They surmised it must’ve originated in the barn, and from there spread to the units and the vineyard beyond. The problem with that theory though was the question of why the main building and Julia’s home had likewise been devastated by the blaze.
The only answer which made any sense was that both the barn and Julia’s house had been targeted by an arsonist, and that the fields and the rest of the compound had fallen victim to these two fires. Because the barn was the most destroyed, it served to reason the first fire started there, the home and adjacent winery second.
The two men searched through the wet debris of what’d once been their place of work. Rafael searched through the production barn’s destroyed contents while Joaquin investigated the perimeter. It didn’t take long before Joaquin noticed something sticking out above ground.
“Take a look at this Rafa,” called Joaquin.
Rafael moved carefully toward his friend. “What is it? Did you find something?”
“I think so, yes. What does that look like to you?” Joaquin asked pointing his finger at what looked like a melted reddish orange container. “I’ve never seen anything like that either near or inside the barn before, have you?”
Joaquin went to turn the object over, but Rafa stopped him in time. “Don’t touch anything, Joaquin. If this fire started how I believe it did, the fire department investigator needs to look at everything first before we mess with it.”
Joaquin kept his distance but nonetheless crouched down to get a better look. “If I’m not mistaken, it looks a great deal to me like one of those plastic gas cans. What do you think?”
Rafael lifted his friend up from the elbow. “I think we need to get one of the deputies over here to look at it and then to secure the premises. This is a crime scene now. No doubt about it.”
Both men approached Deputy Sotiropoulos and showed him their discovery. Immediately, Christos radioed the sheriff.
Barb’s cell phone rang. After listening to her deputy’s update, she turned her attention away from the ambulances and back to the fire.
“Please tell Mr. Lopez and Mr. Pasqual I’ll be down shortly. In the meantime, see if you and Stefano can get everyone together. People from both Riverside Lutheran and Our Lady of the River are coming to pick up the families and take them someplace where they can clean up and sleep, if possible.”
Barbara had from the start been concerned as to where the workers could to be housed once the fire was out. “If we need more room, the Superintendent of the schools said we could use the high school gym if need be.”
“Got it, Barb,” answered Christos. “I’ll call my family too and see if there’s room for anyone at Saint Sofia in Bellingham. I doubt if anyone there speaks Spanish since the congregation’s Greek Orthodox, but they’re family-oriented people and will help in any way they can. I’m sure of it.”
Barb let out a sigh. “Thanks so much, Chris. Getting all these people housed is going to take the efforts of the entire county to make sure the workers and their families have places to stay.” Barb wasn’t sure what Julia’s plans were for the future of the Nooksack Valley Winery and Vineyard, but whatever they were, they’d take some time to manifest.
As soon as Christos hung up, he called his Uncle Fotis. When he heard the news, Fotis got busy and notified everyone he could think of. Chris then turned to speak to Joaquin and Rafael, to tell them Sheriff van Persie would be down shortly. The two men, however, were gone, already making their way up the hill to what’d once been Julia’s house and main office of the winery.
~ ~ ~
The main building still smoldered, preventing the men from entering its skeletal remains. That didn’t stop Joaquin and Rafa however from carefully circling the ruins, looking for whatever smacked of criminal intent. As they made their way toward what’d once been the basement store room, they were surprised to see what looked like a man’s body folded in the corner next to the refrigeration unit.
“Do you see what I see, Rafa?” asked Joaquin as he approached the hunched over form.
“Yes, but be careful. I don’t recognize who it is. Do you?”
Suddenly a moan emanated from where the body lay and Joaquin motioned for Rafael to come closer and take a look.
“Mother of God, is that who I think it is?” Rafael asked as soon as he saw more of what the man was wearing. Both men quietly nodded at each other.
“Umberto? Is it you?” asked Joaquin.
“Help me! Ayuadame!” the charred carcass rasped.
Rafael wasted no time running up the hill. Luckily he sighted Sheriff Barbara as she made her way toward what was once the production barn.
“Sheriff! Over here! Someone’s hurt and very possibly has a few things to say to you. That is, if I’m not mistaken as to why he’s here.”
Barbara ran up the incline with Rafael to see what he was talking about. “Who is it? Do you know?” she panted.
“Sí, Sheriff. It’s Umberto Colon, the man who was fired from here a few days ago.”
Quickly, Barbara called in for another emergency vehicle to tend to the injured man. That done, she crawled into the space where the indisposed man lay in the arms of Joaquin.
“Sheriff van Persie, this man is Umberto Colon,” reiterated Joaquin. “He has something to tell you, but you’ll have to lean in close to hear. The smoke and fire have all but destroyed his ability to speak.”
When Barb saw the mangled and badly burnt body of the victim, it was everything she could do to not vomit. The man’s face was blistered. The flesh on his body adhered to his bones merely by the forced enclosure of his clothing.
“Señor Colon,” Barb addressed the man, “the ambulance is on its way. Don’t talk if it is too difficult. Save your energy. You’ll need it soon enough.”
“No, Sheriff, I want to talk. I set the fire, but I got caught in my own trap. I was angry, sí, but it was Señor D’Angelo who paid me to do this. No one else. Only me and the Señor.”
“Duncan D’Angelo?” The sheriff couldn’t believe her ears, and then things began to make sense. She’d always wondered why the most unsavory of situations led back to Mr. D’Angelo, but this one took the cake.
“He’s not responding, Sheriff Barbara,” noted Joaquin.
“I’ve got this. You and Rafael go help your families and co-workers get on the buses waiting for them up on the road. Several churches have found places for you all to stay temporarily. That is, until we figure out the next move. I’ll stay with Mr. Colon until the ambulance gets here.”
“Are you sure, Señora?” asked Rafael.
“Yes,” she answered. “Just go. Go!”
Barbara watched as both men did exactly as she asked. While waiting for the EMT’s to arrive, she thought about the events of the past few days with both astonishment and horror. Never had anything like this ever happened before in Whatcom County, at least not since she’d been elected Sheriff. She hoped and prayed nothing even remotely like this’d ever happen again, especially not on her watch.
~ ~ ~
The sheriff and her two deputies followed the last ambulance out of what’d once been a thriving business and home to so many. On the way she caught her deputies up on her conversation with Umberto Colon and was in the process of initiating a warrant for the arrest of not only Colon, but Duncan D’Angelo as well. Even though she had no proof as of yet, she wondered how James was connected to all of this, if indeed he was.
Because of these thoughts, she asked Chris and Stefano to stand sentry at the hospital doors of both James’s room as well as that of Umberto Colon. She’d take care of Duncan later. Now she could at last concentrate on her friends—Gayle and Julia, plus the hero of the hour, Diego Gonzales-Martinez.
When Barb arrived at the hospital, she checked in on Gayle first. Sitting up in bed and seemingly awake, G
ayle was under an oxygen tent to help her breathe. James, with his hand already bandaged, sat at her side, the two of them talking to each another softly.
“How are my two patients doing?” asked Barb as cheerfully as she could manage given James was still on her to-be-investigated list.
Gayle smiled while James merely stared at his wife.
“We’re both doing fine,” said James. “Considering what we’ve both been through.”
“I don’t need to tell you that I need to speak with you later, James. Do you hear me?”
When he turned his face toward Barbara, she saw he hadn’t as yet stopped crying, his face red and swollen. “I understand,” he said.
“But I need you to know even though I badly wanted the land around the winery, never for a moment did I want anyone to get hurt or killed as a result, especially not my family. I know who’s behind all of this, but unfortunately I’ve no proof.”
Barbara put her hand on his good shoulder. “It’s all right James, because I do.”
She then lifted the curtain of the oxygen tent to speak briefly to Gayle. “Simply shake your head yes or no. Don’t talk. Okay?”
Gayle nodded yes.
“Are you doing okay?”
Gayle nodded yes again.
“And do you want James in the room with you?”
Gayle turned her gaze toward her husband’s face, smiled, and nodded once more.
“Then I’ll leave you two. I have to check up on a few people, including Julia, before I leave. I’ll say good night for now. Or should I say good morning?”
Sheriff Barbara turned to leave the room when she heard James say, “Thank you, Sheriff van Persie— Barb. Thank you for everything!”
~ ~ ~
By the time Barb reached the waiting room, the ER had cleared out, save for her friend Julia.
“How are you doing, kiddo?” she asked.
Julia still carried a few remaining smudges and cuts on her face, but other than that she appeared to be doing fine.
“I’m okay,” she answered, “but Diego’s still in surgery. God, Barb, I feel bad for him, so helpless.”
Barbara sat next to her friend and wrapped her big arms around her, allowing her head to rest on her shoulder.
Julia desperately needed more than anything else to be coddled and loved. “I told myself the last time I was here with Robert I would never spend another minute in this hospital again. Now, here I am, feeling as if all of this was somehow my fault. I’m the one who insisted on keeping the winery, me and no one else. I’m the one who put everyone who works there in jeopardy. I’m the one who told Diego to get lost, all because I was worried about what people thought of me. Of us. Oh, Barb, I feel sick.”
“I’m so sorry, Julia, but I refuse to be a part of this pity party. First of all, you’re not responsible for this fire. I already got a confession from the culprit. I plan to soon arrest a few others involved in this crime as well. Too bad, but you’re not on that list.”
She gave her friend a loving squeeze. “For your information, everyone in this valley who counts wants the winery to succeed, especially the people who work for you. They knew the risks of working there, but they chose to work for you. No questions asked.
“And as far as Diego is concerned, he chose to save your life. And the lives of Gayle and her children. If anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I told him not to go back in, but he went anyway. Truth is, I could’ve stopped him, but I didn’t.”
Julia sat up. “I’m scared, Barb. What’ll I do if Diego . . .”
“Then let’s pray and ask God to do what He does best.” Barb took Julia’s hands in her own and bowed her head. Silently the two women closed their eyes and prayed for nothing less than a miracle.
Chapter 16
It wasn’t until the surgeon entered the waiting room that Julia realized she’d fallen asleep in one of the overstuffed chairs. That sometime between two a.m. and now six, Barb had left the hospital to either go back to the station or home to bed.
“Julia Reynolds?” asked the doctor.
“Yes?” she answered sleepily.
In one move the surgeon pulled off his mask and scrub cap. “We got out of surgery only minutes ago. I’m sorry to have to inform you that Mr. Colon didn’t survive the night.”
“Mr. Colon?” Julia was confused.
“Yes, the burn victim from the fire at the winery. I already called the sheriff’s office and informed her of his passing.” He turned to leave.
“Wait a minute, Doctor. What about Diego Gonzales? He was here with a head wound?”
“Ah, yes. Sorry. Mr. Gonzales is resting in the ICU. His wounds didn’t require surgery, but we drained some blood from the hematoma on the back of his head. He should be able to leave the ICU later today or early tomorrow. He’s still being watched for any signs of smoke inhalation. We’re also monitoring two sizable burns on the backs of his legs. Other than that, he’s doing fine.”
“When can I see him?” Julia hurriedly packed up the few things she had with her—a blanket, a sweater, and a tiny bag of toiletries, compliments of the hospital.
“You can see him now if he’s resting. Check with the floor nurse first to make sure it’s all right with her.” The doctor abruptly turned to make his way back toward the operating room doors.
“Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so very much!” Julia called out in excitement.
The surgeon, worn out from the tedious hours of several all-night surgeries, kept right on walking. At the last second, however, he stuck his hand up in the air and waved his you’re welcome before disappearing behind the swinging doors.
Julia took the stairs two at a time to get to the ICU floor. The hall bustled with activity. Nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff zipped in and out of rooms, making their early rounds before breakfast. She did as she was told and spoke to the head nurse, asking if Diego was able to have a visitor.
“And you’re who?” the nurse asked Julia.
“Diego Gonzales is my brother,” she lied, hoping against hope that one, the nurse had a tender heart, and two, that Diego had perhaps changed his mind about their relationship.
The head nurse looked at her suspiciously, but then studied her chart. “You’ll have to wait, He already has a visitor and the doctor insisted he have only one guest at a time.”
Julia told her she’d do exactly that, assuming the visitor more than likely was either Mariela or Rafael. She hurried into the bathroom to fix her face and hair as best she could.
She reached into the bag of toiletries and pulled out the deodorant, Vaseline for her lips, and the hand cream for her face. She brushed her teeth with the provided toothpaste on her finger until they shone. Staring into the mirror, Julia still saw her haggard weariness yet had to admit she at least looked more presentable. A smile surfaced as she thought about Diego.
She’d no sooner opened the restroom door and entered the hall when she came face to face with James. She jumped back in surprise, her heart shooting up into her throat. Yet far too tired to ascertain if what she felt now was fear or anger.
“Please, Julia, there’s no need to be afraid. I want to apologize for, well, for everything. I’ve no excuse, other than I must’ve not known how to handle my grief over Robert’s death other than to be a real ass. I know it’ll be some time before you can forgive me, if ever. But, as I told Diego, I’m so sorry for scaring you, trying to swindle the property from you, and for trusting Duncan to handle things. I want you to know I had no idea D’Angelo was capable of both arson and murder.” Duncan D’Angelo?
“You were speaking to Diego just now?” Julia tried to put things in order in her muddled brain.
James sighed. “Yes. It turns out both Gayle and I had to spend the night here at the hospital, and so I wanted to make sure D
iego heard my side of the story as well as an apology. I swear to you, Julia, I’ll spend the rest of my life working to pay you as well as Diego back for all the agony I’ve put you through.”
Julia watched as he wiped a stray tear from his eye. “Gayle and I have talked things over, and both of us agree that from now on we’ll work our butts off to help you get the winery up and running. But that’s your decision, of course.”
She gawked at her feet and the floor in front of her. She thought for a moment and then raised her head to look James in the face. “I accept your apology, but it’ll take me some time and effort to forgive whoever it was who did this to us. To all of us, James. The Reynolds family and everyone else who works, or should I say worked, at the winery. I can’t think about the future right now. But perhaps in a few days we can talk.”
After the two of them said their good-byes, Julia briefly entertained second thoughts about dropping in on Diego. She knew deep in her heart the longer she waited to see him, the more difficult it’d be to say her piece. She took in a deep breath and then marched resolutely into his room.
As soon as she saw the bandaged eyes of the man who’d captured her heart lying in bed hooked up to one machine after another and looking tired and pale, she wavered. Julia immediately thought of quietly backing out of the room. Then she heard him speak.
“Julia, it’s you, is it not?” Diego asked weakly.
“Yes, Diego, I’m here. Am I disturbing you? Do you want to sleep?” Julia’s voice matched the same volume level as Diego’s.
He smiled that sexy smile of his. “No, mia cara, I don’t want to sleep. But yes, you do disturb me!”
Julia couldn’t ignore the underlying sexual connotation in his voice, raspy though it was. “I was wrong, Diego, to treat you the way I did in the church parking lot. You were only defending me. I see that now.” Julia couldn’t keep her feelings dammed up any longer.
Love's Harvest (A Salmon Run Novel Book 1) Page 23
