Free Of Merlot & Murder (A Tangled Vines Mystery) by Joni Folger

been left sitting in plain sight on the dresser along with the open bottle of Merlot. Evidently another glass had been found washed and left to drain on a towel in the bathroom. If someone had murdered Divia, then this could have been the killer’s glass.
    In any case, it suggested Divia had known this person, perhaps had a glass of wine with her killer. That this person would clean-up before leaving the room—with the woman’s freshly dead corpse lying right there on the carpet—suggested a coldness that was too gross for words.
    Elise was still mulling over this new information when Ross showed up alone a few minutes later.
    “The look on Jackson’s face in the restaurant was a dead giveaway that there was something seriously wrong out here. I figured it would be better to take Caro home first,” he told Elise. “I also stopped and told Mom what I knew, which of course, isn’t much. She wanted to come with me, but I talked her into staying home. I told her we’d call when we knew anything, and I’d get Gram home as soon as I could. I’ll check in with her in a bit.”
    He paused to point to the CSI vehicle. “So, what’s up with that?”
    A part of Elise wished Ross would have brought Laura with him. Their mom was a rock during stressful situations and usually knew just what to say to keep everyone calm. And this definitely qualified as a stressful situation. While they waited for more information, Elise used the time to take her brother aside and fill him in.
    “Somebody killed Divia Larson? With cyanide?” He scratched his head and blew out a breath. “That’s incredible.”
    The motel was an L-shaped building with all the room doors opening onto the covered walkway and the parking lot beyond. He nodded toward the other end of the building. Though they kept their distance, a number of people had come out of their rooms to see what was happening. “Lookie-loos. Everyone loves a show.”
    Elise shrugged. “Human nature, I guess.”
    “Looks like Jax really has his work cut out for him. I mean, there were quite a few folks that would’ve delighted in spiking Divia Larson’s drink with a little poison if they thought they could get away with it.”
    “That’s true,” she replied in a hushed tone. “There’s no shortage of murder suspects. Gram included.”
    “What the hell are you talking about, El?” he said before dropping his voice and taking her arm. He nudged her farther down the breezeway, maneuvering her away from where Jackson and Abigail stood on the sidewalk. “What do you mean Gram is a suspect? She couldn’t murder anyone and you know it.”
    “I agree. But think about it, Ross. Divia’s husband is Gram’s old high school sweetheart. It’s no secret what Gram thought of the woman, and she had words with her just yesterday in front of witnesses. The bottle found at the scene—which may or may not have been tainted—was River Bend’s Private Reserve. Whether the cyanide was put in the bottle or just her glass, it was probably how she ingested the poison. And finally, Gram found the body and was here by herself until we showed up.”
    “Come on, El. You’re taking it all out of context, making it sound suspicious. At this point, it’s all circumstantial. So Gram didn’t like the woman. None of what you just said adds up to a strong enough motive for murder.”
    “Maybe not. And you’re right, it is circumstantial, but Jax will have to consider everyone a suspect until he can positively rule them out. And that includes Gram. Remember how it was with Uncle Edmond’s murder? All those little things by themselves might not be enough to establish motive, but when you put them together, it doesn’t look good for Gram, either.” Elise glanced back toward Abigail and sighed. “What we need to do is give Jax a little help in eliminating her from the suspect list. And the sooner, the better.”
    Ross narrowed his eyes at her. “I thought Jax made you promise to butt out of his