Deadly Vintage: A Molly Doyle Mystery (13 page)

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Authors: Elaine Flinn

BOOK: Deadly Vintage: A Molly Doyle Mystery
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“Good thinking. I’ll keep a lookout for him.”
When Molly returned to the garage, Emma was folding bubble wrap. “I picked up the mail, too. It’s on the table by the Chinese bowls. There’s a pretty postcard from Rome. But there’s no message. Guess it’s from a friend of yours and they forgot to write.”
Molly picked up the postcard. Her name and address were on the same kind of printed label as the first postcard. She shook her head. “I have no idea who sent this. I got one last week from London.”
Emma giggled. “Maybe it’s a secret lover and he’s teasing you.”
Molly rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. That’s all I need now. Another mystery.”
Chapter 12
 
THE CARMEL HIGHLANDS, just south of Carmel and on the northern edge of the Big Sur coastline, is a small community with homes hugging spectacular cliffs on both sides of Highway One. The brochures from nearby five-star hotels proclaimed the Highlands as a front-row seat to nature for whale and sea otter watching. Once populated by a small group of metaphysical-type residents, it soon became home to a wealthier contingent, and now residential prices vied with Pebble Beach’s. The oceanside homes were the most adventurous and intriguing. The architecture ran the gamut from Spanish Colonial to stark modern boxes on gigantic stilts, perched precariously on the edge of massive cliffs. The roar of crashing waves was often thunderous.
It was early afternoon on Sunday when Molly slowed the van as she approached the Jessop home. A long line of cars idled as each guest waited for a parking valet. From what she could see as she inched down the sloping drive, the home was a dramatic fusion of contemporary and Japanese architecture. The wood’s weathered gray stain blended perfectly with the bark of the towering pines and the many gnarled cypress trees surrounding the structure. Window-less from the street, wide and low-slung, with its sweeping vistas of the ocean already visible from the drive, the house seemed to be clinging to the very edge of the world. Molly had a hard time visualizing Carla living there. She seemed too vibrant, too full of life to live in this almost monastic-looking house. Molly shivered and pulled the sweater wrapped around her shoulders tighter.
“When is Randall coming?” Emma asked as they crossed a small wooden bridge to the entry. Molly rang the bell, and shrugged. “Dunno. He said he’d be a little late.” She checked her watch. “I hope he gets here pretty soon, though. We really don’t know anyone here.”
“Hell, you know me!” a voice behind her said. Molly turned and smiled. “Dan! You walk like a cat. I didn’t hear you coming.”
Dan Lucero, Monterey County’s district attorney, gave Molly a hug, then leaned down and pecked Emma on the cheek. “I’m taking lessons from Randall. He keeps telling me to walk softly and carry a big stick.”
“Yeah? Well, you still don’t have it right,” Randall said as he stood in the open door.
Lucero grinned. “I’m working on it, okay?”
“Typical politician double-speak. Always working on things that never get done.”
“I thought you were coming later,” Emma said.
“Change in plan.” Waving them in, Randall said, “Carla told me to be on the lookout for you, so I’ve been hanging around the front door. The party is outside on the terrace. We’ve got to go downstairs to get there.”
Molly had no idea so many people had been invited. The guests were shoulder-to-shoulder on the large wrap-around stone terrace. It would have taken a linebacker to get through to the bar and buffet tables. Randall and Lucero were stopped several times by acquaintances as they attempted to find an empty table. Michelle appeared and pulled on Molly’s hand. “My mother saved a table for all of you. Follow me.”
Finally seated near the edge of the terrace, they had a magnificent view of the ocean. When Emma asked permission to run off with Michelle, Molly said, “Don’t go down near the rocks, okay? And check in with me every now and then.”
When a waiter approached to take their orders, Molly pulled her sweater closer against the breeze coming off the water. “I think I’ll just have coffee,” Molly said. Randall grinned, ordered a drink, and winked at Lucero, who had already managed to grab a glass of wine from a nearby server. “Good idea, Ms. Molly. The road is twisty enough when you’re sober.”
Dan Lucero set his glass down. “Is there a hidden message here I’m missing?”
“What? You mean you haven’t heard?” Molly said. “Hell, I figured an indictment was already on your desk by now. I mean, aren’t death threats illegal?”
Dan looked at Randall. “What the hell is she talking about?”
By the time Randall finished telling him of Molly’s misadventure with Todd Jessop and the rumors in town that had quickly included him as well, Dan was on his second glass of wine. “I leave town for a few days and everything comes apart. Is that what you’re telling me? Can’t you two stay out of trouble?”
Randall laughed. “It seems to follow our Molly here like a magnet.”
“You’re on the bubble, too, you know,” Molly said.
Randall waved her off. “That’s baloney. What I said to Jessop was just a figure of speech. I didn’t throw wine in the guy’s face, you did.”
Lucero played with his glass. “A figure of speech, as you well know, can be damning these days.”
“Aw, come on, Dan! This whole thing is out of hand. I’m a cop. I could have been talking about putting him in jail. Same thing. In fact, I should have nailed the bastard then. Only Carla wouldn’t cooperate.”
“Be quiet,” Molly said. “Here she comes.”
“Hey, the gang’s all here!” Carla said. “Thanks for coming. Dad saw you all arrive together and was so happy you were able to make it. He’ll be over soon. Dando has outdone himself today. Wait until you see the buffet. He’s had the catering crew working day and night.”
“Is he gonna show up for once?” Dan asked. He looked at Randall and Molly. “I’ve been to three parties that man cooked for, and I still haven’t met him.”
Carla shook her head. “You know Dando. Don’t count on it. He’s already gone back to the ranch. Anyway, I wanted to come over before the music starts. You won’t be able to hear yourself think once that gets underway.”
After Carla left, Dan said, “I’ll bet every wine grower, boutique vintner, and rancher in Monterey County is here.” His eyes roamed the vast terrace. “Reminds me of the parties the old-timers used to give. Tons of food, enough wine to stock three stores, and music. Speaking of which, here come the accordion players. Too bad my folks are still up at Tahoe. Dad would have loved this.”
“I didn’t know your father knew ranchers. I thought he stuck with his fishing gang,” Randall said.
“Big family history, Carla’s and mine. Goes back to World War Two,” Dan replied. “Italian fishermen on the coast had to be relocated inland. Carla’s grandfather took my dad’s family in. They stayed there throughout the war.”
Molly was stunned. “I had no idea. I always thought only the Japanese were uprooted.”
“Most people don’t know it,” Randall said. “My mother’s family in the City were restaurant people, so they got a pass. But they were still watched.”
Before Molly could comment, the three accordion players were only a few tables away and further conversation was impossible. She saw Randall’s lips move and leaned into the table. “What did you say?”
“Not for pristine ears. Todd Jessop is coming this way.”
“Let’s hope somebody stops him to talk,” Molly nearly shouted.
Lucero leaned in, too. He jerked his head toward Jessop. “God loves us. Someone has. The coast is clear. Just make sure your glass is empty, Molly.”
Molly laughed. “I’m drinking coffee, smart ass.” Molly rose. “In fact, I think I’ll mingle. Anyone else care to offer Mr. Mattucci best wishes? He’s over by the wall.”
Randall and Lucero followed Molly to a low stone wall at the edge of the terrace where Domenico Mattucci was talking with a group of men. “Happy birthday, Mr. Mattucci,” Molly offered.
Taking her hand in his, he said. “Thank you for coming, Molly. We’ve got another feast today. Better than the other night, if you can believe that. Stick by me, and I’ll fill you with more of my private stock.”
Molly laughed, “I think I’ll be staying with coffee from now on.”
Domenico roared. Turning to the men with him, he said, “Maybe that’s a good idea! That was such a waste the other night. But I have more Barbera. We’ll have another bottle later.” Turning to Randall and Lucero, he said, “I’m glad to see Molly in such good company. You boys take good care of her,
capisce
?”
Randall shook Mattucci’s hand. “She’s a handful, but I’ll make sure she stays out of trouble. Happy birthday, and many more.”
Lucero edged Randall away. “Hey, don’t pay any attention to him, Dom! Molly can handle herself. From what I’ve heard, I think you got a taste of that already. Happy birthday, you old coot.”
If Molly thought being surrounded by friendly faces would keep Todd Jessop away, she was wrong. She saw a small group nearby shift as Jessop moved towards her. Standing against the wall with the ocean behind her, Molly had no clear way to avoid him. Hemmed in as she was, her only option was to get between Randall and Domenico, but Jessop was already in front of her. When Molly saw his arms stretched toward her, she threw up hers to ward him off and managed to squeeze aside, leaving her place at the wall the only spot for Jessop to end up. She felt Randall holding her back, when Jessop turned to face her. His lips parted as if he were about to speak, but only a sharp intake of his breath could be heard. He seemed to falter, then threw out a hand to take hold of the wall. His eyes were bulging in shock as he looked down and saw blood spreading across his shirt.
Randall caught Jessop as he slowly collapsed. Lucero pulled her away, and then moved Domenico close to Molly further down the wall. “Stay put.”
Molly couldn’t move. She watched Jessop unwind and felt sick. Her throat felt seeping acid. She clung to the wall. Once Lucero cleared the crowd back, she saw Jessop’s body on the stone pavers. Her heart was hammering and her hands began to shake. She felt for the small crucifix beneath her sweater and closed her eyes. After a moment, she remembered Mr. Mattucci was only inches away. She touched him on the shoulder and leaned down. “Are you okay? Can I do anything for you?”
He reached for her hand. “I’m okay. It’s Carla I’m worried about. Can you see her?”
Molly’s eyes scanned the crowd, which had retreated several feet. “No. I can’t make her out. There’s so many people.”
“Someone will find her. Watch for her, please.”
Lucero was still moving people out of the way. He had to raise his voice over their noise. “We’ve got an accident here, move back, please. We need room.” He joined Randall as he knelt by Jessop’s body. Randall had his cell out and was talking to the dispatcher at the sheriffs office. “No rush on the ambulance. He’s dead. Right, I’ll secure the scene until your team gets here.”
Randall said to Lucero, “We need a six-foot perimeter.”
“Done,” Lucero said.
To the crowd standing by in shock, Randall said, “Everyone please stay where you are. We’ve got a situation here. The sheriffs department will be handling this, and they’re on the way. You’re all on a guest list, so I’ll caution you not to leave. Unless you’re a physician and on call, I’m going to ask you all to turn off your cell phones.”
Randall saw Reggie Sullivan a few feet away. “Reggie! Take care of the catering crew for me. Get a head count and make sure everyone stays put. Same with the waiters and valets. Same rules about cell phones.” He was about to commandeer Dino Horne to help, when he saw Carla Jessop making her way through the crowd. “Stay back, Carla. Don’t come any closer. Please.”
Carla ignored Randall and pushed Dino’s arm away. She stood a few feet from the body of her husband. Her face was still. It was difficult to see her breathe as she stared at Todd. “What happened?”
Randall wasn’t surprised by her calm voice. People react in strange ways when confronted by a dead body, spouse or not. He’d seen rage, hysteria, and ice-cold control. He knew Carla was a strong woman and could take the truth. “He was shot.”
Carla’s eyes met Randall’s. “Is he ?”
Randall nodded.
Carla lifted her chin, then took a deep breath. “Cover him up.”
“I can’t touch him, Carla. The crime scene people would have my head.”
Carla turned away. She moved to her father. “Are you okay?”
Mattucci nodded. “Listen to Randall. Come over here, out of the way.” He caught Molly looking at him and winked.
Molly was shocked. She wondered if anyone had seen him do that. She found a chair and nearly fell into it. Her next thought was of Emma. She had an idea the two girls were watching movies in the den. She knew she should check on them, but she was too numb to move, and Randall had said not to leave. All sorts of horrors filled her mind. What if the killer was still here? What if he was hiding in the house and felt cornered? What if he found Emma and Michelle and decided to use them as hostages? She had to know they were safe. It was worth Randall’s wrath. Molly looked around to see if there was a way to sneak away without being seen. Pushing through the crowd of guests now herded to the other end of the terrace, Molly signaled Lucero. When he reached her, she said, “I have to find Emma and Michelle. I’ll make sure they stay in the house.”

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