A Riesling to Die

by J. C. Eaton

  “Well,” Madeline said, “we might as well get started and get the Elsbeth matter over with.”

  I nudged Francine, who was seated next to me, and she whispered, “Elsbeth Waters has been such a pain in the butt for all of us we decided to allot the first five minutes of our meeting to talk about her so we can get it over with and discuss the other, more pressing matters. Otherwise, the conversation seems to revert back to Elsbeth.”

  “It never ends.” Stephanie helped herself to a scone. “Last week she called and complained that our customers were trespassing on her property. We’re on the same hill, for crying out loud. I can’t help it if visitors who are viewing our vineyards go a few yards farther and wind up on their property. It’s not as if they’re camping out on the front lawn. All I can say is thank God for L’Oréal or my blond hair would be totally gray by now.”

  “That’s nothing,” Catherine said. “Can you believe that woman had the audacity to tell some of her guests, who had stopped by our winery, that they would be better off purchasing wine from California? Can you imagine? It’s the wineries on this lake that keep her little B & B in business.”

  “The one I feel sorry for is that niece of hers. Mousy little thing. You’d never know she spent time in prison,” Madeline said. “Of course, it was for insider trading, but still…Elsbeth’s probably working that woman to the bone.”

  My eyes darted from speaker to speaker as everyone registered a complaint about that woman. It was mind-boggling. “Does anyone know anything about her? Like where she came from and all that?”

  Stephanie wiped the crumbs from the side of her mouth and looked at me. “What I’m about to say is all secondhand information, mind you. Maybe even third-hand. Elsbeth’s never been married. I heard she worked for one of the utility companies before her parents passed away and left everything to her. They owned a stationery and book store in one of those small towns near Syracuse. Sold it in the nick of time before anyone ever heard of e-books and Print-On-Demand.”

  “Where’d you say you heard this?” Madeline asked.

  “The beauty parlor. Where else?”

  Everyone gave a sigh of approval, as if the beauty parlor, wherever that was, was akin to a trusted government source.

  “Uh, Elsbeth isn’t dangerous, is she?” I asked. “I know she’s miserable but she wouldn’t…say…do any physical harm to our property or…us, for that matter, would she?”

  They shook their heads in unison.

  “Nah,” Rosalee said. “Some people are big blowhards and she happens to be one of them. I listen to her complaints and go about doing the same things I’ve always done. The real worry is Vanna Enterprises. They’ve been putting the pressure on all of us to sell. Those developers, Lucas Stilton and his partner, have been a real nuisance. Did you know they’ve already gotten preliminary approval from the county to build a huge winery and hotel on this side of the lake? Not on my watch!”

  “What?” Francine shouted. “How could they get approval without having a hearing?”

  Rosalee shook her head, “It’s a preliminary approval. They still have to go through the regular process, but it’ll be easier. Especially since they’ve already purchased some vineyards.”

  “This is a nightmare,” Madeline said. “We really need to bring it up to the wine trail and let them deal with it. We think Elsbeth is a problem, but she’s Mother Teresa compared to them. Those guys play dirty and it’s putting all of us on edge.”

  The next few minutes were spent talking about how worried everyone was about the real possibility of a mega-winery taking over this side of the lake. Then it moved on to a lighter topic–the late summer “Sip and Savor” event. The five wineries, in conjunction with the Grey Egret, whose former owner, Angela Martinelli, started the event, worked together to attract more visitors prior to the fall rush. “Sip and Savor” featured special food and wine pairings, whose recipes were printed out for the attendees. I figured Cammy was well aware of the program, but I’d make sure when I saw her the next time.

  The meeting ran fifteen minutes overtime, but that wasn’t too bad compared to what I had imagined. Everyone offered to help me out if I needed it and I thanked them. With Francine and Jason leaving for Costa Rica in roughly twenty-four hours, I started to feel nervous.

  My hands shook on the way home so I sat on them while we were in the car.

  Francine didn’t seem to notice. “That wasn’t too bad, was it?”

  “How often did you say they met?”

  “Twice a month.”

  “I suppose I can muster through. The ladies really were nice.”

  Jason came home by noon and he and my sister spent the rest of the afternoon checking their luggage to make sure they had everything they needed and double checking with all of the winery managers to make sure there were no looming catastrophes in sight. Meanwhile, I buckled down with my laptop so I wouldn’t be faced with any nasty surprises either.

  We went out for pizza that night and everyone turned in to bed early. Their flight left at nine fifty-three AM from Greater Rochester International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport, where they’d have a short layover before making their connection to San José Juan Santamaria Airport in Costa Rica. I imagined it would be eight at night before they were comfortably settled in their hotel.

  Jason explained they’d be meeting with other entomologists from the United States as well as Costa Rica before setting out on their research expedition. I asked if he knew the Spanish words for “Kill it! Kill it now!” but he didn’t think that was very funny.

  I got them to the airport without a hitch and got to acquaint myself with the Subaru. Not a whole lot different from my car, but the four-wheel drive would come in handy in the winter. I was able to walk them as far as the TSA checkpoint and give them each a hug.

  Suddenly, out of nowhere, Francine said, “I don’t want to scare you, but be sure to close and lock the downstairs windows at night. And the doors.”

  “You sound like Mom.”

  “It’s inherited. Love you, Norrie. We’ll e-mail you from the hotel so you’ll know we arrived.”

  I waved good-bye and watched them as they showed their passports and tickets to security. Then I left the airport, stopping to grab a burger on my way home. It was one o’clock when I breezed into the kitchen and plopped down on the couch. I closed my eyes for a few minutes and when I opened them, it was three.

  Charlie, who had let himself in the house via the doggie door, immediately came over and put his paws on my chest.

  “Oh my gosh. I don’t even remember if we fed you.”

  I filled another cup of kibble and wondered if I’d need to keep a list or a chart. Francine mentioned something about the vineyard workers feeding the dog as well, so I wasn’t too worried.

  That afternoon I visited with Cammy and Roger in the tasting room and met Sam, a part-time student at the local community college.

  When I got back to the house, the silence was really noticeable. I turned on the radio and made myself a tuna sandwich. By then, the winery had closed for the day and I was on my own. I didn’t want to lose the early evening breeze, so I left the windows open but put a yellow Post-it note by the stairs that read Windows so I’d remember to close them before going to bed.

  When we were growing up, our windows were open all summer long and our door was never locked. Of course, there were four of us in the house. Now, with just Charlie and me, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to take precautions after all. Lots of nutcases in upstate New York, as well as the city.

  Chapter 6

  “Miss Ellington! Miss Ellington! Quick! We have an emergency! Miss Ellington!”

  The room was dark and I was sure I must’ve been dreaming. Then I heard the voices again. This time followed by someone pounding on the door. The clock radio said five thirty-seven and I turned on the lamp next
to my bed. Charlie, who had slept in bed with me and on my feet, jumped off and charged down the stairs.

  The shouting continued. “Wake up, Miss Ellington. It’s an emergency!”

  I didn’t recognize the voices, but they were male and youngish. Instead of following the dog downstairs, I threw on my bathrobe, pulled the curtains and opened the front window. Outside, it was early dawn with scant light but clear enough for me to see two young guys in jeans and sweatshirts. They both looked muddy. It took me a second but I recognized them. They were our vineyard workers.

  “What?” I yelled. “Don’t tell me it has anything to do with a sewage backup.”

  That was the first thing that came to my mind because if it was a real emergency, like a fire, they would’ve called nine-one-one and the fire trucks would be here by now. Sewage backups weren’t at all uncommon and I remembered seeing the Roto-Rooter truck in our driveway more than once when I was growing up.

  “No sewage! We found a dead body in the new vineyard we’re irrigating. Look, can you come downstairs and open the door?”

  “Are you sure it’s a dead body?”

  “Yeah,” came one of the voices. “We’re sure.”

  I threw off my robe and got into jeans and a shirt, slowing down for a split second to tie my sneakers. Then I raced downstairs to let them in. Charlie had already gone outside through the doggie door but scratched on the front door to be let back inside. He went straight for his food dish the second I opened the door to let the vineyard workers inside.

  “Okay,” I said. “Did you call nine-one-one?”

  The guys shook their heads. Up close I could see they were young, early twenties maybe. Both of them well-built.

  The one with the light hair said, “We don’t have phones on us. John and Peter should be getting here pretty soon. We start earlier than they do.”

  I have no idea why, but I asked them again, “Are you absolutely sure it’s a dead body? I mean, before I call anyone. Maybe someone’s clothing blew off a clothesline and got tangled in the pipes. That could look like a body.”

  The guy with the darker hair stood absolutely still and took a breath. “It’s a dead body all right. I walked over and touched the arm.”

  “Oh my God! Oh my God! I hope it’s not someone we know. Okay, fine. I’m calling nine-one-one. Right now. On the phone. Nine-one-one. Stay calm. Everyone stay calm.”

  The dark-haired guy held up the palm of his hand and spoke slowly. “Um, we are calm. Sure you’re all right?”

  “I’m fine. I’m fine. Perfectly fine. A dead body in our vineyard not even twenty-four hours after my sister and brother-in-law leave the country. I’m as fine as it gets.”

  I picked up the phone and placed the call. It was getting lighter outside and I thought I heard a car pulling up the driveway.

  “This is Norrie Ellington at Two Witches Winery on Two Witches Hill in Penn Yan. Our vineyard workers found a dead body. Here, let them tell you.”

  I held out the phone and the light-haired guy gave them more information, including his name, Robbie Jensen, and the other worker’s name, Travis O’Neil. Then he hung up and looked at me. “The sheriff’s office said they’re on their way. Uh, maybe you want to comb your hair or something.”

  My hair! Terrific. I really was one of the witches.

  “Stand here. Sit down. Wait outside. I’ll be right back.”

  I flew upstairs, ran a comb through my hair and brushed my teeth. When I returned to the kitchen, they were gone. Charlie pawed my leg and whined. Dead body or not, I stopped and poured out some kibble for him before going outside. In the distance, I heard a siren.

  Sure. Let’s wake up the whole county and tell them there’s a dead body at Two Witches Winery.

  Robbie and Travis were on the porch staring at the vineyard. “Looks like John and Peter just got here,” Robbie said. “I can see their trucks at the barn. Maybe we ought to go tell them.”

  “Yes, yes,” I said. “Tell them. Great idea.”

  The guys took off running and I stood there, absolutely still, except for the fact I couldn’t stop rubbing my hands together. Finally, I calmed down long enough to go inside and make another call. This one to Theo and Don at the Grey Egret.

  The words spewed out of my mouth. “There’s a dead body in our vineyard. I called the sheriff’s office. A dead body.”

  “Pull yourself together, Norrie. We’ll be right there.” It was Theo’s voice and it sounded reassuring.

  “I’m on the porch.”

  “Okay. Stay there.”

  Next thing I knew, the sirens got louder and two trucks pulled up to the house—John’s and Peter’s. Robbie and Travis were with them. Red and blue lights flashed from down the hill.

  John slammed the truck door and charged up the front steps with Peter at his heels. “Are you doing okay?”

  My palms were getting raw from the nonstop rubbing. “Yeah, sure. I’m fine.”

  “Good. Looks like the sheriff’s car is coming up the driveway. I told Robbie and Travis to start walking to the spot where they found the body. I’ll get the deputy and meet them. Peter’s going to stay here with you.”

  “Uh, I’ll be fine. I called the owners of the Grey Egret and they’re coming right over.”

  “I don’t mind staying,” Peter said. “I’ll wait to see what the deputy wants us to do. Um, you don’t happen to know whose body it is, do you?”

  “Me? I was hoping it was a pile of clothes wrapped around a pipe. Geez, it better not be anyone we know.”

  John waved and walked toward the sheriff’s car now parked in front of the house.

  “Why would you think I’d know whose body it is?” I asked. “I don’t even know if it’s a man or woman.”

  Peter sat on one of the porch chairs and motioned for me to do the same. “Robbie and Travis were kind of tightlipped. I think they’re both in shock. I thought maybe they might’ve said something to you.”

  “Nope. Nothing.”

  At that moment, I began to wish it had been a sewage emergency. Roto-Rooter would run a snake line through the pipe and it would be over with by noon. But a dead body? I tried to get the image out of my mind.

  Theo and Don arrived a few minutes later. They parked their truck off to the side of the house and thundered up the front steps.

  “Are you okay?” Don asked. “What happened?”

  “The vineyard workers found a dead body in the new section where they’re putting in the drip system. As soon as they discovered the person, they ran to the house and woke me up. I called nine-one-one for the sheriff’s department and then you.”

  Peter gave them a nod and told them he didn’t know anything either. “John and I arrived after the workers found the corpse. They’re over there.” He pointed to the new vineyard area on the right side of the house. “Now that you’re here with Norrie, I probably should see what’s happening.” Then he turned to me. “I’ll be back as soon as I find out what’s going on.”

  He left the porch and all but ran to the new vineyard where the sheriff’s deputy, along with John, Robbie and Travis, was standing. I could see their backs but nothing else.

  “Why don’t we go inside and brew some coffee?” Don said. It was more of a statement than a question. “You probably haven’t had anything in your stomach and that’s going to make you really lightheaded. Those guys are probably going to be a while. The deputy will have to call in for the coroner and a forensics team.”

  “Oh my God. It’ll be a circus. They’re not going to close us down, are they?”

  Theo put his hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Very doubtful. They’ll cordon off the area and remove the body until their investigation is complete. Hey, for all we know, it might’ve been natural causes.”

  I bit down hard and caught a breath. “At the crack of dawn? That’s when t
hey found the body. I doubt anyone was walking around here in the middle of night and dropped dead from a heart attack or stroke.”

  Then I remembered that flashlight in the woods. “Uh, this may sound strange but I saw flashlight beams in the woods behind that vineyard the other night. It was about three in the morning. I told Francine and she thought it might’ve been poachers. Maybe it’s a poacher who got shot or something.”

  “The sheriff’s department will know soon enough,” Theo said. “Come on, I’ll make the coffee and Don will see what he can pull together for breakfast.”

  “Thanks. Uh, we’ve got a Keurig so nothing needs to be brewed. I’m not really hungry, but we have muffins and cereal if you guys want to eat something.”

  “We already did,” Don said. “We’re up before the roosters. At least have some coffee.”

  “Only if you do, too.”

  I looked out the front window. The men were still in the vineyard with their backs to me. Now, with Peter, there were five of them.

  “This is awful,” I said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

  Theo had popped in the K-cups and our coffees were ready in minutes. Francine had half and half in the fridge as well as milk. White and raw sugar packets were in a small tray on the kitchen table.

  Half a cup later, I finally stopped rubbing my hands together.

  Don paced between the kitchen and living room, pausing now and then to look out the window.

  “More flashing lights coming up the driveway. Probably the forensics team. I don’t think the county coroner’s car has lights, but I could be wrong.”

  I bolted from my chair. “I’ve never seen a dead body and I don’t want to see a dead body, especially one on my property. But I know how things work in this county and this is going to turn into some long-winded investigation. I need to get over there and see for myself so I know what I’ve witnessed. That way I won’t be bamboozled by anyone else’s observations.”