Maceration

by Brian Briscoe

  Maceration

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Maceration

  Brian Briscoe

  Published by Brian Briscoe at Smashwords

  Copyright 2011 Brian Briscoe

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Chapter One

  Robin Felix lifted the glass to the morning light, swirled its ruby contents and nosed its bouquet as only a professional winemaker can. His bulbous lips engulfed the liquid before spitting gobbets of macerated grape juice through clenched teeth into a silver spittoon.

  “ What a shame Peter’s not here,” he said sarcastically. “ He’s never missed an initial tasting of my cabernet.” He edged closer to the light. “ Something funny about this one though. What do you think dear brother?”

  Len Felix nervously looked at Robin,“ I really don’t think we should be tasting first wine pressings without Peter. He insists on being here to ensure…”

  “ Don’t rabbit on Len, just taste the bloody stuff!”

  Robin turned to pour another glass and froze. Extruding slightly from the tap was a vision that shocked him. He timidly reached out, touched it and recoiled in horror. He retched and held his hand over his mouth to cover the rising acid that was burning his throat. A portion of finger had become wedged in the tap and protruded from the spout like a pig's snout. A blackened nail was dangling from a flap of lacerated skin and blood seeped from the flap in droplets mixing with the oozing cabernet wine.

  “ What’s that Len?" Robin cried out.

  “ What? Let me see. Shit! It’s a bloody finger.”

  “ I can see it’s a bloody finger alright but what’s it doing in my wine!”

  Len climbed with skill to the rim of the crusher and peered into the bubbling, purply brew.

  “ What is it Len? What’s wrong?” called Robin. “ You look like you’ve seen a ghost. For God's sake man do I have to do everything around here?” He pulled his huge frame up a metal ladder to peer into the brew from the opposite side of the vat.

  “ Strewth, it’s brother Peter!”

  Chapter Two

  Inspector Maxine Lake’s 'iPhone' sang as the field in the first race at Victoria Park rounded the sweeping final bend and powered as one into the home straight. She raised an eyebrow and read the message from Superintendant Faraday,“ Body found. Felix Winery. Attend immediately!”

  She knew she’d better go. She watched as her investment lost by a short half head and shrugged. Her day at the races would have to wait. The pathologist would be waiting and she’d learnt not to keep Dr Van Hoffman waiting.

  Maxine reached the Adelaide Hills winery within the hour. It was perched atop a picture perfect knoll on the Hahndorf to Oakbank Road: Hans Heyson country. Impressive ghost gums, sweeping paddocks and fat Jersey cows. Rows of grapes galleried the gravel driveway that lead to the cellar door of the Grand Estate Felix. She parked her Citroen next to Van Hoffman’s Ford Territory and a local hills zone police car. Police tape cordoned off the vast cellar entrance indicating the probable crime location.

  Feeling underdressed in her Dunlop Volleys, Jag jeans and casual short-cut top she walked through the large wooden cellar door entry into the winery itself. She looked around the vast dark space to see Van standing on a platform straddling a large grape crusher. The pathologist fitted snugly into his white overalls. Her mind wandered.

  “ I do admire a man in uniform,” she called.

  “ Do you? I’m pleased. Nice to see you dressed for the occasion,” he replied.

  “ Oh I always do for you. Haven’t you noticed?”

  Van smiled his cheeky smile and beckoned with a cursory wave. “ We’ve got a tricky one here Maxine. Better suit up.”

  The Inspector clambered into the plastic garb and climbed the scaffold surrounding the vat. She was accustomed to death but always steeled herself for the moment. The sight that greeted her was not pleasant and as normal for her she struggled to control her nausea. Being a police inspector didn't qualify the bearer to, as a matter of course, possess a steel constitution.

  A gangly middle-aged man had been mangled, right arm and face first, into the Archimedes screw which spanned the width of the crusher. His arm was inserted up to his elbow and the screw's blades had slashed his face. This left one side that gazed disconcertingly at Maxine. His exposed body parts had been stained purple, giving him an alien appearance and he looked oddly like he was reaching into the giant screw trying to retrieve something he’d lost. Massive slashes appearing like plough furrows circled half of his body. The Archimedes Screw had only failed when his body could be screwed no further. It was made for grape crushing after all.

  “ Who he is Van?” Maxine said, moving to study the body with greater care. It reminded her of a twisted crash-test dummy.

  “ Peter Felix.”

  “ One of the Felix brothers? Oh that’s a shame. Makes a great pinot.”

  “ I’ve heard. He’s been macerated dear Maxine. Archimedes would not be pleased. He seems to have marks on his neck, which I’ll examine under laboratory conditions later, and cuts to his knees, but I can’t really tell you much more until we get him back to Adelaide. I’m waiting on my team to help move him. We’re going to have to dismantle the whole crusher. That lot over there are not pleased.”

  “ Who are they?” questioned Maxine, staring at a worried clump of people standing beside an enormous basket press.

  Van whispered,“ The rest of the Felix clan. Watch out for the big bugger he’s a first class bastard! Must have passed bastard school with honours first class! Know the type?”

  Maxine tipped her head and winked. " Meet one a week in my job Van. See you later."

  Chapter Three

  “ Inspector Maxine Lake. I’m truly sorry for your loss,” consoled Maxine, extending her hand. She received a thin sweaty palm in reply.

  “ Thank you Inspector Lake. I’m Len Felix; this is my brother Robin, and our chief winemaker Paul Lange. “ Look, this is just so terrible. Let us know of anything you need to help with your investigation. I'm not sure what we can do but...”

  Robin pushed him aside,“ Oh for pity’s sake Len don’t be such a wimp! We all know how terrible this accident is, but what we need to know from the pretty inspector here is when can we recommence crushing? We’ve a thousand case order to ship to America.”

  Maxine lifted her eyes to Robin. She’d dealt with bullies before, “ What makes you so sure it was an accident?”

  “ Well of course it was an accident. You don’t think someone pushed him and held him in the vat do you? Really Inspector Lake that’s crazy! Now, when can we have our winery back?” He moved closer to Maxine using his large frame to intimidate.

  Maxine ignored him and turned to the chief winemaker, “ Now Mr Lange what do you think could have happened?”

  “ Please call me Paul Inspector Lake. The screw may have failed, but it hasn’t failed before. The equipment is serviced and maintained regularly, and Peter certainly knew what he was doing. A finer vigneron you wouldn't find. So to answer your question, no I don’t.”

  Len was uptig
ht. He rubbed his hands together and mumbled, “ Peter was a workaholic. Would have been working late. Could have slipped, bumped his head, anything! He cared so much about our wines.”

  Robin was sick of being ignored; “ Now look here Inspector you still haven’t answered my bloody question. When can we have our winery back?”

  Maxine turned to Robin and took one abrupt step forward. She stared into his eyes, lowered her voice and spat back, “ Mr Felix you will have your winery back when the chief pathologist gives me the all clear and when I am satisfied that we have collected all evidence required. The Office of Workplace Safety will need to inspect the site, as this is a death in the workplace. So until I say so, nothing, and I mean nothing happens here. The Felix Winery is closed! Now if you don’t mind I’d like to talk to Mr Lange in private.”

  And with that statement Maxine took Paul’s arm and led him quickly away with Robin visibly smarting and Len physically upset.

  Chapter Four

  “ Robin’s not used to being spoken to like that Inspector. His bark is worse than his bite, but he’s not my favourite person.”

  Paul led Maxine outside to a series of bins full of grapes waiting to be crushed.

  “ This is what he’s worried about. He can’t use the crusher for his remaining grapes until it’s free. And he was right when he said we’d get behind and jeopardise our shipment. He’s obsessed with America. Fancies himself at the Waldorf hosting a tasting.”

  Paul took a handful of grapes to show Maxine. She was immediately impressed with him. He’d have to be pretty tough to work with three egos like the Felix’s.

  “ Peter’s Pinot I presume,” said Maxine, taking the firm bunch from his outstretched hand. “ Cool climate wines, popular in the Adelaide Hills region. Good drop too, The Peter Felix."

  “ Not just good Inspector, bloody excellent. The first batch is in the basket press. Robin and Peter always argued as to whose wine would be processed and bottled first. America beckons! Come on, I’ll take you out to the block where these beauties come from, ‘Peter’s Paddock’.”

  “ I’d like that Mr Lange.”

  “ Look call me Paul,” he said, as they bundled into a beat up Toyota utility.

  “ Sure, call me Inspector,” she laughed. “ No, call me Maxine. This thing air conditioned?”

  “As if,” he laughed.

  Maxine admired the winery as Paul drove between rows of leafy grapevines. Fantasies about being a winemaker entered her thoughts. An endless supply of red, healthy lifestyle and an attractive fellow like Paul to help wallow the nights away. She knew the reality though would be very different. Probably end up like Robin Felix, angry and in debt.

  Paul’s voice brought her back to reality. “ The paddock’s on the northern slope so that it utilises maximum sunlight. I heard that caused a stir when it was first planted. Robin wanted it for his cabernet but Peter stood his ground. No one beat Peter. Incredibly tough, idiotically idealistic, and completely driven. Poor sod. Driven to make the best pinot. Couldn’t care less about sales. We’ve got cases of the stuff sitting around at seventy five dollars a bottle.”

  Paul guided the ute across a small wooden bridge that crossed a dried up creek bed.

  Maxine said," No point having a great wine if it’s too expensive for the average punter like me to buy. Especially when I can go down my local pub and get a great red for twenty bucks.”

  “ Exactly. He thought he’d compete with a Henschke or a Grange, but you need years of respect in this industry to do that. The Felix’s have a good name but not a great one.”

  Paul swung the utility beside a small galvanised shed that looked over a sweeping expanse of vines. He pulled the handbrake and the two climbed from the vehicle.

  He leaned on the bonnet, “ Peter’s Paddock. Some say thirty-five acres of the best pinot in the country. What I wouldn’t do to own that.”

  Maxine studied his face, rugged, interesting, “ And what would you do for it? ”

  He burst out laughing, “ I don’t like the Felix’s, but I’m not about to bump them off one by one to get the winery if that’s what you’re implying. This isn’t ‘Midsomer Slaughter’ Inspector. And anyway, looks like an accident to me.”

  “ Does it? You never know. I’ve come across many a strange motive in my time, and having a sunny smile doesn’t exclude you from suspicion.” She turned and strode into the rows of vines.

  Paul called after her.“ I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not, but I’ll take it as one. I’ve got some work to do so take your time and have a good look around. I'll collect you in about half an hour. You might find a clue if you're lucky Miss Marple.”

  Maxine laughed,“ Very funny Paul. I may do just that.”

  Chapter Five

  Paul left Maxine at the winery’s tasting centre. An impressive, renovated hundred-year-old bluestone barn. A vaulted glass atrium extended from the rear, bathing the inside with glorious light.

  The centre was closed, and quiet. Her fault. She strolled around admiring the trophy cabinet until she was disturbed by the sound of shouting. From an office, hidden from view, she could clearly hear Len and Robin arguing.

  “ Robin we can’t afford to not bottle Peter’s wine first. We’re in deep shit for heaven’s sake. The bank’s going to foreclose if we don’t repay,” implored Len, collapsing into a chair.

  Robin pointed a finger threateningly, “ Don’t give me that. They’ve invested too much money with us to have it all go belly up. You know that, they know that and I know that. So we’re going to do it my way for once.” He turned to look out over the sweeping vines. “ The one good thing that’s happened over all of this is we no longer have to pander to Peter’s bloody ego.” Robin turned to face his brother. “ And you, you are not going to stop me. Peter’s wine doesn’t get made, and his grape is going to be mixed with mine to make my Maceration Carbonic and you’d better not get in my way!”

  Len wrung his hands, he was sweating profusely but he knew he was beaten, “What was it all for? What was it all for?” he cried.

  “ Shit Len, you never used to be such a snivelling bastard. Get a hold of yourself.”

  Maxine had heard enough. “ Maybe you’ve turned him into one. Bullies have a propensity to do that.”

  Robin, shocked at her presence, turned on Maxine, “ Listen here dearie. Our finances have nothing to do with you, and how my brother and I talk to each other is up to us. Now piss off!”

  Len stood, strain screwing and twisting his face, “ Inspector Lake thank you for your concern but really my brother and I have this mutual understanding.”

  “ Mutual understanding my arse,” spat Robin, as he turned, pushed past Maxine and left.

  “Charming,” said Maxine, approaching Len," Finances that bad?”

  Len sighed, “ Inspector, if we don’t sell our whole vintage and get forward orders for next year’s vintage, we’re sunk. He’s got no idea.”

  “Well, what would you do Len?”

  “Inspector, I’d get rid of both their wines. I’d make a very small boutique, high-class pinot, a quarter the size of Peter’s bottling, and a quarter of the price. Get rid of Robin’s crappy Maceration Carbonic and use the entire remaining grape to make a successful ten-dollar blend that will sell. That’s what I would do Inspector.” He turned to face the window, a look of anguish on his face.

  Maxine rested a hand on Len’s shoulder, “ If it’s any consolation Len that’s what I’d do too. But I’m no winemaker.”

  Chapter Six

  Maxine took the breathtaking drive, winding through Norton Summit back to Adelaide. The drive gave her time to think until she reached her East Terrace apartment. She rang Superintendant Faraday to inform him of the situation and proceeded to do some of the chores she'd put off for weeks. She found that simple tasks often aided her thinking. It cleared her mind and enabled her brain to focus. At around six-thirty she decided to relax with her iPad and study tomorrow's racing form.

&nb
sp; The winery had stirred her red wine juices, and as luck had it she had a Peter Felix in her rack. She found the bottle she wanted and held it up to the light. Her mind drifted to the sight of its maker, dead with his eye staring directly at her. She pushed the gruesome thought out of her mind.

  As she reached for her bottle opener her iPhone sang. Maxine put the bottle down and touched the screen, “ Maxine Lake.”

  “Van here Maxine. Just thought I’d fill you in about the vigneron,” he answered, as Maxine flopped into a cane chair positioned overlooking the expanse of Victoria Park.

  “There are a few things that worry me about this one.”

  “ Thought it wouldn’t be just a pissed winemaker falling into his vat. Strangled was he?”

  “ It’s hard to tell the significance of the marks on the neck, but there’s one thing I know for sure.”

  “ What’s that? Drank himself to death?” Maxine laughed.

  “ Well sort of,” he paused. “He drowned.”

  “ Wouldn’t that be expected being in a vat full of wine?”

  “ Yes, but I don’t think he drowned in that vat. It’s complicated. I think you’d better come over.”

  Maxine sighed,“ Thought the bottle of red I was just about to open was too good to be true.” She lifted herself from the chair.

  “ Bring it with you I’ve got two glasses.”

  Chapter Seven

  Maxine found Van in his lab. She held up the bottle in greeting.

  “ Ah, pleased to see you dressed. You do care. Now look at this.” Van smiled and called Maxine to his computer. He noticed the bottle. “A Peter Felix, very appropriate. I’ll pour, you read.”