A Toast to Murder

by Michele Scott

  “Basically. And your friends that are staying for the wedding, how about them?” he asked. “Did you guys go over that on your tour the other day?”

  Derek glanced at Nikki. “Not when I was with you guys,” Nikki said.

  “You know, now that you mention it, I don’t think I did go over that. I had a lot on my mind at that point. Nikki’s aunt had just called and said that she couldn’t make the wedding, and there were tensions in the group, so I did the short run through.”

  “Hmmm. Well then, I can only assume that whoever murdered Kenny either works here, has a working knowledge of wineries, or did some serious snooping around before taking him out. I’m game, gang. Any ideas?”

  “Maybe,” Nikki replied.

  “Maybe?”

  Then Nikki filled both men in on her thoughts, theories, and a possible plan on how they might catch a killer.

  Twenty

  IT wasn’t as difficult as it might once have been to convince Jonah that Nikki and Derek could be useful in helping him with his investigation. Jonah knew Nikki could be an asset and had the mind of an investigator. She asked good questions and came up with decent theories. She’d helped Jonah with a couple of difficult cases already. In the past Jonah had given her stern warnings to stay out of any of his investigations and let the cops handle it. But Nikki wasn’t great at heeding warnings, be they stern or otherwise. Then he’d actually come to her last year seeking her help with a murder case, really wanting her assistance, and that’s when he’d started dating Nikki’s friend Alyssa. He’d asked Nikki more than once to consider going into police work and becoming a detective. It had crossed her mind a few times that maybe following in the footsteps of her Aunt Cara would be a good way to go, but at this point in her life she was content and, more than anything, wanted to start a family. It might not be the right time to go directly into police work, but indirectly . . . sure.

  Jonah thought her plan sounded feasible, and tomorrow it would go into effect. But a few things had to take place first, and now, they were going into town and getting the necessary ingredients to prepare Simon’s gourmet meal for the evening.

  They drove to McKinley Street with Ollie in the backseat of the Range Rover. It was nice to do something so ordinary, considering the circumstances. The farmers’ market in Napa was more like a mini festival, with vendors selling everything from fresh flowers to baked goods to olive oils and chocolates. It was a foodie’s heaven. Nikki needed to find everything they’d need for the poblano sauce. She picked up the veggies to make one of her summer specialties—a mushroom/squash soup that had enough heat to it to nicely complement the sauce for the ahi. For dessert, they decided on some truffles from the Napa Valley Chocolate Factory. Nikki looked forward to her favorite, which were the chipotle pepper truffles, and she knew that Derek would remain traditional, sticking to dark truffles. They’d have to pick up the fish at the Osprey Seafood Market.

  Derek had Ollie on the leash. By the time they made it over to the truffle vendor, a tray of tasters was set out for customers. Derek held one out for Nikki and she took a bite. “Mhhm . . . interesting. Curry. I never would have thought, but then again I always get the spicy truffles.”

  “You do like things a little spicy, don’t you, baby.” Derek smacked her lightly on the butt, chewing on the other half of the truffle. Ollie whined. “What? You need to go to the bathroom?” Ollie wagged his long tail. “I’m going to take him over on the grass and let him do his thing. I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay. I just have to get a bunch of cilantro, and then we should be ready. You got a poop bag?”

  “Yeah.”

  Nikki watched Derek take Ollie across the way to find an acceptable place to do his thing while she paid for the truffles and headed over to where she knew she’d find some good cilantro. While holding a bundle close to her nose she breathed in the delicate herb. She felt a hand on her shoulder. “That was quick,” she said turning around, and then caught herself. It was Andrés. “Oh. Hi.”

  “Hello. How are you?” he asked.

  “Good. Fine. Considering. What are you doing?” She glanced around his shoulder in part to see if Derek was returning and also to see if anyone was with Andrés.

  “Some shopping.”

  “Of course.”

  “Nikki, I have to tell you something.”

  Oh, no. “No, I don’t think you do.”

  “It’s very important. I actually have to show it to you. You need to come to my place so you can see it. It has to do with the wedding and Renee.”

  “What?”

  “I . . .”

  “Hey, Andrés.” Derek slapped Andrés on the back a little harder than he might a pal. “How’s it going? I heard you were back in town.”

  Andrés reached out his hand and shook Derek’s. “Good. Thank you. Yes, I am back for a little time.”

  “Great.” Derek smiled, and Nikki knew it was his phony smile. He held out a bouquet of flowers. “I bought these for you.” He handed them to Nikki.

  “Thank you. That was sweet.” She glanced at Andrés.

  “We better get going,” Derek said. “We’re making dinner for my brother.”

  “Of course. My apologies for your tragedy. Give your brother my best, please. Take care.”

  Nikki and Derek walked away with Ollie and their groceries. They never mentioned seeing Andrés, but the tension that surrounded his presence hung between them on the quiet ride home. Nikki knew she’d be going to see Andrés. She also knew that she wouldn’t be telling Derek of her impending visit.

  Twenty-one

  DEREK was out on the patio grilling the ahi and veggies. Nikki was chopping and mixing the poblano sauce in the Cuisinart and refilling the guys’ wineglasses. Violet was trying to sit on Ollie, who was more than tolerant. The dog just lay there as the toddler pulled on the Ridgeback’s ears and climbed all over him.

  Nikki handed Simon a glass of Chardonnay. They were hanging out in the kitchen. “How’s the shoulder?”

  “It hurts, but I feel lucky to be alive. That maniac almost killed me. I’ve been wracking my brain and pretending to play sleuth like you to try to figure out who hates moi so much that they’d want me dead. I mean really who would want to kill me?”

  “I hate to tell you, my friend, but it’s not you that anyone hates so much.”

  Simon raised his eyebrows. “Um, darling girl, I was almost killed during your wedding, I’m thinking someone is not my biggest fan.”

  “Jonah found a photograph of me that the shooter left behind. He or she had crossed me out in red ink.”

  “Oh, my.” Marco brought a hand up to his mouth. “Nikki, this is terrible.”

  “Um, ’scuse me, but getting shot in the shoulder is terrible.”

  Marco gave Simon a dirty look. “That bullet was meant for our Nikki.”

  “There’s more,” Nikki said.

  “More?” they both said in unison. Violet looked up from where she was now seated directly on top of the dog and repeated her parents’ word. “Mo? Mo!”

  “Yes, more,” Nikki said.

  “What more could there be?” Simon asked.

  “Derek’s college buddy Kenny, the party animal, was found dead in one of the wine tanks this morning. Derek found him.”

  “Lord have mercy,” Simon said.

  Nikki nodded. “And Jonah also found a photo of Kenny in the church, also with his face crossed out. And both Derek and I have received some strange notes, texts, that kind of thing.” She went on to explain about the newspaper clippings. “All of these things are signed with Moros Apate Thanatos.”

  “The fates or Greek gods of doom, deceit, and death,” Marco said.

  “Oh,” Nikki replied. “Wow, I didn’t know that. I’d planned to look up the meanings when I got a chance. Derek and I talked about it.”

  “What do you think it all means, and, wait! What do you mean Kenny was found dead this morning? And you’ve been receiving strange texts and whatnot!”
Simon said.

  “Your brother found him in the tank, and Jonah came by a bit ago and let us know that it looked as if he’d had a head trauma and that he’d been dragged into the tank. And we’re fine. I knew you’d get upset.”

  Simon looked at her with his wounded-puppy-dog look.

  Marco again brought his hand up to his mouth. “What are you thinking? Why would someone want to shoot you, Nikki, and murder Kenny? What is the connection?”

  “That is the million dollar question,” Nikki said. “The only connection that Kenny and I would have is Derek.”

  Simon pointed at her. “And if I know you, you’re already looking into things, and my brother is going to completely come unglued when he finds out.”

  She smiled smugly. “That’s where you’re wrong, my friend. Your brother has taken up the position that if you can’t beat her, join her.”

  “No!” they yelled.

  Violet was smacking Ollie on the head. “No, no, no, no.”

  Nikki walked over to her and lifted her up. “Sweetie, you can’t hit the doggie.”

  “Doggie, doggie, doggie, no, no, no!” she sang.

  “No, the doggie didn’t do anything wrong. Why don’t you come in the family room and play with Elmo?”

  “Elmo, Elmo, no, no, no!” she yelled out with glee.

  Ah, the simple pleasures of a two-year-old. Nikki set her down and took out a handful of toys from the box she kept at the house, and spread them around the floor, hoping to save Ollie from any more trauma. Apparently the dog didn’t see it the way Nikki had, as he got up and came over to where Violet was playing and lay down next to her. She leaned back into him. “Doggie, doggie!”

  “Your choice, bud. You’re a good dog.” Nikki patted him on the head and went back into the kitchen, where the guys were talking quietly amongst themselves. “What’s up? Why the covert whispers?”

  “Marco just shared some interesting information with me that could be something, or might not.”

  Nikki sat down, grabbed the wine bottle, and poured herself a glass. She took a peek outside and could see Derek scooping the veggies onto a platter. “Do tell.”

  “The night of the rehearsal dinner, after you two snuck away, I was in the kitchen cleaning up,” Marco said. “I went to dump the trash, and I saw two of Derek’s friends outside talking. They saw me and stopped. I said hello and went about my business. It seemed to be a, how do you say . . . upsetting discussion.”

  “Tense,” Nikki suggested.

  “Very.”

  “Who were they?”

  “The man who was killed and the wife of the one guy.”

  “Which guy’s wife?” Nikki asked.

  “Not the prissy one. The nicer one.”

  “Lily?” Nikki asked.

  “Yes. It was her,” Marco replied.

  “Huh.”

  Derek entered the house, looking up at everyone with hot platters in hand. “What’s brewing? I can tell by looking at all of you that something is brewing.”

  Violet called out, repeating her uncle, “Booing. Sum-tin booing.”

  Nikki nodded at Violet. “You got it, kid. Something is definitely brewing.”

  Grilled Ahi with Poblano Cream Sauce

  and Bonterra Chardonnay

  Yes something is brewing at the Malveaux Estate and it isn’t nice and pretty. In fact it’s deep, dark, and ugly. It’s good that Nikki likes things a little spicy, and Simon is all about the drama. A dramatic and spicy dish that works well with brewing and stewing is this delicious grilled ahi with poblano cream sauce. If fish isn’t your thing, this cream sauce also goes nicely with grilled chicken. The chardonnay is a great fit for either fish or chicken.

  Bonterra’s Chardonnay has firmly adopted a style some describe as international, with less oak aging and a deliberate attempt to emphasize the freshness and crispness of their stellar organic fruit from Mendocino County. Most of the grapes for Bonterra’s Chardonnay are harvested along a 12-mile corridor near the banks of the Russian River, and year after year offer characteristic green apple, baked apple, pear, and citrus notes in the wine. There’s a touch of vanilla from the dollop of new oak, but Bonterra ages in mostly neutral barrels to let the fruit shine through. An initial impression of rich, buttery cream quickly turns to aromas of honey and lightly toasted almonds, followed quickly by tropical aromas of pineapple, citrusy lemon, and crème brûlée. The wine is refreshing on the palate, with a minerality that is both bright and clean, seductively drawing you into a vibrant tartness and lemon zest that is absolutely, positively Bonterra Chardonnay, vintage after vintage.

  2-3 fresh ahi steaks or 4 chicken breasts—grilled

  6 poblano chiles

  1 cup chicken broth

  ¾ cup butter

  4 oz (½ package) cream cheese, softened

  ½ cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

  Place chiles on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Broil chiles 3 inches from heat 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until charred. Place chiles in a heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag; seal and let stand 10 minutes to loosen skins. Peel and seed chiles, discarding skins.

  Combine chiles and broth in a blender or food processor; process until smooth.

  Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and stir in chile mixture. Add cream cheese and cheddar cheese, stirring constantly. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until cheeses melt.

  Twenty-two

  NOT again. Nikki hauled herself out of bed before the crack of dawn, feeling like a total jerk and then some. She’d had another dream about Andrés, and this one had been about the two of them in a house on a hill surrounded by vines. But they weren’t the only ones in the dream. There was a child—their child—and the toddler kept repeating everything that the two of them said to each other. They found it amusing and kept saying how lucky they’d been to finally find each other again and how much they loved one another.

  “No. I love Derek,” she whispered to herself, as she looked back at him still in bed sound asleep. Ollie lifted his head and put it back down. He was not necessarily an early riser. He definitely wasn’t a before the sun riser.

  She went into the kitchen and made a pot of coffee, trying hard to shake off the dream. She knew dreams could really mean something. Was her subconscious telling her something? She refused to believe that it was telling her that she was in love with Andrés or that he was the one she was meant to spend the rest of her life with. She was in love with Derek, and he was who she was meant to spend her life with and have children with. The dreams were only occurring because Andrés had shown back up abruptly and right before she was supposed to be married. Maybe it was her guilty conscious she struggled with. An interesting thought entered her mind, and she tossed it out almost as quickly as it had weaved its way into her brain—Andrés had shown up right before her wedding day. She had broken up with him and not in the most decent of ways. Could he be far angrier than he’d let on? Could he be angry enough to strike out? No. No way. This was Andrés. He’d loved her. Claimed that he still loved her. He would never hurt her, and he certainly had no ties to Kenny. Today after the sun came up, she would go and see him as he’d asked her to. She would find out what it was that he wanted to tell her about Renee, or rather show her. She couldn’t help but be intrigued.

  She also knew that when she went to see him she would need to have a long talk with him and straighten out all of this turmoil, or whatever it was. Andrés really needed to move on.

  But for now she couldn’t think about it. She took her coffee into their office and booted up the computer. She figured it was long overdo to read up on her Greek mythology.

  By the time Derek got up two hours later, she’d boned up on Greek mythology and did not like what she’d learned. The killer’s call tag, Moros Apate Thanatos, translated into doom, deceit, and death. Great. This killer was one weirdo.

  First off, as Marco had said the night before, Moros directly translated into English as doom or fate. He w
as the god who personified the end of every being, mortal or otherwise—according to Wikipedia. He was known to drive every being to their death. Supposedly this god was omniscient and omnipotent and not even Zeus could do away with him.

  Apate was one of the evil spirits released from Pandora’s box. There was nothing good about Apate. She was the daughter of Nyx, who was the goddess of night, and Erebos, who was the god of darkness. One of her siblings happened to be Moros. Her other siblings were just as awful, especially her brother Keres who was the personification of violent death and carnage.

  Then there was Thanatos. Now here was a god who would make the skin crawl. He just flat out represented death, and no surprise but his folks were also Nyx and Erebos. He had a twin brother named Hypnos, the god of sleep. Jeesh, those Greeks sure had lots of kids. Most of his siblings carried negative connotations, including suffering, retribution, and strife, as well as deceit and doom. However, Thanatos was a god who was exclusive to peaceful death, while his brother Keres was the blood-thirsty one. Yet Thanatos was said to be merciless and indiscriminate. Now that sounded violent as far as Nikki was concerned. He was hated by and hateful toward mortals and deathless gods.

  As the culture grew and changed, Thanatos was depicted as a more peaceful god and oftentimes drawn as a winged boy akin to Cupid. However, in modern times, he is depicted much of the time as a visage of the grim reaper.

  Nikki also learned that “Thanatron” was someone who performed assisted suicides. Someone who saw themselves as a kind and generous human being who helped those who wanted to die, die.

  Oh boy, they were dealing with a nutcase.

  Now that she had all of this information, what did it mean? She’d need a psychologist or psychiatrist to help figure someone like this out.

  It was possible that Alyssa could help her with this. Her friend had been taking psychology courses in hopes of earning her degree and being able to hang her shingle eventually in Napa. No matter what, there was something here with all of this reference to doom, deceit, and death, and Nikki aimed to figure out how it all connected to her and Kenny.