Vicki took a relatively short but expensive taxi ride outside the city limits, travelling along a lengthy rural road till they reached the winery. An elegant sign identified it from the street. Its paved driveway was neatly lined with a row of small pine trees which led towards an old-fashioned timber homestead. A small vineyard flowed out on low rolling hills behind it. It was barren and fruitless, the cold winter air stunting its seasonal growth.
She stepped out of the car and breathed in deeply. She soaked in the feeling of freedom and space now that she had temporarily escaped from the urban sprawl of the city. She informed the taxi driver to wait for her and leave the meter running, in order to return her back to the office at the conclusion of her business. She handed him enough cash to cover only half her fare as incentive for him to stay.
Vicki followed the signage that directed visitors to proceed to the cellar at the front of the building. The sound of her footsteps echoed up through to the rafters of the large timber-filled building as she walked through the entrance and across the hardwood floor.
The front room had been converted into a showroom and cafe. A counter ran along one wall, various bottles of wine displayed on shelves behind it. Glasses and flutes sat ready to be filled with wine for tasting.
A pretentious group of young business people had stopped by for some 'wine appreciation'. An older woman stood behind the bar pouring small servings of various wines one at a time for them to try. The group sniffed, swirled, sipped and spat, pulling faces to express their dislike of what they'd just been given for free. Vicki rolled her eyes and thought, "They wouldn't know good wine if it bit them on the ass!"
She leaned on the counter and looked around for someone in charge. A young brunette emerged from a side door and greeted Vicki.
"Hi. How can I help you today?" the woman politely asked.
"Hello. My name is Vicki Nelson., I'm a private investigator. I'm actually hoping to speak with Mr Brian Acchus?"
"You're in luck. Brian has been out on business for the last week but he's in today. Give me a minute and I will let him know you are here. Can I ask what it is in relation to?"
"I just need to ask him a few questions about a case I'm working on."
"OK thanks. I'll see if he's available." The woman gave Vicki a curious look before disappearing back through the side door.
Within a few moments an older gentleman came out, walked over and shook Vicki's hand.
"Hello.. I'm Brian. I believe you wanted to see me?" he smiled warmly.
He was the type of man that could be described as 'debonair'. He was dressed in casual business attire, open collared shirt and black pants. His had a full head of silver coloured hair and a neatly trimmed beard which framed his strong facial features. Vicki presumed he must have been in his late fifties, yet despite the lack of pigment in his hair he showed no real signs of age or fatigue. His gestures exuded confidence and grace.
"Hi, yes. I need to speak to you about a girl by the name of Abigail Turner." she replied.
"Please, lets talk in my office upstairs."
Vicki followed Brian out the to rear of the homestead, up a small staircase and into his sophisticated office. He took a seat behind his large mahogany desk, inviting Vicki to take a seat opposite.
"Now, what would you like to know about Abby?" he asked politely
"So you know her?" Vicki queried,
"Yes, but I must admit I haven't known her for very long, I only met the dear girl about a month ago."
"And when you did you last see her?"
"Why, it was only just over a week ago, she attended a gathering at my place. What's all this about?" Brian looked at Vicki with concern.
"Well Mr Acchus, Abby is dead, she died a week ago from alcohol poisoning. Perhaps after coming to your so-called gathering?"
A sad look came across Brian's face. Vicki felt it to be genuine but couldn't quite get a true reading on him yet. He sighed before he responded to her.
"I'll be the first to admit I like to spoil my guests with food and wine, but I am a very responsible host. My assistants and I put her in a cab and sent her home around ten pm because she was falling asleep out on the patio. We presumed she'd simply had one too many late nights so we sent her home to sleep. She was a little drowsy but far from comatose. It's quite possible she 'partied-on' elsewhere afterwards."
"So how well did you know this girl?" Vicki asked.
"As I've just mentioned, I've only known her a few weeks. I was doing business with the law firm she worked for, and after a business luncheon I invited them to a get-together that evening. Abby came along, and attended every function thereafter. I think the poor girl might have been a tad lonely."
Brian seemed perfectly calm despite Vicki's questioning. She was concerned that his answers were being provided so easily, scripted almost.
"Invited them? The email I saw seemed to hint at an invitation for something a little more intimate between the two of you?"
Brian laughed, "Oh my dear Ms Nelson, I send the same invitation to everyone I know, nearly every week. In my business I've learnt to make every person I know feel like the most important person on earth. Don't want to go burning bridges and the like."
"So any drug use at these parties?" she asked as delicately as she knew how.
"Not provided by me if that's what you are insinuating. I offer a nice drop of red, or white if they prefer, and some excellent cuisine as prepared by my personal chefs. No additional stimulants necessary if you ask me." Brian gloated and smiled as he leaned on his desk.
"But there could be drugs at your little shin-digs?" Vicki persisted.
"Not to my knowledge, and I would hope my guests would have enough respect for me and my property to keep it clean so-to-speak." he stated.
"So... could you give me a list of names of the people she was with last week?" Vicki gave him a hopeful look.
"I'd be more than willing, however Abby was quite the social butterfly, the list will be quite long. Why don't you save yourself some time and come by my place this evening? I'm playing host again tonight and I'd imagine most of them will be there for the free provisions... and good company of course. You'll also have the opportunity to see that my parties are very professional and well behaved."
"That would be very hospitable of you. I think I will take you up on that offer." Vicki replied.
"Please do... and bring some friends. The more the merrier!" Brian scribbled his address and cell phone number down on a piece of paper and handed it to her.
"Thanks for your time Mr Acchus. I'd best be on my way. If you could email me that list of names in the meantime it would be greatly appreciated." She passed him one of her a business cards.
"I will... but please... call me Brian. I hope to see you this evening Ms Nelson. Please give my condolences to Abigail's family. I truly am sorry."
Brian stood courteously as Vicki prepared to leave, holding the office door open for her exit.
"Thanks again for your assistance...Brian" she replied.
As she moved down the stairs she wondered why Brian had not questioned her visit. Most suspects wanted to know why she was investigating them, or why she was asking questions instead of the police, yet he had asked no questions. Strange.
Shrugging off her suspicions she glanced over at the wine tasting counter with a smile.
"Hmm... it would be wrong to not try at least one red while I'm here..."
