Murder in Calistoga: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Read online

  Every time she visited the facility she promised herself she would not go in the back and look at the dogs. She had three dogs already, and she knew that was enough. Her home in San Francisco was from the “Painted Ladies” era of Victorian and Edwardian houses that had been painted in three or more pastel colors which accentuated their architectural details. They were highly desirable homes, and hers was one of the most beautiful.

  Although her home was large and had been in her family for several generations, the back yard was small. She limited her dogs to a miniature schnauzer, a toy poodle, and mixture of who knew what – a result of the one time she’d allowed herself to go to the kennels in the back of the SPCA facility.

  Renee had many friends, but her friends from when they had been roommates in college were still the most important to her. Every five years, no matter where any of them were living, she and four of them got together somewhere in the world. The last reunion had taken place in Provence, France, because Nancy’s husband had been transferred to Paris to manage a large international company’s office which was headquartered in Paris. Whichever roommate’s turn it was to host the reunion got to choose where they met. The reunion five years earlier had been Nancy’s turn, and so they’d traveled to Provence.

  This year it was Renee’s turn, and she’d decided to have the other four fly to San Francisco, stay at her home for one night, and then have her driver drive them to Calistoga for three days of shopping, wine-tasting, and spa treatments. She’d originally thought she’d treat them to the luxurious Meadowood Spa in Napa, but when she found out Judy was opening a boutique hotel and spa, she decided instead to support her by holding the reunion there.

  “Judy, that date, July 28th, is just perfect,” Renee said. “I want to reserve five rooms for me and my friends. You may remember I told you some time ago that I was in charge of the reunion this summer, and this will be perfect, plus you can advertise you’re already booked for the first weekend that you’re open for business. That should be impressive to some people. Can you do that?”

  “Oh, Renee, that’s wonderful. I don’t think you’ve ever met my friend Liz and her husband, Roger. We met when she lived in San Francisco. Actually, she’s probably the reason I bought the hotel and spa. She has a lodge and spa in Red Cedar about an hour north of San Francisco. I’ve been there several times, and I always thought owning a hotel and spa would be something I’d like to do. Actually, it’s been getting higher and higher on my bucket list, and when I saw that a small hotel was for sale when I was here in Calistoga on a vacation, it seemed like fate.

  “Anyway, they’re coming here that weekend, too, and since the hotel has six rooms, it works beautifully. You and your friends will take five of the rooms, and Liz and Roger will take the sixth room, which is actually the honeymoon suite. We serve breakfast, and I found a woman who’s a superb cook. I decided not to hire a chef for nightly dinners, because there are so many great restaurants in Calistoga. Do you need anything special for your guests? Do you know if any of them have allergies or things like that?”

  “Not that I know about, at least none of them have ever mentioned any. I’ll send you a deposit to hold the rooms. You have my email, so you can send me the address and directions. I think you’ll like my friends. It doesn’t seem possible, but we’ve been good friends since we were in college.”

  “If you have a minute, why don’t you tell me something about them?”

  “Sure, that’s probably a good idea. Judy, let me call you back. I’m expecting a delivery, and it looks like it’s here. It’ll be just a couple of minutes.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Here we go again, Amber Ruiz thought. It’s not as if I have nothing better to spend my money on than go to San Francisco, be picked up by Renee’s chauffeur-driven limousine, pretend I’m enjoying the evening at Renee’s spectacular home, and hope nobody finds out just how poor my husband and I really are. Then we’re going to some fancy schmancy spa and boutique hotel in Calistoga where I’ll probably have to spend money on something I can’t afford, so I won’t look needy.

  I probably should just admit to them that I can’t afford to go on a trip like this, even if Renee is footing the bill for everything but the airfare. I also probably should drive there instead of flying, but everyone will want to know why I didn’t fly, and I don’t want to admit I really can’t afford a plane ticket. Daniel is so supportive and always urges me to go on these trips, but I know how tight things are. With the drought the last couple of years, it’s even harder to make a living from farming, plus a lot of the workers we’ve used in the past have gone back to Mexico. They were afraid they’d be deported because they were here illegally, and I can’t blame them.

  I’ve never told Daniel about the conversation I overheard between Renee and Nikki when we were in college. He’s such a good man, he’d tell me to forget it, that it was only words said when someone was young, and I need to let it go, but I can’t. If I decided to no longer attend the reunions, I’d probably have to tell Renee that not only can I not afford them, I can’t stand to be with Nikki.

  I wish I could get over this anger I still feel for her. I know it’s not healthy for me, and it’s stupid because it’s been so many years, but every time I think about it, I get mad all over again, particularly when reunion time rolls around. I’ll never forget it, and I remember it just like it happened yesterday, and I have to admit I hate her as much today as I hated her the day it all happened.

  My class was cancelled, and I let myself into the apartment the five of us were sharing. I heard voices and realized Renee and Nikki were having an argument, well kind of an argument, because Renee really never raised her voice or got angry about anything. Honestly, that woman is too good to be true. For some reason, rather than let them know I’d returned, I listened, and to this day I regret it.

  “Honestly, Renee, we could get anyone to live with us. We don’t need to be saddled with someone who barely knows how to use a knife and fork. I’d be willing to bet this apartment is a whole lot better than the house Amber grew up in down in the Central Valley. I know she’s on a scholarship and smart, but I think your putting up with her is almost like giving money to a homeless person. I’ve seen you do that before, and this isn’t a whole lot different. You probably think you’re doing her a favor, but she might begin to think she’s as good as we are, and that wouldn’t be fair. She’s a real nobody and never will be a somebody. It’s a total waste of our time to be around her.”

  “Nikki, I can’t believe what you’re saying. Amber is a wonderful person. She’s smart and giving, and she’s been a wonderful roommate. I don’t know why you’re objecting to her.”

  “I’ll tell you why. That guy she sees, Daniel Ruiz, should have stayed in Mexico. Just like her, he’s a nothing, and I’m embarrassed when people see him coming here to our apartment. I mean, think about it. The people we grew up with and our friends are so far above Amber and Daniel. Really, Renee, admit it, they’re both nobodies and a couple of big time losers.”

  “That’s a cruel thing to say, Nikki, and beneath you. I consider this conversation to be closed.”

  Amber backed out the front door, silently closed it, then opened it, and called out, “Hi everyone, my class was cancelled, so I’m back early.”

  “Hi, Amber, I’m just on my way to class. You’re lucky yours was cancelled. Considering that I haven’t really studied for mine, I wish it was mine that had been cancelled,” Nikki said brightly, gathering up her book bag, and waving to them as she walked out the front door.

  What a two-faced person she is. Someday something bad is going to happen to her, and I won’t shed a tear over it. In fact, when she dies I’ll dance on her grave.

  Twenty-five years is a long time to wait for revenge, but as Don Corleone said in the Godfather movie, “It is a dish that tastes best when it is cold.”

  CHAPTER 4

  “Sorry for the interruption, Judy. That was the company that’s going to reupholster m
y couch. One of my dogs, I think it was Lucy, the schnauzer, decided that my suede couch looked very inviting, and it was even more inviting when she could pull the stuffing out of the pillows. I know it seems silly to keep the old couch. Actually, I’d probably be better off if I just got a new one, but I remember Mom and Dad sitting on it in the evening after Dad got home from work, and I have sentimental feelings about it.”

  “I understand. I have a couple of things like that, and my children can’t understand why I bother to keep them. It’s an emotional thing. I can’t bring myself to let go of them.”

  “That’s it exactly. Anyway, back to my friends. I want to tell you a little about each of them. I told you about when I went to Provence five years ago for the reunion, and what a great excuse it was to go to Provence. I’m kind of sorry Nancy still isn’t there, because I could sure redo that trip.”

  “Yes, I remember. Actually, I was very jealous. Paris is something that’s always been on list of places I want to go, and now with the spa and hotel, I have no idea when I’ll ever get there. Where does Nancy live now?”

  “Her husband was transferred to their Los Angeles office, so she’s not that far away, but it’s kind of funny. Even though she’s only a short plane ride away, we only see each other at these reunions. It seems strange now that I think about it, but that’s how we do it.”

  “I think it’s nice you have friends you care enough about that you want to get together with them every few years.”

  “Yes, it is. The next one I want to tell you about is Nikki Evans. I’m not real sure what’s going on with her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, her husband was a very wealthy real estate developer in San Francisco, but something happened to him a few years ago and they left the San Francisco area. She’s never talked about it. Now they live in Sacramento, and I don’t know what he’s doing, if anything. I know she works in some state Senator’s office, but I don’t think it’s a very good job, and I don’t think she makes much money. Quite frankly, I’m always surprised she’s able to attend our reunions. Her clothes look like they came from Goodwill, and her hair is kind of a dishwater grey. On some women grey hair looks great, but with her I think it’s because she can’t afford to go to a hairdresser.”

  “I’m surprised the San Francisco rumor mill didn’t give you some hints about what happened.”

  “So am I, but I never heard anything. I feel sorry for her. She’s a proud woman, and I don’t think she wants us to know what, if anything, her husband is doing. I’ve heard there have been some marital problems, but since that happens in almost every marriage, I haven’t paid much attention to them.”

  “After three marriages, I can certainly attest to that,” Judy said wryly.

  “The next friend I want to tell you about is Tiffany Jones. She’s a very interesting person. Several years ago, her husband died of a heart attack. He was only fifty-four at the time, so it came as quite a shock to everyone. They lived in Seattle, and Tiffany was the vice-president of a large clothing chain that’s headquartered there.

  “Unfortunately, only a few months after his death, she was let go from the company. There was a lot of speculation they got rid of her because of her age. It seemed a little too convenient that a woman in her thirties, who hadn’t been with the company for very long, took over Tiffany’s job. She was devastated, but then a few months later, she was approached by the main competitor of the company she’d previously worked for to go to work for them. Long story short, she’s now the vice-president of that company and doing better than she ever did while working for the first one. It’s kind of a ‘warm your heart’ story.”

  “Those are the things all of us who are aging need to hear,” Judy said. “So often we’re made to feel like it’s all over when we hit fifty, and it’s not. Tiffany’s a case in point. I believe you said you had four friends in your reunion group. Who’s the last one?”

  “Her name is Amber Ruiz. She came from a very poor family in the Central Valley. She told us once her parents were sharecroppers. She went to Berkeley on a scholarship, and even though she’s quite intelligent, she’s never done much with her life. She married a farmer from Salinas. I think he’s what might be called a ‘truck farmer’. Although she comes to the reunions, I’ve always felt there’s some jealousy there. For some reason, she seems particularly resentful of Nikki, but I don’t know why. That’s pretty much a thumbnail sketch of who will be with me when we arrive at your hotel on the 28th. I better go. Tonight’s opening night at the opera, and I sit on the Board of Directors. Send me the address of your hotel, and I’ll mail you a deposit. Judy, I’m really looking forward to our stay at your hotel and spa.”

  “I will, and I’ll also send you a list of the spa services that are available. Why don’t you choose some for your guests, and I’ll make sure their experiences are memorable. As I said earlier, we have a jacuzzi and a sauna, so tell them to bring a bathing suit, if they wish, although that’s optional. Again, Renee, thanks!”

  CHAPTER 5

  Simone picked up the Calistoga News and couldn’t believe the headline which read “Boutique Spa and Hotel Opening July 28th”. She put the paper down and took a sip of her coffee. So much for her source that had told her the Calistoga Planning Commission was going to deny the requested variances needed to build a jacuzzi and sauna building on the property. Denial of the requested variance would have effectively blocked the owner from opening a hotel and spa due to the lack of jacuzzi and sauna.

  The next time Jim Michaelson runs for City Council, he better not ask me for a dime. Matter of fact, think I’ll give him a call and tell him that.

  She pulled his name up on her cell phone and tapped on the phone icon. A moment later a voice said, “Hi, Simone. How are you?”

  “Not well, Jim, not well at all. Have you looked at the Calistoga News this morning?” she asked.

  “No. There’s a City Council meeting tonight, and I’ve been reading the agenda to get ready for it. Why?”

  “Do you recall a few months ago when I gave a maximum contribution to your campaign for City Council, and I had three members of my staff do the same?”

  “Of course, I do. I’m sure that was one of the reasons I won the election. How do you think I could forget something like that?”

  “From what the paper says, it’s rather obvious you did forget something, like talking to the person you appointed to the Calistoga Planning Commission to make sure that no jacuzzi or sauna was built on the property of the hotel and spa that Judy Rasmussen is refurbishing. That’s what you forget. According to the paper, it’s supposed to open the end of July.”

  It was quiet on the other end of the phone for several long moments, then Jim began to speak. “Simone, I am so sorry. I told Henry I wanted to make sure his approval was never given for the sauna and jacuzzi to be built. I can’t understand what happened, but I’ll call him right now and find out. Anyway, everybody knows you’ve got the most elegant and best spa in town. It’s probably too late to do anything about it now, and really, it doesn’t matter. With the following you have, that new hotel and spa will probably be out of business in weeks…”

  Simone cut him off in mid-sentence and said, “Don’t try and weasel out of this, Jim. I’d be willing to bet you’re lying through your teeth, and you never told Henry to make sure it was prevented. You’ve been so busy telling everyone how important you are now that you’re on the Calistoga City Council, I’m sure it slipped through the cracks.

  “I’d like to make one thing quite clear, Jim, as of this moment any future requests from you for money from me will slip through the cracks as well. This is a small town, and it doesn’t take much money to get elected to public office here in Calistoga. I’m sure your next opponent will welcome contributions from me and some of my staff, and you can go back to being a used car salesman.” She pressed end call on her phone and threw the phone across the room where it hit a mirror and shattered it.

  Swe
ll, that’s all I need. A broken mirror means seven years of bad luck. Looks like it’s already starting with that Rasmussen woman’s place set to open on July 28th. Well, since I can’t do anything about it, I better think of something I can do to make sure she gets a lot of bad publicity and never makes a go of it.

  Simone took another sip of her coffee as a smile began to spread across her face. I wonder how much bad publicity the spa would get if a death took place there just after it opened. She stood up and opened the door to the hallway. Her cleaning lady, Josie, was in the living room doing her weekly dusting.

  “Josie, I’m sorry to bother you, but would you mind coming in here for a moment? I’d like you to make a call for me.” Josie walked into the room, an inquisitive look on her face.

  “I’d like you to call this number and ask if they have any available reservations for the weekend of July 28th. If the person answering the phone says they do, hang up. If she says they don’t, thank her and hang up. Really, it’s very simple. Understand?”

  “Yes,” she said, looking oddly at Simone. Josie placed the call and when she was finished Josie turned to her and said, “The hotel is booked that weekend. Evidently a woman from San Francisco is bringing a group of friends for a reunion they have every five years, and she wanted to have it at the hotel because the owner is a friend of hers.”

  “That’s all I need, Josie. You can go back to work. Thanks.”