Murder in Palm Springs

by Dianne Harman

  Marty walked over to the table where Laura and Les were sitting. “Evening, everyone. How was your day?” she asked as she poured herself a glass of wine.

  “Probably better than yours,” Laura said.

  “What are you talking about? Carl and I spent the morning at Jimmy Josephs’ home doing an appraisal of his memorabilia collection. “Unfortunately, he took a fall and had to be rushed to the hospital.”

  “Then I guess you haven’t heard the news. It’s on every channel on television.”

  “Laura, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Please, fill me in.”

  “Jimmy Joseph died this afternoon. He never regained consciousness. He developed a terribly high fever after he was admitted to the hospital, and then he died. One newscaster said there was talk of murder, because the coroner found a small round pellet-like object in his leg which also showed an entry wound.”

  Marty stared at her, mouth agape. When she was finally able to speak, she said, “I can’t believe it. If he was murdered, that means we were there when it happened. Oh my gosh. He really was a nice man. I wonder who did it? Did the news reports say anything about that?”

  Just then the gate to the courtyard opened and Jeff walked in, greeted excitedly by Duke and Patron. “I can answer that. The answer is no, at this time we have nothing to go on. His home has been yellow-taped. I was over there late this afternoon and his housekeeper and right-hand man were too distraught to talk, so I told them I’d take their statements in the morning.”

  He turned to Marty and said, “You were there this morning. Did you see anything suspicious or that would lead you to think that something bad might happen?”

  Marty looked at Laura. “The only thing I know is what I told you on the phone this morning, that Laura was concerned and so was Patron. I don’t know if I told you that Laura had a vision of a mailbox. Jimmy was getting his mail when whatever happened, happened. That’s about all I know.”

  “Did you have the sense that Jimmy was concerned about anything? Did he act nervous? Did he say or do anything that would lead you to believe he’d been threatened?”

  “Not a thing, Jeff. We didn’t actually spend too much time with him. He met us at the door and then took us to where his collection was stored. His personal assistant, Ruby, made him go back to the main house and rest while she walked us through the rooms of the building where his collection is housed.”

  “Laura, your turn. You were the one who got the vibes before anything happened. What are you getting now?”

  She sat quietly for several moments with her eyes closed while Marty, Les, and Jeff closely watched her. Eventually she opened her eyes and said, “I’m seeing revenge, greed, and a great deal of anger. I’m sorry but that’s all I’m getting. Just emotions, but no people.”

  Laura turned to Marty and said, “I’m getting a very, very strong sense that you will become involved in solving this murder, and that’s what it is. The coroner will be confirming it shortly. She turned to Jeff, “You won’t be able to work much on this murder because unfortunately, there are too many other murders happening in Palm Springs right now, and you’ll be needed in a number of other places.”

  “Great, that was not what I wanted to hear. Guess I just wait for the other shoe to drop. I’m starved. Are we on our own tonight or did John leave something for us?” Jeff said as he looked around.

  “He and Max had a catering job tonight, but he told me this morning that he’d left a beef stew casserole for us along with some soda bread. I put the casserole in the oven several hours ago and it’s ready whenever all of you are,” Laura said.

  “I’d like to eat now if the rest of you don’t mind. I expect tonight to be a long one. That darned art muse of mine won’t let go and is harassing me to finish a painting. I fear it may be another long night,” Les said.

  “Yeah, and if Laura’s premonitions are right, it may be for me too. Let’s eat,” Jeff added.

  “You all sit. I was here all afternoon, and I’m pretty rested. I’ll bring it out,” Marty said.

  A few moments later she walked out of John’s house with a large pot of stew. Laura had gotten up to help her and they brought out the individual avocado and orange salads as well as the soda bread John had mentioned.

  It was quiet as they ate, each one thinking about Jimmy’s murder and what others might be occurring locally. Laura was the first to speak. “I don’t know how John does it, but night after night it’s just one fabulous meal after another. This is probably the best stew I’ve ever had and he could easily make it ahead of time and serve it at the Red Pony food trucks.”

  “Agreed,” Marty said, “and I really like the salad. It’s light and plays beautifully with the heaviness of the stew. Plus, I saw some scrumptious looking cookies on the counter. I’ll go get them.”

  She walked back to John’s house and then returned with a plate of cookies and a piece of paper. “He left a note under the cookies. He calls them double chocolate espresso walnut cookies. They look delicious,” she said as she set them down in the center of the table.

  “They not only look delicious, they are delicious. Actually, these might be the best chocolate cookies I’ve ever had, and I can taste a hint of coffee in them,” Les said as he took two more of the cookies.

  “I’ll leave a note for John and tell him what a hit dinner was,” Marty said as Jeff’s phone rang.

  “It’s starting, Jeff,” Laura said. “Better clear your calendar for the next few days.”

  Jeff looked over at her, took his phone out of his pocket, and left the courtyard. He returned a few minutes later and said, “Marty, Laura was right. I’ve got to leave, and I doubt that I’ll be home for the rest of the night. Three people were killed at the concert. Seems like they were able to sneak guns into the concert as well as some illegal drugs. Nasty combination.

  “Hate to ask this of you Marty, but since you were with the two people who work and live at Jimmy’s house today, would you mind going there tomorrow and talking to them? I’ll take formal statements in a day or so, but I don’t want the case to get cold just because I have to spend time on the latest murders.”

  “Of course, Jeff. What time were you going to meet them?”

  “I told them I’d be there at 10:00. You could reschedule if that doesn’t work for you.”

  “No, that’s fine. I’d already cleared my schedule to do Jimmy’s appraisal. I’ll probably stop by the Hi-Lo and see if the photos I sent Lucy earlier in the day are ready. Happy to help.”

  “See you later, probably much later,” Jeff said as he kissed her cheek and then gave each of the dogs a pat on the head. A moment later they heard his car pulling out of the driveway.

  “Les, take off,” Laura said. “I can tell you’re anxious to get back to the muse. Marty and I will finish up here.”

  Half an hour later, dishes done, and dogs walked, Marty got in bed, wondering what tomorrow would bring.

  CHAPTER 12

  Marty’s cell phone rang at 7:00 the next morning. She looked at the screen and saw it was Jeff.

  “Hi, honey. How bad was it last night?” she asked.

  “About as bad as it gets. In addition to the three people who were killed, several bystanders were also injured. I have to spend most of the day out at the concert area, doing everything I can to speed up the investigation process. The performers were paid a lot of money, and we can’t allow them to go on stage until my men finish with the crime scene. In other words, no one can perform, and the public is barred from admission. Everyone, from the food truck people to the promoter, are taking a big financial hit.”

  “Any word on the cause of Jimmy’s death?”

  “I saw the coroner briefly about an hour ago, and he told me to treat it as a homicide. He found ricin in the pellet he removed from Jimmy’s thigh.”

  “Wasn’t that the substance somebody put into envelopes and sent to a bunch of legislators a few years ago? As I remember, it was a real hot news topic for a
while. I kind of remember they got the guy who sent the letters. Sound right?”

  “Good memory. He was from Utah, and yes, law enforcement authorities did catch him. The problem with this poison is that it’s so easy for anyone to get. It’s produced from the castor bean plant, and that is not a rare plant. It’s a constant headache for medical and law enforcement personnel.”

  “Have you told Ruby and Horace that Jimmy was murdered?”

  “No, I haven’t had a chance to do anything. I only had it confirmed about it an hour ago. I felt 6:00 a.m. is too early for me to be calling people who have just had an emotional shock. Hate to ask this, Marty, but that’s the reason I’m calling. The coroner told me he’s not releasing his results to the news media or anybody else until he does his final report which will be tomorrow or the next day. I don’t think Jimmy’s staff will have any way of knowing it’s been confirmed that it was murder unless you tell them. My men will be at the house today doing crime investigative work, but even they don’t know.

  “Anyway, I’d appreciate it if you would tell them. I don’t want them to hear about it tomorrow on the news or from someone calling them. At least you’ve established a relationship with them, and you’re good at stuff like this. Again, sorry to ask you to do it. I would, but my hands are full at the moment. I’ll pay you back.”

  “Yes, you will. I’m thinking Europe, Hawaii, maybe even Hong Kong. I’ve never been there. What do you think?”

  “Would you settle for a movie and a good dinner?” Jeff asked.

  “Can’t top John’s dinners, so I’ll settle for a movie and Jeff, you know I’m really letting you off the hook with this one.”

  “I know, Marty. Call me after you talk to them and tell me how it went. I’ve got another call I have to take. Love you,” he said as he ended the call.

  *****

  “Well, well, well, if it ain’t my favorite garage sale lady,” Lucy, the manager of the photo department at the Hi-Lo Drugstore said when Marty walked into the store. “Jes’ kiddin’ Marty. Know the stuff ya’ look at ain’t never gonna’ see a garage. And man, those pics you sent me yesterday are somethin’ else. Woo Hoo! Bet that stuff is worth a purty penny.”

  “And hello to you, Lucy. Yes, those things I appraised yesterday will come in at a purty penny as you call it. From that, I assume the photos are ready for me.”

  “Sure ‘nuf. Here they are. By the way, where’s that little bundle of white knowin’ dog?”

  “White knowin’ dog? I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”

  “Talkin’ about the little bundle of cuteness ya’ got recently. Ya’ know. The one with that SP thing.”

  “Lucy, I think you mean ESP, and I left that little bundle of cuteness in the car.”

  “Well, that’s too bad. He probably coulda’ tol’ us who offed Jimmy Joseph.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Aw, c’mon, Marty. Everybody knows a big star like Jimmy Joseph gots lotsa’ enemies. Walkin’ out to get his mail and he jes’ happens to fall down. Right. Bet all the stock I got in cannabis that guy got whacked by one of ‘em.”

  “Wait a minute, Lucy. You’re going a little too fast here for me. I assume you found out that Jimmy Joseph died, but I don’t believe anything has been said that would indicate he was murdered.”

  “May not be sayin’ it, but I know it, ya’ know it, and I bet your furry friend knows it, too.”

  “Lucy, somehow I don’t see you investing in cannabis stock. I mean I know it’s legal in California now, but you’ve told me before how opposed you are to drugs. This doesn’t sound like you.”

  “Yeah, that was the old Lucy, before I got religion.”

  “You got religion? How?”

  “Well, ya’ know me and the ol’ man have a dog, Killer. Well, Killer started whimperin’ every time we touched his leg. We took him in to see the vet and he tol’ us that Killer had dislocated his hip. He set it and said instead of givin’ Killer some drugs, he tol’ us to go to the cannabis store in Palm Springs and get, I think he called it, a topical cream. Said it would help Killer with his pain.”

  “Lucy, are you telling me that you and your husband went to a cannabis store in Palm Springs?”

  “Yep, and man was it somethin’. Totally different than what I expected. Coulda’ eaten off the floor, it was so clean. Had three armed guards and no weirdos in sight. Mattera’ fact, most of the people in there was older than me and my ol’ man. Heard they was buyin’ that stuff for what they call ‘dicinal purposes.’ Always thought that was a bunch of bull, but if’n ya’ coulda’ seen the change in Killer, it’d make a believer outta ya’.”

  “The word is medicinal purposes, Lucy. So let me get this straight. You went to the cannabis store, bought something for Killer, and he’s much better. And now you’re buying cannabis stock?”

  “Yep. Figure cannabis is where alcohol was after Prohibition. Wanna’ get on that gravy train ‘fore it leaves the station, ya’ know? We got all them lennials comin’ up that probably smoked the stuff and now they’re gettin’ old and gots all kinds of aches and pains, and ya’ can plan on them buyin’ the dicinal stuff. Figure I’m gonna’ get rich purty quick.”

  “This is definitely not a conversation that I ever expected to have with you, but I’ll be curious how Killer does and how your stock does. I’m sorry to cut this conversation short, but I have an appointment and need to leave.”

  “Not quite yet, girl. Ya’ know how every mornin’ I get me a quote for my day. Well, today’s jes’ beats all. Ol’ man is always gettin’ testy with me ‘cuz I run a little late. Anyway, listen to this,” Lucy said as she pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket.

  “Jes’ closed my eyes this mornin’ and let my finger pick a page. Here’s what it opened to. This here is a quote from Confucius. Guess he was some famous Chinese guy from a long time ago. Says ‘It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.’ Don’t that jes’ beat all? Can’t wait to show it to my ol’ man. I mean if it was good enuf’ for Confucius, oughtta’ be good enuf’ for the ol’ man.”

  Marty just looked at Lucy, wondering if she was in some parallel universe and if this conversation had really happened. She was trying to think of something appropriate to say when Lucy handed her a dog cookie and said, “Tell that white knowin’ dog this is a present from his friend Lucy.”

  “Thanks, Lucy, I will. And thanks for the quick service. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem. Yer’ on my VIP list. Tell that handsome hubby of yers’ hi fer me.”

  “Will do,” Marty said as she walked out the door. She got in her car and gave the dog cookie to Patron. “Here, you knowin’ dog, a treat from Lucy.” She could swear that Patron was smiling at her.

  CHAPTER 13

  The gates were open at the Joseph estate and Marty could see several law enforcement cars as she drove toward the house, parking her car in the circular driveway. She hadn’t wanted to bring Patron, based on his performance yesterday, but given that a murder had taken place at the estate, she thought Patron needed to be with her. Truth be told, she felt a lot safer with the big dog next to her.

  They walked up to the door and rang the bell. A moment later it was opened by Ruby, her pain clearly etched on her face. “Come on in, Marty. Yer’ husband called and told me what happened out at the music festival and that you’d be takin’ his place.”

  “Thank you. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought Patron along with me as well. Given everything that’s happened, my husband felt it would be for the best. Is Horace here?”

  “Yes, he’s waitin’ for us in the livin’ room,” she said as they walked down the hall. “He’s havin’ a real hard time with this.”

  “I can only imagine what you two are going through,” Marty said as they walked into the living room. She sat down in a chair, smiled at Horace, and said, “I’m sorry I’m not back here under entirely different circumstances.”

  She looked at both o
f them and said, “I have something I need to tell you. Since Jeff couldn’t come today, he asked me to tell you in his absence. He felt that it should be done in person. He found out early this morning from the coroner that Jimmy was murdered. The coroner found a poison called ricin in a pellet he removed from Jimmy’s leg.”

  They were both quiet for several moments, digesting what Marty had just told them. Tears began to slide down Ruby’s cheeks, and she made no attempt to wipe them away.

  After several moments Horace said, “Don’t understand how that could be. Everybody loved Jimmy. That man didn’t have a mean bone in his body. I’ve seen him help all kinds of people. Whoever did it was some kind of a monster. Jimmy didn’t deserve this.” His eyes filled with tears and he took a red bandanna out of his pocket, and tried, with little success, to wipe them away.

  Marty looked away from Horace to give him time to compose himself. She glanced down at Patron who was sitting at her feet and had been looking at Horace when he spoke. His guard hairs were raised along his back.

  What’s up with that? Marty thought. He’s not growling, but he’s clearly not a friend of Horace’s. I’ll have to ask Laura about it when I get back to the compound.

  “I agree,” Marty said, “but it looks like there was someone who didn’t share your opinion of Jimmy. What I would like both of you to do is start thinking of any problems Jimmy might have had with people in the last few weeks or months, no matter how minor they might seem to you. My husband would like me to make a list of possible suspects, or people who might be considered persons of interest, right away. In a case like this, time is of the essence.”