Pinot Noir and Poison (Wine Valley Mystery Book 2) by Sandra Woffington

Author:Sandra Woffington [Woffington, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Summit Publishers
Published: 2019-05-08T16:00:00+00:00

14

When Max and Joy reached the top of the stairs and entered the tasting room, they found all four sons and Red behind the bar. The tasting room was nearly empty but for a young couple on the last stop of their wine tour, who laughed with inebriated ease.

Jack poured them the last sampling. “Enjoy, and come back and see us again.”

As the couple sipped and gushed about the great-tasting wine, the pairs of eyes behind the bar shot menacing blows at Max and Joy.

To Max, it was like facing an impenetrable clan, bearing shields and weapons, standing ready to defend their homeland.

Max approached the bar. “Where’s Kate? We have a warrant for her arrest.”

Red exploded, “That’s impossible! Why?”

The couple turned, displeased with any commotion that rocked their mellow intoxication. The girl scowled with indignation.

Joy said what she needed to say to appease Red, not necessarily what she believed. “Red, we believe Kate is innocent. But her fingerprints were on the plastic bag containing Death Cap mushrooms taken from your house. That doesn’t mean she’s guilty, but we have to take her in.”

“She’s not here,” said Alfie.

“I don’t like this either,” said Max. “But I need you to trust us.”

“Too late for that!” Alfie raised his voice, and the couple shot more sneering glances their way.

Max dropped his head. He saw his own reflection in the glossy wood bar. He felt as distorted as the image. He couldn’t look Red in the eyes. No words of wisdom his father had ever given him prepared him for this moment, except Max knew he had to do his job—and he would do it to the best of his ability. He stood his ground and met Red face to face. “Where is she?”

“I’ll bring her in,” Red offered.

The couple chatted as if having the time of their lives. They laughed and discussed dinner plans.

To Max, it all seemed surreal, given his mission to incarcerate Kate Raedwald. His godmother had a saucy mouth that kept her boys in line, even him. But every smile, every deep hug, every Christmas gift and sugar-coated cookie came to mind. Red and Kate watched him graduate from high school, from college, and from the police academy.

Joy raised her voice a pitch to get Red’s attention. “You remember how I threw my body over Max when he lay on your floor dying? I promise you. I’ll throw my body over Kate’s too. If she’s innocent, we will protect her. Max will protect her.”

“Kate’s innocent until proven guilty,” Max reminded him.

Alfie, Jack, Liam, and Logan moved forward to surround their father. Jack’s green eyes flared in anger, but he kept his voice so low, it was more menacing than had he yelled. “You’re not takin’ our mum anywhere.”

“So be gone, the pair of ye.” Liam set his fists on the bar.

“Or we’ll toss you out,” added Alfie.

Max kept his voice so low it rumbled. “Your family has been my family. Every one of you! Start a fight, and all you’re

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