Free Murder Uncorked by Michele Scott Page B

big-business attitude, and he dilutes the art.”

    There was some definite deep-seated resentment going on within Andrés toward Gabriel. “I see. Gabriel didn’t take what he did seriously?”

    “No.” He shook his head and grimaced. “The irony is that he won awards, he is known, he’s a superstar, when he doesn’t deserve to be.”

    “Do you think you deserve to be?”

    He didn’t respond right away. Nikki shifted uneasily. “I am a man, Miss Sands. Therefore, I do have an ego. I can’t say in all honesty that I don’t think I shouldn’t be a recipient of certain awards or cheers from the sommeliers and oenophiles around the world. That would be a lie. However, my ego isn’t about money or even myself, but about maintaining what I do as the art form it’s always been.”

    “Big wine business has been around for years. Why the beef with Gabriel? Why Malveaux?”

    “I don’t know. Maybe because they’re the biggest, or maybe it’s because Gabriel Asanti liked to throw all of his accomplishments in my face.” He took his glasses off and adjusted them.

    “That would be upsetting.” She wasn’t totally buying his reasons. There was something else going on behind those eyes as to why Andrés didn’t like Gabriel.

    “Yes.” He turned toward his uncompleted task. “I think we’re done here.”

    “Right. Thanks.”

    “By the way, Detective Martini. . . .” He winked at her. “I think you’ll be fine working with Malveaux. Derek himself is a nice guy, but the rest of them are a bunch of lunatics.”

    “You called me Detective Martini.”

    “Yeah, I’m a bit of an actor, oops, I mean liar myself. The dog didn’t give you away. There’s a handful of Ridgebacks in the area. They make good watchdogs. I saw your show a few times. You weren’t really that bad. Also, gossip travels fast around here. Apparently, there’s a certain policewoman who’s a bit starstruck with you.” He smiled at her. “I’ve got business in town. See you around. If you decide to take the job, come down and we’ll celebrate with a really good bottle of wine.”

    Nikki’s body grew warm as embarrassment filled every nerve ending, and she was at a loss for words. Before she could open her mouth again, Andrés stood up and walked inside the winery. Shaking off the feeling, Nikki started running, Oliver staying in line with her. When she hit Highway 29, she realized she’d forgotten to ask Andrés one more question. She wanted to know where he’d been the other day about the time Nikki spotted the disturbance in the bushes over by the pond. She turned around to question him about it.

    Cresting the top of the hill and heading back toward the winery, she heard a car engine start on the backside of the vineyard. She watched, out of breath, mouth open as Andrés sped down the dirt road toward the highway. He apparently hadn’t seen her coming back up the hill.

    Nikki hung her head and sighed. The rest of her questions for Andrés Fernandez would have to wait.

Chapter 8

    Nikki had quite a bit to think about. Her scare in the tasting room, which led to the discovery of the charm, and now the bizarre conversation she’d had with Andrés that only led her to more unanswered questions, confusing her. Oddly enough it also set her adrenaline to pumping, as if she was onto something and it was exciting, in a weird way. She still had plenty of energy and a little time to kill, and as Oliver was still hanging in with her, she continued on her run after reaching the Malveaux property.

    Rounding the pond, Nikki was suddenly aware of the morbidity that now surrounded the serene area and decided to take a rest. The Muscovy ducks that were in the pond yesterday, before they were scared away by the killer, had returned. They took to the sky as she approached. She thought about jogging by the site where she’d first discovered Gabriel. Maybe she’d missed something. Who was she kidding? Miss something? She wasn’t