Wine and Revenge

by Laina Turner

  “Yeah, but you're a good friend.” Sally smiled.

  As she drove to Deanna's, Trixie couldn’t help thinking about how she’d approach the conversation with Deanna. The last thing she wanted to do was upset her any more than she already was. She didn’t deserve it. She eventually pulled up to Bramble Patch Winery and Deanna was sitting outside. Trixie walked up and sat down at the picnic table across from her where Deanna had an iced tea waiting for her.

  “I'm so glad you texted me. I was filling out insurance forms and it's impossible. I was getting irrationally angry at paperwork. I needed a break.”

  Trixie’s stomach dropped at the mention of insurance since that could be a good reason for committing suicide. But that's what she came here for and this was a natural segue way.

  “Speaking of insurance,” she said and then paused, not wanting to blurt it out but seeing no other way. She paused so long Deanna started looking at her strangely.

  “There's no easy way to say this.”

  “Then just say it. Can't be worse than anything else I've been through,” she said wryly and that's exactly why Trixie didn't want to tell her. She’d already been through so much.

  “Helen Bleecker came in to Read Wine today.”

  “Oh, great.” Deanna rolled her eyes. “I can't even imagine what she's spreading around town. I bet she’s having a field day with this.”

  “She said that David committed suicide for the insurance money,” Trixie just blurted out.

  Deanna laughed. “You've got to be kidding. Where in the heck did she get that idea?” To Trixie’s surprise, Deanna didn’t seem too bothered by the news.

  Trixie shrugged. “No idea, but she seemed pretty adamant that it was true. She said you guys were having financial issues and the property was going into foreclosure.”

  Deanna vehemently shook her head side to side. “No way. I mean yeah, the business was like any new business. More bad months than good ones, but things were moving in the right direction. Plus, David just never would have done that. We had a great life. We didn’t need the winery. I don’t know where Helen’s getting her information, but that’s not at all accurate.”

  Trixie felt Deanna didn’t seem as angry as she would have been at someone spreading these lies but then with everything else she was dealing with it was small potatoes. But who would have told Helen this? And what did that person have to gain?

  Chapter 11

  Trixie came home from Deanna's and couldn't relax or stop thinking about who could've murdered David. She was still surprised at Deanna’s lackluster reaction to her news about Helen’s gossip.

  Trixie didn’t want to think it was true and maybe Helen was wrong. She hadn't heard anything about him or Deanna in a negative light since they'd been back and opened the winery. There had been nothing but positive accolades for how they were able to take a property that had been in foreclosure and turn it into something that benefited the small town. Until Helen brought up money issues nothing had been less than positive around town.

  Trixie's son, Cody, was at his dad's so she had nothing but time on her hands this evening and she knew she wouldn't stop thinking about it so she got up off the couch and grabbed a pen and a pad of paper before refilling her tea glass and sitting back down on the couch. Maybe if she made a list of possible suspects it would spark some type of idea as to who would have murdered David.

  She hated doing it, but of course wrote Deanna first. Trixie didn't for a minute think that Deanna killed her husband as all signs pointed to how she loved him and her reaction at his death seemed genuine. Plus, she’d known her for years and Deanna wasn’t capable of hurting anyone. However, if she was going to be objective, she also knew that the majority of murders were committed by someone who knew the victim, so she’d be remiss if she didn't put Deanna on the list. Dean, being another family member, came second. Then she added Tracy and employee number one through three to the list because she didn't know their names but didn't want to leave them off the list. It wasn’t unheard of for a disgruntled employee to murder their boss. As a business owner herself, she cringed a little as she thought. Then she added Adam, the owner of Big Oak Winery and also added the stranger she saw Tracy talking to, or rather arguing with, the other day. She looked at her list and felt a sense of frustration. She didn't have much knowledge about who half these people were, not even their names, much less to try and figure out why they might have wanted to kill David.

  She tapped the pen on the pad for a few seconds; thinking. Remember the objective, she thought to herself. Why would someone kill David? So far, the only reason that had surfaced was insurance money. But who would benefit? Only Deanna and maybe Dean.

  The rival winery owner maybe did it to get Deanna to sell. Or maybe Dean wanted his dad out of the picture, thinking he and Deanna could run the business. All these ideas were just that, ideas. Nothing was rooted in any kind of actual logical reasoning. It was all speculation.

  Trixie tossed the paper and pen down on the couch in frustration. This was impossible, she was just going around in circles and not getting anywhere. She needed to talk to Helen again and find out why she was so sure David committed suicide. Maybe that would steer her closer to some answers.

  Chapter 12

  “Just the person I was hoping to see,” Trixie said to Clive as he came into Read Wine the next morning to get his usual cup of coffee and an old-fashioned donut. The same thing he’d been getting almost every morning since they’d opened. Clive wasn’t one to be adventurous, even though she’d tried several times to get him to try a latte or a scone.

  “Dare I ask why?” he said in his dry, no nonsense tone, taking a bite of donut while standing at the counter, since no one was behind him.

  “I wanted to ask how things are going. Any closer to catching whoever killed David?” she came right out and asked, knowing he probably wouldn’t tell her but figured it was worth a shot.

  Clive raised his eyebrows and sighed. “You know I can't talk to you about an ongoing investigation.”

  “You can trust me. I'm not going to say anything to anyone. I'm just worried about Deanna.”

  “Me too, me too.” He rubbed his face. “Rest assured my team is working around the clock to chase down any leads.”

  Trixie wanted to mention what she’d heard about the money troubles and Deanna’s subsequent reaction, but knew he would be annoyed with her for once again sticking her nose into a police investigation. Yet if he didn’t know, she really needed to tell him. Not to do so would be negligent on her part. Wouldn’t it? She wasn’t sure what to do.

  Clive grabbed his coffee, thanked her and turned to walk away. It was now or never.

  “Clive?”

  He turned back around and looked over his shoulder, eyebrows raised.

  “Have you heard anything about David and Deanna having money troubles?”

  No expression registered on Clive’s face. It made her wonder if he played poker. He’d be good at it with the way his face gave nothing away.

  “Have you?” he said, answering the question with a question, which didn’t tell her anything, but she took it as a positive sign that he didn’t seem angry.

  “Of course I have, or I wouldn’t be bringing this to your attention,” she put her hands on her hips exasperatedly.

  Clive paused, not saying anything, just stared. Waiting for her to continue.

  “I asked Deanna about it,” Trixie continued.

  “And?”

  “She denied it.”

  Both Clive and Trixie were silent for a minute. Trixie wanted him to hurry up and say something before a customer walked in because he’d never say anything then.

  “I heard it from a reputable source, but since Deanna denied it, I don’t know what to believe,” Trixie broke the silence. “Is it true?” she pushed. “Could David have killed himself for the insurance money?” She gulped, feeling nervous saying this to Clive.

  “Who did you hear this from?” Clive demanded. />
  “The usual. Helen Bleecker. Now is it true or not?”

  Clive opened his mouth to say something when the door chimed, signaling a customer. Clive nodded his goodbye and walked out, leaving Trixie frustrated and wondering about what he was about to say.

  Chapter 13

  Dean worked at the winery, but he also worked part-time at the local auto parts store. Trixie had found this out when talking to Deanna. At the time, she didn’t think anything of it, but the more she wondered about who killed David, the more she thought talking to Dean could give her some insight. Trixie passed the place on her way home and saw his car there. She slowed down and turned into the parking lot before she could think better of it, but then she sat there wondering if talking to Dean was a good idea. She didn’t want to upset him or make him mad.

  Finally, curiosity won out and plus, how could Dean be mad, she rationalized. She only wanted to help. Surely he would understand that?

  She walked into the store and her nose was assaulted with the smell of rubber and oil, which reminded her of the days when she was little and would sit outside in the garage while her dad would work on their cars. She often brought her Barbies out to play her own make-believe game just so she could be close to him.

  She saw Dean standing behind the counter, helping out a customer and hung back as to not distract him from his job. When the customer was taken care of and left, she walked up to the counter.

  “Can I help you?”

  “I'm Trixie Pristine, a friend of Deanna's. We met the other day.”

  “Oh yeah, right. What can I help you with?” he said and didn’t seem bothered by the fact that she was there.

  “I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind.”

  “About?” He narrowed his eyes and finally got a suspicious look on his face.

  “Your father's murder,” Trixie said tentatively, wanting to be careful about what she said.

  Just then the front door chimed, and another customer came in. Dean glanced up and back at Trixie. “I can't talk here,” he whispered. “I can't afford to lose my job. Meet me at Bob’s tonight at eight.”

  Dean turned and greeted the customer as Trixie left. Once she got to her car, her elation at him being willing to talk to her was replaced by wondering about the wisdom of meeting with him. Not that she was afraid of him; plus, they'd be in a public place. But that was just it. They'd be in a public place and if Clive found out she was talking to Dean; well, saying he'd be none too happy was an understatement. Clive would know she was sticking her nose into things he considered police business.

  Several hours later Trixie was waiting for Dean at Bob’s. She’d decided she cared more about helping Deanna than she worried about Clive. Plus, she’d tell him if she found out anything that seemed useful. She arrived early on purpose so she could grab a booth in the back and ordered a Diet Coke. A glass of wine would have been nice, but she wanted to remain clear-headed for this conversation.

  She sucked down her Diet Coke and the waitress had just set another in front of her when she saw Dean walk in. She raised her arm up to grab his attention and waved him over.

  “Sorry I'm late. Last minute customer,” he apologized.

  “No problem.”

  “Can I get you something to drink?” the waitress asked, coming up to the table.

  “A Coke, please.”

  “Thank you for meeting me,” Trixie said, breaking the ice.

  “I almost didn't, but I have to admit my curiosity got the better of me. What do you want to talk to me about?”

  “I'm hoping you might have an idea who killed your father,” Trixie came right out and said it.

  “You mean besides me?” he said bitterly.

  “Well, yes,” she faltered. “You didn’t kill him, did you?”

  “Of course not, but the sheriff seems to think so,” he snapped.

  “That's his job. To suspect everyone until he can eliminate them,” Trixie said gently.

  Dean sighed and his body language went from tense to deflated. “I know. It's just so frustrating.” He banged his fist on the table, causing Trixie to jump.

  “Do you have an alibi?” Trixie asked.

  “Of course not. That would be too easy. I was home alone. How many times do real criminals tell the cops that? All the time, I assume. No one believes me.”

  “No one can vouch for your whereabouts?” She asked, trying to keep her tone neutral. She wasn't trying to accuse him of anything and didn't want him to feel that she was. Especially since Clive had already said he didn’t think Dean had anything to do with it. Poor kid seemed a little paranoid. Though she didn’t blame him.

  “I've been working these two jobs and I'm tired most nights. Combine that with the fact that most of my friends are still going out to the bars and I'm a recovering alcoholic; staying at home is the best thing for me. Unfortunately, it’s not good for alibi purposes.”

  “Makes sense. Do you have any idea who might want to kill your father?”

  “No. He got along with everyone. That used to be one of the things that made me so mad. He got along with everyone but me. Or that's how I felt. Used to feel. We were so different and, as a kid, that was harder to deal with, but as adults we’d grown close.”

  “So, you don't know of any problems he was having?” Trixie tried to pry a little; wondering if he'd heard of any of the money issues that Helen had told her. It’s not like he was a young kid. He might have overheard something, or David may have even mentioned it.

  “I think he and Deanna were having some issues. I saw them arguing a few times and when I asked him about it, he just blew it off but that was him. He always minimized things. Always saw the positive in things, the silver lining. Plus, married couples fight and nothing I witnessed came even close to the fights he had with my mom, so I don’t think they were any big deal.”

  “How was the winery doing?”

  “I think it was doing well. Dad didn’t share much about that either, but it ran like a well-oiled machine. Though that’s more due to Tracy than anything else.”

  “Really?” Deanna had given the impression David was very involved, yet that’s not what she was getting from Dean.

  “I loved my dad, but he could be scatterbrained. It’s where I get it from, I guess,” he chuckled. “He oversaw operations, but without Tracy it never would have worked. She ran a tight ship and kept him in line. It was almost as if sometimes she was the boss. But he was fine with it. He knew without her he’d be lost.”

  “Did he know her before she was an employee?”

  Dean shook his head. “I don’t think so. He just got lucky when she came along. Though I think Deanna sometimes felt she had too much control.”

  “Really? Why?”

  For the first time since he started talking, Dean fell silent.

  “Listen, I know you’re friends with Deanna and we haven’t always had the best relationship, and that’s mostly because of me. I don’t want her to think I’m gossiping about her. She’s a good person and I know she loved my dad.”

  “I give you my word that I won’t tell her anything you’ve said. I don’t think she needs any more drama right now.”

  He sighed. “Okay, because I could be wrong, but I think I heard them fighting about Tracy. Deanna was saying my dad was too trusting and my dad assured her Tracy only cared about doing a good job. That was all.”

  That was interesting. Was Deanna really bothered by how much authority David gave Tracy or was there something else she was worried about?

  Chapter 14

  Trixie was not surprised when Adam from Big Oak Winery seemed more than willing to talk with her when she’d called him asking if they could meet. Even though she’d only met him that once, he came across as the type who would be fine with gossiping. She made the hour drive to his location, even though he’d offered to come to her. She felt since she was the one who asked to meet it was only fair to be the one who did the driving. Not to mention that she didn’t
really want to be seen with him, have it get back to Deanna, and have her think she was fraternizing with the enemy. It would be too hard to explain, so better off keeping it on the down low. Deanna was still convinced Adam had something to do with David’s death, but Trixie wasn’t ready to take that leap until she found proof. Nor did she want to stick up for him. While Trixie didn't want to jump to conclusions, Adam did seem a more likely suspect than anyone else so far. He was the only one who seemed to have any beef with the Deanna and David, and could profit from David’s death. Besides Deanna and Dean, of course.

  Trixie had stopped by Helen’s store a couple times to get more information from her, like who told her that David may have killed himself for the insurance money, but every time she just missed her. At least that's what her employees said. Trixie was starting to think Helen was avoiding her, though she realized that was silly, she was the one who’d come to her and told her what she knew so it made no sense she'd be avoiding her now.

  She pulled into the drive of Big Oak Winery and shut her car off, pulling out her phone. She scrolled through her emails looking for the one from Adam with the information on where she was to meet him. In front of her stood three buildings and Adam said to go into the one on the right. That's where the offices were located. All three buildings looked the same so it's a good thing he was specific or who knows where she would have ended up.

  She got out and locked her car, pocketing her keys. She was wearing a short sleeve dress with a full skirt and pockets. She loved that dresses these days came with pockets. Since it seemed impossible to go anywhere without a phone, having pockets was handy.

  Heading over to the building on the right she started to hear voices and they weren't calm voices. It sounded like someone was having an argument and the sound was coming between the two buildings. As Trixie got closer the voices sounded a lot like Adam and a female she couldn't quite recognize, but sounded familiar.