Ripe for Murder Read online

  Vance knocked Bill’s hand off his shoulder and pushed past him. Bill stood and watched him, twisting his cap in his hands, before he turned and walked across the street.

  “I wonder what that was about. Bill seems really upset.”

  “Well, Penny, he did just have someone murdered on his train.”

  “Look, he’s going into that office.” I studied the sign above the door. “I wonder what type of attorneys Gilbert and Ryan are.”

  “We can look online.”

  “There’s an easier way.” I stood.

  “What are you going to do, just walk in?”

  “Why not?”

  “What are you going to say?”

  “Not a clue. I’m hoping something comes to me between now and the front door.”

  When I entered the lobby, Bill was still there.

  He stopped pacing, a look of surprise on his face. “Penny, I didn’t expect to see you. I mean, this is my attorney’s office. What are you doing here?”

  Really good question. “Actually, um, this attorney was recommended by, ah, I forget who Antonia got the recommendation from. Anyway, it sounded like a good idea to have an attorney review any contracts you might have for us to sign. I mean, if we decide to invest.”

  “Why wouldn’t you use someone down in Cypress Cove? Someone you know?”

  Right. Why wouldn’t I? “Well, I thought someone local, someone who maybe knew the history of the train up here, and how things have gone subsequently, might also have a useful perspective. But enough about me. Are you okay?”

  “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”

  I took in the fine sheen of perspiration and the cap mangled in his hands. He followed my gaze and loosened his grip, slapping the cap on his thigh.

  “I know this weekend hasn’t been what you wanted for us,” I said.

  “Events certainly took the luster off your trip. In spite of the way things have turned out, I hope you can see how entertaining the train is for the guests and how lucrative for the investors. Just keep an open mind on investing is all I’m asking.”

  Hard to imagine how. The train was late, half-full, and included a dead body. It was a total disaster as far as I could tell. On the other hand, Tara’s death had nothing to do with the train line, and maybe the lack of passengers and late arrival really were just a fluke.

  “I promise to give it due thought before we make any decision on investing. In the meantime, won’t Tara’s death negatively impact your business? I mean, what about your insurance?”

  Bill’s shoulders relaxed. “Actually, that’s a spot of good news. My insurance won’t be going up. As bad as it was, Tara’s murder doesn’t have anything to do with the train. We weren’t technically responsible, like we would have been with a collision or an accident, that type of thing.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.” I moved closer. “Did your attorney just give you the good news?”

  “No, I haven’t seen him yet.” A furrow gathered on his brow and he went back to twisting the cap. “It’s not easy to keep things running smoothly. If I were just able to concentrate on the trains, I’d be okay. As it is, the paperwork and dealing with investors takes up most of my time. I mean, I’ve got people trying to pull money out that I’ve already spent.”

  I understood the argument on the street. “It wouldn’t be Vance, would it?”

  Bill stepped back. “How did you know that?”

  “Well, it just stands to reason. I know Tara was an enthusiastic investor, and Vance felt she was spending all of his father’s money—all of his inheritance, really. It makes sense that Vance would see if there was any way to pull out of the deal.”

  Bill relaxed a bit. “It’s him all right. He’s threatening to have a lawyer see if the contract can be broken. I don’t think he has the authority to do anything, but the last thing I need is to spend money on attorneys for something like this.”

  “Was the contract in Tara’s name?”

  Bill nodded. “I’m sure her husband gave her the money, but she’s the one who signed it.”

  “Well, then, I can’t imagine what Vance thinks he can do. I’m sure the contract is binding.”

  Bill nodded. “Airtight.”

  “Then I guess Vance will just have to live with it.” I turned to go. “I’ll leave you to it then.”

  “Didn’t you want to see an attorney?”

  Right. “Actually, now that I know this is your attorney, I should look for someone else. More of a neutral third party.” I gave him a small wave and closed the door, scooting back across the street to where Antonia waited.

  “The soufflé was delicious. It was going to fall, and I knew you wouldn’t mind.”

  I flagged down the waiter, ordered another soufflé, munched on a crab fritter and summarized my conversation with Bill.

  “I suppose Bill’s right,” Antonia said. “It isn’t the train line’s fault someone picked that location to murder Tara. The wineries seem to love the increase in visitors, and it does keep people from drinking and driving. Interesting that Vance is trying to get out of the deal. I wonder if his father knows.” She reached into her purse and pulled out a notebook. “Let’s make some notes.”

  “Good idea. First there’s Vance, especially after what I just learned. He has the best motive, namely trying to protect his inheritance. Big Dave also needs to be on the list.”

  “He seemed so fond of her,” Antonia said.

  “He was, but Tara liked to have fun and Seth is positive she wouldn’t have signed a prenup. Big Dave could have lost half of everything he’s built over the years if she decided to run off. The spouse is always at the top of the list.”

  Antonia wrote his name. “Got it. Who else?”

  “Speaking of Seth, he certainly needs to be included. He and Tara have history, and he didn’t like it one bit when he felt she was leading him on the other day. He could have gone looking for more. If she scorned him again, there’s no telling what he’d do.”

  Antonia nodded. “And then there’s his long-suffering wife. She might have killed Tara out of pure jealousy, especially if she caught the two of them together. She made it clear she wasn’t going to put up with it.” Antonia continued to write. “I can’t believe that chief of police hasn’t looked at these people more closely. Any one of these reasons is better than that silly fight Chantal had with Tara.”

  “The problem is where Chantal was found unconscious,” I said. “If she hadn’t gone back to the caboose, if someone hadn’t slipped her that note, or if she’d only realized the note wasn’t from Connor, she wouldn’t be in this fix.”

  “Lots of what-ifs.” Antonia held up the list. “Vance, Big Dave, Seth and Barb. What about that couple from Chicago, Jim and Kim?”

  “Well, Kim was with me, so she’s in the clear. Jim went to the back to get Kim her sweater right about when it happened, but he didn’t say two words to Tara the entire time before she died. It doesn’t make any sense. The same with Bill. He was in the back, but Tara was a big investor. The last thing he needed was to have this happen on his train, especially to one of his biggest supporters.”

  “So Bill was better off with Tara alive than dead, and Jim didn’t know her. That leaves the four: Vance, Big Dave, Seth and Barb.” Antonia tapped the pen against the list. “I left Chantal alone this morning. She finally fell asleep around four, and I didn’t wake her, but I think it’s time we spoke.”

  “She slept in your room last night?”

  “I slept in hers.” Antonia caught my eye. “As difficult as she can be, she’s still my little girl.”

  * * *

  “I can’t remember anything else,” Chantal wailed. “Don’t you think I would tell you if I did?”

  We’d arrived back and found Connor and Chantal in the center courtyard. Connor was taking long laps in the spring-fed pool, the h
eat rising off the surface in soft curls of mist. Chantal wore a one-piece red suit with a matching skirt of some type of see-through netting. The bodice was a series of folds, as if she needed something to draw attention to her chest. George, the butler, was staring out the back window, and I shook my finger at him. He blushed and vanished, but he wasn’t the only one. Every man who came by found a reason to pause.

  “Chantal, you’ve got to think.” Antonia stamped her cane.

  An oxymoron if ever I’d heard one. I kept a straight face, but that didn’t stop Antonia from shooting me a look.

  “Helpful comments only, please,” Antonia admonished. She’s always known what I’m thinking. It can be a little scary at times.

  I sighed. “You aren’t speaking her language.”

  “Well, then, you try.”

  I pulled my seat up to Chantal. “Okay. Let’s break this down. Do you remember where Connor was?”

  “Of course. He’d just walked me back a couple of minutes before. Right after that I found the note saying to meet him”—she snuck a quick glance at the pool—“I mean, whoever wrote it, in the caboose.”

  Antonia huffed. “Why are you asking her about Connor? We know he didn’t kill Tara.”

  “I’m starting with the easy ones. Okay, Chantal, now what about Big Dave?”

  Chantal nodded. “Sure, he was sitting in the front when I got up to go to the caboose. Trying to talk to Vance.”

  “What about Seth?”

  “He came in a few minutes before I went to the back. He did a quick check for dirty glasses.”

  “Did he leave before you went into the caboose?”

  “No, he was still there.” Chantal chewed her lip. “I guess I remember more than I thought.”

  She was remembering exactly what I thought she’d remember: the location of every man in the room. She was like a man radar.

  “Where was Tara?”

  “I think she was near the back too, but I really don’t remember.”

  Shocking. “So, what happened next?”

  “Exactly what I told the police. I got a note telling me to meet, um, whoever in the caboose. I went, but nobody was there. There were chairs stacked in the back, so I took one down and waited.”

  “Did somebody come in while you were there waiting?”

  “They must have. Honestly, Penny, I didn’t knock myself out. Some detective.”

  I rubbed my eyes. “Maybe something fell, hit you and knocked you out when the brake was pulled.”

  Chantal tapped a red-tipped finger against her chin. “That didn’t happen, though. I remember waking up with my cheek on the floor and then, a few moments later, hearing the brakes squeal and the train shuddering and stopping.”

  “Think very carefully, Chantal. Who came in while you sat there waiting?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve been trying but it’s no use. I was facing out the rear of the train, with my back to the door.”

  Chantal grabbed my hand and there was panic in her voice. “You believe me, don’t you? Someone came in and hit me. I didn’t have anything to do with Tara’s murder.”

  I nodded. “I know you didn’t. Someone planned this, though. Someone planned to get you back there. It’s lucky you were only knocked out, but I’m guessing you weren’t in danger of being murdered. You had to be found alive to take the role of prime suspect.”

  Chantal grew a shade paler, and Antonia’s hand trembled slightly on the cane.

  “Don’t scare her unnecessarily, Penny. Chantal cast as the killer could have been a spur-of-the-moment decision on the murderer’s part.”

  I shook my head. “If that’s the case and Chantal’s being there wasn’t connected to Tara’s murder, the note would still have been on her.”

  I turned back to Chantal. “Someone went through your pockets while you were unconscious. Without that note, it’s just your word that it ever existed.”

  Thirteen

  “THERE was a note. There was a note!” She stood and, for the first time, didn’t seem to notice the appreciative glances she received. “I’m telling you there was a note!”

  Her voice carried across the garden and Connor swam to the pool’s edge.

  “Of course there was a note,” I said. “Nobody is questioning that. Otherwise there wouldn’t have been any reason for you to be in the caboose.”

  “Okay. I’m glad you believe me.” She shivered. “It’s getting cold and I want to change out of this wet suit.” She glanced at Connor. “See you later.” She walked through the lobby, every man in sight watching as she disappeared down the hall.

  “Thank you for reassuring her,” Antonia said.

  “I believe her about the note,” I said. “It’s another matter whether the police do.”

  “Yes, well, thank you nonetheless.” She stood. “I think I’ll be going in as well. Maybe I can find something to read in the library.” She walked slowly, and for the first time her ramrod posture was missing, the worry heavy on her shoulders.

  “I need a break from all of this. Want to grab a bite?” I asked Connor as he dried off and pulled a T-shirt over his head.

  “I already promised Chantal I’d go for a trail run with her.”

  “Tonight? In the dark?” My voice sounded high and squeaky, each word dripping accusation. Very attractive. “I just mean,” I dropped the pitch, “I’m surprised Chantal is up for it.”

  “A good workout is the best thing for reducing stress. At least I think so, and I know Chantal does too.”

  I knew exactly what kind of good workout Chantal would like to engage in with Connor. She might be accused of murder any time now, but she had her priorities, after all.

  “So that’s what she meant when she said she’d see you later. She meant literally for this moonlight-run thing. Well, you need to eat afterward.”

  “We plan on going right through town. We’ll pick up something there.”

  “Of course. How nice.” The words came out so hard I almost chipped a tooth. I sighed. “Look, you know I have history with Chantal. She stole my high school boyfriend just because she could and didn’t look back. She brings out the worst in me and every other woman that meets her. I know in my heart she isn’t capable of murder, and I’ll help her, but she isn’t the easiest person for me to be around sometimes.”

  Connor rolled his eyes. “Really? Your high school boyfriend? That’s all childhood stuff. A long time ago. She’s actually not a bad person.”

  “I realize that.” I fought to keep my voice calm. “She isn’t evil. She’s just, uh, a pain.” I threw up my hands. “The way she puffs up, swells or melts when a man is anywhere in the room.”

  “I’m curious, Penny, if you’ve asked yourself why it bothers you, my spending time with Chantal.”

  Was it that obvious it bothered me? “It doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t bother me in the least. I just know she chews up guys and spits them out.”

  “Your lack of confidence in my ability to navigate the dating world is remarkable. How I’ve managed to survive all these years without your advice is amazing.” He stood.

  “Well, since my spending time with Chantal doesn’t bother you, I need to go get ready for my run.”

  He draped his towel around his neck and cut across the lawn to his room. After the door slid shut behind him, I stood and stomped into the library. Antonia watched as I paced around the room, running my fingers across the leather bindings.

  “All classics. Why don’t you find one and settle in?” Antonia said.

  “I can’t. Doesn’t it bother you that Chantal isn’t taking this more seriously? She could be arrested for murder and she’s out running around.” Boy, I bet that’s been said a few times. “In this case, I mean she really is out running. Around. With Connor. You would think she’d be more concerned.”

  Antonia turned
a page. “I don’t think her getting a little exercise means she isn’t taking it seriously. She might as well get some fresh air. I mean, what else can she do?”

  “For one thing, she could help us figure out what happened.” What was I saying? Chantal would only be in the way. But still. “I’m just not sure why she gets to go for a moonlight run, and I’m stuck thinking about how to get her off a possible murder charge.”

  Antonia snorted. “Like you’ve ever in your life wanted to go for a run, at night or any other time. No, I don’t think you’re bothered by the run. I think you’re bothered by the company she has during this run.”

  “Connor can run with whoever he wants. It’s of no consequence to me, and I’m not bothered in the least.”

  Antonia raised her brow. “Yes, I can tell by the way you’re circling the room.”

  The door opened and Kim stepped into the library. She shut the door with a good swing before she turned and spotted us. “Oh, I didn’t know anyone was here. Can I join you?”

  “Of course,” Antonia said. “How are you holding up?”

  “This hasn’t been the trip we had in mind, any of us, but there are worse places to be stuck and, considering what happened to that poor girl, I don’t suppose I should complain.” Kim crossed her arms. “Jim still wants to continue with the investment. He says her death doesn’t have anything to do with the train, so why should it change our decision to invest? I honestly don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m here now. He brought it up again, and I didn’t want to listen anymore.”

  “It looks like the police think it was murder, which lets Bill and the train line off the hook,” I said.

  “I wonder how much longer they’ll keep us here,” Kim said.

  “Perhaps another day or two,” I said.

  “I hope it isn’t longer than that. Jim needs to get back to Chicago for work. You’d think since he deals with trains all day it’d be the last thing he’d want to invest in.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about that,” I said. “Part of this investment is knowing the wine business and if tourists will like the venue. The other part is whether the trains and infrastructure are working. Jim would know that better than any of us.”