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

by Dianne Harman

  “I only met him last night,” Liz said, “and I don’t smoke, so I’m unfamiliar with the proposed legislation.”

  “Well, I’m sure you can imagine what will happen to growers like me if it becomes law. It sure would hurt not only North Carolina’s tobacco industry, but it would be a huge financial problem for me personally. With all these do-gooders talking about the evils of smoking and how it supposedly causes cancer, cigarette sales have really gone down the toilet in recent years. As a matter of fact, cigarette consumption is at an all-time low. The tax increases enacted in a lot of states are killing my industry. These aren’t taxes for generating income. They’re punitive taxes to get people to either stop smoking or else not start smoking at all. I hate these do-gooders,” Mac said as his face became red with anger. “Add to that a tax of $2.00 per pack, and it will ruin a lot of the smaller growers and sure hurt the rest of us.

  “I’ve often thought it might be nice if Milt had a little hunting accident while he was here at the lodge, but guess since he had to leave that won’t happen.” He picked up a roll and began buttering it. “Matter of fact, I wrote a letter to Jack telling him I didn’t want anything to do with Milt, and to make sure we never hunted together or sat at the same dinner table. Don’t think I’d enjoy my food if I had to look at him.”

  Tell me how you really feel, Liz thought. She wished Roger had been seated closer to her so he could have heard the conversation, but he was across the table engaged in a conversation about the different attributes of hunting dogs.

  Fortunately for Liz, Jesse brought the main course, and Liz was able to turn to the man on her right, a retired dentist from Oklahoma, and talk to him during the remainder of the meal. When dinner was finished, Jack announced that brandy would be served in the great room for anyone wanting it and if not, he’d see them in the morning for tomorrow’s hunt.

  Roger stood up and walked around the table to where Liz was sitting and said, “I’m whipped, and I imagine you are too. I’d much prefer a good night’s sleep to brandy. Is that all right with you?”

  “Absolutely. It’s been a long day and I’m definitely ready for bed.”

  CHAPTER 19

  “Well,” Liz said as she closed the door to their room behind her. “What did you think of dinner?”

  “I would come here just for the food. The steak was perfect, and I’ve never seen lumps of crab that big. I was thinking you could make that salad for your guests. I never would have thought to put cold thick broccoli cheddar cheese soup in a chilled half of an avocado. What was that on top?” Roger asked as he unbuttoned his shirt.

  “It tasted like salsa verde. Gave it a nice little tang, and it was really pretty with the garnish of scattered chives. Yes, I could definitely make that at the lodge. I’d give anything if I could make a pie like that pecan pie. It was without a doubt the best one I’ve ever had.”

  “Come to think of it, I can’t remember you ever serving one. Not your thing?”

  “I’d like it to be my thing, but pie crust has an aversion to my hands. I’ve tried every pie crust recipe in the world, and I have yet to have one even resemble the pie crusts other people seem to be able to make so easily. Mine taste okay, but I’m a firm believer that ninety percent of the appeal of a dish is how it looks.”

  “Liz, I don’t ask for much, but if you could master that pie, I’d be a happy camper.”

  “You’re right. You don’t ask for much. I’ll talk to Chef Jackson tomorrow. Maybe he can give me some tips. By any chance did you happen to hear any of my conversation with the man sitting next to me, Mac Ward?”

  “No, why?”

  “Well, I think I’ve come up with another suspect if it turns out Milt didn’t die from natural causes, if you can call a rich tobacco grower from North Carolina a suspect.”

  “Don’t think it matters where someone is from or what they do for a living. Crime seems to cut through all of it, although we do need to keep one thing in mind. We’re making a lot of suppositions that Milt was murdered. So far we don’t have a shred of evidence to support that claim.”

  “That’s true, but I want to be prepared just in case Sean gets back to me with an analysis from the lab that indicates there was something in that bottle that caused Milt’s death.”

  “Probably not a bad idea. Now tell me what makes you suspicious of the tobacco grower.”

  She told him about her conversation with Mac Ward and how the more he talked, the angrier he seemed to get. When she was finished Roger said, “When I had lunch with Milt last week, he mentioned he was really taking a strong stand against smoking. He felt that public sentiment would be with him during his campaign, since so many people have either died from cancer caused by smoking or know someone who has cancer. He also mentioned that years ago no one would have ever thought that smoking would be banned in restaurants and bars and other public places, and now it is. He felt it was a sign that the United States, and particularly California, was ready to go to the next level, the $2.00 per pack cigarette tax.”

  “Who knows, maybe Mac thought he’d be doing the tobacco industry a favor by getting rid of Milt. Of course that’s just a hypothetical thought of mine at the moment,” Liz said.

  “You’re right sweetheart. That is definitely just a hypothetical thought. So if Sean comes back with something, then what? Let’s see, you’ve identified Mickey, Amanda, Emilio, Cassie, and now Mac as possible suspects. If, and I repeat the word if, Sean’s friend at the crime lab determines there was a substance in the juice that resulted in Milt’s death, what do you intend to do about it?” he asked in a teasing manner.

  Liz stood at the window and looked into the darkness as if searching for the answer. Finally, she turned around and looked at Roger who had gotten into bed. “Roger, I honestly don’t know. Go ahead and turn out the light. I’m going to send an email to Sean. I’ll go in the other room, so I won’t disturb you. I’ll be in bed in a few minutes.”

  She sat down and composed an email to Sean asking him to find out what he could about Mickey Roberts, Amanda and Emilio DeLuise, Cassie Sowers, and Mac Ward. She wrote what she knew about each of them and concluded the email by telling him she realized Milt might very well have died from natural causes, but even so, she was still curious about those people based on what she’d learned today. She thanked him for helping her and told him that Roger said to bill the firm for his time and charge it to Roger’s account.

  Exhausted she closed her laptop and got into bed, snuggling close to the warm sleeping body of her husband.

  CHAPTER 20

  The next morning Liz stayed in bed while Roger went on his early morning duck hunt. When she heard the ATVs return, she went downstairs to join Roger for breakfast. At the bottom of the stairs Sam was wagging his tail and waiting for her. “Good morning, Sam.” His whole body shook with happiness when he saw her. Roger saw Liz, walked over to her, and gave her a friendly good morning kiss.

  “Roger, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a dog this big be able to wiggle his entire body like Sam does. It’d probably be great on YouTube.” Sam laid down at the entrance to the dining room, one huge paw on top of the other, his large head resting on them, all the while watching Liz.

  “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Langley. May I bring you some coffee?” Jesse asked as soon as they were seated.

  “Please, and as you might remember, we both take it black. Thank you,” Roger said as he eyed the menu. “I will probably really regret this, but I can’t pass up crème brulee French toast. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had it before. I may not pass this way again, and I’d really regret it if I didn’t try it. What are you having, Liz?”

  “Lemon soufflé pancakes with fresh blueberry syrup. That sounds decadent and delicious, but don’t get any ideas about me making them when we get back home. The way we’re eating, we’re both going to have to do some serious dieting and exercising.”

  “Speak for yourself, woman, but I’m out there all day walking in t
he fields. I’m sure I’m burning up more calories than I’m taking in,” Roger said.

  “Uh-huh, you wish,” Liz said. “Keep believing that until you get on the scale when we get home. Actually, maybe we should hide the scale. Might be better for our psyches.”

  A few minutes later Jesse returned with their breakfast orders and served them. “I’m not big on people taking pictures of their food before they eat, but this is one of the few times I wish I’d brought my iPhone down with me, so I could discreetly capture this moment. These are both simply beautiful,” Liz said, staring at the two plates of food.

  “I agree. I don’t know what that chef gets paid, but whatever it is, he’s worth it.”

  “Actually, in the conversation I had with him yesterday, he led me to believe it was quite a bit, but I agree, he’s definitely worth it. Wish I could afford to have him work for me at the Red Cedar Lodge.”

  “Well, since you can’t, think you better get some recipes from him. This is every bit as good as it looks,” he said after his first bite.

  “Ditto,” Liz said.

  *****

  After Roger had left for the rest of the day to hunt quail, Sam followed Liz up to her room. She called Milt’s home number again, on one hand hoping to reach his widow, but on the other hand wishing she wouldn’t answer the phone, so Liz wouldn’t have to deliver the devastating news to her. This time a soft female voice with an Italian accent answered the phone. “Hello,” she said.

  Liz took a deep breath and said, “May I speak with Mrs. Huston?”

  “This is she,” the soft voice said. “How may I help you?”

  “Mrs. Huston, we’ve never met. My name is Liz Langley. My husband went to law school with your husband, and we are at the hunting lodge in Texas where your husband came.”

  “I’m confused. I believe my husband is still there,” the soft voice said. “Has something happened to Milt?”

  “I guess there’s no way to tell you this but straight out. I am so sorry to be the one to have to tell you that your husband died in his sleep night before last. There is no evidence of foul play. I am so sorry. I called yesterday, but you were with your parents on a trip, and I didn’t want to leave this message on your answering machine. Are they still with you?”

  There was a long pause for several moments, and then Liz heard the sound of a primal scream followed by hysterical sobbing. A man’s voice came on the phone and in a heavy Italian accent asked, “Who is this, and what did you say to my daughter?”

  “My name is Liz Langley. I am so sorry. I’m at the hunting lodge where her husband came. He died in his sleep the night before last. As I told your daughter, I tried to reach her yesterday, but evidently you were all on a trip. I’m glad you’re there with her.”

  “Where is Milt?” the man asked.

  “His body was taken to the Gordon Mortuary in Riley, Texas. It’s about sixty miles from the location of the Big T Lodge where Milt was staying. The owner said he would personally see to it that Milt’s body is flown back to Sacramento. He asked that Mrs. Huston call the mortuary to work out the details. I put Milt’s personal effects in his suitcase and delivered it and his attaché case to the mortuary. They’ll be sent to you as well. Here’s the number of the mortuary. Again, I am so sorry.”

  “I must leave this call. I need to take care of my daughter. I can’t believe this. Milt was just about the healthiest person I’ve ever known. This can’t be. What you don’t know is my daughter just found out she’s pregnant. Milt not only left her, he left his unborn child as well. She was going to call him tonight and tell him the wonderful news. This is a tragedy. Goodbye.”

  When the call ended, Liz stared out the window, thinking of the cruel twist of fate that had ruined a woman’s happiness. She wondered again if Milt’s death had been caused by murder. She picked up a book she’d brought with her, hoping to lose herself in the story until she heard from Sean.

  If the liquid in the bottle has nothing to do with Milt’s death, I’ll just have to accept it as one of those cruel and horrible things that sometimes happens in life. However, if there was something in it, and if Milt was murdered, I’m going to do everything I can to find the murderer for the sake of that unborn child, Liz vowed.

  CHAPTER 21

  Liz thought it was rather ironic that she’d decided to bring a murder mystery book with her, but after she started reading it, she quickly became immersed in the fast-paced story line and before she knew it, the morning had almost slipped away. She’d been subconsciously waiting to hear the ping on her laptop computer which would let her know she’d received an email and when she heard it, she hoped it would be from Sean. She quickly stood up from the club chair she’d been sitting in and walked over to look at her laptop which was on a nearby table.

  She looked down at it and saw there was an email from Sean. She sat down and began to read it. The email from him was very long, and Liz had to read it several times to absorb what he had written.

  “Liz, if you decide to get out of the lodge and spa business, you can always get a job with me working as a private investigator. I had the bottle of juice analyzed, and your instincts were absolutely right. The odor you smelled came from potassium cyanide, which is known for its strong almond smell. It’s a deadly poison. That’s right. Milt was definitely poisoned. I know you said that Milt put ground almonds in his beet drink, but they wouldn’t smell that strong. I don’t know what you want to do with this information, but I would suggest you talk to Roger. Remember, he’s a very good criminal attorney, and unless the laws have changed in the last few minutes, murder is definitely a crime, although they may play it a little differently back there in Texas.

  As to the cast of characters you inquired about. Let me begin with Mickey Roberts. Since he’s a politician, I found pages and pages of articles about him. I spent some time reading them, and it boils down to this. He’s a very aggressive politician whose main goal in life is to be elected governor of California. As far as scandals, there have been a couple. He’s never been convicted of anything, but he’s skated on thin ice a couple of times.

  He was fined by the Fair Political Practices Commission for money laundering. His laundering scheme consisted of having a number of his wealthy donors contribute money to the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. The money they contributed was earmarked by both Roberts and the party to be spent by the party on his re-election campaign. That’s strictly against the ethics code, however, he was only given a slap on the wrist in the form of a $10,000 fine, which is peanuts to a California Senator.

  The second scandal occurred when he was accused by an opponent of not living in the Senate district he represents. This is a practice a lot of politicians use. They say they live in the district, so they can establish residence in the district, but in reality it’s just an address and is usually a small apartment or even an empty house. In his case he rented a condominium which he didn’t live in, but claimed it was his residence, however there were pictures of him going in and out of the large house where he actually lives in Beverly Hills. His neighbors all knew him and said that when he wasn’t in Sacramento, that’s where he lived. Several articles I read hinted that he may have paid off someone, because the problem went away. Maybe he paid off his opponent, but it became a non-issue in his last campaign.

  So in summary, here’s what I found out about this guy. He plays hard and fast with the law, and it looks to me like he thinks he’s above it. From everything I read, he’s politically very aggressive and currently is very focused on becoming the next governor of California. Do I think he’s capable of murder? If something or someone stood in the way of his goal, I think there’s a good chance he could commit murder. How? I don’t know. If all the guests had rooms in the lodge, it probably wouldn’t be too hard to sneak into the room of another guest. Guess you’ll have to figure that out, but be careful.”

  Liz stood up and walked over to the window and looked out at the lake, thinking about what she’d just
read. There was plenty more in Sean’s email about the other people she’d asked Sean to investigate for her, but she needed a few moments to think about the man named Mickey Roberts. If he was the one who murdered Milt, he certainly would have known Milt was dead, and the conversation she’d overheard out in the forest may have been a total lie. He might never have heard Jack say anything about Milt’s death.

  Several minutes later she walked back to the table where her laptop was and sat down. She looked at the screen and read “Liz, the only thing I could find out about the woman named Cassie Sowers was that she lived in Riley, Texas, and had once been married. Evidently her husband died. Sorry I can’t be much help to you about her. Maybe there’s someone you could talk to in Riley that could help you.

  Yes, Sean, there certainly is someone I can talk to. Cindy Lou at the FedEx office would probably know something about Cassie. She seems to know everyone who lives in these parts, and if anyone knows something about Cassie, I’d bet it’s her. I’ll go there this afternoon and see what I can find out. Now, back to his email.

  CHAPTER 22

  Liz looked down at the screen to see what else Sean had written.

  “Amanda and Emilio DeLuise are interesting people. Emilio met her when he went to Napa, California, for a wine conference several years ago. Her family owns a boutique winery in Napa, and she attended the conference. I can only assume that one thing led to another. She’s quite a bit younger than he is, probably by at least thirty years. He’s sixty-one. From the photographs I saw of her, she’s stunning. Anyway, he went back to Italy and divorced his wife of thirty-three years.