Roses, Wine & Murder: In the City of Steeples

by Rose Young

  “I know Dan, but let’s face it Georgi and I went a little too far with our private investigation work.” Georgi nodded in agreement.

  “We would have stayed home if we had foreseen the outcome of landing in the waters of the Sound. And it was so embarrassing. All those men and women who know me as the Fire Chief’s wife, and here I am involved in a big fiasco! It’s not a good look.”

  Morrison laughed, “It will be in the ledgers of New London’s history, another tale we will account and retell again and again.”

  “Oh please no, I don’t want to be one of those silly stories.” Roxanne knew there was nothing she could do about it. This was one of those tales that would go around the story circuit for years to come.

  “Let me tell you,” Morrison added, “after talking with the FBI’s profiler, the observation was that Morelli’s a classic gluttonous narcissist. Although they haven’t caught Silver, as yet, they say his antics are a combination of military training and greed, a sadistic hit-man, who obviously takes pleasure in showing off his intelligence to taunt all of us.”

  Roxanne interrupted, “This is why I couldn’t leave this last piece unsolved. I needed to know why he was after me. I’m an innocent nobody who found a body. I have no connection to Mitch. So I needed to know why I was mugged and he went to my house. So I did some digging, literally.”

  Looking at her queerly, Morrison wondering what she was up to now. He realized she was like a genie in a bottle, always fighting to escape and solve her own problems. “Roxanne, does this have to do with this bandana on the tailgate? Because I told you, you’re off the case.”

  She nodded, “That man you call Silver,” Roxanne explained, “yesterday he asked me what I did with the diamond.”

  Both detectives exclaimed, “What diamond?”

  “That’s right, what diamond?” Roxanne referred to Georgi to back up her story.

  Georgi re-enacted the events on the ferry with fervor, “That beast was yelling at her, manhandling her, searching her pockets demanding that she give him the diamond. I was pounding on his back,” Georgi demonstrated in the air. “This was right before the ogre threw her in the water!”

  Reliving the scene, Georgi became even more animated, “Then he turned on me! Lifted me over his head and threw me. Down I went into the water.” Georgi gulped air as if he was going under again. Then ending his story, he swiped his brow with relief. Then, as if mimicking a stage performer, with a presentational swoop of his hand he offered Roxanne to take her turn.

  Taking her cue, she continued, “I told that handsome goon I didn’t know about any diamond. So then I started figuring, if he was that obsessed thinking I had it, then what happened to it? So I commandeered Georgi here, to help me.” She put her hand on Georgi’s arm. He was now beaming with excitement.

  Roxanne stepped toward the bandana. Carefully she unfolded it until a dirty black case was presented. “I thought maybe we could find the diamond.” She opened the case and exposed a sparkling pink diamond ring of 7.9 carats.

  “Whoa!” Morrison and Peabody exclaimed with shock.

  “Well I’ll be! Jack said. “That’s some booty!” Peabody eyed the diamond like a pirate. “It’s magnificent!” He leaned toward Morrison and said under his breath, “That’s some rock, boss. How come our forensic team didn’t find it?” Morrison looked at Jack raising his eyebrows as if to say, Don’t make us look bad!

  Roxanne explained, “Dan, I know you told me to stop looking into things, and I did promise Sam, but I was curious. I figured this had to be the reason the guy came after me. He thought I found it and kept the diamond for myself.”

  Roxanne pointed to the Columbus garden. “Georgi and I searched the areas your forensic team did, but when Georgi asked about the catch basin over there on the edge of the sidewalk, I thought why not look. So we used my tools and floor mat and I went right in there, head first, while Georgi held my legs.”

  Baffled, Morrison ran his palm over his forehead, “It’s a miracle you found that ring. I have to hand it to you two, you’re quite a team. And you didn’t tell me about it! You had to keep playing the secret agent role to the end. Didn’t you, Roxanne?”

  “Dan, I didn’t want to bother you after all we had been through. And it was just a hunch I wanted to follow through. Please don’t be mad at me. We were just lucky, Dan, it hasn’t rained since Mitch was found,” Roxanne added, “Otherwise, it could have been swept away.”

  Suddenly hit by the memory of Mitch, Georgi became a little misty-eyed. “Look at all we’ve been through in a week. Mitch died trying to protect Lester and Madeline’s wine business. He tried to fight off that hit-man and save Marissa’s ring. We would be nowhere if I hadn’t found that laptop he left behind. Somehow we’ve survived everything.” Georgi felt grief and gratitude for Mitch.

  Roxanne gave him a sympathetic squeeze and told the detectives, “Georgi thinks Mitch planned to give this gorgeous ring to Marissa as an anniversary gift. You need it as evidence, don’t you?”

  “Yes, we need to document its involvement in the case,” Morrison added and shifted in place while thinking through the sequence of events. “This ring would have been an extra bonus in Silver’s pocket. Without a doubt he thought you found it. No wonder he went after you with such determination.”

  “Will you give it to Marissa, Dan?” Roxanne asked.

  Georgi instantly responded, “Can I make a tiny request, detective?”

  Dan was unsure, “Well, what would that be?”

  Georgi whispered in Roxanne’s ear. Her eyes grew wide and she nodded.

  “Can I trust you two?” Morrison asked.

  “I promise,” Roxanne raised her right hand, “we are now harmless.”

  Georgi made his request, “Could I be the one to present the diamond to Marissa? Mitch and I were good friends and I feel closer to her now. I’d love to be the one to surprise her.”

  “Yes, of course you can, Georgi.”

  Jack Peabody was intrigued by his boss’s response, and looked at him a little differently. He seemed to be softening.

  Speaking sincerely Dan added, “We would not be where we are in this case without you two. In the end, you made my department look great, especially by finding this ring. It’s another piece of the puzzle and helps answer all the shenanigans these goons were putting us through; three murders, disrupting our entire community and fixating on siphoning money from every opportunity. You two are the unspoken heroes. Silver maybe a professional hit-man, but he never anticipated the likes of you.”

  Jack chimed in, “It’s because he thinks he’s so smart that he will eventually be caught.”

  Morrison asked, “Is there anything else I should know about before we leave? A basement hide out, another secret something, anything?”

  “No,” Roxanne and Georgi shook their heads to assure him.

  “Alright then, you are both relieved. Consider this my official thank you.”

  Georgi saluted and Roxanne curtsied and winked. Morrison looked at Jack curiously. He had a smirking grin on his face. Jack lifted his hand to his cheek and the huge pink diamond glimmered on his finger. Batting his eyelashes, the feminine pose had them all roaring with laughter.

  Chapter 62

  Silver’s Chris-Craft getaway boat had landed at a dock in East Hampton and rendezvoused with a car and driver. The driver supplied a change of clothes for Silver, and drove him directly to a private helicopter pad. A chopper was waiting to whisk him to a New Jersey airport where a charter jet had been arranged to take Silver to Cuba.

  A rush of adrenaline surged through Morelli’s advocate, as he finally boarded the jet with his bag of recovered goods, the laptop and the memory stick. He scanned the deluxe interior as a beautiful flight attendant welcomed him. She asked what he would like to drink.

  Testing her, he said, “Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru.”

  “Yes, Sir, I have a bottle chilled and waiting for you. Mr. Morelli insisted we have it on hand.” She ma
de her way to the galley. Silver watched her sultry figure stroll to the rear of the jet. “Hmmm,” he hummed. The engines roared. She returned and he watched her gracefully pop the cork off the bottle and pour him a glass of the fine vintage.

  “Why don’t you join me?” he purred, “no one should drink alone.”

  “Oh my, I’d be delighted,” she demurely accepted, and returned to the galley to take a glass from the rack.

  While watching her, he tipped his glass savoring it, and then drank it down entirely.

  She returned and he offered, “I will pour for you.” She sat across from him and smiled alluringly, admiring this mysterious man who was handsome, tan and well-dressed.

  Mr. Silver finished the pour of the pale expensive wine and reached out to hand it to her. His arm started to shake. He looked at it curiously, then at her in disbelief. His expression changed, as he realized he’d been drugged. Helplessly, he watched the hostess reach under her skirt for a Beretta M9A3, from her thigh holster.

  The last words he heard were, “Let’s celebrate, Mr. Silver. I’m Athena, a bounty hunter working with Interpol. Today I’m disseminating Bacchus’ vengeance for wine crimes. I took a page from your playbook, you schmuck, and laced your glass with mandragora.”

  Silver slumped in his seat. The mandrake root or mandragora was an ancient powerful sedative that had been slipped into the wine of warriors since 200 BC.

  Chapter 63

  The Vinho Verde Wine Bar

  A few weeks later…

  Georgi hosted a memorial service for Mitch Stockman at the Vinho Verde. Many of the vintners, growers and vineyard owners from the southeast region of Connecticut attended. New London’s local business owners and restaurateurs also came to give their respects. Madeline Williamson and her sister Camilla had accompanied Marissa Stockman and her daughter Vanessa from Long Island. The ferry Captain Matthew Griswold and his wife Antonelle, joined Detectives Morrison and Peabody at their table.

  Roxanne looked around the room. Georgi had beautifully decorated with large bouquets of elegant white flowers all around. There were fragrant peonies, white lilacs, lilies, tall delphiniums and greens of lemon leaf and asparagus fern. Smaller bouquets of short cut tulips, lily of the valley and sweet peas adorned each table. Background music was provided by Georgi’s friend, Christine Tulis, who elegantly played a large Celtic harp. A small podium was set in the foreground with a microphone for those who wished to speak at the service.

  The vintners were first to come forward. Effusively they stated their great appreciation for Mitch’s friendship, love of wine, and support of their businesses. Each one said Mitch had helped them through low sales and offered good advice on wine and finances.

  Camilla, Madeline, Marissa and her daughter Vanessa sat with their arms around each other, listening to the lovely accolades.

  Marissa said a few words. “Thank you all. I had no idea how Mitch touched your lives, as he obviously did. My heart is so full. I am grateful to all of you for sharing another aspect of my husband with me. His love of wine went further than I realized, it went straight into your hearts.

  Now I understand his great love of wine, his wonderful business partner, Georgi, and this delightful wine community he fostered. I hope to know you, his friends, so you might also become mine too.

  “I have to say that our dear friend, Lester Williamson, was also a victim of this unfortunate greed. I want to honor him here, on behalf of his wife Madeline. We are forever friends.”

  “Detective Morrison, I thank you and your department for diligently pursuing the case and exposing the men who were responsible for Mitch’s death. I feel vintners worldwide owe a debt of gratitude for your assistance in uncovering his insidious operation.

  It’s an honor to Mitch and Lester that you utilized their research to take down an international conglomerate that was trying to take over and manipulate the wine industry worldwide.

  And lastly, yet most importantly, thank you Georgi for all you and Roxanne have done to serve justice. Without your help, I don’t know what would have happened. With much gratitude I thank you all for coming.”

  As she was about to step away, Georgi moved forward and asked Marissa to stay by his side. “Marissa, please excuse me for using the vintner term, but I know you will agree that Mitch was a ‘star bright’ man. He would score points above many other men. He had a great vinosity, a flavor to his personality that was pleasing but not overpowering. There is one thing that Mitch wanted to do for you, but he didn’t get the chance. He obviously loved you very much and held you dear in his heart, above wine I might add. Mitch had planned to take the summer off to be with you. There was something he wanted to give to you, to express his eternal love. Here it is.”

  Sitting on Georgi’s palm was a beautiful bright pink box. Surprised, Marissa looked at Georgi and said, “What is it?”

  Georgi explained, “Mitch, according to well done research, managed to procure this little item to celebrate your anniversary.” Georgi popped open the box and Marissa’s hands went to her face.

  Georgi continued, “This is a fancy 7.9 carat, pink emerald-cut diamond. Mitch went to see the jeweler, Mr. Orlando, here in Stonington Borough, to have it sized for you. He wanted it to be a secret.”

  The room gasped. Marissa put on the ring, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Her daughter and friends gathered around her. She composed herself and said, “My heavy heart has been filled with love. I want all of you to know that I will wear this ring proudly knowing Mitch helped solve this wine business delirium. Thank you all for your love and kindness.” The room clapped loudly. A dry eye was hard to find. Drinks were poured, and hugs were shared all around.

  Roxanne and Sam asked Detective Morrison to join them in a quiet corner.

  Sam wondered, “Did you find out more about Morelli’s operation, Dan?”

  “Yes, I did, thanks to Mitch and Lester we have the details that revealed the crime conglomerate. The FBI has connected at least a half a dozen murders of vineyard owners to Morelli worldwide. And you’ll find this interesting Roxanne,” Morrison added, “In most cases the deaths were not suspicious, but tipped off by poisonous plant derivatives. We learned that digitalis was used to create a heart attack in Lester Williamson’s death. Jimson weed was used in others to create a quick death when it was added to food or a drink. And water hemlock was confirmed to have finished off Charlie Brass. We only knew that one because the assassin brazenly displayed it on him.”

  “It will take some time to fully investigate the 20 years Morelli has been investing in and buying out vineyards. The FBI and CIA are working with Interpol to determine the size of the operation. It is expected, that eventually, the families of the vineyards will regain their ownership and be fully reimbursed by Morelli’s wealthy holdings.”

  Roxanne anxiously asked, “What about Silver the killer, who was he, and is he gone for good?”

  Morrison looked at Sam then quietly said, “Roxanne, you’re lucky to be alive, dear. He was a really bad guy. Think of a James Bond gone wrong.”

  “Or, maybe like Jason Statham,” Roxanne said smiling.

  “She likes him!” Sam said with a side-ways glance and raised eyebrow.

  Morrison added, “Silver has a permanent home in jail, and depending on who charges him first, he could get the death penalty.”

  Roxanne whispered, “Good! He deserves whatever he gets.” Feeling fully relieved from danger, she took a deep breath, “I need some fresh air. I’ll be outside on the deck, she murmured.”

  The men decided to visit the bar for another drink. Both Sam and Dan ordered a beer and Jack Peabody joined them.

  Jack nudged Dan, “Hey boss, I think there is a woman here who knows you. She looks something like the long-legged beauty on your Safe Harbor beer bottle, but she’s a brunette.”

  Dan glanced in the direction Jack was referring to. The long-legged beauty caught his eye and moved toward him. Somewhat taken aback, Dan watched this divine looking
woman in a form-fitting skirt, a draping blouse, and high-heeled pumps, heading straight for him. He turned to see who was behind him because she certainly had to be approaching someone else. Jack and Sam leaned away as they saw that her target was Dan.

  “Well, hello detective. What a mighty fine job you did catching that devilish man,” she murmured.

  Dan stared at her, wondering where he could have met someone like her and not remember.

  “Excuse me,” he said, “but do I know you?”

  “I think the only thing you could possibly remember,” she said with a smile, “are my eyes or my voice.”

  Jack and Sam were holding their breath like teenage boys at their first dance.

  Dan looked into her eyes directly, as she said, “Don’t worry, this happens all the time when you’re the angel of death.”

  Suddenly, those golden-brown eyes and tone of voice were familiar, and Dan realized who she was, “Dr. Angela Storm, you certainly caught me by surprise.”

  She gently laughed, amused at another charade in her profession of wearing scrubs, hair nets and medical masks. Sam and Jack both took a swig of beer and inched away wondering if Dan Morrison had finally met his match.

  On the deck of the Vinho Verde, the umbrellas were up and a fresh breeze wafted as the setting sun cast a glow upon the water. Georgi joined Roxanne, putting his arm around her, “Well my dear, it’s been a blast, but I’m hanging up my P.I. shoes.”

  “Oh, are those the ones you left at the bottom of Long Island Sound?” she teased him.

  Georgi frowned, “Those were my midnight-blue, leather lace-up Santonis.”

  “I don’t know what those are!” she exclaimed.

  “All you need to know is that they’re Italian, and thankfully were insured,” he said smiling.

  “I think I still have a lot to learn from you,” Roxanne quipped.