Murder Before Moscato_A Vineyard Winery Culinary Cozy Mystery

by Christie Waters

  “What’s this lead you’re talking about?” Sheriff Grammar asked.

  “Look.” Daniel said, pointing to one of the photos. “Look at this reflection in this window. This is the person who took the picture.”

  “This is too blurry and out of focus to make a positive identification.” Sheriff Grammar said.

  “I’ve lived in this town my whole life, Sheriff.” Daniel replied. “I know these people. You’re right, I can’t make a positive ID, but I’ve seen this handbag before. I saw it yesterday.”

  Daniel pointed to the bottom corner of the photo. Strapped to the woman’s shoulder was a medium black handbag with a large metal swan and a metal chain. It was lovely, though I couldn’t say I remembered ever seeing it.

  “Well then, Mr. Haddish.” He curled his lip. “Tell me who this is.”

  “This is Rebecca Night.” Daniel said.

  “Rebecca Knight?” The sheriff asked. “I doubt that.”

  “Who’s Rebecca Knight?” I asked, keeping my eyes turned away from Daniel.

  “A waitress.” Daniel said.

  “Well then.” Sheriff Grammar said. “Let’s go pay her a visit.”

  “Does this mean I’m not being arrested?” I asked.

  “For the moment.” The sheriff said. “I can’t say I believe your story, nor can I say I think either of you are innocent in all of this. It does however, throw another wrench into this investigation. So, for the moment you’re a free woman, Ms. Myers. Enjoy it while it lasts.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  This was the second time in a week I’d been parked outside of Rizzy’s Cheese Shop peering into the window spying on someone. I wondered if this was what private investigators did all day. Like maybe they sat around in their car waiting for the perfect moment to snap a picture or something.

  “See.” Daniel said. “That’s her. That’s the woman in the reflection. You can see it as plain as day.”

  “The body shape does look similar, I’ll say that.” Sheriff Grammar said.

  “So, what do we do now?” I asked.

  “I can’t just go marching in there without proof. I’ll need to take that photo to our lab and have them enhance it. If they can give me a positive result then I can question her.”

  “Can’t you question her on suspicion?” I asked.

  “I could.” He said. “But I won’t…”

  As I turned to argue with him I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks. It was the woman from the wine club, the one I’d seen crying in the back room. The same woman I’d followed to that abandoned vineyard. She was in the café, talking to Rebecca.

  Slowly stepping to his other side I tapped Daniel on the shoulder. As he turned toward me, his big blue eyes staring at me I couldn’t help but think back to the conversation we’d had in his office. I still wasn’t ready to forgive him for lying to me about everything. In the moment though, it was better for everyone if I just moved my emotions to the back burner.

  “That’s her.” I said. “That’s the woman I saw crying in the wine club.”

  “That’s Emily Walls.” He said.

  I remembered the name immediately, a rarity for me as I was always better with faces. It was the name Shelly mentioned to me the other day, after going into the café and chatting with the waitress.

  “Who is she?” I asked.

  “She own this place.” Daniel said.

  “Rizzy’s?” I asked.

  “Yeah, why?”

  It was beginning to make sense. The boss Rebecca couldn’t stand, it was Rizzy. That’s why they were together in the grocery store, likely shopping for the café. It still didn’t explain what they were doing at Lost Hope Vineyards though.

  “I don’t get it. Shelly told me that Rebecca couldn’t stand her boss.”

  “Most people can’t stand their bosses.” Daniel said.

  “I know. And because of that most people don’t go driving to the edge of town digging up dead vines, do they?” I asked in a voice more snarky than I meant it to be.

  “What?” He tilted his head. “Digging up vines? What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about last night.” I said. “I followed them.”

  “Followed them where?” He asked.

  “Lost Hope Vineyards.” I said. “They were acting really strangely in the grocery store. So I followed them and that’s where they went. Then I heard them mention Aunt Hannah. That’s when I went there and found the bottle of wine in her house…”

  “So, you’re saying these two women sent the wine?”

  “I don’t know…” I said. “But we need to figure it out.”

  “What are you two talking about over there?” Sheriff Grammar asked.

  “Nothing.” Daniel responded. “Just a little business stuff.”

  “Alright.” The sheriff said. “I’m going to take this photo to the station. I need both of you to stay close and answer the phone if I call. Don’t make me have to come looking for you… And if either of you happen to come across any more information try not to hide it. That only makes you look more suspicious…”

  Sheriff Grammar walked back to his car and drove away. It wasn’t until his taillights disappeared in the distance that I realized Daniel and I didn’t have a method of transportation. We were stuck there, standing across from Rizzy’s with no way of getting home other than walking and I really didn’t feel like braving the hills and valleys I’d have to wade through to get back home.

  “We’re on foot…” I said to Daniel.

  “Oh…” He turned his head, looking down the empty street. “Right.”

  “I’ll call Shelly.” I said, dialing the number.

  Shelly was a little surprised to hear where I was and even more surprised to hear who I was with. But she agreed to come and get us after she finished showering, which knowing Shelly would likely be another hour.

  “Well…” Daniel said. “I guess we’re stuck here for a little while.”

  “Might as well have a seat.” I said.

  “Actually.” Daniel replied. “I have a better idea.”

  Daniel smiled and began walking down the street. I hopped up and followed behind. I wasn’t exactly sure where we were headed, but with Hillside Grove being such a small town I knew it couldn’t be too far.

  He walked a few steps ahead of me, his broad shoulders pressing against his hunter-green polo shirt. I was still having trouble processing the fact that it had been him the whole time. He was the reason Clideworth Inc. was still in Hillside Grove. All this time I’d been doing everything I could to make my vineyard the best it could be and he just signed his away.

  “We’re here.” He said, stopping beside the town Wine Tree trail.

  I wasn’t expecting him to bring me there. The Hillside Grove Wine Tree trail was an important thing to this town. It brought almost as many tourists each spring season as the vineyards themselves did.

  It was beautiful, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that the trail had always been known as more of a romantic evening kind of place. The same year I’d arrived back in town there was a huge magazine spread in some magazine displaying the amazing wine themed trees. The pictures showed smiling couples sipping various wines while smiling and holding hands as they went from tree to tree, looking in awe at the wonderful decorations.

  Needless to say, that trail’s popularity skyrocketed after that. The town of Hillside Grove immediately capitalized on it too, sinking more money and advertising into the thing than ever before. The result of that was this year’s trail, the longest, and most ornate thing Hillside Grove ever put together.

  “What are we doing?” I asked.

  “We have some time to kill…” He smiled. “And I’ve never actually walked through this thing. I figured now was the perfect time. Seeing as how I’m submitting a tree.”

  The twinkling white lights and multicolored ornaments reflected onto the warm ground casting intricate shadows in every direction. I’d always loved the ho
lidays, especially the fun festive decorations they tended to bring with them. I just wasn’t sure if a romantic tree trail was the best place to be spending my time right now.

  “Feeling better?” He asked as we passed a tree themed after sparkling rosé.

  Pink and silver ribbons covered the branches in beautiful and large swirls. Shimmering silver orbs sat perched at the edge of every branch as miniature wine bottles dangled and swung in the light breeze. I wasn’t sure which winery provided it, but it was a lovely tree.

  “Better?” I asked.

  “You were upset earlier.” He said, staring at the shimmering lights.

  “I’m still upset.” I said. “Maybe it’s just better if we don’t talk about it. We have bigger concerns.”

  “Well… like I said. You have no reason to be upset.”

  “Ugh.” I said, wishing he’d just have kept his mouth shut. “I told you I don’t want to talk about this.”

  “I’m just saying… you can move on. No big deal.”

  “No.” I said, looking directly into his eyes. “You don’t get to tell me what is and isn’t a big deal. You don’t get to decide what upsets me… I have every right to be angry with you.”

  “How do you figure that?” He asked. “I was selling my own vineyard, not yours…”

  “As a community we need to present a united front.” I snapped. “Everyone else told Clideworth no. Everyone else held on, but not you.”

  “Still.” He said. “That’s my own vineyard.”

  “You know what would happen to us if you let them in. One by one this place would fall apart. All it takes is one crack, and that crack was you.” I stepped back. “You could have at least told the community the truth, you didn’t have to hide behind an anonymity clause, like some coward.”

  “It’s not anyone’s business.” He said.

  “Yes. It is. It becomes everyone’s business when it affects others. If you wanted to leave so badly you could have offered to break the land up, to sell it to the other vintners.”

  “My sister would never have agreed to that…” His voice trailed off.

  “So that’s it?” I asked. “You went behind the backs of everyone you know, everyone your family knows just because you were too afraid to tell your sister you wanted to move away?”

  “I don’t know why you’re attacking me like this. I’m the reason you’re not sitting in jail right now!” He said. “My life is more complicated than that. You don’t understand.”

  “I’m not sure I want to.” I said, heading back out of the trail. “Let’s just wait for Shelly.”

  “Fine by me!” He said, walking to the curb and sitting down.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  Red and blue lights shone deep into the night sky as we pulled up Daniels driveway. Even being as angry as I was with him in that moment my heart still skipped a beat at the sight of an ambulance in his driveway.

  “Oh no!” He said, pressing his face against the window. “Stop!”

  Shelly slammed her foot hard against the brake as Daniel opened the door and leapt out. He ran full speed toward the house as Shelly and I followed right behind him. Before we could reach the front door of his house Daniel suddenly stopped and looked into the open doors of the ambulance.

  His eyes widened and the color left his face. I skidded to a stop next to him then looked inside. Lying there on a gurney was Molly Haddish, Daniel’s sister. Daniel ran toward her, hopping into the vehicle and kneeling beside his sister.

  “What’s going on?” Shelly asked.

  “I don’t know.” I said. “There’s something wrong with Molly.”

  Tears streamed down Daniels face as he lifted his unconscious sisters hand and held it against his chest. They may not have gotten along so well, or been in the best place right now, but he still loved her, it was easy to see. There was an evident fear in him as his body shook and rattled next to her bedside.

  A large oxygen mask covered her face while several tubes and wires came from her chest and hands. I stood there, frozen in confusion. I wanted to help, to go over there and do something. But what was I supposed to do? I wasn’t even sure what was going on.

  Then, the same panic I watched wash over Daniel’s face as he saw his sister came over me. Out of Daniels front door walked an officer with the letters CSI written on his breast pocket. But that wasn’t what caused my heart to sink, it was the fact that in his hand he held an open bottle of Picpoul Blanc, the wine from my private collection.

  “Oh my goodness!” I placed a hand over my mouth.

  “What?” Shelly said, then looked toward the door. “Hey… that’s… oh no!”

  It seemed another person had fallen victim to the poisonous wine from my collection. Only this time it was Daniel’s sister. It was like time stood still in that moment. I didn’t know what to do, what to say or what to think. How could this have happened, again…

  “Daniel!” I said, running toward him. “I’m so sorry…”

  “For what?” He asked.

  “She drank the wine…”

  “What?” He said, placing her hand back on her chest and stepping out.

  “The Picpoul Blanc.” I said. “She drank it.”

  “It’s true.” Sherriff Grammar said, walking closer. “She called the police herself after noticing something off about the taste. Luckily we were able to get here in time to pump most of it out of her system before any real damage was done.”

  “Thank Goodness.” I said.

  “Where did she get the wine?” Daniel asked.

  “From you…” The sheriff said.

  “From me?” Daniel asked.

  “That’s the way it seems.” He held up a card.

  ‘Here you go sis. Go ahead and pop the cork. I’ll be back in a few… I have great news!’

  “I didn’t write this.” Daniel said. “And I didn’t send this wine. This isn’t my wine.”

  “Yes.” Sherriff Grammar said. “But it was only a little while ago that you brought me to your house, to show me this same wine. Not to mention Ms. Myers admission that the entire collection had been stolen.”

  “That’s crazy!” Daniel snapped. “Surely you can’t think I poisoned my sister.”

  “It would make sense that you’d want to get her out of the way.” The sheriff said. “Seeing as how you’re trying to sell your family business. Word is the two of you have been butting heads over the subject.”

  “I would never hurt my own sister.” Daniel said. “Or anyone else.”

  “Be that as it may.” Sherriff Grammar said, slapping a pair of cuff on Daniel’s wrists. “I’m going to need you to come with me.”

  “Wait!” I said.

  “Back up Ms. Myers.” The sheriff said. “It would be best if you stayed out of this for now. Just remember, stay close.”

  “But-“

  “Quiet!” The sheriff said. “I’m going to need you girl’s to stay away from that competition tomorrow too.”

  “Tomorrow?” I asked. “What?”

  “Yes.” The sheriff said. “The club has moved the competition up. It’s in bad taste after what happened with Mr. Ford, but the competition is too important to the towns’ economy to cancel. And since everyone was already in town anyway... Well… just stay away from it.”

  Sherriff Grammar opened the rear door and pushed Daniels head down, guiding him into the backseat of the police cruiser. The sound of the slamming door echoed through the valleys around us as Daniel looked through the glass, his eyes focused on me. He was scared, but more than that he was confused. I could see it all over his face.

  I’d be scared too if I was him. This whole thing was getting so out of hand. If we continued down this road then nothing was ever going to get solved and who knows how many more people would end up hospitalized or worse due to poisoned wine.

  “Look!” Shelly said pointing to another CSI officer.

  “What?” I asked.

  “He’s carrying out a tray of cheeses…
.”

  “Yes, so?” I asked.

  “Look at the label on the box.” She pointed. “That’s Rizzy’s. It’s one of the gift boxes from the café. I recognize the logo. Why would Daniel send his sister that?”

  “Maybe he didn’t…” I said. “Do you know where she lives?”

  “Who?” Shelly asked.

  “Emily Walls. The woman that owns Rizzy’s.”

  “No.” Shelly said. “She moved away a few years ago. She lives outside of town now. That’s all I know.”

  “We need to figure out where we can find her.” I said. “We need to get into that café.”

  “I know how we can do that!” Shelly said. “I know where the spare key is!”

  “What?” I asked. “How?”

  “I saw her hide it the other day. When I was talking to the waitress.”

  “Okay.” I said. “Let’s go!”

  Chapter Twenty Three

  “See.” Shelly said, lifting the top of a false lamp and pulling out a key. “Right here.”

  “Great!” I said, as she unlocked the door.

  The café was dark and quiet this late into the night, with only the gentle hum of freezers creating a small bit of ambient noise. I loved wine, sure. Who doesn’t, right? What I was never the biggest fan of however, was cheese. Don’t get me wrong. Cheese was fine in small doses. I just never understood how someone could sit around and eat a hundred different kinds of cheese without getting sick.

  Cheese was heavy and very rich, especially when you got into things like brie and blue cheese. After having just a little bit of either one I was basically ready for a nap. Pair those with a rich red cabernet and man, I’d sleep for days. That’s not to say I couldn’t understand how some people might like that kind of thing, I just wasn’t one of them. I preferred snacks that were light, more bright and vibrant. Generally opting for a bit of fruit, or even a little bread. But it takes all kinds to make the world go around. I get that.

  The thick aroma of dairy and butter wafted through the air, settling on nearly every surface in sight, myself included. I was sure that by the time Shelly and I made it out of here we’d smell like a wheel of freshly made gruyere.