The Death Card: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Read online

  “Ms. Lucas, Seth, I’m going to have to ask you some questions. Let’s go in your office, Seth, and let Wes do what he needs to do,” Sheriff Brown said.

  For the next hour they answered questions. “Seth, where were you today?” the sheriff asked.

  “I’ve been out in my patrol car arrestin’ speeders all day.” He took a book of tickets out of his pocket. “See? Got a bunch of them. Sunday’s one of the best days, cuz them tourists is all hurryin’ to git home.”

  “This has to be the only town in the county that still uses a ticket book. I’m going to have to trust you because there’s no computer time marks to indicate when you gave people those tickets. I’ll probably have to talk to you further, and there may come a time when you’ll be considered a suspect. Tell me why you and Leroy were arguing.”

  “Ain’t real happy ‘bout this, Keith. Sure could make some problems for me in the upcomin’ election. ‘Tol ya’ Leroy was thinkin’ ‘bout runnin’ against me, but I was purty sure it was nothing more than that, jes’ thinkin’ ‘bout it.”

  “Ms. Lucas, I don’t think I’ll need to talk to you any more. Obviously you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s been nice meeting you.”

  “Thank you, and please tell your wife and daughter I would love for them to come back to the spa. Next time they visit the spa, have them tell the receptionist to call me. I’d like to meet them.” She turned to Seth, “I’m leaving. We can talk about the private protection another time. Give me a call when you have a little time.” She motioned for Winston, who had been quietly standing next to her the whole time, to come. They walked out the door and got in her van. She couldn’t wait to get home and tell Roger about the death card and Tom Rice’s name prominently written in Leroy’s day planner.

  CHAPTER 5

  “Winston, it’s a good thing Emily and I made everything ahead of time,” Liz said as they pulled up in front of the lodge. “I just have time to get the salmon ready for the outside barbeque grill, the rice can cook while the guests have the last of the appetizers, the green beans just need to be heated, and that killer cantaloupe dressing is in the frig. We’re good to go. I’ll pull one of the frozen desserts out while we have dinner and let it soften. Easy peasy.”

  After dinner was finished and the last guest had left the lodge, Liz replenished the brandy in the keg Brandy Boy wore around his neck which was used to deliver the wee nip of brandy to thirsty guests in response to the small bell next their cottage. The cottages were stocked with dog treats the guests gave him in return for the brandy. When Liz had finished with Brandy Boy, she and Winston went downstairs to her living quarters. She sat down at her desk and called Roger.

  “Well, sweetheart, how went the session at the police chief’s office?” he asked.

  She told him about the coroner and the sheriff. “Roger, two things seemed strange to me. The name Tom Rice was written in Leroy’s day planner on his desk. I asked Seth about it, and he told me Leroy had been responsible for the man being convicted and sent to prison for wife-beating. I’m going to get on the computer and see what I can find out about him.”

  “Don’t waste your time. That’s why I keep Sean on the payroll. He’s a genius at finding things out about people, but you already know that from the work he did in your other two cases. I’ll put him on it first thing in the morning. Think it’s more important that you get some sleep. What’s the second thing?”

  “Remember how Seth told you he’d been having his tarot cards read this afternoon?”

  “Yes. I thought at the time it seemed completely out of character.”

  “So did I. Well, I found what’s called the Death card in a tarot card deck on the carpeting in Leroy’s office, or should I say Winston found it. He was pawing at something, and when I went over and looked, it was the card. I recognized from the one tarot card reading I had a long time ago.

  “The office was cleaned this morning, so it would have to have been left there sometime during the day. I asked Seth if he’d dropped the card on the carpeting. He was adamant that he’d never stepped into the room. He said he saw Leroy from the doorway and never went into the room. He also said he didn’t get the card from Madame Dika. He said she was fiercely protective of her cards. Do you think Leroy had visited her or maybe the murderer dropped it?”

  “I have no idea, but let me tell you what Sean told me about her. I called him after I talked to you and asked him to see what he could find out about Madame Dika. She has a past that includes some prison time for theft. When he examined the court records, he found out she had a thriving psychic practice in Beverly Hills, catering to wealthy people in Los Angeles. Evidently they would go to her and ask her help with something or other. Lots of it involved love affairs, and almost all of her clients were women. She told them she would help them if they would lend her their favorite piece of jewelry for two weeks, so she could get their vibes imprinted on her psyche. She told them when their vibes had meshed with hers she would be able to help them.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me! And people really fell for that?”

  “They not only fell for it, they did it in droves. According to what Sean found out, more than one hundred people testified at her trial. What she did was have someone create a replica of the piece of jewelry, think it’s called paste, anyway, she gave them the piece of jewelry back two weeks later, or what they thought was the original piece, except it wasn’t. Instead it was a knock-off fake. They wanted to be helped so much they never questioned whether it was the original piece they’d given her. She used a fence to sell the original pieces, and they split the proceeds.”

  “How was she discovered?”

  “One of the women’s husbands took his wife’s necklace to his jeweler and asked him to create a bracelet similar to the necklace for her. The jeweler had designed and made the original necklace and told the man that what he’d brought in was a fake.”

  “Wow! What a scam!”

  “Yes, and she’d foolishly kept records, so one thing led to another, and the prosecution was able to find a number of the people she had defrauded. Madame Dika, who went by the name of Madame Tsura then, was sentenced to five years in prison, but was released after three years for good behavior. And guess what? She just happened to land in Red Cedar.”

  “I wonder if she’s running a scam now,” Liz mused. “Maybe I should have a tarot card reading.”

  “I don’t think you need to do that. I’m wondering if there’s a connection between Tom Rice and her. Maybe Leroy found out something. I’ll give you a call tomorrow after Sean does some research.”

  “Sounds good. I’m whipped. I really don’t know why I seem to have developed a knack for being exposed to murders, but I have to say it’s not my favorite thing. Sleep well. I love you, Roger.”

  “Love you too, sweetheart. I cleared my schedule for the end of the week, so I’m planning on driving up Wednesday after work. Is that okay with you?”

  “Are you kidding? I just wish you lived here permanently! I like it a lot better when you’re with me.”

  “You just made my night. You sleep well.”

  CHAPTER 6

  “Good morning, Bertha,” Liz said to her manager of the spa and lodge as she walked into the kitchen the following morning. “Did the guests enjoy breakfast?” Five mornings a week Bertha served the guests a family style breakfast which Liz prepared the day before. The other two days, Emily, the girlfriend of the young man who had worked for Liz and was murdered, filled in for Bertha.

  “The bacon maple syrup rolls were a huge hit. I know it’s a new recipe you and Emily concocted, but it’s definitely one you’re going to have to repeat if the feedback from the guests is any indication. Actually, I think the guests would have eaten a dozen more of the rolls if they’d been available. Next time you make them be sure and make more than you think we’ll need. I don’t usually eat anything here in the morning, but I couldn’t resist that combination.”

&nbs
p; Bertha patted her stomach and smiled. She was a small woman who wore no makeup but had a smile that instantly made everyone feel good. She set very high standards for the people who worked at the Red Cedar Spa and Lodge, and every one of them tried to live up to her expectations. Liz was certain the success of the spa was in large part due to Bertha. She couldn’t imagine running the spa without her.

  “So, Bertha, how does the week look? Are the cottages booked?”

  “Completely. After the Brandy Boy incident went viral on You Tube, and he was on every television news show and in all of the supermarket tabloids, we’re booked solid for several months. People want to see him deliver brandy in his keg to their cottage when he hears the ding-ding-ding of the bell. I’ve had to hire more people for the spa as well. It’s developing quite a reputation as the place to go – a rustic setting with excellent treatments. I think people are tired of the corporate cookie cutter spas and looking for something different.”

  “Well, we certainly offer them that. It was one of the reasons I wanted to buy the spa when I first came here before Joe died. I wanted to get him away from his stress-filled career in San Francisco, and I couldn’t think of a better place for it than this serene setting among the trees and by the ocean. Unfortunately it was too late for him, but I love it here and have never regretted moving away from San Francisco. I know Joshua and Brittany have a hard time understanding why I didn’t sell the Red Cedar Spa after Joe died, but this is where I want to be.”

  “I’ve never traveled anywhere, but then again I never felt a need to,” Bertha said. “Everything I want is right here in Red Cedar. By the way, I had a strange call last night. You know I have the office phone set to transfer calls to a line I have in my home when I’m not here. Anyway, a woman called and asked if I had any openings for massages today. She said her ex-husband was murdered yesterday, and she wanted to celebrate. Don’t you think that’s a strange thing to say?”

  “Very! Were you able to work her in?”

  “Yes. Lisette had a cancellation, so there was an opening. The woman sounded very strange, almost a bit demented. I can’t imagine having your ex-husband murdered and wanting to celebrate it.”

  “I can’t either. Do you remember her name?”

  “Yes, her name is Donna Morris. Do you recognize it?”

  “I don’t know if you’re aware that Leroy Morris, the deputy police chief, was murdered yesterday.”

  “Yes, I heard. You know how small towns love to gossip, and this one’s no different. I stopped at Gertie’s Diner when I left here yesterday evening to get some cornbread. It’s the one thing my husband prefers over my cooking. Everyone at the diner was talking about it. They said he was shot while he was sitting at his desk.”

  “Well, given the fact his last name was Morris, I suppose it’s entirely possible his ex-wife is the one who made the appointment.”

  “I don’t know. I knew him, but not very well. I’d probably recognize his ex-wife if I saw her, but I’m not sure I’ve ever met her.”

  “What time is she coming in today?”

  “Her appointment’s at 2:00 this afternoon.”

  “Thanks. Remember how you thought I should try and investigate Mark’s murder because Seth Williams, the police chief, would probably bungle it?”

  “Yes, and you did solve it. Are you thinking of investigating Leroy’s murder?”

  “Probably. Seth asked if I’d help him. He’s afraid people will think he murdered Leroy because Leroy was thinking of running against him in the upcoming election for police chief. Because he might be a potential suspect, he had the sense to call the county sheriff and ask him to conduct the investigation of Leroy’s death. He’s really worried about the effect this will have on his election. Actually I felt sorry for him. You know I’ve never been a fan of his, but he seemed really sincere when he told me he didn’t have anything to do with the murder and for once he didn’t even act lecherous towards me. I think I’ll ask Lisette to tell me what Mrs. Morris had to say during her treatment.”

  “I’ve never cared for Seth a whit, but I also wouldn’t want him charged with murder if he didn’t do it. Have you thought of anyone who might have a reason to kill him?”

  “Not yet, but I think I’ll spend a little time today and see what I can find out.”

  “Well if I can help, let me know. I’ll be in the office if you need me,” Bertha said as she walked down the hall.

  *****

  Liz called the spa and the phone was immediately answered by the receptionist. “Good morning, Delores, it’s Liz. Would you ask Lisette to call me when she has a break or between her appointments?”

  “If you’ll hold, I’ll put her on right now. She just walked out of her treatment room.”

  A moment later Lisette said, “Good morning, Mrs. Lucas. What can I do for you?”

  “Lisette, you have a 2:00 appointment this afternoon with a woman whose last name is Morris. I’d appreciate it if you would call me after the massage and tell me about her. If you can get her to talk about herself that would be great.”

  “This sounds very intriguing. Is there something I should know about her?”

  “No, not now,” Liz said. “I really don’t know enough to comment about it.”

  “All right, Mrs. Lucas. I’ll call you after her treatment.”

  “Thanks,” Liz said and hung up.

  Roger always tells me the first place to start when someone is murdered is to determine who has the most to gain from the murder. In this case, the only one who seems to have anything to gain would be Seth because Leroy wouldn’t be running against him. Leroy wasn’t wealthy, so no one stood to inherit anything from him. His ex-wife would probably rather have him alive, so he could pay her the occasional alimony she got from him. Seth mentioned that Leroy liked to play the ponies. Maybe that had something to do with it. Why would anyone want to kill Leroy? If I knew why, I might know who. Then there’s that tarot Death card I found on the floor in Leroy’s office. Think I need to have a tarot card reading today.

  She went to the computer and pulled up the words “psychic Red Cedar.” Nothing. Then she tried searches for “tarot card readers Red Cedar” and “seers Red Cedar.” Nothing. As a last resort, she typed in “Madame Dika” and up popped Madame Dika’s contact information and a blurb about tarot card readings.

  It’s been years since I’ve done anything like that. Once in San Francisco Judy and I went to a tarot card reader, and I remember thinking it was pretty stupid stuff, but obviously Seth didn’t think so. She read the blurb on the screen that Madame Dika had written.

  “I offer three types of readings. One is an open reading in which I interpret cards you’ve drawn and tell you what I see happening in your life. In the second type of reading, you come with a specific question in mind that you’d like answered. You will draw a card which helps determine the answer to your question. I will interpret this card for you.

  The third type of reading is one where you shuffle the deck so that your energy is on the cards. Once you have shuffled them, I will position them in a spread. Each position in the spread has a meaning which I will then interpret for you. This is more of an overall approach to what is happening in your life in all areas. This is a one hour session, and the fee is $150.00. The other two sessions are half-hour sessions, and the fee for each of them is $85.00.

  My readings are 100% guaranteed, or I will return your money. If you are unfamiliar with what the tarot deck is, please read the following.

  The Tarot deck is made up of the Minor Arcana and the Major Arcana. Like regular playing cards, the Minor Arcana of the Tarot deck includes four suits. Rather than spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs, however, the suits are: wands, swords, cups, and circles or pentacles.

  Each suit also has a meaning regarding a specific approach to life. The cards within these suits are numbered one through ten and also include the court cards -- the king, queen, knight, and page. The Minor Arcana cards represent the more minor, prac
tical daily ups and downs in life.

  The Major Arcana are not associated with the suits. They include the picture cards that represent principles, concepts, and ideals. They are numbered one through 21, with the 22nd card (the ‘Fool’) marked as zero. The Major Arcana cards represent strong, long-term energy or big events in some area of life.

  Seeing a Major Arcana card about a particular subject in one reading and then getting a Minor Arcana card about the same subject in the next reading would mean that this subject is becoming less important in your life.

  I look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve success and happiness in your life You may book your appointment by filling out the following information.”

  Liz booked an appointment for 3:00 that afternoon and indicated she wanted a reading specific to a question she would like answered. Once she had clicked on submit and paid through PayPal a map and directions to Madame Dika’s home came up. In Madame Dika’s bio it indicated she had a master’s degree in psychology from a prominent university in Romania. She neglected to indicate which university it was.

  I wonder whatever caused Seth go to her for readings? That is so out of character for him. I’m really curious. Probably should give him a call.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Good morning, Seth,” Liz said as she held her phone in one hand and with the other hand pulled ingredients for the night’s dinner out of the pantry to get as much done ahead of time as she could. She knew between her appointment with Madame Dika and everything else that needed to be done, it would be a busy day. “I hope you got some sleep last night. If you have a couple of minutes, I need to talk to you.”

  “Nah, didn’t get me much sleep last night. Mind kept whirling thinkin’ every sound was a knock on the door, and Sheriff Keith was comin’ to arrest me. Liz, I didn’t do it. Ya’ gotta believe me.”