Murder in San Francisco Read online

  “Of course, darling. Are you joining the other guests and me for dinner, or is this one of those nights where you need to prepare for court in the morning?”

  Roger grimaced. “No court preparation, but I have a meeting with the partners tomorrow, and we’re going to be looking at who gets a bonus this year, who gets an invitation to join us as a junior partner, and a bunch of things like that. I need to spend some time looking over what the courier brought me today. Hate to show up at the meeting and not have a clue what anyone is talking about.”

  “Okay, I’ll hold the fort down. What’s the name of Bernie’s lady friend?”

  “I believe Walter said it’s Michelle D’Amato.”

  “When I go downstairs to change, I’ll check my office computer, and make sure her cottage and the treatments she books are perfect. Don’t worry, she’ll get the VIP treatment. I’d hate to make you look bad in front of Walter.”

  “Trust me, Liz. You’re not the only one,” he said as he followed her down the stairs to their living quarters located on the lower level of the lodge.

  *****

  Later that evening, as the spa guests started to assemble in the lodge for dinner, Liz was greeting them and handing them name tags when the large room became silent as one of the most stunningly beautiful women Liz had ever seen walked in the front door. Her silky auburn hair was pulled back behind her ears that bore diamond earrings which Liz estimated to be at least two carats each. Piercing green eyes were framed with thick black lashes, which set off her porcelain skin and sculpted cheekbones. She had a smattering of faded freckles which were barely visible on either side of her nose. Her breathtaking beauty didn’t stop at her face, but continued down the length of her voluptuous body, epitomizing everything both men and women coveted, although for different reasons. Despite her show-stopping entrance, the woman seemed oblivious to the sensation she’d created, and her manner was both friendly and unassuming.

  She walked over to Liz and greeted her with a warm smile. “Hi, I’m Michelle D’Amato. You must be Liz Langley. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to this.”

  “Yes, I’m Liz and my husband, Roger, said he’d received a call from Walter, and that I should do everything I could to make your stay enjoyable. Please let me know if you need anything. The wine and cheese are over there on the sideboard. If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on dinner,” she said as she turned and walked towards the kitchen.

  As Gina, the young woman who worked as Liz’s dinner waitress and helper, began to serve the meal, Liz took the empty seat next to Michelle and asked, “Have you had a chance to book your spa appointments for tomorrow?”

  “Yes. I’m having a facial in the morning and a massage in the afternoon. I’ve also brought a couple of books with me. I noticed that there isn’t a television in my cottage and quite frankly, I’m glad.” Michelle giggled. “The gentleman I’ve been seeing for several years is hard of hearing and loves to have the television on, but unfortunately the sound is always turned up very, very loud. I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet.”

  “I can pretty much guarantee you’ll get plenty of that here.” Up close, Liz could see that Michelle was older than she first appeared, but whether she’d had any work done was hard to discern. Liz could only conclude that if Michelle had any botox or fillers in her face, they’d been done with an exceptionally light hand, which was rare.

  “About the only sound at night is when one of my dogs, Brandy Boy, hears a guest in one of the cottages ring their bell, and he runs to the cottage to deliver a bit of the brandy contained in a small cask I have tied to his collar. He’s been written up in several papers. Even if you don’t like brandy, it’s worth seeing, but a word of warning. He’s so intent on getting to the cottage, he thinks anything in his way is simply something to be run over.”

  Michelle’s mouth fell open. “You just jogged my memory. I remember reading an article about him in the San Francisco Chronicle a while ago, and I believe once, because of his rush to get to a cottage, he saved your life. Is that correct?”

  Liz nodded. “Yes, it was several years ago, but he still thinks his reason to be on this planet is to deliver brandy at night. Trust me, the rest of the time he’s pretty worthless. You’ll see him lying on the porch and stepping over him is the only thing you can do, because he doesn’t move for anyone.”

  *****

  “Liz, dinner was wonderful,” one of the guests said on the way out. “I understand that a continental breakfast is served in the morning, is that correct?”

  “It certainly is. The door will be unlocked, so please come in. We serve it from seven in the morning until nine. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

  As they were leaving, every one of the guests talked about how wonderful the shrimp pasta with alfredo sauce had been, as well as the baguette garnished with tomatoes and drizzled with a garlic, olive oil and balsamic mixture. Several of them asked Liz if she’d be willing to share the recipes. Liz said she’d make copies of them, and they could pick them up at breakfast the following morning.

  The last one to leave was Michelle. “Liz, thank you so much for a wonderful dinner. It was terrific, and I’m really looking forward to the peace and quiet of my cottage. It’s so comfortable. You’ve thought of everything to make your guest’s stay special.”

  “Good, I’m glad you like it. Is there anything I can do to make your stay more enjoyable?”

  Michelle was quiet for a moment and then she laughed. “I feel like I’m committing a sin after that wonderful dinner, but I’m a sucker for a good hamburger. The gentleman I told you about thinks they’re terribly plebian, and only for people who can’t afford to eat at the best restaurants in San Francisco. I hope you won’t be offended, but I think I’ll go into town tomorrow and see if I can find a good burger.”

  “Tell you what.” Liz liked Michelle’s down-to-earth attitude, as well as thinking she could use a little extra weight on her. “I have to go into town and pick up a few things. There’s a diner in town called Gertie’s that makes a great hamburger, actually some say it’s the best on the West Coast. People come all the way from San Francisco just to eat there. I know Gertie very well, and if you like hamburgers, you won’t find a better one. Why don’t you come with me? Believe me, meeting Gertie is an experience you shouldn’t miss.”

  Michelle’s face broke into a grin. “Who could resist a tantalizing proposition like that? I’d love to. What time are you planning on going to town?”

  “I was thinking about noon. I can pick up what I need first, and then we could have lunch at Gertie’s. What time is your facial?”

  “It’s at 9:30, so that should give me plenty of time. Shall I meet you here?”

  “Yes, I’ll see you then.”

  CHAPTER 4

  Jim Brown’s lip curled up as he threw the newspaper down on the ground at the park where he was sitting on a park bench and enjoying his cup of coffee. He hated the park with the screaming kids being wheeled around, dogs yipping because their owners were required to have them on a leash, and the homeless people who lived behind the hedge, shielded from the sight of the majority of the parkgoers.

  He knew he was only separated from the people who permanently lived in the park by a very small margin, which was getting smaller and smaller with each passing day. The only reason he even bothered to come to the park was to read the morning newspaper that some San Francisco resident left there every lunchtime along with his empty five-dollar special made cup of Starbucks coffee.

  In a previous lifetime, when Jim had been the co-owner of a successful company, Spitzer Electronics, he’d devoured the paper, anxious to find out what was happening around the globe, and more importantly, in the business world. Little did he know in those days that his partner in forming the start-up company, Bernie Spitzer, would find a way to take the company from him and then more or less throw him under the bus.

  He didn’t realize that he’d forgotten to file the patent f
or the scientific discovery he and Bernie had created. It was just that he’d gotten busy with other things. Then D-Day struck. He’d never forget the day that his world, no, his life, had imploded. He’d been working on a new patent when Bernie had walked into his office and with a triumphant chortle announced that he was now the proud owner of a patent, the very one for the product the two of them had invented.

  Jim’s chest tightened as he remembered how Bernie told him he’d suspected Jim hadn’t filed the necessary paperwork to secure the patent, because he knew Jim didn’t like to deal with details. Bernie had done a little digging and discovered that his instincts had been right, that their multi-million-dollar product was unpatented, and anyone could register it. Bernie told him that in the interests of the company and everyone who was employed by it, he’d filed the necessary paperwork, and since Jim hadn’t bothered to do anything with it, he assumed Jim really wasn’t interested in being a partner or even working for the company.

  Jim’s attempt at an explanation was not only unwelcome, but futile. Bernie had handed him a check for $100,000 which he said was Jim’s severance pay. He’d had a security guard accompany Jim to his desk and watch as he cleaned it out, and then escort Jim out of the building. And that was the end of his career as the co-owner of a very successful start-up company.

  The last twenty-five years had been a downward spiral for Jim. First his wife had left him, then in a desperate attempt to show her that he had a lot of money and she should reconcile with him, he’d lost the entire amount Bernie had given him in a Texas hold’em poker game. Losing the house they’d owned for years was the next disaster. He couldn’t afford the monthly payments, and so the bank foreclosed. His social security income paid for the flea trap apartment he now lived in, but there sure wasn’t much left over for things like newspapers.

  And today, Bernie had once again, even after twenty-five years, managed to rub his nose in the loss of what should have been Jim’s fortune. According to the article in the paper he’d just read, Bernie had announced that some of the money that rightfully should have been Jim’s was going to go to some animal shelter. It wasn’t fair, and Jim was at the end of his rope.

  He knew it was too late for him. His life was over, but maybe in the twilight days or months of his life he could make Bernie Spitzer suffer as much as he had. It really wouldn’t take much. After all, Jim knew a thing or two about science and drugs. Maybe it was fate that the woman next door to him was living with the night doorman at the condominium building where Bernie lived. He and the guy had even talked about Bernie once, although Jim didn’t think he’d believed Jim when he’d told him he used to be Bernie’s partner. Admittedly, he sure didn’t look like some guy who Bernie would have anything to do with, but Jim imagined the doorman would probably let him into the building.

  Jim pulled a sandwich wrapper from a nearby trash bin and pocketed the partly eaten remains, deciding that the newspaper article was a definite sign from the heavens above that he needed to do something before his time ran out. A plan began to form in his mind. It wouldn’t help his financial situation, but it sure would help his mental outlook, and with his time on earth getting shorter and shorter with each passing day, it would be worth the risk to know that he’d finally taken action. Even Bernie could appreciate the irony about Jim not forgetting to do something. Maybe he’d forgotten to file the patent, but he’d make up for it with murder.

  CHAPTER 5

  Promptly at noon, there was a knock on the front door of the Red Cedar Lodge and just as Liz walked over to open it, Michelle walked through the door. Dressed in jeans and a flowing top, her makeup free skin was glowing.

  “You’re right on time,” Liz said as her big boxer, Winston, stood next to her, quietly assessing the woman who had just entered the room. “This is my dog, Winston. My husband gave him to me shortly after we met. There was a bit of a murder mystery involving the spa, and Roger was concerned for my safety. Feel free to pet him, as he’s quite friendly. He just looks scary.”

  Michelle bent down towards Winston. “You’re not kidding. I’d never walk up to a dog that looked like him if the owner hadn’t assured me the dog was harmless. He’s a boxer, isn’t he?” she asked as she extended her hand to let Winston sniff it.

  “Yes, and he’s absolutely the smartest dog I’ve ever been around. He was trained as a guard dog and is conversant not only in verbal commands, but in hand gestures as well, plus he’s an absolute love. I can’t imagine what I did before I had him. Let’s go, my van’s right outside,” Liz said, as she opened the front door of the lodge.

  Michelle followed her outside. “I can’t imagine why you’d need a guard dog. Although your spa is a bit remote, I certainly don’t associate your spa with a mystery.”

  “Unfortunately, somehow, I’ve found myself involved in several mysteries over the last couple of years, and all of them included murder.” Liz unlocked the van, and they both climbed in. “Winston has not only saved my life on a couple of occasions, he’s just wired to be permanently on guard. Hopefully, those days are behind me. To change the subject, how was your facial? And as the owner of the spa, I’m hoping you’ll say it was terrific,” she said with a laugh.

  “Yes, it truly was amazing, and I’m saying that in all honesty. As a matter of fact, I’d say that even if you weren’t the owner.” Michelle reached up with both of her hands and smoothed her cheeks. “It really was the best one I’ve ever had. My facialist, Sonja, was very knowledgeable, and she even suggested a couple of things I could do to keep the inevitable lines on my face that are lying in wait from appearing someday.”

  Liz didn’t mention her thoughts that Michelle might have already taken steps to prevent such an occurrence.

  “My manager, Bertha, is in charge of hiring the spa employees and checking all their references,” Liz said, as she drove the van down the lane and onto the nearby highway. “I remember her saying that Sonja received raves from her past employers. Since the lines of time have certainly made an appearance on my face, I think I need to make an appointment myself.”

  “Trust me, you won’t regret it. I’ve had a lot of facials, and Sonja is now at the top of my list.”

  “Okay, you’ve convinced me.” Liz said, smiling. They passed the rest of the short journey into town in a comfortable silence.

  “I have to stop by the pet store and the market. You’re welcome to come in with me or wait in the van. I won’t be long at either one,” Liz said as she pulled into a parking spot in front of a building with the name “Healthy Pets” on it.

  “I’m here, so I might as well see what the people of Red Cedar are like. Liz, thanks again for letting me accompany you,” Michelle said as she hopped out of the van and followed Liz into the store.

  Forty-five minutes later, errands complete, they headed for Gertie’s Diner. “I hope you’re prepared to meet a real Red Cedar icon. I have no idea how old Gertie is, but whatever her age, I just hope I can be as active as she is when I reach it,” Liz said as she pulled into a curbside parking spot half a block from the popular eatery. “Get ready, Michelle, because this may be the highlight of your stay in Red Cedar.”

  Liz opened the door of the diner and was immediately engulfed in a hug from a small slender woman who appeared to be in her 80’s with back-combed bottle-blond hair and a pencil stuck behind one ear. She was furiously chomping on a big wad of bubble gum. After a moment the woman pushed Liz away from her and just stood looking at her.

  Liz was the first to speak. Her face fell. “Gertie, is something wrong?”

  “Course not. Jes’ trying to see if you’ve changed during all this time you’ve stayed away. Staff was beginning to wonder if we’d had a set-to. Only thing that kept them believin’ me was that handsome husband of yers’ who keeps me in business and lets me know what’s up with you, now that yer’ so busy and all.” Gertie stretched her face and clicked her false teeth back into place. “Been a coon’s age, darlin’, and that’s way too long. So, who
’s this beauty you brung with ya’?”

  Liz motioned towards her companion. “This is Michelle D’Amato, one of my guests. She mentioned she loved a good hamburger, and I told her you made the best one on the West Coast.”

  “Ya’ got that right, darlin’,” Gertie said as she turned and looked squarely at Michelle. “Gal, was you always that beautiful, or did the spa make you that way? If it’s the spa, gonna have to pay it a visit. Could use a little gasoline in my tank for the new guy I’m seein’,” she said with a leering wink. “Got me some new unders, but probably wouldn’t hurt to do a little somethin’ fer the chassis.”

  Michelle was clearly at a loss for words, her eyes as wide as saucers, so Liz answered for her. “In answer to your question, Gertie, yes, she was this beautiful before she came to the spa, but if you want to come, I’d love it if you’d visit as my guest.”

  “If’n ya’ can’t take thirty or some years off this chassis, think I’ll give it a pass, but I’ll keep it in mind if an emergency comes up. Got a nice little table fer you two at the back.” They followed Gertie across the room to a table in the far corner of the diner. “Ya’ can see who all’s here, but the rest of the eaters don’t usually look that far back.” Gertie took the pencil from behind her ear and started to write, “So, Liz, two orders of your usual? A hamburger with everything and a chocolate malted milkshake?”

  Liz looked over at Michelle who nodded affirmatively.

  Gertie blew a giant pink bubble that splattered seconds later on her face. Peeling it off, she stuffed the gum back in her mouth. “Be back in a few minutes. You gals enjoy yerselves’. Liz, I not only missed you, I missed that big brute of a dog of yers’. Don’t come back unless ya’ got Winston with ya’. Hear?” With that, she hightailed it off to the kitchen to place their orders.