How to Dine on Killer Wine: A Party-Planning Mystery by Penny Warner Page A

hovering nearby. “Fine!” Rob said. “I’ll come. But you’re wasting your time. I’ve told you everything I know. And I have no idea how that corkscrew got there, but it wasn’t me.”
    Kyle Bennett put a reassuring hand on Rob’s shoulder. “Calm down, buddy. I’ll handle this. They’re just taking you in for questioning. They can’t hold you without cause, and they don’t have anything. I’ll follow you downtown.”
    Rob looked disoriented, as if the ground had been pulled out from under him. If he was innocent, why was he so upset about going to the police station to bequestioned? I assumed Kyle was his attorney by the way he’d stepped up, so Rob would be protected once there. But still, no one likes being questioned by the police. I knew that from personal experience.
    Marie stood up and rushed to Rob’s side. She said something to him; then he gave her a kiss on the cheek and got into the back of a police car. Moments later he was gone.
    Mother wrapped an arm around Marie and led her into the house.
    I called my team over. Dee, Berkeley, Duncan, Rocco, and Raj gathered around, waiting for my orders.
    “Guys, sorry about this,” I said. “If the detective wants you to stay for more questioning, I’ll comp another night at your B and B. As soon as we’re packed up here, take the rest of the day off, go enjoy the wine country. Thanks again for all your help. You did a great job, as usual.”
    I got sympathetic pats and smiles as my crew headed back to finish the last of their cleanup tasks. The guys, including Brad, put the heavy stuff in the rental truck, while Rocco and Gina took care of the kitchen. Mother helped me load the smaller boxes of party fare into Brad’s SUV, and Dee collected the party platters and bowls. By lunchtime, with no sign of Rob’s return, Rocco and Gina brought out sandwiches and fruit to my hungry and tired crew.
    Marie appeared briefly, looking tired, and thanked everyone. She insisted Mother and I stay an extra night until “this mess” was cleared up. “I could use the company,” she said wearily, slurring her words slightly. I wondered if she’d taken some medication or startedearly on the wine. After exchanging a few words with Allison, she returned to the house and disappeared inside.
    I marveled at the dissimilarity of the two sisters. Allison, dressed in her tight jeans shorts, purple beaded tank top, and glittery Pedro Garcia sandals, had a bounce in her step and a smile on her face. Marie, wearing khaki capris, a loose-fitting white blouse, and flat Burberry sandals, appeared deflated, drowsy, and worn out. Allison got into one of the cars from Rob’s garage—a white Mercedes—and drove off without a word to anyone. I wondered where she was going—and what she was thinking.
    After lunch, my crew left to do some touristy stuff. Brad took a call about a cleanup in the city and left before he got a call back from Detective Melvin. “I’ll try to be back tonight,” he said, giving me a kiss good-bye. “And you try not to get anyone killed while I’m gone.”
    I gave him a dry smile and the stink eye, then returned his kiss, wishing he could stay and enjoy an afternoon in the wine country with me.
    “Presley dear,” Mother said, appearing after he’d gone. “I’ve got a great idea!”
    “What’s that, Mother?” I said, sighing. “Another mud bath? I don’t think I’m up for it this afternoon.”
    “No, no. Something better that will take your mind off things.”
    I knew there was no arguing with my mother. Besides, I had promised her a nice relaxing mini-vacation in the wine country. And there was nothing I could do for Rob at the moment.
    “All right, Mom. What would you like to do? You don’t drink, so wine tasting is out. Go to an art show? Take the wine train? Hot-air balloon?”
    “None of those things. I thought we’d do something that I’m sure will help you solve this murder case.”
    I couldn’t help but grin at her. “Oh