“Hi, honey,” I said to Jack when I saw the caller ID.
“Hey, babe, I wanted to let you know that I’m finished with my training up here. I’m going to shower and I’ll meet you there. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Jack had been doing an early morning rescue drill up in the Santa Monica mountains, so this was perfect timing.
Since the whole sad Paula episode, we’d all kind of retreated into our own lives for a while. Jack and I and the dogs spent a long weekend at Lake Arrowhead, a popular ski resort in the winter and a peaceful escape in the warmer months. We rented a cabin and hiked, cooked out, went fishing, and cuddled by the fire. Bardot befriended a duck that we named Cecil, and for a while it looked like I was going to have another mouth to feed when we got home. But on the day we were to leave Cecil met a PYD (pretty young duck) and they swam off together into the sunset. I returned home rested but not entirely healed. That would take time.
Sally and Joe got the remodeling bug and were busy planning and consulting an architect. The ideas kept evolving and changing, but the main goal was to create a separate space for her cousin Jimmy, who was coming for an extended visit. They were excited to have him joining them as the majority of their relatives resided back East.
Peggy was dating! That was the big news for the beginning of summer. It seems that one of her buddies from the CIA, someone that she had actually gone out with a few times before she met Vern, was now a widower. They got back in touch when Peggy was doing research for me on the case. He lives in San Diego, which according to Peggy, is just far enough away for them to be able to miss each other. And for Peggy to have some Peggy time. When you are in your eighties, you’re less inclined to hop in the car at eight at night and drive an hour and a half just to be together. We’ve met him; you could tell that he was a hottie in his day.
Marisol continues to play hermano grande on Rose Avenue. I think I’ve finally broken her of the habit of entering my house at will with a carefully staged scenario that Jack and I conjured up. We were outside BBQing one evening with ribs on the grill. The aroma of sizzling pork is usually the Pavlovian stimulus needed to lure her over. When we heard her garden clogs clip-clop up my driveway, Jack and I both took our tops off. As the gate opened, we screamed and grabbed the towel we’d had waiting to cover ourselves, giving the impression that we were both stark naked. She made a hasty retreat and hasn’t tried to enter unannounced again. After a brief discussion, we agreed that the idea of grilling naked held no appeal whatsoever.
I looked at her profile staring out the window and I tried to imagine what was going through her head. I suspect that even someone as inventive as J.K. Rowling would have trouble with this exercise.
“Marisol, I keep forgetting to ask you, the day that Paula broke into my house, what caused you to come over and surprise her? Was she making loud noises?”
“No,” she said to me, always a font of information.
“So what was it?”
“Cheese.”
“Cheese?”
“Yes, I was out of that good kind that you always buy and I wanted to make a sandwich.”
“You really have no shame, do you?”
“Why should I, you had a big hunk of that cheese, so I was happy.”
I could see the sun reflect off her gold tooth as she looked out the car window and smiled.
“Penelope, what do you know about this property that we are headed to?” Sally asked.
“Well, it’s all happened so fast, hasn’t it? One minute Malcolm’s renovating his great-grand-mum’s house and the next he’s moved to Malibu. And I believe that I am partly responsible for it.”
“So I’ve heard, but not any details.” I wanted to hear the whole serendipitous story.
“You’ll recall, Halsey, that we left you in the gardens and Malcolm and I went back to my house for cocktails.”
“How I wish I’d gone with you.”
“After a couple of G&T’s, I’d loosened up a bit and asked if I could see Abigail’s house. You know how keen an interest I take in antiques and I’d heard from Paula that the house was packed with them.”
“I’ll bet; I only saw the tip of the iceberg the day I walked in looking for Malcolm.”
“And we’re talking real old artifacts,” Peggy said, “not mystery clocks and Singer sewing machines.”
“Correct,” Penelope replied. “There was a box of antique brooches from the 1900s that I could tell were the real deal and a collection of posters and postcards from their original carnival days, all very desirable today. There were loads and loads of memorabilia that I guessed could be appraised at around one hundred thousand, but the mother lode was what we found in her freezer.”
“Dear God, now what?” Sally steeled herself.
“Nothing gruesome. It was quite marvelous, really and exquisite. Inside was a large metal box that took up almost the whole compartment. Malcolm and I needed to use hot water to pry it loose from the ice on the floor of the freezer. When we got it out and opened it, we found what must have been more than two hundred antique lighters of all shapes, materials, and sizes. There were Cartiers and Fabergés in gold, jewels, and enamels, DuPonts, Dunhills, even early Zippos. I knew that there was a fortune there.”
“Wow, I wonder where they all came from,” Peggy said. “I’m guessing that they were stolen, given the family’s history.”
“That’s what Malcolm thinks, which is why he is reticent to sell any of them. So he’s just hung on to them and occasionally looks at them guiltily.”
“So this property that we’re on our way to see, Malcolm hasn’t purchased it yet?”
“He has, Sally,” Penelope replied, “but it may be some time before he can carry out his plans for it. There are still some parts of Abigail’s estate to settle as well.”
“I wonder why someone would just steal lighters. I mean a pickpocket would go for the wallet first, right?” Marisol might be onto something.
I took out my iPhone and launched a search. While I was waiting for results, we turned off PCH and headed up hill into the mountains. When my phone pinged, I looked at it to see what had been returned.
“I knew it!” I shouted.
“What?” They all yelled, and Sally slammed on the brakes.
“Oops, sorry for shouting. We have good news for Malcolm; he’s going to be able to break ground right away.”
“How so?” Penelope asked.
“I’ve had a running search going on for Venice Beach in the early 1900s. I thought that I remembered something and I just confirmed it. The Abernathy family owned and operated a roller coaster on the pier at that time. One of the brothers had married Abigail Rose right around the same time.”
“And? Out with it, Halsey.” Peggy was getting impatient.
“And I bet that’s how she wound up with that vast collection of lighters and brooches for that matter. She probably stood under the section of track where the cars were turned almost upside down along with its passengers, shaking anything that was loose out of their pockets.”
“Well, that’s not stealing, technically.” Penelope smiled.
“It certainly isn’t,” Sally said as we turned into a wooden gate and pathway that led up to a stone house on top. Below were rows and rows of land that looked like they hadn’t been cultivated in quite a while. As we pulled up to the doorway, a beacon of red hair appeared from around back. Young Malcolm had shed his worn academic cords and bow tie for jeans and a black T-shirt that actually made him look kind of hip.
“I have the best news,” Penelope said, running up and hugging him.
“Love abounds,” I said to Peggy, who I swear blushed.
“Okay if I let Bardot run?” I asked Malcolm.
“Silly not to!” He wore a wide grin, clearly he’d liked the news that Penelope had given him. I let Bardot off leash and she went tearing down the hill to search for the Pinot section I suppose.
Jack pulled up in his truck a few
moments later and let Clarence join Bardot to sniff grapes.
“Are we going to get the grand tour, Malcolm?” Jack asked, handing him the pallet of small plants from the back of my SUV.
“Of course, there’s not much to see right now, but I do have the plans pretty well worked out. I still have so much to learn about wine making and the entire growing process. Penelope and I have been taking some classes and visiting some of the other local vineyards. The owners are incredibly giving with their knowledge and learning from mistakes.”
“And Halsey has agreed to help us with her garden plot in town to experiment with varietals of grapes.”
“I see this as a win-win proposition.” I gave them a contented smile.
There was a large picnic table with benches at the side of the house and we all made our way over to it. Not only to enjoy the view down the valley to the ocean in the distant horizon but also because several bottles and empty wineglasses beckoned.
“Any ideas on a name for this operation?” Peggy asked. It was a funny word for her to use. I pictured her in her spy days naming a mission the Tabula Rasa Project or some such cryptic moniker.
“I have actually,” Malcolm replied. “And the sign was just delivered today.”
He pointed to a rectangular shape affixed to two large logs with a sheet covering the facing.
“Do we all have wine?” Malcolm asked.
We nodded.
“Then let us toast to the Abigail Rose Winery!”
Perfect.
Chapter 28
I hosted Wine Club a few days later and the ideal temperatures made it an outdoor affair. Bardot used the pool as her stage and performed numerous underwater tricks for the girls.
“This cheese is delicious, Halsey, what is it?” Sally asked.
“It is a Comté; it’s kind of like the French cousin to the Swiss Gruyère cheese. I like to eat it with a piece of ripe fig and definitely add a glass of the Ressac Vin de Pays d’Oc Syrah. It’s a perfect marriage.”
I’d decided to do a French version of my signature “great plate” for them today. It is basically a spread of sweet and savory snacks with an assortment of carbohydrates thrown in for good measure. I was serving pâtés, salume, seasonal fruits both fresh and dried, and five cheeses from mild to stinky and delectable. There were crackers and small slices of toasted bread along with butter and a strong mustard. And three different wines to pair with the food that was selected.
“I’ve missed you guys so much, and the delicious Wine Clubs,” Aimee declared. She’d been MIA for much of the last few months doing double-duty, running her frozen yogurt shop and taking baking classes so that she could soon add to the offerings at Chill Out.
“We’re glad to have you back,” Penelope said. “She didn’t miss much of anything, did she, ladies?”
We all chuckled.
“How’s Jack doing, Halsey? I’ve missed seeing him too.”
“He’s doing great, Aimee. We should go out to dinner with you and Tom soon. Just don’t tell him that you are craving really good Mexican food or you’ll end up in Santa Barbara before you know it!”
Bardot was now out of the pool and busying herself with something at the far corner of my yard. I’d seen a raccoon recently, just sitting up high in a tree and staring down at my frustrated dog that just wanted to play.
My cell phone rang.
“Speak of the devil,” I said, seeing Jack’s ID come up.
“How did you know that we were talking about you?”
“I just assumed that you always talk about me, babe. Hey listen, I’m up at Frederick’s and he has some news for you. I’m passing the phone over to him.”
“Halsey? How lovely to be with you again even if it is just telephonically.”
“Thank you, Frederick, we can FaceTime if you so desire.”
The girls, sensing that this call was just chitchat, went back to the business of eating and drinking and gossiping.
“I take terrible pictures, so I’ll spare you having to look at my old mug. Listen, I have some potentially good news to share with you. Do you remember that baggie you gave me over coffee with the soil and sludge samples from the construction site?”
“The same bag that got me arrested and put in a holding tank overnight, how could I forget?”
“I’ve just gotten the test results back, and it shows a 92.5 percent probability that there is oil beneath the land on and around Rose Avenue. How about that?”
For a moment I was numb. The thought of opening this whole oil issue up again made my stomach cramp. I also couldn’t bear to think of how everyone would react. It was bad enough when there was no proof.
“That is extremely interesting, Frederick, is 92.5 a high percentage of probability?”
“It’s not chicken feed, certainly worth another look.”
“Yes, I’m going to need some time to process this, and in the interim, would you please keep this between us?”
“Absolutely, your confidentiality is safe with me until you tell me otherwise.”
“Thank you, Frederick.”
I ended the call and took a generous sip from my wineglass. I looked over at the girls and they were all having a splendid and relaxed time. While Wine Club may seem on the surface to be about getting a nice buzz and tingling our taste buds, it is much more than that. It has become our support system for getting through both the good and the bad. It is about spending two hours in the sisterhood sanctuary made even better by the elixir from the grape. I would never do anything to put that in jeopardy.
We heard a loud, raspy squeak sound come from the back of the yard. Branches and leaves rustled and I saw dirt come flying back in a spray.
“Bardot, leave him alone and come join the girls.”
It took a few moments but she finally retreated from her sentry position and marched over to us. Once she reached the patio, I noticed that she was tracking dark paw prints on the surface. I bent down for a closer look. It was not from dirt or mud, it was more like some kind of viscous liquid.
It couldn’t be . . .
What the Rose Avenue
Wine Club Drank
2016 “Elgin Ridge Chardonnay” Elgin, South Africa
2012 “Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Rosé of Pinot Noir” Sonoma Coast, California
2013 “Sea Smoke Botella Pinot Noir” Santa Rita Hills, California
2014 “Hess Select Chardonnay” Monterey, Central Coast, California
2014 “King Estate Signature Collection Pinot Gris” from Oregon
“First Class Pinot Noirs” Aconcagua, Chile
“Lillet” a French aperitif from Podensac, a small village south of Bordeaux, France
2014 “Joel Gott Alakai Grenache” Monterey County, California
2015 “Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rose” Rosé from Monterey, Central Coast, California
2014 “Leone de Castris Primitivo di Manduria Villa Santera Primitivo” Puglia, Italy
“Ressac, Rosé De Syrah” Vin de Pays d’Oc IPG, France
What Bardot Drank
2018 “Chateau Eau de Piscine” Mar Vista, California
A Rose Avenue Guide to Wine Pairing
A
ANTIPASTO:
What goes best with cured meats, olives, peppers, eggplant, soft cheeses, and artichokes? Besides the obvious Pinot Grigio, try to mix it up a bit with reds and whites. For a red, we ladies like to drink a northern Italian Barbera. Great with food in general, a Barbera refreshes the mouth and stimulates the appetite. And more food means more wine, so stock up!
AVOCADO TOAST:
Bring on the Sauvignon Blanc. We like to imbibe in the samplings from New Zealand, in particular the tart, crisp Greywacke Wild Sauvignon from Marlborough, New Zealand. First, we love saying the word “greywacke” and the more wine we drink the more we say it. And second for its smooth texture and long, citrus finish.
B
BACON-WRAPPED DATES:
These little sweet-and-salty pork fatty tre
asures actually originated in Spain, so it makes sense to drink a bottle or three from the same region. We’ve been known to make fast work of Garnacha reds. Check your local Trader Joe’s for Garnachas from Calatayud, Spain. And if you’re feeling frisky you might also pair these dates with a dry champagne.
BARBECUE SHRIMP:
We’re going Riesling here, and not the sweet stuff. We prefer something like a Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Riesling from Monterey, California. The peach and orange notes give it a yummy finish.
C
CRAB CAKES:
Pinot Blanc is Peggy’s go-to wine with this delectable crustacean. She’s been known to uncork some bottles of California’s Arroyo Grande Valley Tantra for just such an occasion.
D
DIM SUM:
This salty array of bodacious bites needs a fruity wine to balance it out. We’re partial to a Don Miguel Gascón Malbec from Argentina. Try sum!
DUCK CONFIT ENCHILADAS:
An Oregon Pinot Noir will do the trick. Cooper Mountain Vineyards has a nice Willamette Valley selection. The refreshing tartness tastes of raspberry and cherry, a perfect combo with duck. Add mole sauce for the chocolate flavor and you’ve got all the food groups covered.
G
GUACAMOLE:
Don’t you go thumbing your nose at Rosés! If Margaritas are not close at hand Sofia by Francis Coppola is the perfect dry, fruity rosé to drink while you dip a chip.
H
HAM AND CHEESE CROQUETTES:
A French Loire Valley Vouvray is what’s needed here. It takes a boisterous taste to stand up to the perfect marriage of salt and fat.
L
LAMB CHOPS:
Since arguably the best lamb chops come from Australia it stands to reason that they’ve got a wine that will make them proud. We’ve enjoyed the Aussie’s Caravan Petite Sirah.
LOBSTER ROLLS:
Mix claws, knuckles, and tails with mayo and tarragon and serve on a buttered, grilled bun and even battery acid couldn’t ruin the experience. But might we suggest an Austrian Grüner Veltliner instead? Perhaps a Gobelsburger?
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