“But talking to him always makes me feel more at peace with myself.”
Derek nodded. “Things do seem calmer when he’s around.”
Guru Bob, otherwise known as Avatar Robson Benedict, was my parents’ spiritual advisor and leader of their commune, the Fellowship for Spiritual Enlightenment and Higher Artistic Consciousness. He had established the group more than twenty-five years ago when he and a few hundred followers had moved to Sonoma County and purchased a thousand acres of prime wine country farmland.
My parents believed that Guru Bob was a man of divine higher consciousness, whatever that meant. He was certainly compassionate and a good listener. And he was smart. He saw the big picture, not just in spiritual matters but in everything. He also recognized a good investment when he saw one and had enjoyed watching his family—as he called all eighteen hundred of us—prosper over the years. With our thriving winery, thousands of acres of primo grapevines, and a small town center filled with charming stores and upscale restaurants, the commune had grown rich and the members eventually made the decision to incorporate the town. The group had voted to name our little corner of the world Dharma.
Strictly speaking, the word dharma meant law, but in a broader sense it meant “to live in harmony with the law.” Or as Guru Bob chose to interpret the word, “to follow the Path of Righteousness.” This was the basis of his teaching, and his followers thought it was the most appropriate name for the home they had found with him.
Derek cracked open the moonroof and let the outside air filter through the car.
“The cool air feels good,” I said, then glanced at him. “I guess I’ll make up my mind when we get there. See if an opportunity presents itself to talk to Guru Bob.”
“Sounds sensible.”
“Oh, and I almost forgot to tell you,” I said, changing top-ics. “My mother has announced that she’s taking a workshop on exorcism.”
“That’s a bit disturbing,” he said, as a small furrow of concern appeared on his brow.
And who could blame him? My mother was a wonderful woman and I loved her, but her experiments in the realm of otherworldliness could, and often did, get out of hand.
“I thought she was going to be a witch,” he said.
“She’s that, too,” I said. “I’m trying to keep an open mind. She’s threatened to perform a protection ritual for me and I’m a little worried that she’ll try to work in some devil extraction chant.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” he muttered, then chuckled. “Your mother is certainly one of a kind.”
“Isn’t she?”
“And on the positive side, you can always use the extra protection.”
I smiled, grateful that Derek appreciated my mother’s quirks as much as I did. The two of them were great friends, having once conspired with each other to save my life, using a pizza and not much else. It had brought them a closeness I almost envied sometimes.
Derek and I didn’t talk much as he skirted the flat, wide marsh and wildlife area along San Pablo Bay before turning onto Highway 121 and heading north toward Sonoma wine country.
Finally I turned to him. “I don’t suppose Inspector Jaglom ever called you back.”
He smiled. “He did call back.”
“Well, don’t just sit there driving,” I said. “Tell me everything.”
Sadly, there wasn’t much to tell, despite the fact that Inspector Jaglom had always been deferential to Derek.
“Nathan phoned me back to reiterate his earlier warning that I call him if anything untoward occurs during the dinner.”
“That’s it? He didn’t give you any more meat?”
“No meat.”
“But you’re in charge of these characters for the night.” I frowned. “He should’ve gone over all their alibis with you. Their quirks. Turn-ons. Pet peeves.”
His mouth twisted in a smile. “He did give me a number of overall impressions. For instance, Montgomery was seriously overwrought.”
“Like we needed a cop to tell us that,” I muttered. “And it’s not really fair. I know Monty calls himself a drama queen, but he isn’t. Well, once in a while maybe. But that’s true for everyone.” Except Derek, I added silently.
Derek paused to check his rearview mirror, then continued. “Nathan also told me that Peter appeared suspicious and nervous. And that Raoul charmed Inspector Lee to such an extent that Nathan finally had to tell her to stop talking about him.”
“Good to know she can be charmed,” I said. I could relate to Lee’s reaction. Raoul was irresistible to most women. Except maybe his own wife. “What did he say about Colette?”
Derek glanced at me. “He thought she was lying.”
“Really? I thought so, too. And it annoyed me that she tried to make everyone sound culpable, especially Savannah. And her own husband! Did Jaglom give you his opinion about her?”