Murdered by Country Music: A High Desert Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  Marty scooted as far away as she could from Rita and shakily tried to stand up. Instead she crumpled to the floor as she lost consciousness. Hours later she woke up in the hospital with a very worried Jeff sitting next to her bed. Laura, Les, John, and Max stood in the background with long faces.

  She groggily looked at them, and tried to speak. Jeff held a cup of water to her lips, and she gratefully sipped it. After several moments she said, “Jeff, I’ve never been so glad to see someone in my life. How did you know I was at Rita’s house? How badly am I hurt? What about Rita?”

  “First things first,” he said, his hand gently stroking her forehead. “You were hit in the shoulder, so fortunately none of your vital organs was hit. That’s the good news. The bad news is even though the bullet only hit your shoulder, you lost a lot of blood, and you suffered a concussion. The doctor wants to monitor you here in the hospital for several days. You’re going to be fine, but you need some time to heal.

  “As to how I knew you were at Rita’s house, well, Laura was very concerned about you, no, make that panicked. She had a hunch you were going to be in danger, so she called me at the station. I actually got to Rita’s house before you did. I parked behind a delivery truck whose driver was taking a lunch break. I didn’t want Rita to see me and get spooked. After I saw you walk into the house, I made my way around to the back of it. I looked in the window and saw Rita holding a gun on you. Fortunately, she’d left the sliding glass door to the kitchen unlocked, and I let myself in. That part went well. What didn’t go well was I couldn’t get to you in time. I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for that. I guess it’s something I’ll have to learn to live with.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. You told me I’m going to be fine, so don’t even think about it. I’m just glad you were there. Did you hear what she said?”

  “Yes. I heard it. I also picked up the white sheet of paper she handed you, and I’ve already given it to the sheriff’s office. One of his men called me earlier today and told me they’d gotten the results from some fingerprints they’d found in Jacques’ motor home. They ran them, but there was no match. I’ll bet there will be a match with hers that were on that piece of paper, plus I’m pretty sure the bullet from her gun will match the bullet that killed Jacques.

  “As for Rita, she was brought to the hospital and treated in the emergency room for her leg wound. Two officers stayed with her, and when her treatment was completed, they handcuffed her and put her in the back seat of their squad car. She was taken to the sheriff’s station and charged with murder and attempted murder.”

  “Jeff, I can’t believe I fainted. I really thought I was stronger than that.”

  “I think I remember you telling me at the scene of another murder that you felt faint. As I recall, I told you then to put your head between your legs. This time it was a little too late for that. Blame it on the loss of blood, not nerves. Look at it this way. You solved the case. I’m sure the sheriff will be more than happy with what you did when he finds out. Congratulations.”

  “Thanks, but I sure don’t feel so good right now. That’s as close as I ever want to come to being murdered. I really didn’t think I was going to make it out of there.”

  “Well, you did, but I have a question. Why did you pretend to faint in front of Rita?”

  “I thought if I could get my body over my purse, somehow I’d be able to reach in it and get my gun. I did, but it didn’t quite work out so great.”

  “Marty, do me a favor. In the future, why don’t you stick to doing appraisals and let the law enforcement professionals do the heavy lifting?”

  “I think I will, but at least John’s and Max’s names are clear now.”

  “Marty,” Jeff said, “I don’t think they’d feel very good if you were murdered on their behalf.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right, but I wasn’t murdered, so all’s well that ends well. Actually, I don’t think I’m the first to say that. I must be feeling better. Seem to remember studying a play by Shakespeare with those words when I was in high school.”

  “Well, if you can remember that, I agree, you must be feeling better. It pretty much sums things up. You’re going to have to give a statement sooner or later. I know these four people behind me all want to at least say hi, but the doctor told me to keep your visitors to a minimum and keep you as quiet as possible for a few days. In return you could do me a favor. If Laura asks you not to go somewhere, don’t go. Could you promise me you’ll do that?”

  “Pretty much but not 100%. I’d like to think I have free will.”

  “Well, even if you don’t mean it, try to say it for me. I’ll feel better.”

  “Okay, here goes. If Laura tells me not to go somewhere, I won’t, but I would like to go to sleep now.”

  “Good. Now I feel better,” he said kissing her on the cheek as the others walked over to her and gently touched her face on their way out of the room, letting her know how much she had come to mean to all of them. “I’ll be back later. Sleep, my love,” he said as he closed the door to her hospital room.

  CHAPTER 26

  Two days later Marty was released from the hospital and Jeff drove her to the compound late that afternoon. All of the residents rushed outside to greet her and tell her how happy they were that she was all right. “John,” Marty said as they walked into the courtyard, “I think the worst thing about being in the hospital was having to miss your cooking. Hospital food is not my thing. What’s for dinner tonight?”

  “This isn’t a gourmet creation of mine, but I think it’s a good way to celebrate your return. We’re having bacon-wrapped filet mignon steaks on bacon-flecked mashed potatoes with mushroom caps in melted butter, broccoli with hollandaise sauce, and fresh baked bread. Oh yeah, I made a little something for dessert, so save a little room,” John said smiling.

  “Maybe I should have someone try to murder me more often if it calls for a meal like that,” Marty jokingly said as she poured herself a glass of wine.

  “No, Marty, absolutely not. I think your crime solving days are over. Now that you’re going to be my wife, I think I should have a little say in things like this,” Jeff said with a serious look on his face.

  “Okay, okay. John, I didn’t want to alarm you, but when the sheriff had you and Max at the top of his list of suspects, I was a little concerned that the best chef in the Palm Springs area wasn’t going to be able to keep his promise to cater our wedding reception.”

  “Now that this is behind us, it’s time to get serious about it,” John said. “How about if I make a menu for the reception, so we can go over it together and you can make any changes you like?”

  “Does that include a chance to taste a few samples?” Jeff asked, laughing. “Marty, I don’t know about you, but I know I’d be happy with anything John makes.”

  “Ditto for me, John. I think we’ll just leave it in your capable hands and simply say thank you for such a wonderful wedding gift.”

  “Are you kidding? Because of what you did Max and I won’t be cooking in a prison kitchen. We are both terribly indebted to you,” he said, raising a glass as if toasting her.

  “Marty, you took a big risk for the boss and me, and I’ll be entirely grateful.” Max said.

  “Max, I think you mean eternally instead of entirely, but I’m sure Marty got the message,” Laura said.

  “That I did, and as I told Jeff when I was in the hospital, all’s well that ends well,” Marty said as she looked adoringly at Jeff and gave him a long lingering kiss. The others clapped and shouted their friendly approval of her deep affection for Jeff, her soon-to-be husband.

  EPILOGUE

  Six Weeks Later

  Marty and Jeff: Marty fully recovered from her gunshot wound and keeps busy with the preparations for their upcoming wedding as well as being an art and antique appraiser whose services are very much in demand. Jeff continues to be one of the most outstanding police detectives in Southern California. Several police departments
in other areas of the state have asked his captain if they could pay the department to have him help them with important cases. So far Jeff has resisted, not willing to leave Marty. He knows it’s only a matter of time until the captain insists he take one, as it would only enhance the department’s reputation.

  Laura and Les: Les finished the painting that had given him so much difficulty and sent it to a gallery who represents him in San Francisco. It immediately sold for over a hundred thousand dollars. He’s working on two more paintings in the series. Laura continues to give all of the compound residents psychic guidance whenever she feels it’s appropriate, and they all have learned to rely on it.

  John and Max: The Red Pony’s reputation continues to grow, and John made a decision to buy a second food truck. He named it The Blue Pony, and Max runs it. John also now rents space in Palm Springs and is rapidly developing his catering company, The Red and Blue Catering Service, which is growing by leaps and bounds. At John’s suggestion, Marty and Jeff decided they would be married in a private ceremony in the compound courtyard, and then they would have a “Meat and Greet the Newlyweds” barbecue reception following their wedding. Plans are underway!

  Rita and Ned: Rita is in a state mental hospital following her breakdown, and it’s uncertain if she’ll ever be declared competent to stand trial. Her fingerprints on the note she gave Marty matched those that were found in Jacques’ motor home. There was also a ballistics match. Ned’s living with Chuck Weston and his wife as he struggles to stay free from drugs. He sold the French Food Obsession and in a twist of fate, is working as a sous chef at The Golden Truffle.

  Lucy and Her Old Man: They’re now the proud parents of a furry little baby in the form of a three month old yellow Labrador retriever. The puppy was taken to the county shelter when the owners had to move and they couldn’t take the puppy with them. So far the dog is fine about going outside without booties on, but Lucy bought some just in case. She was able to find some dark blue ones and thinks they’re a much better color for the dog than Duke’s pink booties.

  Jeb and Jennifer: Jennifer found her sugar daddy and married him within a month of their first meeting. Jeb and Jennifer are working on blending their two families together, but since her son has fallen in love with the White Stallion Ranch and Gigi is thrilled to have a mother who actually cooks and does motherly things, it looks like it won’t be a problem. Brianna is doing well in rehab, so the counselors say.

  Duke: He’s becoming more accepting of Jeff, and there’s hope he might fully accept Jeff when he begins living at the compound after the wedding.

  Recipes!

  WESTERN CHILI

  Ingredients:

  1 lb. ground beef

  1 lb. beef sirloin, cut into small bite-sized cubes

  1 lb. hot Italian sausages

  6 garlic cloves, minced

  2 onions, finely chopped

  2 tbsp. chili powder (if you like it hotter, feel free to add more, but if you add a lot, keep in mind that you’ll need to simmer it longer to let the chili powder lose it’s bitter taste and let the flavors marry)

  Salt and pepper to taste

  2 14 ½ oz. cans stewed tomatoes

  1 14 ½ oz. can red kidney beans, drained

  1 can beer

  Chopped onion for garnish

  Shredded cheddar cheese for garnish

  Directions:

  Remove the casings from the Italian sausages. Place them in a 12-inch frying pan. Break them up into little pieces and fry until cooked through. Remove the sausage and transfer to a bowl. Fry the hamburger and the steak until cooked through. Remove them from the pan and put them in the same bowl. There should be some grease left in the pan after cooking the meat. Add the onion and sauté until it’s soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic to the onion and cook for 1 minute. Remove from the frying pan and put in the bowl.

  In a large heavy pot combine the tomatoes, beer, beans, meat, onion, garlic, seasonings, and stir until combined. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook uncovered for one hour. (You can make this several hours in advance by cooking it to this point. If you make it in advance, put a cover on the pot. Turn off the heat and then reheat it for 30 minutes before serving.) Thirty minutes prior to serving, adjust the seasonings. If necessary, add more liquid such as beer, water, or the drained kidney bean liquid. Ladle the chili into serving bowls and garnish with the chopped onions and shredded cheese. Enjoy!

  NOTE: Personally, I like to serve this with honey cornbread!

  HONEY CORNBREAD

  Ingredients:

  1 pkg. corn muffin mix (I usually use Jiffy)

  1/3 cup milk

  1/4 cup honey

  1 egg

  Soft butter

  Directions:

  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or muffin pan. You can also use paper baking cups by placing them in the muffin pan. Combine the ingredients together until just blended and then let the mixture stand for 4 minutes. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish or fill the muffin cups ½ full. If using a baking dish, bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is slightly browned. If making muffins, bake for 15-20 minutes. Serve with soft butter. Enjoy!

  HACHIS PARMENTIER (French Shepherd’s Pie)

  Ingredients:

  2 cups chopped leftover pot roast or lamb

  2 cups chopped cooked vegetables (You can pretty much use anything. I like to make it attractive to the eye, so I use a combination of colors, like orange for carrots, green broccoli, etc. You also want to use vegetables that were hardy on their own before cooking as opposed to lettuce or cabbage)

  1 cup beef gravy (Unless I have some left over, I usually use a packet like Knorr’s.)

  2 cups mashed potatoes (Remember to use a hand potato masher as opposed to an electric mixer. It makes a big difference!)

  ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  ¼ tsp. salt

  ¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper

  Directions:

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the meat, vegetables, and gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour the mixture into individual dishes or a glass baking dish, approximately 8 x 8 inches. Spread the mashed potatoes over the mixture. Sprinkle the top with the Parmesan cheese. If you’re using a glass baking dish, bake for 45 minutes. If you’re using individual dishes, bake for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

  BACON WAFFLE APPETIZERS

  Ingredients:

  10 slices bacon, fried until crisp and then crumbled

  ½ cup all-purpose flour

  2 tbsp. sugar

  2 tbsp. cornstarch

  ½ tsp. baking powder

  ½ tsp. baking soda

  ¼ tsp. salt

  1 ½ cups buttermilk

  2 tsp. vanilla extract (I use the real deal. Think it’s much better than the imitation.)

  1 large egg, white and yolk separated

  ½ cup butter, melted (Always use unsalted, because the level of salt in salted butter can really affect the outcome of a dish, and not particularly in a pleasant way.)

  ½ cup sour cream

  ¼ cup chopped chives

  Waffle iron

  Round 3-inch cookie cutter or water glass that has a 3-inch diameter

  Mixing bowl and beaters which have been put in the freezer to chill

  Directions:

  Preheat the waffle iron to its highest setting. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a smaller bowl whisk together the buttermilk, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Place the egg white in the prepared bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.

  Stir the buttermilk and egg mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in the melted butter. Gently fold the egg white into the mixture and add the bacon bits, reserving some for garnish. Spoon 1/3 to 1/2 cup of batter onto the heated waffle iron and bake until crunchy and golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.

  Remove the waffle from the waffle iron and let cool. Use your coo
kie cutter or glass to cut circles out of the waffles. Mix the sour cream and chives together and spread about ½ tablespoon on each one. Garnish with bacon bits and serve at room temperature. Enjoy!

  MAKE IT YOUR WAY FRUIT STICKS

  Ingredients:

  3 cups of different fruits such as strawberries, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, grapes, watermelon, pineapple, etc.

  Wooden serving sticks

  Directions:

  This is where the make it your way comes in. You can use a melon baller to make balls out of the melons. You can use cookie cutters to make stars, half-moons, or other shapes as desired, or just cut them free form. When the fruit has been cut to your liking, thread the pieces onto the wooden sticks, taking care to vary shapes and colors.

  Depending on how much time you have and how many people you’ll be serving, arrange the threaded fruit on a medium or large serving platter. Another way of serving it is to use one of the melons as a base and secure the bottom of the sticks in the melon so that they stick out of the melon.

  If serving a large group of people, a watermelon is always a show piece. (I recently served one at a baby shower and it was a big hit!) Cut in half and serrate the rim so it looks like the teeth you cut in a pumpkin at Halloween. This is a nice accompaniment whether you’re serving several sweets or appetizers. You could also use a wide-mouthed glass vase. Be creative! People who are watching their weight are always grateful for low-calorie options. Shows you’re a caring host or hostess. Enjoy!

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