“What if they don’t find anything?” Lucinda asked. “Then what?”
Priscilla shrugged. “I don’t know.”
The conversation was interrupted by the doorbell. “I’ll get it,” Gabe said only to return a few minutes later with a deputy right behind him.
“I’m sorry, folks,” he said, “but I’m here to pick up Alexis and Nico DeLuca and Priscilla Moreau. We need to take you downtown for more questioning.”
“For God’s sake,” ChiChi said. “Can’t you see they’re about to have dinner?”
“Yes, ma’am, but I have my orders. I’ll wait by the front door.” He turned and walked out of the dining room.
ChiChi was pacing back and forth. “This is getting ridiculous.”
“Let them do their job, Nonna,” Marco said reaching for Lexi’s hand. “It won’t take them long to figure out we’re not the guilty parties.”
Lexi began to cry as she leaned against Marco when he walked her to the door. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
ChiChi pulled a hanky from her apron pocket and handed it to her. Her gut cramped from the anxiety of seeing her family suffer. “I’m going to call Henry and tell him to meet you two down there,” she said putting her arm around the trio. “Just don’t answer any questions without him being present.”
“She’ll be okay, Nonna ChiChi,” Marco said. He turned to his wife. “It’s okay, Lexi. Don’t be scared. You have nothing to hide. Just tell the truth.”
“But everything we’ve worked for is going down the drain.”
“It’s okay, Lex. Stop worrying.” Priscilla pursed her lips and put her arm around her granddaughter.
“Lucinda and I have your back,” ChiChi whispered. “Don’t worry about a thing.” Priscilla nodded her head in agreement.
The remainder of the family watched from the porch as each member was carted off in a separate vehicle. Turning to walk back inside, Lucinda and ChiChi remained until the last vehicle pulled out of the driveway.
“Did you tell me you knew a chemist?” ChiChi asked.
“Yes, Clemson Dillard.”
“Can you get in touch with him?” ChiChi scratched her forehead. “If they’re saying it’s poison, then we need to know what kind of poison and where it came from.”
“How do you expect him to check ingredients if we can’t get into the restaurants? I’m sure they’re all sealed off.”
“We’ll just have to figure that out.” ChiChi stared into the distance contemplating what to do. “If somebody’s tainting the ingredients, then we have to find a way to follow the trail and figure out where it came from.”
“I’ll call him now.”
“Good. In the meantime, I want to talk to the kids first to tell them what’s happening and see if we can figure out how to handle this mess.” When ChiChi saw her great granddaughter, Holly, pass by the open door with a chunk of Italian bread in her hand she turned to Lucinda and commented. “My granddaughter is going to fill up on Italian bread if I don’t serve dinner soon.”
Chapter Five
ONE BY ONE, the remaining DeLucas gathered around the long dining room table ready to discuss strategies. Nonna ChiChi entered carrying a huge pasta bowl, the steam curling in the air as she approached the table. Lucinda was in tow with a large bowl of salad.
Seeing his master, Mr. Puffins meowed from Lucinda’s seat where he waited patiently for her to serve him dinner. Always the fashion plate, Mr. Puffins was dressed for the occasion in a white lab coat, his head covered with a black afro wig—ears poking out Miss Piggy-style, and anchored down by an elastic band under his chin. Tiny eyeglasses rested on the bridge of his small nose.
Gabe, the oldest of the DeLuca brothers and considered head of the family after Grandpa Geno died, sat in his grandfather’s seat at the table and reached out to relieve Nonna ChiChi of the heavy bowl of pasta she carried. Setting it down in front of him, he reached for the scoop and placed food on the plates being passed to him.
“Mangia, mangia,” Nonna ChiChi said. With hands on her hips, she paced back and forth in a contemplative state. “We have a lot to discuss tonight,” she said, prepared to elaborate when the house phone rang. The chatter around the table quieted down and all eyes were glued on her animated expressions. When the call ended, everyone’s eyes were focused on her. “That was Nico,” she paused to swallow hard, “the sheriff’s department will be holding them for the next seventy-two hours,” she said dryly.
Noticing Nonna ChiChi wasn’t eating, Gabe’s wife, Regan broke the silence when she called her on it. “Nonna, you have to eat something too. Who’s going to keep this family together if you get sick?”
“I wish I could, but I don’t think I can get it to stay down.” Refusing to take no for an answer, Regan scooped a spoonful onto ChiChi’s plate and placed it down in front of her. ChiChi gave a half smile because that’s exactly what she would have done.
“Try,” Regan said.
ChiChi stabbed one of the pasta tubes with her fork like a scolded teenager and brought it to her mouth, chewing ever so slowly.
Gabe laughed. “I think you’re rubbing off on the women in this family, Nonna ChiChi.” She nodded in agreement.
***
An hour later, after the last of the dishes were cleared off the table, ChiChi began the meeting while Gabe refilled the empty glasses with more wine.
“Okay. We need to do something, and fast to clear our family name,” she said. “Lucinda has a friend who’s a chemist and I’ve already hired him to analyze every ingredient in our restaurant kitchens to find out what killed these people. That’s where you guys come in. There’s no doubt every restaurant will be sealed off by the police and there’s no way we can get in without them knowing someone broke in. . . .”
“Or seeing us on the surveillance cameras they have set up,” Marco offered.
“Then we’ll just have to figure out how we’re going to bypass all that crap to get inside for what we need,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Shouldn’t we discuss this with Henry first?” Marco asked while Gabe shot him a side glance.
“Hey,” he retaliated. “We’re already in a lot of trouble. Why add to it?”
ChiChi’s sharp rebuttal stopped everyone in their tracks. “No! I know he’s looking out for us, but he’s just like every other bureaucrat.” ChiChi’s anger came through loud and clear. “He’s going to tell us to wait for the police. Well, I’m not waiting around any longer while our family and reputation is on the line. That’s the future of your families,” she pointed to everyone around the table, “so if you’re not on board, don’t come crying to me when you lose everything.”
“Maybe we can find some windows in non-conspicuous places to climb through,” Regan said.
“Lucinda,” ChiChi said, “has Priscilla ever mentioned another way to get into her restaurant, other than the traditional way?”
“I don’t recall.”
“Okay,” Marco said, “so once we find our way in, then what?”
“Once the chemist gets here, he said he’s going to need a sampling of every item from those pantries to test, so that’s what we’re going to do.”
“How will you get samples from BoVines and the other two? Neither had anyone die on their premises?” Marco said.
“We’re not. That’s for the PCC to figure out. I’m only interested in the places where our family members cook.”
“And speaking of those other businesses,” Lucinda said, “You realize your family is being blamed for their loss of business. Warren, from BoVines is ready to file a law suit for loss of wages.”
“Yes, I heard.” She released a deep sigh. “I tried listening to all thirty of those messages left on my answering machine, but they’re too depressing. To accuse my family of pulling a publicity stunt for our own gain is pretty sad.” She snickered. “Right. Like I’d risk my own family’s wellbeing by letting them sit in a filthy jail cell to benefit our brand. They should know, our bu
siness is dying just like theirs.” Her hand flung in the air. “I can’t think about that now.” She looked around the table. “Ideas?” she asked.
“Marco, do you know if you have a set of blueprints for the Sweet and Savory Bistro?” Gabe asked.
“I don’t know, but I can sure check and get back to you right away.”
“Has Lexi ever forgotten her keys and talked to you about getting into the building,” Nonna ChiChi asked.
“I wish I could tell you she has, but Lexi is so well organized, she,” . . . he paused . . . “Let me run home to check.”
“Okay, but hurry back so you’re here for the chemist.”
“I will,” Marco said on his way out the door.
Regan called out to him. “Would you mind dropping our girls off at Mrs. Bailey’s house?”
“Not at all.”
“Holly, Sophie,” Regan called out. The girls rushed into the dining room. “You’re going over to Mrs. Bailey’s house.”
“No,” Sophie said in her best two-year old voice. “I stay with Nonna.”
“Just for tonight,” Regan said.
“No. I stay with Nonna.”
When Gabe gave her the fatherly glare, she settled down, but that didn’t stop the tears.
“You can come back tomorrow,” Nonna ChiChi said, “I promise,” she wiped her tears. “Nonna loves you so much. Do you know that?” Sophie slowly nodded her head in agreement. Marco took her hand but stopped when Gabe called out.
“Hey, where’s my kiss.”
“No kiss for daddy.”
Barely able to hold his laughter, Gabe walked over and kissed both the girls. “I love you funny bunnies,” he said tickling Sophie’s belly. She giggled, but pushed his hand away. Holly leaned in and wrapped her arms around her father. “Love you too, daddy. Love you mommy,” she said then made a mad dash out the door with Sophie in hand.
Turning to Lucinda, ChiChi addressed the issue. “So, if Marco can’t find a way inside the bistro, then we’ll just go over there and figure out a way inside.”
“But how?” Nonna ChiChi asked.
“Not to worry,” Regan said. “I have a way inside.” The grannies stared at her, but Regan’s hand rose in the air. “Trust me, I’ve got this.”
“As for the Auberge, I doubt we’ll figure out a way in there,” Marco said. “The only room they preserved during the 2015 renovation was the dining room but there’s no way inside that place now without a key.” ChiChi chugged back the remains of her wine. “What time do you think would be good to do this Gabe?”
“My suggestion would be in the middle of the night when everyone is sleeping, and for God’s sake, please wear rubber gloves. We don’t need to be leaving any fingerprints behind or losing any family members to poison.” He turned back to his grandmother. “What do you want us to do?”
“As soon as Marco gets back, I want you to set up a place in the garage for the chemist to work.”
Wingman, Marco’s dog, barked when the doorbell rang. Walking to the front door, ChiChi let the man inside. “Here he is.”
Based on Clemson’s stoic demeanor, it was obvious the chemist took his job seriously. Although there was only one of Mr. Puffin’s eyes that looked weird. Both of Clemson’s eyes looked buggy. He slowly made his way around the dining room and handed out a sheet of paper to everyone that listed items he wanted for testing. The meeting concluded with the designated time set for three-thirty the next morning.
Marco returned and walked into the foyer. “No blueprints at the house, no keys anywhere. She must have them with her. Listen, I seriously think Gabe and I should go to the Auberge to see if we can get in.”
ChiChi shrugged. “Okay, if you think you can do it. Just don’t forget they probably have an alarm system.”
“I have a great idea about how to get into the Auberge, assuming they don’t have an alarm,” Gabe said looking rather smug. “We use a diamond cutter and cut around the window panel where the lock is, slide the pane out, unlock the window and climb through.” His brows rose. “What do you think?” he asked.
“Are you practicing for future break ins?” Marco asked.
“No. I just thought it sounded pretty clever.”
“And what will you do with the pane after you’re done?”
“I thought we could chew a wad of gum, spread it across the bottom and the top of the window frame and gently place the pane back in, then we’ll climb back out the window without locking it again. No one will notice it until they try to use the window.”
“Where did you see this? On YouTube?”
He grinned. “Pretty good, huh?”
“You’re becoming a real gangster,” Marco said. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Okay, let’s get serious now,” Gabe said, “we have work to do. If we find the place crawling with security, we’ll leave and go over to help the ladies at the bistro.” He shrugged.
“Marco, does the Bistro have a security system in place?” Nonna ChiChi asked.
He shook his head. “Nonna ChiChi, I honestly don’t think so, but I’ll tell you one thing, after tonight, they’d better get one to keep people like us out.”
***
Four hours later, the alarm signaled it was time to get up and all that could be heard were footsteps coming down the stairs. Each were dressed in an all-black warm up suits and ski masks. Filing down to the kitchen, Nonna ChiChi had breakfast sandwiches already made and placed in bags.
“Did you get any sleep?” Regan asked
“I did.”
“Then how did you do all this?” Regan asked.
“Before I went to bed.”
“You’re a dynamo, Nonna ChiChi. I hope I have as much energy as you do when I’m your age. Thank you,” she said and kissed her cheek.
Five tote bags sat on the floor by the front door containing flashlights, rubber gloves, and baseball bats . . . and a few granola bars for later just in case anyone got hungry. Regan claimed her bag and slipped something inside with the other things. Exiting the house, ChiChi drove downtown and parked far enough away so no one would suspect.
Regan, ChiChi and Lucinda teamed up together, while the DeLuca brothers headed to the other end of town where the Auberge was located.
Parking a safe distance away, the women exited. The glow from the full moon caused them to snake their way through the alleys in between buildings until they wound up behind the Bistro. Carrying a small pen light, ChiChi gave it two clicks as a signal to follow her. Now that Mr. Puffins was free of his themed outfit, he was scouting the lot and served as their attack dog for any critters roaming the property. When a bush moved, the ladies gasped and clustered together. That’s when Mr. Puffins hunkered down and patiently waited in attack mode for the enemy to show his face.
Finally, a head emerged and Mr. Puffins hissed as he came face-to-face with what appeared to be a tabby cat. They hissed at one another, their paws swiping in the air as though performing a synchronized swimming routine.
Lucinda stepped forward in an attempt to break up the fight. Seeing her get too close, ChiChi jerked her back so fast she lost her balance and pulled ChiChi down with her on top of the low shrubs. The branches of the bush broke and parted, exposing a door to the basement. The tabby cat ran off.
Excited, ChiChi got everyone’s attention and aimed her flashlight at the door, her heart pounding from the excitement of doing something wrong.
Walking single file toward the door, Lucinda ran right into a cob web and started jumping around slapping her hands against her head convinced she had a spider crawling down her neck.
“If you’d stop jiggling,” ChiChi said, “I’d be able to check you.”
“Hurry,” she said, “it tickles like something’s crawling all over me.”
ChiChi and Regan aimed their mini-flashlights at Lucinda while ChiChi checked diligently.
“You’re fine. There’s nothing on your body except your clothes.”
“Okay ladies,
” Regan whispered, “this is it.”
Once Lucinda calmed down, Regan reminded them to put on their rubber gloves, then pulled out a tool from her canvas bag and stuck it in between the door frame and the lock. Surprised to see Regan using a tool to open the door, ChiChi looked at Lucinda whose hand rose in the air with a shrug.
Within seconds, the clunk of the lock sounded and the door opened like magic. ChiChi blew out a grateful breath. Despite the few obstacles, they now had access inside the Bistro to complete their job. Pushing the door open with her hand, Regan took the lead and entered the damp and musty smelling basement when a rat scampered right over her foot.
They all jerked back, jiggling around in place like Mexican jelly beans, each stifling a scream while they clustered together. But Mr. Puffins came to the rescue and showed that dirty rat who was boss, catching him in his powerful jaws. The rat released a painful bleep and dropped down on his side.
No one moved an inch while Mr. Puffins played with his victim for a while until it no longer moved. Mr. Puffins proudly rewarded Lucinda with the gift of his conquest, which he’d proudly placed directly on the toe of her shoes. Kicking it aside, this time Lucinda released an audible scream until Regan covered her mouth with her rubber gloved clad hand. Lucinda was still shuddering when the ladies dragged her to the stairs. Still squeamish, she finally settled down once they made it up the steps.
Regan opened the door and together they entered the kitchen when ChiChi spotted a vehicle in the parking lot. Holding her hand up in the stop position, she tiptoed over to the window to investigate. With the Harvest Moon shining so brightly, she was able to make out the first word. “Elite?” she questioned.
“Elite Security,” Lucinda said.
“Okay, let’s hustle. I don’t see any movement so he could be sleeping. Either way, let’s duck down by the windows.”
“Oh my god, oh my god,” Regan said noticing the driver had opened the door of the vehicle. “Duck!” she said in a low voice and pulled them down into a dark corner. ChiChi’s heart was pounding so hard, she could hear it in her ears, her mouth constantly moving in prayer. With the three of them shaking from fear, the closeness felt like a vibrator on high speed. The trio finally calmed down when they heard the door of the SUV slam, each blowing out a nervous breath of relief, then quickly got the pantry items they came for and rushed back down into the basement to leave.
St. Helena Vineyard Series: Desserts Can Be Deadly (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3
