Corked by Cabernet

by Michele Scott

  She’d walked into his house that evening, amazed at how romantically Derek had set the mood. He’d gone all out. She couldn’t remember ever seeing it look so beautiful. Acoustic guitar played on the surround sound, candles illuminated the room, and there was even a path of rose petals. Yes, it was straight out of a romance novel, but Nikki had reveled in all of it. What she hadn’t known was what the big deal was all about. He’d told her that morning he planned to grab some steaks and they could barbeque and maybe watch a movie that night. Things had gotten serious between them, and for the past several months they’d typically spent most nights together. She even had a drawer and a portion of the closet in his room designated as her own, even though she was only up the hill at the hotel. So the minute Nikki nonchalantly opened the door to Derek’s house was the minute she knew that night was not just about barbeque.

  “Derek?” she’d called out.

  “Follow the roses.” His voice came from the bedroom. This was going to be good.

  Following the rose path didn’t lead her straight to the bedroom, though; it led to the bathroom, where he had the door closed. Outside the door on the floor were two champagne flutes and a bottle of Dom. He’d taped a note on the door. Move in with me, it read.

  Nikki had reread that note ten times in a fraction of a second, her smile growing each time.

  “Did you read it?” he’d asked.

  She could hear him in a bath.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m not good with rejection, you know, so if you’re in, then bring the champagne and get in here with me. If you’re not, go quickly so I can drown myself. But stick the champagne in here first, so it won’t be as painful.”

  She’d opened the door and picked up the bottle of champagne, walking into the bathroom. Derek had sunk under water and rose with a big smile, tossing his wet blond hair. “Thank you for saving my life.”

  “You knew I’d say yes.”

  “I was hoping, because drowning is not how I want to go out of this world. You coming in?”

  Nikki had undressed, popped the cork on the champagne, and poured them each a glass. Stepping into the warm bath, which was also topped with rose petals, she’d handed him his champagne and slid down into the water. They’d toasted and before long their glasses were empty and there was more water on the floor than in the tub.

  He’d given her the cherry blossom perfume later after they’d made love—in the bed this time—and told her that he’d never been so happy. Neither had she.

  Nikki missed him now, wondering why he hadn’t called her all day. She knew why she hadn’t called him; another murder would send him over the edge. She’d checked the weather report and knew he wasn’t getting out of New York tonight.

  After pulling on a cute pair of dark jeans and a mocha-colored silk blouse, she brushed her hair straight back and patted on enough makeup to keep her from looking like death warmed over. Then Nikki headed back into the kitchen for the finishing touches. She couldn’t believe she’d actually pulled it together.

  The food smelled incredible—cornbread, chili, and green salad. It wasn’t gourmet by any means. Just good old-fashioned cooking at its finest. She set the large dining room table for ten. Petie would probably wind up sitting on his mother’s lap. It would be an interesting evening, and Nikki wondered what everyone’s reaction would be to having Robinson join them.

  The first to show up were the Sansi family and crew. Nikki was surprised to see that Jen was with them. Sierra was all smiles.

  “Thank you for inviting us into your home. I hope you don’t mind that we brought an extra guest,” Lulu Sansi said, wearing one of her flowing skirts, the daisy sandals, and again a poet blouse. Nikki hadn’t gotten a chance to know Lulu or her and Alan’s son, Eli, at all. They were at all of the events but stood back from the crowd and allowed Alan to take the spotlight.

  “Not at all. I met Jen earlier this afternoon. Glad you could join us.” Whatever had transpired in the last couple of hours between Sierra and Jen had obviously changed everything between them, because they looked very much together and it sent some red flags up in Nikki’s mind. How juicy was this? Long-lost love that mysteriously disappeared years ago suddenly returns? Nikki was dying to get the lowdown on this one.

  But instead she played hostess, serving up the drinks and some appetizers, as Simon and Marco joined the group, all designer duded out and announcing their future plans to become parents.

  “But before we adopt”—Simon placed a hand on Alan’s shoulder—“we would really like it if you could perform a partner celebration for us. A kind of marriage, well, duh, I mean a wedding, okay. It’s so hard to know what others will think and say. But who am I kidding? It’s you and me. I’m so wound up. Sorry.”

  Marco put an arm around him. “Breathe.” He smiled at Alan and everyone laughed.

  The laughter stopped when Robinson walked through the door.

  “Oh, no,” Hayden Sansi said. “What now?”

  Nikki looked at Hayden, and Rich put a protective arm around her. “Tell us there hasn’t been another murder,” he said.

  “No, man. I’m only coming for dinner. I was invited.” Poor Robinson probably felt like the angel of death; the sight of him sent people running in fear.

  All eyes, including Robinson’s, now turned to Nikki. “Yes, and we’re waiting for one more guest. Oh, look, here she is now.”

  Saved by Alyssa and Petie. They came through the door and Alyssa gave Nikki a hug before glancing around. Seeing all of the strange faces looking at him, Petie started to cry. As much as Nikki hated to see a kid crying, she knew that if anything can break up an uncomfortable silence, it’s the universal fuss that swirls around a kid’s tears. Among the oohs and aahs and soothing words being spoken to the toddler, Nikki made her way back into the kitchen and, much to her own chagrin, slammed down a glass of wine. Wrong thing to do maybe, but she was going to have to handle the evening with finesse. She hadn’t exactly planned it out—how everyone would react to one another’s presence—but Hayden was clearly displeased that Robinson was joining them for dinner.

  Robinson came into the kitchen a minute later. “What are you up to, Sands? I doubt you’re hoping I’ll convert and join this group.”

  “Of course not.” She’d leave the matchmaking part out of it. “I thought maybe if people were in an intimate situation, you could learn more about them.”

  “Technically, I shouldn’t be here. I’m the detective on a murder case where I’ve had to question all of these people and none of them is above suspicion yet. Where’s the dog?”

  “I put him in the bedroom. With all of these people, I hate to have him running around. Trust me, he prefers it that way.”

  “I’m not liking this, Sands.”

  “Lighten up. Have a drink.” She handed him a glass of Merlot and spooned out bowls of chili. “Go set these in there for me, please. Oh, wait,” she said. “Did you find a DVD in Mizuki’s stuff?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Duh. I’m wondering if it’s the DVD I told you about. The one Iwao was trying to hand to Alan the other day. I’m thinking there might be something on there to lead to the killer.”

  “There was nothing on it, except a Japanese soap opera. My guess is that the geisha brought it to keep herself entertained.”

  “Then that’s not it.” Nikki was disappointed, but the odds that Iwao and Alan shared a mutual interest in Japanese soaps was slim to none.

  “Probably not, but we haven’t found any other DVDs,” he replied.

  “You need to keep looking,” she said.

  “You always this bossy?”

  She frowned at him and handed over a bowl. “Please. I know there’s something on that DVD. Now take these bowls out.” She took out the macaroni and cheese she’d put together for Petie and called everyone in for dinner.

  Robinson started to sit down between her and Simon but she stopped him. “Nope. I sort of have an arrangement. Do you mind sitting
over there? And then, Alyssa, how about you next to the detective? I mean Jonah. Right? We can call you Jonah since this is a social affair.” So much for casually seating the guests in their assigned seats.

  Simon leaned in and whispered, “Smooth.”

  She kicked him under the table.

  Eventually everyone was seated exactly where Nikki wanted them.

  “This is wonderful,” Alan said, tasting the chili. “And the wine. I don’t drink much wine, but I really like this.” He held up his glass of Merlot.

  “I’ll tell Derek. We only produced a few cases of it. I think we have two left. It’s one of our best wines and I thought it would be nice to serve it tonight.”

  “We appreciate it and we appreciate everything you’ve done for the group.” Alan paused. “Nikki, I wanted to let you know that after the meditation practice we did today, I decided to wrap up the event tomorrow morning and allow everyone to go home. I’ve already informed the family and I’ll let everyone else know in the morning. Many of the members aren’t getting what they hoped out of this, for obvious reasons, and would prefer to leave. Is that all right with you, Detective?”

  Nikki wasn’t surprised to hear that Alan was ending the event early; he had done his best to plow through, but with the occurrence of two murders, he couldn’t very well be expected to continue. Apparently enlightenment could take one only so far. Even Alan. Nikki had certainly done her best, though. And it seemed that she had done her best with Alyssa as well, since her friend was noticeably gazing at the handsome detective.

  Jonah nodded his head toward Alan. “That should be fine. But I’d like to be here when everyone is getting ready to go. I need to be sure I have all the information I need. If anything changes by the morning, I’ll let you know.”

  Alyssa glanced at Nikki and smiled and winked back. Nikki leaned into Simon. “I may not be smooth but I think I do a good job at matchmaking.”

  Petie started to get restless toward the end of the dinner and so everyone moved into the family room to let him run around while Nikki served strawberry tarts. Luckily for her, she had frozen a dozen of them the last time she made them, and therefore, she didn’t have to prep them today like she had the rest of the meal. From the kitchen, she could see Robinson playing on the floor with Petie and Alyssa. Alan was over by the fireplace, talking to Rich and Hayden. Jen and Sierra were outside in the backyard, and Eli and Lulu were visiting with Simon and Marco.

  Eli was different. Nikki had failed to get to know him this weekend. He never said much. Even over dinner, he almost seemed like wallpaper rather than a person sitting there. Marco was right—Eli appeared to be walking in his father’s shadow but it overshadowed him so much that he really had no apparent identity of his own. But that didn’t give him a motive to murder Iwao Yamimoto and Mizuki. Nikki mentally crossed him off her list.

  She took a good look at the rest of the Sansi family. Lulu, like Eli, kind of hung back in the shadows, but she wasn’t the wallflower her son was. She seemed to play the supporting role to her husband—the good and devoted wife and mother. Nikki could find no motive for her to want to murder anyone either.

  What about Hayden? She was practical, in control of much of her father’s business. But Nikki also could not figure Hayden into this murder business. Her arms were wrapped around Rich, who was another elusive one in this crowd of suspects. Had Rich Higgins been flying under the radar? Could he have wanted Iwao dead? Iwao had been trying to get Alan to change publishing houses. Would that make Rich angry enough to murder him? But then why kill Mizuki? No. He didn’t seem to be a likely candidate either.

  Then there were Sierra and Jen. Why had Jen left Sierra and why had he returned? Yes, because of his uncle’s murder, but was there something even more sinister there? She didn’t know. Nikki opened up the sliders to take Jen and Sierra their desserts.

  “Oh, my gosh, this is wonderful. Thank you,” Sierra said, eyeing the strawberry treat. The light had come back into her cornflower blue eyes. She’d fixed herself up for the evening and was wearing a turquoise sweater and a long denim skirt.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Thanks for having me,” Jen said. “Your home is lovely and your food is delicious.”

  “I’m pleased you could come. How are you doing with everything? With your uncle’s death and his . . .”

  “Mistress?” Jen asked. Nikki didn’t respond. “Of course Mizuki was his mistress. She had been for many years. I’m fine, I think. There are things, plans that I have to make. My auntie is incapable of that. She’s been hospitalized for years.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Nikki replied.

  “It has been hard. I love her very much. I go to visit her often.”

  “You’re living in Japan then?”

  “Yes.”

  “Not for long, though.” Sierra held out her hand and showed off a beautiful antique-looking ring. There was an emerald diamond in the middle of the sterling setting, surrounded by small emeralds. “This had been his mother’s ring.” She looked up at Jen and smiled.

  He put an arm around her, kissing her on the cheek. “We’ve missed so much time together,” he said.

  Nikki cleared her throat. “Not to pry . . .” Yeah, right. “But I’m curious. Sierra told me about your breakup while in Hawaii a couple of years ago. I know it’s not my business, but why? What happened?”

  Jen and Sierra looked at each other. “My uncle. That’s why. He said if I married Sierra, he would no longer pay for my auntie’s care. I couldn’t afford it and I could not put that on Sierra’s family. I left her and I’ve hated myself for it. But my uncle controlled everything in my life and in the lives of those around him. I’m sad he’s gone, but now I won’t be controlled by him any longer.”

  “Why would he do that? Want to keep you two apart?” Nikki asked.

  “Control. And for this.” He held out Sierra’s hand. “The ring. It has been in my family for over two hundred years and my uncle is a traditionalist. Or he was, anyway. He did not want me to give this to a white woman. He had an arranged marriage already planned for me, and the woman I was supposed to marry already had the ring. When the police called and told me what had happened, I went to her and she gave it back. I think she may have been as relieved as I was. I know there’s another man she’s in love with and now she’s free to be with him. And”—he beamed at Sierra—“I’m free to be with the woman I love.”

  Sounded like a decent motive right there. “Do they still have arranged marriages in Japan?” Nikki asked.

  “Some. Old families. Old money. A lot of tradition,” he replied.

  “Sounds to me as if your uncle was a complicated man.”

  Jen smiled. “To say the least.”

  “We are together now and that’s what counts. I hope they find this killer and we can put everything behind us and move on with our lives,” Sierra said.

  “Me, too,” Nikki replied. “I better get back inside and see if anyone else needs anything. Do you?”

  They didn’t. Nikki closed the sliders behind her, full of questions about Jen and Sierra.

  Her mind was racing with these questions, along with questions about Kurt Kensington. His strange behavior and what she’d learned about him on his application still made him look like the number one suspect in her book. She wished she could get Robinson to see eye to eye with her on that. There was also this Gonzales-Pearlman angle, and she knew that Robinson felt the answers were snarled up in that web.

  She shook her head. Wherever the answers lay as to who had committed the murders, they weren’t going to be found tonight.

  Dessert went over as well as dinner, and before long everyone was getting ready to leave. Everyone except for Alyssa and Robinson. Petie had fallen asleep with his head in his mother’s lap on the couch.

  Nikki said good night to the guests who were leaving. Marco kissed her on the cheeks as usual. “Beautiful, Bellissima. Lovely party. Thank you.” She kissed him back.

>   Simon wrapped an arm around her and leaned a head on her shoulder. He glanced at Alyssa and Robinson. “You are good. I’m impressed, Snow White.”

  Nikki didn’t bother the couple, who continued to talk while she did most of the dishes. It was after ten when they told her good night and Robinson carried Petie out to the car for her.

  Alyssa walked ahead with Petie’s bag. Robinson thanked her.

  “Learn anything?” she asked.

  “Not a damn thing about the investigation.” He smiled. “But I did discover you sure can cook. I had a great time, Nikki.”

  She closed the door behind Robinson. She wanted to tell him what she’d discovered about Kensington, her thoughts on Jen and Sierra, and give him the note. But at that moment, after seeing him with Alyssa and Petie, she decided to wait until the morning. Maybe tonight she hadn’t been able to tie this mystery together, but at least she was making people happy.

  Partygoer Chili with Hahn Estate Merlot

  Nikki has herself in one spicy mess, but at least she’s good at mixing things up. Way to go on the matchmaker front. If you have to put together a shindig for a group of your family and friends, or else enlightened dysfunctionals (who could also be family and friends), then fix a pot of chili and uncork this simple, soft Merlot by Hahn Estate, with fruit flavors of black cherry and raspberry that are the perfect pairing with this chili.

  SPICE MIX A

  1 tbsp onion powder

  1 tbsp ground cumin

  1 tsp garlic salt

  3 tbsp chili powder

  1/2 tsp salt

  1/2 tsp pepper

  SPICE MIX B

  3 tbsp chili powder