Fire in the Vineyard

by Christa Polkinhorn

  “Let me put on some clothes. I’ll be right with you.” Janice hurried toward the bedroom.

  Robert pressed the button on the espresso machine and poured two cups of coffee. He put them on a tray, grabbed a carton of Half & Half in the refrigerator and a cup of sugar. He carried the tray into his home office and put it on the coffee table. “Sit down,” he told Lauer and pointed at the visitor’s chairs behind the coffee table. He sat at his desk and looked at the man expectantly. “Let’s wait until my wife joins us. She is as eager as I am to hear the news.”

  Lauer nodded, added some cream to his coffee and stirred it slowly. He took a sip, then got up as Janice entered. “Good morning, ma’am.”

  Always the gentleman, Robert thought, amused.

  Janice shook hands with Lauer and sat down next to him, putting her coffee cup down. “All right. I hope you have some good news.”

  “Well, yes. We did make a breakthrough, finally.” Lauer took another sip, then continued. “We found one of the phony agents that tried to sell the stolen wine. We had him in our focus because of a previous conviction for fraud. He admitted having gotten the wine from someone in order to sell it, but he claimed he didn’t know the wine was stolen. Anyway, after interrogating him for a while, he agreed to a plea bargain. He named the person who hired him to sell the wine for a lighter sentence.”

  “Who was it? The guy who gave him the wine?” Robert could barely contain his impatience.

  “Someone you know,” Lauer said. “Your suspicions about George Winter were right on target. He was behind the whole thing.”

  Robert jumped up from his chair, almost knocking over his coffee cup. “I knew it. The bastard.”

  “But how is that possible?” Janice asked. “If George Winter stole the wine, how did he do it? We would have seen him on the property, wouldn’t we? Even if he came at night, someone would’ve spotted him. This has been going on for many weeks.”

  Lauer nodded. “Well, he obviously didn’t do it himself. Of course, we tried to get a hold of Winter, but he seems to have disappeared. There is a warrant out for his arrest. We’ll get him, don’t worry.”

  “So we still don’t know how he got the wine.” Robert rubbed his forehead.

  “Obviously, someone with access to your estate and to the wine must have helped him.”

  Robert and Janice looked at each other. “But who?” Janice murmured.

  “Adam.” Robert checked his watch and began pacing the room “It could only have been his nephew.”

  “Well, I don’t know.” Janice shook her head. “Adam has only worked here during the summer, but didn’t the bottles go missing before that?”

  Robert threw his hands in the air. “The first time we noticed that bottles disappeared was July and Adam worked here already.” He felt his heart rate rise. “I never trusted that bastard.”

  “Well, we’ll certainly question Adam, but it is by no means certain it was him,” Lauer said. “Does he still work here?”

  “Yes,” Robert said. “But not for long.”

  Janice held up her hand. “Come on, Robert, we don’t know—”

  “Of course, we do. Who else could it be?” Robert continued to pace the room.

  “Did he even have access to the storage room?” Janice asked.

  “The keys are hanging in Ken’s office. He could’ve taken them and gone back after work. Come on, Janice, it’s obvious.”

  “No, it’s not.” Lauer got up. “You need to wait until we have evidence that he is involved. And for that I’ll need to talk to him. Will he be at work today?”

  “Yes, later this morning,” Robert said.

  “All right. Perhaps I can still catch him at home.” Lauer glanced at his watch, then faced Robert. “In the meantime, hold your horses, don’t do anything rash. Do not scare him away. I need to question him. Remember, people are innocent until proven guilty.”

  “Yeah. Yeah.” Robert hurried toward the door, then turned back. “Thanks for the news, David.”

  “No problem,” Lauer said.

  Robert was on his way to the Accounting Department, then realized that it was too early. Nobody would be there yet. He turned around, just as Lauer was leaving.

  “Try to calm your husband,” he heard Lauer say to Janice.

  “Fuck that,” Robert muttered. He walked over to the winery, trying to get a hold of himself. It was George Winter after all. He was trying to beat Robert with his own weapons, obviously out of revenge. Stealing and selling his wine and probably making a nice profit. Well, that will be his last deed for a while. Back to prison for that bastard.

  “Hey, Dad, what’s the matter?” Matthew asked as he entered the winery.

  “You’re up early,” Robert said. Ever since making Matthew the manager, his son who before hardly ever was on time, and if then with disheveled hair and bloodshot eyes, was the first one at the winery. Just goes to show, give someone more responsibility and they perform better.

  “George Winter is behind the whole wine theft and sale and, I’m sure, behind the arson as well.”

  “What? How? Did Lauer tell you?” Matthew gaped at him.

  “Yes. He was here just now,” Robert said.

  “Did they arrest him?” Matthew asked.

  “Not yet. They can’t find him, but they will. In the meantime, I want Adam off the property.”

  “Why? Is he involved?”

  “George Winter couldn’t have gotten the wine by himself. Who else could it be? Adam had perfect access to the keys for the winery and the storage room.”

  “But, Dad, you don’t know for sure. What does Lauer say?”

  Robert shrugged. “He’s looking into it.” He glanced over at the office building. “Got to talk to Ken.”

  Ken, who had just arrived, looked stunned as Robert burst into the office. “Good morning. What’s the matter?”

  “Where’s Adam?” Robert barked. He tried to contain himself and lowered his voice. “Not in yet?”

  Ken looked at his watch. “He should be here any minute. Why?”

  “I want you to draw up a check for what we owe him. And then I want him fired,” Robert said.

  “Why?” Ken stared at him in shock.

  Chapter 31

  Robert walked to the window, then turned back to face Ken. “I just heard from the investigator that Adam’s uncle is behind this wine theft and sale, and most likely behind the arson as well. Adam must have helped him.”

  “But … are you sure? It could’ve been someone else.”

  “Who?” Robert called out. “Don’t you think it’s too much of a coincidence that his uncle is the culprit and his nephew just happened to work here? Perfect arrangement, if you ask me. His uncle is known here. He couldn’t have walked around the estate without anybody becoming suspicious. Nobody would suspect Adam though.”

  Ken hesitated. He wanted to defend Adam, but he had rarely seen Robert so angry. He’d better not upset him even more. “Well, I’m sorry to hear this. He did excellent work, and I took him for a really nice person.”

  “Well, yeah, not all criminals look like crooks. Most don’t.”

  “I just …” Ken took a deep breath.

  At that moment, the door opened, and Adam came inside.

  “Hello,” he said, then his eyes widened. He obviously sensed the tension in the room, and Robert’s angry face left no doubt that something was brewing.

  “I want you to pack your things. You’re fired.” Robert spoke in a quiet voice but with a threatening undertone.

  “What? Why?” Adam stared at him, then looked at Ken helplessly. “What did I do?”

  Robert glared at him. “Your uncle is responsible for the wine theft and the rest of it.”

  “What? Uncle George? … How?”

  “Don’t play innocent.” Robert approached Adam, pointing an accusing finger at him. “You must have helped him. Did you also burn down the shed that killed Romero?”

  Adam, his face pale, stepped back and
bumped against his chair. He plopped down, then got up again. “This is totally crazy. I had no idea my uncle was behind this. I had nothing to do with it. And I certainly didn’t burn down any sheds. You’re out of your mind.”

  “I don’t believe you,” Robert said. “I don’t want you here anymore. You’re no longer welcome anywhere on my property.”

  “That’s so unfair. You’re accusing me of something I didn’t do.” Adam’s voice cracked.

  Robert waved him away and turned to Ken. “Make out the check for the work he’s done.” He stared at Adam again, as if he wanted to say something else. Instead, he stomped out of the office.

  Ken felt sorry for Adam. “This is too bad. I don’t know what to say.” He picked up the check he had made out. He had added the hours until the end of the week, thinking Adam deserved some extra pay for the unfair treatment. “I’m sure things will clear up. I don’t believe you’re guilty.” He handed Adam the check.

  Adam looked at it, then at Ken. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I enjoyed working with you.”

  Ken nodded. “Likewise. You did excellent work. Once this is over with and you need a recommendation, let me know.”

  “Thanks.” Adam snorted. “You’d get into trouble with His Highness. He’s such a jerk.” He shook his head. “But if this is true about my uncle, it’s just horrible.”

  “Well, you can’t control what members of your family do,” Ken said. He sounded dejected.

  “We’re not close,” Adam mumbled. “Our two families I mean.” He walked toward the door.

  “Again, thank you,” Ken said. “And I’ve a feeling I’ll see you again.” He tried to sound hopeful.

  Adam raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “Maybe.” He gave a weak smile and left.

  Outside, Adam ran into David Lauer. He stopped, anger surging through him about the unfair accusations. “So, you’ve come to arrest me? Make my day. It couldn’t get any worse. I just got fired.”

  Lauer shook his head. “There’s no reason for me to arrest you. Unless you have something to confess.”

  Adam stared at him. “Look, I have nothing to do with this. I’m as shocked to hear about my uncle as anybody.”

  “Who told you?” Lauer asked in a sharp tone.

  “Segantino.” Adam motioned with his head toward Ken’s office.

  “Robert?”

  Adam nodded.

  “Damn.” Lauer’s facial color deepened and he tensed his jaw. “I’m sure things will clear up. I’d like you to come to the station.” Lauer checked his watch. “Shall we say in an hour?”

  “You’re sure you don’t want to book me right now.” Adam sneered. “I could skip the country.” He was surprised that Lauer smiled.

  “You’re not going anywhere. The sooner we talk, the sooner this is over with.”

  “Am I really a suspect?” Adam tried to swallow a knot in his throat.

  Lauer measured him with his penetrating eyes. “More like a person of interest. We’re looking for your uncle. Perhaps you can shed some light on where he might be.”

  “I doubt it. As I said many times, we’re not close. But I want to help in any way I can. I can’t let that sit on me.”

  Lauer gave Adam a quick pat on the arm, then walked toward Ken’s office.

  Adam took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves. He looked around, then began to walk toward Sofia and Nicholas’s home, hoping that Julietta was there.

  When he knocked on their door, he looked over his shoulder, afraid that Robert might have pursued him, but nobody was there.

  Sofia opened the door. “Hi Adam. What’s up?”

  “You don’t want to know,” Adam said. “I just got fired. Robert thinks I had something to do with the wine theft … and the arson.”

  “What?” Sofia’s eyes opened wide.

  “Yep. I don’t know if you heard. My uncle is behind the stolen wine, and I guess he is also responsible for selling it. At least that’s what they told me.”

  “When did you hear this?” Sofia asked. Nicholas came to the door as well, looking at Adam, stunned. “Come on inside,” Sofia said.

  “Okay.” Adam looked behind him again. “I probably shouldn’t even be here. Robert banned me from his property.”

  “Well, this isn’t his property,” Nicholas said. “This is ours.”

  “Is Julietta here?” Adam hesitantly followed Nicholas inside.

  Sofia shook her head. “No, she went to the college to buy some books. She should be back soon.”

  “Can you leave a message for her, please?” Adam asked.

  Sofia motioned him to sit down but Adam remained standing. “Don’t you want to talk to her yourself?”

  “Maybe, it’s better if we stay away from each other until this is cleared up,” Adam said. “I don’t want her to get into trouble by associating with a suspect.”

  “Are you a suspect?” Nicholas asked, frowning.

  Adam gave a quick snort. “Not yet. Lauer called me a person of interest. He wants me to help him find my uncle. I really want to help, but I don’t know Uncle George’s whereabouts. Anyway, please tell Julietta I had nothing to do with it. I’ll get in touch with her … once I’m in the clear.”

  Sofia put her hand on his arm. “We’ll let her know. But please talk to her yourself. She’ll be really upset hearing about this.”

  Adam nodded. “I will. Thanks. And I really don’t have anything to do with it. I hope you believe me.” He smiled briefly, then turned around, walked out the door and down the hill toward his car, his heart heavy.

  Chapter 32

  After Adam had left, Nicholas and Sofia stared at each other. “What a development,” Nicholas said. “It was George Winter after all, Dad’s enemy, who’s behind this. We should’ve known.”

  “Do you think Adam is involved?” Sofia asked.

  “God, I hope not. I don’t think so … I don’t want to believe it, for Julietta’s sake.”

  As if on cue, the door opened and Julietta rushed inside. She looked upset. “I just talked to Adam. I can’t believe what’s happening. He’s so upset. Robert has no right to treat him this way.” Julietta’s voice shook.

  “I know.” Sofia put her arm around her. “I just hope this whole thing is cleared up soon. We have one big mess on this estate and now people are starting to accuse each other.”

  “I’m going to give Uncle Robert a piece of my mind. He’s such an … ass.”

  Nicholas screwed up his face. “Dad is always so short-tempered. I mean he has no proof that Adam is guilty.” He stepped outside. “I can see Lauer’s car next to Dad’s house. Let’s go and find out what’s happening.”

  The three of them hurried along the path to Robert’s place. As they approached, they heard Lauer shouting. The door to Robert’s home office stood ajar.

  “What are you doing, going around accusing people, threatening them? I’m the one who oversees this investigation. If I suspect someone, I’ll do the questioning. What you’re doing is interfering in the investigation. If you don’t stop this nonsense, I won’t share any news with you anymore.”

  A clearly subdued Robert answered. “I simply didn’t want him on the estate anymore, so I fired him. That’s my right.”

  “You did more than that. You told him that his uncle was behind this whole thing. That’s information I gave you in confidence. And you go and accuse him of being his uncle’s accomplice.”

  It was quiet for a few seconds. Nicholas, Sofia, and Julietta looked at each other. Nicholas was debating, if they should just wait until the altercation between the two men was over. At that moment, Matthew came walking into the house and gave them a questioning look. The discussion in the office continued.

  “Don’t you realize that was the one thing I didn’t want to happen,” Lauer said. “Let’s say, you’re right and Adam is his uncle’s accomplice. Now, you just warned him. We don’t know where Winter is. What prevents Adam from contacting him and scaring him off? Which makes our search for hi
m more difficult. For all we know, he could already have left the state … or the country.”

  “Well, obviously, I didn’t think about that.” Robert sounded defensive.

  “That’s what I mean. Why don’t you think before you blow up?” Lauer spoke more calmly now but with stern authority.

  Robert again. “Well, I’m sorry. Anything I can do to make this right?”

  “Yes. Shut up. Don’t do anything and leave the accusations to us.”

  “That will be a difficult task for my father,” Matthew said with a chuckle as he pushed the door open all the way.” Shutting up, I mean.”

  Nicholas wanted to laugh out loud at his brother’s audacity. Good for you. Tell him.

  Robert stared at Matthew angrily but didn’t say anything. Lauer turned around and gave Matthew a stern look.

  “Good that you’re all here. What I told your father, also applies to you. Leave the investigation to us. That’s our job and that’s what we get paid for. If you hear or see anything alarming or suspicious, you tell me or one of my people, and nobody else. Is that understood?”

  “Absolutely,” Nicholas said.

  “And another thing,” Lauer continued. “We still don’t know who collaborated with George Winter, but we know there was more than one person. They could be from the estate or from outside or both.” He faced them with a stern expression. “Which means you are still under suspicion.”

  Nicholas took a deep breath. “You don’t really think it’s one of us here, do you?”

  “What I think is secondary,” Lauer said. “It’s the evidence that counts. This is an ongoing investigation that goes beyond your estate. There are signs that we’re dealing with a network of wine thieves. Anyway, I hope I made myself clear. You can always talk to me if you have questions or concerns. You all have my phone number and you can call me day or night. Okay?”

  Nicholas nodded. “Okay.”

  “Adam didn’t do it,” Julietta burst out, her eyes flashing angrily at Robert. “You had no right to be so mean to him.” Her voice cracked.

  “I’m sorry, Julietta,” Robert said. “I hope you’re right about Adam. I still think he looks guilty.”