Decanting a Murder Read online

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve been looking for you!” I stepped inside the small living room. It was covered in yellow carpeting with two doorways leading off it and a thick smell of cardboard and wine in the air. “What are you doing here?” Boxes of wine lined the floor around the edge of the room.

  “I’m running an errand for Mark. I’m about to go to the party now. Want to head back? Hey, whose jacket are you wearing? Did you meet a boy?”

  I studied Tessa. Her smile seemed bright as ever and her blond curls bobbed on her shoulders as she moved a box of wine into the corner.

  “Tessa, why are you really here tonight?”

  “I had to bring wine here. It’s a long story.”

  I glanced at the boxes around Tessa. “Tell me.”

  “Later.”

  “Now.” My voice was stern.

  “Mark texted that I needed to take more wine to the lodge. Vanessa isn’t supposed to know and since the party was going on, the timing was perfect. It’s not a big deal, Katie. I was coming right back.”

  “Coming back?” I glanced at my watch. “It’s nearly ten o’clock. You’ve been gone over two hours.”

  “Oh, is it that late? I really should start wearing a watch again. This whole phone deal doesn’t quite cut it. Come on, let’s go.”

  “Tessa, why did you invite me to the party tonight?”

  “What do you mean?” Tessa brushed her hair away from her shoulders. “I wanted you to enjoy Frontier.”

  “But what about when you left the party, you said I needed to say I was with you the whole time.”

  “I can’t let anyone know I’m doing this errand. You were my cover. Why? What’s going on?” Tessa tilted her head.

  I waited for Tessa’s tell, the way she pulled her mouth to the side when she was lying. But Tessa’s mouth remained in a half smile with no evidence of a lie.

  “Tessa, the party’s over.”

  “Over? Don’t be silly. The band is booked to play until eleven. What, did someone get super drunk and do something stupid?”

  “It’s Mark. He’s … He’s dead.”

  Tessa’s mouth dropped open as her eyes drained of emotion. “Please tell me you are kidding. This isn’t funny, Katie.”

  “It gets worse. The deputies found your wine opener in his back. They want to talk with you.”

  “My wine opener?” Tessa reached into her pocket but came back empty. “I must have dropped it.” She put her hand to her head. “I need to think. Give me a few minutes. I need to be able to explain.”

  “Explain what? Just tell the truth.”

  A spray of headlights flashed on the wall.

  “Who is that?” Tessa ran to the window as a car door slammed. “Katie, you brought the sheriff with you? Are you trying to be like your father? I’m sure he’d really love that, finally be proud of his daughter.” Her eyes narrowed as she shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re doing this. I covered for you. I took the fall for you. And this is how you repay me?”

  “Tessa, I didn’t! I came here to find you and to help you. He must have followed me.”

  Tessa’s eyes softened. “No, that’s not it. You’re giving up on me. That’s your new thing, isn’t it? You’ve given up on taking the Certified test and now you’re giving up on me.” She flinched as a loud knock sounded on the door.

  I shook my head. “I’ll never give up on you. Tell the truth, Tessa, and you’ll be fine. You didn’t do anything, right?”

  “No. I didn’t do anything.”

  “Then you have nothing to worry about.” I opened the door.

  “Katie. Tessa, I assume.” Dean stepped inside, his eyes flicking to me. “Did you know she was here the whole time?”

  “No, I found out about the lodge and on a hunch, came to see if she was here. I’m glad I found her and she’s okay.”

  “Yes, she is.” Dean looked around the room, staring at the stacks of wine boxes. “What’s all this?”

  “I can’t tell you,” Tessa whispered, her face growing pale.

  “Looks like stolen property to me,” said Dean. “You’re racking up quite a list tonight.”

  “This wine belongs to Mark.” Tessa crossed her arms.

  “Yes, it belongs to Mark. Not you.”

  Tessa glared at Dean. “He told me to bring it here.”

  “Interesting. We’ll find out more about that soon. You’re coming with me back to the station. We need to ask you some questions.”

  “I didn’t do anything wrong.” Tessa stood straighter as her voice level increased. “I didn’t kill him. I didn’t kill anyone.”

  “Detective, I believe her,” I interjected.

  “Then let her come down to the station and prove it. At this point, we’re only asking her questions.”

  I extended my hand toward Tessa. “He’s right. Let’s go down there and get this figured out.”

  Tessa hesitated, a drawn look on her face, before taking my hand with a cold and clammy palm. I gave it a reassuring squeeze as we walked outside and down the path toward my car.

  “Where do you think you guys are going?” Dean’s loud voice followed us. “She can’t go with you.”

  I looked at Dean. “What?”

  “She has to ride with me.” He motioned to his squad car.

  “We’ll follow you.”

  “No can-do. Tessa’s a suspect in this investigation and I can’t let her out of my sight.” Dean opened the rear door of the sheriff’s car.

  “Katie, no. Don’t let me go with him. I don’t want to go back to jail.” Tears formed in Tessa’s eyes as her shoulders crumpled.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen Tessa cry. Not even when police stormed the house years ago and Tessa stood in the living room after pushing me out of the officer’s sight. Tessa had bravely held out her hands, waiting to be cuffed, as I watched from the safety of the bushes. Not a word from her lips, only a small nod to me before she was put in the back of the squad car. I had let her go without a fight. Without any assurance. I wouldn’t let that happen this time.

  “Tessa, it will all be okay. I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done and then we’ll get this whole thing figured out.”

  Tessa paused. “But what about my car?”

  “Where is your car?”

  “Around back.”

  “I’ll drive you back here and we can pick it up. It’s not a problem.”

  Tessa sank into the back seat of the sheriff’s car as Dean closed the door.

  “Wait,” Tessa banged on the window, her eyes wide with fear at me. “Wait, I can prove it. Ask Seb.”

  “What?” I stared at Tessa, not understanding as the car’s engine muffled her message. “Why, Tessa?”

  The car drove away as I stood in front of the lodge, the glowing red brake lights creating a trail down the dark driveway. I jumped in my car and followed, but instead of continuing to the sheriff’s station, I turned toward Frontier Winery.

  nine

  pairing suggestion: albariño—rías baixas, spain

  A white wine with low alcohol and floral flavors

  while you think things over.

  -

  Gravel flew up from the driveway as I reached the Frontier offices and parked in the same spot. Aside from the absence of the catering van and only one sheriff’s car instead of two, the scene at the winery hadn’t changed in the hour I had been away. A few chairs were tipped over and the floral arrangements seemed to droop, saddened by a celebration that never happened.

  “You came back, huh?” Seb stood near the winery, his left knee shaking as he tapped his fingers.

  “Yeah, I needed to find you.”

  “Me?” Seb’s eyebrows went up and his eyes held a look I couldn’t quite place. Terror or curiosity, I wasn’t sure.

 
“Tessa’s in trouble. They think she had something to do with tonight.”

  The frequency of Seb’s tapping increased. “You mean with Mark, huh?”

  “Yes. I know that’s not true, but when she was arrested …”

  “She was arrested?” Seb interrupted, his brown eyes wide open.

  “Well, yes. I mean no. I mean, they took her down to the station for questioning. But she told me to come find you and ask you.”

  Seb’s face returned to normal, his surprise masked by what seemed like an eerie and rehearsed calm. “Ask me what, huh?”

  “That’s the thing, I don’t know.”

  Seb shrugged. “Um, I don’t know either.”

  “Did you see anything tonight? Anything with Tessa? Or see Tessa with Mark?”

  He shook his head. “Um, I saw her with you at the table and that was it. I didn’t see her again.”

  “Are you sure?” I stared at him. “Why would Tessa tell me to come ask you then?”

  “I have no idea, huh. I’ve only known her for a few months, right? I don’t know why she does stuff.”

  “Sebastian.” Jeff appeared at the side of the winery. “Lisa’s asking for you.”

  “Gotta go.” Seb disappeared into the darkness near the offices.

  “Hey, I thought you’d left,” said Jeff. “Are you still looking for Tessa?”

  “No, I found her. But I needed to come back. I needed to ask Seb something.”

  “Did you get what you needed?”

  I stared at the damp grass below my feet. “No. Not really.”

  “Can I answer it for you?”

  I looked up at Jeff. “I don’t think so.” My palm touched the base of his jacket, which I still wore from earlier. I took it off. “Here, thank you for this.”

  “Keep it, it’s cold out.”

  “No, it’s okay. I want to give it back. I don’t know the next time I’ll be out here and I’d hate to think of you without your coat.”

  Jeff leaned closer. “Then come back sooner. Hey, come back here and go running with me.”

  I placed the jacket into his hands. “I don’t have time for … I mean, I don’t know. Maybe. But thanks.” The last thing I needed right now was a relationship or even a date.

  “Okay,” said Jeff as he slung the jacket over his shoulder. “But give me a call sometime, okay? I can at least give you the tour here.”

  “Thanks.” I gave a brief smile and walked toward my car.

  A shadow crossed the driveway from the offices as the sound of soft cries reached me. Vanessa’s profile came into view under the lights, a tissue held to her mouth and the slight fragrance of jasmine in the air.

  My heart ached for the new widow, even though I had heard the argument between her and Garrett. It didn’t matter at that moment, as I identified with the beginning of her painful journey. I approached her, but she looked up at me without any sense of recognition. “Vanessa, I’m so sorry.”

  Vanessa blinked, her face blank.

  “It’s Katie, Tessa’s friend. We only met tonight but I wanted you to know that I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, her voice quiet and strained. “I feel so lost. Nothing is making sense right now.” Vanessa ran her fingers across her purple scar, all the foundation rubbed off as she mindlessly outlined it.

  I placed my hand on her shoulder. I wasn’t sure what to say. When I lost my own mom, people said sorry to me so I repeated it. “I’m so sorry.”

  Vanessa’s shoulders convulsed under my hand. “The vipers are already moving in and decisions will need to be made. I can’t—” Her words became lost under the heavy sobs.

  “I’m so sorry,” I repeated. “So sorry. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.”

  “I don’t know who I can trust,” Vanessa sputtered through the tears. “I feel like I have no friends.”

  “No, that’s not true. You have friends.”

  “I don’t.”

  I reached into my purse and pulled out my business card. “Here, my number’s at the bottom. If you need to talk to someone, call me. I’ve been in your shoes.”

  Vanessa clutched the card. “Stillwell? That’s familiar. I did Junior League with a Silvia Stillwell, back in the day.”

  I took a step back. “That’s my mom.”

  “Really?” Vanessa’s blue eyes opened wide. “What are the chances? How is she?”

  I swallowed hard. “She passed away.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Her gaze fell to the card. “Thank you for this. I may end up calling you.”

  “Please do. Will you be okay tonight?”

  “No, but I’ll make it.” Vanessa stared into my eyes, all remnants of composure seen at the party earlier, now shattered.

  “Can I help you somewhere?”

  “No, I’m fine. I’m going for a walk. I don’t want, I can’t, be in the house right now.”

  “I understand.” I stood motionless as Vanessa continued across the lawn, her blond head hanging down as she walked.

  I was about to follow her but stopped. Vanessa shouldn’t be alone, but first I needed to be a friend to Tessa.

  I glanced around the property. Jeff stood near the walkway. “Jeff,” I called out as I approached him, “I’m worried about Vanessa. Can you make sure she’s okay?”

  His eyes shifted to the lawn and back to me. “She’s a tough lady, I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  “But she just lost her husband.”

  Jeff shook his head. “Katie, there’s so much you don’t know around here. Vanessa is a lot stronger than you think. I’m certain she doesn’t want my help right now.”

  “But Jeff …”

  He put his hand on my arm. “Okay. I’ll go check on her. But do me a favor. Don’t get too involved here. There’s a lot more going on than you realize.”

  I nodded. Because that’s the thing with a wine during the blind tasting process. You might get a clear indication right away, but you can’t judge too quickly. Every element is a clue, but you have to wait until you put them all together in order to see the story.

  ten

  pairing suggestion: sancerre—sancerre, france

  Made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape,

  this wine has high acidity and pairs well with tartness.

  -

  The stark white lobby and steel benches of the sheriff’s station provided little comfort as I sat outside the counter that separated the desks from the public area.

  I wasn’t sure how long I had been there, but it was long enough for my foot to fall asleep. My mind was the opposite, repeatedly going over the events of the night as I tried to ignore the smell of disinfectant and coffee, which mixed together in the air. A deputy had offered me coffee, but the Styrofoam cup sat untouched on the bench next to me.

  The door swung open from the back room and I sat up. Instead of Tessa, Dean appeared.

  “Is she almost done? Can I take her home?”

  Dean came through the swinging gate and sat on the bench next to me. “You know we can hold her for forty-eight hours.”

  “I know, but you don’t have any evidence or you would have charged her.”

  “I forgot that you’re a cop’s daughter,” he said, his eyes softening. “It shouldn’t be too much longer. Peters is wrapping up his questions and then he’ll bring her up here.”

  I scratched my forehead. “I hope she doesn’t make any jokes.” Or flirt, but I kept that to myself.

  “She’s lucky to have you. You’re a good friend.” His voice was calm but emotionless, as if he had been taught specific phrases to say.

  “If I was a good friend, I would have gone with her tonight. If I was a good friend, I would have been by her side. If I was a good friend, I wouldn’t have let her take the blame …” I
took a deep breath. “Doesn’t matter.”

  The back door opened and Deputy Peters walked out with Tessa, a clear smirk on her face.

  A wave of unease swelled through me. “Tessa, are you okay?”

  Tessa nodded. “Sure. Isn’t this fun? I mean, I got arrested. Isn’t that crazy! What a story I’ll have to tell!”

  “You weren’t arrested, you were questioned.”

  “Well, whatever. Quite the Friday night, don’t you think?”

  I pointed to my watch. “It’s past midnight. It’s already Saturday.”

  “Fine,” Tessa sighed. “Then, what a weekend.”

  I stood up. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

  Dean stepped forward. “I think this goes without saying, but stay in the area. We may need to be in touch.”

  Tessa snapped her fingers and gave him a thumbs up before walking out the door.

  I turned to Dean. “Thanks. Night.” I followed Tessa outside.

  Tessa skipped down the steps. “Interrogation questions are so boring. They repeat themselves so often, it’s annoying. Come on, slowpoke. Let’s get this show on the road.” She leaned against my Jeep Cherokee.

  I unlocked the car and Tessa got in. I slowly sat down as she closed the door behind her. I put the keys in the ignition but didn’t start the engine. “Tessa, what is going on?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you don’t seem to be taking any of this seriously.”

  “Sure I am. I’m serious that I want to go home and go to bed.”

  “No, Tessa. I mean the snapping, thumbs-up, saying this is cool.”

  “Lighten up, Katie. I didn’t kill him, so stop worrying.”

  “But they don’t know that. And your wine opener was found in his back.”

  “Yeah, that was weird wasn’t it?” Tessa raised her eyebrows. “But it’s a wine opener. They’re all over the place.”

  “This one had your initials. It was yours. Do you know how it got there?”

  Tessa lowered her head and glared at me from under her eyebrows. “Are you seriously asking me if I killed my boss, Katie?”

  “No, I’m trying to get you to talk to me. How did your wine opener get there?”