St. Helena Vineyard Series: Desserts Can Be Deadly (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by K. T. Roberts

  “Did they say anything about what happened prior to her rushing off to the bathroom?”

  “Yeah, the sister said she took two bites, swallowed and literally ran to the bathroom covering her mouth with her hand and clutching her stomach. When she didn’t return in a timely manner, the sister went looking for her.”

  Jerking her head toward her husband, Marco, who was the second oldest brother, her face took on a look of sheer panic. “I’m so scared.” Marco, reached for her hand and held it tightly.

  “We’ve got your back, honey. Please don’t be scared. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  “But something happened and I don’t know what, and my poor granny over here,” she said pointing to Priscilla, “is going to suffer along with me. The Bistro is her retirement money.”

  “Lexi,” Priscilla said, “please stop worrying about me. We’ll deal with this the best way we can. We all know neither of you poisoned your customers, and if that’s how it happened, then someone put it there for us to use.”

  “Did anyone hear what kind of poison they think was used?” Regan, who was married to Gabe asked.

  “I overheard the dispatcher say they thought it was something like cyanide,” Nico said.

  “Oh God.” Lexi was on the verge of tears and looking at Priscilla, “how is that even possible that something poisonous could have gotten into our restaurant?”

  “I wish I could answer that question.”

  “Do you have a new food service?” ChiChi asked.

  “No. We’re using the same vendor we’ve used for years,” Priscilla confirmed. “Although the drivers are constantly changing.”

  “I’m pretty sure the Auberge was using the same purveyor,” Nico said, “but I’ll make sure I mention those delivery guys the next time I’m being questioned.”

  “Is it possible it came from a sick-minded individual who’s angry with his boss and delivered it to your places of employment thinking you’d never use that provider again?” Lucinda asked.

  “I suppose that’s possible,” Lexi said.

  “Maybe they delivered it in a sack of confectioners’ sugar and you scooped it out into the smaller jar,” she said.

  “But wouldn’t I have died from reaching into the bag to scoop it out?”

  “That’s true.” Marco turned to his grandmother. “Have you called our attorney yet?”

  “Yes, I called him,” she said.

  “Do we know if he’s handling them independently or as one case?” Marco asked.

  Gabe answered the question. “I’m pretty sure they would be handled independently with so many people involved. I did some research when we got home tonight. Both arsenic and cyanide are odorless and tasteless and quickly dissolve in liquids. The powder is white and easily goes undetected in confectioners’ sugar, granulated sugar and flour . . . anything white.” Both Lexi and Nico groaned. “The symptoms basically mimic one another so it’s anyone’s guess until it can be tested.”

  Chapter Two

  UNABLE TO SLEEP, Nico was up bright and early the next morning. Deciding to go for a walk through town to clear his head, he inhaled the crisp morning air and sucked in the familiar sweet aroma of fruit ripening making it difficult to imagine anything bad could happen there in St. Helena.

  This time yesterday, he’d been prepping dessert, making pastry cream and slicing fruit. Now that the Poison Control Center (PCC) had threatened to close down all the restaurants for the next seventy-two hours, he couldn’t hang around the house waiting for the bomb to drop. At the moment, it wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge. In golfer’s terms, that was a short putt.

  His moods wavered. One minute he was doubtful that the sheriff’s department would find the culprit who did this. The next, his confidence would take over and maintaining a positive attitude was easy. He knew he didn’t poison anyone, but would the police find the guilty party? A sinking feeling had his stomach turning over. But what if they didn’t? He and Lexi could spend the rest of their lives in prison. He pushed it from his mind and convinced himself to stop thinking about the sheriff doing his job because he knew the grannies would pick up the slack and most definitely do their best to find the culprit. And God help them if the grannies figured it out first.

  He stopped walking and blew out a deep breath while looking out over the rolling hills and said a prayer to maintain his sanity. The colorful leaves accented the banks with beautiful rows of grape vines that peppered a small part of the forty-five thousand acres in Napa Valley and brought a smile to his face.

  Thinking about the grannies, he had no doubt they were already fast at work snooping for information, especially since he’d heard the garage door close early this morning.

  The streets and sidewalks looked like a ghost town and those visitors who were anxious to taste the wines and sample the cheeses, were all gone; a vast difference from the bustling town he was used to seeing.

  Crossing over Pratt Avenue, he noticed a pretty blond moving boxes into the vacant store owned by Mr. Russell. Curious, he stopped in front of her when she walked back out to her car.

  “Need some help?”

  “Thank you, but I think I can manage.”

  He detained her a bit longer. “You’re new in town.” She nodded in agreement. “What will you be opening here?” he asked.

  “A bakery for dogs.”

  “No kidding? What a neat idea. And what are you going to call it?”

  “The Doggie Bone.”

  “I love it,” he said with effervescence. “You should do very well being right next to St. Paws and Rescue and a few doors away from the Paws and Claws Day Spa. I think you’ve found the right niche.” He smiled at her pretty face. “By the way,” he said extending his hand. “I’m Nico DeLuca.”

  She extended her hand and wrapped her other one over both their hands and stared directly into his eyes. “I’m glad you like it. As for sales . . . from your mouth to God’s ears, but it appears I’ve decided to open a business here at the wrong time.” She made a face. “I’m Juliana Marino.”

  “Not to worry. You can be sure the police are doing whatever they can to solve these crimes.” He didn’t bother telling her about the grannies though. When he noticed her struggling to lift a box from her trunk, he offered again. “So now that we’re friends, are you going to let me help?”

  “Thank you, that would be very nice.” He lifted the box out of her trunk and she grabbed a few bags. “Is it true there’s going to be a seventy-two-hour quarantine?”

  “I honestly don’t know for sure, but I guess they would have to make sure the other eateries haven’t been compromised. The PCC hasn’t provided any of the particulars yet to the business owners so it’s hard to tell how long it will take,” he said.

  She made a face. “That was the absolute last thing I wanted to hear. Do you know what happened?” she asked.

  “I do. Let me finish bringing in these boxes and I’ll tell you.”

  ***

  “How about a cup of hot chocolate?” Juliana asked when all the boxes were inside.

  “Only if you’re ready to take a break with me.”

  “I am. I really want to know about what happened in this town last night to cause the shut down.”

  “Where are you from?” Nico asked.

  She shook her head. “The scoop first.”

  “Okay. I’m trying to avoid talking about it,” Nico said.

  “Why? Were you involved in some way?”

  “I guess you could say that, but only indirectly.”

  “What does that mean?” she asked.

  “Well, it started Thursday night at my cousin’s restaurant, The Sweet and Savory Bistro. One of her customers took a bite of an éclair and died within minutes. Last night, at the La Bonne Auberge, where I’m . . . or I should say was, doing my externship for my final grade from the Culinary Institute of America, I prepared a chocolate sampler platter. The guest took one bite and keeled over.”


  “I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now. That’s enough to ruin everything you’ve worked for in a flash.”

  “Yes, it is. But I swear to you that someone is trying to ruin our family name.” He released a frustrated breath. “Can we change the subject now?”

  “Should I be nervous about you sitting here?” she asked.

  Nico’s face drained of color. He stood. “I guess I should be going.”

  “No, please don’t,” she said placing her hand on his arm. “I was just trying to cheer you up with a very bad joke. My timing was way off on that. I’m really sorry.”

  “Are you guys telling scary stories?” Beth Davies said rushing inside carrying a bag.

  Nico knew Beth from his childhood when they hung out together. She was the sister he never had.

  “We were just talking about the homicides.”

  “Hey Beth,” Nico said with a slight wave.

  She walked over to him after setting the bag down. “Nico, I can’t tell you how sorry I am about what’s happening to your family,” she said with sadness in her voice. “Who would stoop so low to do something so horrific?”

  “We wish we knew,” he said shaking his head. “We have to believe in the justice system and hope that everything comes out in the open.”

  Beth leaned in for a hug. “I’m sorry, buddy.”

  “Me too.”

  Turning to Juliana, Beth nodded toward the boxes. “Can I start unloading these boxes into the cabinets?”

  “Would you like something to drink first?”

  “No. I’m good.” She winked at Nico then turned her attention back to Juliana. “Do you have a plan in mind of where you want things to go?”

  “Actually, I do. My briefcase is over by the sink. If you’ll look inside, you’ll see a diagram of the kitchen and which numbered box should be emptied into the corresponding cabinet.”

  “I guess that’s precise enough . . . good to see you, Nico.”

  “You too, Beth.”

  “Beth is going to be my side-kick in the barkery,” Juliana said.

  “That’s terrific.” He grinned. “I like that term, ‘barkery’, a bakery for canines.” He nodded. “Real cute.” He bunched his lips. “Well, I ‘d better be on my way and let you get some work done.”

  “Thanks for stopping and carrying those heavy boxes in for me. It’s been very nice meeting you.” Nico waved as he walked out of the shop.

  When he was gone, Beth rushed into the room. “Whoa, how did you meet him?”

  “He saw me outside and just stopped. Why?”

  “He’s the hottest bachelor here in St. Helena and comes from the richest family in town. All the women are after him.”

  Juliana laughed. “How about you?”

  “Nah. He’s not my type. He’s a pretty boy. I like rugged men like my Randy,” she said mimicking a pose that symbolized what she considered rugged. “I think the last time he was my type was grammar school when we skipped rocks across Miller’s pond.”

  “That’s surprising, because he really is a hot-looking guy.”

  “Nico and I were only meant to be friends, but it looks like he seems to have taken a liking to you,” she said.

  “How could you possibly know that? You were here all of five minutes before he left.”

  “Because I could see the way he was looking at you. If you snag him, you’ll be the envy of every single woman in this town.”

  “As a newly divorced woman, I’m not looking to get involved with anyone.”

  Beth laughed. “You may not have a choice. The DeLuca men can be pretty persuasive.”

  Juliana gave a dramatic clearing of her throat and carried a box into the kitchen.

  Chapter Three

  NICO WALKED inside The Doggie Bone the next afternoon. Getting a whiff of the aroma, he tipped his nose in the air and inhaled as he walked through the door. “It smells heavenly in here. Whatever are you baking? I could smell it all the way down the street.”

  “That’s what we like to hear.”

  “I hope I’m not making a pest of myself,” he said, “but I don’t happen to have anything to do these days, and since the family was gone this morning when I got up, I thought I’d stop in and say hello to see how you’re doing.”

  Juliana gave him a megawatt smile. “Not at all. It’s nice to see you again. I have to say that I’m frustrated and anxious to open the doors for business. I put all my savings into this place and every day that we’re closed, I’m losing money instead.”

  “I understand. I can see you’ve been pretty busy, though,” he said looking around. Three small wooden tables, each filled with doggie treats inside wicker baskets lined with a checkered cloth were points of focus. Various sizes and shapes of packages of bones, cookie treats and biscuits were strategically placed around the main customer area for easy access no matter where you were standing. The old wooden floor looked even more rustic now that they were gearing up for the opening. Glass showcases, three in a row with labels and dividers just waiting to fill each slot made it look just like a bakery, and with the menu hanging from the ceiling from two chains, it finished off the décor and made it feel like an old country store. “This is pretty amazing,” he said, “Grain-free treats, meaty bones, cookies, biscuits and beg-als.” He frowned. “Okay, I’ll bite. What are beg-als?”

  “Peanut butter and carob chip cookies.”

  “They sound good. I really like what you’ve done with the place. It’s animal and people friendly.”

  “Thanks. So what are you doing to keep busy while we wait for this madness to be over?” she asked.

  “Mostly sleeping. I can’t stop thinking bad thoughts, or what I’m going to do with the rest of my life when I’m cleared. Who do you think is going to hire me after what happened at the Auberge?”

  “Once they clear your name, I think you’ll be fine.”

  “I sure hope you’re right,” he rubbed a hand over his chin. “I need to keep busy.”

  “Me too.”

  “I think you’ll be plenty busy running your own business,” he said.

  “I sure hope so because I’ve just gone through a horrible divorce and I don’t need the free time to dwell on the past.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I have friends who’ve experienced the same thing and it’s not easy starting all over again. Do you have children?”

  “No children, thank God. I never expected it to be easy, but it’s not going to be easy for you to start over either.” Her brows rose slightly. “So, we’ll just have to offer each other support. How does that sound?”

  “That sounds good to me,” he said confirming it with a nod as he stared at her for a while. She was a pretty lady with a warm personality and he liked that—a lot. When Juliana turned her head and he saw the way the overhead lights cast a shadow over her golden locks, he thought it made her hair look like a field of gold. Today, her long blond hair was pulled up and clipped with a large toothed clamp. Stray pieces of hair had fallen down onto her neck, and every time she turned her head, one piece fell down in front of her bright blue eyes. She kept blowing it out of the way, and finally removed the clamp and smoothed her long locks back, twisted the end and clamped her hair to the back of her head again.

  Nico smiled at her. “So where did you go to culinary school?” he asked.

  “I didn’t. When I was little, my mother and I cooked all the time. I knew right then, that this was what I wanted to do. At one point during my growing years, I also wanted to be a vet, so I’ve combined both loves into this bakery.”

  “How cool. I do know the feeling about the love of cooking. After my parents died in an auto accident, and Nonna ChiChi brought me to live with her, she taught me how to cook, and that’s where I developed the love of cooking as a career.”

  She smiled hearing the woman’s name. “Beth has told me a lot about Mrs. DeLuca. She sounds like a wonderful woman.” They both looked up when Beth walked into the room carrying a tr
ay of dog biscuits.

  “She is wonderful,” Beth said. “Here, DeLuca,” she said, handing him the tray, “Might as well make yourself useful.” She nodded toward the counter behind Juliana. “The cello bags and everything you need are right on the counter.”

  Juliana cut in. “Beth, that wouldn’t be very nice to put a guest to work.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Nico said. “I’d love to have something to do.”

  “Thank you, that’s very nice. It will help us get ready for our grand opening,” Juliana said. “But now, I’m worried about them shutting every one down for seventy-two hours and it taking longer.”

  “I’m sorry I put that thought in your head.”

  When her brows rose it wrinkled her forehead. “It’s okay; unfortunately, it’s just the reality of the situation.”

  “God, I’ll go stir crazy if I don’t start doing some cooking soon.” Nico bent down to smell the biscuits. “Boy, these sure smell pretty good.”

  “They are,” Beth said on her way back into the kitchen. “Try one.”

  Nico looked at Juliana. “Go ahead. They’re delicious. No by-products, just honest to goodness wholesome ingredients.”

  Nico removed a biscuit from the tray and bit into it. “Ooh, these are really good. I think you’re going to have every dog in St. Helena stampeding your shop after they get one taste.”

  “I’m hoping their owners will be doing the stampeding.”

  “That too.” He reached his hand out to pick up a cellophane bag. “So how many in each bag?”

  Chapter Four

  “MY GOD, so that rumor is true?” Lucinda’s face morphed into one of concern as the three grannies prepared to serve dinner at ChiChi’s house. “The police have closed down all the restaurants in town and won’t let them open up again until every restaurant pantry has been tested and the Poison Control Center gives the go ahead?”

  “Unfortunately, it is true.” Priscilla said. “I just checked my voicemail.”