“How did you find out her name?”
“Viviana married Giulio de Capua. Giulio’s brother, Ermanno, didn’t like her and hid from her what was going on with the winery. Ermanno also made sure Giulio spent all his time on the road and away from his young wife.”
“So this Giulio was weak,” said Silvio. “He listened to his brother too much.”
“Actually it’s more complicated than that. After their child was born, Giulio did come home, but he still didn’t stand up for his young wife. Viviana must have realized that Giulio was attracted to her replacement—our waitress. As a new mother, Viviana was in charge of caring for the De Capua matriarch along with her young baby. Mamma de Capua was very demanding. Knowing her husband was cheating and unable to please any of them, Viviana decided to take the baby and move out.”
“Why didn’t we hear from Viviana’s relatives?” asked Turo.
“Good question. We’re still trying to track them down. I did hear the car she drove wasn’t currently registered in Corsa Pietra. Evidently, it was one they used around the winery. The Castel Valori police wouldn’t have been able to identify the vehicle four years ago. She was just another missing person if any of the family tried to find out where she went.”
Silvio finished his soup. “Someone must have told Nocera to kill her. I think Giulio was too soft to do it.”
“Maybe, but Giulio didn’t mourn Viviana’s loss very long. He was already having the affair with Donata. He sounds more like a rogue than a softy.”
“Then Ermanno must have planned the murder. He sent Nocera to get rid of her.”
“Actually, both men seemed to conspire to do the deed, but the real manager of the De Capua clan was Mamma. Everything they did, including spiking their wines with grapes grown outside the Rufina zone, was orchestrated by Mamma. Their punishment for that crime alone is the loss of the coveted title and label as a Rufina Chianti—a relief to the two bigger local vineyards, I’m sure.”
“Very nice, Sister,” said Turo. “I guess I didn’t realize just how good a detective you are. You’re welcome back anytime.”
Sister Angela smiled. “And your nephew makes an awesome detective himself. His gut feelings actually guided my investigation.”
Sister Concetta presented a cake, celebrating Pia’s return. Cake and espresso were followed by more hugs, kisses, and promises that Pia would visit. And then Turo drove Sister Angela and Pia to the terminal to catch the eight o’clock train home.
At quarter to ten, the train arrived in Siena. Sister Liona’s car idled beside the curb. Pia recognized the nun right away, but couldn’t stay awake long. Just out of Siena on their way to Filari, Pia again fell asleep in Sister Angela’s arms.
The lights were still on at the convent, and faces were plastered at each window when the car pulled up. Pia was released first to run inside and be with her family.
“Thank you, Sister,” said Sister Carmela. “Oh look at your face. That’ll be a nasty bruise. Sister Natalia refused to go home to Mission House until after you both arrived. We saw the La Barcas back at their winery this week. I suppose they were innocent. Then who kidnapped Pia? Who dressed up as Sister Octavia and why?”
“You’ll all hear the story tomorrow morning,” said Sister Angela. “Sister Liona told me the chief detective and Sacco are coming over for breakfast. Sister Daniela and I will now go to her sister’s place to pack. We have to hightail it to Montriano or lose our jobs.”
“Yes, we heard that Sister Daniela was leaving us. We have a new woman coming in next week. She’s not a nun, but she possesses good teaching skills. We asked Sister Daniela not to leave, but she said Susanna was better. We think she really misses Montriano.”
“I need Sister Daniela. She’s the best detective I have. She figured out how Nocera got into the orphanage that night.”
“She hasn’t told us the story,” said Sister Natalia. “She kept insisting it was an accident. Perhaps you’ll let us know tomorrow morning too. We need the information to keep it from happening again.”
Sister Daniela came up to give Sister Angela a hug. “It’s so good to see you. I’m glad you’ll be able to say good-bye to Michel and Susanna before we go. I’m afraid Michel and Maximo were very busy with the harvest so we won’t see much of them.”
“It was such a shock to hear you’re coming with me. Mother Margherita must be thrilled. She’s missed you very much.”
“I can imagine. She loves being the administrator, but when I left, she was relegated to the classroom again, training my replacement,” Sister Daniela said quietly. “I guess I’ve missed her too.”
“You’ll be cured of that all too soon. Tell me about Susanna. Is she really well enough?”
“Yes. There are no signs of her cancer. We celebrated with another bottle of riserva. Sorry, we didn’t save you any.”
“I have to tell you. Pagano and Sacco were both very impressed with your investigative talents. They were actually afraid you might get hurt if they let you do your own work. But you didn’t. You used your instincts wisely and saved the La Barcas from any more embarrassment or worse.”
“I was just investigating. I had no idea they were innocent. I’m not so sure Elmo thought I was a proficient detective. I’m afraid he had to save me more than once. Remind me to ask the detectives about the orphanage receiving the old nun’s ring. I think they should sell it and keep the money for the orphanage.”
“I believe the police will need it to lay out their case that Nocera was the kidnapper. You should talk to them, though. Perhaps they can give it back to the orphanage when they’re done. And what about Grazia? Why haven’t you told the nuns what she did?”
“She’s a child. I thought you and I could broach that subject tomorrow. Hopefully she won’t be punished too hard.”
“You believe everyone, Sister Daniela. You aren’t allowed to be both a teacher and trusting.”
“I’m trying hard to be like you. If I have a soft touch then I must have learned it from my instructor.”
Sister Angela put her arm around her friend. “You proved yourself, and I look forward to working with you again in Montriano.”
Sister Daniela giggled. “If Father Sergio agrees to let us alone together.”
Sister Angela laughed. “Poor Mother Margherita had to lie to him in order to let me come. I hope he didn’t bother her too much about it. Montriano’s probably riddled with crime because its best detectives aren’t around to keep order.”
The two nuns watched Sister Carmela round up the children and push them toward the stairs. “It’s bedtime. Evelina?” she called. “Where are you? Someone has to lock up after our detectives have all left.”
Evelina kissed Sister Daniela on the cheek. “Allegra and I are teaching the class until the new teacher comes. Hopefully you have time to drop by and see us.”
“I already know you two can do it. I’m leaving the children in good hands. Sister Angela and I will be back in the morning. Our train doesn’t leave until tomorrow evening, but we’ll be too busy talking to the police to help you out. They’re all yours.”
Pia was several steps up the stairs when she turned around and stumbled back down. She approached Sister Angela and Sister Daniela, hugging them both around the legs. Then she took Allegra’s hand and began to climb the stairs with her.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sister Angela accompanied her friend into the classroom where for the last year Sister Daniela taught. Allegra was at the helm, going over a lesson for the younger students. She quickly sat down with the others when Sister Daniela entered.
“I didn’t want to interrupt the lesson, Allegra. If you want to finish first, please do. I can join the older children in the back of the room for this lesson.”
“No, I was finished. Perhaps all of us should come together now to wish you good-bye. Is Sister Liona going to pick you up when it’s time to go?”
“Our train doesn’t leave until this evening, and my sister and bro
ther-in-law are taking us to the terminal.”
“What about Pia? When’s she joining us?” asked Evelina, moving up to take a seat closer to the front.
“Pia’s with Chief Detective Pagano,” said Sister Daniela.
“It’s called a debriefing,” said Sister Angela. “We have evidence against those who took Pia, but she knows things about her kidnapper that we don’t. What she tells the police now will help us put away the perpetrators.”
“We’re happy to have her back,” said Cammeo. “I can’t wait to see if she got to ride on the broomstick.”
“As soon as she’s finished with the chief detective, she’ll join us in the classroom,” said Sister Daniela.
The children started to cheer.
“But before that, we’re going to have to get some work done.”
“Do you know who’s going to be our new teacher?” asked Liliana.
“I don’t know her, but I hear she has a good background.”
“But is she nice?”
“I also heard she’s very nice. I think you’ll all love her. She’s supposed to be here in a week. I would’ve liked to have met her too, but my mother superior said I must return to Montriano right away.”
Grazia walked into the classroom, a small pink elephant under her arm.
Sister Daniela approached her before she sat down and led her back out. “Please proceed,” she told Allegra.
The nun and the child sat on the lower treads of the staircase.
“You were with Sister Natalia, weren’t you?”
“I was with her and Mother Faustine.”
“But they let you come back, didn’t they.”
“Yes. They told me what I did was bad. I let the old woman into the orphanage, and that led to the kidnapping. I’m not sure Pia will ever forgive me.”
“You thought the kidnapper was a nun,” said Sister Daniela. “They must have realized you didn’t know she was dangerous.”
“They understood that. They said they could fix the problem by closing off the nurse’s office so that someone like me can’t get in and out so easily. But they also told me that I’ve done things that make it difficult for them to teach me.”
“That’s also true, Grazia. Perhaps you should try a little harder to follow the guidelines the nuns have set down.”
“Like?”
“Like going directly to bed without spending your sleep time staring out the window. You could also talk to your teacher or Sister Carmela or even Evelina if you see something strange going on. Think about it, Grazia. A nun standing in the middle of a vineyard is very odd.”
“Do you think they’ll choose to send me away?”
“Definitely not. I think they believe in your ability to learn from your mistake. You’re a bright and wonderful child and can use your talents of observation to their benefit.”
“Huh?”
“In other words, they must love you very much.”
Pia was sent to join the class. The nuns convened with the two detectives in the office just off the TV room. Sister Edita delivered sandwiches and soda so they could eat and talk at the same time.
“What did Pia tell you?” asked Sister Angela, ignoring the food to satisfy her hunger for more information.
Pagano swallowed a bite of his sandwich and took a sip of soda before telling them all about their interview. “Pia thought the old nun was someone coming to take her home.”
“Home?” asked Sister Daniela.
“Evidently, home’s the convent in Castel Valori. She doesn’t seem to remember her mother, but she does recall how happy she was with the nuns at the convent.”
“When did she realize she was in trouble?” asked Sister Carmela, her eyes drooping from lack of sleep.
“She says the nun took her to some building and let her go back to sleep. I described La Barca’s winery, and she thought that’s what it looked like, though it was dark, and she didn’t really see much before she nodded off.”
“Did she see La Barca or Carlota?” asked Sister Daniela.
“No. She said the next day, a man woke her up. I showed her pictures, and she identified Nocera, who had discarded his habit by then. Nocera walked her to the road. A car stopped them. Nocera knew the driver so they both got in. Nocera argued with the driver. The car stopped and the two men got out. Pia was told to stay in the car. After a long while, the driver returned alone to the car and drove Pia to Rufina. He didn’t say a word to her, but she saw him again at Amarena Balda.”
“Did she still think she was going to the convent?”
“She said she prayed and prayed that they were going there. When they arrived at Amarena Balda, she was taken to the farmhouse and given a beautiful room with a canopied bed and dolls and stuffed animals. The woman who lived there said she was to call her Nonna.”
“I assume she realized she was with her blood family,” said Mother Faustine.
“She probably didn’t understand what a real family was,” said Sister Angela.
“You’re right,” said Pagano. “She didn’t understand, and Pia told us that Nonna got increasingly annoyed with her. The old woman needed someone to wait on her, but Pia complained about having to do that. About a week before you arrived at the winery, Sister Angela, Pia was relegated to the shed.”
“What about Viviana?” asked Sister Daniela. “What’ve you found out about Pia’s mother?”
“Viviana Mioni was her name. She has family, but they moved out of the country before the accident. She worked for the De Capua’s for about a year before Giulio de Capua married her.”
“Giulio must be Ermanno’s brother,” said Sister Angela. “Ermanno admitted that he himself was Viviana’s brother-in-law.”
“Yes. Giulio is Ermanno’s younger brother. Pia’s his daughter by that marriage. He’s now engaged to another young lady.”
“Yes, Donata. Giulio seems to be quite adept at choosing good-looking women,” said Sister Angela. “I know you haven’t had the opportunity to interview any of them yet, but I assume you’re getting your information from Corsa Pietra.”
“Yes, Elmo was present at the interviews. Ermanno de Capua runs Amarena Balda. He’s never been married. From what Elmo could gather, he never approved of Viviana, though he forced his younger brother to marry her because she was pregnant. As you’re already aware, there was wrongdoing occurring at the winery for the several years.”
“Yes. The management was spiking its Chianti with Campanian wine. The boxes being delivered to the winery were labeled ‘Wine from the Amalfi Coast.’ Of course, the De Capuas probably wouldn’t have been jailed for the crime, but they would’ve lost their Chianti label and most of their business.”
“Perhaps Viviana found out about the deceit and threatened to report them,” said Sister Daniela.
“It’s also a coincidence that the bomb scare that stopped a train you were on, Sister, had to do with a shipment of wine from Amarena Balda. If I’d figured that out sooner, we might have been able to find the child. But this had nothing to do with the kidnapping. There were investigators that were checking the cargo coming into the Siena terminal. Someone from Amarena Balda found out and stopped the train to get their shipment off. ”
“Maybe that’s why no one in the Rufina region ever checked the size of Amarena Balda with the winery’s yield. The brothers were always two steps ahead,” said Sister Angela. “That might have exposed the operation before the crime got out of hand. So who are they going to go after for the murder?”
“I believe they’ll go after both brothers for the murder and the mother for kidnapping,” said Pagano. “They’ll probably try to use Donata’s testimony to implicate the family. Elmo got the impression she knew what was going on. That means Ermanno must have trusted her and probably revealed things about Viviana and Nocera.”
“Do you think Donata can be turned?” asked Sister Daniela.
“She’s a tough cookie, but I believe she’ll be easy to convince that life in prison isn�
�t worth her loyalty to the brothers,” said Sister Angela. “As for Nonna, the old woman most likely won’t live out the sentence for the kidnapping charge.”
“Did either brother confess to killing Nocera and Viviana?” asked Sister Natalia.
Pagano smiled. “He didn’t confess, but Ermanno revealed that his younger brother did it.”
Sister Angela nearly rocked her chair too far. “Giulio did it? So much for romance. That means Viviana came face to face with her husband. She didn’t get out of the car and run into his arms. She tried to go around him—probably knowing he’d take Pia if she gave up.”
“What about La Barca and his wife,” asked Sister Daniela.
“I don’t think we can prove that La Barca or his wife tried to cover up Nocera’s crime. Signora La Barca admitted she had a short affair with Nocera, but that’s not a crime either. She’s back, you know.”
“Carlota came home?”
“Yes. She mentioned how wonderful you are, Sister Daniela. She said you reminded her that forgiving her husband and trying to save her marriage would probably be the right thing to do. I hear the two are now trying to have a family.”
“What about the Amarena Balda?” asked Sister Angela. “I assume it’ll be sold.”
“I heard that Serena de Capua, who’s lived in Corsa Pietra since her brother’s marriage to Viviana, is interested in saving the winery. She wants it to be a family-run business again, though she’ll have to work hard to retain the CODG’s Rufina Chianti label.”
“All by herself?”
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