Murder at the Menu Tasting

by Liz Turner

  Philip and Tyler both entered the room, and Michael swung to face them. By now, Michael had taken off his coat and rolled up his sleeves so that he was dressed in a vest and matching gray pants. Tyler, however, still looked fresh, rather like a suit that’s just been dry cleaned. His clothes had not a wrinkle on them, and his coat was still very much on. Not even his cravat had come loose.

  “How’s Dominique handling it?” Michael asked. “Are you planning to postpone the wedding now? She must have been … upset.”

  “Of course, she was,” Tyler said. “But she wasn’t upset about the wedding as much as she was concerned for us.”

  “I see,” Michael smiled. “So where is your very concerned fiancée.”

  “She’s taking care of my mother if you must know,” Tyler said angrily. “Mother needs someone to wheel her around the hotel. They’ve gone to the spa on the top floor.”

  “Very nice,” Michael said. “So what next? Have you decided already what you’re going to do with Pelletier industries once you’re CEO?”

  Victoria saw Michael’s father twitch as he considered the possibility that his Papa had let Tyler inherit it all.

  “Don’t be tiresome, Michael,” Tyler said. “I’m sad about Grandfather, but I’m not worried about being CEO. I’m more worried about the press release about Grandfather’s death. The estate issues we’ll have to handle and a million administrative tasks that we’ll have to get to. I suppose a writer like you with his pretty head in the clouds doesn’t have to worry about the same things as us poor businessmen with our feet on the ground. Now go to your stepmother, she needs you. So does Nona.”

  Michael flushed.

  Victoria saw the look the two cousins exchanged. They were like lions marking their territory with their eyes warning each other off, but still holding a certain amount of respect for it.

  “Doesn’t Tyler’s father work at Pelletier?” Victoria asked Michael as they later walked away towards his stepmother’s room.

  “Uncle Philip?” Michael smiled. “No. He doesn’t. He tried, but he’s… how do I put it nicely… he’s not very smart. He used to have a small office at Pelletier Industries and meet people for parties and call it “networking” or “marketing”. Grandfather decided he needed to retire almost as soon as Tyler stepped in. I think it had something to do with a $20,000 bill he rang up at a nightclub.”

  “You know, this morning, I took it very personally when you told me my book was crap,” Victoria said. “Now, I think I realize that’s just who you are. Are you at all capable of being nice to people?”

  “Was I not being nice right now?” Michael frowned as if mentally revising his words and genuinely trying to figure out what he’d said wrong.

  “Yes! You called your father weak, implied Tyler was greedy, and called your uncle dumb. It’s no wonder your grandfather wasn’t fond of you! I’d have kicked you out a lot sooner myself.”

  “You know, that’s pretty rude of you to say,” Michael said. “I’m half tempted to teach you a lesson in manners.”

  “I’m 19, but I’m a lot tougher than any prep school writer boy, even if he’s 23 and a successful writer.” Victoria lifted her chin in defiance. “Try something and you’ll regret it.”

  “Ah, a challenge,” He said. “You know one thing about us Pelletier men? We can’t resist a challenge.” He pushed her into a corner and gave her a rakish smile. “So. You need a lesson. I happen to know how to give them.”

  Victoria bristled, and Michael leaned over.

  She tensed, as he put his face close to her, then relaxed as he whispered into her ear, “Lesson one. When you’re asking someone for their autograph, and praising them a lot, it can almost feel like you’re manipulating them if you immediately ask for a favor after.”

  “Oh.” She looked at him, and he had moved a step back. He was smiling, still, but his face was a mask.

  “I … I thought…”

  “Yes?”

  “Never mind,” She said, feeling foolish. “Michael. Based on what your father said, and assuming we both agree on the fact that it wasn’t some maniac junior chef in the hotel’s kitchen, we know that your grandfather could only logically have been poisoned at one place. It must have happened at the indoor garden when you and your family were having their pre-lunch drink.”

  “Are you sure?” Michael asked. “I still hold out that his painkillers could have been replaced. In any case, Victoria, I believe it’s not the method as important as the motive.” He took a breath. “What makes someone capable of killing? What drives them to a premeditated crime? It has to be the motive that we focus on because that is what we can offer the police officers. The method, they’ll be able to figure out themselves.”

  “You think so?” she said. “I think it’s the method that’s important. That and the opportunity are how we nail whoever did this.”

  Michael nodded. “Well, let’s just work on all three then. Are you convinced my father hasn’t done it?”

  “So far? I’m not ruling anyone out. You may not have noticed it but I did. Your father looks desperate. Hunted. Why is that? What’s he worried about?”

  “I don’t know but we can ask,” Michael said.

  “Look, maybe the men in your family didn’t notice me because to them I was just a waitress in a ballroom. But try and sneak me into the same room as your stepmother and she’s sure to ask questions.” Victoria said. “I’ll stay out here in the hallway, and you can ask her.”

  “Reneging on our deal?” Michael gave her a half smile.

  “Just being sensible,” Victoria said.

  “Being sensible is for fools. Let’s be creative instead.”

  Chapter 8

  “Worried?” Amanda was a woman with a broad smile, short hair, and prominent cheekbones. She had on tinted round glasses, and as befit the situation, was already dressed in a black pantsuit. “Of course, your father’s not worried, darling.” She was doing her nails in the dressing room of the suite, her hair straightener lying on the dressing table.

  “Come on, Amanda, it’s just you and me you know you can tell,” Michael said.

  In the hallway, Victoria had her phone glued to her ear, while in the room, Michael had his own phone in his pocket, with the loudspeaker function on.

  “Your father’s fine,” Amanda said.

  “Well, that’s a nice suit you have on anyway,” Michael said. “What is it, Chanel?”

  “Might be.” She shrugged.

  “Heard those cost a packet,” Michael said. “Can dad afford it anymore, do you think?”

  “Come on Michael, you’re so money minded. Have a thought for your grandfather, instead.” She rebuked.

  “I would, but then I’d be doing more than any of you are,” Michael said. “All of you are so wonderful at pretending to mourn, and not one of you feels a thing! It makes me sick.”

  “Mickey!” A voice called from the bedroom outside.

  Smiling, he went out and gave a hug to Nona, Tyler’s little sister, and his favorite cousin. “Nona, how are you?”

  “I’m fine now,” She said. “I was a little hysterical earlier, about Grandpapa. So they gave me a pill and now I’m floating.”

  “A pill?” Michael asked. “What pill?”

  “A little blue one. Look how pretty the carpet is. It’s got little elves on it.”

  “Who gave you the pill?” Michael asked, his voice rough.

  “Aunt Amanda did.”

  “She did, did she?” Michael asked. “I’ll have a word with her about that.”

  “Oh don’t be silly, Mike. She needed it.” Amanda said, from behind them.

  “Who gave you the pill?” Michael asked, his voice dangerous.

  “Nobody.” Amanda looked scared. “I… I only…”

  “Amanda, Grandfather is dead and he’s been poisoned by a pill.”

  “Well this isn’t poison, silly, it’s perfectly fine. My hairstylist gave it to me for when I need to calm down,” Amanda said. �
��Besides, your father likes them too.”

  “Amanda, I always knew this family has a certain percentage of, how shall I put it politely, dumb people. What I did not know, and what I’m surprised at, is the range, the sheer height, of your exemplary ineptitude.” Michael said.

  “Are you being rude?” Amanda asked.

  “Rude? No. Rude would be if I demanded your bottle of pills and…”

  “Mickey, you’re scaring me,” Nona said from the bed.

  In the hallway, Victoria heard the elevator ding and saw Dominique wheel Cassidy out. The two of them were talking loud enough not to notice Victoria as they passed her.

  “… I told Tyler perhaps we ought to make it a very low-key ceremony now.” Dominique was saying. She had dark circles under her eyes. “I suppose he’s going to be very busy. Everyone knows Grandfather wanted Tyler as his successor.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure,” Cassidy said, pulling her shawl closer to her as Dominique wheeled her. “After all, your grandfather was a capricious man. Gustav used to be his favorite until Tyler showed up. Lately, Tyler annoyed him with his plans for expanding the solar power business. Anyway, don’t say anything to Amanda. She’s apt to get fussy.”

  Victoria, hiding behind an alcove and pretending to be busy with her phone, saw them go into the same suite Michael had gone into.

  Inside, Michael straightened up as Cassidy and Dominique came in. Deciding to scream at Amanda another time, he hugged the two women and said something about how sorry he was to them both.

  Nona, however, still high, said no such thing. “Mommy’s here,” She said, in her little girl voice, breathing out a little giggle. “Evil Grandpapa, saying no to her. Now Mommy will be fine.”

  “Nona!” Dominique exclaimed. “Aunt Amanda, I think you and Cassidy ought to go for a walk. Michael, you better get going too. I’ll take care of Nona.”

  Amanda hastily moved over to the bed and distracted Nona, while Cassidy stared at her open mouthed.

  “What is she talking about, Aunt Cassidy?” Michael asked.

  “I …” Cassidy looked down at her lap and sighed. “It’s nothing, Michael.”

  “Tell me,” He said. “Aunt Cassidy?”

  But his aunt turned away, and Dominique answered for her. “It’s nothing. Forget about it.”

  “It has to be something or Aunt wouldn’t be so upset,” Michael said.

  “Nona’s brains aren’t working right with Aunt Amanda’s little pink pills,” Dominique said. “We’re all stressed right now, so please don’t add to it.”

  “You’re not part of it yet, so you’ll excuse me if I don’t take your advice on how to talk to my family,” Michael said. “Aunt Cassie…”

  “You’ve got to adjust that attitude of yours, Michael. Especially now that Tyler’s going to be in charge. Let Cassidy and Amanda go for a walk now.”

  “The one thing I’m glad of,” Michael said, “Is that unlike others, grandfather couldn’t play me like a puppet. His money never made a difference to me, you see. So when Tyler inherits it, I don’t see why it’ll change my attitude in the slightest.”

  “That’s what you’d like to think,” Dominique said. “But you’ll change your tune in a few years when you aren’t a young man ready to take on the world, and when the stream of money your books made becomes a trickle. Someday soon you’ll think back to your boyhood when you’d snap your fingers and everything you wanted would be in front of you. That day, you’ll regret not being nicer to Tyler.”

  “A little bit less of the lecture please,” Michael said. “Where have you been all day, anyway?” He asked.

  “Me?” Dominique looked confused. “I was in the gym in the morning. Then I had breakfast with my parents. Amanda lent me her silver earrings, and we discussed her wardrobe a bit. Then we met for the pre-lunch drink. After… after Grandpa’s death, I was with Cassidy, making sure she’s alright. Poor Tyler, he was more worried about his mother’s health than his grandfather.”

  As if her words had conjured him, Tyler came rushing down the hallway, with his father Philip, and Michael’s father Gustav, behind him. “I’ll kill you!” Tyler shouted as Michael opened the door. “I’ll kill you, you rotten scumbag! How did you do it? How did you kill grandfather?”

  Victoria rushed in behind Tyler, if only because she was afraid of what he might do to Michael. In the commotion of their scuffle, no one seemed to notice. The two men were at each other, Tyler, with his bull-physique almost seemed to overpower Michael at first, but with a slippery turn, Michael was suddenly behind him and had him in a wrestling lock.

  “Calm down, brother,” Michael said. “What’s wrong with you?”

  “You! He’s left it all to you! All of Pelletier Industries! You falsified the will didn’t you? You killed him!”

  Chapter 9

  It was Victoria who finally made them break apart. Somehow, the fragmented family seemed to need the voice of an outsider to pull them together.

  “Tyler. Calm down.” She said, in a commanding voice that surprised even her. “Michael. Sit.”

  “Who are you?” Philip demanded. “What’s a chit of a girl like you…”

  “I’m a friend of Michael and his family,” Victoria said. “and unless you want the police to be investigating two murders, I suggest you all sit-down and be calm.”

  To her surprise, they listened.

  “Tyler, what’s wrong?” Dominique asked, kneeling before him. He turned his face away from her.

  “We phoned the lawyers,” Philip said. “It isn’t an official reading, of course, but they told us that Grandfather’s will left the majority of his estate, including all his shares in the business to Michael.”

  “So congratulations, brother.” Tyler spat out. “Though I doubt that’s going to help you in jail.”

  “You think I did this?” Michael asked, with tears in his eyes. “Me? You think I killed Grandfather?”

  “Why not? You’re the only one with the motive.”

  “Actually, he’s the one with least motive,” Victoria said. “Think about it, Tyler. Your brother couldn’t possibly know about the will. He hadn’t even seen your grandfather in years. This was your grandfather’s twisted way of ensuring that Michael stays trapped in the family.”

  “Trapped?” Tyler asked.

  “He knew, you see, that once he died, Michael had won. He was an independent boy who would gain access to a trust fund, and live happily in his own world,” Victoria said. “I think your grandfather was a man who could not bear to lose. By making Michael inherit the business, he killed two birds with one stone. First, Michael would be forced to come back and take care of the family business. Second, he would not need to choose between you and Gustav as his successor. That dirty job would fall to Michael.”

  Grudgingly Tyler nodded. “I think I see your point.”

  “I don’t,” Philip said. “It’s ridiculous. Impossible. Grandfather hated Michael.”

  “I think your grandfather respected him for being the only person to break out of his hold and carve a separate place in the world for himself,” Victoria said. “It looks bad, I know, but when the police do get here, I think you’ll find that Michael will be cleared of any wrongdoing.”

  “Who is it then?” Tyler said. “It has to be one of us, doesn’t it? I wanted to hope that it was an accident, or a… a mistake by some staff member. But now… when I think of it…”

  “You’re convinced it’s one of us, aren’t you?” Michael smiled. “So am I.”

  “But why?” Gustav asked. “Not one of us would have harmed him. We loved him.”

  “You all have a motive,” Victoria said. “Some greater than others. The tool to achieve your individual goals was always money, but only one of you was arrogant enough to believe that murder and inheritance were the solutions.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Let’s start with Philip, shall we?” Victoria said. “Your wife needed surgery. Surgery that might save her legs.
Papa Augustin Pelletier refused to let her undergo it because it was too risky.”

  “How how did you…?” Philip gasped.

  “You’d be surprised at the things a waiter can hear,” She said. “You were speaking to your wife about how your father was resistant to new technology at the lunch and Nona’s words helped me understand that it wasn’t solar technology but surgery that you were talking about. Your troubles would be solved if your father Augustin died, or so you thought.”

  “I didn’t do it!” Philip cried.

  “Perhaps,” Victoria said. “But you had a motive.”

  “What about me?” Gustav asked. “You will not accuse me of wanting money. I am rich even without my father’s inheritance.”

  “Tyler. You had the greatest motive of all because you believed the will was in your favor. Your grandfather and you were always at odds with the direction in which the business should go.” Victoria said. “That’s true, isn’t it? You wanted to expand your business in the areas of Solar energy, believing it to be the technology of the future. Your grandfather disagreed and wanted to be rooted firmly in the past.”

  Tyler colored. “That doesn’t mean I wanted to kill him.”

  “True,” Victoria said. “It doesn’t. Not necessarily.”

  “But lately?” Victoria said. “I’m not so sure. I heard you on the phone. Begging, pleading for a dealer to give you one more hit. I heard him refuse without cash up front. Amanda confirmed, too, that you were addicted to those pills. Then, I remembered that you were talking to her at lunch and telling her that the next consignment would come next week. Why did your dealer agree to give it to you? What possible assurance could you have given? The assurance that your father would die?”

  “I, never, no…!” Gustav gasped. “I’ll admit, my wife and I, we, we have some habits we’re not proud of. But to say that we’d kill Papa!”

  “What about Michael then?” Victoria turned to him. “You’re a smart one, aren’t you? You were trying your hardest to find out everyone else’s motives so that you’d have something to pin on the others when the police came knocking on your door. Who were you with, by the way, when I asked for your autograph earlier that morning? Or did you think I hadn’t heard her voice enough to recognize it?”