Murder Uncorked (29 page)

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Authors: Michele Scott

BOOK: Murder Uncorked
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The room swirled, and the lights grew dimmer. Fear coursed through Nikki’s every nerve ending, and she settled her mind into an acceptance that she was going to die at the hands of a murderer. Her eyes fluttered shut while twinkling lights shot through her pupils, like sparklers on the Fourth of July.
The lights were followed by darkness as oxygen escaped from her lungs. Before completely fading away, she thought she heard a door close and then a voice—a woman’s voice. The grip on her neck loosened, and the sparklers came back as her lungs filled again with air. There was intense pain where Cal’s hands had squeezed her neck. She slid to the floor and could hear heated words exchanged. Everything was still foggy, and she knew, even in the state she was in, that her drunkenness was from more than a couple of glasses of wine. Cal Sumner had drugged her.
Nikki couldn’t make out whose voice it was she was hearing, but she knew that it was someone she’d heard before.
“This is fascinating, Cal. I would’ve never thought it of you. But, you know a girl like me knows how to do her research, and I’ve been able to put a thing or two together.”
“Put that thing down. If I kill her, it only works in your best interest as well,” Cal said.
“Maybe, maybe not. You’re a killer, Cal, and frankly, that scares me quite a bit. You’re also a bit freaky. Your own sister—yuck, and a twin at that. You look surprised. Everyone thinks I’m only concerned with wines, but I’m also a damned good researcher, and there are all sorts of conspiracies and weird things going on around here. And, you know what I smell behind all of it? Cash. Lots and lots of cash.”
Oh, my god, the twin. Cal was Meredith’s brother. It had to be Patrice he was talking to. No. That didn’t make sense, not if she was truly his mother.
Who was he talking to? Nikki had to open her eyes to see. They were so heavy. Prying them open was the hardest thing she ever had to do.
“I do see your point about you killing Goldilocks here being a good thing for me.”
“I don’t know what you think you know, but we can work something out,” Cal said.
“I know we can.”
“Put the gun down, and let’s make a deal,” Cal replied.
Nikki opened her eyes slightly. The room was still a blur, but those spiked heels could only belong to one woman—Tara Beckenroe. Nikki figured her troubles were far from over. She didn’t think Tara was here to rescue her from the madman. She needed to think clearly, but it was almost impossible. Where was Ollie? If he knew that she was in trouble, he’d have come running. He had to be with Derek, and that thought turned her blood cold, because she had no clue where Derek was, and she didn’t want her mind dwelling on dark thoughts about where he might be.
“Don’t be hasty, Tara. Let’s work this out. I can give you Malveaux on a silver platter.”
Nikki heard a tremor in his voice. Tara clucked her tongue. Nikki stayed still, her mind beginning to think a bit more clearly.
“Let’s cut a deal. I’ve always liked you, and I know you’ve had some satisfaction where I’m concerned.”
“I’m a good actress, and one helluva liar.”
“Yeah, you are a liar, because I made you scream, and that was no lie,” he scoffed.
What a typical man.
Here a woman was holding a gun on him, and he could still think about his prowess in the bedroom.
“Now, come on, Tara, be reasonable. We can work this out. Why not leave Manuel in jail? He’s the perfect fall guy. You get the man you want, and I’ll get what I want. Let’s get rid of Nikki, and everything is status quo. She can simply disappear.”
Tara cackled. “Don’t insult me. The only way you’ll get what you want is if Derek tells you what you want to know, and then winds up dead. I can’t let that happen. I suppose I could hook up with you after you’re rich and in hiding, but that doesn’t appeal to me. Besides, darling, your family jewels simply don’t do it for me. I want Derek. I always have. I can finally have him, because I’m going to save the day.” She let out an aggrieved sigh.
“No,” he yelled. “You can’t do this.”
Nikki opened her eyes to watch as Tara came over to Cal, continuing to point her gun at him. “Get on your knees,” she ordered. He didn’t respond. Tara cocked the trigger. “I won’t hesitate to use this, you know. It wouldn’t be too difficult to prove self-defense, once a jury finds out your sordid tale.”
Cal did as she told him to. Nikki continued to watch as, once Cal knelt on the floor, Tara brought her arm back, and with a force Nikki didn’t believe the woman had, swung her arm and connected right onto the side of Cal’s head. He slumped to the ground.
Nikki needed to think fast, even if her brain was only working at fifty percent, because who knew what this nut-case had in mind for her.
“Okay, Goldilocks, I’ll do you a favor and tie this lunatic up so he won’t hurt you, but then I’ve got to go and save my man.”
Nikki heard Tara fishing around inside what she assumed was a bag. Nikki moaned and rolled on to her side.
“Hey,” Tara said. “I knocked the bad guy out cold, there. Wanna help me tie him up?”
Nikki found her voice. “You’re not going to hurt me?”
“Why would I do that? Here drink this.” She handed Nikki a travel coffee mug from off of the table next to her. “Bad habit, but looks like you need it worse than I do.”
Nikki took it from her and sipped. Yuck. No sugar or cream. She drank it down anyway. “Thanks.”
“You’re a thorn in my side with your golden hair and bright smile, and too flipping chipper for your own good, but I’m not a killer. Besides, I want Derek, and this will look good on my résumé. How can you not love a heroine? I get the bad guy here, save you, then save him. I’m like Lara Croft. But you, Goldilocks, you gotta get on the road and head on home. There’s no room for you here. The way I figure it, there’s only room for one woman in Derek’s life. And know what else? You owe me. I just saved your skinny ass.”
“Right.” Nikki shook her head and took another big gulp from the coffee, trying hard to clear the cobwebs. “Look, I think you’ve got the wrong idea about me and Derek. I’m only looking for a job.” She sat up, her head throbbing.
“Oh, please, who are you trying to fool? Me or yourself? You got it bad, girl. But you’re way out of your league. Listen, I don’t have any more time for this chatter. Let’s get him tied up.” She pointed to the knocked out Cal.
“Why don’t we call the police?”
“Go ahead, but I don’t have time to wait for them. I’ve got a man to rescue.”
“Once again, shouldn’t we let the police do that?”
Tara sighed. “You don’t get it, do you? It bodes well for me if I ride in on my white horse. I happen to know where my knight is being held captive. I’m good with electronic devices and just so happened to have a bug in Cal’s phone. Once I found out about him and Meredith’s DNA, I figured the two were up to no good and eventually, whatever that no good was, I could use it to my advantage. Granted, I never caught any whiff of them murdering Gabriel or Minnie, because I didn’t sneak my little bug into Cal’s phone line until the day of Gabriel’s funeral. Remember when you caught my eye across the way at the church? I left you high and dry wondering where I’d run off to, didn’t I? I had to plant my bug. What I did catch wind of this afternoon was that Cal had taken Derek to the caves at Sumner Winery.”
“That’s great, but since you know that, aren’t you in some way guilty of accessory to kidnapping? You have to be guilty of something other than wearing trashy clothes that look better on Britney Spears than you.”
“Ouch. Watch yourself. I lost my cell phone, and I don’t have a landline at my place. I got the info only a little while ago. I knew Cal was coming here to
take care
of you, so instead of wasting time going to the cops, I drove straight out here to save you. I’m thoughtful like that. And lucky for you I had already poured myself the java right before I got the tip. You really should be a bit more grateful.”
“Right. Again, thanks.” She held up the cup of coffee. “But I do think we need to call the police. We can use the landline here.” Nikki struggled to stand up. Getting to her feet, she wobbled a bit. “I’d hate for you to be a part of this lunacy, too, and wind up in jail.”
“Fine. I’ll call myself.” Tara picked up the phone, bringing the receiver to her ear and then replaced it. “Back to plan A. The line is dead. Cal must’ve cut it.”
Nikki grabbed the phone from her hand. She was right. No dial tone. “Where’s my cell?” Nikki muttered to herself, still trying to connect the dots.
“I don’t have time for this.” Tara bent over Cal with the roll of duct tape she’d fished from her purse, and pulled his hands behind his back. She wrapped the tape around his wrists. “Done.” Tara rubbed her hands together. “Gotta go, Goldilocks. Why don’t you hike up to the mansion and call the cops for me.”
“The hell with that. I’m going with you.”
“That’s not a part of the plan, and as I explained a minute ago to your simple mind, you
owe
me. Ta-tah.” Tara picked up her gun, put it back in her purse, and headed out the front door.
Nikki glanced over at the unconscious Cal, now taped up. He wasn’t going anywhere, that was for sure, and Nikki would be damned if she’d let the vulturous Tara go after Derek.
She picked up the Range Rover keys off the kitchen counter and followed Tara. Nikki knew she shouldn’t drive, but hanging around here wasn’t an option, and the drug Cal had given her must’ve been a short-working one because she was seeing and feeling pretty clearly. He used a drug that lasted just long enough to relax her so he could kill her.
Yikes!
The coffee and adrenaline were also doing the job.
Tara got into her older-model Mercedes. She rolled down the window. “Now don’t get any foolish ideas of ruining my show. You’ll never beat me to Cal’s. I know a shortcut.” Tara revved the engine, a trail of dust billowing up behind as she sped off.
Nikki made it to the Range Rover still parked in front of the cottage and hopped inside. There in the front passenger seat sat Ollie, as if he’d been waiting for her. She now realized as she slammed the car door shut, that Cal must’ve put Ollie in the car to keep him from trying to protect her, which Nikki knew he would have, given the chance. She figured that because the dog knew Cal, he was able to get Ollie into the car.
“What’d Cal do, offer you a Scooby snack?” Nikki asked, as she turned over the engine. She blazed down the dirt road and onto the paved drive. “Am I glad to see you. Now where is your master?” Caves. They had to be the same caves on the Sumner vineyard that Cal mentioned the other night. She’d have to find them before Tara did. She noticed her cell phone in the center console and picked it up to phone Jeanine Wiley at the station. Her battery was blinking on low. One bar left. Damn. She took a chance anyway and called Jeanine’s direct line, which she’d given to Nikki the other night after Minnie’s murder.
“Officer Wiley,” Jeanine’s high-pitched voice came through the phone.
“Jeanine, it’s me, Nikki Sands. Listen, there’s no time to explain, but you and Chief Horn need to get out to Sum—” The phone died. “Damn, damn, damn.” Nikki tossed the phone onto the backseat. Ollie cowered at her angry voice and throwing motion. She reached over and gave him a quick pat on the top of his head. “It’s not you, boy. You’re a good dog.”
Nikki pressed down on the gas pedal and crossed her fingers in hope that she wouldn’t be too late for Derek. She focused on the drive to Sumner Winery, remembering that she’d passed it on one of her rides into town.
Five minutes later she pulled off the highway and into Sumner Winery, which was far smaller than the Malveaux Estate, and headed to the back of the property. The entire place was dark, not a soul around as far as Nikki could tell, and she didn’t have a flashlight, but she did have man’s, or in this case, woman’s best friend with her, and lucky for her, Nikki was aware that Ridgebacks are renowned hunters. They were originally bred to hunt lions in Africa.
Nikki scanned the darkened property, not spotting Tara’s car, either. Still quite dazed, but more determined than ever, she got out of the car, and Ollie followed behind her. “Okay, boy, put your nose to the ground and do your thing. I’ve got a feeling you’ve got yourself a decent smeller. Lead the way.”
Ollie tilted his head from one side to the other.
Nikki found a sweatshirt of Derek’s on the backseat and took it out of the car, bringing it up to Ollie’s nose. “Go. Find Derek.” Ollie charged off, and Nikki tried to keep up with him.
“Hey, wait up.” They were on a dirt path, and she hoped it led down to the caves Tara had mentioned. She trusted her gut and the dog, and the light of the moon to get her there.
After about ten minutes, they were at the entrance to the caves. Nikki went in behind Ollie, who balked. C’mon,” she whispered. “This is no time to chicken out.” She knew she was saying it more for herself than the dog, who caught a whiff of a jackrabbit that went speeding by. Ollie followed suit. “Some best friend you are.” With trepidation she ventured into the cave.
Not able to see, Nikki felt her way with her hands out in front of her. The smell inside the cave was dank. She jumped back as her forehead came in contact with something slick and wet from overhead. She hoped and prayed it was just moss.

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