I intend to run mine.” Jackson tapped Edmond’s photo for emphasis. “A man is dead, and it’s my job to follow the evidence trail—no matter where it leads. Now, is there anything else I can help you with?”

  Yancy’s face turned a nasty shade of red, and he wrinkled his nose as if he’d smelled something rotten. “Whatever,” he muttered and headed down the hall.

  “Asswipe.” Turning back, Jackson gave the board another once-over. No, he didn’t like having to put Ross or Elise up on his murder board, but he had no choice until he could get them cleared. Making up a game plan in his head for most of the following day, he figured he would hit the ground running and hopefully come up with evidence to do just that.

  In the meantime, he thought grimly, he’d head out to River Bend this afternoon for the Sunday family dinner and see what trouble he could stir up there.

  Elise and Stuart arrived at the vineyard just after two in the afternoon and headed into the greenhouse first thing. Stuart had been interested to see how her new starts were coming along and wanted to go out to the southernmost field to see
the transplants there as well.

  “We can head out to the south end of the vineyard after dinner,” she told him as they entered the greenhouse. “I think you’re going to be surprised at how well those vines have taken root. They’re a much more hardy and disease-resistant hybrid, and they’re growing at a fast pace. I’m really very pleased.”

  “I have no doubt. These look promising,” he said, gesturing to the table where some of her newest starts flourished under grow lamps. “They seem to be developing with vigor.”

  Pleased at his reaction, she gave him a tour of the rest of the greenhouse. The last time he’d been to the vineyard, Stuart had been less than complimentary, though he’d nagged her about the details of her process. When she had been hesitant to give him those details, they’d argued. She hoped this time around would be different.

  As if reading her mind, he stepped right back into the damned arena. “Elise, darling, are you ever going to trust me enough to share your process with me? After all, we could be working together very soon.”

  Elise sighed and shook her head. She didn’t want another fight, but how could she make him see? “Let’s not have this conversation again, okay? It’s not an issue of trust, Stuart. I designed this specific process for River Bend. I just don’t want any leaks, however innocent, before the patent on the process is in place.”

  “Yes, I understand that, but—”

  “No buts. It’s my decision, and I would hope that you would respect that, if not as my boyfriend, then at least as a colleague.”

  He immediately put up his hands in surrender and the look on his face was rueful. “Okay, okay. We’ll table the discussion for now. I don’t want to ruin our time together with an argument.”

  “Good. I don’t either. So how about we go in and see what Gram has cooking for dinner instead?”

  Stuart chuckled. “You certainly know how to get around me, don’t you? I’m starving.”

  They walked out into the lovely afternoon sunshine and started up to the main house just as Jackson roared up on his huge motorcycle looking all macho and male.

  “Hey, El,” he said as he climbed off of the enormous machine and removed his helmet. “Stuart,” he acknowledged with a nod.

  She couldn’t help admiring the way Jackson’s faded jeans conformed to his long, long legs and hugged his fine—

  And geez, she really needed to get a grip! Here she was, ogling Jackson’s form with her boyfriend standing right next to her. Of course, she wasn’t dead and Jackson had some fine form, but that was no excuse.

  “Hello, Jackson. That’s quite the motorcycle you have there,” Stuart said in greeting.

  “I have to admit, it’s a weakness.” Jackson’s grin was quick and full of pleasure. “A weakness I try to indulge in every chance I get when the weather is this spectacular. Do you ride, Stuart?”

  Amusement burst out of Stuart like a shotgun blast. “Good God, no! I prefer plenty of metal surrounding me when I’m out on the highway where any yahoo could plow into me.”

  “Man, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

  “Jax is a true road warrior,” Elise said with a tilt of her head. “And he does love the rush of speed.”

  “You got it, darlin’.” His laughter was warm and infectious, and his gaze held hers just a bit longer than she was comfortable with. “But then, you know me so well.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Rolling her eyes, she hooked a thumb over her shoulder toward the house and tried to ignore the erratic jump of her pulse. “Let’s go in before Gram comes out with a rolling pin. You know she doesn’t like to serve a late dinner.”

  The three headed into the house and were met by Madison as she came down the stairs. “Hey guys. And Stuart? What a surprise. Elise didn’t tell us you were coming this weekend. Nice to see you again.”

  Stuart smiled in response. “Nice to see you, too, Madison. To be fair, Elise didn’t tell you I was coming because she didn’t know. It was a surprise.”

  “How long are you staying?”

  “I’m afraid I have to hit the road right after dinner. I have early meetings tomorrow morning.”

  “That’s a shame, but at least you get to indulge in another one of Gram’s extravaganzas before you go,” Madison said, leading the way into the dinning room.

  “I wouldn’t miss it. Your grandmother is a genius in the kitchen.”

  “That I am,” Abigail said as she brought a platter of stuffed pork chops and a dish of collard greens in to join the huge salad already on the table. “The food is hot. Are there enough place settings?”

  Laura came in behind her carrying a basket of dinner rolls and a gravy boat, which she set in the middle of the table. “Caroline took the boys into Austin to visit with her parents for the day. Ross will be a bit late, but we should have plenty of room, Mom.”

  “All right, then. Let’s hop to it before it gets cold. Ross will just have to fend for himself.”

  Everyone took their seats. Laura and Abigail sat at each end of the table, leaving Elise, Stuart, and an empty place for Ross on one side, Jackson and Madison on the other. Abigail said grace, and they all dove in.

  “So, Stuart, when did you get here?” Laura asked as she passed the greens.

  “I had a business meeting in Austin yesterday. It got out a little early, and I thought since I was so close and didn’t have to be back in Dallas until Monday morning, I’d pop over and see my girl.”

  Elise patted his hand. “So sweet.”

  “You kids these days.” Abigail made a face. “I just don’t get this whole long-distance relationship stuff.”

  “Mom.”

  Undeterred by Laura’s warning, Abigail gestured to Elise and Stuart with her fork. “Well, really, when do they see each other? Once or twice a month?” She skewered them both with a sharp glance. “No offense, but what kind of relationship is that? How do you know if you’re actually compatible or not if you spend so little time together?”

  Stuart chuckled and shook his head. “No offense taken, ma’am. I actually agree with you. Hopefully, that little problem will be solved with the move and the new position.”

  Elise froze with her fork halfway to her mouth.

  Oh no, he did not just do what I asked him not to do!

  “You’re moving, Stuart?” Laura asked, obviously confused by his statement. “I thought your new position with the foundation was still located in the Dallas area.”

  Crap!

  “Uh, no. That is to say, it is.” He glanced over at Elise with an apologetic look. “I’m not moving.”

  “So that must mean you are, little sister,” Ross said from the doorway.

  There was a gasp from Madison, and Laura set down her fork with a clatter. She placed her elbows on the table and folded her hands together, looking to Elise expectantly. “Elise Brianna, is there something you haven’t told us?”

  Elise cleared her throat and threw a hostile look at Stuart before meeting her mother’s gaze. “Stuart has offered me a position at the new research facility, but nothing has been decided yet.”

  Ross slid into the seat beside her. “Sounded like it’s a done deal to me.”

  Stuart leaned in to look around her at Ross. “No, let me be clear about that right now. What you heard was just wishful thinking on my part. I’ve been nagging her about a decision, but she’s continued to put me off until she had a chance to talk it over with y’all.” He turned to her. “Sorry, darling. It just slipped out.”

  She ignored him and spoke to her mother. “Mom, I would never make that kind of decision without discussing it with the family first. You know that, right?”

  “And when did Stuart make this fabulous offer?” Ross asked, disregarding the way Stuart had tried to come to her rescue.

  “You’re not helping,” she muttered under her breath.

  “
Not trying to,” he replied out loud. “Sorry, Stuart, but I think this is a crappy idea. Especially now. Your timing couldn’t be worse.”

  Glaring at him, Elise directed her comments to her mother. “Stuart only made the offer last weekend. I’ve been meaning to talk to y’all about it, but with everything that’s happened this week, There hasn’t been a good time.”

  “Did you know about this?” Ross suddenly asked, pointing at Jackson.

  “What?” Jackson eyebrows snapped together, and he sat up straighter in his chair. “Why the hell would I know about this if she hasn’t said anything to the rest of the family?”

  “Oh, come on. Why do you think?” Ross smirked at him across the table.

  “What’s that supposed to mean? She’s just as tight-lipped with me as she is with anyone else.”

  “She’s sitting right here! Geez, it makes me so crazy when you two talk around me like that.”

  “Children, that’s enough,” Laura said in an attempt to stem the outbursts.

  Elise huffed out a frustrated breath. “Look, I didn’t tell anyone, okay?”

  Turning to Ross, she gave him a flick on the side of his head. “I wasn’t keeping it from you, and there was no hidden agenda. With Uncle Edmond’s death—and then it suddenly becoming a murder investigation—I just wanted to wait until things calmed down a little before throwing something else onto the pile. That’s all.”

  “Yeah, well, the cat’s out of the bag now, huh?” Ross pointed out with a snicker. “And don’t flick me.”

  “Act like a normal human being and I won’t,” she replied, trying to keep from grinning back at him.

  But the amusement pushing to get out died a quick death when she looked up and met Jackson’s gaze. There she saw not only disappointment, but something else she couldn’t quite get a handle on. For some reason, it made her feel as if she’d hurt his feelings.

  Before Elise had a chance to think it through, he looked away. Pushing back his chair, he got to his feet and directed his remarks to Abigail. “As riveting as this conversation is, I’m afraid I have to head out.”