Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott

Author:Michele Scott
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction, Women Sleuths, Mystery & Detective
ISBN: 9780425206843
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2005-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Cal escorted Nikki into the guest cottage and was kind enough to light a fire for her. “Would you like me to make you a cup of coffee or tea?” he asked her.

“No. You’ve done enough. I’m sure Meredith will be looking for you before too long.” Nikki fell into the overstuffed sofa and put her feet up on the coffee table. She was getting awfully comfortable here.

“She’ll figure I went home, unless Derek tells her that I’m with you. I needed a break from her, anyway. I’m starting to find that perhaps she’s a bit too melodramatic and materialistic for me.”

“Yes, I’ve heard she likes her designer clothes and expensive jewelry.”

“That said, I may not be the right man for her. My parents were farmers. I don’t buy into all that stuff.” He walked into the kitchen and rummaged around the cupboards. Nikki was too exhausted to protest, besides, the thought of coffee sounded kind of good. He put on the carafe. Before long, the aroma of fresh brew floated through the cottage. “Cream and sugar?”

“Yes, please.”

He brought it to her and set it down on the coffee table in front of her. It tasted good and warmed her to her core.

“Gotten much of a chance to see Napa Valley yet?” Cal asked, sitting down in the chair next to the sofa.

“Not really. I haven’t been here long, and Derek has really only had time to show me around the vineyard. Then, with Gabriel and now—” Nikki’s throat caught on Minnie’s name.

“It’s all pretty rotten, isn’t it?”

Nikki bit her lower lip, nodding her head.

“When this passes, I’d love to have Derek bring you over to my vineyard so you can have a look around, see what we do at Sumner. We buy some of our grapes from Derek. He grows a primo product in the valley. I’m envious.” Cal laughed. “But, we’re friends, so jealousy has no room in our relationship. We even had a running joke going about me trying to steal Gabriel from him. I’d kidded Gabriel about coming to work for me more than once, but I knew better. A vintner like Gabriel would’ve never left Malveaux. Although, I do have a great setup. I think you’d like touring my place. There’s quite a bit of history there.”

“I’m sure of that. Most of Napa Valley seems to be rich in history,” Nikki replied.

“Yes, but my vineyard is one of a handful that has a section of caves beneath it. They were used during Prohibition to store and transport wine.”

“That is interesting. Kind of like the underground railroad, only fine-booze style.”

“There goes that sense of humor again. I suppose that’s pretty much the way it was. Come by and have a look when you get a chance.”

“I’ll do that.” Nikki wanted to broach the subject of murder again with him. “Do you have any thoughts on the murders? I mean, I assume you know a lot of people around here and that you must have an opinion about what’s happened here.

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