Murder in Calistoga: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  Simone sat down at her computer to see if she could find the information that she needed to implement her plan.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Nikki, are you really thinking about going to that reunion this year?” Damon Evans asked his wife.

  “Of course I am, and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. We’re meeting at Renee’s home in San Francisco, and the next day she’s treating us to a couple of days at a new spa some friend of hers is opening in Calistoga. Since it’s the only time I get to do something just for me, I’m really looking forward to it. You got all the money my parents left me, so I figure I at least deserve something once every five years. I don’t have much else to get excited about anymore.”

  “Can’t let a day go by without reminding me what a loser I am, can you, Nikki? Think I’m having a good time installing people’s furnaces and air conditioning units like I did when I was putting myself through college? Think I like living in this crummy apartment on the wrong side of Sacramento?” he asked, pounding his fist on the table. “I hate every minute of what my miserable life’s become.”

  “Not like it’s my fault, Damon. I wasn’t the one who got caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Oh no, that was my smarter-than-everyone husband. Unfortunately, the bookkeeper at the real estate development company was even smarter than you, because she’s the one that uncovered your embezzlement scheme. You’re just lucky you didn’t go to jail. Look at the bright side. We live so close to Nic’s Bar you can roll home on the nights you can’t walk.”

  “Maybe I should have gone to jail, and then maybe I’d be rid of you nagging me every day of my life. So, what do you tell those hoity-toity friends of yours when you see them at these reunions? Do you tell them you’re working for some Senator in his back office, while all the lookers and younger women are working in the front office? Think those friends, as you call them, ever wonder why you’ve let yourself go, and you look like an old woman?” he taunted.

  “I don’t want them to find out about you, because they’ll wonder why I stayed with you. We never talk about it, but I’ll bet everybody knows you left San Francisco with your tail between your legs. That’s no mystery, but the real mystery is why I even stay with you.”

  “No mystery, Nikki. You and I both know why. You’re just still grateful I married you when you found out you were pregnant. Too bad you lost the kid, but since you did, none of your fancy friends ever had to know about it. They just thought we got married out of love. Right, like we both had stars in our eyes.

  “Over the years, I’ve thought about it a lot, and I’m pretty sure the timing wasn’t right for the kid to have been mine. I was just the young and dumb college guy who felt he needed to do the right thing and marry you. Believe me, that was one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made. If I’d been smarter, I’d be a free man and not have you hanging around my neck like a millstone.”

  “How can you even say something like that? Without my parents’ money, you would have gone to prison. You may have been free from being a married man, but you’d be wearing an orange prison suit on your body instead of a millstone around your neck. In many ways, it was the best decision you ever made,” she said crying and throwing her napkin down on the table. She stormed into the bedroom and threw herself on the bed, sobbing.

  A moment later, she heard Damon say, “Who knows, Nikki? Maybe something bad will happen to you on your trip, and I’ll be a free man. Might be the best thing for both of us.” He slammed the bedroom door and then she heard him slam the front door as he left the house.

  A spa in Calistoga, hmm… That means it’ll have a jacuzzi and a sauna. Lots of things could go wrong with the temperature controls in either one of those places, and it’s not very far from here, Damon thought on his way to his favorite watering hole, the neighborhood bar two streets over. Be a shame if something happened to Nikki, then again, my life would be a lot easier without her around.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Mac, did you see in the Calistoga News this morning where that spa and hotel on the property next to ours is going to open for business on July 28th? Guess the owner named it Serenity Hotel and Spa. How much of a cliché is that? Anyway, I thought you were going to talk to the new owner and see if we could buy it from her. We could sure use the five acres it sits on.”

  “Winnie, I’ve tried to buy that property from her more times than I’ve told you. I tried to buy it several times when it went up for sale, but the old owner and this Judy Rasmussen cut a deal, and I was shut out. Old lady Jackson never did like us, so I figure she sold it to her out of spite. Believe me, I want that acreage to grow more grapes on as badly as you do. The old lady had three acres on the far side planted with grapes. I looked the other day, and the vines are still there. Guess this Rasmussen woman plans to operate the spa and hotel plus do what old lady Jackson did, sell the grapes.”

  “There must be some way for us to get our hands on that property, Mac. Our vineyard is fully planted, so acquiring more acreage is the only way we can grow our business. If we could get that property, we could raze the spa and the hotel, and then we’d have five more acres for our vines. The other vineyards that back up to our property aren’t going to sell their property to us. We’ve got to figure out some way to make it happen.”

  “Winnie, I don’t know how far you’re willing to go to get that property, but I’ve got a couple of ideas in mind.”

  “At this point, I’d be willing to try anything. For the last three years, we’ve run out of wine because we can’t grow enough grapes. Your success over the years as a vintner, plus your cousin’s knowledge, has resulted in wine connoisseurs placing their orders with us before we even have the annual crush. You and your cousin have done a fabulous job, but there’s no way we can increase our income without an increase in the supply of grapes we need to make the wine. We could charge more for the wine, but ours is already the most expensive wine in the valley. I really don’t think we can do that.”

  “Well,” Mac said, “several things come to mind. I can try to buy the property one more time before she officially opens. The problem with that is she’s put a lot of money into the new building that houses the jacuzzi and sauna, not to mention renovating the hotel and spa. If she did sell it, I imagine she’d put a very hefty price on it, and it would take us years to make enough money from the increased sales in wine to break even and start making a profit. Let’s face it. Since we’re already in our fifties, realistically we would be in our late seventies or so before we’d turn a profit. That doesn’t sound like a very good plan to me.”

  “I agree. I think we can forget that idea. I was thinking about a fire. It would destroy the hotel and the spa and even with insurance, there’s a good chance she wouldn’t want to spend the time, money, and energy to rebuild it.”

  “Yeah, that’s an idea, Winnie, but it’s got some serious drawbacks.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like what if it got out of hand and destroyed our vineyards, to say nothing of the house, the presses, wine tasting room, and everything else of ours? It would present a potential danger not only to us but to the other winemakers in the area, too. If it was ever discovered that we were the cause of the fire, and it destroyed a lot of other places, we’d probably be lynched before we ever went to trial and prison. I don’t like that option.”

  “Well, we have to do something. Got any other ideas?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do. What if a death occurred at her spa on the opening weekend? If that happened the Rasmussen woman and her spa would get a boatload of bad publicity which would probably result in nobody wanting to go there. A few months of no money coming in might make this Rasmussen woman very amenable to selling at a far more reasonable price than what she would probably get if she sold today.”

  “Mac, you told me all of the things that could go wrong with a fire, but if we, or either one of us, was convicted of murder, prison would practically be guaranteed.”

  “Usually I’d agree with yo
u, but what if someone died in the sauna?”

  “Why in there?” Winnie asked.

  “Because I’ve spent a lot of time looking through a telescope while they were building the jacuzzi and sauna building, and for some reason the temperature controls are on the outside of the building, not inside. I suppose they installed the controls in that location so the owner or her employees can check to make sure the heat to the sauna is turned off after the building closes for the night and the front door is locked.”

  “Are you saying a murder could occur in the sauna or the jacuzzi?”

  “Exactly, and I think it would be impossible to find out who did it if it’s done right.”

  “So exactly how do you think this murder could be committed in such a way that it would be impossible to catch the perpetrator?” Winnie asked.

  “Like I just told you, the temperature controls for the sauna are located on the outside of the building near the front door. I saw the workmen install it there when I was watching them with my telescope. Anyone can access those controls by simply opening the control box, which by the way, does not have a lock on it.

  “It would be a rather simple matter to wait until someone is in the sauna and then sneak into the building and put some kind of a brace against the sauna doors, so the person inside the sauna couldn’t open them. Then, on the way out, stop at the temperature control box and turn the dial up to the maximum strength heat. At that setting the temperature in the sauna could probably go as high as 140 degrees, and the person would die of heat stroke in a matter of a few minutes.”

  “What would you use as a brace to prevent the doors to the sauna from being opened?”

  “I don’t know. I suppose it could be almost anything that would jam the doors tightly shut and prevent them from being opened. Maybe a piece of lumber, a metal bar, even a strong sturdy chair could be wedged up against the doors in such a way as to make it impossible to open the sauna doors from the inside.”

  “If a murder occurred that way, are you thinking it would be one of her guests?”

  “Yes,” Mac said, “I guess it’s going to be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I think we’d be better off not knowing who it is.”

  “I agree. You really think something like this would work?”

  “I not only think it would work, I think it’s going to have to work if we want that property, and I believe both of us are fully committed to getting it, even if it has to be done that way. Are you on board?” Mac asked, looking at her intently.

  Winnie thought for a moment and said, “Yes. I don’t like it, but I don’t see that we have any other choice.”

  “Unfortunately, Winnie, we don’t.”

  CHAPTER 8

  “There it is, Roger, the Serenity Hotel and Spa. It’s really beautiful. What a horrible thing for Judy to have happen on her opening weekend.”

  “Couldn’t agree more. Looks like the police, paramedics, and the coroner are already here. Okay, get ready to give Judy some moral support,” he said as he opened his car door.

  Judy met them at the door, crying softly. She gave each of them a hug and said, “I’m so glad you’re here. This is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. Renee is blaming herself for bringing her friends here, and I think they’re all in shock. Come in.”

  They followed her down the hall to a large room where everyone had gathered. Judy introduced Roger and Liz to Renee and her friends. Roger walked over to where the chief of police was standing and said, “I’m Roger Langley, Mrs. Rasmussen’s attorney. What’s going on?”

  “I’m Chief Jerry Oliphant, it’s nice to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.

  Roger looked at him for a moment and then said, “You bear a strong resemblance to a law partner of mine by the name of Jake Oliphant and with that unusual last name, I’m wondering if you’re related.”

  “We certainly are. Jake’s my brother.”

  “Of course, now that I think about it he did mention to me once that his brother lived in the Napa Valley and was the chief of police of some town in the area. Small world.”

  “That it is, and quite frankly, this couldn’t have happened at a worse time. We’re overloaded with tourists that are here this time of year, and there have been two other murders in the valley recently, plus I’m scheduled to meet Jerry and the rest of the extended family for a reunion in Yosemite tomorrow.

  “My deputies are overworked as it is. I was reluctant to take the time off for the reunion, but it’s the first time the whole family has ever been able to get together. Since they’re coming from all over the United States, my wife and everyone else would never forgive me for missing it, plus several of them have already left for it, because they’re driving. That’s not to even mention what my in-laws would think of me if I missed it. It’s a second marriage for both of us, and I think they still have some doubts about the man their daughter married. They really liked my wife’s first husband.”

  “This is going to sound pretty off the wall, Chief, but my wife, Liz, she’s the woman over there who’s talking to Mrs. Rasmussen, has been involved in investigating a number of murder cases. I have no idea how she seems to get involved, but she does. Anyway, she’s helped solve several of them. I imagine it kind of goes against your policy to have a non-law enforcement person help you, but since Mrs. Rasmussen is such a good friend of hers, I’m sure Liz will be getting involved whether you stay in town or not.

  “Roger, are you suggesting I go to Yosemite as planned and see what your wife can find out while I’m away?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. Although I’ll be here for the next couple of days, I have to return to Red Cedar Sunday afternoon, but I’m sure Liz could stay until you return. It might make your life a little easier, and, as it turns out, she really is quite good at this. Let me introduce you to her.”

  Roger and the chief walked over to where Liz and Judy were talking and Roger said, “Liz, I want to introduce you to the chief of police, Jerry Oliphant. It turns out he’s Jake Oliphant’s brother. He’s one of the partners at the law firm in San Francisco, and I think he even joined us for dinner one night when there was a late business meeting.”

  “Yes, I remember Jake. It’s nice to meet you, Chief, although I wish it was under different circumstances.”

  “Mrs. Langley, this is going to sound rather strange, but your husband tells me you’ve been involved in solving several murders. Is that true?”

  She looked over at Roger and then back at the chief. “Yes, why do you ask?”

  “I’ll be honest. There’s never a good time for a murder, but this one comes at a particularly bad time for me. My department is already overloaded with work, and I am leaving early tomorrow afternoon for a three-day family reunion in Yosemite. Members of my family are coming from all over the United States, and while I feel I should be here to help with this case, my personal life would be a disaster if I missed the reunion.”

  “I can certainly understand that. Is there something I can do to help you, Chief?”

  “Under ordinary circumstances, no, but these are extraordinary circumstances. Roger tells me you’ll probably be getting involved in this case anyway, as you told him you want to help Mrs. Rasmussen. I imagine you might find out a bit more than I’m going to be told by either her or Mrs. Simmons. Any information they give you might help me solve the case when I get back. I’ve found people often tell law enforcement personnel just the basic facts of what they saw when they discovered the body and choose to hold back any unverified facts or suspicions they might have. I’m thinking you might be better able to find out some of those unverified facts or suspicions better than I can.

  “I guess what I’m suggesting is that I talk to Mrs. Rasmussen and Mrs. Simmons regarding the discovery of Mrs. Evans’ body. Tonight, maybe you could talk to both of them in a little more depth, and see if you can find out any additional information. I’d like to talk to you tomorrow morning before I leave, and based
on what they tell you tonight, we might be able to come up with some things you could do as legwork for me while I’m gone. Normally, I wouldn’t consider anything like this, but I’m afraid I don’t have a choice. Naturally, I can’t force you to do this. It would strictly be on a voluntary basis.

  “Based on what you find out, we might come up with some things you could do to help me, because the immediate time right after a murder is usually crucial to solving it. We’d share our information. I’d call you every evening to see what, if anything, you’ve found out that day. I’ve never done anything like this with someone who isn’t in law enforcement, but sometimes things in life call on you to try a new method. I’d like you to be the new method. What do you think?”

  “Chief, I’d be happy to help you if I can. If we could share our information, that would be a big help, because I’d feel like I was doing something to help Judy find out who the murderer is,” Liz said.

  “Since I’ll be out of town, I probably won’t have much information to share, but I will be checking in with my department on a daily basis, and of course they’ll have a phone number where I can be reached, so if they get a lead or someone calls something in, I’ll certainly share that with you.”

  “I’m happy to do what I can.”

  “Okay, let’s do it,” the chief said. “Right now, I want to take a statement from each of them. Roger, since you’re Mrs. Rasmussen’s attorney, and your wife is a friend of hers, I’m sure she won’t mind if your wife sits in on the conversation. I’ll talk to her first, and then I want to talk to Mrs. Simmons. The other three women who came with her were evidently still in their rooms when the murder was discovered. Naturally, I’ll ask them if they know anything, but based on what I’ve briefly been told, I doubt if they do.”

  CHAPTER 9

  “Ladies,” Chief Oliphant said, “I’m going to take each of you into another room one at a time and take your statements. I know it seems silly, but it’s kind of a prerequisite for people in law enforcement to interview witnesses separately rather than in a group. Roger Langley is Mrs. Rasmussen’s attorney, and at my request, I’ve asked Roger’s wife, Liz Langley, to join us as well. Do any of you have any objections to this method?”