Beauty from Pain(61)

I keep it short, but not because it’s what I want. “Baby, I have to go.”


“I know. Call me when you can.”


I give her one last peck on the mouth. “I will. Daniel will be here around ten, but stay as long as you like.”


I get in my car and start my drive to Lovedale so I can take care of the problems at Marguerite Vineyard. While I’m there, I have other business I need to tend. It’s personal, and its name is Audrey Bagshaw.


I use voice command to call the one person I can trust with this issue. “Call Jim Callaghan.”


There are several rings before he answers. “Callaghan Investigations.”


“Jim, Jack McLachlan here.” We politely greet each other, but we both know I’m not calling about his well-being, so I cut the shit. “I have a job for you. I understand it’s short notice, but I need you to find someone for me fast.”


“Of course, Mr. McLachlan. You know I’m always glad to help you in any way I can.”


He means he is always willing to be paid a generous sum, but I don’t mind his motive. He gets the fast results I like and always keeps the work he does for me on the down-low. “Perfect. Her name is Audrey Bagshaw and she lives in Lovedale. That’s where I’ll be for the next three days and I want to see her while I’m in town. There’s an extra thousand in it for you if you can have her located for me by tonight.”


I fill him in on the information I have and he gives me reassurance that I will be reunited with companion number three within the next twelve hours if he finds her still living in Lovedale.


It’s late afternoon when I arrive at Marguerite, and everything appears to be business as usual, but I know this isn’t the case at all. There is evil f*ckery afoot here.


First, there was the attempt to burn the crops at Chalice and now someone has poisoned a section of Marguerite. The damage at both vineyards has been minimal, but the intent behind the act is what disturbs me. Is someone trying to ruin me or draw me away from Avalon?


My head man, Alfredo, greets me in the drive. He’s a plump, round Italian with a talent for the vine that only rivals that of my father.


As we drive out to the area where the crop is stunted and crinkled, Alfredo briefs me on the problems. He stops the ATV in front of an injured vine and walks toward it. He takes the leaves in his hand. “I tell you, it’s glyphosate poisoning, Mr. McLachlan.”


I don’t have to inspect any further because he’s correct. I’ve seen it before. “You’re right, Alfredo.”


“We don’t use glyphosate here. This was brought in and done on purpose.”


“Yes, I agree.”


“I don’t know who would do it, Mr. McLachlan. None of the help has a grievance with you.”


He appears nervous, as though I might blame him since he is overseer of the vineyard, but I know he’s not responsible. “This wasn’t your fault, Alfredo. It’s sabotage, but I don’t think it’s by anyone at Marguerite. There’s another party involved and I intend on finding out who it is and what they hope to accomplish.”


He drives me around so we can inspect the damaged vines. It’s a much larger area than I expected and I wonder if there’s damage we don’t see yet. By no means is it a ruined crop, but this is a serious attempt at ruining my livelihood. With this second sabotage, I’ll be forced to put the other vineyards on alert. I’ll need additional staff to watch and patrol all of them until harvest time. The extra staff through March will be a huge expense. The responsible party might not have accomplished what they set out to do, but they achieved plenty by targeting my pockets.


When I finish inspecting the fields, Alfredo takes me back to the house. It feels lonely. I don’t have Daniel or Mrs. Porcelli with me this trip since I’m only staying a few days, but that’s not who I’m missing. I’ve already become accustomed to having Laurelyn with me.


I couldn’t ask her to come since I’m planning a visit with Audrey. Despite the terms regarding our relationship, I wouldn’t expect her to respond well to being left at the house alone while I’m with a previous companion.


I haven’t been to the Marguerite vineyard in months, so the house has been vacant and I find the kitchen empty. I don’t see a point in a trip to the market since I don’t have Mrs. Porcelli here to cook, so I’m reduced to eating out alone, which I despise.