by J. C. Eaton
As promised to Deputy Hickman, Godfrey, and Bradley, I didn’t say a word to Stefan, but I wondered how long it would take them to notice Devora’s absence, catch the nightly news, and put two and two together.
Charlie rolled his kibble dish into the living room as soon as I opened the door. In all honesty, I couldn’t remember if I’d fed him this morning or not. I immediately poured a heap of his grain-free kibble and then took off my jacket. At least I knew Alvin would be well-fed. The last thing those vineyard guys needed was to have that goat knock down his fence in an attempt to locate some grub.
I turned on the TV but still had fifteen minutes until the news came on. True, I had given my word to keep mum about the pond incident, as I began to call it, but I felt as if I owed it to Renee to keep her informed. That’s when I devised a way to ease her into the situation.
Thanks to speed dial, the connection was instant. Renee picked up after two rings and sounded as chipper as ever. “Hey, Norrie, how’s the filming going? I got a report yesterday afternoon from Devora. She said things were moving slowly due to ‘an overabundance of intoxicated wine drinkers who clogged up the area.’ I reassured her that the event would be over today and she’d have a peaceful week to finish up.”
“Uh, yeah. It’ll be peaceful for her, all right.”
“Good. Good. Did she need you to make many script changes?”
“No, but I didn’t see her today. In fact, neither did her crew. Skylar said they were doing a technical shoot so it wasn’t too unusual for the director to be absent.”
“I know. Lots of adjustments for lighting and sound. At least the weather in your neck of the woods is decent. Wet snow on the ground but no storms. Much better than what we’ve got going on here.”
Don’t bet on it.
“Oh, we’ve had our share of issues here, too. A body was found in the irrigation pond at the winery next door.”
“Oh, dear. That’s horrible. An intoxicated tourist maybe?”
“Oh, hard to say. Um, anyway, I just wanted to check in, that’s all.”
“All right, then. And thanks, Norrie, for being such a sport. We’ll be out of there in no time.”
When I ended the call, I had five minutes to go before the news came on. If nothing else, I had laid the groundwork for what would become a really nasty surprise for Renee. At least I could always say I kept her apprised of things. Then I plunked myself on the couch, flipped on the TV and read my texts. Godfrey said he’d meet me at Tim Hortons at eight. I immediately called him rather than send a text.
“Hey, Godfrey. Can we change the meeting place to the Ramada Inn?”
“Please don’t tell me you plan to snoop around?”
“Not exactly, but I plan to look for evidence.”
He sounded exasperated. “What evidence? The sheriff’s office hasn’t even identified the body.”
“The five o’clock news on Channel 8 said it was a woman. I’m really positive it’s Devora and I’m pretty sure Priscilla may have had something to do with it. Stefan, Devora’s assistant, told me Priscilla lost her necklace. She probably said that to throw everyone off.”
“Even if what you say is true, what do you expect to find at the Ramada?”
I spoke slowly and enunciated every word. “Evidence on Priscilla’s hands.”
“You’ve lost me.”
“Look, if Priscilla used that necklace to strangle Devora, chances are her fingernails are chipped, or at the very least there are small cuts on her hands. Devora must have fought back. When Priscilla was in our winery yesterday, I observed a perfect manicure. I need to see if that’s the case.”
“What do you plan to do? Knock on her door and demand a hand inspection? She’s not in the army.”
“Don’t be silly. We’ll hang out at the bar and buzz her room to invite her for drinks along with the rest of the film crew.”
“And if she declines your offer?”
“I’ll think of something else. In fact, I’ll have a plan B in the works.”
“Heaven help us.”
“Then you’ll meet me at the Ramada?”
“I have to. I’m afraid to leave you alone.”
Chapter 10
The seven o’clock news came on and it wasn’t any different from what the cleaning woman had told me. I flipped from Channel 8 to Channel 10 and finally landed on Channel 13, where Cara and Kenneth did their nightly shtick.
Cara looked at Kenneth and then straight at the camera. Her tight blond curls were perfect and her red sleeveless dress accentuated her every curve. “No news yet on the grim discovery of a woman’s body at Gable Hill Winery in Penn Yan. Sources close to the investigation believe she may have been out walking following the annual Wine and Cheese event and may have accidently fallen into the winery’s irrigation pond.”
Oh, yeah. That’s exactly my thought as well. And what sources? At this point, Alvin knows as much as the next guy.
“Indeed,” Kenneth added. “It’s a very sad situation. Official cause of death is still unknown. Please stay tuned to our station for any late-breaking updates. The minute we know, you’ll know. And be sure to tune into Channel 13’s News at Noon. Remember, viewers, don’t just think nutrition when you have lunch, think information as well.”
I wanted to gag. I turned off the TV and went upstairs to freshen up before meeting Godfrey. No sooner had I slipped my sweatshirt off than the landline rang and I grabbed it.
“Norrie, it’s me, Stephanie. Have you heard anything? Derek had to give that deputy a list of our employees for questioning by the sheriff’s office. My husband’s furious and thinks this will hurt our business.”
“Tell him to relax. If anything, it’ll bring in more customers. Lots of curiosity seekers. I should know. Same thing happened over here and at the Grey Egret.”
“I suppose. But what a dreadful way to attract visitors. By the way, did you say anything to our WOW group?”
Sharing intel with the gossipy women from Wineries of the West was the last thing on my mind. “Uh, no. Only Don and Theo. I haven’t really had the chance.”
Stephanie groaned. “I’ll let Catherine at Lake View know what’s going on and I’ll ask her to tell Madeline and Rosalee. By Thursday’s meeting the rumor mill will be in full force.”
“We have a meeting Thursday?”
“Don’t you read your emails? We need to talk about that candy company. I heard it was a done deal. Good thing we ordered Concord root stock a few months ago.”
“Um, yeah. Don and Theo mentioned the same thing now that I think of it. But what’ll happen if we wind up with lots of grape juice and no outlets to sell it?”
“There are always outlets for grape juice, and a few wineries are starting to make Kosher style wine.”
“Kosher style?” I asked.
“You’d never know the difference to taste it, but Kosher wines must meet a specific criteria for the grape, the machinery, and the processing. And the process must be overseen by a rabbi. Kosher style can be made by non-observant Jews but Kosher wines cannot. In any case, our wineries won’t lose money if a candy manufacturing company doesn’t pan out, but if it does, we stand to make a decent profit.”
“Root stock, huh? I’d better say something to our vineyard manager.”
“Trust me, he already knows.”
“Stephanie, if that candy company is built, and they require lots of juice, won’t that create a major division for us in terms of who we sell to and at what price? We’ve always supported the local juice companies.”
“That’s why we need to talk on Thursday. Call me if you hear anything about the woman in our pond. I don’t care if you wake me up.”
“Derek might care.”
“He won’t. The guy sleeps like a rock.”
As soon as the call ended, I washed up and put on a fresh shirt and clean jeans. Then I poured kibble in Charlie’s bowl, changed his water, and took off for the Ramada Inn.
The Ramada was located in down
town Geneva and hugged Seneca Lake. With panoramic views that faced the east, the Ramada had become a popular hotel for tourists and business people alike.
Its Tuscan-themed bar opened into the dining area, allowing for light as well as privacy, depending upon where guests sat. From bar and bistro seating to comfy lounge chairs, the designers thought of everything.
Godfrey was already at a table in the back and waved me over. “Okay, Sherlock, now what?”
“I’ll use the house phone to call Stefan and invite the crew to join us. If I call Priscilla first, it may look too obvious.”
“The house phone’s in the corridor. Want me to order you something while you make the call?”
“Thanks. Tonic water and lime. Oh, and ask them for some of those mixed nuts they serve at the bar.”
The house phone was in a small alcove opposite the reception counter and the elevators. I picked up the receiver and directed the operator to connect me with Stefan Olinguard’s room. As the phone started to ring, two Geneva police officers approached the counter. It didn’t faze me at first, but when the next person made his way over there, I froze. It was Deputy Hickman, and next thing I knew, the three of them left the counter and walked to the elevator.
No one had noticed me and I intended to keep it that way. Just then, Stefan answered the phone.
“Hello. This is Stefan Olinguard.”
“Stefan, it’s Norrie. I’m downstairs at the bar. I called to ask if you and your crew wanted to join me and a friend of mine for drinks, but you may be getting a few visitors.”
“You mean the police? I phoned them a little while ago. Devora’s missing. They told me we had to wait forty-eight hours to report a missing person. Maybe they changed their minds and sent someone over for a report.”
“Uh, yeah. About that, have you turned on the local news?”
“No. All we need is the weather report and we get that from our phone apps. Why?”
“Because a woman’s body was found in the winery’s pond next door and—”
“It might be Devora’s? That’s preposterous. Unimaginable really.”
Two seconds later, I heard a knock on Stefan’s door. “I’ll let you answer that,” I said. “Meet me in the bar when you get done with them. Bring your crew. We need to talk.”
“Sure thing. I could use a drink after today. We all could.”
I hurried back to the bar and picked up my tonic and lime. “I saw Deputy Hickman and two Geneva policemen get into the elevator. How much you want to bet they’re on their way to question the film crew?”
Godfrey widened his eyes. “Did they see you?”
“No. I spoke with Stefan and he’s in denial. They knocked on his door while we were on the phone. At least I’m pretty sure it was them. I mean, why else would a Yates County Sheriff’s Deputy be working with the Geneva police?”
For the next forty minutes, Godfrey went on and on about mites and the damage they can cause to grapevines, while I spouted off at least a half dozen theories about who could have killed Devora Dobrowski. Provided, of course, she was killed and didn’t just fall into the pond as one of the news anchors suggested.
“Desmia funeralis,” he said.
“Huh? What? Did you say something about Devora’s funeral?”
“What? No. I was talking about the desmia funeralis, a minor grape pest.”
“Well, I happened to be talking about who could have killed that witch. I hate to think it was Priscilla but she did have a motive. Devora humiliated her beyond belief. Then, of course, there’s Stefan. Talk about a whipping boy. Of course, Gavin might have wanted to protect Priscilla from Devora’s wrath and things went a little too far.”
“Shh. Take a look behind you. Two men are headed our way. Not the police.”
I turned, and sure enough Skylar and Rikesh pulled some chairs over and sat.
“Looks like we’ve got enough seats for everyone,” Skylar said. He reached out his hand and introduced himself and Rikesh to Godfrey.
“Where’s the rest of the crew?” I asked.
Skylar took a handful of salted nuts, but instead of eating them he all but crushed them in his hand. “Mickey’s reviewing some footage and said he’d be down in a while. Stefan and Gavin went with a deputy from Yates County to their morgue at the hospital in Penn Yan. They need to identify a body that may be Devora’s. This is a nightmare. A freaking nightmare.”
I bit my lower lip. “And Priscilla?”
“That’s another story altogether. Hell. She got unglued having to go over to Target this afternoon to get a replacement necklace. And get this. She never left the car. Had Gavin do it.”
Rikesh rubbed his temples and stood. “I need a drink. Anyone else?”
“Get me whatever they have on tap,” Skylar said. “What about you guys?”
“We’re fine,” Godfrey replied. “Better, I suppose, than your crew. Norrie told me all about Devora’s absence. Still, just because a body was found at Gable Hill doesn’t mean it’s hers.”
Skylar opened his palm and downed the salted nuts. “If it’s not her, then where else could she be? Devora may be obnoxious as hell but she’s a professional. It isn’t like her to go missing without telling one of us.”
“Did the deputy give you any indication of when Stefan and Gavin would be back?”
Skylar shook his head. “No. He wanted Priscilla to go with them but she literally had a nuclear reaction. Said she’d vomit, faint, or have heart palpitations.”
I did a mental eye roll. “Is she prone to that sort of thing?”
Skylar gave a quick laugh. “She’s an actress. Need I say more?”
“So she’s upstairs in her room?”
“I doubt it. She said something about going to the sauna and making an appointment at the reception desk for a manicure tomorrow morning. I told her that if Devora is alive and well, we need to be on the set, in your vineyard, no later than seven thirty. A manicure, for crying out loud! Our director’s missing, the authorities think she may be the drowning victim, and we’ve got to film the final scene of Windswept Love by week’s end. And where’s our lead actress? Scheduling a damn manicure!”
Rikesh, who had just returned with drinks from the bar, whispered, “Maybe she’s in shock.”
This time it was Skylar who rolled his eyes. “Fat chance.”
“What now?” I asked. “Did anyone call Renee?” Other than me.
Skylar and Rikesh looked at each other before Skylar responded. “We were told by the deputy not to say anything to anyone until an official identification of the body can be made.”
“And if it’s not Devora?”
Again, the men looked at each other and again Skylar spoke. “Then the missing person’s report goes into effect and your authorities take it from there. Either way, Renee will be notified by one of us by tomorrow. In the meantime, I intend to make myself quite comfy right here.”
With Skylar and Rikesh planted at our table, I couldn’t very well tell Godfrey what I intended to do. I only hoped it wouldn’t take too long.
I stood and backed away from the table. “If you’ll excuse me,” I said, “I need to make a call. I forgot to tell my tasting room manager something and won’t see her until tomorrow.” Then, while Skylar and Rikesh weren’t looking, I mouthed the words “plan B” to Godfrey and shot out of there.
Chapter 11
Having been to the Ramada Inn a few times for winery events and dinners, I knew where the pool and spa were. If Skylar was right about Priscilla going to the sauna, I could see for myself if her nails were chipped or if she had tiny cuts on her hand. Unfortunately, the spa was keyed entry only and that posed a slight problem. But it wasn’t so much of a problem that my own acting skills wouldn’t come in handy.
The pool was visible from the hallway and I watched the handful of guests who were making use of it, mainly families with older kids. I stepped up to one of the glass panels and rapped on it. Within seconds, a middle-aged man opened the doo
r and I spoke. “Oh, thank goodness. This saves me a trip to the front desk. I was here earlier and I think I left my makeup bag in the locker room. Do you mind?”
The man motioned me through. “No problem. My wife is always losing things.”
I thanked him and darted into the locker room that led to the sauna and steam room. Not wanting to take a chance getting my phone wet, I stashed it in the closest locker to the door. Thankfully, the pool lockers came with their own numbered keys on small blue bracelets. I slipped mine over my wrist and thanked the Ramada Inn under my breath for taking the security of personal property seriously.
Poor Skylar and Rikesh. I wondered how long they could hold out listening to Godfrey pontificate about blood-sucking, vine-eating, larva-producing insects while I tried to catch a glimpse of Priscilla McCoy’s hands without having her see me. Then again, I could always come up with plan C if I messed up plan B.
The sauna was adjacent to the bank of lockers, while the steam room was down a short corridor. I figured I’d start with the sauna. I held my breath and opened the door slowly. The thing weighed a ton, and hanging on to the knob while trying to allow in only a sliver of light was a feat of its own.
I pressed my face to the opening but it was too narrow, so I pulled the knob closer to me and tried again. The intense heat made my eyes water and I blinked. In the next second or two, I tried to see if Priscilla was in there. No luck. Empty benches and hot coals. It had to have been a while since someone was in the sauna since every bit of steam from adding water to the coals had dissipated.
The steam room was another story altogether. When I tried the same tactic, a burst of moist hot air flew into my face and I was positive it removed every bit of eyeliner I had on. Then I pressed an ear to the opening and stood absolutely still. Not a single sound. If Priscilla was in there, she had to be alone. Most people strike up conversations, and someone as high-profile as Priscilla McCoy was bound to be recognized by TV viewers.
It was now or never to make my move. I fished out a hairbrush from my bag, opened the door a bit wider, and tossed the brush on the floor of the steam room. Then I covered my mouth, leaned in and said, “I must have dropped my hairbrush while I was in there. I’m dressed and don’t want to get wet. Can you slip it to me through the door?”