Truth Is Found (11 page)

That made a mockery out of it, and somehow, Julian didn't think Bethany would like that. They didn't need to piss off their line to the dead.

“Gotcha. What age do you want me to narrow it down to?” Christina asked. “Adult?”

Tori finally spoke. “They’re children.”

The line went quiet.

Tori knew why.

Lately, they were dealing with the death of Vivian’s child, and it was weighing heavily on all of their shoulders. The whole team was rattled and a little off kilter.

Who could blame them?

“Okay, that’s going to take some time. You’d be shocked how many children go missing every year. I’m going to have to run it against the National Missing Children’s registry. I’ll have them to you as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Christina,” Julian stated.

“How’s the case?” Kane asked, trying to lighten the mood. The call was getting somber.

“Well, so far we found out that the winery is haunted, someone’s stirring up shit, and a ghost attacked Beau.”

Christina gasped at that last piece of information. “Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he’s only scratched up.”

“Did you take pictures so I can debunk…?”

Kane slapped his hand over her mouth. “We’ll be in contact. I’ll keep the little woman here focused, and we’ll get you the names.”

Julian laughed. “Good idea. We’ll talk to you later.”

When he hung up, Tori yawned. Reaching into his bag, he dug out a granola bar. “How about you have something to eat, and we’ll rest a bit. We have a couple hours before we have to wander around and play investigators.”

Actually, they should be out there right now, but he wasn’t going to push his pregnant wife. Every time she popped back from being with Bethany, she looked drained. Add pregnancy to that, and it was a serious matter.

No, he wasn’t wearing her down. It simply wasn’t happening. For the next seven months or so, they were going to take every precaution necessary.

“I know what you’re doing, Julian,” she said, unwrapping the bar. When a box of juice magically appeared in his hand, she grinned.

“Do you?” he asked, resting beside her. “What is it that you’re accusing me of now?” Julian teased.

“Mothering me.”

He waited for her to rest her head on his shoulder. “Guilty as charged. Sue me for wanting to get food into you and some juice. I’m a horrible, horrible husband. You should divorce me for all my faults. I’m sure the judge will lock me away for all the hideous abuse.”

Tori snorted. “Yeah, yeah, you’re the worst,” she teased before breaking her granola bar in half and giving him some. “Let’s have lunch together, but I’m not sharing my juice. You had yours,” she teased, pointing at the wine glasses. “Want me to call down and get you more?”

“Victoria Rose!”

She giggled, and then popped the food in her mouth. She needed to think about what was coming. It was probably best Julian thought she was sleeping.

Then there was a knock, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Are you talking to Bethany in your head and behind my back?” he asked, staring at her.

“No, Jules. Why would I do that?”

“I have no idea, but I’m thinking you are.”

Oh, if he only knew….

Her gift was growing.

CHAPTER Five

Yes, it was time to get moving.

They’d rested for as long as they could, and the party downstairs was already started. There was no doubt that this ‘meet and greet’ was going to be interesting--to say least.

While they’d rather be out wandering around the winery, they had plenty of time to do that later. After all, it wasn’t like the ghosts were going anywhere.

              Right?

As they headed down to the main floor, Julian and Tori were assaulted with the sound of tinkling glass, laughter, and piano music. Apparently, the Nelms liked to do it up.

Julian wasn’t shocked. That seemed about right. After all, the man had married a woman who garnered attention when she entered a room. Daniel must have enjoyed putting on one hell of a show.

In the midst of the company, they were just glad they had brought more than investigative gear. Tonight was like a social event, and Julian couldn’t wait.

He wanted to meet everyone.

If they had people around, that meant they could be suspects.

Someone was sabotaging the Nelms, and he didn't believe it was three angry dead girls. They might break glasses, but he didn't think they were stealing wine and money.

It was likely the living who were stirring the shit pot.

As they arrived downstairs, they easily spotted the hosts of the party. Sheila was drinking with her guests, Daniel was making sure the wait staff was doing their job, and the two youngest Nelms were there too.

Pearlie was mimicking her stepmother, showing off her assets to the men at the party, and Romeo was behind the bar pouring wine.

Well, the apples didn't fall far from the tree, now did they? Even though Sheila wasn’t Pearlie’s real mother, the girl had found her idol to mimic.

Before Julian and Tori could even enter the party, there were two men headed their way. Julian protectively dropped his arm over his wife’s shoulders, almost out of habit.

“You’re the Littlemoons!” the one said. He then grabbed his partner’s arm excitedly. “We saw you on the news!”

Yeah, who hadn’t?

If someone didn't recognize them, then that would be more shocking.

“Yes, we are. Who are you?” Tori asked, shaking their hands.              

The older man smiled at her. “This is my significant other, Roman Remington, and I’m Mitch Pettigrew. We’re here on a romantic retreat,” he stated, waving his arms flamboyantly.

From the way the man was dressed, to his mannerisms, there was no doubt who the ‘wife’ in the couple was.

“Yes, we’re here to taste wine and learn about the process,” Roman added. “We just love the stuff.”

Well, at least someone did.

Mitch leaned in and whispered. “Are you here working? Is there a killer here? Oh my God! I’m getting excited.”

Julian wanted to punch him in the face, but Tori was leading this little fun fest. He was going to trust his wife to handle it.

“Actually, we’re taking a little vacation. We needed to get away, and someone recommended coming here.”

Both men looked down at her baby bump.

“You can’t drink though.”

Tori laughed easily as Beau arrived with two glasses on his tray.

“Ma’am, the owners had some sparkling cider brought in for you,” he stated, handing her a glass. “Sir, you get the wine. We’re trying out a nice chardonnay. If you have questions about it, I suggest you talk to Reid. He’s very knowledgeable, and a really great sommelier.”

“Thank you,” Julian said, taking the hint. “I think I’ll do just that. Are you okay here?” he asked his wife. “You know how much I love wine.”

Tori wanted to laugh.

While his words conveyed it, his face didn't. “Yes, babe. I’m sure the gentlemen will keep me company.”

In all honesty, Tori wanted to pump them for information. Two gay men at a haunted winery? Yeah, someone had dirt, and she was going to go fishing.

“She’ll be entertained,” Mitch stated, leading them toward a table with canapés.

Tori wanted to swoon. They were taking her to the food. This was like the best-case scenario--chitchat and little delicious bites of heaven.

She loved her job.

As soon as they were there, he began talking a million miles a minute. “Why are you really here?” the one man asked.

Tori tried to look confused.

She had to keep her cover. Tori knew there was a fine line there, and if they suspected they were working, there was going to be trouble.

Loose lips sunk ships and undercover jobs.

“I told you that we needed a few days off. We have quite a few employees, and they’re running the shop while we take a break. I’m pregnant, and I can’t keep up anymore.” As if to prove a point, she popped a canapé into her mouth and chewed.

They didn't need to know it was a total lie.

Tori was in prime shape, and she could run circles around everyone. Her little girl gave her a reason to keep going, and she wasn’t going to stop until she helped the lost children.

“Well, it’s odd that you came to a place where you can’t drink.”

Tori leaned in and dropped her voice low. “Promise to keep a secret?” she asked.

They both nodded, their eyes twinkling.

“I hate wine, but I love food. Bringing a pregnant woman to a place that feeds her is always a good reason to hang out.”

They looked disappointed as she popped some quiche looking thing into her mouth. She made yummy noises to prove her point.

“You gotta try that.”

Roman spoke up, “Well, we picked this place because of the history. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in the past.”

She shrugged. “Yeah, I heard it was a monastery. I know the history. It was a church. There were monks, and blah, blah, blah.”

Tori hoped that she was playing this right.

If she didn’t, they’d walk away. That was the last thing she needed. They had to get some dirt.

“There is so much more!” Mitch admitted. “Did you know that Father William Esposito was killed ten years ago this week?”

“What? Someone was killed here?”

While Mitch looked excited, Roman was watching her.

“Yes! They never found his killer. Someone said he was hit on the head, shoved down those very stairs, and then buried in his crypt in the little chapel on the property. We just know he’s going to show up.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Yes, dear.”

“Well, if he likes quiche, he certainly will. These things are killer!” she exclaimed, appearing to blow off the man’s information.

“Roman! You love this kind of thing!”

Tori definitely knew who was wearing the pants in that relationship. It appeared the Mitch was the one who dragged Roman there for their little retreat. He looked just about as bored as Julian was getting liquored up on wine.

“You don’t believe in ghosts either?” she asked him.

“I believe that I love wine,” he replied, waving the nearest waiter toward them. When Cordell arrived, he grabbed two more glasses of the amber liquid. “Thank you.”

“No problem, sir,” he stated, right before heading off.

“I love it here,” Mitch said, grabbing some morsel from the table. “Can you believe that Sheila? Look at her over there showing everyone what the good Lord didn't give her.”

Tori nearly choked on her cider. Now they were getting somewhere. “Yeah, I saw it up close and personal today when we arrived. In fact, so did my husband. She certainly doesn’t mind flaunting that body of hers.”

Mitch didn't stop, and that made Tori really happy.

“Keep your eyes on your man, girl. She’s a man-eater. Poor Daniel doesn’t see her for what she is.”

Tori was intrigued. “And that is?”

“Gold digger!” they both sang together.

Then there was laughter as they clinked their glasses off each other.

Yeah, she wasn’t shocked that other people noticed. Tori watched the woman in action, and while most of it seemed to be friendly, she could see her eyeing up the males in the room. Plus, she didn't even pay attention to the man she was married to--or his kids.

Mommy didn't like being a mommy.

She could read it a mile away.

“So the place is haunted?” Tori asked, drawing their attention back to something that would help her.

“Yes! I’ve heard from some of the staff that weird things happen here,” Mitch said.

Roman elbowed him. “Muffin, stop gossiping. I’m sure Mrs. Littlemoon isn't in the mood to hear about silly things like this, are you?”

She smelled a trap. There was no doubt in her mind that Roman was trying to see what she was up to. Oh, he was a smart man, but she was better at this game.

“Yeah, I’m really not. I’ve had too much mystery the last few months. I’m really here just to eat and watch my husband drink copious amounts of wine.”

Roman immediately looked disappointed.

Yeah, she wasn’t that easy to fool. He wasn’t picking her brain on any cases or hearsay of ghosts.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to mingle,” Tori offered, grabbing a few delicious morsels to go.

“Maybe we can have brunch together tomorrow,” Mitch offered.

“Oh, yes! Please?” Roman added. “We promise not to ask about any of your cases.”

Tori didn't buy that.

These two were curious, and that reeked of trouble.

“We absolutely can do that,” she stated. “Now, enjoy your wine!”

With that, she escaped.

She could feel their eyes on her as she crossed the room, and it piqued her interest. Something was up. There was no doubt about it.

Now Tori only hoped her husband was having a better time at getting information. So far, she was coming up with nothing.

Later, she’d have to speak to Bethany.

Was there a dead priest haunting the place?

If there was, how come he didn't show up and make himself known?

That was one question only the dead could answer.

    
                       
* * *
  L   i   t   t   l  e  m  o  o  n  * * *

Julian headed toward the bar as he sipped his wine. When they got home, he was going to have to cleanse his unrefined palate with beer. This wine thing was a little out of his league. While they all sang of the fruity undertones, he was confused.

It was made from grapes.

Weren’t they fruit?

Wasn’t that a given?

As he took a seat and drank the wine, he listened to the man behind the counter. This must be Reid Ramsey, and from their dossier, he was supposed to know his wine inside and out.

“This is an earthier wine,” he offered, turning the bottle to show them. “We began the recipe two years ago, and it’s one of our most popular ones. Here, you should all try it and let me know what you think. Did we nail it?”

Julian didn't want more, but what was he supposed to do? It wasn’t like he could say no, or dump it in some potted plant.

God!

If only…

As they listened to the man behind the counter talk about the coffee note hidden behind the musky overtones of oak, Julian noticed the owner’s daughter moving closer.

At first, it appeared that she was listening and enjoying the wine, but then she did something so low key that only Julian caught it.

She slipped something into the man’s back pocket, right before grabbing his ass. It wasn’t a pat, but a full-handed feel. The man didn't even flinch.

Curious.

It looked like he was accustomed to being felt up by the boss’s daughter.

“Isn’t this the same wine that AngelCake sells?” some woman asked, as she flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder. “My girlfriends and I drink a lot of it.”

Julian glanced over, and there was some bored looking housewife. Her husband was right beside her, and he was too busy checking out Pearlie’s assets to notice his wife was being condescending.

“We’ve been told there’s a similarity, Mrs. Bunchen, but I’ve never had it, so I can’t attest to it. I promise that this wine was the flagship created when the winery opened, so I’m pretty sure ours came first.”

Did Julian detect a little hostility?

He knew there were issues between the two wineries, but could it be because of the wine formula?

Did it matter?

“It just tastes the same to me,” she continued. “I drink a great deal of wine, and I know my grapes.”

“Allene, knock it off,” stated her husband. “It’s wine for Christ’s sake. I wouldn’t stress it. Just enjoy it. In fact, have some more.”