Chapter 3

The next morning was clear and warm, Stan had borrowed a car but had declined Caro's driving, it would be better if it was just an NCIS. Stan wanted to set off early and get to Montilla before the midday sun got too hot.

"Oh yes mad dogs and Englishmen," as Tony dressed, "Slept like a log, but tell me again where we are going?"

"Montilla itself," Stan replied. "The forensics actually gave me an actual code number that was on the cask, can place it to the actual vineyard."

"But can or could they tell you which side of the vines the grapes came from?"

"Just get in the jeep Tony, I'm sure the owners will give you a full run down and taste of the produce."

"Knew there was a reason I had been picked for this job," Tony began to laugh as Stan put the car in gear and they drove off in a cloud of sand coloured dust.

-oOo-

The journey to Montilla reminded Tony of Somalia when he and Tim had driven to the rebel village to recue Ziva, but he knew this was going to be more enjoyable.

"So Montilla, tell me more."

"It's best known for its dry white wine, which is made using the same solera method as sherry," Stan began to say, "The very sweet Pedro Ximenez grapes are used for the wine so, consequently, it does not need fortifying. This wine is known as Montilla in Spain and Amontillado elsewhere."

"But we will get to taste?"

"You can I will do the driving."

They arrived at the winery just before noon, Tony had wanted to call ahead but Stan thought no, why advertise your arrival, if the murder had taken place there, then the murderer would have taken off.

They were greeted by a young woman who smiled.

"Have you come to visit the winery?"

"Yes and no," Tony had said.

"Actually," Stan began to say, looking at Tony then the woman, "We have come from Rota, the base. It would appear we have had a murder and it just so happens, the body was found in one of your sherry casks."

"You know this because it has our stamp on the cask?" the girl replied looking shocked.

"I'm afraid so, if we gave you the serial number can you give us some details on its movements," Stan continued.

"But of course…" as the girl heard Stan reel off the numbers.

"I was looking for a tour and maybe a taste or two," Tony ventured, "Then you could tell us how the sherry is made and how and when it is put into the casks. This could help us place the barrel."

"Please if you follow me, but I must firstly tell my father, what has happened, and please call me Tina, short for Valentina," as she turned to walk to the office.

"One thing Tina, can you be discrete?"

"You think we have something to do with the death?"

"We like to keep our options open," Tony replied smiling sweetly.

-oOo-

Tina had explained the situation to her father who was of course worried, this might harm his business.

As they walked round the factory, they watched and listened to what their guide had to say.

"The wine is first fermented in stainless steel vats," as they passed the huger vats, "Then matured further in upright tinajas or earthenware vessels," she continued pointing to another area, "Before being placed in traditional wooden barrels. Which is what you are interested in no?"

The boys nodded, Tina smiled and continued.

"Our Amontillado wine is stored in 500-litre casks that are made of North American oak which is less porous than French or Spanish oak. The casks, are then filled five-sixths full, leaving "the space of two fists"," as she placed her hands over each, "Empty at the top to allow flor to develop on top of the wine."

"A floor?" Tony asked, "You mean that literally?"

"No, a f.l.o.r," as she spelt it out, "It is Spanish for flower, and is a wine making term referring to a film of yeast, which is indigenous to the Andalucian region."

"So when you put in the casks, do you make your own?" Tony continued to ask.

"They come in pieces so yes we build our own and then stamp them," Tina began to explain.

"Fernando here is our el tonelero," as they watched a guy hammering a metal hoop round a barrel and hammering it down.

"What's the tool he is using called?" Stan asked.

"That is an adze, Fernando uses it to hammer the hoop round and to secure the top."

Tony and Stan looked at each other, they knew that they had found the murder weapon, they just had to find out who and why.