Corked by Cabernet

Twelve

WHEN the group made it back to the winery at about two o’clock, they were all given an hour break before the afternoon “dream board” session would begin. Nikki wasn’t quite sure what this dream board session consisted of, but Simon and Marco were excited about it.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s where we put our wants and desires in every aspect of our lives onto a poster board, frame it, and there you have it. The universe grabs hold and everything you put out there manifests itself in its own way,” Simon said, walking with Nikki toward the hotel, where she wanted to check on things with Alyssa.

Marco had gone ahead to make sure the room where the dream board thing was supposed to take place was set up properly.

“Sounds great. But guess what I need you to manifest? A killer. You two lovebirds were too busy sharing each other’s dreams and visions to chat with the suspects while on that hike, and that was not our deal.”

“Hush your mouth, Snow White. While you were busy digging deep into everyone’s life, and not for the reasons we’re here for-”

“Uh-uh-uh. Let me correct you there, my friend. You may be here for other reasons, but not me.”

“As I was saying.” He crossed his arms and kept walking. “You didn’t notice that I had a little talk with Juan Gonzales and he is an interesting guy.”

“Really? Look at you. Good boy.” She had not noticed Simon talking with Juan, but she’d been wrapped up, first with Ruben and then Hayden. “What did you find out?”

“That Juan produces low-budget movies and usually makes them down in Mexico. Foreign film stuff.”

“That is kind of interesting.” Nikki remembered that Jen Sansi and Sierra met on a movie set, and that Sierra’s father was the one to help her get involved in that. Was there a connection between any of them and Juan, and if so, what?

“You think that is good. Check this. Juan and Iwao did a movie together, set in Japan. One of those kung-fu types. Juan still distributes the DVD. He said that it didn’t do too well in the States, but in Mexico and Japan it’s done a decent job.”

“Now we’re talking,” Nikki said. “This is good stuff. You’re right.”

Simon clucked his tongue. “I know.”

Nikki had to think all of this through, but there were streams of connections here with some of these people and they were outside of the S.E.E. group themselves and she couldn’t help thinking those connections were what might have gotten Iwao killed.

“What else did you find out from him?” Nikki asked.

“What more do you want?”

“Like how did the business go down between Iwao and Juan? Were they still on good terms before, you know…”

Simon sliced his finger across his neck.

“Yes, before Iwao was murdered. Do you have to be so crass?”

“I’m not crass, Snow White. I’m honest, and that’s what we all should be.”

No comment.

“I’m sorry but that’s all I’ve got. It’s not so easy to drag personal info out of people, you know.”

Nikki never seemed to have that problem. “You’re getting the knack of it, though. Good for you. Okay, keep snooping. I appreciate the work, Watson.”

“You’re high, Sherlock.”

“I wish,” she said.

He raised his eyebrows. She socked him in the shoulder. “Not really. Stay the course.” She touched the side of his right eye. “Keep on the lookout.” Then she touched his ear. “And keep on listening. I have a question for you.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

“The application process that you went through to become a S.E.E. member-can you tell me a little bit about that?”

“You thinking of joining us?”

“No. But I do know that Hayden Sansi keeps all of those applications and even has them on hand here at the workshop.”

“How do you know that and what are you thinking?” Simon asked.

“She told me herself. I’m thinking that there could be some answers in those applications.”

“How do you figure? You don’t think someone is going to write in their application, ‘I have a tendency to think homicidal thoughts and may act on them.’”

“Of course not. But a lot of times when you read between the lines, you can see some issues standing out. What did the applications consist of?”

“We answered a ton of questions about why we wanted to be involved, our background, all of that. Each answer we filled in was almost a page, sometimes more.”

Nikki nodded. “That’s what I’m talking about. Have to get ahold of those applications and see if I can find a clue of sorts.”

“How do you plan to do that?”

“I’m not sure.” She shook her head. “This is one of those things I’ll have to think on. Right now, I have to see how Alyssa is doing, holding down the fort, and I really should try and get ahold of your brother.”

“Oh boy, I wouldn’t want to have that conversation.”

“I’m not exactly looking forward to it myself.”

“Good luck. I’m going to go prop up my feet and relax a little before I start dreaming some more. I think I’ll go rest my weary head on one of the tables in the spa, maybe get one of the girls to rub my temples. It’s hard work being a snoop. I don’t know how you do it.”

“Yeah, you better go and get those temples rubbed,” she replied. Where did he come from? But she loved him all the same. She couldn’t imagine life without him getting on every last one of her nerves.

NIKKI was surprised not to find Alyssa at the front desk, and the reception phone hooked up to one ring on the voicemail. Something was wrong. Alyssa never took off. She was one of the most responsible people she knew. Her sixth sense kicked in. She dialed Alyssa’s cell phone number and it also went immediately to voicemail. What was going on? While Nikki was pacing back and forth, trying to think of what to do, the phone rang. She picked up immediately before it could go to voicemail.

“Malveaux Spa and Winery. How may I help you?”

“Nikki?”

It was Alyssa. “Oh my gosh, where are you? I’m at the front desk and you’re not here. Is everything okay?”

“I’m sorry. I had to go. It’s Petie. We’re at the hospital.”