by Jenny Kales
“You’re right.” Sam stood up and smoothed her sweater. “Order us anything you want – just so long as it’s chocolate. And why don’t you order a grasshopper? I know they’re your favorite.” Grasshopper cocktails were another Wisconsin supper club specialty, a delicious relic from the 1960s. The Elkhorn’s version was rich and tasty. With a blend of chocolate and mint liqueurs, it was practically a dessert in itself.
“Deal,” said Callie. She didn’t need to see the “dessert trolley” to make her decision – she’d eaten at The Elkhorn dozens of times. Callie watched as her gorgeous friend walked to the stage and got Bix’s attention, bemused to see her so smitten.
Bix’s face lit up like one of The Elkhorn’s multiple Christmas trees when Sam approached him. He leapt off of the stage and gave her a huge bear hug in full view of the supper club patrons. Callie stared at him. His distraught behavior over Natalie’s body seemed to have evaporated. It could also be that he was trying to put a good face on things – the show must go on and all of that. Callie didn’t know why she was making excuses for the guy. Everyone grieved in different ways.
Not wanting to seem overly interested in Sam and Bix’s romantic moment, Callie signaled the waitress. She glanced again at Sam and Bix, who were chattering away, their conversation punctuated by intimate laughter. Finally, Bix gave Sam another wordless, close embrace and hopped back onstage to tweak the speakers and microphone.
Dessert arrived just as Sam was sliding back into the booth, a private smile on her lips. Callie grinned back at her. “I guess he was happy to see you,” she said, gesturing at homemade chocolate lava cake. “Time for chocolate.” The two friends grabbed their forks and dug into the piece of cake at the same time. Dark chocolate oozed out of the center of the cake and Callie made sure to scoop out some of the sauce.
“I don’t mean to act like such a teenager,” Sam said, blushing a bit. “Especially today. I’m sorry.”
“Don't worry about it,” Callie answered. But inwardly, she was a bit taken aback. Sam was normally the very picture of poise and she certainly didn’t equate romantic success with personal success.
Sam was trying to take Callie’s mind off of things, so that could be why she was focusing on “girl talk.” Callie sighed and snuck another glance at Bix. She hoped he was good for her friend – she realized she didn’t really know much about him.
The topic of Sam’s dating life was interrupted as the man himself addressed the audience. “Welcome to The Elkhorn,” Bix said in his mellifluous voice. “I’m Bix Buckman and we’re ‘The Tundras.’” With that, the band began to play a jazzy rendition of “Winter Wonderland.”
“Great band name,” Callie said to Sam, raising her voice to be heard over the music. “As in ‘frozen tundra?’”
“I guess so,” Sam said, shrugging. “It certainly fits Crystal Bay, in any case. We’re living in frozen tundra for about 300 days of the year.”
Callie looked around the warm room. Unless it was a true blizzard, snow, even heavy snow, didn’t deter most Wisconsinites from venturing out into the world. You simply bundled up, scraped off your car or truck and got on with your life.
Tonight, The Elkhorn was packed, its cloth-covered tables filled with people of all ages sipping old-fashioneds, martinis and other classic cocktails, eating from the small but stellar menu and listening to the music. No doubt about it, Bix’s band was a hit. Either that, Callie thought, or the locals had discovered that Bix had tried to resuscitate Natalie today and they were hoping for gossip. Probably a little bit of both.
Or it could be that they were afraid, as she was, and following the herd instinct – safety in numbers. Callie could identify. She didn’t relish the thought of being home alone later that night with just her daughter and a dog – and a killer on the loose. The Elkhorn patrons may be attempting to keep calm and carry on, just as she was, but Callie had noticed an unusual number of whispered conversations and anxious glances around the room.
The band played a few more numbers and Callie sipped at her Grasshopper, the crowd continuing its quiet buzz as people contemplated their food and the music. Finally, the set ended with a flourish and Bix told the crowd that the band was taking a break.
Sam and Callie were still taking tiny bites of their chocolate lava cake, trying not to take more of their fair share. Next time, I’ll get a piece for each of us, Callie thought. Life is too short to share chocolate lava cake. That was a lesson she was learning well these days. The dessert was served with a small scoop of creamy vanilla gelato on the side, in a pool of rich raspberry sauce and it looked beautiful on the plate, almost too pretty to eat. The Elkhorn prided themselves on homemade desserts and this cake was one of the reasons why.
“What do you think?” Sam asked Callie.
“Of the cake or of Bix?” Callie asked. “I’m just kidding. The cake is excellent – as was the rest of the meal. Thanks for going out with me tonight. I didn’t think it was possible to have a good time after what happened today but I’m starting to feel a little better. And yes, Bix and his group were pretty good, too.” Callie took another sip of her Grasshopper.
Just then, the sound of breaking glass made the two of them jump. “What the….” Sam began but was interrupted by raised voices near the bar.
“Don’t mess with me!” The voice was deep, angry, familiar – and loud. “Just give me the money you owe me!”
Another crash made the dining room go silent, and Sam stood up to get a better look. Whatever she saw made her gasp. Nodding at Callie, she headed quickly towards the commotion without a word. Callie had no choice but to follow.
Callie trailed Sam into the Elkhorn’s bar and did a quick scan of the familiar room. Two bar stools lay overturned and a sticky brown liquid dripped slowly onto the floor. Ice cubes and glass shards decorated both the bar top and floor with a dangerous mixture.
Bix and Gary Schnittger, Elkhorn owner, stood toe-to-toe in front of the bar, their fists clenched. Gary was a tall man with greying hair and powerful muscles, despite being much older than the equally fit Bix. Bar patrons stood well out of the way. Callie tugged at Sam’s sleeve but her friend was glued to the scene.
“What do you say we calm down, gentlemen?” Wait, was that….?? No, it couldn’t be. A stocky older man had stepped forward to address Gary and Bix. His Greek accent and the mulish expression on his face were all too familiar. Callie nearly groaned aloud. What was George doing here? And worse yet, why was he getting in the middle of an ugly fight?
“Dad,” she said urgently, but either he didn’t hear or he was ignoring her.
“No need to go upsetting everyone,” George continued to address the two men, folding his arms in front of his chest.
Callie assessed the damage. So far, it looked like the only violence that had occurred was the overturned chairs and broken glasses of whiskey. Neither Bix nor the bar owner had a black eye or bloody lip – yet. She wanted to keep it that way. What was George thinking?
Callie grabbed Sam’s arm once more. “What should we do?” she asked, but before Sam could speak, the men jumped back into their heated conversation.
“Stay out of it,” Gary warned George and Bix grunted in agreement.
“You’ve got nothing to do with this, buddy, so take a walk.” Bix barely glanced at George, as if he were of no importance. Callie knew from experience how well that would go over with her proud and stubborn father.
“Gentlemen, stop this nonsense. Why not sit down, have a drink? No fighting with ladies present, please.” George nodded at a tall, silvery blonde-haired woman who was standing just behind him and Callie squinted at her. Who was that? Callie couldn’t place the attractive woman, but she and George looked well-acquainted.
Bix glanced over at Sam who he had just noticed standing nearby. He appeared to be trying to reign in his anger but then his face slowly began growing red again. “You know what? This is a money dispute and I can’t let it go. This gentleman, as you call him,” Bix sneered, �
��owes me for our gig tonight and won’t pay me!”
“You owe me money!” Gary contradicted Bix. The two men advanced ever so slightly toward each other and to her horror, George stepped quickly between them.
“All right boys, enough. You go now. Yes?” He nodded at Bix and then looked around at the assembled crowd. “Before someone calls the police.”
Bix cursed under his breath and took a step back from his adversary. “I’m not going to jail for this scum.” He looked at George with disgust. “I guess you don’t care if people don’t get paid.”
“I do care. I also care if people get hurt.” George stared down the two men who looked at each other and then back at George. Finally, Gary clapped George on the shoulder.
“You’re right, George,” he said. Callie and her family had known Gary and Doris for years – fortunately. Or else, George might have found himself in the snow next to Bix.
Bix’s face remained beet red but he seemed to be calming down. “You haven’t heard the last from me – or my lawyer,” he offered as a parting shot.
Gary only shrugged. “Whatever, Bix. Bring it on,” he said in a low but challenging tone.
“All right. Enough. Good night. Kalinihta,” George used the Greek version of “good night” for emphasis as he pointed to the door. Shaking his head, Bix reluctantly started walking towards it, grabbing his coat and instruments from a nearby booth before stalking outside.
Callie and Samantha looked at each other. “What was that all about?” Callie asked.
Samantha seemed shaken as she stared at the door Bix had just exited. “I don’t know. But I’m going to find out. I’ll be back in a minute.” Not bothering to grab her coat, she pushed past the crowds around the bar and followed Bix out into the snow.
That little drama having concluded without violence, patrons of The Elkhorn started buzzing almost immediately, but quietly. First a murder, now a fight in the family-friendly supper club?
George still hadn’t noticed his daughter and had rejoined the tall silvery blond. Well, at least he wasn’t checking up on her. Still, what was he doing here? Callie started towards him, intent on finding out.
“Calliope!” George cried, finally noticing his only offspring. Before she knew it, George had taken her to a small, comfortable booth almost near the back corner of the bar. It was no wonder that Callie hadn’t spotted him when she first arrived. If not for the fight, her seat in the dining room would have prevented her from seeing him at all.
“I’d like you to meet someone,” George was saying. “This is Kathy, Raine’s aunt.” Raine was the tall, bubbly, blond new wife of Callie’s ex-husband.
George was continuing the introductions with enthusiasm. “Kathy is a realtor and she’s helping Hugh and Raine find a house in Crystal Bay. Kathy, this is my daughter, Calliope. She was, uh….” Suddenly George seemed to realize the awkwardness of the situation.
“I’m Hugh’s ex-wife,” Callie said taking Kathy’s extended hand. Hugh hadn’t been kidding about wanting to move back to Crystal Bay. He obviously hadn’t wasted any time looking for a home in the area, despite the fact that most people don’t house hunt at Christmas time.
“Pleased to meet you,” Kathy replied, her smile too white to be true.
Callie responded with as large a smile as she could, but inwardly she was reeling. Didn’t George know how hard it would be to have to face Hugh and Raine every day in town? What was he doing, wining and dining their realtor – and Raine’s aunt, at that – at a supper club?
Callie’s father didn’t seem to be aware of the emotions he was evoking in his daughter. In fact, George didn’t seem to be aware of anything beyond staring at ‘Kathy’ with a goofy look on his face.
“Dad, what happened to Glykeria? Sweetie, I mean?”
“Oh, Sweetie was tired, hrisi mou.” George used the endearment, which translated to “my dear” all the time, but especially when he was trying to placate his daughter. “Kathy came into The Olympia this afternoon when I was showing Sweetie around and introduced herself to me.” George’s diner, The Olympia, was his pride and joy and he still harbored dreams that Callie would take it over for him someday. “I recognized her right away, realized she’d been coming there for years.” He beamed at Kathy who beamed back.
Oh…kay. “So how did you end up here?” Callie asked, genuinely puzzled. “We got to talking about properties and soon it was dinnertime. Kathy suggested The Elkhorn and I thought, why not?” George shrugged. “Take a little drive. Live a little. By the way,” George said, his voice growing sterner. “Kathy told me about the murder of poor Natalie Underwood. It’s been all over the local radio station!” Callie felt fortunate she hadn’t heard that report. She gulped.
George continued. “It would have been nice if you’d told me about it yourself – how did you come to find another person dead?”
How indeed? “Just bad luck. And the reason I didn’t say anything to you earlier is because I didn’t want to upset Sweetie,” Callie made a quick excuse, and fortunately, George nodded in agreement.
“Very smart of you, Calliope. Sweetie just got here – no need to frighten her.”
Kathy stood by looking uncomfortable and suddenly, Callie was too. The last thing she wanted to do tonight was hob nob with one of Raine’s relatives. And she definitely did not want to talk about Natalie.
Looking to take her leave, Callie kept her tone upbeat. “I hope you enjoyed your dinner and I’m sorry to interrupt your evening out. I’m going to find Samantha so we can pay up and head home. She was checking up on Bix but he was pretty upset. She didn’t even bring her coat with her and it’s freezing outside. Below freezing.”
“Samantha must be careful,” George said firmly, finally tearing his eyes away from Kathy who was standing off to one side, gazing into a small compact fixing her lip gloss. “That Bix seems like an angry man.”
“She’s been seeing him, Dad. They’ve had a few dates, that’s all.”
“Samantha is dating that man?” George shook his head. “You can never be too careful who you let into your life. As you should know.” George gazed at his daughter with a mixture of concern and frustration. Was he referring to Sands? To Drew Staven, whom she found murdered just a few months before? To the latest murder she’d stumbled her way into? Or to Hugh, her ex-husband? It was a long list.
Callie exhaled sharply. What about him? Was he letting this ‘Kathy’ into his life? Was he being careful? She didn’t want her father to be lonely, but did he have to become affiliated with someone related to her ex-husband’s new wife? Or maybe she was getting ahead of herself. Maybe they were talking real estate and nothing more. Callie didn’t know, but she was too exhausted to analyze it at that moment.
Deciding she’d been involved in enough drama for one day, Callie answered her father in measured tones. “No, you can’t be too careful, Dad.”
Five
Callie was too busy at Callie’s Kitchen to snoop at the inn the day after Natalie’s death, but the following day, she promised herself she’d be there bright and early for a brief check-in. Sunlight made the snow glisten as Callie powered her car along slippery streets – at least it had stopped snowing, for now.
She tried to keep her mind on safe driving but thoughts of the last couple of days kept intruding. For one thing, what was up with Sam? Their dinner together had ended somewhat strangely, but Sam didn’t seem all that concerned about Bix’s behavior. Once she’d rejoined Callie inside the warm environs of The Elkhorn, she’d told Callie that Bix had apologized for creating a scene and had simply gone home. Sam seemed to think that was enough to smooth things over, but Callie wasn’t so sure.
And Kathy – Raine’s aunt? Where did she come from? For years, Callie had encouraged her father to meet women, to get remarried after her mother died. George had always begged off, claiming he was too busy, too involved in taking care of her and ultimately, happy with the way things were. It came as a shock to have this status quo interrupt
ed even a little bit, Callie realized, and she chided herself for being silly.
Callie put those thoughts aside to contemplate the myriad other tasks that awaited her. Because she had promised Emma that she would check on things at the inn, she’d been trying to figure out a way to snoop around without seeming to be doing so. She couldn’t very well tell Melody Cartwright, the concierge, and the rest of the staff that Emma, the owner, wanted her to check up on them.
So Callie turned to her secret weapon – food. She had wrapped up some Christmas goodies in festive holiday packaging and planned to tell the staff that she was dropping it off as a show of support for the recent tragedy they’d all suffered at work. It sounded relatively plausible to her. But would they see through it? She was fairly certain that Melody, at least, knew she was friends with the owner.
Finally, Callie saw the inn just ahead, looking like a picture postcard with its snow-covered roof, Christmas wreath on the door and silvery, snow-covered pines flanking the entrance. Callie pulled into an icy parking space and turned off the engine. Her breath frosted the air as she scooped up her Christmas treats and carefully made her way around the icy patches that led to the inn’s front door. Someone – Bix Buckman, probably – had sprinkled salt but Callie took her time. She didn’t want another fall on the hard cement like she’d had just a few months earlier, after Drew’s murder. Callie looked around nervously, but she was the only one in the parking lot.
“Here we go,” she said out loud as she strode into the warm and highly-decorated lobby of the inn, holding her wrapped food treats in front of her chest like a shield.
Soft holiday music played in the lobby and the air still held the green, wintry scent of fresh pine. To all appearances, the hotel was in full Christmas holiday operation mode, murder or no murder.
Melody Cartwright, wearing a conservative but fashionably snug red knit dress, looked up with surprise as Callie came up to the reception desk. She smiled, but Callie got the impression that it was automatic. Behind her large but surprisingly becoming glasses, the eyes that looked back at Callie seemed a bit wary. Callie had the odd thought that the glasses and the red dress made Melody look a little bit like the cliché of the “sexy librarian.”
