Silenced By Syrah

by Scott, Michele

  Half an hour later she made it to Rutherford Hill, where the gorgeous hotel and spa were located. The place had a French influence to it, but with a California flair as it sat atop the hill with amazing views of the valley below. The cottages were done in earth tones, all with French doors leading out onto terraces. It looked like a wonderful place to stay, but at five hundred a night for the least expensive room, Nikki figured it might be some time before she soaked up the luxury between the sheets at Auberge. She’d take the more rustic, homey feel of the Malveaux spa and hotel any day, even though they weren’t in her price range either. The rooms at Malveaux started at three hundred. Lucky for her, she had an in.

  She recognized Stacey Redmond waiting for her at the hostess area. Today Stacey didn’t have any red blotches on her face from crying over Georges’ demands. No one would be crying over Georges’ demands ever again. Stacey looked calm, even vibrant. She smiled when she spotted Nikki, her hazel eyes reflecting a genuine happiness to see her. She tucked her shoulder-length blonde hair back behind her ears. She reminded Nikki of one of the good girls. The kind guys cheated off of during tests in school, the kind who used Noxzema, and wore Izods and Top-Siders. Not exactly square, but smart and just a good girl whose mom surely bragged about her.

  Nikki smiled back and approached her. “Hi. How are you?”

  “Good, good.” They made small talk before being seated.

  Once at the table, it was Stacey who first opened up the conversation about Georges. Nikki noticed that her manicured hands trembled. She fiddled with the large diamond on her ring finger. “I heard about Georges. I read it in the paper this morning. It’s terrible.”

  “It is.” Nikki did not tell her that she was the one who found him.

  A waiter came over and set down glasses of water. Once he left, Stacey quickly changed the subject. “You said that you wanted some decorating done?”

  Nikki nodded and took a sip from her glass. She wanted to get back on the subject of Georges, but could tell by Stacey’s nervous behavior that she’d have to make her comfortable first. “Would you like some wine?”

  “Oh no. I’m pregnant.”

  “You are? That’s wonderful.”

  “Thank you,” Stacey replied. “Damon and I are very excited. It’s taken quite some time for us to get pregnant again.”

  “Good for you. And your little boy? Is he okay? I remember the other day when you were so upset, you said that he was sick.”

  “He’s much better, thank you. We should look at the menu.” She smiled, but her hands still shook when she lifted her water glass.

  Nikki glanced over the menu and ordered the yellowfin tuna with roasted beets, radish, and lemon oil. Since her lunch partner wasn’t imbibing she decided to have iced tea with her lunch. Stacey ordered the scallops, then directed the conversation back to decorating, and Nikki decided she’d appease her, maybe get her to open up. “My room is so feminine right now, which I love. It’s pink and black toile, but I think I’d really like a change. I like the colors you used at the restaurant. They are perfect for a vineyard. Did you choose those colors or did Georges?”

  “I did. But of course, he didn’t like the colors.” She looked away.

  “I think the colors are fantastic and so does Derek.”

  “Thank you. I tried really hard to please Georges, but he was kind of difficult to work for.”

  “Yeah, he seemed to be pretty hard on the people who worked for him.”

  “Hard to please. Very. But I’m sorry he’s gone. I am. No one deserves to be murdered.”

  The waiter brought their orders, and throughout lunch Nikki felt like there was something more that Stacey wanted to tell her. She asked her questions about her son, her husband, and her pregnancy.

  “I’m three months along,” Stacey said, and she smiled wide. “It’s great. We finally started telling our friends and family. We had a couple of miscarriages after Jacob and I started to think it wouldn’t happen again. But now, I’m past the real scary zone and with some prayer we’ll make it all the way.”

  “That must have been difficult for you,” Nikki said. “How have you been able to work?”

  “It is hard, but Damon is starting a new business. He left the architect firm he worked for and went out on his own recently, and my business is growing, and we really need that dual income.” She stabbed a scallop and took a bite.

  “Working with someone like Georges must have been very stressful.”

  Stacey set her fork down. “You know what, it was. And, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure?”

  “You’re not really here to ask me about decorating tips, are you? You keep bringing the conversation back to Georges. I know you saw me upset last week and I was, and for good reason. Georges was not easy to work with. But if you’re thinking what I think you are, then you’re wrong. I had nothing to do with Georges’ murder. I’m not a killer, Ms. Sands. An emotional, pregnant woman who would like to stay pregnant, if you know what I mean.”

  Nikki shook her head. “Not exactly.”

  “Fine. I’ll spell it out.” Suddenly Stacey Redmond turned into a lioness. “You were the only one to see me break down last week. I fell apart in front of you because I was so frustrated with Georges’ demands and you happened to be there at the time. I’m sorry about that now. I went home and told my husband about the way Georges treated me, but only he and you know. In other words, Damon and I have wanted another baby for a long time now, and it looks like we’re finally going to have one. The police have no idea I had a falling out with Georges and they don’t need to, because I didn’t kill him.”

  “Okay. I’m sure you have an alibi.”

  Stacey shook her head. “No. No, I don’t. I read in the paper what time they thought the murder occurred, and I happened to be on the road at that time. Here’s what I’m trying to tell you: I don’t need the stress of the police coming around my home or my business and questioning me. I don’t need your questions. I am a mom and an interior decorator. I didn’t murder Georges, but it would send up red flags if someone told them that I had a problem with Georges and found him difficult to work for.” She lowered her gaze and twisted her napkin around her fingers. “Please, Nikki, keep what I told you between us. I don’t need the stress and neither does my family. I have to go.” She set down a twenty. Nikki tried to give it back. Stacey refused and left.

  Nikki sat there dumbfounded, not knowing exactly what to do. Stacey Redmond had motive and opportunity to murder Georges. The man stressed her out and she wanted to keep that baby. Nikki couldn’t blame her. But would she go so far as to kill him? Nikki didn’t know that either, and because she didn’t, she decided to keep Stacey Redmond’s secret. For now.

  Sautéed Diver Scallops with

  Cauliflower, Capers, and Almonds

  with Robert Mondavi

  Private Selection Pinot Grigio

  There are quite a few places that Nikki would recommend you visit while in the wine country, and one of them would be Auberge du Soleil. It is divine in every sense of the word. However, if you don’t have a chance to do so, you can create your own Sunshine Inn. You and your loved one can make a wonderful dinner together. Choose from one of these recipes, compliments of the restaurant. The diver scallops pair wonderfully with a glass of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Grigio. A dry, fresh fruit-flavored wine combined with mineral and spice notes, which make it a wine to be paired with many different foods.

  1⁄2 cup balsamic vinegar (reduced)

  2 cups cauliflower florets

  1⁄4 cup cream

  1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

  8 fresh scallops (dayboat, if available) 2-3 oz each

  salt and pepper

  11⁄2 tbsp unsalted butter

  2 tbsp capers

  2 tbsp slivered almonds (toasted)

  2 tbsp golden raisins

  1 tbsp chopped parsley

  In a small saucepan, bring vinegar to a boil, reduce b
y half, and reserve.

  Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and season with salt to taste. Add the cauliflower florets. (Break apart one head of cauliflower into equal pieces. Reserve 1 cup of the better looking florets for garnish.) Cook until tender (about 60 seconds). Drain and plunge florets in ice bath to stop the cooking process. In a saucepan, cover the other cup with the cream and cook for 8 minutes. Purée and put through a fine mesh sieve. Keep warm.

  Warm two 7-inch (small) sauté pans. Add olive oil to one pan. Season the scallops with salt and pepper. When the pan just starts to smoke, add the scallops. Cook for about 1 minute on each side, depending on the thickness of the scallop. When scallop shows a little color, turn. In the other pan, add butter and cook the butter until it begins to brown. Add the florets and cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Add the capers, almonds, raisins, and parsley.

  On warmed plates, put a small circle of the cauliflower purée in the middle. Add the raisin-caper ragout to the middle. Top with the scallops (they should be medium-rare). Drizzle the balsamic reduction and the extra virgin olive oil around the plate to garnish. Serves 2.

  Marinated Yellowfin Tuna with

  Roasted Beets, Radish, and

  Lemon Oil with Robert Sinskey

  Vin Gris of Pinot Noi r

  Pair this recipe with Robert Sinskey Vin Gris of Pinot Noir. The grapes are delicately whole-cluster pressed and the juice is fermented off the skins. The wine is a gorgeous copper blush hue. This is a terrific rosé to drink with tuna.

  1 bunch gold baby beets

  1 bunch red baby beets

  1 bunch chioggia baby beets

  extra virgin olive oil

  salt and pepper

  1⁄2 lb sushi-grade tuna loin

  4 oz Agrumato Lemon Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  1 small shallot, finely diced

  1 bunch chives, cut crosswise

  1⁄2 cup lemon vinaigrette

  5 French breakfast radishes, washed

  1 bunch cilantro, washed, leaves picked and cut

  into chiffonade

  LEMON VINAIGRETTE

  1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice

  1⁄4 - 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil

  salt and pepper

  Whisk lemon juice and olive oil together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve.

  Trim beets of tops. Toss beets with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Place in a shallow roasting pan, cover in aluminum foil, and roast in a 325° oven. Roast until knife tender. Cool slightly. Peel while still warm. Cut into quarters. Reserve.

  Have a fish purveyor slice tuna into 2-ounce pieces. Place tuna on a sheet of plastic wrap.

  Moisten with extra virgin olive oil. Place another sheet of plastic wrap on top of tuna. Pound gently with a meat tenderizing mallet until evenly flattened. Repeat with all tuna.

  Remove 1 layer of plastic wrap from tuna. Invert on a cold 12-inch plate. Season tuna with salt and fresh ground pepper. Drizzle lightly with lemon oil (1⁄2 to 1 oz per piece).

  Dress beets with diced shallots, chives, salt, pepper, and lemon vinaigrette. Spoon onto tuna in little piles.

  Slice radish thinly on a mandolin or with a sharp knife. Drop onto beets. Drizzle a little lemon vinaigrette (1⁄8 oz) over tuna. Finish with chives and cilantro chiffonade. Serves 4.

  Optional: make tiny croutons. Dice white or sourdough bread into 1⁄8-inch squares. Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake in 350° oven until golden. Sprinkle over finished tuna dish.

  Chapter 11

  Nikki didn’t suspect that Charlotte was a killer, not really. She wanted to speak to the aesthetician because in all likelihood, other than the killer, she’d been the last person to see Georges alive.

  She had scheduled an olive oil and lemon verbena facial with Charlotte. The Malveaux Spa didn’t have anything similar, so she thought she’d not only gather what information she could from Charlotte, but also see if the olive oil and lemon verbena facial should be an item added to the Malveaux line. Problem was, she really didn’t feel like having a facial at all, especially after the lunch with Stacey that had taken such a bizarre twist.

  The woman at the front desk showed her to a changing area, where she stripped except for her underwear and donned a plush terrycloth robe. Nice. She then slid her feet into a pair of thong-type sandals and headed out. Charlotte was waiting for her outside the changing area and introduced herself, then seemed to study Nikki for a moment, as if trying to place her. Nikki had seen her around the hotel and spa a few times. Charlotte was someone most people would definitely notice, even women. She was tall, striking in an Angelina Jolie way, with the lips that posed the question: collagen injections? Her hair was wavy, long and auburn and almost the color of her eyes. Sexy or hot were surely the words men used in describing Charlotte. Be-atch was probably the word—and said just that way—that many women used in regard to Charlotte. Nikki thought, Now there’s a girl I don’t want hanging around my boyfriend. And, which boyfriend would that be? The charming one ready to start a new life in Spain or the one with the aloof attitude and utterly to-die-for blue eyes?

  Nikki followed Charlotte to the treatment room, and Charlotte waited outside while Nikki disrobed and got under the sheet. Charlotte came back in after a moment and tucked Nikki’s hair into a towel. “Do I know you?” Charlotte asked. “You look familiar.”

  Nikki felt awkward addressing this while on the aesthetician table, but had no choice. “Actually you do kind of know me, or at least you’ve probably seen me around. I work at Malveaux. I’m the winery manager.”

  “Oh.” Charlotte’s eyes widened. “I see. Okay, then can I ask you why you’re here? Are you really here for a facial?”

  Oh good, at least Charlotte cut right to the chase. There’d be no trying to figure out the meaning behind nervous gestures or trembling hands. “Actually, a facial is something I need. I’m getting a few laugh lines.” She made an attempt to laugh. Charlotte kept on looking at her, which was really odd in a way, too, because she was leaning over Nikki, who was having to look back up at her. Oooh, she’d better not be a killer. Bad position to be in if that was the case.

  “If you’re here about Saturday, I already talked to the police, and I e-mailed Simon this morning about my job at the spa. I can’t work there now.”

  “Oh. Um, actually I’m kind of here to tell you that we know you had nothing to do with Saturday’s events and we value you as an employee.”

  “You do?” Nikki nodded. “That’s very nice and I appreciate it, but I’ve been working here for a while and I started at Malveaux to kind of try someplace new and see how it worked. I’ve decided that Auberge is a better fit for me.” She took a steamy towel that smelled like eucalyptus and placed it over Nikki’s face.

  Nikki breathed it in and for a second the thought that the woman might suffocate her crossed her mind, but then Charlotte removed the towel and began wiping off her face, then followed that with a cleanser, thoroughly washing her face. Then on to a scrub. This might not be so awful after all. “It is nice here,” Nikki replied.

  “I think so, and no one was ever killed here.”

  “Right. So, you said that the police came to talk to you?”

  “A Detective Robinson. He asked me a lot of questions. I told him what I knew.”

  “What’s that? I’m only asking because I knew Georges and I feel awful about his murder and I figure you had to have been the last person to see him alive.” Nikki didn’t know how Charlotte would react or if she would even respond.

  “I took Mr. Debussey into the treatment room and explained the treatment to him. He asked for the Syrah splash, and basically, my only job was to fill the bath, explain the benefits, and be available when he was finished to get him water or tea. It’s a simple treatment for me.”

  “And that’s what you did?”

  “Exactly.” She mixed together in her hands oil from small vials and gently massaged them into Nikki’s face.

  “Do you remember if
you opened the French doors leading out to the balcony before leaving the room?” Nikki asked.

  “I did open them.”

  “Did you open them before Mr. Debussey came in for his bath or while he was already in the room?”

  “Mr. Debussey had been there a few times before and so I did as he usually requested, which was to open them. I did so before he came inside.”

  So, the killer had either already been on the balcony waiting, or had climbed up to the balcony somehow while Georges was in the bath. Nikki knew she’d have to go back to the treatment room and see if there was an area in which someone could have been hiding. If that was the case, then whoever killed Georges was aware of his schedule.

  The aromatherapy oils of lemon and neroli mixed with olive oil smelled great. Yeah, this definitely wasn’t the worst thing a gal had to go through. Granted it could be a bit more relaxing if the talk weren’t focused on murder, or for that matter if there were no discussion at all. “But you left early, before Mr. Debussey was finished with the bath.”

  Charlotte stopped massaging her face briefly, as if grappling with an answer. She began rubbing again as she spoke. “There is a timer that chimes when the bath is finished. So, the timer chimed, Mr. Debussey didn’t come out. I knocked. I waited. I left. I had to come to work here. Mr. Debussey was a bit of a pain, so I didn’t care all that much if he even left me a tip. I know that he was your friend, so I’m sorry to say that.”