Fire in the Vineyard

by Christa Polkinhorn

  As if her thoughts about the owner’s wife had conjured her up, Janice turned the corner at the bottom of the driveway and was walking toward the house. Juanita waved at her.

  She invited Janice inside and told her to sit down. “May I offer you something to drink?” Juanita asked. “We just opened a bottle of Sangiovese for dinner.”

  “Thank you. I won’t say no,” Janice said. “Where’s Nora?”

  “She is staying over at a friend’s place for a few days.”

  “Ah, the one with the pool and the ponies?”

  “Yes. She was really excited, and she gets to ride their ponies.” Juanita smiled as she poured them each a glass of wine.

  “That’s such a great idea. That way, she can get around even though she isn’t able to walk,” Janice said.

  “Exactly. And it’s healthy for her. The whole family takes a bunch of trips, mainly to Lake Nacimiento. They ride their ponies and go swimming. Last year, though, the lake didn’t have enough water. This year it’s better.”

  “How wonderful. You know, we should get a pony for her to ride around here. We’d have enough room and there is an old shed, you know the one behind your home, we could turn into a stable.” Janice sounded exited.

  Juanita laughed. “Well, yes, that would be great. The problem is, someone would have to take care of the animal, and with everybody being so busy … I guess I could do it. We used to have a horse at my parents’ house.”

  “See? I’ll talk to Robert. I’m sure it would be possible.”

  “I don’t know, Janice. With the troubles the estate seems to have right now, a pony might not be Mr. Segantino’s primary goal.”

  “Just leave it up to me,” Janice said with a smile, then became serious. “You’re right though, we do have some issues with the stolen wine and the illegal sale.”

  Juanita sighed. “Romero takes it real hard. He feels it’s his fault for not having noticed that something was wrong.”

  “Oh, come on, he shouldn’t feel bad,” Janice said. “None of the other staff and not even Robert noticed it. When they first realized bottles were missing, they thought that perhaps they were misplaced. It was only when one of the merchants called that Robert became suspicious. I don’t think Romero could have detected it any earlier.”

  Juanita shrugged. “Still, he feels responsible. He’s the manager.”

  “Well, in hindsight, it’s always easier,” Janice said. “I bet from now on everybody will be more careful, including Robert. Perhaps that’ll get him to stay around more instead of hobnobbing all over the universe.”

  Juanita pursed her lips. “That will be the day.”

  “Tell Romero not to worry.” Janice took another sip of wine. “They’ll figure it out. Yes, it’s an unpleasant situation, but it’s nobody’s fault, except the culprit’s. That’s what worries me the most. I still hope it’s someone from outside and not a member of the staff.”

  “I hope so, too,” Juanita said, thoughtfully.

  Chapter 18

  “Hi, Matt, want to try a piece? I just made a new kind of pie. I need a guinea pig.” Janice pushed the raspberry custard pie toward her son.

  “Oh? Sure.” Matthew gave a weak smile.

  Janice was surprised at her son’s subdued reaction. “Wow. Where’s your usual enthusiasm when it comes to dessert? You’re not feeling well?”

  Matthew looked troubled. “I need to talk to you.” He put a finger in his mouth and chewed on a cuticle. Janice took his hand in hers and noticed that his nails had been bitten. He used to do this as a boy when he was nervous or worried. Something must be really bothering him.

  “What’s wrong?” Are there tears in his eyes? “What’s the matter, honey?”

  “It’s about Marcia.” Matthew’s voice trembled.

  “What about her? I thought you guys broke up?”

  “Yes, we did.” Another sigh. “Mom, she claims she’s pregnant and that I’m most likely the father.”

  Janice felt a jolt in her stomach. “What?”

  Matthew nodded. “Yeah. I’m not sure what to think.”

  “Well, wait a minute. She’s not on birth control? Didn’t you use protection?” Janice glared at Matthew.

  “Sure. I always used condoms, but … one time it broke. Marcia claimed it wasn’t a dangerous time. She didn’t seem worried at all.”

  Janice’s head was spinning. “Then how come she claims it’s yours? Didn’t you say she had other boyfriends as well?”

  “Yep. That’s why I broke up with her.”

  “But you broke up with her quite some time ago. If she got pregnant while being with you, she must have known for weeks. Why didn’t she say anything earlier?”

  “She told me a while ago. I just didn’t have the courage to tell anybody.”

  “Oh, Matthew, you shouldn’t hide something like this. You know you can always talk to me about anything.” Janice put her arm around her son.

  “I know.” Matthew brushed through his dark, curly hair, then rubbed his brow. “I told her I wanted a paternity test.”

  “Yes, definitely. You know this whole thing sounds fishy to me. She slept around and now she picks you as the father, a son from a well-to-do family. How convenient.”

  “I know. I thought the same. But, Mom, what if it’s true? What am I going to do? I know I’d have to take responsibility for the child. But I don’t want to marry her. I don’t love her anymore.”

  “Of course you don’t have to marry her. And yes, you would need to take responsibility. You know we’ll stand by you if that happens. But I’m not convinced she’s telling the truth. You know her mother is in the same women’s volunteer club as I am. Isn’t it odd that she didn’t say something?”

  Matthew shrugged. “I don’t think she told her mother.”

  “How far along would she be?”

  “About two months, I guess. A little more. That’s when we were last together. If I’m the dad, I mean.”

  “You need to contact Marcia immediately and insist on the paternity test. We need to know.”

  Matthew nodded. “Yes, I’ll call her today. I found information on paternity tests that can be done as early as ten weeks into the pregnancy, which would be about now. It’s not a difficult test. I’ve mentioned it several times, but she’s evasive.”

  “That’s probably because she may be lying. Tell her that if she doesn’t comply, we’ll talk to her mother.”

  “Okay. But please, Mom, don’t tell Dad yet.”

  “Matthew, this is important. Your father needs to know.”

  “Yes, I need to tell him eventually. But he’ll just kill me or find another reason to think I’m a failure.”

  “Matthew, that’s total nonsense. He does not think you’re a failure. Yeah, he can be somewhat rough sometimes. Just the other day, though, he told me that you’re doing a great job developing a plan for upgrading the cellar.”

  Matthew gave a quick smile. “Thanks. I need to get back to work.” He walked toward the door.

  “No pie?” Janice asked.

  Matthew turned around. “I’m not really hungry.”

  “Take some with you for later.”

  “Oh, all right.”

  Janice went into the kitchen, cut a large piece, and put it into a Tupperware dish.

  “Thanks, Mom.” Matthew gave her a hug and took the dish. “It looks yummy. I’ll have it for dessert … or dinner.” He chuckled. “It’s big enough for a whole meal.”

  “Enjoy.” Janice kissed him. “And, please, don’t worry too much. Call Marcia right away and get it over with. And remember, we’re on your side. Tell me as soon as you hear from her. Okay?”

  “Yes, thanks. I feel better now having told you.” Matthew gave his mother a hug, then opened the door.

  “Love you, Matt.”

  “Love you, too, Mom.”

  Janice watched as he walked across the lawn to his house. “Oh, God.” She went back inside. “That’s all we need. As if there wasn’t
enough turmoil already.”

  She poured a glass of water and drank it slowly, wondering if she should tell Robert. She felt the need to talk to someone, but she had promised Matt to let him tell his dad. Should she call Elizabeth, Marcia’s mother? They knew each other from the women’s club, and they had become friends mainly because their children had dated. They didn’t have much in common. Elizabeth didn’t seem to have many interests aside from being a wife and mother. She wasn’t into reading, music or anything artistic, things that Janice enjoyed. Elizabeth, however, was kind and likable.

  Janice shook her head. She needed to let Matthew take the initiative first and get Marcia to agree to a paternity test.

  “What a mess.” Janice groaned. She went to the window and looked outside. On the horizon, a few dark clouds had gathered. A gusty wind blew through the azaleas in the corner of the patio. She hoped it wouldn’t rain. The grapes were almost fully ripe, and rain could easily damage the fruit. In the distance, sirens blared.

  Now, she understood Matthew’s gloomy mood the past few weeks. She had associated it with the tension between him and his father. Obviously, that wasn’t the only reason. She wished though that Robert wouldn’t be so hard on Matthew. The boy tried so hard to please his father. She knew he wasn’t as confident and experienced yet as Nicholas was. Matthew had always been the slower of the two all through childhood. Studying had come easy to Nicholas whereas Matthew had struggled in school but had blossomed in college and he was a hard worker. So Robert should focus on his strengths more and not on his weaknesses. The more he badgered him, the less confident their son became. It was a bad situation.

  Janice continued to watch the ominous-looking clouds in the sky. What was going on in her family? Someone was stealing and selling wine from the estate and Robert and Matthew were at each other’s throat all the time.

  Chapter 19

  “You didn’t tell me you got a bunch of criminals as phony agents. He doesn’t use agents for his sales here.”

  “You never mentioned it.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Look, it’s the only way I can recoup some of the money you owe me. I hired a few of my friends, promised them a cut, had them use fake names and non-traceable cell phones. They contacted the outfits that didn’t know the Segantino label very well. They ordered, paid me, and it worked.”

  “It didn’t work. He found out. One of the merchants called your so-called agent to order more wine and couldn’t get a hold of him. So, he called Robert. Now, he’s going to get the police involved.”

  “Don’t worry. They can’t trace anything. Nothing leads back to me … or to you. Besides, the bottles brought me a decent amount. Works for you, too. You owe me less.”

  “What are we doing now? What about the rest of the bottles? What if they find them?”

  “They won’t find them. Didn’t you say the shed isn’t used anymore? We’ll just leave the bottles there for now.”

  “No, it’s not used right now, but it’s too dangerous to leave them there. If the authorities get involved, they may search the whole place. We can’t keep them in the shed any longer.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll find a way to move the bottles off the property. Just give me a day or two. I know of a place we can store them. Now we lay low for a while until this whole thing blows over.”

  “It won’t blow over. I can’t do it anymore. It just isn’t right.”

  “Jesus, dude. You work your butt off for a lousy salary. You have no real authority. You’re at his beck and call.”

  “I can’t betray him like this.”

  “Then how are you going to pay me? I’m giving you a real opportunity here. Just a few more times and we’re even. I won’t insist on the whole amount you owe me.”

  “I’ll pay you. Just give me some time.”

  “How much? It’s been months now.”

  “You know it’s been a tough year.”

  “How do you think I feel? No job. No future. Wife gone. No contact with the kids. And it’s all because of that bastard. All I want is some justice.”

  “I’ll pay you some other way, but I won’t do this anymore.”

  “Well, dude, you should’ve thought of that before. You’re in too far. If it came out now, you’d be in deep shit.”

  “Is this a threat? Are you now into blackmail as well?”

  “Just a reality check.”

  “You bastard.”

  “Come on, don’t be like this. It’ll all work out.”

  At home, a few hours later, he watched the sun set behind a bank of gray clouds. What had he done? He’d ruined everything, got himself involved with a bunch of criminals. All he had wanted was a little more money to pay off some debts. Instead, he got tangled in a web of lies. He had betrayed family and friends and everybody who loved and trusted him. And for what?

  He got up with a heavy heart, giving the darkening sky one last glance. He needed to confess. But that would destroy his life. He couldn’t do it. He was too far into this mess. Tears filled his eyes, tears of anguish, an anguish and despair he couldn’t share with anyone.

  Chapter 20

  “Hey, Mark, how are you?” Robert waved at his neighbor who came walking up the path to his home.

  “Great, thanks, and yourself?” Mark Llewellyn asked.

  “Busy, as always.” Robert smiled.

  “Listen, you wouldn’t happen to have some temporary storage space for wine bottles?” Mark asked. “One of our facilities needs a makeover and I’m afraid it’ll take longer than anticipated. We’re getting ready to pick our Pinot Noir. And we need some space for the few artisan wines from last harvest. It’s about two hundred bottles. I’d pay you rent of course.”

  Robert motioned him to sit on one of the chairs on the patio. “We have an old shed we don’t use anymore. It’s well insulated and we used to store wine there. You don’t have to pay anything. The building is empty and unlocked. Check it out and let me know. You know where it is? Near my manager’s home.”

  “Yes, I think I know which one you’re talking about. That would be great. We won’t need it for more than a month, tops.”

  “No problem. As I said, it’s not locked, but once you move the bottles inside, use a padlock and make sure you lock up. We’ve had some strange things happening.”

  “Oh, really?” Mark, a short and skinny man with dark hair and receding hairline, gave Robert a questioning look.

  “Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on, but we’re missing some cases of wine, among other things.” Robert didn’t want to go into any details, since he wasn’t sure yet what was happening.

  “Gee, that’s rough,” Mark said. “Hope you’ll sort it out.”

  “Yeah, I hope so, too. Anyway, go right ahead, and you can have the place as long as necessary. We really don’t need it anymore. We have that new storage facility that should last us a while.”

  “Thanks, I really appreciate it.” Mark gave a quick smile.

  “Would you like some coffee?” Robert asked. “I was just getting ready to have one myself.”

  “Sure, that would be great.”

  Robert got up and went into the kitchen. He pressed the button on the espresso machine and filled two cups with coffee. He brought them outside and the two men began to talk shop, discussing the upcoming harvest.

  “I just hope this drought is going to be over one of these days … or years.” Mark harrumphed. “The dry weather is good for the grapes, but the excessive heat is a threat to my Pinot. If this global warming thing keeps getting worse, I’ll have to switch to another varietal or even consider a different crop.”

  “It couldn’t be that bad, could it?” Robert said. “At least I hope not.”

  “Well, I hate to sound negative or be a doomsayer, but this climate change will eventually bite us all in the ass … unless we come up with a solution.”

  Robert nodded. “Yeah, it’s a complex problem, and I don’t know the solution either. So far, we’ve done re
ally well with our wine, but, as you say, who knows what the future holds.”

  Mark chuckled. “I told my wife we may have to move north. Canada may be the future wine country. ‘No way. Too cold,’ she says.”

  Robert laughed. “It would be easier to move west. Cambria may be next. It already has some great vineyards.”

  “True,” Mark got up. “Well, thanks for the coffee and thanks for letting me use your place. Much appreciated.”

  “No problem. Let me know if you need help with moving the wine.” Robert got up as well and carried the empty cups into the kitchen.

  A couple of hours later, Mark was back. “Say, you said the place was open. But there’s already a padlock on it and it’s locked.”

  Robert stared at him. “That’s odd. I’ll have to find out who locked it. Sorry, I hope you didn’t drag your wine over there already.”

  “Oh, no, I just wanted to check it out.”

  “Okay, listen I’ll figure out what’s going on, and I’ll let you know when I find out who has the key to the lock.”

  “No problem,” Mark said. “Just give me a call when it’s ready.”

  Robert walked into the Accounting Department looking for Ken. Adam sat in front of the computer, doing data entry, Robert assumed. He still didn’t feel comfortable, having his enemy’s nephew on the estate, but Adam was a hard worker, and everybody liked him.

  “Ken, do you know anything about the old wine storage shed, you know the one behind Romero’s place? It used to be unlocked, but now there is a padlock on the door.”