Murder in Palm Springs Read online

  MURDER IN PALM SPRINGS

  By

  Dianne Harman

  (A High Desert Cozy Mystery - Book 8)

  Copyright © 2019 Dianne Harman

  www.dianneharman.com

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form without written permission except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  Paperback ISBN: 9781093535235

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Palm Springs is iconic. Blue skies, golf complexes, and the most beautiful sunsets in the world. No wonder so many people choose to spend time there. I so appreciate all of you who have opened your homes to me over the years and told me your stories. This book is loosely based on one of those stories.

  My thanks to Michelle, Mike, Lamine, Noelle, Jacqueline, Ray, Pam, John, Shirley, and Bob, for being so supportive of my success as an author. I’m honored to have you as friends. And especially to Tom, who recently arranged a surprise party in recognition of my success. It was a fabulous night, and I thank you all!

  And to each of you who have read my books, taken the time to contact me, and given me your input, please know how very much it’s appreciated. Readers, none of this would have been possible without you. Thank you!

  Free Paperbacks

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  Table of Contents

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  EPILOGUE

  RECIPES

  ABOUT DIANNE

  COMING SOON!

  CHAPTER 1

  The little bell above the door dinged as Marty opened the door of The Olde Antique Shoppe, a Palm Springs institution owned by her friend, Carl Mitchell. Danica, his assistant, looked up from the display she was arranging and said, “Carl’s in his office. I’ll tell him you’re here.”

  “Thanks, Danica. I’ll look around and see what new treasures you two have added since the last time I was in here,” Marty said as her eyes swept the walls and tables of the small shop. She spotted a white jacket studded with gold and walked over to it.

  Marty was reading the information card on the wall next to it when Carl walked over to her and said, “Pretty amazing, don’t you think? One of my clients bought it at an auction years ago, and he’s quite ill. He’s trying to get rid of as much as he can so his son and daughter won’t be saddled with getting rid of everything in his estate. He had a fascination with Elvis Presley and that’s why he bought the jacket. As you can see from the information next to it, the jacket belonged to Elvis. Believe me, I thoroughly checked it out, and it’s the real deal.”

  “I think I recall seeing pictures of him in that jacket. That’s quite a coup, Carl. Given the older population in Palm Springs and the wealth here, I’d think you should be able to easily sell it.”

  “As a matter of fact, I’ve got a guy in mind that I’m pretty sure will want to buy it. Does the name Jimmy Joseph ring a bell with you?”

  “It sure does. By coincidence, I got a call from him this morning and that’s the main reason I’m here today. You know my sister’s boss, Dick, sends a lot of business to me. Jimmy wanted to insure his rock star memorabilia collection, but he had no idea what it was worth, so Dick recommended me to do an appraisal of it.

  “I’m great on silver, china, furniture, and things of that nature, but I’ve never appraised celebrity memorabilia. I came by to see if you’d like to help me do it. You’re far more knowledgeable in that area than I am.”

  “The answer is absolutely yes. Small world, but I’m going to be seeing Jimmy play tonight. After his heart attack a few months ago, his doctor put the kibosh on him traveling. He used to headline in Las Vegas and other places all over the United State, but no more.

  “He loves to perform and when Mark Saltzman, he’s the owner of the Red Velvet Lounge, found out Jimmy’s doctor had told him he couldn’t travel anymore because of his heart condition, he asked if Jimmy would like to perform at his place once a week. Jimmy’s doctor gave him the go-ahead, and I have tickets to see him tonight.

  “He’s a huge collector of music memorabilia, and I thought this jacket would really appeal to him. I’m hoping to have a chance to tell him about it after the show. When are you scheduled to do the appraisal?”

  “Tomorrow, can I count on you?”

  “Marty, I’ve got to be honest with you. Murder is just not my thing, and it seems like every time I help you on an appraisal, somehow someone ends up dead. That or I have to come in contact with your sister, which scares the heck out of me. Every time I think about how she whacked that Styrofoam wig stand in half with a butcher knife and pulled out a missing diamond ring, I get the willies. If you can assure me neither one of those things are going to happen, I’m all in.”

  “I can definitely tell you that Laura has nothing to do with this appraisal. As far as murder goes, you’re going to see the man tonight, so I think I can safely assure you that murder is out of the question.”

  Sometimes it’s better not to make assurances, as Marty was about to find out.

  CHAPTER 2

  Eve Wright picked up her ringing cell phone and looked at the screen. Swell, she thought, just what I need. Another bail me out call from Mickey.

  “Yes, Mickey. What’s new?”

  “Gosh, Mom, you make it sound like I’m committing a crime when I call you.”

  “Trust me, Mickey, the only reason I sound like that is because that’s usually the only time I ever get a call from my son. When he’s committed a crime, needs bail money because he’s in jail, or needs money to pay someone back before they commit a crime by killing him for the money he owes them.”

  “Mom, you’re making it sound like I’m a real loser.”

  Eve didn’t say anything for several long moments, hoping he got it – that she did think her only child was a loser. Then she said, “What is it this time, Mickey?”

  “Mom, it wasn’t my fault.”

  “You sound just like that loser father of yours before he ran off and left us. Nothing was ever his fault either, particularly the part about when his boss found out he’d been embezzling money from the tow company where he worked. So, what isn’t your fault this time?”

  “Mom, it’s like this. I was walking through one of the casinos here in Las Vegas on my way to a job interview. I’d heard there was an opening for a bartender. Anyway, I saw an old friend of mine, and he asked me to have a drink with him. He told me there was a Pai Gow game table at the casino that was so hot you couldn’t lose at it. He’d been playing for two hours and was up $100,000. He was afraid his luck would change if he went back to the table. Said it was a shame, though, because that table was golden. I thought about it for a couple of minutes and told him if he’d loan me the $100,000,
I’d pay him 50% interest, and I’d go win money at that table.”

  “Mickey, tell me this is some nightmare you had and it really didn’t happen, because I think I know where it’s going.”

  “Mom, it was a sure thing. My friend said there was no way I could lose.”

  “You lost, didn’t you?” Eve asked.

  “Well, not right away. See, for a while I was sitting sweet. For a long time, I had a stack of thousand-dollar chips in front of me, and then I started losing. I wound up losing all of it. My friend stayed in the bar so he wouldn’t jinx me. Guess it didn’t matter. He could tell by the look on my face when I returned what had happened. I didn’t even have enough money to buy a drink.”

  “What did your friend say about you losing it all?”

  “What could he say? I told him I’d pay him back.”

  “And how do you intend to do that?”

  “Mom, I know you’re not happy with me, but if you could loan me the money, I’ll pay you back.”

  She laughed. “Right, just like all the other times. Well, Mickey, afraid you’re out of luck this time. I don’t have any more money to give you. I sold the house the last time you did something like this and there is no more money. I can barely make ends meet as it is. I’m down to a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. It’s a good thing the restaurant provides us with uniforms or I wouldn’t even be able to work, because I sure can’t afford clothes, and quite frankly, riding the bus, because I sold my car to help you, doesn’t make me feel real successful. Sorry, Son, I’m afraid you’re out of luck this time.”

  “Mom,” Mickey said, his voice suddenly sounding terrified, “this happened a week ago. I don’t think my friend believes that I can pay him back. Last night two men came to my front door. They had tattoos all over them, shaved heads, and bodies that looked like they must work out in a gym all day. That or they got those muscles in prison. Mom, they told me they were going to kill me if I didn’t come up with the $150,000 within ten days. They said they’d be watching me all the time, so I better not try to leave Las Vegas.”

  “They told you they were going to kill you?”

  “Yeah. Mom, I’ve been thinking. I know you and Uncle Jimmy don’t speak because he hated Dad and thought that was the reason your mother died. Because you broke her heart. Maybe enough time has gone by that he’d forgive you. He’s so rich, what would $150,000 be to him? He’d never miss it. Why don’t you call him and ask? If that doesn’t work, I’ll be dead next week. I have nowhere else to go to get the money.”

  Eve was quiet and then she said, “All right, Mickey. I’ll call Jimmy, but this is the last time I will ever try to help you. Do you understand? This is it. From here on out, you’re completely on your own. I’ll call him and let you know what he says.”

  “Thanks, Mom, you’re the best. I’ll be waiting for your call. I really don’t want to start looking at urns or caskets just yet.”

  “Mickey, I don’t want you to either. Goodbye.”

  Eve paced back and forth in her small apartment and wished she had a cigarette. Even though she’d given them up twenty-five years ago, right now she craved one. Several years earlier she’d worked at the telephone company for a short time. She’d been hired on a temporary basis and it hadn’t turned into a permanent position, but the one positive thing she’d been able to do was get her brother’s unlisted phone number.

  She went to the kitchen drawer that served as her office in her small studio apartment and rifled through the papers in it until she found what she was looking for, Jimmy’s unlisted home number in Palm Springs. She punched in the numbers on her cell phone.

  The woman on the other end of the phone said, “Joseph residence. May I help ya’?”

  “Ruby, this is Eve Wright, Jimmy’s sister. It’s quite important that I speak to him. Is he there?”

  “I’ll check and see. Be back in a moment.”

  Several minutes went by and then the unmistakable sound of Jimmy’s voice came over the phone. “Lawdy, lawdy, Eve. Been a long time. Understand ya’ need to talk to me.”

  “Hi, Jimmy. Thanks for taking my call, and yes it has been a long time. I know we’ve had our differences in the past, and although I’ll never believe that my marriage caused Mom’s death, you and Mom were right about Charlie. He turned out to be everything you said he was. Left me high and dry and embezzled from his company. I divorced him several years ago.”

  “I’m jes’ sorry ya’ didn’t find out earlier. That’s a lotta’ time to waste. And your son, Mickey? How’s he doin’ these days?”

  “Not so good. Seems like he’s got a lot of his father in him. As a matter of fact, that’s why I’m calling. He’s in a little trouble, and I could use your help.”

  “What kind of help, Eve?” he said, his voice suddenly much cooler than it had been.

  She took a deep breath and told him about Mickey’s gambling, the amount of money he owed, and that his life was being threatened. She told him she’d spent every penny she had on Mickey’s past problems and was living from paycheck to paycheck just to keep a roof over her head and food in the pantry.

  “Jimmy, I’m begging. Please help me. They’re going to kill my son if he doesn’t pay the money. I know you told me once many years ago that you didn’t approve of the man I married, but that you still felt obligated to leave something in your trust for me. Please let me have that money now, rather than when you’re dead. It will save your nephew’s life.”

  It was very quiet on the other end of the phone and then Jimmy spoke. “Eve, I’m sorry for you and Mickey, but this is a result of his actions. I’m not givin’ ya’ any money. Same thing’ll jes’ happen again. Ya’ know it, and I know it. If somethin’ happens to Mickey, so be it. I’ll keep ya’ in my trust cuz’ you’re probably gonna’ need that money at some point fer you, not fer that no-good son of yers’. Ain’t spendin’ the money I worked so hard fer on some deadbeat gambler. Nice talkin’ to ya’, Eve. So long.”

  And with that, the connection was severed. Eve stood for several moments looking at the phone in her hand, not sure what to do next. She knew Mickey was waiting for her call, but she also knew the call she’d just finished effectively sealed her son’s fate. She had nowhere else to go.

  She pressed the phone number for Mickey into her cell phone. He answered it immediately. “Well, Mom, did you get it? Is Uncle Jimmy going to give me the money?”

  Eve sighed deeply and said, “No, Mickey, he’s not,” and then she went on to tell him what Jimmy had said.

  Mickey never hesitated. “Mom, guess that tells you something. He’s got the money for me, but the only way I can get it is if he’s dead.”

  “No, Mickey, that’s not quite true. The only way I will get money is when Jimmy dies. From what I understood him to say, there is no provision for you in his trust.”

  “Mom, get serious. You know if you inherit some money from Uncle Jimmy, and I’m in a jam, you’ll help me. I know you will because I’m your only child and you love me. So saying, it’s pretty clear what has to happen.”

  “I’m not following you, Mickey.”

  “Mom, you don’t have to do anything. I’ll take care of all the dirty work. Let’s put it this way. From what I read in the papers, Uncle Jimmy is living on borrowed time ever since his ticker had that big problem. If he was to go out a little early, rather doubt anyone would suspect it wasn’t just a natural thing.”

  “Mickey, I don’t think I like what you’re saying.”

  “Mom, trust me. You don’t have to worry about a thing. I recently read that dear old Uncle Jimmy walks out to his mailbox every day at the same time for a little exercise. The article even gave the time, ll:21 a.m., every day. According to the article I read, you could set your clock by it. Now if somebody was driving by and something happened while he was out there, it would be a sad thing. But then again, you’d get your inheritance, and I’d get my life saved.”

  “Mickey, you live in Las Vegas, not Palm Springs, where
Jimmy and I live.”

  “Yeah, Mom, but by the miracle of the modern age, I can do a one day turnaround. Four hours there. Five minutes for what I have to do, and four hours back. Piece of cake and then all my troubles will be over. I’ll call you in a couple of days and you might want to spruce yourself up for the reading of the trust, if they even do that anymore. Gotta go, Mom. Lots to do. Talk to you later,” Mickey said as he ended the call.

  Eve sat in her chair contemplating everything that had happened in the last hour and finally smiled. Maybe it is time for that sanctimonious brother of mine to see if the heaven Mom always talked about really exists, she thought.

  CHAPTER 3

  Miles Reed walked out of the Red Velvet Lounge, totally frustrated. Yeah, Jimmy Joseph is good, but so am I, he thought. Half the people who were there tonight were the same people who came to see me when I used to play at the Velvet. Only thing the guy has going for him is his celebrity status – a washed-up, over-the-hill, guy with a bad ticker.

  Miles walked to his car. He knew he was as good a singer and piano player as Jimmy, and Mark Saltzman, the owner of the Red Velvet Lounge, agreed with him. The meeting he’d had with Mark prior to Jimmy’s performance had not gone well. The problem, according to Mark, was that Jimmy had a following that guaranteed sold out performances every week. Miles didn’t as yet have a drawing power that strong, and according to Mark, if he did develop one, it was probably a few years away.

  It wasn’t just his ego that had been damaged. His bank account had taken a severe hit when Mark had let him go several weeks earlier so he could hire Jimmy Joseph. Miles knew he had a loyal following, but it was pretty small compared to Jimmy’s. He thought a good compromise and a way to keep his bank account in the black was to play at the Velvet on some other night of the week. That way Mark would have two good revenue nights a week.

  Unfortunately, Mark hadn’t seen it that way. He felt if he had live entertainment two nights a week it would cut into the profits he made off of Jimmy. The reason being that it would dilute the exclusivity of Jimmy’s shows, and he could charge a lot more for Jimmy’s shows than he could for Miles’ shows. And that had been the end of that.