Weddings & Wine Cake_A Culinary Cozy Mystery Read online

  “Oh, Mom!” Despite herself, Rachel flung her arms around her mother’s shoulders and hugged her tight. Lily just stiffened up, not returning the hug.

  “You must have been scared,” Scott said sympathetically.

  “My first reaction was to scream,” Lily said. “It felt like I couldn’t stop screaming. But my brain was also working at double its usual speed. I knew the killer had to be close by. I thought my life was in danger. So, I grabbed the gun — it was next to Leon — and I ran back into the bathroom and locked myself in.”

  “You didn’t see anyone?” Scott asked. “Didn’t notice anything else?”

  “I thought I heard someone running away, but… I can’t be sure how much is imagination,” Lily considered. She was slowly coming back down to earth, beginning to control her emotions. The scared shell-of-a-woman they had seen before was now more alert, her eyes narrowing as they calculated the possibilities. “I’m in deep trouble, aren’t I? This story isn’t going to hold much water with the police.”

  “You need a lawyer,” Scott agreed. “A really good one, if you know any.”

  “She’s a lawyer herself, Scott,” Rachel said quietly. “Corporate law, not criminal, but… really good at it.”

  Lily nodded.

  “Better make some calls, then,” Scott suggested. “I assume you won’t represent yourself so, the faster your lawyer gets out here, the better.”

  “What were you even thinking, mom?” Rachel asked. “It’s been years since you and Dad broke up. Why would you ever come down here?”

  “More importantly, what was Leon thinking?” Scott asked. “You cut yourself off, earlier. What did Leon tell you in the cottage, Lily?”

  “I…nothing. Nothing important, honestly.” Lily had a spot of color on each of her cheeks.

  “Mom...” There was a warning in Rachel’s voice. “You have to be honest with us. This is no time to play games. What was it Leon said?”

  Lily sighed and bowed her head. Then, looking away from Rachel as though she couldn’t bear the embarrassment, she admitted, “He was propositioning me…and I…was…considering whether to accept.”

  “Oh...” Rachel felt her ears burn. “I...”

  “I’m a grown woman, Rachel. And I’m single. So don’t lecture me, please,” Lily said. “I really couldn’t bear it right now.”

  “That was wrong, Mama.” Rachel said. “You know it was. Leon is married. And he’s Dad’s partner. How could you even think about it? Especially right before Dad’s wedding? All you wanted to do was ruin the wedding, right? You and Leon together — that’d definitely throw Dad for a loop.”

  “It wasn’t like that...” Lily protested.

  “Of course, it was!” Rachel said, feeling suddenly angry. “It’s not enough that you broke Dad’s heart years ago? Now you came to spoil what should be one of the happiest days of his life! I can’t believe you!”

  “I nearly saw a man killed, Rachel. Just give me a break right now, why don’t you?” Lily snapped. “You’re taking your dad’s side, like you always do!”

  “I’m not taking sides, I’m—”

  Scott draped a hand around Rachel and she forced herself to be quiet. As much as she hated to admit it, her mother had a point. Right now was not the time to get into this. She could hear sirens as a boat with flashing blue and red lights approached the island. Everything else could wait, for now. The police had arrived.

  *****

  Chapter 9

  Death & Consequences

  It was 4am before they were finally free again. The police’s arrival had woken everyone on the island. Scott introduced himself and was soon friendly with the KWPD, although he was careful not to interfere with their investigation.

  “They’re taking her in for questioning,” Scott explained, his face grim, as the policemen left on a powerboat with Rachel’s mother in it. “No arrests yet. Her story’s held up well. We can go see her in the morning.”

  “Do you think they believe her?” Rachel asked. Hesitating, she added, “Do you believe her?”

  Looking down, Scott smiled at her through tired eyes. “I don’t know. I’m sorry, Rachel. It’s a tough situation.”

  “Did they find anything? A clue of some sort?”

  “Nothing.” Scott sighed. “The cottage had fingerprints all over it — Denise’s, Mason’s, your father’s, even Tony’s. Same for footprints. The gun, however, only had your mother’s prints on it.”

  “The killer must have worn gloves, then!” Rachel exclaimed.

  “That’s one possibility,” Scott said. He left unsaid, of course, that the other possibility was that Lily had killed Leon.

  There was a knock on their door. Startled, Rachel got up and opened it. Dawn was breaking slowly outside and the inky blackness of the sky was slowly being replaced by softer shades of blue. Rachel’s father stood outside, his face a mask of unhappiness.

  “Dad!” Rachel drew him in immediately and had him sit down. “This must be a terrible shock for you. Are you alright?”

  “Barely.” Ryan sighed. “Nothing makes sense to me.”

  Scott nodded. “I’ll make us some coffee.”

  “No coffee,” Rachel said, with some strictness. “Dad needs to sleep. Maybe you’d like to sleep here on our couch, Dad? I mean…I don’t think anyone wants to be alone right now. Not if… not if there’s a killer here with us.”

  “A killer?” Ryan stared at her. “Rachel, I came to see how you were doing. Your mother is going to face arrest, you know. I think it’s pretty clear who the killer is. She’s got some weak story about a different killer, but I don’t think anyone is buying it.”

  “You can’t believe that, Dad!” Rachel exclaimed. “Whatever you think about Mom, you know her. She didn’t do this.”

  “Oh sweetie...” Ryan sighed and pulled Rachel’s face to his chest. He kissed the top of her head gently. “I love you, Rachel. I’m here for you, okay?”

  Rachel pushed him away. “I’m serious, Dad. She’s innocent. You know it. What possible motive could she have had to kill Leon?”

  Ryan shrugged. “She just lost her head. Maybe Leon confronted her about coming here. We only have her word that he wanted her here, after all. Maybe your mother was so jealous of Valentina that she snuck onto the island. Leon tried to get rid of her and it ended with your mother shooting him or something. Tragic but… not unheard of.”

  “I don’t think so,” Rachel said. “Dad, did Leon have any enemies? I mean, anyone who could have hated him enough…”

  Ryan laughed. “Leon was my best friend, but I won’t lie. The man only had enemies. He wasn’t the easiest guy to get along with, you know. I don’t even think his own wife and son liked him.”

  “Denise and Mason?” Rachel asked. “What’s the story there?”

  “Well, it’s complicated. Denise is…was…Leon’s fifth wife. She’s only a few years older than Mason, you know. They don’t even pretend to like each other.”

  “And Leon? You think Denise didn’t like him?” Rachel gulped. “You should know something. I think Denise was having an affair with a waiter. At least…based on what I saw tonight. Do you think she could have—”

  Ryan shrugged and shook his head. “In our circles, marriages like theirs are common. The husband and wife both have their own lives. It’s obvious that both of them have other lovers. But they’re together publicly, and they know how to throw a good party. For people like them marriage is more a social contract than a lifelong declaration of love.” He rubbed his face suddenly, realizing that he was still speaking of Leon in the present tense. “I mean…it was.”

  “So you don’t think Denise loved Leon? Or vice versa?”

  Ryan shook his head. “Its so hard to explain this. Leon loved Denise the way you’d love a good employee. She ticked all the boxes on his list. Beautiful, educated, classy, great at impressing clients.”

  “Sounds like the love of the century,” Rachel said sarcastically.

  �
�Oh, come on, Rachel. Don’t be so naïve. Marriage is just another contract, you know. Denise knew what she was getting into. She chose Leon. I daresay she loved him almost as much as she loved his lifestyle.”

  “Marriage is just another contract? Dad, do you even hear yourself—”

  Scott cleared his throat. “If you don’t mind me asking, Ryan, where were you when Leon was shot?”

  Ryan glared at Scott. “I do mind. What are you trying to imply?”

  “It’s just a routine question,” Scott said. “No implications. I’m just trying to make a mental map of where everyone was when Leon died.”

  “Well, you’re nobody as far as I’m concerned,” Ryan snapped. “Who do you think you are? Just because you’re sheriff of some dinky town doesn’t mean you can waltz in here and accuse me—”

  “Dad, why are you being so defensive? Scott isn’t accusing you of anything! He’s just trying to help us all.” Rachel placed herself bodily between the two men. Scott had a neutral expression on his face, but his lips were curled a little at the corners, and Rachel knew that meant his temper was on a short leash.

  “Help us all?” Ryan gave a snort. “How? By asking stupid questions like this? Look, both of you don’t have to worry about a thing. I’m calling my own lawyers down here and they’ll probably bring a team of private investigators with them. I’ve also made a few calls to my friends back in New York. By afternoon today I’ll be in touch personally with the chief of the police department here. That’s how you get things done.”

  “Why all the precautions?” Scott asked. He didn’t add, “If you’re innocent.” but might as well have. The look on his face said it all.

  “Leon wasn’t a nobody,” Ryan said. “He was the primary partner of our firm, and now that he’s gone so abruptly the reality is that some of my clients might get spooked. I’ll probably be on the phone all day reassuring them that their money is in safe hands. I also don’t want the breath of a scandal attaching to me, Tony or anyone related to the firm. Get it? The lawyers and the PIs will be essential. Maybe I should call a PR firm, too. Release the first press notice ourselves. Yes…not a bad idea...”

  “Dad.” Rachel swallowed, her voice suddenly seeming a little too high and her throat a little too constricted. “This man was your best friend. Your partner. Where’s your grief?”

  “You don’t get it, sweetheart.” Her father paused, a sudden dullness in his eyes. “I’ll have time for grief. Plenty of it. Right now I’m the one person who can handle things. I just have to bury all my feelings for a little while, until we can find a path through this.”

  “And if it is Mom who killed Leon? Won’t you care at all?”

  “Honestly? I know this doesn’t sound good but, between the three of us, I’ll be relieved. That’s the best possible outcome. Your mom did it and nobody in the firm was involved...”

  Rachel’s hands flew into fists and she bit her lip, hard. “I don’t know what aliens kidnapped you and turned you into this calculating machine, but I want my real dad back,” she snapped. “Do you even realize what you sound like?”

  “Oh, go on and take your mother’s side like you always do!” Ryan snapped. “If she did it, she will go to jail. That’s how the law works.”

  “And if she didn’t?” Rachel asked.

  Ryan hesitated. “I mean…if she didn’t, who did? Nobody on this island had anything against Leon. If anything, his death was against all our interests.”

  “Not necessarily,” Scott said. “You just mentioned that neither Denise nor Mason had much love for him. So take Denise, for example, she’ll probably profit off his death, won’t she? Surely she’s included in the will.”

  Ryan sneered. “Profit off his death? With that pre-nup she signed? She’s going to lose hard. Leon wasn’t dumb, especially after five marriages. She’ll get some money, sure, but nothing close to the ticket to the good life that Leon was for her.”

  “Mason, then?” Scott pressed. “He didn’t seem particularly close to Leon, and he will probably inherit Leon’s stake in the firm.”

  Ryan rubbed the back of his neck, his face looking a little haunted. “Mason, well, I can’t comment. But what kind of son would ever kill his own father? No. It’s got to be Lily who did it. All to spite me!”

  “You should leave now, Dad,” Rachel said. “I don’t know if you came here to comfort me or what. But all you’re doing is making me unhappy.”

  “I came here to make sure you’re prepared for what will happen next,” Ryan said. “But I guess you just need more time to really let it sink in. ”

  *****

  Chapter 10

  The Contract

  After her father left, Rachel managed to actually fall asleep for a few hours. She woke up to a note from Scott saying he’d gone to Key West to check up on the investigation and give his statement to the police. He’d placed an orange on top of the note and given her a stern but loving warning to keep eating so she could remain strong.

  Peeling the orange, Rachel walked to the main house, hoping she’d find somebody to talk to. Her dreams had been filled with images of her mother standing over Leon’s body with the shadowy killer looking through the window with a gun pointed at them.

  The big house in the center of the island was surprisingly peaceful. Birds chirped outside and the palm trees surrounding it swayed gently. The pool rippled slightly under the breeze, inviting those passing by to jump in.

  It was almost a shock to see it so clean and deserted. After the previous night, Rachel had expected to find everybody there, talking about the murder. Instead, she was greeted by a cheerful wave from Abuelita.

  “There you are!” Abuelita said. “I thought you’d never show up. Come on! We’ve got a cake to bake! I thought we’d do a smaller one as a trial first, so you can get the hang of it.”

  “What?” Rachel stared at Abuelita, confused, then at the splint on her wrist. She remembered then that she’d promised to help with the wedding cake. Only now, with Leon murdered, she had assumed there wouldn’t be a wedding.

  “What’s the matter?” Abuelita asked. “You’ve got dark circles under your eyes. Is it because of that ruckus last night? My son told me the police were here because of a break-in of some kind. Shocking.”

  Rachel opened her mouth and, suddenly, Valentina came skidding into the kitchen, making a slicing gesture with one hand near her throat. Rachel shut her mouth and smiled politely.

  “There you are!” Valentina echoed her grandmother, grabbing Rachel by the arm. “Abuelita, excuse us one second, will you? We’ve got to talk about the bridesmaids’ dresses.”

  “Of course, dear.” Abuelita smiled. “Just turn that fan towards me, will you? It’s so hot in here...”

  Pulling Rachel outside, Valentina exclaimed, “I’m so glad I caught you before you could say anything. Listen, my Abuelita is lovely, but she’s had three heart attacks in the last few years. She’s delicate. We didn’t want to risk anything, so Dad hasn’t told her the truth about Leon yet. We’ll break the news slowly, you know? Could you please just play along?”

  “Of course,” Rachel said. “Anything for Abuelita.”

  Valentina’s smile was a little watery and her eyes looked red around the edges. “Thank you so much. This has all just been such a nightmare. I’ve been up all night comforting poor Denise.”

  “I’m sure she’s heartbroken,” Rachel said.

  “Er…well…” Valentina bit her lip. Her eyes skittered around the floor before meeting Rachel’s once again. “She has a lot of anxiety about a future without Leon, let’s put it that way.”

  “What do you mean?” Rachel asked.

  Valentina shrugged, clearly not too enthusiastic about sharing her best friend’s life story with Rachel. “Just that…she’s grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle, and she’ll find it hard to adjust.”

  Right. There it was again. Denise was sad that her checkbook was gone, rather than being sad about her husband’s death. Rache
l instinctively felt disgust mixed with a sort of pity. Maybe it wasn’t really Denise’s fault, she’d just been brought up to view marriages that way. After all, look at how Rachel’s own father had spoken of it: “Marriage is just another contract.”

  “Do you think marriage is just a contract?” Rachel asked Valentina, suddenly curious. “I mean, that’s how Denise looks at it, right?”

  “What? A contract? Of course not!” Valentina exclaimed. “Marriage is…well…I don’t want to say ‘sacred’ but I can’t really think of another word. It’s a…commitment, I guess. It’s what my parents have. There have been tough times in their lives, but they’ve stood by each other. When I was three, my Dad was diagnosed with a rare infectious disease. We weren’t sure he’d survive. My mom spent day and night tending to him, until he pulled out of it. That’s what marriage is. It’s what my grandparents had, too. You know, my Abuelita was born really rich, and when she married my dirt-poor grand-dad, her parents cut them off from the family money. So they spent their first ten years together extremely poor, struggling to build a business. Guess what? In the end, they were richer than my grandma’s family and ended up helping a lot of friends and relatives.” Valentina grinned. “I guess marriage is all about passion and loyalty. It’s certainly not a contract.”

  Rachel hesitated. “But, if you don’t mind me asking, you were married once before…Mason said so. Why didn’t it work out that time?”

  A curious expression crossed Valentina’s face. A mix of sadness and hate.

  “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping...” Rachel added.

  “No. It’s alright. I expected that, as Ryan’s daughter, you’d have a lot of questions for me.” Valentina smiled. “Your father’s just like you. Always asks a million questions.”