“Any cameras out there?” Jess asked.
Helia shook her head again. “We’re more concerned about the grounds here and the venue buildings.”
“Are there ways to access the vineyard that don’t require passing through here?” Jess asked.
The Shaws all nodded, but Harry answered. “From Sundaram, you can only get there by foot. The landscaping and hardscaping make it impossible to drive there from here. But there’s access from the connector,” he said, referring to one of the many roads that ran east to west across the valley floor,connecting the Silverado Trail to Highway 128. “The winery that leases the vineyard uses a few spots along there for access.”
“Which winery?” Carter asked. Harry gave the name of a company that owned several labels. They’d been around for years, which was the only reason Monk recognized it.
Carter pulled his phone from his pocket, then glanced at Jess. “They’re ready for us.”
Jess nodded. “If you all could stay available until we clear you?”
“We have three events this weekend. Can we move around the property?” Vanessa asked. “We won’t leave this area, but we have employees coming for a planning meeting.”
“That’s fine,” Jess replied. “Please keep them on the immediate grounds. And again, if you could stay available in case we have any follow-up questions.”
They nodded, but Jess and Carter had already turned. By silent agreement, they watched the detectives leave. When they were far enough away not to hear, Harry asked, “Are you two okay? Do you want to come in for breakfast?”
Monk didn’t want to leave Kendall longer than necessary and was about to make an excuse before Helia could agree, but she cut him off. “No, but thank you. We’ll go back to my place and scrounge some food there.”
Her parents studied them, Vanessa’s eyes dropping to their interlinked hands. He made to let go, but Helia held tight.
“Let us know if you need anything,” Vanessa said.
“Or hear anything,” Harry added.
“You, too,” Helia said, before leading him away.
He squeezed her hand. “You know what your parents are going to think,” he said when they were too far away for them to hear.
Helia stared at him, blinked, then cringed. “Oh, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t make things awkward for you.”
This time, he held tight. “I wasn’t thinking of me. I’m good. More than,” he added quietly.
He felt her eyes on him as they stepped out of the courtyard and onto the path leading to her house. He didn’t quite hold his breath, but it was damn close. Had he said too much? Should he have kept his mouth closed?
Finally, Helia smiled and gave him a little shoulder bump. The tension in his neck eased. He still didn’t know if what he’d said should have been said, but it was the truth.
“Stay upstairs,” Helia called out when they stepped into her house. Then to him, she said, “I’ll get the curtains in the kitchen. You get these.” She waved to the ones in the living room. Her protectiveness of Kendall didn’t surprise him, but still, his heart flip-flopped in his chest.
When they were properly closed in, she called for Kendall to join them. A beat later, the tweenager jogged down the steep steps, her long gangly limbs reminding him of a newborn foal.
“Are they gone?” she asked, pausing at the bottom.
Monk shook his head. “They have to deal with the crime scene, remove the body. It’s going to be a while.”
“Why don’t I make us breakfast,” Helia said. “Egg-and-bacon sandwiches?”
“Sounds good,” he answered. Kendall nodded but didn’t say anything. “I can put more coffee on,” he added.
“Can I help?” Kendall asked. Judging by the slight falter in Helia’s step, the request surprised her as much as it did him. She didn’t skip a beat, though.
“Of course,” she said. “Do you want to take the eggs or the bacon?”
“Bacon,” she said so emphatically both he and Helia looked at her.
She made a face. “I know everyone says pigs are supercute and so smart and all that. But we were in Texas once and I sawa wild one attack and kill newborn twin lambs. It like, went on a frenzy or something. I’ve hated them ever since.”
