Deadly Offer (22 page)

Her rapid knock on the door was answered by the glossy-haired realtor. “Detective Nardone,” she said, her almond eyes looking more rested than usual. “Come on in.”

The detective stepped into the farmhouse kitchen and spied the tall British journalist sitting at the dining room table. He nodded hello and rose quickly to his feet. “Good morning,” he said. “I heard you had a little excitement over at Contento Vineyards last night.”

Nancy Nardone huffed. “I guess you could call it that, Miles.” She looked over at Darby with concern. “How are you doing?”

“I think I’m actually okay,” she answered. “A little sore, but not too bad. Just tremendously relieved the whole thing is over.”

The detective nodded. “It may hit you more as the day goes on,” she said. “Post-traumatic stress, that kind of thing. At any rate, I wanted to let you know that we’ve released Fritz Kohler, although I don’t think he’ll be in the market for any Ventano vineyards.” She looked down at her hands. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I don’t think he really wanted Carson Creek—or at least not for the right reasons. It seems to me he felt guilty about how he’d treated Selena, and thought that by buying her property he could somehow make amends.”

Detective Nardone nodded. “And Vivian … she’s done a few slippery things, but I don’t think she sought out Christophe Barton, or aided him in any of the damage he caused.” She paused. “I can’t prove it, but I think he was influenced by Andrea. I have a feeling that she financed his little reign of terror, and probably suggested he contact Vivian as well. You can bet I’m going to look hard for evidence to connect Barton and Andrea.”

Miles raised a finger as if in a press briefing. “What about Michael Contento’s death? Did Andrea have a hand in that as well?”

“Good question. Obviously he suspected his wife of wearing that wig and crouching at the cabana, or he wouldn’t have made that cryptic reference to Jezebel. Another loose end we’re going to have to try and tie up.” She rose from her chair. “I imagine you’ll be heading back to San Diego, is that correct?”

Darby nodded. “Dan is making dinner here tonight and I’ll leave
after that.” She grinned. “We’d love for you to join us.”

Nancy Nardone’s mouth twitched in what seemed like a smile. “Just so happens I’m not working, so perhaps I’ll stop by.” She stood up and leaned against a pressed back chair. “There is one more thing. Early this morning, Andrea Contento tried to escape from Ventano Valley Community.” She saw the shocked faces of Darby and Miles and put up a hand. “I said she
tried
to escape. She did not succeed. The suspect is now safely behind bars at the Wyattville jail.”

Miles put a rugged hand over Darby’s slender one as Detective Nardone saw herself out.

———

A soft pop signaled the uncorking of a bottle of Carson Creek Pinot Noir. Miles poured Darby, Dan, Detective Nardone, and himself each a glass. He stuck a striped straw in Sophie’s ginger ale, handed it to her, and raised his wine glass in a toast.

“To Sophie, for saving the day,” he said, giving the teen a wink. “We are all extremely grateful for your inquisitive mind and grasp of obscure Biblical references.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Darby said, sipping the ruby-red liquid. She stopped her brain from analyzing the taste.
Not now,
she thought. Instead she asked, “How’s that ankle feeling?”

“Better, now that I can’t move it.” Sophie looked down at the plaster cast encasing her left foot and grinned. “Wait until people ask me how I broke it,” she said. “Oh, I was in an abandoned cave with a homicidal maniac and a martial-arts kicking real estate agent.” The others chuckled. Cracking jokes after such an ordeal was undoubtedly a healthy sign.

“I think you could have a great career in law enforcement.” Detective Nardone offered. She was off duty and looked very stylish in navy Capri pants and a fitted white blouse. “After all, you cracked the case with your deciphering of ‘Ahab’s wife’.”

“Thanks, but I’ve already figured out my career.” Sophie held up a hand. “First, I finish high school.” She ticked off one finger. “And then I go to the University of California at Davis to study viticulture.” Another tick. “When I graduate, I’ll get Darby to sell Dad’s house and we’ll move to my grandmother’s farm in New York State.” Tick number three. “And then he and I start a winery.”

Dan Stewart raised his eyebrows in surprise. “This is starting to sound like my kind of plan.”

“Right? It’s not Wyattville, Napa, or Sonoma, but there is pretty land out there, and New York is producing some great Chardonnays, and even Pinots.” Sophie’s earnestness was palpable.

Dan laughed. “I’m sold, Soph. You and I can make it happen.” He turned to the others. “Meanwhile, I guess I’ll be running Carson Creek for the foreseeable future. Carlos and ET feel like they need to let the dust settle before making any decisions.”

Darby smiled. “The vineyard couldn’t be in better hands than
yours, Dan. Did they tell you their thoughts for the new barn building?”

He nodded. “Something about a restaurant serving Mexican cuisine, right?” He glanced toward his daughter. “I’ll admit I was a little distracted when Carlos explained it.”

“They want to honor the culinary tradition of the Valle de Guadalupe, where their grandfather worked in the vineyards. Apparently one of the cousins who came to the funeral is quite a talented chef.”

Sophie plunked down her ginger ale. “Do I hear lucrative summer job, or what?”

Dan grinned and Darby could not help smiling as well. “We’ll just see what time brings,” he said, ruffling her hair.

“That sounds like a brilliant idea,” Miles said, his hazel eyes fixed on Darby.

She felt herself blushing as she turned to Nancy Nardone. “And what about you, Detective? Any plans in store for you?”

“Actually, yes. I’m taking a vacation this summer, something I haven’t done in a long, long time.” She looked pointedly at Sophie. “After I eat in the new restaurant with Sophie as my waitress, I’m going to visit a place I’ve always dreamt about.”

“Where’s that?” Sophie asked, taking a sip of her soda.

“Maine.”

Darby smiled in surprise. “That’s where I grew up.”

“No kidding!” Detective Nardone pursed her lips. “I thought you were from Mission Beach.”

“I am now, but I was born and raised on the rocky coast of Maine.”

“Huh! You aren’t by any chance a sailor, are you?”

Darby flashed on the sleek Alden 48 she’d grown up sailing, the boat that had vanished with John and Jada Farr on that tragic August afternoon. She waited for the familiar feeling of sadness to overtake her mood, braced herself for the pain that always came when she thought of their deaths. To her great surprise, instead of sorrow, she felt excitement at the prospect of once more giving herself to the unfettered freedom that was sailing.

Miles was gazing at her intently. Darby met his eyes and then turned to answer the detective.

“Yes,” she said, with a genuine smile that lit her lovely face. “I am a sailor, and a darn good one. I’d love to meet you in Maine for a cruise.”

The End

About the Author

Top-producing Realtor Vicki Doudera uses a world she knows well ­—high-stakes, luxury real estate—as the setting for her suspenseful series starring crime-solving, deal-making agent Darby Farr. A broker with a busy coastal firm since 2003 and former Realtor of the Year, Vicki is also the author of several non-fiction guides to her home state of Maine.

When she’s not working, Vicki enjoys cycling, hiking, and sailing with her family, as well as volunteering for her favorite charitable cause, Habitat for Humanity. She has pounded nails from
Maine to Florida, helping to build simple, affordable Habitat homes
, and is currently president of her local affiliate.

Vicki belongs to Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the National Association of Realtors. She serves on the board of the New England chapter of Sisters in Crime and is available for signings and book events. Read more about her at her official website, www.vickidoudera.com.

Author photo by William von Wenzel.