The Case of the Voracious Vintner

by Tara Lain

  A crease marred the perfection of RJ’s forehead. “Bad news?”

  “No. Not bad at all.”

  He grinned and ran for the back.

  Bo dropped his stuff in his office, and when he walked back into the tasting room, RJ stood with the personnel from accounting, marketing, and sales, as well as the cooks and kitchen manager, which sounded impressive, but was actually Ida, Lucy, Camilla, Frank, José, Arturo, and Layton. They all looked a little worried until Lucy, his accounting manager, a sweet-as-pie earth mother type who could crunch a number like Genghis Khan, gave him a lopsided grin.

  “Bo, are you glowing?”

  “What?” That was not the question he’d been prepared for.

  “You look like you just had a two-week vacation on the Riviera with two cabana boys.”

  He laughed and everyone joined in, reducing the level of tension by a mile.

  Bo sucked a breath and said, “Funny you should mention the cabana boys, because the first thing I want to tell you is that I’m gay.”

  No one except RJ looked surprised. What the hell?

  Lucy smiled. “Right. And?”

  “Wait.” Bo held up a hand. “You knew?”

  “Suspected.”

  Camilla, who worked for Lucy, said, “Didn’t care.”

  RJ looked around. “I didn’t know. Uh, that’s cool with me.”

  Arturo nodded. “Me too, boss. I always wondered why you didn’t seem to like any of the girls who’re hot for you all the time, so I kind of figured.”

  Bo looked at each of their faces, amazed. He felt relieved and like an idiot for taking so long to admit it. “Well, okay. I guess my upbringing made me think people would be upset.”

  “Oh, sweetie, what business is it of anyone’s?” Lucy patted his arm. “Times have changed and this is California. I mean, we can be as assholic as the next person, but overall we’re an accepting bunch.”

  “The other thing is, I’m, uh, in love with Jeremy Aames.”

  “There’s the reason for the glow!” Lucy sprang at him and started a round of hugs.

  RJ stared at Bo quite fixedly and with a funny expression Bo couldn’t decipher. “So what does that mean, Bo?” Somebody snorted, and he blushed. “I mean, for the winery and stuff?”

  “I don’t know yet. This is all new. We’ve been doing a lot of collaboration with Hill Top since the two wineries are natural partners. I guess I just didn’t know how much.” He felt his cheeks heat. “But all in all, my trip was good and I expect business to get even better, so we have lots to look forward to.”

  They broke out a couple of bottles of bubbly—Strausburg, which reminded Bo to call them back—and then the tasting room opened with a few enthusiastic visitors waiting outside, so they all went back to work.

  Bo sorted through emails, the warm glow of his love for Jeremy making him smile while he did it. He called Strausburg, holding his breath while he dialed.

  “Peter Fieldstone.”

  Bo glanced at the phone. Why was Peter answering his son’s phone? Probably just filling in. “Uh, Peter? Hi, this is Bo Marchand.”

  “Bo, good to hear from you. I have you near the top of my list to call.”

  “Well, likewise.”

  “About the contract my son offered you.”

  He swallowed hard. “Yes, I wanted to talk about that too.”

  “I want you to know we’re still very interested and want to include the Hill Top Wineries bulk as well.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. I discovered that Henry was unduly influenced in his decisions about the Hill Top wines.”

  “By Marco Andretti?”

  “Uh, yes. Not him personally, but a member of his, shall we say, staff? Henry was both tempted and intimidated. I apologize.”

  “That intimidation will no longer be an issue, I believe.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that. I’ll send over our signature on your proposal, and then we’ll draw up contracts. Agreed?”

  Bo didn’t think his heart had any more room to swell, but it did. “Yes, sir, that will be more than fine. Is there a chance we can promote the fact that we sell to Strausburg?”

  “Hmm. We don’t usually announce the outside bulk we purchase since we consider it a secret weapon, but if you’ve got a customer on the fence and need a reference, send ’em over.”

  “Thank you, Peter. I love being a secret weapon. We look forward to working with you.” That didn’t explain the half of it. He hung up, and his phone rang like it had been waiting. O’Hara. Damn.

  He clicked. “Hello, O’Hara.”

  “Hi, Bo. Hope you got some rest. Just want to set up a time for you and Jeremy to come in for the next round of Q&A.”

  “Yeah. Okay.”

  “I’m getting a lot of pressure on your alibi. They’re wanting me to delve into your family to see if anyone can verify you went out. I keep pointing out you helped the country get a case against one of the old-line mafia they’ve wanted to bring down for half a century, but my local guys don’t care. So if you’ve got anything we can use, I need it.”

  “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your belief in our innocence, O’Hara.”

  “Yeah, well, that and five bucks’ll get you a fancy coffee. I’m only allowed to let my instincts influence me so far.”

  That made his stomach clench. What if Blanche knew he’d been at home in bed all night? She was angry, despite Jeremy’s olive branch, and might say something out of spite—or by accident. Or Christian, the twit. “We’ll come in soon and tell you every little detail we know. Maybe you’ll find something important in it.”

  “Okay, Bo. Soon.”

  “I’ll coordinate with Jeremy. We’re both so busy after being gone and, uh, everything.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Probably. I’ll get back to you.”

  “Okay, but this is serious, Bo.”

  “I understand, but as I sort through what I’ve missed, I might learn something significant.”

  “Serious.”

  “Yes. I get it.” His fingers ached to call Jeremy. “Soon.” Jesus. He clicked off. His finger poised over Jeremy’s number and the damned, hellacious, idiot phone rang again. Huh. Ezra.

  “Hello, Ezra, how are you?”

  “Well, Bo. Thank you for asking.”

  “How can I help you?” Ezra usually called to complain about something, so Bo tried not to sound wary.

  “Well, uh, I hear congratulations are in order.”

  Bo frowned. “Uh, I’m not sure what for.”

  “You and Jeremy.” His voice reverberated with forced good humor.

  “What about me and Jeremy?”

  “Well, I hear you’re a couple.”

  What the hell? Ezra sounding happy about a gay couple? “Uh, yes, that’s right. How did you hear it?”

  “I think it was RJ. Yes, RJ.”

  Clearly RJ couldn’t wait to share this new revelation. “I’ll be honest, Ezra. I thought you were dead set against homosexuality. Although I’m happy to receive the congratulations.”

  “Well, you know, times change, and we have to change with them.”

  “Glad you feel that way.” As if. What does he want?

  “You and Jeremy are both very, uh, attractive men. If you want to be together, love’s love, as they say.” Okay, then. They fell into an uneasy silence. Then Ezra cleared his throat and Bo tensed. “So I’ve learned a bit more about your interest in the Dionysian thing.”

  Bo tingled with attention. “Oh, who’d you talk to?”

  “Jeremy, actually. Anyway, it happens that a few folks from the wine country get together to celebrate old Dionysus from time to time.”

  “Oh, is it a theater group?” Bo tried to sound naïve.

  “Uh, no. It’s more about the, shall we say, Bacchanalian aspects. You know, the, uh, sexual mysteries and such.”

  “Oh? How interesting.” Oh yes, he was interested.

  “We thought two attractive
gay men would be a diverting addition to the group. You’d have to be of a liberal mind-set, however.”

  “Liberal?”

  “Like days of old, activities are shared. Publicly, that is.”

  “Group sex?” He tried to sound neutral.

  “Well, yes. Although one doesn’t have to participate with people who aren’t your partner if preferred, or, of course, you can sit out when you choose.”

  Bo waited just long enough to let Ezra sweat. “Of course, I’d have to discuss it with Jeremy, but I’d be interested, at least exploratorically, to coin a phrase. I’ve never done anything like that.”

  “Well now, most of us hadn’t, and some drop out. We just ask that you not share the Dionysian secrets with others.”

  “Of course. I’ll talk to Jeremy.”

  “Uh, our next meeting happens to be tomorrow night, so we’d be happy to welcome you.”

  “I’ll talk to him immediately and let you know either way.”

  “Excellent. I hope you decide to participate.”

  “I’ll call you soon.” He clicked off. He was up to two people he needed to call soon. He slammed down on Jeremy’s speed dial so fast, his fingers almost missed the phone.

  “Hey, baby,” Jeremy answered.

  “You’re not going to believe what just happened.”

  “What?”

  “Well, two things, no, three actually. We just received a contract offer from Strausburg.”

  “You’re shitting me?”

  “Never would, darlin’.”

  “That’s amazing. Fantastic. You mean both of us.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Tell me all about it.”

  “Later. The bad part is O’Hara wants to talk with us posthaste. His colleagues want him to dig into my alibi.”

  “Damn. We’ve got to find a better suspect to hand them—besides me.”

  “Amen.”

  “What’s number three?”

  Bo chuckled. “You and I have just been invited to have sex in public at our local Dionysian mysteries club.” He held his breath.

  “What?”

  “Total truth. And you know who invited me?”

  “I’m going to guess Ezra Hamilton, the two-faced fraud.”

  “Ding, ding, ding, ding. Give that man a teddy bear.” He full-on laughed.

  “So, seriously? Sex in public?”

  “Yep. And who knows what fascinating things we may discover?”

  “Why us?”

  “I suspect it has something to do with prurient interest in how gay men have sex. Gay porn in person.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yep. Are you up for it?”

  “Way up.”

  Bo laughed again. “It’s tomorrow night.”

  “I’ll polish up my leather.”

  “Whips and chains.” That sounded fun.

  “You’re thinking this might give us a clue to the murder?”

  “Maybe. It’s interesting that the rumors about this group have been circulating about as long as Ottersen was active in the community. I’ve got no idea if there’s a connection, but I may have a resource to find out. I’ll also call Llewellyn.”

  “Well, dayum, man, if we have to go through with it, can you?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe blushing all the time. Or maybe we can learn what we need before we have to perform.”

  “I don’t know. I might relish a little kink.” Jeremy laughed real dirty, which made Bo shiver in the best way. “What are you going to wear?”

  “Help. I think I need your advice.”

  “We can head for San Luis this afternoon. There’s a shop I’ve heard of that might cater to kink.”

  Bo’s blushes had blushes. “Okay. I’m in your hands. See you later, boyfriend.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  “Which part?”

  “All of it. See you.”

  Clicking off, Bo gathered his cool and walked into the tasting room. RJ was bustling out to the patio with several plates, so Bo polished glasses while he waited for him to come back. All the guests were enjoying the sunshine outside, giving Bo and RJ the tasting room to themselves. Bo lowered his voice to make it sound conspiratorial. “So, Ezra called me.”

  RJ adopted a phony surprised look. “Really?”

  “Yes, he invited Jeremy and me to the meeting tomorrow. Or I guess you’d call it a gathering.”

  “Oh, that’s great.” RJ smiled with wide eyes, as if they’d invited Bo to a Boy Scout campfire.

  Bo leaned on the counter. “Do you know who the members are?”

  “Uh, yes. Some. But we don’t ever talk about that to anyone. You have to see for yourself.”

  “That makes sense, but I was just wondering.”

  “Yes?”

  “I noticed I started hearing rumors about the club around the time Ottersen came to the community. I just wondered if he was a member. I mean, before.”

  RJ thought for a minute with a slight frown. “I guess it doesn’t hurt to say he was a founding member. Really active.”

  “Interesting. So he was into the mysteries.”

  “Oh yes, he was into all that stuff.”

  Bo smiled. “I guess we’ll have to wait to discover what all that stuff is. Will we see you there?”

  RJ colored and shrugged. “Probably not. I don’t go a lot. Other obligations.”

  “I’m sure. I’d guess not all women are into public shenanigans. Not like us randy guys, right?”

  “Right.” His cheeks flamed, and RJ wasn’t noticeably a blusher usually.

  “Well, thanks. That helps me decide.”

  “Glad I could help.”

  Bo walked into the back, his pulse racing. He pulled his phone and dialed Llewellyn. His day for phone calls.

  “Hi, Bo.”

  “Hey, Llewellyn, guess what? Jeremy and I have been invited to a meeting of the local Dionysian mysteries group, but it doesn’t sound like much is left to mystery. It’s a kinky sex club.”

  “N-not surprising that people use D-Dionysus as an excuse for whatever activities they w-want to get into.”

  “But I discovered that Ottersen was a founding member.”

  “Y-you think someone from this c-club killed him?”

  “Actually, I have a lot to tell you about my last few days, but for now I’ll just say I’ve ruled out a couple of other possibilities for our murder suspect. With that said, it makes sense to me that someone from this club could possibly be involved or know something. Sexual rivalries and all that. And it’s possible the police haven’t uncovered this group. I can imagine they’d be pretty tight-lipped.”

  “S-so they asked you and J-Jeremy?”

  “I think we’ll feed their kink because we’re gay.”

  “And y-you plan to g-go through with it?” He was making an effort to sound neutral. Llewellyn was very reserved.

  “If we have to, but if we can get what we need without it, that would be our choice. Neither of our tastes run to exhibitionism.”

  “I’ll send y-you some data on the mysteries so y-you can be well-informed.”

  “Thank you. That would be great, and I’ll fill you in as soon as I can pause. The police are getting anxious.”

  “T-tell us all about the sex club afterward. I’m sure Blaise w-will want d-details.” He laughed.

  Bo’s stomach clenched.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  BO STARED down at his body and felt the blush spread like honey on cornbread. Come on. If you’re blushing at this, what’ll you do when you have to get naked in front of a room full of staring people?

  The door to the bathroom opened, and Bo turned. Oh my God.

  Jeremy popped dimples. “Look at you.”

  “I’m a mere shadow of your glory.” Dear heaven, the man was sex in a bottle, and what a bottle. The finest vintage. He’d poured himself into black leather pants—just like Bo’s—that hugged his thighs and outlined his package like a Picasso, then topped it with
a net shirt that showed the Fight Club body and soft pink nipples. His hair resembled liquid gold on his shoulders, and he seemed to have outlined his eyes a bit, which made them leap off his architectural face. “You cause the angels to weep with envy.”

  Jeremy thrust out a hip and planted his fist on it. “If that’s true, they’re giving up their halos to be with you, baby. My God, those legs make me want to stay home and fuck you till dawn. And that boy bulge?” He raised his forearm to his face. “My eyes! My eyes!”

  Bo snorted and waved a hand. “Stop, you charmer.” He looked down. “I sure hope everyone else doesn’t show up in khakis.”

  Jeremy laughed. “All the better. They’ll be even more stunned. I guess we better go enter the world of kink.”

  “After you, oh kinkmaster.”

  It took nearly half an hour to drive to the obscure address Ezra had emailed him on a remote street in the hills surrounding the wineries, even farther back than Jeremy’s house. When they pulled up, there were a few cars visible, but they seemed to be scattered up the road so it wasn’t obvious to which house they belonged. The building itself was so tightly draped, only an occasional sliver of light revealed that the house wasn’t empty.

  They exited the car, pulling their jackets tight to get some warmth in their thin shirts, although Bo had opted for silk rather than net. His relationship with exhibitionism was tentative at best.

  Jeremy slid his arm through Bo’s. “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” If he didn’t count the shaking knees, trembling hands, and sick stomach.

  They walked up a dark porch, and Bo knocked. Nothing. He knocked again. “I told Ezra we were coming—”

  The door flew open, and Ezra stood there with a big, phony smile. “Boys, delighted to see you. Glad you could make it. Come in and let me take your coats.”

  They stepped into an entry hall lit by a dim chandelier and closed from whatever living space was beyond by large double doors. They peeled their coats off. Ezra’s eyes widened. “Well. You two certainly got into the spirit of the evening.” Ezra wore something like a dressing gown with what appeared to be pajama bottoms beneath. “You’ll more than enhance the beauty of the party, that’s for sure.” His eyes drifted to Bo’s crotch and he startled. “Man, Bo, what an impressive, shall we say, manhood.”