“No, she had invested all of her money in the little winery beside the Winkle estate.”
“She would have lost everything.”
“Yes,” Chelsea said. “Plus, Tim was free, and she needed him as the scapegoat.”
“So she killed Dr. Brinkman, which got Tim arrested and put her on the board of directors of the Brinkman group,” I said.
“Yes,” Chelsea said. “She had convinced the board to put together a big donation to the Senator’s campaign in an attempt to get him to back the zoning request this time.”
“But then we started investigating the Senator,” I said. “She couldn’t have anyone point toward the Senator, or he would’ve shut everything down.”
“She convinced Deputy Bloomberg to kidnap me,” Aunt Jemma said.
“Actually, it was Deputy Bloomberg who suggested it. That’s why it was so out of character. Mandy was a big-picture plotter. She had spent a year working on this deal. She wouldn’t have kidnapped me without an end game. But the deputy took me, and she didn’t have a choice but to go along.”
“Everything began to unravel, and he called her to tell her we knew you were out at the farmhouse.”
“So she stuffed me in the cellar closet. She would have left me there to die,” Aunt Jemma said. “I’m so thankful you didn’t give up.”
“I knew you were there,” I said. “I wasn’t going to give up until I tore every inch of that place apart.”
Millie barked and we all looked over as the door opened. “Hello, everyone,” Tim said. “I’ve got the best wine you’ll ever drink.”
I got up and helped him through the door. “Welcome! How does it feel to be a free man?”
“Feels good,” he said. “It will feel better once I get some wine in me.” He put the case on the kitchen counter and went over to Aunt Jemma. “How are you, dear woman?” He kissed her cheek. “Thanks to you, I’m free.”
“I’ll be fine in a few days,” she said. “Nothing some rest and pampering can’t cure.”
I uncorked the wine and poured everyone a glass. Holly helped me pass out the glasses.
“Here’s to good friends, good wine, and lovely California evenings.”
“Here, here!”
I sipped my wine and petted Clemmie, who’d jumped up on the arm of the couch. Sonoma was once again safe, and I was happy to know my friends and family were finally safe.
Recipes
Zinfandel is a very versatile wine that goes well with all-American classics like pizza, hamburgers, ribs, meatloaf, roast, and chili. So feel free to serve it with your family’s favorites. For something more ethnic, here’s a tandoori chicken recipe.
Tandoori Chicken
Ingredients:
2 lb of chicken—get a whole chicken, remove the skin, and cut it into serving sizes.
1¼ cups plain yogurt—I prefer nonfat Greek style (yes, I’m mixing cultures).
1 onion finely chopped
1 tsp salt
1 clove of garlic minced
1 tsp freshly grated gingerroot
2 tsp garam masala (hot spices). This is a classic Indian mix of spices and can be different. I recommend you go to a good Indian food store and ask to taste different varieties. Find one that appeals to your palate. I like mine with coriander, cumin, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tsp finely chopped cilantro—I am not a fan of cilantro, so I substitute parsley.
Directions:
The day before you want to serve it, take the cut-up chicken pieces, and slice slits into them. Rub with salt and lemon juice, and set aside for 15–20 minutes. Mix the yogurt, onion, garlic, gingerroot, and spices together in a bowl. Spread the mixture over the chicken, cover, and let sit for 24 hours.
The next day, fire up the grill. Grill chicken until it no longer is pink, and the juices run clear. Garnish with cilantro and lemon slices. Enjoy with long grain rice and your favorite zin.
Cheeses that go well with zinfandels:
When it comes to cheeses, the spicier the better!
Smoky mozzarella
Dry aged Jack
Blue cheese
Aged (over six years) cheddars
Chèvre
Roquefort
Provolone
Parmesan reggiano
Desserts that pair well with zinfandels:
Rich caramel pecan fudge
Rich dark chocolate fudge with caramel and pecans
Fun and Easy Homemade Fudge
Ingredients:
3 c. dark chocolate chips
1 (14–oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
¼ cup butter
1 jar caramel sauce
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
In a heavy saucepan, mix chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Stir on medium heat until the chips and butter are melted, and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and add pecans. Stir until well mixed. Pour into a greased 8" × 8" × 2" cake pan. Smooth the top of the fudge. Use a spoon to make small indents at regular intervals. Spoon caramel sauce into the indents. Drizzle remaining sauce along the top. Refrigerate until set. Cut into suitable sizes and enjoy!
Also available by Nancy J. Parra
California Wine Country Mysteries
A Case of Syrah, Syrah
Perfect Proposals Mysteries
Newlywed Dead
Bodice of Evidence
Engaged in Murder
Baker's Treat Mysteries
Flourless to Stop Him
Murder Gone A-Rye
Gluten for Punishment
Author Biography
Nancy J. Parra, also known as Nancy Coco, is the author of the Perfect Proposals mysteries, and the Baker’s Treat mysteries. Her writing has been praised as witty and her protagonists plucky by reviewers around the world. She lives in Oregon with her trusty Bichon-Poo. Nancy is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, writes for the Killer Character Blog on the eighth of every month and loves to hear from readers.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reaction to the recipes contained in this book.
Copyright © 2019 by Nancy J. Parra
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Crooked Lane Books and its logo are trademarks of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
Library of Congress Catalog-in-Publication data available upon request.
ISBN (hardcover): 978-1-68331-871-2
ISBN (ePub): 978-1-68331-872-9
ISBN (ePDF): 978-1-68331-873-6
Cover illustration by Jesse Reisch
Book design by Jennifer Canzone
Printed in the United States.
www.crookedlanebooks.com
Crooked Lane Books
34 West 27th St., 10th Floor
New York, NY 10001
First Edition: January 2019
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