Murder in Calistoga: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  “Welcome to the Red Stallion Winery,” a large man said, his grey hair neatly tied at the nape of his neck in a ponytail. “Me and my wife, Winnie, are the owners. Name’s Mac Owens. That’s Winnie down at the end of the bar. Nice lookin’ dog you have there. We’re a dog friendly winery, so he’s welcome in here as long as he doesn’t create a problem.”

  “He won’t. I can guarantee that,” Roger said, as he and Liz walked over to the bar.

  “You folks been here before?” the man asked.

  “We’ve been in the area, but we had some of your cabernet wine last night and thought we’d see if we could get a bottle of it as long as we were here. It was really, really good.”

  “Thanks, but I’m sold out of it. I’m closing the wine tasting room beginning next week. I held back enough bottles for tasting to get people interested for next year. The only thing we produce is the cabernet sauvignon. I guess we’re doing something right, because we always sell out and win prizes for it.”

  As Roger was talking to Mac, Liz noticed an attractive older woman clearing used wine glasses from the bar, washing and drying them, and welcoming people who continued to enter the room.

  “My wife and I would love to try another taste of it. I’m curious, though. Why don’t you produce more if it’s that popular?” Roger asked as the man poured a small amount of the wine in each of the wine glasses he’d placed in front of them.

  “Friend, I’d like to, believe me. My land abuts up to several other vintners, and they’re not about to sell me their vineyards. The only way I can grow is to buy that hotel up the road and the land it’s on. I’ve tried to buy it several times, but never had any luck. It’s got a new owner, so I’m hoping she’ll fall flat on her face and have to sell it. Truth is, just might happen. One of the guests was murdered at the hotel last night, and that sure isn’t going to make people be in a hurry to go there.”

  Mac was speaking in a loud voice as if he deliberately wanted people to overhear the conversation, and it seemed to be working. There were murmurs of “I wouldn’t stay there” and “How did that happen?”

  Mac was more than happy to answer their questions and said, “Paper said the heat was too high in the sauna, and a woman died from heat stroke. It also said the doors on the sauna were jammed, and she couldn’t get out.”

  Liz looked around the room and realized everyone had stopped what they were doing to listen to him. She knew within a short time there wouldn’t be a person in the valley who hadn’t heard that a murder had occurred in the sauna at the Serenity Hotel and Spa. It was the first time she’d considered the possibility that Judy might actually have to close the hotel and spa. It made her more determined than ever to find the murderer.

  They finished their wine and Roger said, “Thanks. That was just as good as the one we had last night. I wish you luck. Your wine is the best I’ve ever had.”

  “Appreciate your kind words. Who knows? Next time you come here I may have expanded. I can’t believe the woman who bought that hotel and spa can make a go of it when a person’s been murdered on her property. I’ll wait a few days, and then I’ll make her an offer. I’ll bet she’ll accept it this time. When the hotel and spa are replaced with vineyards, be willing to bet the murder will only be a distant memory for most people. Anyway, don’t like to see anyone get murdered, but fate has a way of stepping in at times. Maybe this is one of them.”

  Liz was watching Mac’s wife, Winnie, who was working behind him and although it was fleeting, she definitely saw a smile pass over the woman’s face. She patted her husband on the shoulder when she walked by him.

  I wonder why she did that, Liz thought. It seemed like kind of an odd response to what he was saying. It was almost like she was congratulating him. Could her husband have been the murderer?

  When they got back to their car, Liz turned to Roger and asked “Well, what did you think of the owner and his wife?”

  “I thought it was crass of him to announce the murder in such a loud voice so everyone would hear it, but on the other hand, I can understand his frustration at not being able to produce more wine.”

  “Something bothers me about him, Roger. I kind of had this deep-down feeling that his wife and he did it. You probably didn’t see it, but when he was talking about the murder, she actually smiled, even though it was only for a moment. That’s not right.”

  “I completely agree, but none of that would stand up in a court of law. All you really have is a guy who wants to buy the land that’s adjacent to his, so he can expand his winemaking business. Nothing else is solid. You’d need a lot stronger evidence than a facial expression you interpreted as a smile when he was talking about someone being murdered. Sorry, Liz, no matter what your instincts are, at the moment this is a dead end.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but I don’t think the impact the murder could have on Judy’s business had really sunk in on me until he started talking about how bad it would be for her business and some of the customers standing at the bar were nodding and agreeing with him. We’ve got to do something.”

  “We took a long look today at two possible suspects, but don’t think either one has worked out. I wish I could stay and help you, but I have a trial on Monday, and I need to prepare for it. I’m planning on leaving about noon tomorrow. Afraid you and Winston will be on your own. Liz, I know how much you hate guns, but I’m going to leave mine with you, and I want you to carry it with you from the time I leave. Will you indulge me on this? I really am concerned about you, and yet I know this is something you feel you have to do. I understand that and it just so happens that I agree with you.”

  “Yes, Roger, I promise, but I just had an idea, kind of a sting thing. What if the guy who owns the Red Stallion was told that because of the publicity from the murder, instead of being a deterrent to business for Judy, the spa and hotel have sold out for the next two months. If it is him, he might want to commit another murder. I don’t know exactly how I could do it, but I think it might have some merit. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s nuts, but in a weird way it might smoke out the murderer if the motive is related to the hotel and spa. I think we both agree that Damon is not a suspect, even though it was pretty clear his marriage to Nikki was dead. Before you do anything with your new theory, let’s see if any more suspects come to light. It’s only been about twenty-four hours since Nikki was murdered, and I’m sure we don’t know everything yet. Would you hold off doing anything for now?”

  “Sure. I need to talk to the chief tonight and see if he’s found out anything. Maybe his department knows something. Don’t worry, Roger, I promise I’ll be careful. I’ll have your gun with me, plus I have Winston. What could possibly go wrong?”

  “I’d like to say nothing, but that probably wouldn’t be realistic. To change the subject, I think you said Judy was fixing pheasant for dinner tonight. Would I be right?”

  “That you would. I don’t think I’ve ever served it, and I’ve only had it occasionally.”

  “It’s one of my favorites. There was a restaurant in San Francisco that specialized in it, and I used to go there about once a month. I don’t think I’ve had pheasant since I left the area.”

  “Roger, I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Cooking is not Judy’s forte, although she swears she does a great job with pheasant. Even if it’s lousy, tell her how good it is, please, for me?”

  “I hope she knows what a good friend she has in you,” he said grinning. “You’re a very special lady.”

  “Well, this very special lady has a dog who needs to take a walk and then I’m going to take a quick shower and get the smell of Nic’s off of me. I don’t think the floor in that sleazy bar has been cleaned in years, and the reason I didn’t even taste my beer was that I was afraid the glass had been whisked through water that was probably cold. Yuck!”

  CHAPTER 21

  Liz had just finished getting dressed when the phone in their suite rang. Roger answered it and said, “We�
��ll see you then and Judy, I’m really looking forward to it. When Liz told me we were having pheasant for dinner, that made my day.”

  “When does she want us down there?” Liz asked.

  “In half an hour, which is perfect. I’ll take Winston for a walk and feed him. He has to be about the easiest dog in the world to travel with. Give him a little food and water, and he’s fine.”

  “That may be true, but I rather doubt too many dogs are staying in suites like this one. It’s not too hard to be on your best behavior with accommodations like this.”

  “You’re probably right. Back in a few minutes.”

  While they were gone, Liz looked at the piece of paper she’d made notes on earlier in the day. She crossed off Damon’s name and put a check mark next to Mac’s name.

  That’s two of the people we identified, but there must be more. Roger said he had a funny feeling about Amber. I’ll see if I can talk to her tomorrow. Maybe I should talk to Renee first. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. We still haven’t determined if there is anyone else in Calistoga or the surrounding area that might not want Judy’s hotel and spa to make a go of it. It would probably be a good idea for me to look at that angle.

  She booted up her laptop and typed in the words ‘spas Calistoga, California.’ She glanced at the names and quickly counted over twenty-five. She remembered Judy telling her that Calistoga was famous for its natural hot springs. People came from all over the United States to take the “baths.” The wealthy people of San Francisco and Los Angeles didn’t want to take the “baths” with the commoners, so exclusive spas had been built over the years to accommodate them, many of which were still in business.

  Judy’s was just one of many. It seemed strange that with so many spas and hotels in the area, a new one would present much competition. Thinking along those lines the only ones who might be affected by the Serenity Hotel and Spa would either be the ones closest to it or other similar high end spas and hotels. Judy had spared no expense on either the spa or the hotel, and it had to be one of the upper end ones. Liz spent the next few minutes jotting down the names of several of them, determined to check them out tomorrow.

  She heard Roger and Winston coming down the hall and opened the door for them. “Well, how was the walk?”

  “Very nice. Judy’s property is beautiful, and she’s spared no expense on anything, from the hotel to the spa to the grounds. I can’t believe this won’t become a destination hotel and spa.”

  “I hope you’re right Roger, but I’m worried. What I don’t understand is why someone would consider her to be competition, and while I know we haven’t established that as a possible motive, it’s certainly a viable theory. While you were gone, I spent some time looking at spas in the area, and there are really a lot of them, and several seem to be very high-end.”

  “Liz, you know as well as I do that people are strange. While it seems like there would be more than enough business for all the spas, maybe that’s not the reality. Maybe there aren’t enough spa visitors and several are hurting financially. Maybe another spa thinks Serenity will take some business away from it. I don’t know, but I think it should be looked at as a possible motive.”

  “I’m planning on doing that after you leave tomorrow. It seems to me if a spa is quite some distance from here, it wouldn’t be affected very much by Judy opening hers, but if one is closer to Judy’s it might be adversely affected. I know we’re grasping at straws, but right now, that’s about the best I can do.”

  “Time to meet Judy, and I hope the pheasant is half as good as I remember it being in San Francisco. It doesn’t even have to be as good. I’ll be satisfied with half.”

  “For your sake, I hope it is, but I wouldn’t bet on it.”

  CHAPTER 22

  “I’m in the living room,” Judy called out as they walked down the hall. “I thought we could start with some cheese and crackers, plus I can’t wait to hear what you found out today.”

  “Judy, this is Red Stallion wine. I understand they’re sold out of this year’s supply. How did you get a bottle? I know you said the bottle we had last night came from your neighbor, but we finished that one,” Roger said.

  “My friendly neighbor,” she said sarcastically, “showed up on my doorstep about an hour ago with this bottle and made another offer to buy me out. I can’t even believe the gall of the man. As insincere as he is, I think it would be hard for him to look in the mirror without cowering in shame. Honestly, you should have heard him.”

  “What did he say?” Liz asked as she spread warm brie cheese on a cracker. “By the way, Judy, I like this warm brie baked in dough.”

  “Thanks, I’d like to take credit for it, but Mary made it before she left for the day. All I had to do was put it in the oven, but don’t get concerned about dinner. I did make the pheasant all by myself and it’s cooking now, however, in full disclosure I have to tell you she made the salad and did all the prep work for the noodles as well as the mushroom green bean quick fry.”

  “We’re really looking forward to it, particularly Roger. He told me it’s one of his favorite meals, and he said there used to be a restaurant in San Francisco that specialized in it. He told me he went there all the time when he lived in San Francisco. Now, let’s hear what happened with your neighbor.”

  “The guy is just a smarmy toad. He told me how sorry he was to hear about the little problem that had taken place in the sauna. I mean, how many people call a murder a little problem? Then he went on to tell me he was sure I would want to sell the hotel and spa, since the murder would adversely affect my business. He said that the longer I held out the lower the price would be that anyone would offer me, and he suggested I rethink my numerous turndowns.”

  “I hate to agree with him, Judy,” Roger said, “but there is some truth to what he’s saying. If, for some reason, the murderer is not found, there will be a dark cloud hanging over the hotel and spa. I’m sorry, but the fact is you’re running a business, a brand-new business, and something has happened that could adversely affect its success.”

  “It kills me to say it, Roger, but I know you’re right. I suppose I have to take my head out of the sand and admit this could ruin my plans for the Serenity Hotel and Spa. I’ve put so much time and money into it, it just doesn’t seem fair.”

  Liz reached over and put her hand on Judy’s. “It’s not over yet. The murder only occurred a little more than twenty-four hours ago. I have some ideas on things we can do to catch the killer, so don’t get discouraged this soon. Okay?”

  “Thanks, Liz. It’s just hard not to get depressed about the whole thing when he suggested I rethink his previous offers. I felt like I was fresh roadkill, and he was the vulture who was ready to feed off of me. Believe me, it didn’t make me feel very good.”

  “I’m sure it didn’t. Judy, I’m smelling pheasant. Maybe it’s time to eat? We can tell you what happened this afternoon over dinner.”

  Judy looked at her watch and said, “It’s definitely time to eat. If we stay here any longer, we’ll be eating very tough pheasant for dinner, and I’m sure you don’t want to do that, Roger.” She hurried towards the kitchen and said over her shoulder, “Meet me in the dining room. I’ll plate it in the kitchen and bring it in to you.”

  Roger looked at Liz who shrugged her shoulders in an “I told you so” gesture.

  An hour later Roger said, “Judy, that pheasant is just as good as what I used to have in San Francisco. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go in the kitchen and have seconds, and Liz, I’d really like you to get the recipe. If this keeps up, we’ll have to publish a Serenity Hotel Cookbook.”

  “Liz, I’m glad Nikki’s husband has an alibi for where he was at the time of her death. I’d hate to think her husband was the murderer, although it probably would have been better for my business. It could be explained as a domestic dispute that got out of hand rather than a vendetta against a new business.”

  “I had the sense that Damon’s life was not a happy
one. I told you what his neighbor said about them fighting and Nikki staying with him because he’d married her when she was pregnant.”

  “Maybe she still loved him, even with everything that happened over the last few years. Remember all the political wives we’ve seen on television standing next to their husbands when the media got wind of the men having affairs or worse. All of those women stayed with their husbands, and I think it’s kind of a generational thing. Women today don’t feel they have to stay in a bad marriage anymore, because they have careers of their own. Women of Nikki’s age aren’t quite that independent, and that may have been part of it, but we’ll never know. I just think the whole thing is so sad.”

  “Success,” Roger said as he walked back into the dining room. “I found several more pieces of pheasant, and since I was sure neither one of you would want to risk ruining your fabulous figures, I decided I would take the temptation away from you. Actually, it was quite a sacrifice on my part, but that’s the kind of man I am, someone who doesn’t want you to hear the seductive voice of the rest of the pheasant calling to you.”

  “Roger, that’s a stretch even for you, but I guess we’ll grudgingly let you enjoy the pheasant,” Liz said laughing.

  “Not only have you helped us save our girlish figures, you’ve made Liz respect my cooking abilities,” Judy said. “Who knows? Maybe I should get rid of Mary and make breakfast myself.”

  “Judy, you’re my best friend, but let me give you a little advice. One dish does not a chef make. Stick with the pheasant, and let Mary do the rest of the cooking.”

  Liz had brought her purse into the dining room, because she didn’t want to miss Chief Oliphant’s call. She’d just finished speaking when her cell phone rang. “Excuse me, but I need to take this call. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  CHAPTER 23

  “This is Liz Langley,” she said certain that the person calling was the police chief. She was right.