Carrie peeled her eyes from the floor even as her cheeks still held a pink tint. "Well, we'll leave you to grieve in private. But please do let me know if there's anything I can do."
"Yes," Kellen responded, her tone bored. "I'm sure you can see yourselves out," she said, before picking up her newspaper again.
* * *
I wasn't sure visiting with the Bishop-Brice family had done anything to calm Carrie's grief, but by the time I dropped her back off at her place, at least the CSI vans were gone and her eyes were dry. That was a step in the right direction. I left her at the front door with a hug and promise to call later, before pointing my Jeep back toward Oak Valley to get to work on those quarterlies before my accountant sent out a search team.
As my car bumped over the gravel and the winery came into view, I felt my shoulders relax, tension draining. Home had that effect on me. Every time the old winery buildings came into my view, contentment settled into my soul. I released a blissful sigh and pulled the car to a stop in the small parking lot.
While we weren't officially open for patrons until noon, as I walked through the main winery doors, I noticed two familiar faces at my tasting room bar already.
One, I was happy to see—Ava, looking fresh in an off the shoulder maxi dress that was just sheer enough to hint at her figure beneath it without giving away too much.
The other person, I had mixed feelings about—David Allen. He was tall, slim, and dressed in his usual uniform of worn jeans and a black T-shirt with the logo of some band I'd never heard of on it. His long dark hair hung in his eyes, a sardonic smile permanently fused on his face, and I knew the brooding bad boy vibe he was giving off was only half cultivated. David was a local artist, whose main occupations in life were card sharking the rich and clueless at the local golf club and living off a trust fund that kept him flush with marijuana and video games.
While David and I had very little in common, he had come to my rescue on a recent life and death occasion, which had prompted a tentative friendship between us. One he'd been exploiting lately, for the benefit of free wine whenever he could. Something he seemed to be doing now—a glass of red in one hand and the other slung not-so-casually on Ava's shoulder.
"Ems!" he called, spotting me first and removing his arm from around the back of Ava's chair, as if caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
Ava swiveled in her seat as I approach the pair. "Look who I found lurking around as I was pulling up," she said, shooting a glanced David's way.
"He does lurk, doesn't he?" I agreed, nodding toward David.
But he just grinned at my teasing. "I was worried about you, Ems. Heard all about your tragic catering gig in the Sonoma Index-Tribune."
I cringed. I had hoped the press would leave my name out of it, but the fact that David was here meant that clearly had not happened. "I'm fine," I said. Which was only partly true, but it was the short version.
"I never should have left you alone," Ava said, putting a hand over mine.
While I appreciated the gesture, I shook my head. "No, it's not your fault. There's no way you could have known what would happen. And nothing you could have done, anyway."
"Well, at least I could have been there!" she argued. "Tell me what happened."
While I was pretty sure Bradley Wu had done a bang-up job in his piece of summarizing, I gave them my version of the events of the previous night—including my visit to Carrie's house and Harper's family that morning.
When I was done, Ava gave my hand another fortifying squeeze of sympathy, and David was staring into his half-empty wineglass. "Sounds like the Bishops had some family friction," he said.
Which was saying a lot, coming from David. I'd first met him when his stepfather had been murdered in my wine cellar. No one put the fun in dysfunctional like David's family.
"Harper's sister wasn't exactly tearful," I confirmed.
"But people grieve in different ways," Ava added, always the optimist. "Maybe it just hasn't hit her yet."
"Maybe," I agreed. "But what really bothers me about it all is the idea that one of the guests at Carrie's party had to have killed Harper."
Ava's eyebrows drew together in a frown. "To think we might have served a killer."
"Not necessarily," David cut in, swirling his wine in his glass. "I mean, didn't you say that horse whisperer guy was at Carrie's house too?"
"Tripp," I supplied. "And, yes, he was. Carrie introduced me to him before the party started."
"And," Ava added, "didn't she say it was Harper who recommended Tripp? Maybe they had a history."
I pictured the gruff cowboy and the high-maintenance actress I'd met at Carrie's party. I had a hard time seeing the two run in the same circles. "I don't know…" I hedged. "Plus, there's something else," I said, my mind going to the way Harper and Bert had snuck off together just moments before her death.
One of David's dark eyebrows rose into his hair, a wicked smile snaking across his features. "Oh, do tell."
I hesitated, suddenly feeling like a gossip. "Don't repeat this to Carrie," I warned. "But I saw Harper just before she died. With Bert. Alone."
"No!" Ava slapped the bar with both hands for emphasis.
"Wow. This is better than an actual episode of Carefree Hearts, huh, Ava?" David said, still grinning.
She ignored his ribbing, riveted to the new revelation. "What were they doing?"
"Well, nothing really," I admitted, relaying the scene I'd witnessed.
"So, you think Bert was giving Harper a little more than just financial advice?" David asked when I'd finished.
"Honestly? I don't know what to think," I told him. "But I'm torn about if I should tell Carrie. I mean, the last thing I want to do is upset her over nothing. Especially now."
"But if Bert was having an affair…" Ava said, giving me a pointed look.
I sighed. "Then Carrie deserves to know. I'd want to."
"Well, I know one person who might be able to give us some insight into what their relationship was like," Ava said.
David and I both turned questioning looks to her.
"Nolan Becker," she offered. "He and Carrie and Harper all worked together, and I know he was friends with Bert. I'm sure he spent tons of time with Bert and Harper together."
"I'd hate to bother him at a time like this," I said.
Ava bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. "Actually," she said, "I was on my way to see him now."
For the first time since I'd walked in the room, I saw David's sardonic smile falter. "Oh?" he asked. "Do we have a date?"
Ava's blush deepened. "Kind of." She turned to me. "He asked me to lunch last night as I was leaving the party. I was going to tell you about it but, well…everything kinda happened, and it didn't feel like the right time."
I waved her BFF sin off. "No worries. It's been a rough morning."
"Anyway," Ava said, clearing her throat, that confession clearly taking a weight off her shoulders. "I called Nolan to cancel, you know, in light of everything, but he said it would actually be good to take his mind off things for a bit."
"Take his mind off things? Is that a Hollywood euphemism?" David teased.
Ava ignored it, adding, "I could certainly ask Nolan what he thought of Harper and Bert's relationship."
"Well, I guess if you're seeing him anyway. And you know, if the conversation takes that sort of turn," I said, still not sure I wanted to come out and accuse Bert of anything, especially to someone close to the couple.
"You think he'd be honest about it?" David asked. "He is a professional liar, after all." He gave Ava a look that was hard to read, and I suddenly wondered if I detected a hint of jealousy.
"Why wouldn't he be?" Ava countered.
David shrugged. "Alright, then, why don't we make it a double date?" He turned to me. "What do you say, Ems? Care to be my lunch companion?"
I frowned. "Oh, I don't know. I don't want to impose…"
"No, actually it's a great idea," Ava said, nodding.<
br />
David shot me triumphant smile.
"It is?" I asked her. "You want us tagging along on your lunch date?"
"Honestly?" Ava said. "I could use a wingwoman. Nolan makes me kind of nervous."
"Really?" I'd never known Ava to be nervous around a man in her life. Usually she had them eating out of the palm of her hand. Case in point: David's little green monster peeking out from behind his shaggy hair.
"I know. I shouldn't be," Ava said. "But he's just a little intimidating. Did you see how blue his eyes are? And that smile? And that hair? And—"
"We get it. He's perfect." David rolled his eyes.
Ava stuck her tongue out at him.
"You know, I wouldn't have pegged a soap actor as your type, Ava," David said.
"Dr. Drake Dubois is every woman's type, David," Ava countered.
I thought I heard David snicker, but he quickly covered it, grabbing his jacket off the back of his chair. "Then it's settled," he said. "Lunch with the rich and handsome doctor. My treat. Shall we, Emmy, my dear?" He held out his crooked arm to take mine.
What could I say? I was outnumbered. Besides, I had a strict policy never to turn down a free lunch.
CHAPTER FIVE
Verdant was one of the more upmarket restaurants in downtown Sonoma. The décor was all very industrial chic, with its cement counters, vertical gardens, and iron lanterns, though the menu was filled with small plates, luscious sauces, and lots of exotic ingredients. I self-consciously smoothed down my hair, suddenly very aware I was in jeans and a T-shirt. Granted, I'd at least thought to put a light scarf overtop the tee before we left the winery, which livened it up a bit from couch surfer to casual diner, but as I took in the rest of the patrons, I still felt a bit unprepared. Especially since my "date" was in a shirt with a guy in dreadlocks touting Ganja for All.
Ava spotted Nolan already seated and waiting for her, and as she raised her hand in a wave, her bevy of silver bracelets tinkled with her movements. I grinned at her enthusiasm and followed her as she wound her way through the tables toward him.
"Ava, you look lovely," Nolan gushed, standing to kiss her on the cheek.
For the second time that day, I was surprised as Ava blushed.
"So do you," she replied, running her hand down his arm.
He nodded knowingly, then moved his gaze to David and me. I thought I glimpsed a flick of irritation behind his eyes, but he hurriedly blinked it away.
"Nolan, you remember Emmy, don't you?"
"Of course. The lady with the wines." He gave me a wink that had me wondering if I'd imagined that irritation.
"And this is David Allen," Ava said, finishing the introductions.
David slung an arm over my shoulder. "Emmy's date," he said, matching Nolan's wink.
Oh brother.
"I hope you don't mind that I invited them along to lunch?" Ava said, turning her eyes Nolan's way.
If he did, he covered it well, flashing her a genuine smile. "Not at all. The more the merrier, right?" He stood to shake hands with David.
"You look familiar," David told Nolan as he returned the man's greeting. "Are you from the area?"
"No," Nolan said, pulling out a chair for Ava. "But you've probably just seen my face on TV."
"Sorry. I'm not the soap fan that Ava is." David shrugged.
If Nolan was offended, he didn't show it, waving David's comment off. "It's true that most of my fans are women. Though, I'd doubt if they're all as lovely as our Ava."
Ava giggled. An actual giggle, like a tween pining after a boy band.
I tried to ignore it and moved to sit, but David made a big show of pulling my chair out for me and bowing toward it. "My lady."
My eyes twitched to roll, but I behaved. We were, after all, in a nice restaurant.
A server appeared and handed us all menus, which I perused as Nolan asked for Ava's input on local cuisines. I only half listened, realizing as I read the mouthwatering descriptions that I hadn't eaten yet that day. I debated whether to go for the King Salmon or the seared Wagyu—after all, David was paying.
"So, Nolan," I heard David pipe up beside me, interrupting my deliberations about where to spend his ill-gotten gains. "How long have you and Carrie been friends?"
Nolan set his menu down on the white oak tabletop in front of him and leaned the elbows of his linen dress shirt on it. "Oh, a few years now, I suppose. Ever since the network hired her on to the show."
"And Harper?" David asked, shooting me a sidelong glance.
At the mention of her name, Nolan's charming countenance faltered. "Harper actually came on a year before Carrie, so I guess it's been what…three or four years now we've all worked together."
"I'm so sorry for your loss," Ava said, putting a hand on Nolan's arm.
He sent her a sad smile. "Thank you. It's honestly hard to believe she's really gone."
"I can't imagine," I added. "You were close?"
"I suppose. I mean, we all spent time together. Shooting days are long."
"What about Bert?" David shot me that glance again.
"Bert?" Nolan asked, prying his eyes way from Ava (with difficulty) to give David his attention.
"Did he spend time with you all as well?" David clarified.
Nolan shrugged. "Sure. I mean, he's devoted to Carrie. The two seemed practically joined at the hip some days." He grinned, sending a meaningful look Ava's way.
I thought David was about to ask more, when the server appeared again to take our orders. Nolan went for the salmon, Ava the sea bass, and I ordered the Seared Wagyu Steak—mostly because it was the most expensive thing on the menu. David gave me a knowing grin, as if reading my mind, before ordering the same, along with a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon for the table.
As the server left, Nolan turned his attention once again to Ava. "That's a very beautiful bangle you're wearing, Ava. Tell me, did you make it yourself?"
Her smile intensified to the point I nearly needed my sunglasses.
"Yes. I have my own store not far from here. I make most of the jewelry I sell, including all of these."
"I'd love to visit your shop sometime," he told her, his gaze intent on hers.
I thought I heard Ava sigh.
Oh geez.
I cleared my throat to remind them David and I were still there. "I hope you got away from the press okay?" I said. "I noticed a whole mess of them sitting outside Carrie's this morning."
Nolan's reluctance to pull his gaze back to me was evident. "Yes. They've dispersed a bit since then. But I managed to sneak away with a no comment and a quick escape, James Bond style." He chuckled, eyes back to Ava, who giggled encouragingly on cue.
"Carrie mentioned Bert had to threaten the press with trespassing charges to get them off the property," I noted.
Nolan shrugged. "I guess I'm used to it. You know, paparazzi just become part of the scenery if they follow you around enough." He flashed Ava a self-deprecating smile. "It's an actor's burden."
Ava gave him a sympathetic nod.
It was going to be hard not to gag on my Wagyu if these two didn't cut it out.
"Bert sounds very protective of Carrie," David said, sipping slowly from his wineglass. "Wouldn't you say, Nolan?"
Nolan pried his eyes from Ava's cleavage. "Hmm?"
"Bert and Carrie," David repeated. "You mentioned their relationship was very close."
Nolan cleared his throat. "Uh, yes. Very. I mean"—he turned to me—"you saw them at the party. Bert barely left Carrie's side."
I licked my lips, carefully taking the opening. "Except to talk to Harper."
"Harper?" Nolan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well." I did more lip licking, trying to come up with a way to word this that didn't outright accuse his friend of adultery. "I, uh, saw Bert and Harper chatting at the party. Alone. Away from the rest of the crowd."
I watched his reaction carefully. But if Nolan had any inkling about their relationship being anything but innocent, h
e didn't show it, just shrugging. "I think Bert was helping her with some investments."
"You think that's all he was helping her with?" David asked.
Nolan's eyes went to him, irritation clear now. "What are you trying to say?"
"Harper did seem awfully flirty," Ava added.
But Nolan just laughed. "Well, that was Harper. Look, Harper loved men. All of them. If she flirted a little with Bert, that was just her way." He paused, turning to me. "Carrie knows that. She knew Harper as well as anyone."
I bit my lip, not sure if I should mention said flirting had been done upstairs…near the bedrooms. And from the snippet of conversation I'd overheard, it hadn't sounded like any financial advice Gene Schultz had ever given me.
"Did Harper bring a date to the party?" David asked.
I frowned. I honestly hadn't thought to ask Carrie that. I turned to Nolan, letting him field this one.
"I don't think so," he answered. "None I was introduced to."
"Any idea if she was seeing anyone?" David pressed, again giving me the side-eye that said he was digging for dirt.
"Knowing Harper? Probably several someones." Nolan's smile faltered at the end of that sentence, his eyes going sad again. "Poor thing. All she ever wanted was to be loved."
I suddenly felt bad for interrogating him about his friends' lives when he'd just lost someone so close. Ava put her hand on his arm again, sending him a sympathetic smile.
Luckily, I was saved feeling much more guilt as our entrees arrived, and I dug into my free meal, courtesy of David, with gusto, savoring every expensive bite.
* * *
Once I had fully gorged myself on imported steak, David and I left to give the new couple some alone time, and I let David drive me home. Where I fully intended to get some work done.
We had a small party booked in our outdoor venue for the following week, and I had to finalize the menu so Conchita could start putting in the food orders. And I'd also promised Hector that I would walk the south fields with him that afternoon to take a look at a couple of dead vines that he thought might have been victims of a hungry deer. And, of course, there were the ever looming quarterly tax returns awaiting my attention.
Death in Wine Country (Wine & Dine Mysteries Book 5) Page 6
