by Maggie Thom
“I don’t know. We’re looking for answers.”
“Do you know if she has a buyer?” Her mouth had gone dry. James Madsen has purchased one winery and is looking to buy another. The information she’d found the week before immediately popped into her head. God no. But she feared that somehow he knew.
“I don’t know anything. She just dropped that little bomb yesterday.”
Chance took that moment to squeal. Thankful for the distraction, she reached for him again. “Come on love, we need to get you cleaned up.”
“No.” He wouldn’t let her take him.
“I’ll take him. You get the bath ready.”
“I was going to shower with him.”
“Do you think the three of us would fit?”
In lieu of a reply, she made her way to his bathroom. She pressed her hand to her thumping heart, trying to still it’s fluttering insistence that she take Graham up on his offer. Leaning over, she filled the tub a quarter-way full.
“Spoil sport.” Graham lowered Chance into the tub and then climbed in right behind him. All long lean muscle of him. Her eyes were peeled so wide, it took a moment for her to realize the two of them were grinning up at her.
“I’ll just—I’ll just... go.” She waved and slowly made her way out, closing the door behind her. Weak in the knees, she sank to the floor overwhelmed with emotion. Chance had never experienced a man that treated him like he was precious or important. He was lapping it up like a starved puppy given a bowl of milk. And she’d never had anyone look at her the way Graham did. It was frightening to think with only a simple glance, she felt like the same little puppy wagging her tail, begging for more.
What the hell am I supposed to do with him? Many delicious ideas immediately popped into her mind and she wondered when she’d become so amoral. It made her smile when she considered how horrified her father would be if he knew how sensuously unladylike she’d been the night before. And she had every intention of doing it again. But first, she needed to get her life in order and figure out who was intent on harming her... and why.
Chapter Forty-Eight
“Okay. We’ve got a problem.” Graham took in the view from the marble balcony. It didn’t matter how often he went to Dorothea’s mansion, the grandeur still put him in awe. He couldn’t imagine Guy growing up in such a luxurious place, even though he also knew this child’s playhouse was also a very lonely place. With a step-grandmother running an empire, battling the media’s love of controversy, and overseeing the upkeep of the mansion and expansive grounds—complete with lawns, themed gardens, fish ponds and swimming pools—there wasn’t much time for a young child. Then there had been Geoff, the great-uncle who used to beat the pulp out of Guy when he could catch him.
Graham smiled. He wouldn’t have traded his own upbringing for anyone else’s. He grew up in a blended home of siblings, half-siblings and step-siblings. It was chaotic and crowded with nine crazy kids but there had always been love. There had always been someone to hang out with, get in trouble with.
“Why? What’s going on? Do we have any answers yet? Tarin? Oliver?”
Pulled from his reverie, he looked at Guy. He’d left Tarin at the office that morning, thinking it was the safest place for her to be. Bill would keep a close eye on her.
“I don’t know. How do you like them apples? Oops, I mean grapes. I wouldn’t want your grandmother to think I disrespected her.” He looked around surreptitiously as though he was going to get in trouble.
Guy chuckled before sitting in one of the oversized, cushioned bamboo chairs. “I’m going to tell her what you said. That you forgot you were standing in the middle of wine country and had the audacity to mention apples.”
Graham jerked back, his eyes wide, his right hand pressed against his chest. “Nooooo. Anything but that.”
“Anything but what, Graham?”
He gave Guy a look of panic before he came to his feet as Dorothea joined them. He nodded in greeting and sat after she had taken her usual seat under the large umbrella.
“I was just telling Guy how much I admire the place. Emilio has outdone himself with the gardens. They look outstanding. And will be perfect for the wedding.”
She smiled knowingly. “You’re a real charmer, aren’t you? All right, let’s get to business. Do you have any answers? Who do you think is out to sabotage my business?”
“We’re not sure, Gram. We’re still looking into that. Sorry. What we need to know is anything about your employees that we won’t find in a background check.”
“I already told you, Guy, it can’t be one of my staff. It can’t be.” The conviction with which she said it was sorely lacking. “On Oliver’s computer, what did you find?”
Graham glanced at Guy, hoping they didn’t have to say anything until they reached the end of the meeting. How did he tell her someone had been on his computer and had erased all the information? I’ve skimmed it; copied some information and I’m doing a deeper dive at the office. I’ve upgraded your security so it’ll be very difficult for anyone to get into any of your information.”
“Let me know what you find.”
“I know it’s tough Mrs. L—” Her stern look stopped him. “Dorothea. Let’s start with your frontline staff. You get new ones each year to help with the picking, right?”
“Yes. I used to meet each one but sadly I don’t anymore. A few years ago I could have told you each and every one’s name, where they were from and their dreams.”
Graham noticed the slight tremor in her hand as she sipped her iced tea. “And those staff who do the packaging? You’ve had quite a turnover?”
She stiffened before answering, “There have been some, yes.”
Guy looked at him. It was enough to know they were thinking the same thing. Things had changed since her brother Geoffrey caused such havoc for her, almost taking down Caspian Winery. She’d been fighting for its life over the past two years, trying to untangle Geoff’s web of lies and deceit, including the fraudulent way he’d used the company’s money. She’d brought it a long way but Graham still felt with the current situation was somehow connected. They’d exhausted every other sensible possibility.
“None of them would have the kind of access needed to swap out a bad bottle of wine with a good bottle. Yes, one of them could have stolen a bottle and a label but it wouldn’t have been easy.”
“Okay, how about the more permanent staff?”
“Well, let’s see. Oliver is my shipping and receiving manager and until I hire someone else, he also oversees the wine tasting room. Tom is our vineyard manager. Martin is our senior winemaker. Cara is our account manager. Then there’s my new assistant, LJ. There are several others on staff but that’s my senior team.” She looked sternly at Guy.
Obviously, Graham thought, they’d had words about the new help—LJ. She had a checkered past. Guy and Bailey had tried to reason with her but she was adamant the woman was right for the job. She had all the qualifications she’d been looking for—able to run a successful business, able to give as good as she got and a keen eye for how to expand a business. It hadn’t mattered to her that the woman had once run an escort service; something Guy and Graham considered half a step away from a brothel. Dorothea had been amused by that and impressed with the woman’s gumption. She had however made it clear that none of them were to meet her, talk to her, interrogate her or do any more background checks on her until Dorothea had given them permission.
It didn’t make sense to Graham but he knew how to cover his tracks so any sleuthing wouldn’t be discovered. He certainly did not want to be on the receiving end of Dorothea’s wrath.
“Oliver’s been here a long time, right?” He changed the subject so he could possibly find out who had wiped his computer clean and where he might be at that moment.
“Oh my, yes.” She sported a genuine, happy smile. She obviously had good memories with him. “He’s been here for fifteen years. He was the first man I hired. Oh, in the beginning
we butted heads. He hadn’t wanted to take orders from a woman. But he’s a good man—married for thirty-five years, they have two married children, four grandchildren and he’s active in his church. He’s very principled. His wife was a lovely lady.”
“Was?”
“Sadly she died from cancer three or so years ago.”
“And how long has Tom been here?”
She frowned but quickly relaxed. “He’s been here about three years. He’s the only good thing Geoff did for this company.” She paused. “He’s very good with the grapes. Had us change our handling procedures and the watering. And he was right. His mother is in a retirement home. She has severe rheumatoid arthritis. She became too much for him to look after. It broke his heart to have to put her there. Thankfully he found a place for her at Living Life On The Avenue. He’s not married.”
“That’s a retirement place.”
“Yes, Living Life On The Avenue is. He’s hired a full-time nurse to look after his mom. He said it was better than moving her into a nursing home. He’s taking good care of her. He’s normally an easy-going man, but he does have his moments when he’s dealing with Oliver. Although that’s all Geoffrey’s—” She looked away as though ashamed of what she’d been about to say.
Guy took her hand in his. “I know you don’t want to talk about him. But what do you mean it’s all Geoffrey’s—what, fault? What are you referring to?”
She squeezed his hand before waving her other one in the air in dismissal. “There are some personality clashes at work.”
“Grandma, if he created some issues at work, we need to know—especially if you’re still dealing with problems two years after his death.”
She gave him a chilling look; she knew something.
“He caused some trouble between the two men. He promised them things I couldn’t deliver. It seems that everything he did fueled the animosity between them. We’re finally at the point though where I believe that’s all in the past. Things have settled down.”
Graham caught Guy’s eye. If Geoff had stirred up something over two years ago and it was still an issue, then they had a problem.
“What’s this about selling the business?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Which means you’re considering it.”
“No. I think I’ve found someone to take over though.”
“Who is it?”
“I’m perfectly capable of running this company, Guy. I’ve been doing it most of my life. And I think I’ve done a pretty darn good job.” With that she got up, gave them each a nod and walked laboriously toward the house. At the door she paused and slowly turned. “I hope you find out who’s been doing this.”
Graham and Guy took the five marbled flights of winding stairs to the front door. Once inside Graham’s Hummer, Guy spoke up, “She doesn’t look good, does she?”
“Considering she’s thirteen years past normal retirement and she’s still running an empire, she looks pretty damn good. But I know what you mean. She’s clearly exhausted.”
“And pale. Gray even.”
“Yeah.”
“Oliver appears to be a prime suspect. Tom is too, if for no other reason than because Geoff hired him. What do you think?”
“Same. She sees them all through rose-colored wine,” he quipped. Growing serious, he continued, “She’s still living in the ‘50’s where loyalty was the norm. Nowadays, everyone is looking out for themselves. So what are we missing? We did a background check on all of them.” Graham contemplated their conversation with Dorothea, wondering about the usual conviction in her voice—somehow, it seemed lacking. “And then there’s Geoff.”
“She insisted we come out here because she wanted to tell us who has been responsible, yet she didn’t share anything.”
“No, but did you see her expression when you mentioned Geoff’s death?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t think he’s dead either, does she? But there’s no way she could come out and say she thinks her brother is responsible. Again.”
“Dig again as deeply as you need to. Has any staff received large sums of money or spending more than they make? I’ll check with Walters at the police station and see if he’ll do some checking through their system. He owes us.”
“And who’s going to be the one to tell Dorothea if we find out one of her trusted employees is sabotaging her business? Or that Geoff might be behind it, dead or alive? He could have easily set something in motion to take her down. As feeble as she’s getting, this might kill her.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
“Hi. You don’t look too pleased. I’m assuming your meeting didn’t go as planned?” Tarin struggled to tamp down an impulse to hug Graham as he came through the door and remained seated behind her desk instead.
Graham thrust his hand through his hair. There was still a hint of frustration in his manner. And she knew it was because of her and the step back she was trying to take from whatever it was they had. His blue eyes bore into her as if he was searching for answers. “No. It just led to more questions. And you? How’s—?”
Tarin couldn’t help but smile as Chance launched himself at Graham’s leg. Graham swooped down and picked him up, tossing him into the air. His squeal of delight widened her smile into a grin. She’d never seen her son so happy with someone other than her, not that he’d ever had much opportunity to meet anyone else.
“Hey, big guy.”
Seeing Chance so gleeful reminded her that she needed answers so she could end this crazy, unnerving life. Until she did, there was no chance for her son to have a normal life. There was only one way she was going to get answers.
“Hey, would you mind watching him for a bit? I need to get some supplies—pull-up diapers, snacks that kind of thing.”
“I’ll go.”
“No. I need to get out. I’m feeling claustrophobic. I’ll be fine. There must be somewhere close I can shop?”
Graham gave her directions to a store a few blocks away. She leaned up to kiss Chance only to have Graham steal a kiss, leaving her breathless and feeling all the more sleazy for lying to him. If anything was going to change, if she was truly going to learn anything, she had to do this. What choice did she have?
She walked out without looking back.
~~~~
“Were you able to follow her?” Graham stared down at Chance as he lay sleeping. Though he’d felt privileged that she trusted him with her son and he hadn’t questioned her intent, he’d asked Guy to follow her. He knew Guy would protect her but though he hated to admit it, he still didn’t totally trust her.
“Yeah. Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you but her little jaunt down the street went a little farther than you imagined. You won’t believe this. She’s at Union Station, standing in front of Purdy’s Chocolates.”
“Any other time, I’d tell you to pick me up some. What the hell is she doing there?” Graham frowned.
“She’s scanning the area. So meeting someone?”
“I have to get a babysitter—”
“A what?”
Graham ground his teeth. What the hell was she really up to? “Just keep an eye on her and I’ll be down as soon as I can.”
“Don’t. Get on your computer and do what you do best.”
Graham scooped up Chance, raced out the door, and down the stairs., He walked around to Bill’s place. His face lit up as soon as he saw the little guy.
“I need you to come upstairs and keep an eye on him, okay?” Bill didn’t totally trust the cell phone they’d given him and often left it shut off, so Graham knew it would be faster to go and ask him.
Without question, Bill locked up his place and followed them upstairs. Since Chance was sleeping, he turned on the television for Bill to watch.
An hour later, Graham was reeling from all he’d learned—all he should have known before he’d hired Tarin. He had to give it to her, she was good. He’d had to do some major digging. He glanced up to observe Bill playi
ng with Chance and a small truck. They had their heads together as though discussing something serious. It made him smile. Bill was a bit of an unorthodox babysitter but a very good one.
Graham’s phone rang. Picking it up, he wandered to the outer office. “What’s happening?”
“A woman showed up dressed in a burqa. I only caught a glimpse of her face. I’m sending you a picture.”
Graham studied the picture. “I think it’s the friend she’s been living with. They went to school together. Private school paid by Tarin’s father. You’ll never guess who he is?”
He went on to fill Guy in on all he’d discovered.
“So could dear old dad be involved in all this?” Guy asked.
“It looks like they may have had a falling out. She quit her job in his company. There are some murky reasons for it. I’m not sure her quitting would have gone over well with Pops.” Graham shoved his hand through his hair. “I don’t have a clue what’s going on but I want you to grab her and get out of there. The Blue Jays game will be ending soon and that place will be zoo-city. Oh and if she gives you trouble, tell her that Chance will be handed over to the authorities if she doesn’t cooperate.” He hung up and had to lean against the counter. The thought of giving her child to Social Services made him want to retch. But then so did the whole situation with Tarin.
Chapter Fifty
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“That Kim is your sister.”
Tarin staggered against the building pillar. “What?”
“I wanted to tell you but I was sworn to secrecy.”
“The house.”
“All part of it.”
“Your sister. She died.”
“Yes but not Kim’s mom.”
“Your mom and my dad?” Tarin said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“When you begged for me to go to school with you, your dad made a deal with my mother. She was to be his on-call companion. They’d had the arrangement for years. But I guess somewhere along the way, they forgot basic science of how to prevent a baby. And along came Kim.”
