100 Proof Murder Read online

  Jill pulled up to the intercom and pressed the red button. ‘Jill Curtis, here to see Miss Alexis Scott.’

  ‘Did you come by yourself, Miss Curtis?’ asked an unseen voice.

  ‘I did.’

  ‘Please circle around the main residence to the carriage house in the back. Miss Scott is waiting for you at the top of the stairs.’ After a moment the gate swung wide. Jill drove up a tree-lined driveway usually seen only on television. Cameras mounted in trees verified her claim of traveling alone.

  The imposing main house had four floors, chimneys at both ends, and a wide, wraparound porch held up by tall columns. Jill would have loved a tour, or better yet, ramble through the house at night with friends and a flashlight. But with Alexis waving from the balcony, Jill cut short her fantasy and parked next to a sleek BMW, undoubtedly belonging to Alexis.

  ‘Can I leave my car here?’ she asked, hurrying up the steps.

  ‘Of course, anywhere you like. I’m so glad you’re on time.’ Alexis motioned her into a tidy apartment with a kitchen, living, and dining room combination and two closed doors, most likely to a bedroom and bath. Overhead, several skylights flooded the space with plenty of natural light.

  ‘I love your apartment,’ Jill said.

  ‘Thanks. I told Mom I’d stay here until I got married. Now I’m not sure if that was a wise promise.’ Alexis pointed to the overstuffed sofa. ‘Make yourself comfortable. What would you like to drink: coffee, iced tea, glass of wine?’

  ‘Iced tea would be great.’

  Alexis poured two drinks from a pitcher on the coffee table. ‘Tell me which angle you will pursue for your travel story.’

  Jill placed her glass on a coaster. ‘The boss wants to tie the Louisville distilleries to the horse racing industry, so I’m thinking a Kentucky Derby angle.’

  ‘Good choice. I have several friends connected with racing at Churchill Downs, including the beverage manager for the race. Although Parker Estate wasn’t chosen to be this year’s official bourbon for mint juleps, we have been in the past and patrons can request our bourbon or any other by name.’

  ‘Too bad your friend didn’t pick your brand.’

  ‘There’s much to consider with a Derby sponsorship and plenty of traditions that must be honored.’ Alexis sipped her tea. ‘Would your partner like to video my friend mixing a batch of juleps? The beverage manager could provide a behind-the-scenes look inside Churchill Downs and answer any questions he has.’

  Jill’s mouth dropped open. ‘That would be awesome – more than I’d hoped for. Michael will soon be getting antsy since your tours are temporarily suspended. I want Parker Estate to anchor my Louisville article, so I don’t want him moving on to the next distillery.’

  ‘In that case, I’ll see if Paul can free up some time tomorrow for Michael. That would figure nicely into what I have planned for us.’

  A slight frisson of unease snaked up her spine as Jill remembered Michael’s parting words: Don’t let this woman drag you into something time-consuming. We’re here to do a job. ‘What did you have in mind for tomorrow?’ she asked, shaking off her discomfort.

  ‘First, let me bring you up to speed.’ Alexis took a sip of tea. ‘I called my father’s doctor shortly after you left. After the standard niceties, I asked him why my father died suddenly after passing his physical with flying colors.’

  ‘That had to make him fearful of a lawsuit,’ Jill murmured.

  ‘You would think so, no? But Dr Cribbs didn’t sound afraid of getting sued. He seemed genuinely flummoxed by Dad’s death. He told me about several markers for coronary artery disease that were all negative in his bloodwork. And according to the calcium artery test, Dad’s score was a zero. Zero … which meant his likelihood of having a heart attack was extremely low.’

  ‘Is he willing to write a statement to that effect?’

  ‘Yes, the deputy coroner already contacted him. Dr Cribbs’ refusal to sign was enough for the corner to change from “natural” to “unknown causes, pending autopsy” on the death certificate. Even if he had signed, Dr Cribbs said since I’m a close family member, I have the right to demand an autopsy by the forensic pathologists in the medical examiner’s office.’

  ‘Good, have you stopped the cremation? That’s first and foremost.’

  ‘I have.’ Jill saw Alexis smile for the first time. ‘I told the funeral director I didn’t agree with my mother and that no cremation should take place. Mr Shea will hold my father’s … body until he receives official instructions.’

  ‘Whew, that had to be tough for you.’

  ‘It was.’ Alexis peered up with watery eyes. ‘But I can be persuasive when I need to be. Now that there will be an autopsy and the medical examiner’s office is involved, how do we prove … or rule out foul play?’

  ‘To the best of my knowledge the police or sheriff’s department will go to work once the autopsy indicates homicide or suspicious circumstances based on forensics.’

  ‘So the police department should be our next step.’ Alexis inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. ‘I need something stronger than iced tea. Will you join me in a glass of wine?’

  ‘All right, but just a small amount. I’m driving.’

  Her hostess crossed the room to the kitchen, expertly opened a wine bottle, and returned with two glasses. One containing slightly less than the other. ‘I hope you like Pinot Noir. All I have is red.’

  ‘It will be fine.’ Jill took a sip. ‘What did your mom say about tomorrow’s change of plans?’

  ‘I didn’t tell her. Instead, I went straight to Mr Shea.’ Alexis whooshed out another breath. ‘I wasn’t up to one of Mom’s tirades earlier. But like you said, I’m not a casual bystander. I’m William Scott’s daughter.’

  ‘And who are you to be offering advice in a personal family matter?’

  Even though neither of them had heard the door open, a middle-aged woman marched into the apartment and stopped in front of Jill. Dressed from head-to-toe in black, with deep circles under her eyes, Jill knew immediately who she was. She opened her mouth to speak but emitted not even a squeak.

  ‘Mother, this is my friend, Jill Curtis. And I’ve asked you several times to knock before barging into my home. Jill, I’d like you to meet Rose Parker Scott.’ Alexis tucked her hair behind her ear.

  ‘How do you do, ma’am?’ Jill asked in a voice usually reserved for animated mice.

  ‘I’ve just lost my husband of thirty-five years. How do you think I am? And you haven’t answered my question.’ The perfectly coifed, perfectly made-up Mrs Scott sat down, no longer looming over her.

  Alexis was first to reply. ‘Jill is here because I asked her to come. You’re not the only one affected by Daddy’s passing.’ Her voice cracked as tears streamed down her face.

  Rose Scott’s expression softened slightly. ‘I realize that, dear. That’s why I thought expediting the process would relieve stress on us all. Why on earth did you call Ken Shea to stop the cremation?’

  ‘“Expediting the process”?’ Alexis snapped. ‘We’re talking about Dad, not a new way to add barley to the mash.’

  Jill picked up her glass and drank. Mrs Scott was right – she had no business here. This was a personal family matter.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind if I help myself.’ Rose strode to the kitchen counter and poured a glass of wine.

  ‘Since you don’t stand on decorum with front doors, why would you bother to ask now?’ Alexis glared at her mother.

  ‘Forgive my poor selection of terms.’ Rose sat back down and crossed her legs. ‘But it was your father’s wish to be cremated, not buried, so I don’t see any reason to drag this out. We’ll have a small service at the crematorium and the funeral service in church.’

  Alexis wiped her face. ‘I don’t believe Papa died of a heart attack and neither does his doctor. He refused to sign the death certificate, so the coroner ordered an autopsy.’

  This might have been the last thing Mrs Scott expec
ted. ‘You talked to Dr Cribbs?’

  ‘Yes, this afternoon.’

  ‘I’ve known Patrick Cribbs for many years. Why didn’t he say that to me?’

  ‘Because you didn’t ask him. You were all set to take the deputy coroner’s assessment of a flushed and perspired face as a heart attack.’ Alexis reached for another tissue.

  Rose’s confusion only increased. ‘But that’s the coroner’s job, for goodness’ sake, to determine the cause of death.’

  ‘Everyone makes mistakes. How many determinations does a deputy make in a year? He views a sixty-one-year-old man who distills hard liquor for a living, and assumes Dad was a heavy drinker. Which he wasn’t,’ Alexis added, looking at Jill.

  Jill took another swallow of wine.

  ‘Did you know that Dad had a calcium artery test?’

  Rose shrugged. ‘No, what’s that?’

  ‘It’s a blood test which determines the evidence of heart disease. Dad scored a zero, which means no evidence of the disease, which indicates a low likelihood of a heart attack.’

  ‘But it still could happen?’ Rose asked.

  ‘I suppose so, but don’t you want to know the truth?’

  ‘What difference does it make?’ Rose shouted, her composure finally cracking. ‘It won’t bring your father back and I miss him so much.’

  ‘I do, too, but for me, it makes a difference. I want to make sure there was no foul play.’

  One of Rose’s thinly drawn eyebrows arched. ‘Foul play? What are you talking about? What kind of garbage is this new friend filling your head with?’ Rose’s venomous glare fastened on Jill. ‘Do you think I murdered my husband, young lady? I loved William.’

  ‘I certainly don’t think that,’ Jill said. ‘Even though we just met, I’m sure you’re a very nice lady.’ She wasn’t sure of that at all. But since this woman had a bad temper and fingernails like claws, Jill wasn’t taking any chances.

  Alexis jumped to her feet. ‘Stop accusing Jill of things she had nothing to do with. This is just like when I was a child. You always assumed someone else put me up to something.’ She marched to the kitchen and returned with a new bottle of wine and the opener. ‘I’m an adult who thinks for herself. So I’d like you to apologize to Jill.’

  ‘Oh, that’s not necessary. Everyone’s under—’ Jill began, but was soon interrupted.

  ‘It is necessary. My mother taught me good manners, yet she seems to have forgotten hers.’ Alexis refilled her glass and her mother’s.

  It was another statement Rose hadn’t expected. A bright flush spread across her cheeks as a muscle tightened in her neck. ‘My daughter is correct, Miss Curtis. I’m under a lot of stress and searching for someone to blame. I apologize,’ she added after a pause.

  ‘No problem.’ Jill wished she could vanish into thin air.

  But Rose had already refocused on her daughter. ‘Do you think I somehow hurt your father?’

  ‘Of course not, but someone else might have. Dad had enemies. Everyone in the business world does, if you stop to think about it. Maybe it was natural causes. Maybe Dad did die of a heart attack. But I want to know for sure and that won’t happen if we quickly shove Dad’s body …’ Alexis stopped, the horror of her words hitting home. She dropped her face into her hands.

  Jill slipped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed – after all, they were now friends – while Rose Scott rose to her feet with the dignity of a queen. ‘Proceed with whatever you feel you must, but please keep me posted.’ She marched out the door, still ajar as she left it, and down the stairs.

  ‘May I get you something?’ Jill asked when Alexis finally lifted her head.

  ‘Will you stay for a while? I’m going to call for a pizza and I don’t want to eat alone. Will you have another glass of wine?’

  ‘All right, but if it’s OK with you, I’ll leave my car here and call Uber later.’

  ‘Of course it is. That will make things easier in the morning. If you have time, I want you to visit the chief of police with me.’

  ‘If Michael spends the day at Churchill Downs, I’ve got all the time in the world.’

  Jill awoke the next morning to a mild headache and incessant ringing in her ears. ‘OK, already, I’m coming.’ She threw back the covers, staggered to the door, and found a crabby face on the other side.

  ‘Do you have any idea what time it is?’ Michael asked.

  ‘No clue.’ Jill padded straight to the coffee machine.

  ‘It’s almost nine o’clock. Isn’t Wednesday still a workday? What’s going on with you? You stayed out late and came home in an Uber. Where is my car?’

  Gulping some coffee, Jill slumped into a chair. ‘Golly, Erickson, for a minute I thought my mother came down from Chicago.’

  Already showered and dressed, Michael sat down across from her. ‘Are you hungover? Where is my car?’

  ‘One question at a time, please.’ She emitted a gasping, strangled sound. ‘I slept in because I was talking to Alexis Scott until late. I am not hungover, but I did have two glasses of wine, so that’s why I called Uber and left the car. Alexis asked me to stay because her mother dropped in and caused a nasty scene.’ Jill slurped some coffee. ‘And since the wine was red, I have a headache, so I would appreciate you calming down.’ She laid her head on the table.

  ‘You were there during the argument? That must be great for background information.’

  ‘Yes, but I don’t know how much I can use.’ Jill sat up, carefully considering how much to reveal. ‘Alexis is friends with the beverage manager at Churchill Downs. You know, where they run the Kentucky Derby every year. As a favor to me, she asked him to give you a behind-the-scenes tour of the racetrack and mix up a batch of their official mint juleps. You’ll be able to video Paul Broadhurst creating the juleps and narrating your tour of Churchill Downs. Then you can ask whatever questions you want. I have his name and number in my purse.’ She walked back for a refill, already feeling the caffeine’s effects.

  ‘Are you joking? That’s exactly what we need for a Louisville angle.’ Michael had a spring in his step as he followed her to the coffeemaker.

  ‘I know. Alexis was kind enough to set this up for today at ten o’clock.’

  ‘At ten o’clock?’ he wailed. ‘But you’re still in your jammies.’

  ‘You are going alone. Your video camera picks up sound and you can record any interview you do off-camera.’ Jill filled her cup to the rim.

  ‘Where are you going to be? I thought we were partners.’

  ‘We are partners, but Miss Scott needs my help today with details with her father’s … funeral. Since I just had experience with Uncle Roger, I said yes. It’s the least I could do since she set this up with Broadhurst.’ Jill pulled a slip of paper from her purse. ‘Here’s his number, the address for the racetrack, and which entrance you are to use. Can you handle this alone?’

  Michael rolled his eyes. ‘Of course, I can, with pleasure. But how am I supposed to get my car? Will Miss Scott’s limo driver pick us up?’

  ‘She has a BMW, not a limo. Call for an Uber while I get ready. Then you can drive your car to the racetrack from Parker Estate.’ Jill carried her coffee into the bathroom with a sigh of relief. She’d explained the situation without using the word ‘murder’ once.

  Luckily on the way to Parker Estate Michael busied himself listing questions to ask the Churchill beverage manager, which was fine with her. The fewer inquiries about what Mama Scott and Alexis argued about the better.

  Alexis yanked open the door the moment Jill reached the top of the steps. ‘You must let me reimburse you for Uber. After all, I’m the one who kept you here so late.’

  ‘Nothing doing. I’ll turn the receipt in on my expense report. Is the coffee ready?’ Jill headed straight to the kitchen.

  ‘Of course, and there’s freshly baked zucchini bread.’

  ‘You know how to bake?’ Jill filled her mug and carried it to the table.

  ‘No, but Mom’s hou
sekeeper does and she makes everything from scratch.’ Alexis cut two large slices. ‘I should get some perks in exchange for a total lack of privacy. Sit, we have time before our appointment.’

  Jill did as instructed. ‘You made us an appointment with the chief of police?’

  ‘I did, at eleven. How did things go with your partner?’

  ‘Michael should be arriving at Churchill Downs right about now. He’s very excited about interviewing and videoing Paul Broadhurst. And I’m grateful to you for setting this up.’ Jill slathered a piece of cake with butter and took a bite.

  Alexis sliced the air with her hand. ‘No, I’m in your debt. Without you, I would never know the truth about my dad.’

  Jill swallowed her mouthful. ‘You’re really convinced he was murdered?’

  ‘I am, now more than ever. You told me to consider any enemies my father might have made in the business world. Well, I thought of one.’ She laced her fingers together. ‘Another Louisville distillery recently sued Parker Estate for corporate espionage and lost. After one of their employees came to work for us, the competitor claims he divulged certain trade secrets, despite having signed a non-disclosure agreement.’

  ‘With so many distilleries around here, I would imagine employees change jobs a lot.’ Jill cut another sliver of zucchini bread.

  ‘They do. That’s probably why the judge ruled against our competitor. They couldn’t prove we financially benefited from information the employee brought with him. If the employee simply broke his non-disclosure agreement, the lawsuit must be against him, not us. That made Dennis Donagal, the distillery’s owner, hopping mad.’

  ‘Parker Estate’s pockets would be much deeper. How much was he suing the company for?’

  ‘Five million.’

  ‘That could be a motive for murder.’ Jill dabbed crumbs from her mouth.

  ‘Let’s see if the chief of police agrees with us.’ Alexis wrapped a slice of zucchini bread in a napkin to eat along the way.