Dead Man's Wine by Parker French

Author:Parker French
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: wine country, zinfandel, counterfeiter, vineyard, Wolf House, mystery, amateur sleuth, Scottish sleuth, Sonoma
Publisher: Lucky Publishing
Published: 2023-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14 | SS Wines

The next morning, as Sarah was settling into work, her cellphone buzzed. She picked it up.

“Houston,” Zach’s voice said, “We have a problem.”

“What’s going on?”

“A lot of Paradise Valley Zin just came into the warehouse. For the auction.”

“And?”

“It’s a 2016.”

“But how’s that possible? Isn’t that the year you kept back?”

“It is.”

Sarah stood up. “Who’s the seller?”

“An outfit named SS Wines. Came in on a truck a few minutes ago.”

Sarah’s pulse quickened. SS Wines had something to do with the counterfeiter, she was sure of it. Maybe something to do with the murder of Bill Friske, too. “What’s the address on the bill of lading?”

Zach paused and came back on the line. “A place in Bodega. Do you know where that is?”

“I’m guessing somewhere near Bodega Bay?”

“Yeah, a few miles inland from there.”

“SS Wines lists PVZ on their website,” Sarah mused. “But now we know they’re brokering the most sought after PVZ. The missing year. And fakes at that.”

“We need to shut them down.”

“Yes, we do.”

“Can you do me a huge favor?” Zach asked. “We’re slammed here at the warehouse. Last minute stuff for the auction is pouring in.”

“You really shouldn’t allow that.”

“It’s Maeve Friske’s doing. She wants as many vendors at the auction as possible.”

“So, do you want me to check out SS Wines? See if they’re legit?”

“Would you?”

“In a heartbeat. Text me a shot of that bill of lading.”

“Sure thing. I’ll owe you for this, Sarah. Big time.”

“I only want one thing from you, pal.”

“What’s that?”

“A taste of your cab. It must be ready. And I want to be the first to sample it.”

“You drive a hard bargain, Goldilocks.” She heard the smile in his voice.

“I’m a hard woman.” She smiled back.

“You’ll have to come up to my place for a tasting. I’m not letting the public know about the cab. Not until I’m sure it’s good enough for the Sullivan name. I don’t even have a label yet. Or a name for my winery.”

“I’d like to come up. I’ve never seen your property.”

“It isn’t much. Not like the old homestead.”

“Well, what about later today? Say five-thirty? Before your shift at the Wolf House? I can let you know what I find in Bodega.”

“Deal. See you then, Sarah.”

****

Sarah convinced Kelley to accompany her to the town of Bodega and picked her up outside the police station. They walked out to the parking lot.

“Better to go in my car,” Sarah explained. “So, nobody suspects anything.”

“If two people can actually fit in this tin can of yours.” Kelley stared down at the passenger seat, her forehead wrinkled with doubt.

“Just move the ballerina,” Sarah said, donning her ball cap. “There’ll be plenty of room.”

Kelley picked up Wesley Leslie’s puppet and eased into the small space. “I don’t know how you stand this thing.”

“I love this thing.” Sarah turned the key and the engine purred to life. “I wanted a sportscar since I was a wean. A child.”

She backed out and sped down the street. Kelley clamped her hands on the sides of her head.

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