A Vintage Murder (4 page)

“Good, good. Now relax and pay attention to your breathing. See how he is staying perfectly still. This is good, mate. He is not feeling threatened by you.”

Thank God.

“Hey, Andy, we’re ready for you,” a man yelled, standing at the entrance of the structure. Derek stiffened.

“Imbecile!” Andy said. “Don’t let that shake you, Derek. You’re doing great. Stick with the breathing. I’ve told those morons not to yell when I’m working with my animals. Now, I’ll take him from you.” Andy reached out and Derek slowly handed him the reptile.

Nikki sighed.

“There you go, Charlie.” Andy gently placed Charlie back into the terrarium. “Looks like we have to go and play nice with the diva now. Hopefully she’s mellowed out. I don’t like being insulted, but what’s worse is having my creatures insulted.”

He stretched out a hand to Derek. “Nice to meet you, mate. So what did you think?”

Derek took the mask off; a huge smile spread across his face. “Cool. Very cool.”

“You’re a natural at this. Why don’t you and your wife come on down to the zoo and be my guest some time?”

“Oh no, she’s not my wife.” Derek glanced at Nikki. “My assistant, actually. And yes, we’d love to do that. Thanks, Andy. That’d be great.”

“Andy!” the crew member bellowed. “Lucy is ready now.”

“Will? Is that you?” Andy asked, squinting his eyes.

“Yes, sir.”

“Come here.”

A young, burly looking man came down the corridor. His blue eyes looked worried.

“I think I’ve explained to everyone around here the protocol around my animals, haven’t I?”

Nikki studied the guy for a minute. He looked like the same man who had been at the security kiosk when they came in. He wore a uniform consisting of a button-down, big navy blue jacket and polyester pants.

“Yes, sir. I’m sorry. The director was yelling at someone to find you and when no one was doing it, I volunteered. I was on a bit of a break, getting a soda . . .”

Andy held up a hand. “I don’t care. Thank you. But from now on please remember the rules.”

The fellow nodded and walked out.

“I know, I know,” Liam said, looking at Andy. He turned to Nikki and Derek. “He’s a local boy. Nice kid. Known him and his mum for years. Will can be a bit dense sometimes. I was trying to help out when I got him hired on as security. I’m sorry ’bout that, Andy.”

“No problem, mate. They shouldn’t be making him do an assistant’s job anyway. The animals will get over it and so will I, and I don’t think he’ll do it again. Anyway, I’ve been called, so I must run on, but I’ll see everyone at the barbie tonight, yep?”

They all nodded and started toward the golf cart as Andy prepared for the scene.

“That was something,” Liam said when they got back to the house.

“Was it ever,” Derek replied. “Man, talk about adrenaline. Here I’m trying to stay calm like he said and you know, all I’m thinking is that I’ve got this snake who could kill me in my hands. It was crazy.”

“I don’t get men,” Grace said. “Snakes, ooh, disgusting.”

“I agree,” Nikki replied. “It must be a guy thing.”

They chatted for a bit longer after going back up to the house, and then said their good-byes. “Now the party will start at six and it’s gonna be great, you two,” Liam said. “All casual, nothing fancy. We’ll cook you up an amazing feast and have some great Aussie wines from my winery.”

“Looking forward to it.” Derek shook Liam’s hand.

Once inside the car, Nikki slugged him on his shoulder.

“Ouch, what was that for?” he snapped.

“Are you crazy? What were you thinking, messing with that poisonous snake!”

He laughed. “I was perfectly safe. Andy Burrow knows what he’s doing, and it was really cool.”

“Not for me, you silly snake charmer.”

“Snake charmer, huh?”

“Yeah.” She smiled and looked at him. “I did kind of like you in that suit.”

“You did? Maybe I’ll have to ask Andy if I can borrow it, then I can try and charm you, too.”

“You already have.”

They both laughed, knowing how corny they sounded. It was a comfort level Nikki hadn’t ever felt before.

They drove through the village and stopped off at a restaurant for lunch, ordering grilled spicy lamb burgers with a bottle of Shiraz. Waiting for their meal, Nikki asked, “How was the business between you and Liam? He obviously wanted to talk to you in private. Is there a problem? You were acting kind of weird when you both got back.”

Derek scratched the side of his neck and then tugged at his earlobe. Nikki had been around him enough that she knew this was something he did when he felt uncomfortable. “No. Not really. The contracts all look good. There are a few more items we need to sew up, but everything is fine. I don’t think I was acting weird. I was excited about meeting Andy Burrow.”

“You are not telling me the truth. Everything is not fine, is it?”

The waiter showed up with the wine and Derek did the taste test and gave approval. Nikki shifted in her seat impatiently. “What gives? I am your manager and assistant; shouldn’t I be aware if there’s a problem?”

He sighed. “Right now we are not going to talk business.” He took her hand. “Right now, you are my woman.”

“Oh yeah. I was meaning to ask you about that. Since we do work together and . . . well, you are my boss, how will this all work? Will there be a posted schedule that states when we can be a couple and when we are all business?”

He laughed. “I know you’re not serious. Look, we’re both professionals. I think we know when it’s appropriate to act as a couple and when we have to be all about the business.”

“You’re right—and speaking of, I know you were just trying to divert me. So what’s the deal with Liam Hahndorf? What’s the problem?”

He sighed. “Damn, you are like a pit bull. Okay. There is a problem, but one we can work out, and honestly, I promised Liam that I would not discuss what he and I talked about with anyone.”

She set her wine down and crossed her arms.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“I’m not just anyone,” Nikki replied.

“No. You aren’t, but I’m not one to break promises. And I gave Liam my word. When I can discuss it with you, I will. Can we leave it at that and enjoy our lunch?”

“Fine.”

“Good. What did you think of Lucy Swanson’s outburst?” he asked.

She went with the change of subject. Nikki could respect that Derek had made a promise to Liam and intended to keep it, but being the nosy bug she was, she didn’t swallow it easily. “She’s something else. I was impressed with Shawn Keefer, though. He handled it well. I don’t know—if someone was screaming at me like that . . .”

“And saying the things she said,” Derek added. “As a man, I really would have come unglued, especially in front of all those people.”

“Understandably.” Nikki shook her head. “I don’t know, but I have a funny feeling in my stomach about all of it. Hollywood here in the Barossa Valley and then that Lucy giving such hell to everyone.”

He laughed. “You and your funny feelings.” He glanced at her. “
I
have a funny feeling that there is something more behind that statement than you thinking Hollywood should have stayed in Los Angeles. What’s up?”

“Oh I don’t know. I was kind of thinking about Grace Hahndorf’s reaction to the movie being made there. At first when we were talking about it she seemed kind of excited about the movie and the big-time actors, but her demeanor changed as soon as Liam told us that he was the one who’d written the screenplay.”

“I didn’t get that from her.”

“I did.”

“She could be the kind of woman who feels like that’s bragging, and inappropriate.”

“It’s her husband.”

“I think you’re reading way too much into it,” Derek said.

“Maybe,” Nikki replied, but she was not convinced.

They talked a bit more about the goings-on at the Hahndorfs’ and what the barbecue might be like that evening. They also discussed the snake incident with Andy. For Derek, it had been exhilarating.

As lunch wound down, they both found themselves relaxed from the wine, and since they weren’t far from the hotel they left the car parked where it was and walked back hand in hand.

Getting into the elevator, Derek turned to her. “You know, we do have a few hours before we have to be back out there. We could make some
special
use of the time. What do you think?”

Things are starting to heat up nicely between Nikki and Derek, but if Nikki’s sixth sense is right, trouble is brewing at the Hahndorf Winery. Now, hopefully you have someone to heat things up with, but even if you don’t, invite some pals over and try a new take on an old American classic—the hamburger. These lamb burgers are tasty treats and with a good bottle of Shiraz like Sarah’s Blend you’ll be pleased you changed it up a bit. So, light up the barbie, grab yourself a nice Shiraz, and get cooking, mate!

The Barossa Valley was settled by German immigrants in the nineteenth century. The area is a warm-weather region. The valley is well known for producing excellent red wines; the Shiraz coming out of the region is some of the best in the world. The Shiraz vines are some of the oldest in Australia, which are prized because, with age, vines tend to lose some of their youthful vigor, which leads to smaller yields and more complex flavors.

Marquis Philips Sarah’s Blend 2006 is a smooth, full-bodied Shiraz containing fruit forward flavors of black currant blended with cedar and tosty oak. The Shiraz offers up fragrant aromas of cedar, smoke, tar, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied, opulent, and structured, this intense, well-balanced Shiraz will age nicely for the next eight years and is a great value.

Preheat grill to medium heat.

Place the lamb in a large bowl, and mix with the mint, cilantro, oregano, garlic, sherry, vinegar, and molasses. Season with cumin, allspice, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. Shape into 4 patties.

Brush grill grate with oil. Grill burgers 5 minutes on each side, or until well-done. Heat the pita pocket briefly on the grill. Serve burgers wrapped in pitas with feta cheese.

Serves 4.

Nikki’s stomach twisted. “I th-think that would . . . be great,” she stammered. Her response did not come out the way she’d wanted it to, but she’d been out of this game for so long that she couldn’t help feeling self-conscious. What if she messed up? Okay, so this stuff was supposed to be natural, and it all just happened. It was lust, heat at its best, right? Did she wear the right panties? Oh God, she hoped she’d put a matching set on. Thank God she’d had enough foresight not to throw her grandma panties into the suitcase. Instead, she’d packed a thong that all the Victoria’s Secret models tried to make look comfortable. Please! It was a string going up your ass. No comfort in that. But it looked good. And right now, looking good beat out comfort. But there was that bulge—granted it was slight, but it was there. It was this small bulge that caused the panty line to indent slightly around the hip. What if he noticed it? Oh God, and what if . . . well, she was on top and her stomach didn’t look flat?
Why the hell was she even thinking these thoughts?

“Are you sure?” Derek asked. “I don’t want you to feel pressured. I was just thinking—hoping—but Nikki, we can definitely wait.”

“No. I’m fine. I’m great. I’m good with this. I want to do it.” Oh God. She was
so
in trouble. The heat rose through her body all the way up to her cheeks.

They got off the elevator; Derek grabbed her wrist and lightly pushed her against the wall. He held one arm above her and kissed her neck. He stopped at her ear, where he kissed the lobe lightly.

Oh yeah, she was in hordes of trouble. He kissed her hard on the lips, and she found herself kissing him back just as hard. What the hell, screw the indents from the panty lines. She’d just have to cut out eating two of her favorite foods—bread and cheese. Derek unlocked the door and lightly pushed her onto the bed. He wiggled his brows at her and they started cracking up. Thank God the man had a sense of humor. Nikki wasn’t sure she could handle all that mushy “I love you so much” crap and “your body is amazing,” blah, blah, blah. All the stuff written for soap operas and movies might work on-screen but for her, some good old-fashioned lovemaking—and yes, a sense that she was doing it right—would be just fine.