Decanting a Murder

by Nadine Nettmann

  The dead weight seemed much more than Tessa’s one hundred and ten pounds and my body trembled as I carried her to the couch, heaving her onto the cushions a little harder than planned. I shook out my arms as I walked into the kitchen and filled a glass with water.

  I put it on the coffee table in front of Tessa. “Drink this.”

  “No … No more drink.”

  “It’s water, Tee. Not alcohol.”

  “I don’t want water.”

  “Yes, you do. Now drink.” My tone was forceful, unusual for me but effective in this kind of situation.

  Tessa picked her head up from the couch cushion and with my help, sipped at the glass of water. “The room is starting to spin.” Tessa lay back down.

  “I bet it is. You have a lot to drink?”

  “No,” said Tessa, her hand draped across her forehead. “One, no, two, maybe three. I don’t know. Counting is hard.”

  I grabbed the small trash can from the bathroom and brought it back to the couch, placing it on the floor next to Tessa. “Tee, this is here in case you need it, okay?”

  “Okay,” she mumbled.

  “I thought you were going to stay in your apartment, lay low. Why did you go out?”

  “Geez, can’t a girl have a little fun?” asked Tessa.

  “You’re a suspect in a murder investigation and you go out and party?”

  “Not party. I was working.”

  “How was that work?”

  “I mean”—Tessa turned onto her side and closed her eyes— “going to work. Those guys were going to get me a job. Networking is important.” Her voice grew softer.

  “Tessa, don’t fall asleep, we need to talk.” I sat down on the cushion next to her and tapped her cheek with my hand. “Tessa, focus. Listen to me. Do you know anything about money disappearing from the winery accounts?”

  Tessa’s eyes opened, glassy and unfocused. “Money? Money is bling bling.” Her voice was a whisper and I knew I only had a few more minutes before sleep took over.

  “Yes, money.”

  “It’s not about the money, honey, bunny,” Tessa sang, then laughed.

  “Tessa, this is important. Focus.”

  She readjusted her head on the couch cushion. “It’s sleepy time, you talk too much.” Her eyes fluttered as they always did when she was falling asleep, followed by the heavy breathing that signaled she was out for the night.

  I sat back and watched her. Tessa tended to be straightforward, sometimes a little too much, while inebriated, but my questions had provided little information. Maybe I didn’t know my friend as well as I thought.

  I glanced at my watch. It was 1:37 in the morning. There was no point in driving back to my apartment, and I needed to have a serious talk with Tessa in the morning.

  I covered Tessa with her comforter and grabbed a blanket and a pillow for myself, curling up on the end of the L-shaped couch so I could be within earshot if she needed me. I stared at Tessa’s brand-new shoes, which were on the floor beside her. Navy blue Manolo Blahniks. At least five-hundred-dollar shoes.

  seventeen

  pairing suggestion: rioja—rioja, spain

  Made from the Tempranillo grape,

  it creates a slight sweetness on the palate.

  -

  The morning light streamed through the blinds, stirring me awake. I looked at the ceiling, then at the walls around me. This wasn’t my apartment.

  My eyes drifted to Tessa asleep on the couch, her legs and arms sticking out at awkward angles from under the comforter. The memory of last night flooded back to me.

  I sat up, leaned against the couch, and rubbed my eyes, making sure I was fully awake before I stood up. My stomach rumbled, a reminder that I had missed my post-shift meal at work.

  The floor creaked as I walked into the kitchen. Tessa stirred and flipped over but remained asleep.

  I opened the fridge to find a jar of pickles, mustard, and a package of store-bought cupcakes. No surprise there. It was one of the few things we really had in common, not stocking the fridge.

  I closed the door and turned to the cabinets, a second grumble from my stomach as I picked up a box of Cornflakes, which I put right back after remembering Tessa didn’t have any milk.

  I wrote a note, Gone to get food. When I come back, we can go get your car, and put it next to the coffee maker as I knew it was a place where Tessa would see it. Tessa would definitely need coffee after a night like last night.

  Only after I closed the door to the apartment did I realize that I had left Tessa’s key inside. When I returned, there would be a lot of pounding on the door to wake Tessa up, I was certain.

  The cool morning mist still floated in the air as I made my way to the main street. A couple walked past me, their eyes focused on my hair. I put my hand to my head, my fingers combing over the tangles, and I did my best to scrape my hair into a ponytail.

  I retraced my steps from the night before and approached Matteo’s. A restaurant like Matteo’s, which thrived on nightlife, wouldn’t be open for breakfast, but there might be one nearby that would.

  I was in luck. One block down from Matteo’s was a small boutique coffee shop, its door propped open beneath a white awning as a line of people stood waiting to order. I reached for my sunglasses but they weren’t in my purse. They were still in the car. I joined the line and kept my head down to avoid being noticed by anyone I knew. I had slept in my black pants and white shirt from work and the extensive creases across the front indicated as such. I tried to smooth them out but my efforts did nothing. I gave up and focused on the chalkboard menu above the counter.

  The line moved forward and a cheerful server behind the counter greeted me with a smile. “Morning. What can I get for you?”

  I looked up at the menu again. “I’ll take a croissant, an egg and cheese bagel, and two orange juices. All to go.”

  He typed up the order. I handed over cash and waited for my change, placing a few dollars in the tip jar on the counter.

  More people had arrived and the line snaked into the courtyard. I stood with my back to the wall as I waited for my order. The wine industry was actually pretty small and I prided myself on a clean appearance. A morning in Napa looking like I had slept in a barn would not be good for my career.

  “Egg and cheese bagel, croissant, and two OJ,” said another counter attendant as he hit the small bell next to him.

  “Thank you.” I gathered up the items and headed into the courtyard, my eyes to the ground as I passed the line of people. No one recognized me, or if they did, they didn’t acknowledge me.

  By the time I returned to Tessa’s apartment, the fog had lifted from the area, revealing the blue Napa sky. I knocked on the door, but there was no reply.

  “Tessa? It’s me, open up.”

  I tried again, this time using my fist to pound on the door.

  Several seconds later, Tessa opened the door, still in her dress from the night before, her tangled hair falling onto her half-awake face.

  “Good morning, sunshine.” I walked into the apartment. “I’m glad you’re awake.”

  “Yes, I don’t sleep when someone’s breaking down my door.”

  “Thankfully.”

  Tessa flopped back onto the couch.

  “How ya feeling?”

  “Peachy.”

  “Hung over?”

  “Don’t know,” said Tessa as she looked around. “Too early to tell. What’s that smell?”

  “I went to a coffee shop and bought you orange juice and a croissant.”

  Tessa put her hand to her head. “Don’t mention food. You’ll make me throw up.”

  “Yep, definitely hung over. Take a few bites, it will make you feel better.”

  “Not a chance.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “I’m so tired.” She maneuvered
to the edge of the couch and put her face in her hands. “Stop the pounding in my head.”

  “Orange juice will help that.”

  “Shut it, no it won’t,” said Tessa, her voice muffled. “But coffee will.” She stood up, red marks on her face from her hands, her body swaying as she walked into the kitchen. “Thanks for your note,” she said as the coffee maker started to percolate.

  “Clearly it worked.”

  “Clearly.”

  My stomach grumbled in increased anticipation as I unwrapped the egg and cheese bagel and started eating. I pushed one of Tessa’s Manolos with my toe. “When did you buy these shoes?”

  She stuck her head out of the kitchen. “I know, they’re cute, right? I got them last week.”

  “Very cute.”

  “Do you want to borrow them? You can.”

  “No, I think I’ve had enough of an adventure with heels for a while.” I glanced around the apartment. “I like what you’ve done with the place. Especially the boxes, that’s a nice touch.”

  “Katie,” Tessa said in a strained voice as she returned to the couch with a cup of coffee. “I’ll get to unpacking one day, but that day is not today.” She closed her eyes.

  “Is this table new? I don’t remember it from my visit last month.”

  “What?” Tessa opened her eyes.

  “Nothing.”

  “What table? I think that was here the last time you came. I don’t know.” Tessa put her coffee cup down. “I think I need to go to bed.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want orange juice?”

  “Ugh. Why are you so awake?”

  “I didn’t drink last night.”

  “Shame.” Tessa stood up and walked toward the bedroom, dragging the comforter behind her.

  “Hey, Tee, what about work?”

  “What work? I don’t have a job.”

  “But do you know that for sure?”

  Tessa paused at the entrance to the bedroom. “Too many questions, Katie. I’ve already been interrogated once this weekend.”

  “All I’m saying is that maybe you should call Frontier.”

  “Hell no.” She closed the bedroom door.

  “Or at least Vanessa,” I yelled. “To offer sympathy?”

  Tessa cracked open the door and looked at me, her eyes half open. “Katie, you’re my best friend, but really? You don’t have a clue.” The door closed and I continued eating, finishing my bagel.

  The muffled ringing of my phone came from my purse at the foot of the couch. I pulled it onto the seat next to me, the noise increasing in volume. The phone number was one I didn’t recognize.

  “Hello?”

  “Katie? It’s Dean. Detective Dean. Hope I didn’t wake you.”

  I looked at my watch. “It’s ten forty, and I never sleep late anyway.” My stomach dropped. “Is everything okay? Did something else come up with the case?”

  “We received the coroner’s report.”

  “And?” The egg and cheese bagel churned in my stomach and I regretted eating it so fast.

  “Mark’s time of death was prior to seven thirty.”

  I stood up. “Which means?”

  “Which means he was dead before Tessa got the text at seven forty as her phone records show. She was with you until then so she has an alibi. You.”

  I put both arms in the air in a Rocky Balboa pose. “Thank you!”

  “Thank me? I didn’t do anything.”

  “I know, I know.” I did a little dance. “But thank you so much for calling me! This makes me so happy!”

  “I’m glad.”

  I took a deep breath, my neck and shoulders completely loose. “You’ve made my day.” I touched the red button to end the call and placed it on the coffee table. I opened the door to Tessa’s room. “Tessa, you’re free, you didn’t kill Mark.”

  Tessa sat up in bed, her blond hair falling over her face. “Huh?”

  “You’re free. You didn’t kill Mark.”

  “I know I didn’t kill Mark.”

  “I mean they’ve cleared you. The coroner’s report came back and he was dead before you got the text.”

  “Yay,” Tessa mumbled and lay back down.

  “Don’t you want to celebrate?”

  “Katie,” Tessa said dryly, “you just told me I didn’t do something, which I knew I hadn’t done. This news isn’t exactly shocking. We can celebrate later. After sleep.” She pulled the comforter over her head.

  “If we go get your car, you can sleep the rest of the day.” I grabbed my orange juice off the table and took a long drink, washing away any remaining stress.

  My phone rang again.

  I picked it up from the table. “Did you forget to tell me something?” I waited for Dean’s deep voice.

  “Uh,” said an unfamiliar female voice. “I’m calling for Katie?”

  I readjusted the phone. “Sorry, I didn’t look at the number and I thought it was someone else. Who’s this?”

  There was hesitation on the other end of the line. “Katie, this is Vanessa.”

  I swallowed hard. “How are you?” The reality was most likely setting in. The hard days of realization. I closed my eyes, my breathing shallow as I waited for Vanessa to speak.

  “I’m … I’m hanging in there. I guess. I wouldn’t have called you on a Sunday, but I saw you walking this morning. At least I think it was you.”

  I took a breath. “Yes, that was me. I was getting food for Tessa.”

  “Oh…” Another pause. “Are you still in the area? Can we meet?”

  I felt my head roll to the side as the invitation played in my mind.

  Vanessa continued, “I need someone to talk to and I remember all the times with your mother in Junior League. She was trustworthy and I need someone like that. Someone I can trust. Or at least I hope I can.”

  “You can trust me.”

  “Then can we meet?”

  I ran my hands through my hair and looked down at my wrinkled shirt. “When did you want to meet?”

  “This afternoon?” her voice wavered. “I don’t want to disturb you if you’re busy, it’s just that—”

  I interrupted. “I’m free.”

  “There’s a cafe, Cafe DaMissio, in downtown Napa. Can we meet there? Maybe three o’clock?”

  “Sure.”

  “Thank you,” Vanessa said in a tone flooded with relief.

  “Of course.” I put down the phone and stared straight ahead.

  “Who was on the phone?” Tessa stood at the entrance to her bedroom.

  I hesitated. “Just someone who needed a friend. We can talk about it later.”

  Tessa stared at me. “Was it a boy? ’Cause you’re not allowed to get lucky. Not after the weekend I’ve had.”

  “Shut it, Tee, and get dressed. Let’s go get your car and we can grab lunch on the way.” I reached into my purse and took out the note that had been left on my car. “Hey, Tessa, whose handwriting is this?”

  “Huh?” said Tessa.

  “This.” I handed her the note.

  “Stop looking into Frontier, or next time you drive along the road to Napa, it won’t be a warning?” Tessa looked up at me. “Katie! Is this what I think it is?” Her eyes lit up. “You got an actual threat! That’s crazy! What are you going to do?”

  I shrugged. “Keep looking into it. I’m not going to let this bother me. But do you recognize the writing?”

  Tessa stared at the note and handed it back to me. “No clue. Doesn’t ring a bell for me. Everyone I know uses computers anyway.”

  The daytime drive to the lodge highlighted the California oak trees and sparse sections of vineyards that had been hidden on my nighttime visit to Mount Veeder.

  “Tessa, what’s your opinion of Seb?”

  �
�Seb, why?”

  “I’m trying to figure something out. How well do you know him?”

  Tessa shrugged. “I don’t know. Nice guy. Always nervous.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  “Trust him?” Tessa looked at me. “Why do you ask that?”

  I turned into the driveway of 1829. “Because he said he didn’t see you that night in the driveway and now he’s telling people that you’ve been stealing from the accounts.”

  “What?! What a jerk. I’ll kill him!”

  “Tessa, watch your language.”

  “We’re in the car, Katie. No one can hear us.”

  “Still. Not a good habit to say you’re going to kill someone, especially when there’s been a murder. So tell me.” I pulled up at the lodge and turned off the car. “What do you know about him?”

  “I don’t know. Now I think he’s a jerk.”

  “No, I want serious facts. Tell me everything you know about Seb.”

  Tessa leaned back in the seat. “I think he’s divorced, has a kid somewhere. With the ex-wife.”

  “Anything else?”

  “He’s a good worker. I guess he used to pick up some of the wine club duties on the weekend, before I came along.” Tessa opened the door of the car.

  “Did he get along with Mark?” I asked.

  “I think so.” She got out of the car.

  I leaned toward her open door to keep eye contact. “No, really think about it.”

  Tessa looked around at the trees. “I never saw them argue, but I know that Seb got in trouble a while ago.”

  “For what?”

  “He ruined a batch of wine. Added too much yeast. The whole thing had to be dumped.”

  “That’s a pretty big deal for a winery.”

  Tessa shrugged. “I guess. I know that Mark laid into him pretty bad for it. Seb’s been careful ever since, trying not to make a bad move. Didn’t want to lose his job, you know?”

  “Hmm. And it was Seb’s fault?”

  “Yes.” Tessa looked over her shoulder. “Can I get my car now?”

  “Just a sec.” I paused. “Seb also told me something else.”