The Death Card: A Liz Lucas Cozy Mystery Read online

  “No, and that’s a good point. I’ll call Seth and ask him. By the way, I talked to Seth about his gun earlier today. I was wondering if there was any way to determine if the gun in the nightstand was Seth’s, and he gave me his gun’s serial number.”

  “Well, by comparing the serial numbers we should be able to determine whether or not the gun in the nightstand is Seth’s.”

  “That’s true. I didn’t know about the serial numbers before I talked to Seth, but he filled me in. Jessica said her father collected guns, and she thought it was a .45.”

  “I don’t think there’s enough evidence to get a judge to issue a search warrant. It sure would help if we could determine if that’s Seth’s gun. Wonder if Jessica could find out what numbers are on the gun when she cleans the next time? Maybe you could talk to her.”

  Or maybe I could find out some way to find out when I’m at Madame Dika’s this evening, she thought.

  “That’s a good idea. Let me think how I can do that,” she said. “I believe I told you Leroy’s ex-wife was planning on getting her back alimony from the proceeds of the insurance policy she thought the police department carried on Leroy. Seth told me the police department doesn’t have anything to do with the policies. He said the city carries an insurance policy on each member of the police department. I guess there’s a good chance she can get the money owed her. By the way, I decided it might be a good idea to see what else Donna knows about Anton, since evidently she’s seeing him.” She told him the plan she had come up with in order to have Donna return to the spa.

  “That’s a good idea. You know how much I love talking to you, but I need to do a little work here. Please call me after the guests leave tonight. Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Good luck this afternoon.” And good luck to me this evening, she thought. I’m glad there wasn’t time for me to tell him where I’m going this evening. He’s pretty leery of Madame Dika. I’ll keep the gun in my purse and Winston with me. I’ve got to figure out a way to get a look at the serial numbers on that gun.

  She called the police station again and asked to speak with Seth. “I’m sorry, he’s not in. May I give him a message?” the young woman’s voice asked.

  “No, thank you. I have his cell phone number. I’ll call him there.”

  A few minutes later she heard his oily voice “Afternoon, Liz. Caught me jes’ as I was getting’ back in the car from arrestin’ another speeder. You’d think they’d pay attention to the speed limit signs, but like I’ve said before, it’s good for the city coffers.”

  “It’s a good thing the city has you,” she said, rolling her eyes towards the ceiling. “Seth, has Wes, the coroner, gotten back to you?”

  “Yeah. He faxed me the report this mornin’. It was jes’ what I thought. Leroy ate the big one from a .45. Tol’ ya’ it was a big hole.”

  “Thanks. Did you find out anything about your .45?”

  “Nah. Dang thing jes’ wants to stay lost, and I’m purty sure it’s in Mexico by now. Guess I’ll have to get ‘nother one issued to me. A cop without a gun ain’t a purty sight. Kinda’ makes people doubt my credibility, if you know what I mean.”

  Yeah, so does that food stained shirt you wear every day. I’m sure you’re the laughingstock of the force, and to think you’re the chief! What in the world were the good voters of Red Cedar thinking when they elected you?

  “That would probably be a good idea,” she said. “Someone’s knocking on the door. It’s probably Emily. Talk to you later.”

  “Good afternoon, Emily. Come in,” she said to the young woman who had been Mark’s girlfriend. He was the young chef who had worked as an intern at the Lodge before he was murdered. Emily had taken his place and after interning for Liz for a few months, Liz had hired her on a full time basis. Emily was a natural when it came to cooking, and as busy with guests as the cottages and spa had become, Liz was very glad to have her.

  “Emily, I’m sorry to do this again, but I have an appointment tonight at 6:00, so you’ll have to take care of dinner. I have everything pretty much laid out for you, and I’ll be able to help you before I leave. I think we also need to get as much done as we can for tomorrow’s dinner.”

  The young woman walked over to the drawer where the aprons were kept, took one out, put it over her head and said, “I’m ready. Just tell me what you want done.”

  CHAPTER 15

  Liz looked at the big kitchen clock above the back door and said, “Emily, I have to leave. I’ll see you later. Winston, come.” She and the big boxer walked to her van and drove to Madame Dika’s home. She knew she was early, but she hoped the extra time might provide her with a way to see if the gun in the nightstand was Seth’s.

  Liz opened the door of Madame Dika’s, and she and Winston walked into the front room which was used as the reception area for clients. There was another car in the driveway, so she assumed Madame Dika was giving someone a reading. She was debating what to do when the door to the reading room opened, and Madame Dika walked out.

  “Oh, Liz, you’re early. I heard someone come in, and I knew your reading wasn’t scheduled until 6:00. I wanted to see who it was. Have a seat, and I’ll be with you in about twenty minutes,” she said, walking back into the room and closing the door.

  That’s exactly what I’d hoped for, she thought.

  She stood up and motioned for Winston to follow her. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest as she tip-toed down the hallway. There were several closed doors leading off of it. The first one she opened looked like it was Madame Dika’s bedroom. Everything in the room was purple from the carpeting to the bedspread to the curtains. Framed photographs of what she assumed were family members were hung on the wall. Liz quickly closed the door and went to the next one which was the bathroom. The third door she opened was a bedroom, and from the way it was decorated, or undecorated, it appeared to be a man’s room.

  This must be Anton’s room, she thought.

  She quickly looked around, stepped into the room, closed the door, and gave a hand motion to Winston to sit next to the door. Men’s clothes were scattered on the bed and the chair. It didn’t look like anyone had slept in the bed for a long time, but someone had definitely used the room to change clothes. Liz turned and saw the nightstand Jessica had told Gertie about next to the bed. She walked over to it, every nerve in her body on high alert, saying a silent prayer to the gods who had always looked out for her in the past, asking them if they would please do it one more time. She took a Kleenex from her purse and pulled on the drawer handle. It was just as Jessica had told Gertie – the gun was laying in the front part of the drawer looking up at her. She saw some numbers etched on it above the handle and realized they were the serial numbers.

  The drawer had come open farther than she’d planned, and she saw a notebook behind the gun and also some sort of a small electronic device. She took the notebook out of the drawer as carefully as she could, trying to not move the gun. She pulled her phone out of her purse and took a photo of the electronic device and the serial numbers on the gun. Liz looked in the notebook and saw that numbers had been written on every line. Quickly, she turned the pages. The entire notebook was filled with the numbers. Each line had sixteen numbers, a space, and then three more numbers.

  Just as she was putting the notebook in her purse she heard Winston growl. He left his position next to the door and walked over to the window. She followed him. A man was getting out of a car, and he looked exactly like the man she had seen at Gertie’s and the one who was in the photo Roger had sent to her. It was Anton. He wore a sport coat over a white shirt which was unbuttoned to his mid-chest. A thick gold chain necklace lay against his hairy chest. She supposed some women found him attractive, but he repulsed her.

  She motioned for Winston to follow her, and as fast as she could she opened the bedroom door, quickly walked the few steps to the bathroom, and went into it with Winston, closing the door behind her. She locked the door, turned the faucet on, and f
lushed the toilet. A few moments later she opened the door, and she and Winston walked out, nearly bumping into Anton.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked in a heavy European accent. “And why was that dog in there with you?”

  “I have a tarot card reading at six this evening with Madame Dika, and I had to go to the bathroom. I thought there must be one down the hall. I’m prone to epileptic seizures, and my dog is trained to spot when one is coming on, so I can take medication for it. He knows before I know. Isn’t that amazing?” she said, smiling, “I don’t know what would happen to me if it wasn’t for him.”

  Anton glowered at her, then turned and walked down the hall to the bedroom Liz and Winston had just left. They walked back down the hall to the reception room. She picked up a book about tarot card readings that was on the table, willing her thudding heart to calm down. Anton was only in the bedroom for a few minutes, and then he left without saying another word to Liz.

  He must not have discovered that the notebook is gone. Otherwise he would have been very angry, and obviously I would be suspected as the one who had taken it from the nightstand. Wonder if the gun and that electronic device are still there? Don’t think I’ll tempt the spirits again by trying to find out. Winston looked up her. She wondered if his heart was pounding in his chest as much as hers was.

  CHAPTER 16

  A few minutes before six that evening, Madame Dika walked out of her tarot card reading room followed by a middle-aged woman who looked like she’d been crying. She hurried past Liz and ran out the door. Liz didn’t know what had happened during the woman’s reading, but she assumed she hadn’t received good news.

  “Liz, I’m ready for you. I assume you’re going to bring that thing in with you again,” she said, referring to Winston.

  “Yes, he goes wherever I go. I’m prone to epileptic attacks, and he’s been trained to alert me when one is coming, so I can take my medication for it. I never go anywhere without him.”

  “That’s interesting. I only did the question tarot card reading for you yesterday, but I certainly didn’t see any health issues.”

  “Well, it’s usually pretty mild, and with the medication I take, it seems to be under control. Maybe that’s why.”

  They sat down at a small table in her tarot card reading room, Winston standing next to Liz. “Winston, lie down,” she said, giving him the hand command as well. “I’ve never had a spread tarot card reading. What do I need to do?”

  “I use a special deck for spread readings. There are very few of these decks in the world, but it’s my favorite, and I brought it with me from Romania. It was my great-grandmother’s, and I am named for her. She had her initials put on each card. You can see the small MD initials in the upper left hand corner of each card. What I want you to do is shuffle the deck and cut it. Your energy will be transmitted to the deck. I will then take ten cards from the cut deck and put them in a design I use which is similar to one that most readers call a Celtic Cross.”

  “I think I may have heard of it. What will these cards tell me?”

  “They will tell you about what’s happening in your present life, issues from the past, what challenges or problems you’re encountering, the future, what’s happening in your subconscious, give you advice, and a final outcome. When you leave you will know what you’re dealing with now, why you’re dealing with it, and what will probably happen in the future. I want you to keep one thing in mind when I interpret the cards. No matter what shows up, you have free will, and you can always make the necessary changes to make your life better. The cards are simply a guide. Now, please shuffle the deck.”

  “Okay, Madame Dika, I’ve shuffled them. Now I cut them, right?”

  “Yes, and I will draw the top ten cards and put them face down in the position of the Celtic Cross. Your energy has dictated which cards those will be. I am going to close my eyes and spend a few moments in silence to center myself in order to allow the cards to speak to me.”

  She was quiet for some time and then she opened her eyes and said, “The first card is the Empress,” as she flipped it over. “That’s the card of femininity. It can also indicate you have concerns for family matters. You are being restricted in your family life. That might have something to do with The Lovers card you drew yesterday.”

  “Yes, I do have concerns about my family life. That would fit.”

  “The second card is the eight of swords. This card tells me there is a man, possibly a lover, who has been prominent in your past. It also shows that you feel powerless about the situation.”

  “There is a man in my life and yes, he has been very prominent in the recent past. I don’t feel like I have any power over the outcome of our relationship. You see, he lives and works in San Francisco, and I live and work here in Red Cedar.”

  Madame Dika drew another card. “The knight of cups tells me this man is very calm and peaceful. Everyone finds him very attractive and charming.”

  “That he is. I’m a widow, and at times I feel I’m being disloyal to my deceased husband. I hope this man and I can be together permanently.”

  Madame Dika turned over the Strength card which was reversed or upside down. “When this card is reversed it shows you’re uncertain whether or not what you’re doing and feeling is the right thing. Does that sound correct?”

  “Yes, that’s true. I guess I’ll have to adapt to the fact that it’s time for me to move on, you know, move away from my deceased husband and concentrate on my relationship with this man.”

  Liz looked at the next card that Madame Dika turned over and sharply drew in her breath. “Oh no, the Hanged Man. Isn’t that a bad card to draw?”

  “Not at all. It very much reflects what you’re telling me. It shows you feel sadness regarding your late husband, almost a suspended feeling, but there is hope for the future. It indicates there has been a period of indecision on your part.”

  “That’s a relief. That card scared me when I first saw it. And this one you just turned over, the two of cups. What does it mean?”

  “This is extremely unusual. This card depicts a man and a woman exchanging cups. Some interpret this as a wedding taking place. From this I would be quite surprised if you and the man you’ve spoken of aren’t married in the near future. Coupled with the Lovers card from yesterday, I think this is very, very positive. Liz, it’s time to let go of the past. The cards are showing that your future is what is important. You must listen to the ancient wisdom of the cards.”

  “You and the cards are probably right, but it’s just a hard thing for me to do.”

  “Everything that is worthwhile is hard to accept. This is not an exception. This next card is the five of cups. It shows you have positive feelings for the future, but you’re disappointed that something didn’t turn out the way you hoped it would. It also tells me that your innate hope and optimistic beliefs will keep you strong.”

  “Well, once again, it probably has something to do with my deceased husband. I was so disappointed that the move from San Francisco to Red Cedar wasn’t enough to counterbalance the stress he’d been under that resulted in his massive heart attack and death.”

  Madame Dika turned over three more cards in quick succession: The Chariot, The Star, and the ten of cups. “The Chariot indicates you need to use your strength to attain a positive outcome. The Star indicates renewed hope. The Chariot and The Star are very spiritual cards. They show that you will be getting more in touch with that side of yourself.”

  “That wouldn’t surprise me. As I’ve gotten older I’ve begun to think more about spirituality. I’m sure there’s a lot more than what I can see.”

  Madame Dika continued, “The overall outcome is very good. You are a very strong woman and while you have had to face death and new beginnings, you ended the reading with the ten of cups. That’s a wonderful card to have drawn, given what you’ve been dealing with in the recent past. It shows a man and woman united, and it also indicates happiness in the future. Often it’
s a wish card. You asked a question yesterday and wished that you and this man could permanently be together. From the cards that have been turned over today, I would say there is a very good chance you will. You must be strong for whatever happens in the next few days. After that you will find that the situation you find yourself in will be resolved. Do you have any questions?”

  CHAPTER 17

  After the tarot card reading had been completed, Liz looked across the small table that separated them and said, “Madame Dika, I’m curious about one of the cards in the tarot deck. I’ve heard so much about the Death card, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one. This is only my third tarot card reading, so maybe it just hasn’t come up for me. Could you show me what it looks like and interpret it for me?”

  “I can’t interpret it for you, because it changes with the rest of the cards or the question, but I can show it to you. Let me find it.” She quickly riffled through the cards and looked up at Liz. “How strange. I can’t find it. Let me try again.” She riffled through the cards again. “I don’t understand this. It’s not in my deck. I don’t loan this deck to anyone, and the only time it’s ever used is during a Celtic Cross spread reading. I haven’t done one other than yours in several weeks,” she said, clearly agitated.

  “Well, it’s probably in the reception area. Maybe it got mixed in with one of the other decks. Never mind. It was just something I’ve always been curious about. I can probably look it up on the Internet. Oh, one other thing. Seth Williams was the one who recommended you to me. He told me he comes here often for readings. He said he was here last Sunday, the day his deputy sheriff, Leroy Moore, was murdered. I’m sure you’ve heard about that.”