Seven Deadly Zins

by Nancy J. Parra

  “It’s still a nice hike,” I said. “Maybe next time we’ll come closer to the evening and see if we can’t rattle a few bones.”

  “What made you say this was paranormal, anyway?”

  “It was listed on a website as one of Sonoma Valley’s top ten paranormal hikes,” I said. “Surely that counts for something.”

  “I think you have seen more death than on this trail,” T.J. said.

  “Hey, the Grandmother tree is nearly two thousand years old. Think of all the things that tree has seen,” I pointed out.

  They sighed and turned back to the view while I unpacked the waters, small bottles of wine, cheeses, apples, carrots, hummus, and crackers. It was a nice picnic. While the paranormal angle of the trip might have been a bust, at least the hike was beautiful.

  “I heard that new guru, Dr. Brinkman, was speaking in Sonoma,” Amber said to Sally. “We should stay up here for the night and see if we can’t get tickets.”

  “You’ve heard of Dr. Brinkman?” I asked and sat down beside the women. I poured wine into their plastic glasses.

  “Yes, he was on Late Night with Dwayne. It’s one of my favorite San Francisco late-night talk shows.” Amber dipped a carrot in the hummus and took a bite. “Dr. Brinkman gave a five-minute talk, and everyone felt so inspired. It’s what got me to come on this tour.”

  “Really?” I asked, confused.

  “Really,” Amber said. “I have been pretty depressed and staying at home, locking myself away in my apartment.”

  “You don’t have to work?” I sipped a nice Syrah.

  “We can work remotely,” Sally informed me. “It’s pretty easy to just stay home in your pajamas for days in a row.”

  “That was me,” Amber said, bouncing her blond ponytail. “Then I heard Dr. Brinkman speak. He made so much sense. I simply got up and walked outside and took a deep breath. It was great. I’d forgotten how warm the sun felt on your face on an autumn afternoon. It smelled of the beach and fall leaves.”

  “Did you go out in your pajamas?” Sally asked. She had polished off her glass of wine and pushed her glass to me to pour her some more.

  “Yes,” Amber said with a twinkle in her eye, “but it didn’t matter. There was no one on the street. Everyone was at work.”

  “Wait,” I said, even more confused. “I thought you said that you were watching late-night television.”

  “No, I said I was watching a late-night talk show. I watch them on demand when I get bored with work.”

  “So you stepped outside in the middle of the afternoon in your pajamas to take a deep breath …”

  “Yes,” Amber said. “Then I went inside and took a shower, put on my bike shorts and a tee shirt, and went for a long ride. I’ve been out hiking and biking and kayaking every day since. Dr. Brinkman changed my life in that short five-minute talk.”

  “That’s incredible,” Sally said and polished off her second glass of wine, then grabbed a bottle of water.

  “Almost unbelievable,” I muttered.

  “I’m not the only one,” Amber said. “Ben was the same way, only he went to one of Dr. Brinkman’s lectures, and look at him now.” She pointed to the older man, who laughed and joked with T.J. and Patrick. “I heard he had agoraphobia very badly and hadn’t been out of his house in nearly three years.”

  “That’s terrible,” I said.

  “But better now,” Amber said. “Hey, Ben, come over here and tell our tour guide about your experience with Dr. Brinkman.”

  “What do you want to know?” Ben asked. He grabbed a handful of carrots and dipped them one by one in the hummus.

  “I went to one of Dr. Brinkman’s lectures last night,” I said. “I’d heard a lot about what he does for people. Did you get offered something to drink while you were there?”

  “The tea?” he asked. “Yes, but I didn’t drink it. I was quite uncomfortable. I hadn’t been out of my house in a few years. I was there because my sister came with a ticket and performed an intervention. I was skeptical. In fact, I told my sister I had a Lyft car coming to get me after five minutes.”

  “So did you go back home?”

  “No,” he said with a shake of his head. His blue eyes turned sincere. “There was something about the way the man talked. He made so much sense. He pulled me right out of all of my fear and made me long to go out and live.”

  “Then what happened?”

  Bed shrugged. “I went out and lived. Seriously, I cashed in my stocks and spend most of my days traveling now, seeing the sights. Living!” He pounded his chest and laughed. “I’ve been less than two hours away from a two-thousand-year-old tree on Jack London’s property, and I’d never been here. That’s just crazy—crazier than listening to some old man talk. I had no idea how much it was going to change my life.”

  “But I didn’t have a life-changing experience,” I said. “So what was I missing?”

  “Maybe you didn’t need one,” Ben said and grabbed a handful of nuts. “It’s possible that you are doing what you always should have been doing.” He flashed a grin at me. “You’re taking us out into the countryside and showing us parts of our backyard we’ve never seen before. I’d say that’s a pretty good talent.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “Let’s pack up. We have more hiking to do.”

  “You mean more ghost hunting,” Patrick said.

  “I think the only ghosts we’ll see are the ones that hang around once you’ve had a bit too much wine,” T.J. teased.

  “Wait—was that a dark shadow?” I asked and pointed to an oak with low-hanging branches. “I think that was a hanging tree.”

  “Seriously?” T.J. went toward the tree.

  “You’ve got to work on your storytelling,” Sally teased me. “I’ve got the brochure. As far as the official story goes, there wasn’t a hanging tree.”

  “Well, now we don’t know for sure,” I said. “Someone could have been hanged there. It’s about the right height.”

  “You are morbid,” Sally said.

  “Maybe just a little.” I packed up all the food and what was left of the waters and stowed it all away in my backpack. Then we hiked by Fern Lake and took in the old vineyard. I listened to my group laugh and joke. What a different group they were from my last group of hikers. But then again, I’d never had anyone ask for a paranormal tour.

  “So you really didn’t learn anything from listening to Dr. Brinkman speak?” Amber asked me as we approached the ranch and the parking lot where we started out.

  “No, nothing,” I said with a frown. “But then again, I may have been distracted. I got a call from a dear friend. He needed to talk to me. He’d just gotten out of jail on bond.”

  “Oh no, what happened?”

  I winced. “I kind of found a dead man on his property.”

  “Wait, are you talking about the dead man found floating in the vat of grapes? You found that body?”

  “I didn’t find it exactly,” I said. “I was there when it was found.”

  “How gruesome,” Sally said. “Maybe you need Dr. Brinkman more than you know.”

  “I thought he was a self-help guru,” I said.

  “He’s many things to many people,” Amber said. “He’s a very smart man, and he has these powers to get to the truth.”

  “He does?”

  “Yes,” she said. “You know you should go with us tonight to see Dr. Brinkman again. I bet if you talk to him about your friend, he can figure out who the killer is.”

  “He can?”

  “Sure,” Amber said. “The man is a psychic genius. If anyone is hiding anything, he’ll be able to tell right away. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Dr. Brinkman pointed you straight toward the killer.”

  “I think Dr. Brinkman might be too busy to hunt out a killer,” I said. “But thanks for thinking about it.”

  “You should ask him,” Sally said.

  “He is close to a friend of mine. Perhaps I will go see him again tonight.”
r />   “We’ll save you a seat,” Amber said.

  “But I don’t have a ticket, and I know they are hard to get.”

  “Don’t worry,” Amber said with a wave of her hand. “I know one of the inside people. We’ll get you squeezed in.”

  “What time do you need me to be at the auditorium?”

  “How about by eight thirty?” Amber said. “That way they will have started seating the crowd, and we can get you in without too much difficulty.”

  “I’ll be there,” I agreed.

  “Hey,” Patrick shouted and waved at us. “I think I just captured a ghost. Come check out this photo.”

  The girls left me, and I shook my head. The only spirits in the area were the ones in the wine we’d just tasted. I glanced at my watch. Three wine-tasting stops after the hike, and I still had time left to see Holly before I went home to shower and get ready, then meet them at the auditorium.

  What was the draw to Dr. Brinkman? Why was I so immune?

  * * *

  After dropping off the tour group back at the shopping center, I stopped by the art studio to see how Holly was doing. I was a bit dusty and disheveled, so I went around to the back of the studio and knocked on the locked door. I buzzed the doorbell, but no one answered. There wasn’t anything left to do but go in through the front. I came around the corner to see Holly walking out the front door.

  “Holly,” I said and waved. “I was looking for you.”

  “Oh, Taylor,” she said and glanced at her watch. “What are you doing here?”

  “I was on my way home from my tour today and wanted to stop in and check on you. How are you?”

  “I’m fine,” she said with a shrug. “Good, really. How was your tour?”

  “Not bad,” I said. “We didn’t see anything paranormal. One of the guys thought he caught a ghost, but it turned out to be the shadow of a bird. But the company was good and with the hike and the stops at the wineries and distillery, they all left in good spirits.”

  “Cool,” Holly said.

  “I ran into Bridget and her Quirky Tours bus. She was in front of the Visitor Center. Can you believe she was running a haunted tour as well? Her bus was full.”

  “Really?” Holly seemed distracted.

  “Yes,” I said and frowned. “Do you have some place to go?”

  “No … maybe … look, if you must know, I have a ticket for Dr. Brinkman’s next show. I promise not to drink the tea this time. I was wondering if I would feel the same about him if I didn’t have tea.”

  “You might. I mean, he was using essential oils as well as tea.”

  “But the scents didn’t affect you last night,” she pointed out. “So I was wondering if his talk would do the same for me if I didn’t drink anything.”

  “I guess we could try,” I said.

  “ ‘We’?”

  “Yes, the ladies on my tour today wanted me to come see Dr. Brinkman again. They are convinced he has magical powers and will not only help me find my true calling but will even be able to find Jeffery Hoag’s real killer.”

  “Huh,” Holly said thoughtfully.

  “I doubt it, though.” I put my hand on her forearm to connect with her via touch. “But I do want to go back and confront Mandy. She needs to come clean to Tim and let him know what she’s doing with her new boss.”

  “I agree,” Holly said. “I still think the man is gifted, but I certainly wouldn’t sleep with him.”

  “That’s my girl. Now, I’ve got to run home and get cleaned up. The girls can get me a ticket, but I need to come after eight thirty P.M. to ensure I don’t get attacked by a mob of ticket-hungry citizens.”

  Holly giggled. “That’s a funny picture.”

  “It’s not funny,” I said and indicated the two long lines already forming outside the auditorium. One was for those with tickets, and the second, even longer, was the line for people waiting for tickets. “That group in that line looks like they would hurt anyone who got between them and Dr. Brinkman. Seriously, what is with the guy? I’d understand if he were tall, dark, and handsome, but seriously, he’s skinny and lanky.”

  “I think he’s so sincere,” Holly said.

  “You’re going to go stand in that line soon, aren’t you?”

  “Only if you can’t cut me in line,” Holly said with a smile.

  “I can’t give you cuts. I won’t be back here for at least an hour.”

  “Then I have to go before the line gets any bigger. I’ll see you inside.”

  “Right.” I turned on my heel, and Millie and I went back to the van. I suppose if I were going to get arrested for cutting in line, then I’d better at least look good. “Come on, Millie,” I said to my pup. “Let’s go home before I get sucked into doing something even stupider than seeing Dr. Brinkman for a second time. How’s that sound to you?”

  She smiled up at me and tugged on her leash. I was pretty sure she heard the word ‘home’ and that was enough for her to maneuver me back in the van.

  As for me, I made a quick phone call before we started down the road. Maybe it was time for Tim to come see what Mandy was mixed up in. If nothing else, Dr. Brinkman might be able to determine who really killed Jeffery Hoag.

  Chapter 14

  “Who’s the older woman you brought with you?” Sally asked when she met me at the auditorium door. People were streaming in beside us, keeping a careful eye that we didn’t try to slip in without a ticket.

  “I’m Taylor’s Aunt Jemma,” she said and stuck her hand out to shake Sally’s hand. “I understand you were part of her tour group today.”

  “Yes,” Sally said. “I was. I’m afraid I was only able to get one seat. It’s a sold-out show.” She glanced around. “I’m not certain I can even let you in without getting the police called.”

  “Don’t worry,” Aunt Jemma said. “I have my ways.” She pulled lipstick out of her purse and outlined her lips with a poppy-red color. “Come on then, ladies, let’s go inside. I’m sure the show is starting.”

  She pulled the doorknob out of Sally’s hand and walked into the building with her chin up as if she owned the place. Knowing Aunt Jemma, she might. Sally looked at me. I shrugged and we both followed my colorful aunt into the depths of the foyer.

  “Tickets please,” the usher said.

  “Here’s mine and one more,” Sally said and showed the tickets.

  “You go,” I said to Aunt Jemma. “I’ve seen the talk.”

  “But you were going to ask him about solving the murder,” Sally said.

  “I can ask later,” I said with a wave of my hand. “I’m going to stay and see if I can’t talk to Mandy afterward.”

  “But—”

  “It’s all right, dear,” Aunt Jemma said and put her arm though Sally’s. “Let Aunt Jemma experience the wonder that is the guru with you. That’s a nice girl. Taylor, you have the nicest friends.” She walked Sally into the auditorium, and the doors closed behind them. I stared at the door a moment.

  “I’m sorry, but if you don’t have at ticket, you have to leave,” the usher said. He gestured toward the glass doors in front. “Better luck next time.”

  I blew out a deep breath and took two steps.

  “Taylor?”

  I turned to see Mandy sticking her head out through the doors. “Mandy, don’t you have to get inside and introduce Dr. Brinkman?”

  “Come on,” she said and grabbed my arm. “She’s with me.” She ushered me into the auditorium. “Your Aunt Jemma came and got me and told me you were outside without a ticket.”

  Aunt Jemma waved at us as we passed by. I sent her a small wave back. My aunt made herself comfortable sitting between Sally and Amber and said something to the girls that made them laugh. It was nice to have an extroverted aunt who could get along with anyone.

  When I told her I was coming back to listen to Dr. Brinkman again tonight, Aunt Jemma had insisted on coming with me. She was certain there would be a place for both of us, and surprisingly, she was ri
ght.

  “Come on—I have an extra seat behind the curtain,” Mandy said. “It’s not as fancy as last night’s.”

  “It’s okay,” I said. “I was just interested in hearing Dr. Brinkman again.”

  “Of course,” Mandy said. “He touches people’s hearts, and then it becomes a sort of addiction.”

  “Aren’t you going to introduce him?” I asked as she showed me to a stool and then stood beside me.

  “Oh, not tonight. Tonight it’s Delilah’s turn.”

  “Delilah?”

  “Yes, Delilah Howell, she’s training under Dr. Brinkman, just like I am. I think she’s going to be taking over the East Coast tours.”

  The curtains opened, and I noticed the strong scent of essential oils wafted onto the side of the stage from the auditorium. People clapped wildly as a young woman with blond hair pulled up into a soft bun strode across the stage. She welcomed the crowd, thanked them for coming, and started the introduction.

  I glanced over at Mandy to see her mouthing the words. The introduction was exactly the same, so I knew it was prewritten. It seemed odd to me that the girls could be interchanged so easily. I guess it didn’t matter who introduced a guru as long as you got to hear the guru speak.

  Delilah waved her hand, and Dr. Brinkman entered stage left. The crowd was on its feet. The large screen behind him showed pictures of flowers and happy landscapes. I leaned forward. Tonight I was intent on listening to his every word. Maybe, just maybe, I could figure out what the big deal was.

  Dr. Brinkman’s voice was soft, but commanding. He spoke of self-love and universal themes of encouragement. He went on about proper breathing and listening to your own body. I was perplexed. There didn’t seem to be anything that I hadn’t heard before. A glance at Mandy told me she was a little confused. Her hands were clasped together near her heart, and her eyebrows drawn together. What was wrong?

  “Are you okay?” I whispered.

  “Yes, of course,” she said, but she glanced around. “Excuse me a moment.” She pushed through the crowd of backstage watchers and workers.

  I watched her stop and talk to a stagehand. Soon she was back at my side. Her expression was calmer, her gaze on the guru. I turned to concentrate on the speaker. After the talk, I clapped politely and stood. Maybe if I could catch Holly and Aunt Jemma, we could reconvene and go over what it was that I was missing. Surely something had to keep these people clamoring for more.