Claire Gulliver #03 - Intrigue in Italics

by Gayle Wigglesworth

  Then each person went to the front table when their name was called, took their jacket and hat, received their certificate and shook hands with everyone. When it was Millie’s turn, Chef Martin clasped her hand in both of his and said quietly for her ears alone, “Ms. Gulliver, I will bring you up to date later. Will you be in the lounge celebrating with the rest?”

  She nodded.

  “Good, I’ll find you.”

  And she moved on to hug Wanda and thank her for all her support.

  * * *

  It was truly a lovely dinner. Because they were in the little alcove, they could talk without the worry of other diners overhearing their conversation. While they didn’t discuss Kristen or any of Claire’s recent experiences they were free to talk about England, last year when they met, and Washington DC where they had been together in the previous September. And they talked about Jack’s daughter as well as Claire’s bookshop. Claire told him about the Lickman’s Christmas present, Tuffy-Two, the West Highland Terrier puppy who had taken over the hearts of all who came to the bookstore. She explained how she had been awarded a VIP Card at Vantage Airlines and the benefits which went along with that honor. And she told him about her mother’s recent retirement and her current visit to the Italian Culinary Retreat in Tuscany. They discussed the terrible tragedy of 9/11 and how it had affected their lives as well as the world. They dawdled over their coffees, nibbling the tiny biscotti served to them, but finally it was plainly time to leave.

  When they emerged from the tiny alley onto the quay alongside of the Grand Canal, they turned without speaking to stroll past the Rialto Bridge.

  “So, I’ve been very patient. Now tell me what happened to Kristen.”

  Jack nodded. “She’s safe. She called as planned and we had people watching. So after the mole passed the information to his contact he was picked up. They then followed his contact. It led, just as Kristen expected, to Sonny’s father, who had arranged through his Italian based family for the assassins.”

  It was what Claire expected. She knew there was a traitor leaking information about Kristen, but she was still shocked. “Who was it? What did he say? Why did he do it?”

  Jack shook his head. “So many questions. It was Kristen’s contact. He’s been with the U.S. Marshall’s office for almost thirty-five years. He was getting ready for retirement and felt the need to pad his nest egg. He had apparently reached a point where he just didn’t care anymore. He should have been out of there years before, but....” He shrugged helplessly. “Sometimes people lose sight of their purpose. They get disillusioned. Then they can be very dangerous to people like me. And to people like Kristen who rely on them for their life. So now this man has lost his pension. He won’t need it where he’s going. He will be spending his retirement in a Federal Prison.

  “Who knows how many others he has sold out during his career?”

  Jack looked at her carefully. “So once more you were right. Every time Kristen called in to report, her location was passed on to the men who were hunting her. Had she called in again, Sunday from Vernazza, neither of you would be here now to worry about the mole.”

  Claire shivered. Jack put his arm around her and pulled her close to him until she relaxed again. Then he whispered in her ear, “But, something amazing happened.”

  She pulled her head back to see his face clearer. “What? What happened?”

  He shook his head, his eyes smiled, and then it reached his lips. “Just when you’re beginning to think there is no justice in the world something astounding happens.”

  “Are you going to tell me or just let me dangle here?” Claire was impatient.

  “Sonny was attacked in the prison yard yesterday. We heard about it last night. It seems he was bucking the system inside and the man in charge took exception to it. They got him alone and that’s all there is.”

  Claire gasped. “You mean they killed him?”

  Jack nodded. “Yep, they got his buddies off on some pretext and then waited for him to show. Sonny was used to doing his own thing. He always had, you see. His old man had always protected him. So naturally he expected to be able to do what he wanted in prison too.

  “It didn’t work.”

  “So Kristen is safe?” Claire said slowly, trying to absorb all the ramifications of Jack’s story. “She can go back to her old life?”

  “Well, she’s safe enough now. No one came for her and we know the information about her location got to Sonny’s father. So obviously the word is out. We doubt they will pursue her now as there will be no trial. She is no longer a threat to Sonny.

  “But I don’t think she can just go back to her old life. After all, she died, didn’t she? It would be very awkward for her to show up again. No, I think they will help her establish a new identify, to build a new life as they promised. But this life will be much safer, and she should be able to include her family.

  “So she will be much better off than she is now, even if it will never be the same as it was before the incident. She has been very brave and very resourceful. Everyone was very impressed with her.”

  “Can I get in touch with her?”

  “Not just yet. They’re still keeping her hidden, but I’m sure she will contact you not too far in the future. She seems to credit you with saving her life a few times.” Jack grinned widely, looking at her with admiration. “You do have a way about you, Claire.”

  They walked silently for a while, Claire trying to absorb the story Jack had told her. Eventually, Jack paused and started talking to one of the boatmen clustered at the edge of the canal. Obviously he was fluent in Italian judging by the hand movements which accompanied the rapid-fire words. Claire couldn’t understand anything they said, but when the deal was struck she carefully stepped into the middle of the gondola. Holding the boatman’s hand to steady herself, she let herself be led to the back where there was a comfortable seat for two under a canopy. She had no more than gotten settled when the boat rocked violently with Jack’s passage. He sat close to her, wrapping his arm possessively around her.

  The gondola glided quietly through the canal and then turned right into a smaller canal running between the buildings very much like the canals going past her hotel. When the man poling their gondola broke into song, she smiled with pleasure at Jack.

  “Thank you. It’s perfect.”

  They slid through the dark water, the still night around them, the notes of the gondolier’s song enveloping them. It was everything romantics described about Venice. It was what she saw last night looking out her window before the late night garbage scows started their rounds, which were not at all romantic. It was wonderful drifting along and Jack’s kisses were heady too.

  The gondolier let them off on the right side of the canal and they headed toward Claire’s hotel.

  “Nice room?”

  “Not the greatest but it’s very central, clean and looks out on the canals.”

  “You could show it to me.”

  It took a moment for his meaning to penetrate. She looked at him aghast.

  “Oh, I couldn’t.”

  He looked at her strangely.

  She giggled. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right. But you see we’d have to ask Sister Marie Terese for the key, and I just couldn’t be brazen enough to drag you with me, ask her for the key and then go upstairs with you. It would just be too shocking for her.”

  “You’re staying in a nunnery?” Jack was incredulous.

  “No, not exactly but there was a death, you see. And Senore Sorenson’s sister, Sister Marie Terese is staying with her during the mourning period. She is helping out and she is always at the desk.” Then Claire stopped and looked at Jack seriously. “Jack, you know I like you very, very much. And of course I find you attractive, you know that, don’t you?”

  He nodded, watching her carefully.

  “But Jack, I have to tell you I’m not sure I want to get seriously involved with you.”

  He didn’t say anything, just wa
ited for her to continue.

  “Every time we’ve been together I’ve nearly died. So I’m not sure if my heart beats faster from your proximately or from fear. And, while I appreciate what you and your colleagues do to protect the country, I’m not sure people in your business make good mates.”

  She put her hand up, momentarily halting his protest, and then she continued. “I’m perfectly aware you haven’t indicated that you’re looking for a mate, but Jack, I’m just not a person who does well with casual relationships. If we were to become intimate..., well, I’m afraid it would be very serious for me. So I think we’re not at that point yet, are we?”

  “Well, since you put it that way, maybe not.” He smiled nervously, but she could see the disappointment in his eyes.

  * * *

  “Millie, I want to buy you another. What are you drinking?” Randy had more than a few himself, as had most of them.

  “Thank you. I’m just having Pellegrino with lime,” she told him. She had switched to the bottled water after the first drink. One of the advantageous of getting older is recognizing your limitations and adhering to them.

  The waitress soon returned with their drinks just as George and Ruth joined them.

  “Randy says you’re all going to have a reunion and cook a fabulous meal.”

  Ruth nodded.

  Millie said, “Randy doesn’t live far from us. Actually he lives very close to my daughter in Bayside. That’s south of San Francisco.”

  “I, too, am going to cook a great meal, but only to demonstrate to my wife and son what a good investment it was for me to take this class.”

  “Was it what you wanted?” Millie inquired remembering on the first night George had said he wanted to offer more Italian dishes on the menu at his inn.

  He nodded. “My head is swirling with ideas for new menu items.”

  “Probably just dizzy from all the drinks,” was Randy’s droll contribution. They all laughed acknowledging there was some truth to the statement.

  Just then Chef Martin approached. “Ms. Gulliver, could I have a few moments of your time?” He smiled at the others and led Millie out of the lounge area.

  Her heart was beating wildly, wanting to know what had happened to LiAnn, yet afraid to hear. Both LiAnn and Sam were absent from the final dinner and while people had inquired, they had seemed satisfied with the explanation that LiAnn was not feeling well. Of course, Group C knew more, as did Ruth; they would wait anxiously until Millie reported back to them about what she had learned.

  Chef Martin led Millie through the lobby and into a tiny conference room. She was surprised to find Chef Geno, Rafael Angelino and Marie Verde already sitting there; all with somber expressions on their faces. Right then she knew her assumption on seeing Chef Martin return to the dinner was false; everything was not all right.

  “LiAnn...” she started.

  Chef Martin shook his head and Millie felt the blood drain from her face.

  “She’s...she’s dead?” She could hardly get the words out.

  “No. No, she is not dead, yet.” Chef Martin was visibly upset.

  Chef Geno started to explain. “These Death Angels are truly that. She just didn’t realize how dangerous they were. Even now she insists she is all right and wants to be released from the hospital.” He shrugged; his expression one of pure disbelief. “But these mushrooms attack the liver, sometimes it takes three to four days before the cramps and diarrhea occurs.” He lifted his hands helplessly. “By then it is attacking the central nervous system and the kidneys.”

  “There is no hope.” Marie Verde spoke quietly, calmly, her certainty convincing.

  Millie felt the room tilt and then Chef Martin and Chef Geno pushed her head down, nearly in her lap. Marie Verde told her to breathe in and out through her mouth. Slowly the room stopped spinning and cautiously she sat up, blinking rapidly trying to process what she had been told.

  “But why? Why did she add those mushrooms to the ones we bought? What was she thinking?” She looked at each of the faces hoping for a clue.

  Chef Geno answered. “She is not right in the head.” He made the universal sign by twirling his forefinger in a circle above his ear. “Her husband says she is determined their grandson win the Culinary Olympics this year. His team came in second during the last Olympics and she was shamed. Rather than being proud of his accomplishments she felt the entire family had lost face.

  “You know how some Chinese regard face. It is very important to them.

  “Anyway, she apparently decided she needed to make sure Chef Martin didn’t win again, so her grandson could. So when she heard about the Retreat she thought she could somehow keep him from competing or at least upset him to the degree he would not be able to perform up to his usual standard.”

  Chef Martin looked uncomfortable. “It’s crazy. It’s like that story of the Texas woman who hired someone to kill the cheerleader’s mother so the cheerleader would be distracted and her daughter would get on the squad. Remember that story?”

  Millie nodded, that outrageous story had been in the papers and eventually made into a movie. Rafael Angelino and Marie Verde were clearly appalled at LiAnn’s scheme; it was obvious on their faces.

  “Sam Ng said he thought he had talked her out of the notion. But he agreed to attend the Retreat with her. She said she wanted to see for herself how good Chef Martin was.

  “He knew she tampered with the ingredients in that first demonstration. Remember the salty ricotta? It upset him, but he didn’t think it dangerous. That didn’t satisfy her, so she somehow engineered the accident at the winery. He didn’t know she did it until he heard about it later and she refused to discuss it. But he says he’s sure she was behind it as it was too perfect to be a coincidence.”

  Millie looked open-mouthed at Chef Martin. She had really saved his life. LiAnn intended him physical harm.

  “Sam didn’t know where the dead mouse came from, but he knew LiAnn had planted it in the flour as soon as she screamed and ran. He says she has never been squeamish in her life. Her actions were clearly meant to draw attention to the lump in the flour and that told him she was responsible. That’s when he told her she had to stop her campaign to distract Chef Martin, but she insisted she was innocent.

  “Then apparently on Monday she tried to cause a fire in the kitchen, but one of your group interfered and so it didn’t work. That sent her into a rage.”

  He looked around at all the faces checking to make sure they were following him. “That’s when she got desperate. She had only one more day to achieve her goal, you see. Apparently that’s when she decided on the mushrooms. She had seen them when she had been out on her early morning walk, so she knew just where they were. She thought she would purchase the mushrooms in the market and then add the ones she was carrying to them so no one would be the wiser. She says these mushrooms are just like ones she has seen in China. She admits they would make everyone who ate them sick, but she’s sure they are not deadly. She had not intended that she or Sam would eat them, but when Millie challenged her in the kitchen she became so furious that her plan was once more falling apart, she ate one just to show her contempt. She was willing to be sick just to put Millie in her place.” He shrugged helplessly. “In a few days she will change her mind.”

  Millie couldn’t help her tears. Marie Verde pulled a small package of tissues from her purse and offered it to Millie.

  “I’m sorry, it’s all so stupid. And sad...,” Millie wiped at her eyes. “She wanted her grandson to win so badly she was willing to hurt someone, make all of us sick to achieve it? How could she? What will her grandson think of her?”

  “Sam Ng blames himself. He says he, as well as the whole family has always catered to LiAnn. They have loved and admired her guts, her tenaciousness, so they have always done whatever she wanted. But recently she has been becoming more and more erratic. He thinks maybe it’s her age. Or maybe she’s not well. But she thinks she is right. She believes her behavior ha
s been heroic.”

  They all sat there silently, trying to absorb the horror of what they heard.

  “What will happen now?”

  Rafael answered Millie’s question. “Sam has told her she cannot leave the hospital for four days while she is under observation. During that time they will search for a liver transplant donor. If they find one she may have a chance. However, even with the liver transplant she may not make it as already the poison is spreading through her body. Her children, as well as some of her grandchildren, are on their way here.”

  Millie remembered talking to the Ng’s about their large, scattered family. “Are they sure the mushroom she ate was one of these, these Death Angels? Couldn’t it have been a variety of one she knew from Hong Kong?”

  Marie Verde shook her head. “The tests were conclusive. It is definitely the Death Angel. We were told by the doctor that people who have eaten them report they tasted delicious. But they died anyway.”

  Millie shuddered; she couldn’t believe it had come to this.

  “Ms. Gulliver, we are all in your debt,” Rafael announced solemnly. Chef Geno nodded vigorously.

  “Yes, yes. Here at Villa Tuscany there has never been a hint of sickness. We take great pains to make sure our kitchen turns out delicious and healthy meals. If these mushrooms had been cooked and served, not only would all these people have died, but the reputation of the Villa, perhaps even the Villa itself would have been destroyed.”

  Chef Martin looked into her eyes. “What more can I add. You have truly been my guardian angel, Ms. Gulliver. You saved me from injury in the winery at great risk to your own self and now you detected the poisonous mushrooms and prevented them from being served to the class. I thank you for all of us. You are a brave, resourceful woman.”

  Millie didn’t know what to do, what to say, so she just sat there.

  “What about the other participants? Will you tell them?” Millie asked dreading having to go back to the lounge and tell her friends.

  Rafael shook his head. “I don’t see any reason the others need to know.”