“I’m Derek Malveaux and this is Nikki Sands.”
“Nah-uh,” Lucy said. “Oh my God. I totally thought you looked familiar. You’re Nikki Sands? You played Detective Martini. Oh my God. I loved that show. It was so campy.”
Who knew that Nikki would find a fan in Australia and that it would be Lucy Swanson? She thought she’d only had one fan in the world and that was a policewoman back in Napa Valley who oohed and aahed over the fact that Nikki played Sydney Martini on what was supposed to be a CSI sort of show that only lasted a season.
“Oh this is so classic,” Lucy said. “My mom and I watched that show all the time. I mean, well, I was like what, fifteen I guess, and that was before my mom went off the deep end, you know. Everyone heard about that. She was kind of cool back then. But then she just lost it when my dad left and bankrupted her. Now I support her and my brother and sisters. It’s a nightmare. But that’s another story. So like I don’t believe this. What happened to you? I thought you were gonna be like all Heather Locklear, you know. You were perfect for all that soap opera stuff.”
Nikki wasn’t sure how to take that one, so she used the grin-and-bear-it tactic. “Thanks. Yeah, well, I kind of got a life.”
“Oh.” Lucy nodded. “I get it. You burned out. I can totally see that, and you probably didn’t want to do the whole plastic surgery thing.”
Nikki impulsively touched her face and then glanced down at her breasts. Did she need plastic surgery? “No, I really wanted to explore other avenues.”
“Cool.” She looked Derek up and down. “But I have to tell you that you were one hot chick in that show.”
“Thanks.”
“All right, well, I’ll catch you later. I’m going to go see if Hannah was able to find some tequila in her daddy’s liquor cabinet. I thought everyone had tequila.”
They watched Lucy walk away. “Charming,” Nikki said. “What did she mean that I was one hot chick in that show? Am I not hot now?” Okay, so maybe she wasn’t twentysomething hot any longer. She was now inching toward forty and she’d noticed recently that, even with her daily run and eating healthy, nature had caught onto her age, and the pull of gravity had done things to her ass and the back of her legs that she was not crazy about. But plastic surgery? Not her style.
Derek kissed her cheek. “Don’t tell me that you’re feeling insecure. Come on, she’s got nothing on you.”
“Yeah, it’s me who has about fifteen pounds on her.” Oh man, why had she said that?
“You’re being silly. She’s a kid, and from everything that you hear about her, she’s a problem child. Relax. I think you’re beautiful. In fact”—he leaned in and kissed her earlobe—“I think you’re very hot, and I can’t wait to get you alone.”
Mmm, now that was nice. Real nice.
Liam Hahndorf’s voice boomed out, intruding on the moment. “Hello, I’m pleased everyone could make it. Now if you want to get some good food, it’ll be up in a moment. We’ve got shrimp on the barbie here, lamb chops that are delicious—my Grace’s specialty—salad, and all sorts of wonderful dishes. Of course, an Aussie barbie wouldn’t be authentic without a little roo.”
“Roo?” Nikki looked at Derek.
“Kangaroo.”
Nikki brought her hand up to her mouth. “Oh my God, the animals with the pouch that hop around with their babies?”
He grinned. “I know it sounds horrible, but to the Australians it’s like eating beef. It even tastes kind of like beef but a bit more gamey.”
“You’ve eaten it?”
“I didn’t want to be rude to the host. I kind of liked it.”
Liam continued: “And for your entertainment, we have our own Andy Burrow to put on a little show for us. We’re real fortunate because we don’t get crocs down here in the Barossa, but Andy brought some from his zoo, so we’ll have our own tales from the wild side,” he said, referring to Andy’s popular TV show.
Hmm. Nothing like snakes and crocodiles to go with dinner. Perfect. Nikki’s stomach turned over, but she’d be a good sport.
Everyone queued up and served themselves buffet style. Nikki hoped for an opportunity to meet and talk to Nathan Cooley, the director. Not that she had any interest in acting. That chapter of her life was definitely closed, but she would enjoy chatting with a director of his caliber. She spotted him in line talking with Lucy Swanson and the producer.
Interesting: everyone at this party was either connected to Hollywood, or wealthy like the Hahndorfs. Even so, Liam and Grace were super down-to-earth. Grace had prepared much of the food, with the catering company there to simply help serve. Liam had himself a super-sized barbecue grill and he looked to be completely enjoying himself fixing the meats. They had a service pouring drinks and a couple of attendants picking up along the way, but it was oddly intimate. It probably wasn’t the type of party the Hollywood crew was used to frequenting.
The buffet line faced the river that bordered the Hahndorfs’ backyard. Rays of the setting sun flashed onto the murky water, making it appear as if a handful of gold coins had been dropped into it. The deck at the Hahndorfs’ looked to be made out of the same jarrah wood that Grace had put in the house. The dark reddish color reminded Nikki of the floor of an upscale restaurant back in Napa called Grapes, which then reminded her of the man she’d left to go to Spain on his own—Andrés Fernandez. His sister Isabel was Nikki’s best friend and owned Grapes. Nikki knew that she was going to have to deal sooner or later with the consequences of hurting Andrés. And, it wasn’t as if she didn’t feel a little pull in her heart toward him. They’d been great friends, dated for a couple of months, gotten close to becoming intimate—and he’d confessed his love for her. And, when he’d invited her to Spain, she’d come within moments of grabbing her purse and meeting him at the airport. Then, Derek had called, and the message he’d left her had changed her mind. There’d been a few moments where her head had tried to convince her heart that Andrés was the man she should be with. But in the end, as the saying goes, the heart knows what the heart wants, and Derek Malveaux had grabbed hers and was holding tight.
Everyone sat down around a fire pit on cushy sofas and chairs, eating the amazing food, which for Nikki meant sans roo. To her pleasant surprise the director, Nathan Cooley, took a seat across from them, along with Kane Ferriss, the producer. To her dismay Lucy Swanson and Hannah Hahndorf also joined the group.
“Hey, have you guys met Nikki Sands?” Lucy said, almost immediately upon sitting down.
What was it with this girl? Why didn’t she just wave a sign over Nikki that said: “over-the-hill actress right here.”
Both men turned to Nikki and said, “No,” then introduced themselves to her and Derek.
Lucy piped in again, “Did you guys ever see that show where she played Detective Martini? She was awesome.”
Nikki couldn’t tell if Lucy meant it or if she was just trying to get her goat.
Thankfully, both men said they hadn’t. Also, Derek was sensing Nikki’s discomfort and cut in. “So, Kane, you’re producing the movie, right?”
Kane nodded, his mouth full of roo. He took a sip of his wine, and Nikki took a gulp. This felt surreal. “Yeah. I’m the producer. We’re real excited about this flick. We’ve got such an awesome cast. Can’t go wrong with Shawn Keefer, you know.”
Nikki caught Lucy roll her eyes at Hannah, who giggled. “Dude is such a jerk,” Lucy said. She whispered something to Hannah.
“Lucy,” Nathan warned.
She shrugged. “Well, he is. Look at him over there all buddy-buddy with that stupid snake tamer. Can’t stand him either.” Nikki felt Derek tense. “And who is that other lame ass he’s hanging with? Guy looks all gaga over him.”
“That’s my brother,” Derek said.
“Oh, sorry.”
Kane turned his attention back to Nikki. “So, you did some acting?”
Oh God, why couldn’t anyone just drop it? She waved a hand. “A while back, you know, silly show. It
wasn’t really my thing.”
He nodded. “You definitely have to be passionate about it. It’s like anything: you really got to love this business to stay in it. It sure as hell isn’t easy.”
Kane Ferriss looked to be the opposite of Nathan Cooley. He had clipped short light brown hair, blue eyes, wore an argyle patterned sweater with khakis. He reminded Nikki of the quintessential Ivy League frat boy.
“That’s true,” Nathan said. “I’m still working my way up to Spielberg status.”
“Oh my God, I love your stuff,” Nikki said.
Derek eyed her. Wait. Was she gushing? She was gushing, but not because Nathan Cooley was some hot property. He wasn’t attractive to her at all and he didn’t seem to care much about his appearance. He wore a faded yellow sweatshirt and jeans with holes. Despite his looks, he was brilliant. Back in the day, Nikki would have died to be in one of his movies. She tried to tone down her excitement. “I mean really, you do put out great films. I’m a fan.”
“Thank you very much, Nikki. I may have to check out your old show. Who knows, if you change your mind—ever want back into acting—maybe we could work together someday.”
Nikki felt her face flush. She shook her head. “Oh no, you don’t want to see my old show.”
Derek interrupted. “She works with me. I own a winery in Napa Valley.”
“Oh great, here goes Andy Burrow and his show,” Hannah interrupted.
Andy walked to the edge of the river and turned around. Lucy and Hannah stood. The actress said, “We’ll see you later.”
Hannah nodded and seemed to scan the group. Maybe she was looking for her folks, but the way the two of them slithered out, Nikki was pretty sure that Hannah Hahndorf was not supposed to be hanging with Lucy Swanson. It really was none of her business. Derek had reminded her time and again that her curious nature could cause her harm, and she knew he was right. A part of her still felt compelled to rat on Hannah to her parents, because she was pretty sure that the girls were up to no good. Her suspicions had to be dead-on, because a minute later she witnessed the young guy with the Sex Pistols T-shirt—what was his name, Johnny?—excuse himself as Andy brought out one of his “pets.” She didn’t know what made her watch him, but after grabbing three drinks from the bartender, he disappeared around to the front. Again, she reminded herself that it was none of her business. She should’ve been relieved that the younger set had scampered away. She turned her attention back to Andy Burrow and Company and decided to let kids be kids. They were probably drinking out front and continuing to talk smack about everyone else.
Andy did his thing with the snakes and even had a volunteer come up onstage. To her relief it wasn’t Derek this time but Nathan Cooley, who seemed as enthralled as Derek had been with the creepy crawlies. For the finale, Nathan sat down and Andy turned toward the river, where he commanded a massive croc to come out of the water and up onto the bank. He proceeded to hand-feed the animal. This elicited plenty of oohs and aahs, though Nikki couldn’t help feeling relieved when it was over. The jaws of that crocodile made her nervous.
The evening ended on a high note with dessert and good port. Nikki noticed Liam take Derek aside, and their discussion looked intense. Whatever the problem was, be it business or something else, Nikki wanted to know what was going on.
When the men were finished talking, good nights were said with an agreement to meet the following morning.
In the car, Simon couldn’t stop carrying on about Shawn Keefer. He went on and on about how wonderful the actor was and how he felt certain that the man was gay.
“Please, Simon. You think everyone is gay,” Derek said.
“Uh-uh. I so know this. My gaydar was working overtime and that glorious, gorgeous sweetie of a man is simply hiding in the closet.”
“Gaydar?” Nikki asked.
“Of course, dear, like radar but gaydar. Look, I am not one to hide from the truth. I am a homosexual’s homosexual, so my gaydar is super-duper strong. Yours just wouldn’t be. You’re a heterosexual woman.”
Nikki and Derek sighed simultaneously. Most of the time Simon’s banter was entertaining, but at this late hour it was too much to handle. Derek must’ve felt the same way. There had to be a way for Nikki to get Simon and Marco back together. The boys of summer—Nikki’s reference to the two partners—had to work things out. They were each other’s yin and yang, and Marco definitely kept Simon grounded. She would come up with a plan, the first part of it being to locate Marco and talk some sense into him. Granted, it was Simon who needed the sense knocked into him, but it really was like a piece of the puzzle had gone missing, and it couldn’t continue this way.
As they entered their hotel, they had to deal with the tense situation of sleeping arrangements.
Simon pulled out the sofa bed. “Don’t mind me, kids. I’ll wear earplugs. You just go on and do what lovers do.” He winked.
“Simon!” Derek snapped.
“What? I would. It’ll be dark and I’ve got a great pair of earphones. I’ll just plug in my iPod. Won’t hear a thing. What do you think? Twenty, thirty minutes should do.”
“Oh my God,” Nikki said. Yes, getting in touch with Marco would be the first item on her morning agenda. “I cannot believe we are having this conversation. I’m taking the sofa bed.”
“Like hell you are,” Derek said.
She frowned. “Come on. This won’t work. I mean, not tonight anyway. It’s just too weird. It really is, don’t you think?”
“I realize that, but we don’t have to sleep together. I slept on the sofa bed last night, so what’s another one.”
“Whoa, ho, ho. What’s this?” Simon asked. “You two haven’t—?”
They both yelled, “It’s none of your business.”
Nikki shook her head. “No. I’m on the couch tonight.”
“No. I’m on the couch,” Derek said. “You can sleep with Simon.”
She sighed, crossed her arms, and looked at Simon, who shrugged. “Okay, normally that would be even weirder, but . . .”
“Oh honey, I know what you’re gonna say, with me, it’s like sleeping with a girlfriend.” He laughed. “Ooh, even that came out so wrong. Any way you look at it, it almost feels incestuous. Whatever.” He tossed his hand in the air. “Slumber party it is, and I really am sorry about this. Tomorrow I will definitely find a new place to stay. Promise.” He crossed his heart, then paused a moment, his lips turning downward. “No word from Marco?”
“Hang on. It’s possible. I couldn’t have heard my phone go off at the party. Let me check. I have international coverage, so if he called I would get it.” She listened to her cell voicemail, but to no avail. The other boy of summer was off sulking somewhere. “No.”
“Oh. Well, I guess I should expect that. I thought maybe he’d rethunk it all by now. Okay, um . . .” He clapped his hands together. “I have to brush my teeth and get my jammies on.” Simon headed off to the bathroom.
Derek took her hand. “We may not get to be together tonight, but soon we will. I promise.”
Nikki went to bed wondering when that might ever happen.
Aussie Prawn and Scallop Skewers with Rosemount Diamond Chardonnay
What is a woman to do when she comes face-to-face with trouble and a little pent-up frustration? First Simon, then snakes. Throw Lucy Swanson and her Victoria’s Secret body into the mix, and there is only one answer—smile and grab a bite to eat. Don’t get mad or even, just let it go and grab yourself a prawn and shrimp skewer with a bottle of Rosemount Chardonnay and all those issues and frustrations will float away.
No roo meat for Nikki, but the shrimp and scallops were something she couldn’t get enough of. The Rosemount Chardonnay is a blend of tropical fruits and soft vanilla notes. It does not contain the buttery oak flavor many California Chardonnays do, and priced under ten dollars, it is an excellent value.
½ cup mango chutney
½ cup orange juice
¼ cup sweet and tangy barbecue s
auce
8 pineapple chunks, each about 1” square
12 large prawns, peeled and deveined
12 large sea scallops
8 cherry tomatoes
8 pearl onions blanched, peeled
In a food processor or blender purée chutney, orange juice, and barbecue sauce until smooth.
Thread four 12-inch skewers in the following order: pineapple, prawn, scallop, tomato, onion, prawn, scallop, tomato, onion, prawn, scallop, pineapple.
Brush skewers liberally with sauce and place in center of cooking grate. Grill 6 to 8 minutes or until prawns are pink and scallops are opaque, turning and brushing liberally with sauce again halfway through grilling time. Serve with remaining sauce for dipping.
The tangy mango sauce makes an irresistible addition to this Australian seafood celebration. You can find mango chutney in gourmet markets and specialty stores.
Serves 4.
Chapter 5
“Do you come from a land down under? Where women glow and men plunder? Can’t you hear, can’t you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover.” Simon belted the famous Men at Work song and tore back the curtains, letting in the hazy sunlight.
Nikki buried her head under her pillow and muttered, “What time is it?”
“Ten thirty, darling girl.”
“What?” She lifted her head and peeled back the covers. “As in ten thirty in the morning?”
“Yup. God, wipe that look of horror off your sweet face, it doesn’t suit you. I know I’m not exactly a rock star, well . . . but anyhow, I mean, what better place in the world to wake up than in a land where women glow and men plunder? Ah, plundering men . . .”
“Oh my God, and I’m still sleeping. Where’s Derek?”
“At the Hahndorfs’. We both got up a few hours ago, cleaned up, had coffee, and you, my love, were still snoring.”
Her jaw dropped and she shook her head. “I don’t snore.”
He smiled. “Yes, you do.”
“No, I do not.”
A Vintage Murder Page 5
