Murder at the Big T Lodge: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  On Thursday morning FedEx delivered a packet from the Big T Lodge to Roger at his law office in Red Cedar. He called Liz and told her he was coming home for lunch, so they could look at it together. They sat down at the kitchen counter, and he pulled out the contents of the packet. “Liz, I can’t believe we’re going to this place. Here, why don’t you look at their brochure, and I’ll read the list of recommended things we should bring.”

  They were both quiet for a few minutes and then Liz said, “Roger, this is incredible. First of all, look at this photo of the lodge. Even though it’ made of logs, the great room is faced in stone and is two stories tall. The picture shows it has a huge fireplace overlooking a lake in the distance. Evidently they have ten duck blinds located near the lake, and the club is situated on 8,000 acres. That’s huge. It looks like you’ll be hunting ducks very early in the morning, come back for a gourmet breakfast which looks wonderful, change clothes, and go out to the fields for the rest of the day quail hunting.”

  “Yeah, I agree, it looks fabulous. Looking at this list, I sure don’t have the type of hunting gear they recommend I should bring. From what this says I’m going to need specific clothing like neoprene waders for the early morning duck hunting and then a complete change of clothing and regular hunting boots for the rest of the day. One of our clients owns the largest hunting equipment store in San Francisco. I’ll call him this afternoon and order what I need to get. I’ll ask him to overnight to me, so I’ll have what I need before we leave in a couple of days.”

  “You might be looking forward to the hunting,” Liz said, “but I’m looking at all the dogs and food shown in the photos of the brochure. That’s a combination I find hard to resist. I guess you’ll be using Labrador retrievers to hunt ducks in the morning and then German short-haired pointers when you hunt quail later in the day.”

  “There’s got to be a huge kennel just to keep all the dogs they must have, plus it says they take you to the duck blinds and the fields in ATVs,” Roger said. “That’s a lot of dogs and ATVs. No wonder this place is expensive. I’m glad they’ll be providing the guns and ammunition. I went hunting with some friends years ago, and registering my shotgun at the airport was a nightmare.”

  “Roger, won’t you need a Texas hunting license?”

  “Yeah. I read where licenses can be purchased online when you get there. Think that’s what I’ll do. They’ve probably done it a million times, and they’ll be able to do it a lot easier than I can. I see that serious look on your face. What’s so important?”

  “The food, Roger, the food. It says they have a five-star chef. Each guest places their special order for breakfast, so it’s not like a buffet. At lunch the hunters eat at dining tables set out in the fields and prior to dinner there’s a cocktail hour with appetizers followed by a gourmet dinner. I’m looking at a menu, and I already know one thing I’m going to have.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Texas pecan pie. Look at the picture of it. This is going to be some vacation. To change the subject. Will we be traveling with Milt and his wife? I’ve never met either of them.”

  “No. His wife isn’t going. Her family’s visiting from Italy, so she’s staying home to be with them. Milt told me it’s the first time they’ve been apart since they were married several months ago. He’s flying into Dallas a day early, so he can meet with potential donors.”

  “That seems bizarre. Why would someone in Texas give money to a man who’s running for governor in California?” Liz asked.

  “Actually, it’s quite common. Often people who live out of state will have business in that state, so they want to grease the palm of the person they think will be in a position to help them. Other donors sometimes think that if a candidate has the potential for a national office, if they make a contribution when he’s still holding a state office, that person will be indebted to them in the future. It’s a long-term gamble, but it often pays off.”

  “The political world seems to be a whole different world than the one I’m used to, and one I’m not so sure I’d want to be a part of.”

  “That it is, Liz, that it is. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get back to work.”

  “Wait, one more thing before you leave. Since I won’t be hunting, and I won’t need any heavy outdoor type of clothing, I wonder if I need to take something besides jeans and boots?”

  “I think you’ll be fine with those. I noticed they have a pool, so even though it’s winter, you might want to take a bathing suit. And since afternoon rains are pretty common in that area of Texas, you also might want to pack a raincoat.”

  “I’m about twenty years past sitting by the side of a pool all day even if it is nice, and if it’s raining hard enough that I’d have to wear a raincoat, I think I’ll stick to the great room with the big fireplace. I’ll curl up with a book and be perfectly fine. Actually, I think that’s about all I’m going to do while we’re there. That and I’ll probably spend a little time with the chef, if I can. I’m sure I can pick up some recipes we can use here at our lodge.”

  “Okay, love, I’m out of here. The bonus I got paid was great, but since most of it will be spent on this once-in-a-lifetime trip, I better get back to the salt mines and earn some money. See you tonight.”

  The rest of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday went by in a haze for Liz and Roger. He was busy rescheduling clients who had problems that could wait a week and seeing the ones whose issues needed immediate attention. Liz spent a great deal of time with Bertha and Gina making sure that the lodge and spa would run seamlessly during her absence. Saturday night they skipped the regular lodge dinner and packed, wanting to be ready to go the next morning when Hank, Bertha’s husband, was scheduled to drive them to the airport in San Francisco.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Thanks, Hank. We really appreciate you taking us to the airport. I still feel guilty about leaving Bertha to manage the lodge and spa on such short notice, but as you know, this came up suddenly,” Liz said as they neared the San Francisco airport.

  “No problem. I’ll help out where I can, but you don’t need to worry. Between Bertha and Gina, it will run just as smoothly as if you were there.”

  “I hope you’re not insinuating that I don’t do anything at the lodge and spa, and my presence isn’t really needed,” she said laughing.

  “Not at all. By the way, Roger, I’ve done a lot of hunting over the years, but I’ve never known you to be a hunter. You got the right boots and everything you need for this trip?”

  “One of the firm’s clients is Ned Jensen. He’s the owner of Jensen Outfitters in San Francisco. I called him, and he put together a bunch of hunting clothes and boots for me. I tried them on, and they seem to be fine.”

  “Roger, trying them on and wearing them are two different things. I’m going to pull off the freeway at the next rest stop. You need to at least get the boots you’ll be wearing all day hunting quail out of your suitcase and wear them today on the plane. Believe me, comfortable boots are the most important thing when you’re hunting, but they have to be properly broken in.”

  “That’s a good idea, Hank. I never thought of it. Thanks.”

  “I wouldn’t have either, but a friend of mine had a really rough time once when we were hunting. His boots were brand new, and he put them on when we got to where we were going to be hunting. Six hours later when we got back to the truck he took his boots off, and he’d worn a blister on his foot so bad his heel was bleeding. Matter of fact, after that experience, I always keep some moleskin in the console of my truck in case I go hunting with someone who develops a problem. When we stop I’ll get it for you. Keep it on you when you’re out hunting. Let’s hope you don’t have a problem, but it sure is nice to have some with you just in case.”

  “I probably should have talked to you before I ordered anything. I really appreciate it,” Roger said as Hank turned into the rest area and opened the trunk.

  A few minutes later when they were back on the fre
eway Roger said, “These boots actually feel pretty good, but you’re absolutely right about breaking them in.”

  “I may be a country boy, but sometimes us country boys know more than some owner of a hunting shop in a big city. Glad to be of help.” A few minutes later Hank said, “Here’s the airport. Which terminal do you want?”

  “Terminal three. We have a one-and-a-half-hour layover in Denver and then on into El Paso. I understand the lodge is about a two-hour drive from there. Today is one of those grin and bear it travel days. Hurry up and wait. Hurry up and wait.”

  Hank pulled up to the curb, and they got out of his van. He opened the trunk and the two men took the luggage out of it while Liz stood on the curb with their carry-ons. “Thanks again,” Roger said as he and Hank shook hands.

  “Happy hunting. I’ll pick you up Thursday. Call me if there are any changes, and don’t worry about a thing. We’ll take good care of Winston and Brandy Boy for you, course, you might have to wrestle Bertha for Winston when you get back. You know how much she likes that dog.”

  “That I do,” Liz said. “Thanks again, Hank. See you in a couple of days.”

  *****

  Several hours later they made their way down the escalator to the baggage claim area in El Paso. At the bottom of it they saw a man wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat with a sign that said “Roger Langley.” They walked over to him and introduced themselves. Slim, as he asked them to call him, helped them retrieve their luggage, and then he and Roger carried it out to the parking lot.

  On the drive to the lodge Liz said, “Slim, I’ve never been to a hunting lodge before. Can you tell me a little about the Big T Lodge?”

  “It’s not too far from the Guadalupe Mountain National Park, so even though this part of the country is pretty flat, McKittrick Canyon makes it quite beautiful. Matter of fact, some people stay an extra day just to go sightseein’ in the park. Jack Mercer inherited the property from his father, and he’s the one who built the lodge and made it into what’s considered to be the best huntin’ lodge in the United States. He didn’t spare money on anything, I’ll tell you that.”

  “How long have you been with the lodge, Slim?” Liz asked.

  “Jack finished buildin’ it ‘bout the time I graduated from high school, so that would be about twenty years ago. He was hirin’ people, and I know the land around the lodge like the back of my hand. I’ve been huntin’ since I was big enough to hold a shotgun. He needed guides, and I’ve been at the lodge ever since. Pays fair, and I like my job. Matter of fact, I’ll be guidin’ Roger tomorrow.”

  About two hours later they passed through a huge wrought iron gate with the words “Big T Lodge” spelled out at the top of the gate. “That there’s the lodge,” Slim said. “It’s the buildin’ you can see off in the distance. There’s a bunch of the other buildins’ as well. We got one for the dogs, one for the ATVs, one for the huntin’ gear, our bunkhouse, and some small homes for the staff. Take just a couple more minutes to get there.”

  Liz put her hand on Roger’s and said, “This is going to be so much fun. I’m so glad we could do this.”

  As things turned out, fun, it wasn’t. Murder is never fun and having a friend murdered is definitely not fun.

  CHAPTER 5

  Slim drove the big SUV up the curved driveway and stopped in front of the lodge with its large two story front doors made with wood casings and beveled glass. One of the doors had a large inlaid stained glass replica of a mallard duck and the other door depicted a Bobwhite quail in a similar fashion. It was an early winter evening, and the lights from inside the house cast soothing rays of light through the glass doors. The effect was one of total warmth.

  Just as Slim reached for the door handle, the door was opened by a tall man with white hair, a plaid shirt, cowboy boots, and the largest silver belt buckle Liz had ever seen said, “You must be Roger and Liz Langley. Welcome to the Big T Lodge. I’m Jack Mercer, the one you spoke to the other day on the phone, and this is Sam,” he said, gesturing to the big dog standing beside him. Jack shook their hands and motioned for them to come in. “Slim, take their bags upstairs to number ten.” Roger and Liz stepped into the lodge, and Liz looked around in complete amazement.

  “This is even more beautiful than the brochure indicated,” she said.

  “Thanks. Come on, I’ll show you the general layout while Slim takes your luggage up to your room. You’re the last guests to arrive, and as you can see, some of the them are already enjoying the appetizers and the fireplace in the great room,” he said gesturing towards a large fireplace at the far end of the enormous great room located off the entryway.

  “Follow me,” Jack said with Sam by his side. “The dining room is through this door. Breakfasts and dinners are served in there. Liz, I understand you own a lodge and spa out in California, and since you won’t be hunting, you might want to spend some time with Chef Jackson. You’re also welcome to walk the grounds. Sam here can go with you. He knows which of the paths are okay for you to take, and he’ll physically stop you if you happen to start down the wrong path.”

  “I’d like that, but he looks a little intimidating. Actually, he looks like a large version of the big boxer dog we have at home. What breed is he?”

  “He’s a bullmastiff. Got him as a gift from one of the guests a couple of years ago. He’s comfortable if I allow someone in the lodge, but he’s also very territorial and makes a great guard dog for the lodge and surrounding premises. He gets along fine with the two cats we have on the property, but he’s not best of friends with the hunting dogs, so we don’t take him out to the kennel. Naturally, since the hunting dogs are just that, they’re not allowed in the lodge or on the grounds of the lodge. They have their own fenced-in space, so it’s not a problem.”

  Liz knelt down and put her hand out, so the massive fawn-colored dog could smell her and decide whether or not she was acceptable to him. When he licked her hand, she petted the big dog who looked trustingly up at her with deep dark brown eyes. “Sam, I’m going to be here for a few days, and I’d like to be friends with you. I have to go now, but I’ll see you later.”

  “Interesting,” Jack said. “He usually puts up with the guests, but I’ve never seen him lick one of their hands. He must have decided that you’re a special type of dog person.”

  “She is that,” Roger said. “Jack, I think we’d like to go up to our room and freshen up a bit. Even though the flights themselves were fairly short, it’s been a long travel day for us what with getting to and from the airports and the layover in Denver. We’ll be back shortly.”

  “Take your time and make yourselves comfortable. You’ll see a few of the staff around. If you need anything, ask them. See you later,” he said as he turned and walked into the great room to join the other guests. Sam started to follow Liz, but Jack said in a loud voice, “Sam, here.” Sam turned around and joined Jack.

  “Roger, he never told us where our room is,” Liz said as they began to walk up the large curving oak staircase.

  “Hopefully, the rooms will be numbered on the outside. Good, they are. Looks like we’re down at the end of the hall. Yes, here’s the number ten in brass letters, and look, our names are next to the door. After you, my love,” he said, opening the door.

  Liz walked in and stopped in amazement. She turned back to Roger. “You are not going to believe this. It’s not a room, it’s a huge suite. Look at that canopied bed. It has to be bigger than a king-size bed, plus the room has upholstered chairs, a chest of drawers, nightstands, and a desk. Wow! And look at this,” she said walking through a door. “This must be kind of like a sitting room with a porch outside. The view is absolutely gorgeous. Plus, since we’re at the end of the building, they’ve wrapped the porch around it, and it extends along the side of the building. I may stay here the whole time you’re out hunting.”

  In keeping with the hunting lodge theme, their guest suite had been decorated in tan and grey colors with bright red and green accents. Pla
id pillows on the bed complemented the plaid chairs. A green canopy was above the bed. A dark green spread covered the bed and prints of different birds were on the walls which had been painted a soft green with an oak molding surrounding the doors. It was very inviting.

  “Yes, you could stay in the room all the time, but I think Sam might be disappointed. Looks like you’ve already found a friend. I don’t remember seeing these rooms in the brochure. There were lots of pictures of quail and ducks, but not rooms. That tells me they’re probably trying to appeal to hunters who care more about what they can shoot than where they’ll be sleeping at night.”

  “You’re probably right,” Liz said. “Come to think of it, I don’t know any women who hunt. I did see one woman in that group around the fireplace, but I have no idea if she’ll be hunting, or if like me, she’s just accompanying her husband. To change the subject, I need to wash my hands. I’ve been in too many public places today, and the last thing I need to get when I’m on vacation is a cold. Back in a couple of minutes.”

  Roger was opening his suitcase to retrieve his toiletry kit when he heard Liz exclaim, “Roger, come here. This is just amazing.”

  He hurried into the bathroom to see what was so amazing. Liz was pointing at a large copper claw foot bathtub positioned in front of a bay window. “Have you ever?” she asked. “I’ve always wanted to take a bath in a tub like that, and it looks like I’ll get my chance now. Plus, I should be able to have a great view of the grounds at the same time. This is sheer decadence, and look at that shower. It’s got more jets at more angles than I’ve ever seen. Slim wasn’t kidding when he said the owner spared no expense when he built the lodge.”

  “Okay, Liz, now that we’ve seen our room, or suite, let’s go downstairs. After our long day, I’d love a glass of wine, ready?”

  “After you.”

  CHAPTER 6