Ripe for Murder Read online

  Antonia stood and pushed the last few truffles out of my reach. “It seems to me Barb might be more willing to talk now. Bad enough the way Seth treats her. Surely if we stress to her he might be guilty of murder, she’ll finally see how misplaced her devotion to him is.”

  I nabbed one final nugget of melty goodness and popped it into my mouth. “Kahlua. Tasty.”

  “That’s enough.” Antonia stamped her cane.

  “Okay, fine. Barb said she works at one of the restaurants right here in the center of town. There’s only a couple. Let’s give it a try.”

  Within minutes of being back outside, Antonia nudged me in the ribs. “There she is.”

  “Where?” Dusk had settled in while I was busy eating chocolate.

  “There, across the street.” Barb stood yards away on the patio of the nicest restaurant in town.

  I grabbed Antonia’s arm when she moved to wave. “I’m not hungry after all that chocolate, but you said you wanted to grab a bite. Let’s wait and see if there’s some way we can talk to her alone.”

  We left Barb still on the front patio and scooted down a side walkway to the rear of the restaurant. There, a second entrance led into the main dining room. We entered and grabbed the first table we found.

  Moments later, there was a waiter at my shoulder. He peered at us beneath lowered lids, lips pursed together. “I really must ask you to check in with the maître d’.”

  “Where’d you come from?” I said. “Honestly, were you waiting under the table?”

  He wasn’t amused or distracted. “All guests must first check in with the maître d’.”

  “Okay, then.” I started to stand, but Antonia held out her hand and I sat back down.

  There was a look in her eyes that I remembered as a teen. Watching her now, I didn’t think we’d be moving. The silver cloud of her hair positively glowed in the candlelight. Sitting tall, she proceeded to show the waiter what a good lip pursing really looked like.

  “What utter nonsense. Young man, there are only two other tables occupied in this entire room. If the maître d’ needs busywork, he is more than welcome to come and introduce himself to me, but I for one will not be going to him.”

  The waiter’s eyes were now open wide, as was his mouth. With a short nod, he disappeared.

  When he’d gone I leaned closer. “You were a little hard on him.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. If they were at all busy, I would have happily checked in. But busy rules are just silly rules, and at my age I can’t be bothered. Besides, if we’d gone up front to check in, Barb would have seen us and taken pains to avoid us. This way she doesn’t even know we’re here.”

  Antonia proved correct when, a few moments later, Barb walked across the room, failing to recognize us until she stopped at our table. When she took a good look, she paled and clutched the round tray to her chest like a shield.

  “Hi, Barb, got a moment?” I asked.

  “Only to take your drink orders. I’m really busy tonight.” She glanced around the nearly empty room. “There are a lot of people on the front patio that need to be served too. What can I get you?”

  “Just a couple of minutes. It’s important,” I said.

  She clicked the pen in her hand in rapid succession, eyes darting between us. “Okay, what do you want?”

  “Well, for starters, did you find Seth yesterday when you were looking for him at the hotel?”

  “I’m not going to talk about that. If he was or wasn’t there, it isn’t something I need to rehash with you. I’m sorry I said anything to you at all. It’s none of your business, if you want to know the truth.”

  “I’m not asking to snoop. It’s important.”

  “I’m not sure why my marital problems, if I have any, could be important to you.” She stepped back. “If that’s all you wanted to ask me—”

  “He had a reason to kill Kim.”

  Barb paled and dropped her pen. She ignored it. “What? What are you talking about?”

  “I’m sorry, my dear,” Antonia gestured. “You look like you need to sit down.”

  Barb shook her head. “I can’t. I’m working.” Her voice cracked. “Just tell me what you’re talking about. Seth didn’t know Kim. He didn’t know her!”

  “He didn’t have to. All he needed to know was that she got him fired,” I said.

  “Fired? What do you mean, fired?” She took two steps back and collapsed into a dining chair. “He didn’t say anything. I think I’m going to be sick.”

  “We need to stop,” Antonia said. “She’s had enough.”

  “No!” Barb gripped the edge of the table. “Just give me a sec.” After a few deep breaths, she stood. “All right. Tell me.”

  “I’m sorry—”

  Barb raised her hand. “Spare me the sympathy, Penny, and just tell me.”

  “Go ahead and tell her,” Antonia said.

  I took a breath. “Two days ago after lunch, Seth grabbed you—”

  “He didn’t!”

  “Yes, he did, and you know it. So did Kim. She saw it, she didn’t like it and she went to Bill yesterday and complained. He fired Seth on the spot.”

  “Oh, please, no. He got fired again and didn’t tell me.” She trembled.

  “That’s not the worst of this, Barb,” I said. “Think about it. After that he had a reason to kill Kim.”

  “No! He has an alibi.” Barb wouldn’t look at me. “He was with, with someone, and you know it. I told you yesterday.”

  “You told me where you thought he was, but if the police don’t find the girl he was with, he’ll certainly be questioned for Kim’s death. If you know something and don’t tell them, you’ll be in trouble too.”

  “I don’t know anything! I only suspect he was with someone. That’s what he usually . . .”

  Barb stopped and her face crumbled. Slowly she bent over and picked up her pen. “If the police want to ask me something, let them.”

  “Don’t you want to go to them first? Don’t you want to be free of him once and for all?” I shook my head. “This is your chance, Barb. Take it.”

  She turned the page on her pad. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now tell me, can I get you anything to drink?”

  After taking our order for a bottle of Berninni Chardonnay, Barb avoided coming anywhere near our table.

  “She can’t go on like this for much longer,” I said.

  “None of us can.” Antonia shook her head. “I think the end of this is going to come quickly now. After what happened to you on the trail and at the winery, and then poor Kim . . . I know you were hoping to help Chantal, and I appreciate that, believe me I do, but now I almost wish you hadn’t gotten involved.”

  “I thought by now we’d know something,” I said. “I understand why the police want us to remain in town, but they didn’t think any of us were in danger. They thought it was Chantal.”

  “Until Kim was murdered. At least they don’t believe Chantal was responsible for that.”

  “Exactly,” I said. “But what is the killer thinking?”

  “That he’s running out of time.”

  “I agree. He must be starting to panic. Hopefully it will lead to a mistake. Either way, you know I can’t stop now. Even if I wanted to. I find out who it is—”

  Antonia steepled her fingers. “Or they try and kill you. Again.”

  I took a swig of wine. “Dinner’s on you.”

  “At least you’re keeping your sense of humor. Now, what sounds good?” Antonia eyed the menu.

  “I just had a pile of chocolate. Honestly, I’m not very hungry.”

  “Nonsense. You need some nourishment, something besides alcohol-injected confectionary.”

  “Fine. A salad.”

  “Have the chicken.”

  “Fine, I’ll hav
e the chicken.”

  The waiter came and took our orders. A different waiter than before. This one eyed Antonia warily and kept his distance. We ate in relative silence and had just finished when Seth walked into the dining room. The people at the two other tables had gone, and we were now alone. He spotted us and strode over to our table.

  “I suppose you’re going to have after-dinner drinks now. Congratulate yourselves.” His eyes looked glassy, and he smelled like he’d had a few.

  “For what?” I asked.

  He leaned in. “For spilling the beans and letting my wife know I was fired.”

  “Of course, we assumed she knew. She’s your wife.” Antonia lifted her brow. “How did you find out we mentioned it, anyway?”

  “She called me, told me you were both here shooting off your mouths. Wrong move. It’s none of your business.”

  “You’ve really got quite the temper, haven’t you?” I said. “Look at you. You don’t have any control over yourself at all. It isn’t hard to believe you killed Kim. I’m sure you blame her for your getting fired. Guys like you never take responsibility for your troubles. No, it’s always someone else’s fault.”

  “You know, that’s twice now you’ve pushed your luck with me. Take a tip from the old lady here, and shut your mouth.”

  “Old lady? Old lady?” Antonia stiffened her spine, and anger snapped in her eyes. “You’re addressing me? Answer her question! Were you angry on the train too? Angry with Tara, angry at seeing her with someone else? I mean, how could she reject your advances? I’m sure you consider yourself quite the catch.”

  I thought we’d gone too far.

  With both hands he gripped the edges of the table, holding it so tight his knuckles strained.

  Barb came up behind him and grabbed him by the arm. “Seth, stop. I’ll get fired too if you make a scene, and then we’ll really be in trouble.”

  Slowly the color came back to his face and his eyes focused on me. “I’ll go now. I don’t want to interrupt my wife at her place of work.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and she flinched. “You think you know everything. I’m not sure you have any business giving other people advice, especially when you can’t even see what’s going on right under your nose.”

  “Sorry.” I shrugged. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “I think if you go out through the front door all your questions will be answered, including what Connor and Chantal are up to this evening.”

  Twenty-five

  CONNOR and Chantal having dinner together for the second night in a row didn’t thrill me, but I wasn’t about to let Seth know it.

  “Good. They decided to grab a bite.” I forced a smile. “Chantal’s been so upset and we were unavailable to take her anywhere. Connor’s been such a trouper.”

  Seth’s smile faltered. “He looks pretty cozy for someone who’s just being a Boy Scout. Anyway, she doesn’t look very upset. She’s all over him.”

  “Connor and Chantal? An item? Oh, please.” I forced a light laugh. “They grew up together. We all did. Don’t be silly.”

  Seth turned, pushed Barb aside, and left through the back door.

  Barb trembled slightly and I stood, grabbing her as she dropped into a chair.

  “My dear,” Antonia said, “we will be happy to go with you to the police station. I, for one, intend to inform them that he behaved in a threatening manner toward us just now.”

  Barb paled. “Oh, please don’t. My boss will find out. He’s told me before he doesn’t want Seth in here. I’ll be fired for sure.”

  “He might have killed two women, Barb,” I said. “You must realize that.”

  “But what would I tell them? I don’t know anything about how Tara or Kim died,” Barb whispered, “and I’ll never think Seth capable of murder. Never. He has a temper, I know”—she looked at her nails, raw and bitten down to nothing—“but he couldn’t have done those things. He just couldn’t.” She stood. “And if the police ask me, that’s exactly what I’m going to tell them.” She turned and walked into the kitchen.

  “Well, we tried,” Antonia said. “At some point the police will talk to both of them. They’ll have to, now that they know Seth had a motive for wanting Kim dead. At that point, surely they’ll reconsider Seth for Tara’s murder as well.” Antonia stood. “Chantal will be cleared and then we can go home.”

  “Right. Chantal. Thanks for reminding me.” I pushed back from the table. “I say we leave by the front door. See how Connor and Chantal are making out.” I bit my lip. “Not making out. That isn’t what I meant.”

  Antonia raised a brow. “Maybe you did. Maybe it’s a sign you’ve finally decided to let your feelings for Connor out.”

  “And maybe you want to go back out the way we came in.” I stood and started across the room.

  She practically leapt across the room and was next to me in a flash. “Ha! Try and get rid of me.”

  The patio glowed from candles and moonlight. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, but I finally spotted them at a corner table. Actually, I spotted Chantal, wearing a top in a red shimmery fabric that hugged the way no fabric should. She leaned in, resting both elbows and most of her chest on the edge of a table much too tiny, while Connor perused the wine menu.

  “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise.” I pushed my way past the few tables between us. “What a coincidence.” I bit my lip in an effort to stop talking. It didn’t work. “So many good restaurants in town to pick from, and yet here you are at this one.”

  I grabbed a chair from the people at the table next to them. “Are you using this? No? Terrific!” I swung it around and took a seat. “So, what are you doing? I mean, of course, I know what you’re doing. You’re eating and drinking. I just mean how did you end up here?”

  Connor stood and offered Antonia his seat. “I looked for you earlier, but I must have just missed you two. I was hungry and wanted to get out of the hotel for a while. Chantal decided to come too. We were just about to order.”

  “And there really isn’t enough room at this table for all of us,” Chantal said.

  “Well, there would be if you removed your—”

  “Penny, that’s enough,” Antonia cut me off.

  “Elbows! I was going to say elbows.”

  “Penelope and I just ate,” Antonia said. Penelope. I was being reprimanded, but I wasn’t finished.

  “I think a cappuccino would be terrific,” I said.

  “I agree, and we’ll get a couple of those at that cute little bar over there.” Antonia pointed across the street, stood, and pulled at my arm. “Join us if you like after your meal.”

  I had little choice but to follow, getting the signature wave from Chantal. We crossed the street in silence and entered the bar, a red-leather, dark-mahogany sort of place, probably once a local hangout for the regulars that none of the regulars could now afford.

  After we had been seated, Antonia turned to me. “What on earth is wrong with you? You sounded like a loon. Are you trying to get a date or get committed?”

  “I know!” I smacked my forehead. “Do you think I can’t hear myself? I don’t know what happens. I haven’t had a lot of experience dating. I was never settled in one place long enough. I get nervous and then I start blabbering. Chantal always makes it worse. I’m a mess.”

  Antonia let me stew for a moment, then patted my hand. “Yes, well, it wasn’t that bad. Maybe he didn’t notice, or he finds it endearing.”

  “Sure, that’s what I was going for. Endearing.”

  “Do you really want a cappuccino?” Antonia asked.

  “No! I’m stuffed with chocolate and chicken. I can’t breathe.”

  “Well, I have no idea what we’re doing here then. Before they ask us what we want, let’s leave.” She stood to go.

  “Or we can join him.” Olympio Berninn
i sat in the corner with several friends.

  He saw my glance and stood the moment he spotted Antonia. He hurried across the bar.

  “My dears, my dears, I am so glad to run into you this way.” He beamed at us. “The two brightest stars have fallen from the sky.”

  “Oh, please.” Antonia shooed him with her palm, but her eyes were shining and her cheeks flushed a pretty pink. “I suppose you can join us if you wish.”

  “I’d like that. I’d like that very much indeed.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Let me tell my friends my change of plans. I will return.”

  He hurried back to his friends and in less than a minute rejoined us.

  “That was pretty fast,” I said. “I guess they didn’t mind.”

  “On the contrary. They’re jealous I’m able to spend time with such lovely companions. May I?” He pulled out a chair at Antonia’s nod. “So tell me, are you enjoying yourselves in our beautiful little town?”

  “Yes, yes, St. Katrina is lovely,” Antonia said. “I’m enjoying the visit, as much as can be expected under the circumstances. However, you should come to Monterey and Cypress Cove sometime. Especially Cypress Cove. If you ever want to see a town overflowing with charm, that’s it.”

  “Okay, you two, let’s not have a competition over which town is cuter. Antonia is right”—I stopped at Olympio’s mournful gaze—“not about the town being cuter . . . Now, Antonia, don’t you start. I simply meant that I agree with Antonia in that we can enjoy the visit only so much considering the murders and the cloud of suspicion over Chantal.” I rubbed my eyes. “And what just happened at dinner with Barb and Seth didn’t help any.”

  Olympio drew his chair closer. “What has he done now?”

  I recapped the scene with Seth as Olympio listened, silently shaking his head. “Barb’s in complete denial about it,” I said when I finished. “She’s clearly afraid of him but refuses to denounce him for what he is: a bully and possibly much worse.”

  “I don’t know what else I can do,” Olympio said. “Her father was the most faithful employee I will ever have. Barb was such a sweet child. It breaks my heart.”