Wine, Roses & Cheats (Gold Trotter Mystery Series Book 5)

by Gianna B. Reid

  Without hesitation, Gail left the car to meet the man as he approached her

  “Everything ok?” He asked quietly.

  “We’re fine,” Gail snarled. “Let me go before he becomes suspicious.”

  “Get back in the car,” he demanded. “I’m issuing a ticket.”

  “Jerk.” Gail swung around and walk back to her car.

  She and Barnaby waited in silence except for the occasional unintelligible grumbling from him. Finally the man came to the car holding a ticket.

  “Miss, please drive more cautiously. Here’s your ticket. You’re free to go.”

  Gail took a deep breath and started the engine with a roar.

  Barnaby looked at her, “For God’s sake what’s wrong with you? Let me take a look at that ticket—” he demanded. But Gail had already stuffed it into her purse which rested on the driver’s side. That would be the last thing she wanted Barnaby to see, because it wasn’t a ticket but a message.

  ***

  Gloria was enjoying her second cup of tea. It was one of her guilty pleasures after Norman left for the real estate office, where she could sip her tea slowly, alone to meditate, pray, think, or just dream. Sometimes her thoughts were dark, more often these days it centered on her grandchildren and Norman which brought her happiness. But as much as she loved her grandkids, she was relieved that Melanie had patched things up with her husband. Her moment of peace abruptly ended with a knock on the front door.

  “Melanie!” Gloria exclaimed. “What are you doing here? Come in, come in.”

  Her daughter was an emotional heap, face spotted from crying, eyes swollen, and her clothes and hair unkempt. She plopped on her mother’s couch, still sobbing.

  Gloria’s pulse went from normal to rocket speed in a second. What was this all about? Do I give her tough love, patience, sympathy, what? Gloria spontaneously embraced Melanie to soothe her.

  “Melanie, what’s wrong? Is it Mark again?”

  Melanie blew her nose in the overused tissue in her hand, sniffled a bit, and composed herself. Just hearing her mother’s reassuring voice brought calm.

  “Mom,” Melanie began, “it was never Mark. It’s been me. I’m having an affair and the man dumped me.”

  Gloria was speechless. She withdrew her arms from Melanie and moved away in order to have better focus.

  “I know what you’re probably thinking,” Melanie continued. “I’m a terrible wife, bad mother, this isn’t anything you ever did.”

  Gloria’s eyes watered and she took her daughter’s hand. She knew if she got too emotional she wouldn’t be able to help Melanie. So she silently recited the Serenity Prayer.

  “Wisdom to know the difference,” she then said aloud.

  “What wisdom, Mom?”

  Gloria stood up, she was about to move into lecture mode, but quickly decided that was the wrong approach. Her daughter was a grown woman, no lectures.

  “What do you want to do?” Gloria asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m so confused.”

  “Have you spoken to your pastor about this?”

  “No one. No one knows, except me. Not even Mark knows.”

  “Oh don’t be so sure about that,” Gloria cautioned. “The spouse can know without knowing.” Melanie looked up and instantly understood her mother’s warning. It was based on Gloria’s own experience with Melanie’s homosexual father.

  “Mom, what should I do?”

  “I can’t make your decision. I don’t even want to know about this other man. What I would say is what I said the night before you married. Never bring a third party into your marriage. You must guard your sacred relationship. I think you have to be honest with Mark, go for counseling, and heal your family.”

  “That sounds like so much work,” Melanie complained.

  “Love isn’t always about passion and sex and good times. True love blossoms into warmth, compassion, trust, and a deeper love called friendship. You and Mark are going through what millions of young couples go through. You’re getting bored with the same routines, the kids, the laundry, you know what I mean! You’re not going to find happiness outside of yourself, it’s within you.”

  “Can I stay for the night, I’ll just let Mark know I’m here.”

  “No,” Gloria said spontaneously and was startled by her response.

  “I can’t believe you told me I can’t stay here. Where can I go?”

  “Go home, to your family,” Gloria said sternly. “Thank the Lord for your blessings. You have two beautiful children, a husband who loves you, a sweet stepfather, and me! Just don’t sweep this under the rug, Melanie. It will become a pattern. You and Mark need marital counseling.”

  “I can’t believe he dumped me,” Melanie whined.

  “Thank God he did. It’s a wake-up call to realize what is real.”

  “You’re so right mom, you’re always right,” Melanie conceded.

  Gloria shook her head in disagreement while hugging Melanie. “Get a haircut, take some pride in your appearance again,” Gloria advised.

  She watched Melanie drive away, each blew kisses to the other. Gloria was overcome with emotion. If only she could return to the time when Melanie was a young girl, Gloria would do it in a nanosecond to simply enjoy a mother-daughter day the way it used to be.

  9

  It was the day before the Wine & Roses garden club event and it just so happened to be Kay and Gavin’s first wedding anniversary. But there were far so many distractions swirling about which created static in the air for both of them. Gavin was on a see-saw of highs and lows after the published article, and the tossing of items from his former residence. The sale of the home was a reality and so was the lack of fanfare about his article which bruised his ego. And here he was on what should be one of the happiest days for him, his first wedding anniversary to Kay.

  She wasn’t any better, had forgotten to buy a card, and was preoccupied with her rose bushes, the details of her outfit, hair and nails, and now she was filled with worry about the wine that would be served at the event. If it was as awful as what she and Gavin tasted, the whole party would be ruined and no one would buy or order cases as Max swore would reap plenty of profits for the college scholarships.

  Kay heard Gavin coming down the stairs. He did have a single rose and a card for her. “Happy anniversary!”

  “Happy anniversary to us,” she emphasized and rushed to hug him.

  “I know this isn’t much,” Gavin started to apologize. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “I don’t have anything for you, not even a card. I could make your favorite breakfast though,” Kay suggested. The thought of waffles, eggs and bacon sounded like heaven to Gavin, and as soon as the bacon started to sizzle, Cody came trotting from the living room to sit beneath the kitchen table.

  ‘I love you, Kay.” Gavin blurted with a mouthful of waffles.

  “Me too!” Kay replied while she planted a sticky maple syrup kiss on his cheek.

  Kay’s cell phone signaled a text message from Lana: Worried, don’t know where Max is.

  Kay slammed the phone on the table and shook her head. “Something is wrong with this Lana,” she complained. “She doesn’t know where her husband is.”

  “I’m surprised at you losing your temper, Kay. I thought you cared about Lana. Maybe it is code for something else?”

  Kay was astonished at Gavin’s insight. She immediately called Lana but the phone went straight to voice mail. “That’s weird. You think she’d pick up.”

  “May be we should take a quick ride over to the Berkins? We don’t want any snafus the day before the event,” Gavin said.

  They wolfed down the rest of breakfast with the help of Cody, and the three loaded into Kay’s small car with Gavin driving. At the very same time, Barnaby and Gail arrived at the Galaxy Distributors Connecticut office. No sooner did they turn the key, they found Lana waiting for them. A few moments later, Gavin and Kay arrived at the Berkin home in Upper Saddle River, NJ, and w
ere greeted by Max.

  “Max you’re home!” Kay blurted the obvious.

  “Yeah, this where I live. By the way, I loved the article. Sorry I didn’t have a chance to talk to you sooner. I’ve been securing the last of cases needed for the event. It’s going to be a success, and all the outdoor prep is being done, come look and see the huge tent in the back.” His speech was rapid and tense.

  Gavin shook his hand, and they walked toward the library window that overlooked the expansive property. Sure enough, an enormous tent was erected, tables were being assembled, and chairs waiting for unfolding.

  “I’m so excited,” Kay bubbled. “Is Lana home?”

  “No, ah, I think she may be with Gail Potter.”

  “Max, last night Kay and I tasted one of the wines, and I have to say, it was off to put it politely.”

  “Really? Must have been a fluke. I’ll give you another bottle.”

  “Oh no, that won’t be necessary,” Gavin assured him with a note of apology in his voice.

  “As a matter of fact, today is our anniversary,” Kay piped up.

  “Oh then this calls for Champagne! Let me grab a bottle for you from the fridge.”

  Max entered the main hall into his massive kitchen that had two stainless steel refrigerators, one for food and one for wine. He grabbed a bottle of the best French Champagne he had and proudly presented it to Gavin and Kay.

  “Happy anniversary and may more,” Max said. “You know I want us to remain friends even after the event. My wife is very fond of you.”

  “We like Lana too,” Kay replied.

  “Thank you for the Champagne, and I’m so glad you like the article.”

  Gavin and Kay returned to the car where Cody was waiting. They were as perplexed as ever. “What was that all about?” Gavin asked. “He wasn’t even concerned when I told him about the wine.”

  “And Max didn’t seem to care that Lana was not home. So why was Lana worried?” Kay asked a loud.

  “May be she was worried that Max was with Gail?” Gavin said.

  Again, Kay was impressed at Gavin’s quick thinking. “You’re right, there’s something going on with Max and Gail. Oh, I don’t know,” Kay admitted. “There’s something going on with all of them.”

  ***

  Lana had been waiting inside the office of Galaxy Distributors as prearranged. Barnaby took control of the meeting while the two women listened to the logistics of the wine delivery.

  “I’ll have my drivers take these cases of wine to your home tomorrow morning, Lana. They’re all bottled and labeled properly, ready for swift sales. Max should be pleased what his vineyards have yielded the past two years.”

  “Those are my vineyards too,” Lana corrected him.

  “Yeah, whatever, yours, his, mine,” Barnaby remarked. Gail gave a sideward glance to Lana that stirred Barnaby’s ire.

  “And Lana, I’ll be blunt with you. I don’t trust Gail. I think she and Max are working against us.”

  Lana had to think quickly so she glared at Gail and grabbed her by the hair.

  “If I find out that you’re double-crossing me, or fooling with Max, you’ll never see the likes of anyone as big as Max Berkin again for your public relations firm!”

  Barnaby smiled and didn’t attempt to intervene. He loved seeing women getting tough. Lana was hot in his book and he couldn’t understand what the attraction Max had for Gail. Gail’s eyes watered a bit and she pushed Lana away.

  “Temper, temper, girls,” Barnaby teased.

  “Shut up,” Lana lashed out.

  Gail retreated to the bathroom, ran the water, and texted on her cell phone: We’re ready.

  ***

  Though the three couples would see each other at tomorrow’s Wine & Roses event, they decided an impromptu gathering for reasons to celebrate. Josh and Peggy hosted, everyone was asked to come as they are which for the guys meant jeans and the first shirt they grabbed from the closet, and for the women simple black slacks with a tailored blouse. Gavin brought the Champagne over to share with their friends.

  “Okay, who called this party and why?” Norman mocked pseudo-seriously.

  “We have so much to celebrate!” Peggy announced. “There’s Kay and Gavin’s first anniversary.” The three lifted their glasses for that. “Oh this is delicious.” Peggy said about the Champagne.

  “And there’s Gavin’s article!” Kay added. More Champagne was poured.

  “Peggy and I have been together for 6 months today,” Josh said while looking straight into Peggy’s green eyes.

  “Oh congratulations, kids!” Norman cheered. “And let’s not forget that Gavin sold his Pearl River house this week.”

  “Yea for Gavin!” Gloria said, though she understood the pained look on Gavin’s face. Parting with an old house and change was a loss.

  “When is the closing?” Gavin asked with concern. “I don’t want any funny business.”

  “Gavin, would I ever cheat a friend?” Norman patted Gavin’s back as he spoke.

  “Hey, what about my photographs on the event postcard and in the article?” Kay pleaded.

  “Oooh, how could we forget,” Peggy chided. “Here’s to Kay’s award winning photographs!”

  Everyone drank up the last of the Champagne, dug into the baked ziti that Peggy prepared, and idled the evening with jokes, plans for trips, and of course the Wine & Roses event. That was never far away from Kay’s thoughts. None of my friends know what was going on behind the scenes. What am I saying, I’m not even sure.

  It was all this uncertainty that gave Kay a painful knot in her stomach, one that her gut had taught her to always pay attention. It meant trouble, sometimes unseen, but on some level Kay knew it was lurking.

  10

  At last, the evening of the event arrived. It started at 4:30 in the afternoon and was schedule until 10 pm. This would give everyone plenty of time to look over the roses, and sample a good amount of the wines. Max and Lana, the host and hostess looked like a couple who stepped-out of The Great Gatsby. He wore a white retro tuxedo and she wore a gold shimmering gown which complimented her olive complexion. Gail and Barnaby stood together away from the other guests; neither cared to impress anyone with their outfits. Gail wore a simple black dress, and Barnaby’s suit was begging to be pressed.

  Everyone was greeted by valet parking and escorted around the grounds to the big tent in the back. Champagne and martinis flowed like water. Fears that Kay had the day before were quickly allayed when she saw the spectacular setting.

  Brazilian jazz filled the air at the garden club’s Wine & Roses spring soiree. The blend of aromatic spring blossoms with international wine bouquets created an intoxicating atmosphere. The men wore European style sport-jackets, imported finely woven cotton shirts and linen slacks; the women arrived in glamorous colorful designer dresses and accessories while adorned with faux-gem necklaces.

  The jazz ensemble stopped at precisely 7:30 PM for the announcements of the best spring floral and tally on the favorite wine. Everyone waited in anticipation, only an occasional cough, throat clearing and whisper was heard among the guests.

  Gail Potter deliberately swished her hips against Max while making her way up to the front. As chair of the event she took enormous pleasure in building the excitement among the guests. She smiled and waved the envelope at the group.

  “This isn’t the Oscar’s,” Gavin mumbled to Kay.

  “Shhh, I want to hear.”

  “We all want to hear,” he said louder. Kay shook her head.

  Gail slowly opened the envelope delighting how all eyes were on her. Everything is going as planned, she thought. Finally she unfolded the paper to disclose the winner of the floral competition and wine vote. A worried expression washed across her face and she brought her hand up to her mouth.

  “Who is it?” A woman shouted.

  “Who won?” Another demanded.

  “It…doesn’t say,” Gail said nervously. “There’s a note: You will be
dead before the end of this evening.

  Gail ran frantically through the crowd. Everything was a blur, the faces, the flowers, would these be the last things she would see? She slammed into a table and sent dozens of wine bottles to the ground, then twisted around some hedges not knowing which direction to turn. Kay held Gavin’s hand with a forceful grip. Gloria and Norman huddled together not far from Peggy and Josh who had retreated to the tent canopy. Lana followed Gail, she knew what would happen next, and it both frightened and liberated her at once. There was a screech of a car. Now, sure that none of the guests had followed her, Lana ran back to the event screaming.

  “She’s dead! Gail Potter is dead!”

  There were gasps among the women. Some of the men took advantage of the turmoil and grabbed bottles of wine. Oddly Max went missing, while Barnaby stood by detached and cool.

  “Someone call the police!” Kay dialed 9-1-1.

  In less than 8 minutes the police arrived at the scene, with no trace of Gail. Between the time Lana spotted her body and returned to the party, it went missing. The police took statements from everyone and told them that no one was to leave.

  “But how can it be considered a murder without a body?” Kay asked. Lana walked toward Kay to gently lead her back to the party.

  “Let the police do their work, we should try to carry on with the event and announce the winners.”

  Kay looked at Lana in horror. How could she be so removed from a possible murder or kidnapping?

  “I can’t believe what a fiasco this has turned into,” one of the garden club members commented for everyone to hear. She turned toward Kay and hurled, “It’s your fault, this whole event was fixed so that your husband could have his little article and you could have your photographs. None of this would have happened if we used a local wine merchant.”

  Kay’s face grew red but words failed her. Lana tried to physically shield her from this woman’s unkind barrage.