Murder in Calistoga: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  “Good evening, Mrs. Langley. It’s Chief Oliphant. How are you?”

  “Please, call me Liz, and I’m fine. How’s the reunion going?”

  “Great. Everyone’s here now, and we’re getting ready to eat in a few minutes. We’re barbecuing steaks, and they’re going on the grill as I speak. I’m lucky that I’m able to take and make calls from here. They must have brought in some new equipment. The last time I was here the phone reception was either lousy or non-existent. And my wife says thanks for helping and allowing me to come. She told me if I’d stayed in Calistoga it could have been a deal breaker, and as I think I mentioned, our marriage is a little too new to test that out,” he said laughing.

  “My pleasure, although it’s been a bit of a frustrating day.” She told him about going to Sacramento and meeting Damon as well as going to the Red Stallion tasting room. She omitted the part about going to The Dog Spa since that conversation had never existed. “So, Chief, what do you think?”

  “I agree with yours and Roger’s conclusions. It sounds like Damon didn’t have anything to do with his wife’s murder, and although we usually start with a spouse, that doesn’t seem to be in play here. As far as the owner of the vineyard next door to Mrs. Rasmussen, I don’t know what to think.

  “It seems a stretch to imagine the owner would commit murder in order to get the property, particularly since he’s quite successful in his own right, but people never fail to amaze me. My department did get a call today that may have some bearing on the case.”

  “What was the call about?”

  “A few months ago, Calistoga held a special election to fill an open seat on the city council. The prior councilman had died from pancreatic cancer. Since there aren’t any term limits for the council members, it’s a prized political position, and a number of people ran. The winner was a man by the name of Jim Michaelson. I supported him privately. As the police chief, I couldn’t openly endorse him, but I’ve known him for years and always found him to be an honest and good person. I was glad when he won.”

  “I’m listening, but I’m not connecting the dots between someone getting elected to the city council and a woman being murdered.”

  “I’m getting there, Liz, stay with me. I just need to give you a little background.”

  “Sorry, Chief.”

  “No problem. Anyway, my department got a call from Jim today. He wanted to speak with me, but when they told him I was on a short vacation, he spoke with my chief deputy. Jim told him he’d received a telephone call a few weeks earlier from a woman who had supported his campaign financially. She’d read in the paper that the Serenity Hotel and Spa was going to open on July 28th and she was furious. In the excitement of winning the election, he’d forgotten she’d asked him to tell the man he’d appointed to the Calistoga Planning Commission to deny any requested land use variances for the new spa. She didn’t want any more competition for her spa.”

  “I think that could possibly qualify as a motive for murder, don’t you?” she asked.

  “I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I think it bears looking into. I’ve met the woman. Her name is Simone LaSalle, and she owns La Spa. It’s not too far from Mrs. Rasmussen’s spa, and it’s really a high-end spa. Anyway, when she called Jim she was furious, said he hadn’t upheld his end of the bargain, and she’d never support him again. He didn’t think much about it at the time, but when he read the paper this morning, he remembered the conversation and thought he should tell me.”

  “Sounds like an honorable man. What happened with his planning commissioner?”

  “He told my deputy that there was so much to learn and do after he won the election, it completely slipped his mind. Jim said it probably would have stayed where it had gone, if he hadn’t read the article. He said he wasn’t accusing this LaSalle woman or even pointing a finger at her, but it was something he thought I should know.”

  “I agree. I was planning on visiting some spas in the area tomorrow. So far we’ve gotten nowhere looking at the murder being about Nikki. I’d like to look at it from the angle of the Serenity Hotel and Spa. I’ll make an appointment for a treatment tomorrow at La Spa, and see if I can find out anything. There is one other thing I want to clear up. Roger feels that Amber Ruiz had a strange reaction to Nikki’s murder, and if you remember, Renee told Judy that she had wondered if Amber was jealous of Nikki. Renee didn’t seem to know why, but given what’s happened, I suppose nothing should be overlooked.”

  “You might want to talk to both Renee and Amber and see if you can learn anything.”

  “I’m planning on doing that. Looks like I’ll have a full day tomorrow, and Roger is leaving around noon, so I’ll call La Spa in the morning and see if I can get an afternoon appointment. I imagine Sunday is a busy day for spas in this area since a lot of people probably decide to take advantage of the spas and healing waters before they leave the area and head for home.”

  “It looks like they’re taking the steaks off the barbecue, Liz, and I don’t have anything else to tell you. Be careful, keep that dog with you, and I’ll call you tomorrow night. Good luck.”

  “Thanks, and have a wonderful time with your family.”

  Liz walked back into the dining room and sat down at the table while Roger and Judy looked at her expectantly. “Well,” Roger said, “what did the chief have to say?”

  She told them about her conversation with him and about the call his department had received from Jim Michaelson regarding Simone LaSalle, the owner of La Spa. Liz turned to Judy and said, “Have you met her?”

  “No. There’s a group of spa owners who meet monthly to share information, things like where to get certain products, etc. I remember her name because someone mentioned that Simone would never attend their meetings and share information, but if one of them happened to see her in town, she had no compunctions about finding out what she could from them. I gather she wasn’t very well liked.”

  “I’m going to see if I can have a treatment there tomorrow afternoon. I don’t know what I’m looking for, but maybe I can find out something.”

  They heard the front door open and the sound of feminine voices. “We’re in the dining room,” Judy said.

  A moment later Renee, Amber, Tiffany, and Nancy walked into the room. “How was dinner?” Judy asked.

  “As good as you’d said it would be. Simply wonderful. Actually, it was some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had. I’d be tempted to eat there tomorrow evening on our way out of town, but I’ve already made reservations for us in San Francisco at a French restaurant that’s one of my favorites. I wish we could stay here longer, but Tiffany has to get back to work, and this is about the normal length of our reunions, although we did spend a little more time in France, simply because it didn’t make sense to go all the way there for just a few days.”

  “Renee, Judy, everyone, I’m completely relaxed from my spa treatments and dinner. Please excuse me, but I’m going to bed,” Tiffany said. “Anyone else coming up with me?” Amber and Nancy followed her out the door.

  “Judy, were you able to find out anything today regarding Nikki’s murder?” Renee asked. Judy nodded to Liz who told her about their conversation with Damon, the wine tasting room, and her recent conversation with the chief. Liz ended by saying, “I can see that you’re tired, and this must be a terrible strain on you, but I would like to talk to you. I have a couple of questions. Could you meet me for breakfast tomorrow morning?”

  “Yes, that would be fine. My first spa treatment isn’t until 10:00 in the morning, so why don’t we meet here for breakfast at 8:00. Would that be all right with you?”

  “Yes. Go to bed, and I’ll see you then.”

  “Okay, see you then.” Renee said as she left the dining room. Liz turned to Roger and said, “Sorry to abandon you for breakfast, but I might be able to find out more by myself instead of both of us questioning her.”

  “That’s fine. As a matter of fact, I talked to Judy earlier today about th
e possibility of getting a massage treatment before I leave tomorrow. She asked her massage therapist if she could fit me in, and she said she’d be happy to, so I’ll be having my spa treatment while you talk to Renee. With that, I think we need to go to bed as well. While we didn’t solve the murder today, it’s still been an intense day. Winston, come, let’s take one last trip outside.”

  CHAPTER 24

  “Enjoy your massage,” Liz said the next morning as Roger left the room in a fluffy white bathrobe and slippers. “By the way, if any of your downtown San Francisco friends see you in that robe and slippers, your reputation may take a beating.”

  “Thanks, Liz. For that you can take Winston outside this morning. See you later.”

  “Come on, Winston, let’s commune with nature.” A few minutes later she and Winston walked back into their suite from the private door that led to the back yard and she fed him in the bathroom, so if he sloshed any of his dog food onto the floor it wouldn’t hurt the Oriental rugs that Judy had carefully chosen for the suite. She knew from experience that tile was a lot easier to clean.

  She opened the door to the hallway, and as he’d been trained to do, Winston followed her down the hall. Liz walked into the dining room where Renee was sitting at a table in the corner drinking a cup of coffee.

  “Good morning, Renee. Thanks for meeting me this early, although you look as if you’ve been up for hours.”

  “I’ve gotten into the habit of taking an early morning walk, and since my house is located very close to the financial district in San Francisco, I almost always run into someone I know. I’ve learned it’s a lot easier to get up a little earlier and take care of my makeup and hair, than regret not having done it when I meet someone unexpectedly. I noticed your dog yesterday. I’m a dog lover, but my small yard isn’t large enough for that breed. May I pet him?”

  “Of course, as long as I say it’s okay, he’s very friendly, but he’s also a very good guard dog. My husband insists I have him with me all the time.”

  “I have three small dogs, and they make up for their lack of brawn with their bark. I’ve always felt safe with them in the house.”

  “Excuse me, Mrs. Langley, may I bring you some coffee or juice this morning?” Nettie asked.

  “Just a cup of coffee, thank you.” Nettie left the table to get the coffee and Liz said, “Renee, I really appreciate you meeting me. I wanted to talk to you about Amber. Judy mentioned to me that you told her you’d always wondered if Amber was jealous of Nikki, and my husband said that Amber didn’t seem as shocked or upset as the others when he sat in on the statements they gave Chief Oliphant. Can you tell me anything about that?” She smiled up at Nettie as she placed a cup of coffee in front of Liz.

  “I’ve been thinking a lot about that over the last couple of days. We were college roommates so long ago that I’m sure my thinking is somewhat fuzzy regarding everything that took place during that time.”

  “I can understand that. My thinking gets fuzzy sometimes when I try to remember what I did yesterday,” Liz said laughing. “Guess that’s one of those things that happens as we get older, but whatever you can remember might help Judy, and I know what good friends you are with her.”

  “Yes, I just wish I could do more for her. I thought it would help her opening weekend to have the reunion here, but the way it’s turned out, it may have just the opposite effect.”

  “You can’t blame yourself. You had no way of knowing something like this would happen.”

  “Intellectually, I know that. Emotionally, I’m having a hard time with it. I keep thinking if we hadn’t come here this weekend, in time this hotel and spa definitely would have been successful and now, because of everything that’s happened, it’s questionable whether that can happen. Okay, back to Amber. I assume Judy told you how she got to Berkeley, so I don’t need to go over that again.

  “Tiffany, Nancy, Nikki, and I had pretty much been raised by parents of means. I’m sure Judy told you my story, and I probably have more means than most. I’m not telling you that to boast, but it’s simply a fact. Amber was from a whole different world. From the little I know her parents were very poor, and the only way she was able to get a college degree was because of a scholarship. She’s a very smart woman.”

  “Does she work now? I seem to remember something about her husband owning a farm. What do you know about that?” Liz asked.

  Renee was quiet for a few moments as she thought while she drank her coffee. She put the cup down and said, “Yes, he owns a farm, but I don’t think it’s very big or very successful. Liz, I really don’t like to gossip, and this is close to it, but if this will help Judy in any way, I’ll tell you something I’ve never shared with anyone. Nikki didn’t like Amber, and I think Amber sensed it. Nikki was not a very charitable person. She felt she was above most people because of her parent’s wealth and the fact they lived in a very exclusive enclave in Hillsborough.”

  “Renee, Judy found out what happened to Nikki’s husband and why they had to leave San Francisco. Roger and I went to Sacramento and talked to him. I don’t like to gossip either, but you probably need to know this to flesh out the picture.” Liz told her about their conversation with the neighbor and Damon.

  Renee looked at Liz with a stricken look on her face. “This is almost like some horrible karma. I remember one time Nikki told me she didn’t like Amber’s boyfriend coming over to our apartment because he was beneath us. She also said Amber didn’t have any manners and didn’t even know how to properly hold a knife and fork.

  “I always wondered if Amber overheard that conversation. I’ve played it in my mind a million times since then, and I clearly remember telling Nikki I didn’t want to hear any more talk like that. A few moments later Amber walked in and said her class had been cancelled. Maybe we didn’t hear her open the door the first time, and she loudly opened it the second time, so we’d be aware she’d returned.”

  “Renee, I’m sorry to ask you this, but do you think Amber is capable of murder? Did you ever get a sense that she hated Nikki? Do you think she knew about Nikki’s husband? And something else I’ve wondered about. Since she and her husband seem to be just eking out a living on their farm, how can she justify the expense involved with these reunions? I would think she wouldn’t want anything to do with people who are obviously successful.”

  “I’ll try to answer your questions as best I can. No, I don’t think Amber is capable of murder, but then again, I don’t understand how anyone can murder another human being unless it’s in self-defense. I struggle with the death penalty. I don’t have the killing gene in me, that I know. Did she hate Nikki? Maybe she did if she overheard that conversation I told you about, but I don’t know.”

  “I, too, have a hard time understanding how anyone can kill another human being,” Liz said.

  “I think Amber justifies the reunions, maybe not consciously, but subconsciously, as a way to escape what her life has become,” Renee said. “Let’s face it, she came from poverty, and it looks like she’s close to poverty again, but for a few days she gets to relive the time when she was free from it. Her scholarship provided the funds for her to live in a nice apartment with other women who were not impoverished. It many ways it was probably the best time of her life.”

  “That makes perfect sense, Renee. I wonder what her husband thinks about it.”

  “I haven’t seen Daniel since we were in college, but my memory of him is that he was really a nice man. He always treated Amber well, and I know he loved her very much. Since they’re still together and she comes to these reunions, I would think she has his blessing to do so.”

  “One last question, Renee, and then we probably should get something to eat before your spa appointment. Do you think you’ll continue having these reunions now that Nikki’s dead?”

  “I have a feeling we won’t. We talked about that at dinner last night, and from the sense I got, this will probably be the last one. Ironically, the next person up to plan the r
eunion is Amber, and last night she made the comment that maybe the time had come to stop having them. Tiffany said that it would probably be hard for us to meet and not think about Nikki being murdered. I would imagine that there won’t be any more of them. I guess all things have to come to an end, and this is one of them.”

  “Thanks, Renee. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. I don’t know what I’ll be able to do with this information, if anything, but it can’t hurt. All this talking has made me hungry, and Mary is a very good cook. Let’s eat.”

  CHAPTER 25

  “Liz, are you sure you’ll be okay here? Maybe I should call the court and tell them I’m sick. I could stay here a couple more days and by then Chief Oliphant will have returned from his vacation and he can take over.”

  “Absolutely not. I have Winston and you’ve given me your gun, although I’m sure I won’t be needing it, but trust me, we’ll be fine. I made a spa appointment at La Spa for 2:00 this afternoon. I’ll call you tonight and tell you how that goes. It should be interesting. I looked up the owner on the Internet. She’s French and imports all of her spa products from France. Since I’ve never been to France, I’m probably in for a treat.”

  “Liz, I know how bizarre this is going to sound, but I know you like to make me happy, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do. Why do you even need to ask?”

  “Well, I’d like you to take Winston with you and keep him in the room with you when you have your spa treatment.”

  “You’re right, that does sound bizarre. What will the massage therapist think when I tell her I want my dog to stay in the room?”

  “You can tell her pretty much what you told Nic about you needing a comfort dog, and you could even show her the certificate from your doctor.”

  “Right, and she’d probably think I was a bona fide nut case. She may even refuse to give me a treatment.”