Murder at the Gallery: A Northwest Cozy Mystery (Northwest Cozy Mystery Series Book 6) Read online

  After a leisurely breakfast, she and Jake had taken Balto for a long walk on the beach beside her house on Bainbridge Island. When they returned, Jake left to take care of a few things before their trip.

  “I’ll pick you and Balto up at six,” he promised, with a lingering kiss. DeeDee’s lips tingled at his touch. “And get ready for more of those when I get you all to myself for a whole week,” he said, before driving away with the car stereo blaring, singing at the top of his lungs.

  “He’ll get arrested one of these days for crimes against music,” DeeDee said to Balto before she began to pack. She’d already made an appointment to have her hair and makeup done at the local salon, which resulted in an enjoyable afternoon of being thoroughly spoiled and pampered.

  Now, at the airport, heads turned to stare at the attractive blond woman and the ruggedly handsome man who embraced her as she climbed out of the car. The valet was loading their luggage onto a cart. Jake looked at DeeDee’s three large suitcases and his one small one, but restrained from making a comment.

  DeeDee, reading his mind, began to protest. “You wouldn’t tell me where we were going, so what do you expect? You know I like to make sure I have everything I’ll need.”

  Jake tried to keep a straight face, and for once was unsuccessful. “I sure hope so.” He tipped the valet and they walked into the terminal.

  “It’s the moment of truth,” DeeDee said when they arrived at the Departures area, and they faced the line of check-in counters. Jake reached into his coat and pulled out the travel documents. His eyes never leaving DeeDee’s, he silently handed her the tickets.

  DeeDee was speechless for several moments, but the smile that suddenly spread across her face said a thousand words. She only managed to utter a few. “Marseille? Seriously? We’re going to Marseille?”

  Jake nodded. “Glad you approve. We have a layover in Paris for a couple of hours on the way, because there aren’t any direct flights from Seattle to Marseille.” He nodded towards the check-in counter for the Air France flight to Paris. “Shall we?”

  DeeDee slipped her arm through Jake’s as he wheeled the luggage cart towards the short line. When it was their turn, the clerk that greeted them couldn’t have been more charming. DeeDee handed the man their tickets and passports, while Jake placed the suitcases on the scale. The reading on the scale kept rising, and DeeDee held her breath. Jake was lightly pinching her arm, causing her to playfully shake his hand away.

  The Air France clerk placed the destination tags around the handles of the suitcases, and handed the boarding passes and other documents back to DeeDee without any reference to excess baggage. Instead, she heard the magic words she hadn’t even dared to hope for.

  “We have an upgrade for both of you this evening,” the agent murmured with a smile. “To Business Class. Please make use of the complimentary refreshments in the lounge, and enjoy your flight.”

  “That’s so kind, thank you,” DeeDee said. Her face was aching from smiling so much. When they were a safe distance away from the counter, she threw her arms around Jake and kissed him on his lips. “I love you, Jake Rogers. This is going to be the best trip ever.”

  Jake laced his hand through hers as they followed the signs to the Executive Lounge. “I could get used to this,” he commented as they entered and were greeted by the concierge. They settled in a private booth, and looked over the snack menu while DeeDee sipped on a cocktail and Jake downed a beer.

  “I guess we won’t be needing these,” DeeDee said, fishing a plastic storage container from her carry on bag. She opened the lid, and Jake squinted at the contents.

  “Sandwiches? You made sandwiches for us?” he asked in a puzzled voice.

  DeeDee laughed. “I told you, I like to travel prepared. I wasn’t sure if we’d get a meal during the flight. I guess I was wrong. I’ll throw these away when we leave.”

  Jake frowned. “No way. Keep them, just in case I don’t like what they serve us on the plane.”

  True to his word, on the plane Jake finished the three-course meal, as well as the sandwiches, then reclined his leather lounger into a bed, and slept for most of the next ten hours.

  *****

  DeeDee peered through the cabin window as the plane was preparing to land at the airport in Marseille.

  “I’m glad you’re awake, so you don’t miss anything,” she said, nudging Jake. “Will you look at this.” She moved over so Jake could lean across her and look out the window. “I’ve never seen the Mediterranean, but I had no idea it was so big. There are so many commercial ships and cruise liners. I don’t know why, but I thought it would only be big enough for a few yachts and sailboats.”

  Jake’s eyes widened. “Wow. That’s a lot of fancy yachts.” He nuzzled in closer to DeeDee, who was moving around excitedly in her seat. She looked away from the window, and turned to Jake. “I think this is the best birthday present in the history of ever. Thank you,” she whispered.

  Jake smiled sleepily. “You’re welcome. Do you have any more sandwiches? I slept through breakfast.”

  DeeDee raised an eyebrow. “No, they were all eaten by you. I wish I could sleep on a plane. I watched two movies and read half of my novel. Oh, and I was thinking, could we go to a Michelin-rated restaurant while we’re in France? Pleeeease?”

  “That’ll teach me to take a sleeping pill.” Jake rubbed his eyes with a grin. “I think I sleepwalked through immigration in Paris. Of course we can go to a Michelin restaurant. Dinner is always very much on my mind.”

  The plane hit the tarmac with a bump, and bounced before coming back down while the pilot applied the brakes. DeeDee was out of her seat as soon as the seatbelt signs were switched off. “Quick, so we’ll be first in the line to go through Immigration,” she said, nudging Jake, who hurriedly followed her lead.

  When they’d collected their luggage, DeeDee waited with the luggage cart while Jake went to the car rental desk. She noticed that the French women had a different air about them when she compared them to women from other parts of the world. She wondered if they were born with that aloof sense of confidence, and if they instinctively knew how to tie a scarf just so.

  Jake returned, jangling an ancient set of car keys, and they walked outside the terminal to pick up the rental car.

  “What is this thing?” DeeDee asked as they approached a small orange vehicle. The paintwork had faded from the sun, and it was covered in dents and scratches from what looked like a number of unsuccessful parking maneuvers. She looked at it, hesitating. “Do you think it’s safe to drive? I’m not sure if the suitcases will fit in.”

  “Cute, isn’t it? It’s a Renault 4. I’ll drive,” Jake said. “It’s only about ninety minutes to the place where we’re staying. When we get there, we can get some sleep, and then we’ll have dinner.”

  “Care to tell me more?” DeeDee asked, helping Jake squeeze one of her suitcases into the tiny trunk. They got it in, and put another one, along with Jake’s smaller case, on the back seat.

  Jake scratched his chin and eyed the rickety roof rack as a possible resting place for DeeDee’s third suitcase. “Nope. It’s a surprise,” he said as he smiled at her. “Make yourself useful and hold this rack steady while I try and secure your suitcase to it, or you’re going to have to decide which of your suitcases you want to leave behind.”

  DeeDee’s mouth fell open. “We’re not going anywhere without them. Here, let me help you.”

  CHAPTER 2

  An hour and a half later, Jake turned the car into a cobblestone driveway lined with trees. As they bumped along, DeeDee tried to smother a yawn. The only thing that had kept her awake during the last stretch of their trip was the excitement of seeing the dramatic scenery on the often steep and winding roads along the way, and the fact that the old car they were traveling in didn’t allow for a very smooth ride.

  “We’re here, aren’t we?” She looked over at Jake, who had rolled up his shirtsleeves and was driving with one elbow resting on the o
pen window. The late afternoon sun was still strong, and the vehicle had no air conditioning. The windows had metal handles to wind them up and down. It reminded DeeDee how old she was, and that she could remember when cars weren’t full of electric gadgets or a flashing display panel.

  Jake turned to her and winked. “Sit tight. Any minute now and you’ll see where we’ll be staying while we’re in Provence. I hope you like it.”

  DeeDee groaned as the car hit a pothole, and she was thrown around in her seat. “You know what the best thing is about turning fifty?” She let out a chuckle and went on without giving Jake a chance to reply. “I guess you do, seeing as you’re a little older than me.”

  Jake changed gears with the stick shift that looked like a handle that pulled in and out of the plastic dash. “Only by a couple of years,” Jake reminded her. “Not that anyone could tell from my boyish good looks.” The lines around his blue eyes creased up as he smiled. “Anyway, what is the best thing about turning fifty? Tell me.”

  DeeDee paused, gathering her thoughts. “Somehow, I feel lighter inside, kind of free. It’s like a weight has been lifted off of me. If I’d known getting older would feel this good, I never would have worried about it.” She shook her head, gazing through the windshield at the long shadows cast by the trees, before turning back to Jake. “Why doesn’t anyone ever tell you that? It’s taken me fifty years to finally grow comfortable in my own skin, and be true to who I really am. Now, instead of putting everyone else first, I get to focus on me. It feels good, and I don’t feel selfish.”

  Jakes blue eyes twinkled. “I guess we just have to figure this stuff out along the way. I’m glad you feel like that, because there’s nothing more beautiful than a woman who’s confident in herself. That’s one of the things I love about you. The last couple of years have been rough for you, but you’ve come through it much stronger.”

  DeeDee knew Jake was referring to her divorce after a long marriage. When she’d gotten divorced, she’d moved to Bainbridge Island, which is located across Puget Sound from Seattle, and started a catering business, Deelish. She’d worked hard to get her business off the ground, and now it was at the point where it was doing well with an established clientele. Her other focus was making sure her relationship with Jake didn’t suffer as a result. Finding her way had been scary at times, but it had been well worth it.

  The car had reached the end of the line of trees, and the cobbled lane opened onto a wide expanse. DeeDee was momentarily speechless. She blinked a couple of times to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. “Wow,” she whispered.

  In front of them was a large chateau situated on a knoll overlooking a deep gorge on one side. The walls surrounding the building were divided by two small columns at the front, joined by a heavy gate serving as an entrance. Behind the gate, DeeDee could just make out a blue door, similar to the many other blue doors she’d seen on the drive from Marseille. Apparently, it was an old tradition in Provence for a homeowner to paint a home’s front door blue. A large, covered porch stretched across the front of the chateau, surrounded by a meadow of purple wildflowers leading to orchards and vineyards in the distance beyond.

  The gate was built for small cars such as the one they were driving, but even so, DeeDee held her breath as they passed through the narrow opening. There was a scraping noise as the car brushed past the columns.

  Jake grunted. “I don’t think anyone will notice a few more scratches on this old thing,” he said, before coming to a stop on the circular driveway in front of the chateau.

  The blue door of the chateau swung open and an imposing older French woman accompanied by a younger man came out to greet them. The heavyset woman was wearing a thick navy dress with a blouse underneath, and her graying hair was swept up in a solid roll at the back of her head. “That must be Madame Durand, the owner,” Jake said, raising an eyebrow at DeeDee. “We’d better be on our best behavior. She looks like a tough old battle-axe.”

  DeeDee gave him a warning look as they climbed out of the car. DeeDee’s legs and back were stiff, and she rolled her shoulders to loosen up. Despite the amazing surroundings, all she longed for at that moment was a warm shower and a comfy bed. There would be plenty of time to explore later.

  The woman spoke English in a deep, heavily accented tone. “Welcome,” she said with a formal nod. “I am Madame Durand, and this is Andre. He will take your bags and show you to your room.”

  DeeDee shuffled from foot to foot, suddenly nervous in case Andre would be offended when he saw all the heavy suitcases. Then DeeDee remembered the conversation she’d just had with Jake, and her self-confidence returned. She was quite sure in a chateau as grand as this, Andre was used to guests with a lot more luggage than theirs. She straightened up and followed Jake’s lead, shaking hands with Madame Durand and Andre. “We’re so happy to be here,” DeeDee murmured.

  A friendly Andre spoke up. His English was much better than Madame Durand’s. “Dinner is served at 8:00 p.m. with wine in the library beforehand. Madame and Monsieur Durand will be hosting it. If you are hungry, we can also arrange something for you to eat now.”

  Never one to refuse food, Jake started to say something, but DeeDee interrupted. “If we eat now, it would probably spoil our dinner. I think we’d just like to go to our room. We’re both tired after our long trip. Right, Jake?”

  Jake held out his hand for DeeDee’s. “Right. As usual.”

  They followed Andre through the chateau, along wide hallways and up a winding staircase leading to their room. Paintings lined the walls, and DeeDee, with a background of working as a docent at SAM, the Seattle Art Museum, recognized them as being very high quality artworks. When they reached the door of their room, Andre stopped and said he’d be back with the luggage, and would knock when it was in the hallway outside their room.

  The large and airy room was decorated in the traditional French provincial style. The oyster-colored walls and carpeting provided an opulent backdrop to the chair that was in a corner with a caned seat, cabriole legs, and simple scalloped carvings. The same swirling design was repeated on the chalk paint headboard of the king size bed and the dresser along one wall. A marble bust looked right at home sitting on top of the dresser. While it appeared no period detail had been overlooked, on closer inspection DeeDee decided that was probably because the items all appeared to be authentic and quite possibly original to the residence.

  DeeDee walked across the room to where the open windows looked out onto the chateau’s vineyards and olive trees, beyond which the hill fell away into a cliff, and then down to the gorge below. Her senses soared as she absorbed the wild and wooded view, and she leaned her head on Jake’s shoulder with a sigh of contentment.

  Jake was the first to speak. “DeeDee, can you believe this? It’s even better than what my friend told me it would be like. I mean, how many acres of vineyards and olive trees do you think they own?”

  DeeDee shrugged. “I have no idea, but I remember a friend from the Midwest once told me that you never ask someone how many acres of land they have or how many cattle they own, because it’s considered rude. I assume the same holds here for vineyards and olive trees, and I wouldn’t like to offend Madame Durand.”

  “Me neither, but if we don’t grab a quick nap, we will offend them for sure by falling asleep at the dinner table,” Jake said laughing. He walked over to the bed and lay down, his feet hanging off the end.

  By the time DeeDee had explored the bathroom, and heard the knock on the door from Andre to signal that their suitcases had arrived, Jake’s snores were audible from the bed. DeeDee was too exhausted to care. She’d lost count of how many hours she’d been awake, and was too befuddled to figure it out or calculate what time it was in Seattle. She got in bed beside Jake, and drifted off in a dream of vineyards, castles, and Michelin-rated restaurants.

  When they woke up almost four hours later, it was almost 8:00, and they just had time to shower and dress before heading to the library. From the voic
es coming from there, it sounded like several other guests had already started enjoying the wine.

  A short man with a combover and a considerable paunch approached them. He looked admiringly at DeeDee, taking in her sleek shift dress accessorized with a simple string of pearls.

  “You must be DeeDee,” he said, with a half-bow. “I am Monsieur Durand, but please, call me Franck.” He extended his hand to DeeDee and Jake in turn. “We are so happy to welcome you to Provence. Would you like a glass of wine? All of our vineyards are organic.”

  DeeDee exchanged a look with Jake. Her first impression was that Franck and his wife made an odd couple, but as usual she deferred any judgment without first getting to know them better. “I’d love to try some organic wine, thank you,” DeeDee said. “Would you suggest something?”

  Franck nodded. “Of course. Red and white wines from Provence are known throughout the world by wine connoisseurs. I think you will find they are all excellent. Please, follow me.” He led them to a sideboard which displayed the wines. Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvédre reds and rosés, along with Ugni Blanc and Rolle whites, were all being poured.

  With Franck’s assistance, they settled on a Mourvédre. “This is wonderful, Franck,” Jake said, tasting the wine. “I’ve never had it before.”

  “My pleasure,” Franck said, before leaving them to greet other guests who were entering the library.

  DeeDee savored the earthy aroma of the wine before taking a sip. The soft red fruit flavors came to life when they hit her tongue. She raised her glass to Jake’s and they clinked them together. “If this is the precursor to our time in Provence, it’s off to a wonderful start. I love you, Jake Rogers.”

  Jake wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her temple. “And I, you.”

  A short while later, Madame Durand announced dinner was being served in the dining room. DeeDee and Jake filed in with the other eight guests and their hosts. They were all seated at one long table, DeeDee next to Madame Durand on one side, and Jake on the other.