“I’m going to claim my room,” Marisol said in full voice, pushing past us.
We stepped into an enormous space, larger than the deceptive perception that you got from looking at the exterior. First and foremost, your eye went straight back to a floor-to-ceiling river-rock fireplace with a chimney that must measure over thirty feet tall. There was a lovely fire roaring, and Sally had taken up residence in one of the soft leather club chairs placed in a horseshoe shape around the hearth. There was a matching buttery brown sofa that looked to be able to accommodate six comfortably. On either end Pendleton blankets were draped over the back in case the fire wasn’t quite enough for a super cold night.
In the middle of this area sat a round wrought iron and wood table large enough to lay out a seven-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle.
We joined Sally by the fire.
“Where’s Penelope?” I asked, sinking into the sofa and noticing the ceiling for the first time.
“In here, luv. I’ll be right over with a tray of goodies and some wine. Aimee, since you’re closest, would you mind grabbing some glasses off the rack?”
I saw that Penelope was standing behind a bar arranging a tray of cheeses for us. The light was on in the room behind the bar, which I guessed was a small kitchen. My eyes went back up to the spectacular ceiling. Exposed beams gave the space a rustic warmth and also served as platforms for iron chandeliers to suspend. I wasn’t sure where to look next, there was so much to take in.
On either side of the fireplace, wooden shelves were set into the stone wall and filled edge to edge with books.
Wine, books, a roaring fire? Just don’t forget to call me for supper.
I followed the bookcases to their tops, and that’s when I saw that there was a balcony that went all around the four walls of the building. It looked like it jutted out about twenty feet, and that’s when I surmised that the bedrooms had been built up there. It was confirmed when Marisol peered over the railing curiously concurrent with Penelope placing a tray of delectables on the coffee table.
“Right then, my darlings, let me give you a proper welcome,” Penelope raised her glass to us.
“This is the most wonderful, beautiful space I’ve ever seen, Penelope. I feel like I’m in a Ralph Lauren commercial,” Aimee gushed.
“I agree, and I wish I’d packed my sleeveless mauve polo shirt.” Sally shook her head.
“Why don’t you ever get this kind of cheese?” Marisol asked me, stuffing a laden cracker in her mouth.
I ignored her and turned my attention to the echoing sounds of clicking toenails approaching from behind us.
“There they are!” Peggy clapped her hands as she watched exuberant Bardot and euphoric little Malibu Rose come pounding up to us.
I don’t think that I’d ever seen Bardot happier. Except maybe for the first time that she discovered that she could dive underwater.
“I thought that I heard the rumblings of a Wine Club in here.”
I turned to see Malcolm stride into the barn. All this manual labor was giving him muscles too. No wonder Penelope never stopped smiling. We all cooed accolades on him for this beautiful barn. At his side was Isabella.
“Isabella!” Sally got up to greet her with a hug. We all joined in—we’re group hug kinds of folk.
“Hi, Malcolm.” Peggy broke off and gave him a hug too.
“Hello, ladies, and welcome. Penelope, Andrew, and I are so happy and proud to share our first harvest with such dear friends.” To Penelope he said, “The guys are working the fire in the clay oven, and it should be ready for food in no more than ten minutes.”
“Perfect. I’d better get to the main kitchen then.” Penelope set into action.
“I’ll go with you to help,” Isabella said, “and I’m excited to test out the new pizza oven.” The second that she said it, her face dropped as I expected that she was thinking of Rico sitting in a jail cell.
“We girls should bring in the luggage and select our rooms. I have a feeling that later tonight we may not know which end is up.” Sally ushered Aimee and Peggy out to the car.
“Marisol, I think that you’ll find two bowls and a tin of dog food in the kitchen behind the bar. Would you like to give these two crazy pups their dinner?” Malcolm asked.
“Sure,” she said, but made sure to grab the few remaining pieces of cheese left on the tray.
“Halsey, let’s sit for a moment . . . there’s something that I want to talk to you about.”
This was the most serious look I’d seen on Malcolm’s face since they returned from their honeymoon. Anguished might be a better way to describe it.
“You’re scaring me, Malcolm. What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been keeping something a secret, and it’s tearing me apart. I hate like crazy to betray a confidence, but if I don’t people will suffer. You’ve always had such a wise mind, so would it be okay if I share this just with you?”
Are you kidding? Secrets are my bread and butter. As long as they don’t hurt the people that I love.
“This sounds ominous. I think you’d better . . . at the very least I’ll be able to share the burden.”
“Whew, thanks, Halsey.” He moved onto the couch next to me so he could speak softly and still be heard.
“It’s about Rico.”
“Oh God, you have evidence, don’t you?”
“Yes, but not for what you think.”
I could have sworn that I saw a dark shadow dart across a section of balcony above us.
“As everyone’s said, the man is tremendously proud. Foolishly so if you ask me.” Malcolm’s cheeks were turning candy apple red probably from both the fire and the unburdening of the truth.
“I agree, and I keep wondering if this is just to protect his name or if he’s protecting family members that have committed a crime. Or crimes.”
“I’m pretty sure that it is the former.” Malcolm looked up at the balcony as well. At least I wasn’t dreaming that there was movement up there.
“I wish that I could be so sure,” I said. “But Inspector Mason and his team seem to have enough evidence. I heard from Augie that he’ll be going to the DA with it early next week.”
“Then I have to break my promise to Rico, and maybe you can tell me what to do with this.”
“Go ahead. What is it, Malcolm?”
“I gave Rico the money to purchase the pizza oven.”
“You did?”
“Well, he insisted that it be called a loan that he plans to pay back as soon as the insurance money is paid. Of course I would never accept a payback. After all, the oven is a necessary piece of equipment for our tasting room and private events. We’ll get much good use out of it, and besides, the Brunos will need the insurance to rebuild their shop in Mar Vista.”
My mind was racing, and I could feel myself hyperventilating.
“Malcolm, do you have proof of this loan, a canceled check, perhaps?”
He dropped his head and shook it.
“I’m afraid not. The condition of the loan was that it be untraceable because he didn’t want Isabella to find out that he had needed to borrow money. Like I said, foolish pride.”
“So what? You handed him ten thousand dollars in cash? In a briefcase or something?”
Malcolm chuckled. “You watch too many cop movies, Halsey.”
I shrugged.
“No, I gave him a cashier’s check made out to ‘Cash.’ He said that he was going to make the purchase directly through an outlet that deals in slightly used equipment.”
“Think, Malcolm. Were you here when the oven was delivered?”
“No, I was meeting with a distributor in town. I think that Andrew signed for it.”
“Who has the paperwork now? If we can show a paper trail back to you to corroborate your claim that the money came from you, then they’ll have to let Rico go!”
“I can check in the office, Halsey.”
“MALCOLM? What are all these women doing here tonight? Hell, you
told me that they weren’t coming until tomorrow.”
The shouting came from Andrew standing at the entrance of the barn.
“How the f- am I supposed to get my work done with these busybody bitches wandering around?”
It was then that he saw me sitting with Malcolm. His jaw dropped and he immediately spun around and stormed off.
“Wow, I’ve never heard Andrew speak that way. What was that all about?”
“Don’t take it personally, Halsey. This is Andrew’s first big job, and the stress is getting to him.”
Or are those his true colors?
We both stood.
“I see. Let me talk to the girls, and we’ll make sure to stay out of his way.”
“Wonderful. Thanks, Halsey. And right after dinner, I’ll go in the office and search for that receipt for the oven.”
“Great. Let me know if you want another set of eyes to look with you.”
Malcolm nodded.
“I smell beef being grilled, so let’s get some chow,” he said, walking me toward the doors of the barn.
“I’m just going to run upstairs for a second and freshen up, and I’ll be right behind you,” I told Malcolm.
I think the thing that struck me as the strangest about Andrew’s outburst was not so much that he revealed his temper but that it was directed at the Wine Club “busybodies” interfering with his work. It was now almost seven thirty, pitch-black outside. Just exactly what kind of work was he planning on doing tonight?
* * *
When I reached the patio off the side of the main house with the newly built clay and stone oven the mood was decidedly more upbeat.
Penelope was working the grill, flipping burgers and rolling “bangers” over until they were a golden brown. Buns were toasting away from the flame, and a platter was awaiting the finished product. Malcolm took the tongs away from Penelope so that she could be relieved of cooking duties and enjoy her guests.
Behind them a long picnic table with a plastic checkered cloth held buckets every two seats with utensils and napkins in them. About the same distance apart I spotted condiments, bowls of potato salad, pickles, and small bags of chips. And, never one to forget, bottles of wine.
Strings of lights with paper lantern shades were strung across the entire space above us and a fire pit had been lit. I guessed that this was where we’d rendezvous for late-night Calvados and ghost stories.
This is casual and perfect.
To everyone except myself, because I was finding it hard to shake Andrew’s acerbic tantrum.
“There you are, BFF!” Sally slid over on the bench to make room for me.
Across the table Peggy and Marisol were having an animated conversation, but with the music and Penelope and Malcolm’s staff laughing and talking loudly, I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I was certainly going to follow up with Peggy when I had the chance.
I looked to the other side of Marisol and felt my blood boil.
Sitting on the bench almost shoulder to shoulder were Bardot and Malibu Rose, each enjoying plates of cut-up hot dogs that were placed on the table. Jack would have plucked his entire beard out if he’d seen this.
Much as I wanted to put a stop to dogs eating off the table, I really didn’t want to ruin the comfortable vibe that was sweeping the group.
Malcolm appeared at the table with a heaping platter of freshly grilled goodies, and from the other side of the table Aimee and Penelope came from the kitchen bringing deep wooden bowls of marvelously delicious-looking salads. I spotted orange wedges of clementine and slivers of almonds, heirloom tomatoes, and multicolored lettuce leaves. And croutons. I tried to catch Aimee’s eye so that I could direct her to deposit her bowl in front of me.
“I wonder where Isabella is,” Sally leaned in and said to me.
Looking around I deduced that one other person besides Isabella was missing. Andrew.
I was about to get up to look for them when I heard a fork clink on the side of a wineglass.
“If we could have everyone’s attention for just one minute,” Malcolm began, “tonight we will be enjoying the wine made from the previous harvest before we took ownership of Abigail Rose Winery.”
“And in about fourteen months we’ll be decanting the claret made from the grapes that we’ll be harvesting starting tomorrow.” Penelope held her glass up high.
“So let’s toast the vines, God’s good earth, and warm sun, and the water that gives them life.” Malcolm raised his glass as well, and we followed suit.
“To the Abigail Rose Winery!” Andrew shouted as he walked up next to them. He didn’t have a glass in hand but did a slow clap instead.
Kind of eerie.
“To the Abigail Rose Winery,” everyone replied, and drank.
I watched Malcolm pour Andrew some wine and offer him a seat at the table.
“Don’t fill up until you’ve had some pizza.” Isabella appeared with two round sheet pans filled with slices. “There are two more if you want to grab them, Aimee.”
Applause broke out again, but this time it was uproarious.
I grabbed a glass and filled it for Isabella.
“Come sit next to me, Isabella. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” I patted the bench and she stepped over and released her weight onto the seat. She let out a breath.
Her face was flushed, which should be normal for someone that had just pulled pies out of a hot oven, but this red was all over her face, not just on the apples of her cheeks. Penelope’s kitchen was much more open and airy compared to the cramped space at her old pizza parlor, and I’d never seen her this sanguine.
“Cheers, Isabella.” Sally leaned in with her glass as well.
“Thank you, sweet friends.”
We spent the next few minutes savoring our food.
“This pizza is just as good if not better than I remember you making. I take it that the new oven is working out well?” Sally asked.
Cue the waterworks.
Isabella both nodded and began crying.
“Will you excuse me? I want to see if they’ll let me talk to Rico one more time before he goes to sleep.”
“Sure, honey. I’ll come find you in a little bit. Maybe we can have some wine together by the fire pit,” I offered.
“That would be nice, Halsey.”
“I hope that I didn’t set that off when I asked about the oven, but she looked like she’d been crying when she first walked in.” Sally shook her head.
“Of course not, Sally, and I noticed that her face was awfully red too. Poor thing. I just hope that we can sort this all out soon and get Rico off the suspect list.”
When I looked across the table again, I saw that Penelope had replaced Marisol, and she and Peggy laughed like one had just told the other a dirty joke.
Penelope caught my eye and rose again to address the table.
“Okay, loves. Please allow me to tell you about our upcoming activities both tonight and tomorrow. Malcolm and Andrew have left to start the bonfire in the open part of the field on tier one. We’ve set out Tiki torches to guide the way, and it is a short walk down the main road. The fire won’t be in full bravado for about an hour, so plan on starting down at about a quarter to ten. In the meantime, enjoy more wine, and Aimee is going to lavish us with some sumptuous sweets.”
Applause erupted and wine bottles were passed. I should have just sat back and let the fun of the moment sweep me away, but I couldn’t help but let my thoughts drift back to the fire and its suspects.
“Now, as for tomorrow,” Penelope continued, “we’ve got several trucks of day laborers that will be arriving at half past five in the morning. They will be starting their picking at the lowest tier and then work their way up the hill. You’re on your own for breakfast, but the barn kitchen is filled with anything your heart could desire, and I plan on delivering fresh fruit and breads around six. Don’t fuss about getting up with the dawn. I expect this will be a late night and we won’t be ready to
harvest the first tier before noon. That is where we’ll set you lot up to help with the harvest.”
I wonder where Bardot has gone?
“One last thing: the night before Halloween is meant to be the scary one around this area, and lore has it that native American demons roam the grounds looking to morally corrupt the humans they encounter.”
“Oh dear, Peggy, have you got anything left that hasn’t been morally corrupted?” Sally asked her, and laughed.
Some of the others were laughing but not all. Aimee’s eyes were so wide you could sit teacups on them. I peered under the table, hoping to catch my dog working on a burger. No such luck.
“I’m told that this is all in good fun and that the scary beings we might encounter are most likely friends from the next winery over—welcoming us with a little Chumash myth fun. But if something feels really off, don’t take it lightly. I’ve encountered some things since I’ve lived here that I find difficult to describe in any other way but ‘supernatural.’”
If she was trying to scare us, Penelope had succeeded.
“I’m going to find Bardot,” I told Sally.
“Look for Marisol and I doubt that Bardot will be far behind. Especially after that feast of table food she served her.”
“Good point, Sally, and it will be the perfect time to murder Marisol because everyone will assume it was the demons.”
I extracted myself from the table and stretched my limbs. It was time to track down Bardot and then find Malcolm. It was imperative that we search his office for proof of delivery of the oven and its distributor.
No one had gotten around to putting out the torches yet, so I made my way down to the road by the light of the moon. I’d left my cell phone in my room to charge before heading off to dinner.
The road was dirt and gravel, and if you couldn’t watch your steps it was very easy to slip and slide. Which is exactly what I did, landing on my forearm and elbow. I could feel the road claiming a layer of my epidermis.
“Ouch!”
I got myself upright again and proceeded more gingerly. I started to hear male voices and figured that I was getting close to the path onto tier one.
“How could you, Malcolm? You broke the code of honor among men, and we never did that on my side of the family!”
Clarets of Fire Page 17