The Diva Goes Overboard

I always thought pesto was made with pine nuts. But now I’m seeing recipes with walnuts. Which one is correct?

Getting It Right in Big Pine Key, Florida

Pine nuts and Parmesan cheese are traditional ingredients for pesto. That doesn’t stop people from trying other ingredients. But it begs the question, is it really pesto then?

Natasha

I knew Orson had been murdered and yet the breath caught in my throat. Had Wolf told her? “Why do you think that?”

“Someone was spying on him. Following him. Also, Orson wasn’t in the best shape. You know, he needed to trim down and get more exercise. I was helping him with that. But I made sure he got a clean bill of health from his doctor first. Herbs and potions seem innocent, but they are more powerful than many people think. I didn’t want to recommend anything that might conflict with existing health issues. He had high cholesterol, and we were working on that. But I was with him. I saw his expression. That was no heart attack. Something happened to him. Something that made his body give out. I talked to the doctors. I was there with him in the hospital to his very last breath. Somebody killed him.”

“Do you have any idea who might have wanted him dead?”

Wanda lowered her voice. “I don’t want to cast aspersions on his family, but I know for a fact that Stella’s former husband, Jordan, needed money. I was there when he came by Orson’s house and begged him for funds to pay off a debt. Harsh words were exchanged. I . . . I think Orson might have paid it off, but he died too soon to do it.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I suspect that slimeball Jordan is going to try to reconcile with Stella so he can mooch it off her.”

She was probably right, and Orson had expected as much as well. If Jordan killed Orson in the belief his former wife would be loaded, he miscalculated. She might have enough money to pay off his debt, but not enough to keep doing that for long.

“What do you know about Orson’s former business partner?”

“Orson didn’t mention him much. We saw him once on the street and Orson introduced me. They exchanged pleasantries like people do, but Orson rarely talked about him. I can tell you this, though. I think Orson had a premonition. He woke up one night chilled to the bone and said he’d had the most awful dream. He wouldn’t tell me what it was, but he made an appointment with Ronin and seemed much more relaxed after that.”

“No one else threatened him?”

“Not that I know about. Orson was a good man, Sophie.”

Her words hit me hard. She probably had no idea that he had a collection of photographs of attractive younger women. I didn’t see the point in telling her. She might as well remember him as the wonderful guy she thought he was.

“At my age, I never thought I would find someone to love.” Wanda grasped my arm. “The only thing I can do for him now is find his killer. Please, Sophie. You have to help me!”

“I’ll do my best, Wanda.” I patted her hand. “If you think of anything, no matter how insignificant, I want you to tell me. Okay?”

I debated informing her that the police were already on the case. But I decided that news would be best coming from Wolf.

“Do you think everyone is gone?” she whispered.

“I’ll check.”

I poked my head into the dining room and the living room. The house was still and silent.

“Looks like they’ve cleared out.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

“Wanda, if it’s ever too much for you, you’re welcome to come over to my house to get away from it all.”

“You are just as sweet as you were when you and Natasha were youngsters. Thank you, Sophie.”

“Take care, Wanda.” I left the house through the front door. I had no idea where Griselda and Natasha had gone, but it didn’t matter. The door clicked shut behind me and I strolled home in the afternoon heat.

As I entered my house, the phone rang.

Nina’s voice asked, “What’s up for dinner tonight?”

Orson’s store would be nice and cool with the high ceiling. And it was time to bring my friends up to date on the developments. “How about meeting me at the antiques store? You can bring Muppet and Rosebud can meet Daisy. I’ll call Mars and Bernie to see if they’re available.”

“Sounds like fun. Will we eat after?”

“We’ll eat there!”

“That sounds intriguing. Can I help?”

“You could bring cocktails or whatever you want to drink.”

That settled, I phoned Mars and Bernie, both of whom were up for something a little bit different. I walked to my favorite grocery store for the makings of an easy dinner. It was fun strolling through the aisles and picking out delicious finger foods like black and green olives, adorable little cornichons, a cucumber, endive, a package of sliced dry salami, roasted red peppers, blackberries, dates, strawberries, grapes, salted peanuts, a rotisserie chicken, a couple of baguettes, sliced smoked Gouda, mozzarella balls, and Brie.

I toted my purchases home and set to work arranging a fun dinner board. I didn’t plan to do much cooking, but a few spreads and sauces were called for. I minced three garlic cloves, then mashed two avocados and blended everything together with lemon juice. A touch of salt and it was a tasty spread. I stored it in the refrigerator while I prepared Mars’s favorite pesto. It would add just the right tang to a sandwich or to the chicken. The food processor made quick work of walnuts, basil leaves, garlic, and olive oil.

Daisy and I made a trip to the garden for bright red cherry tomatoes, and sprigs of rosemary to use as a garnish.

Back inside, I loaded my serving board with all the fun foods for our dinner. I removed the chicken breasts and sliced them into rounds that could be eaten plain or used on a sandwich. They went on the board first, then the wings and the legs. I wrapped the remaining bits in aluminum foil and stashed them in the refrigerator to make a chicken broth.

The cheeses and salami were next. The mozzarella balls went next to the roasted peppers, for color contrast and so they wouldn’t move out of place. I rolled the slices of smoked Gouda and laid them out like a fan. The salami slices added a nice touch in a semicircle around the end of the Gouda fan. I added two small bowls, one red and one orange, for the onion confit and the pesto. From there on out, it was easy to place the fruits and nuts in small piles.

I scooped the pesto into the red bowl and covered it for the trip to the store. The refrigerated avocado spread went into the orange bowl with a cover. Then I wrapped the whole board with plastic wrap to keep everything in place. And for good measure, topped that with aluminum foil. I would drive slowly and make sure I didn’t brake suddenly!

Mochie had watched carefully after he caught a whiff of the rotisserie chicken. I fed him something called Spring Chicken Pâté, which he ate with gusto. I packed three dog bowls along with three servings of Daisy’s preferred food. Paper plates and napkins would make for a quick cleanup. I added a few little party picks and some silverware.

Loading sparkling water and the board in the car was easier than I had expected. I had transported a lot of things to events in the rear of my hybrid SUV, so the board wasn’t too big a challenge.

Mochie retreated to the sunroom to wash his paws and his face. I promised we wouldn’t be late coming home.

Daisy, dressed in her halter, hopped up on the passenger seat in front, where I clipped her harness to a seat belt connector.

Minutes later, I parked behind Orson’s store and carried the board inside. I had been right about the high ceiling. The store was blissfully cool.

I retrieved a French tablecloth from the selection upstairs and threw it over a rustic farmhouse table downstairs. The table sat near a fireplace that had surely once been used for heat. Orson had hung a large carved French rococo style mirror over the mantel. The gold arms and dangling crystals of a chandelier reflected in it. Matching chinoiserie vases with a blue-on-white motif decorated the mantel. The faux blue and white hydrangeas in them looked real.

I moved the board to the middle of the table, set out the plates and napkins, and uncovered the bowls. It looked like a feast.

No sooner had I finished, than I heard knocking at the front door and hurried to open it. “Welcome!”

Rosebud, the bulldog, was the first one through the door. Nina’s dog, Muppet, followed and ran toward her friend, Daisy.

Rosebud sniffed the floor and followed a scent in a dizzying pattern. I worried that she was looking for Orson. His scent must be all over the store.

“Poor Rosebud,” said Nina. “I wish I could explain what happened to Orson and that she’ll be okay.”

“How’s she doing otherwise?” I asked.

“She has a great appetite and gets along with everyone. But I can tell she misses Orson.”

Bernie and Mars arrived at the same time.

“Wow. Nice store, Sophie.” Mars gave me a peck on my cheek.

“Very nice, indeed,” added Bernie, looking around. “I had no idea you were so close with Orson.”

Mars turned toward me. “Neither did I. What’s up with that?”

“Give me a minute and all will become clear.”

I locked the door so no one would think we were open for business, then unpacked the blackberry vodka spritzers Nina had brought with her, while my friends poked around the store.

“This is much larger than I imagined.” Mars picked up a spritzer and sipped it.

“It’s an impressive store. Did you look at the price tags?” asked Nina. “Yikes!”

Bernie joined us. “I noticed that. Pretty pricy. The sort of place my mum favors.”

Done with the table and the drinks, I joined their conversation. “So, like you, I also wondered why Orson would leave his store to me. We were not particularly close. I thought there had to be some reason behind his generosity.” I motioned to them to follow me and led them to the office that contained the hidden entrance to the secret room. “See anything unusual?”

Bernie picked up a statuette of a woman. One arm had broken off. “He’s dealing in illegal antiquities?”

“Exactly what I thought. Do you think that’s real or just a knockoff?”

Bernie shook his head. “You’d have to ask an expert. The people who make the fake ones are pros. I have no idea.”

“Does anything else stand out to you?”

They gazed around. I walked over to the hidden doors, removed the books that had triggered the lock before, and pulled them open.