Chapter 4
They thanked Tina for the trip round the winery, and had asked if there was a good restaurant nearby as they hadn't eaten since early morning, and Tony was beginning to get a little light headed after the tasting. She had mentioned her cousin ran La Tasca in the village.
"He does a great selection of tapas, which I am sure you Tony, will enjoy," she added with a smile.
As the pair walked back to the car, Tony said "You thinking what I was thinking, or are you just hungry?"
"Both but yes, wasn't wanting to drive back to Rota only to come back later, we need to discuss, what we have seen and what we both I think."
The restaurant was what Tony imagined it would be like, smallish, darkish but the smell of food reminded him of just how hungry he was, and yes it was true what they say a glass or two of sherry before a meal certainly had wetted the appetite.
The waiter showed them to a table near the front window where they could watch the life slowly trundle by.
As Tony eyed the menu his stomach rumbled, "Sorry but have you seen the food, what do you recommend or can I work my way through, oh and who's picking up the tab?"
"We are but don't go mad, I would say let's have the Plato Mixo, the selection of cured Ibérico meats, Spanish cheeses with mixed olives & warm bread, and if you are still hungry then try the Churros con Chocolate, which is a dessert of Spanish donut tubes, rolled in cinnamon, dusted in icing sugar, and served with a chocolate dip.
"Sounds just great, but I'll have a beer," Tony answered.
The meal ordered and with Tony sipping his beer and munching into the platter, and Stan sipping the agua mineral con gas.
"So what's your take?" Stan began to ask, taking some of the platter.
"Well, in my opinion, Tomas Jenkins, took a ride in a car with someone, as it was mentioned he got in a car with a man, but who else was in the car, apart from the driver, or maybe just the three of them. I think a female in there somewhere. Anyway taken for a ride maybe here, some altercation hit on head with the adze, either put straight into the cask or as you say waited until the body loosened up, then put in the cask, but why bring back to Rota?" Tony offered stuffing some bread, cheese and olives into his mouth.
"Was thinking the same, so I think we'll go back and ask Tina if she knew Tomas Jenkins, and get a list of her employees. Then we'll take it from there. When we get back to Rota we'll cross reference staff in the mess and also military personnel and I think we'll get a match. Then we need to find the motive.
-oOo-
They returned to the winery. Stan said he would do the talking looking at Tony who was beginning to sweat slightly, the heat and the drink beginning to take effect.
"Tina, we were wondering did you know a Tomas Jenkins from Rota?"
Tina looked surprised at the request, "No I didn't personally but he was a friend of my brother who works as a bar tender at the base. I did meet him once at a party but that was all. Marco Garcia is OK isn't he?"
"Why does your brother not work in the family business?" Tony now asked, as he watched Stan write Marco in his notepad.
"He is the youngest, and in true Spanish form, the eldest gets the business and the others, if there are, have to fend for themselves, so he moved to the coast."
"Do you have any other brothers?" Stan now asked.
"No I have a sister, she doesn't work here but…"
"At the base, we got it," Tony began to say.
"Yes actually, she is a Navy, how you say Alferez de Navio, a ship of the line, an Ensign."
"So the same as a junior rated Lieutenant a sub or second lieutenant," Stan translated for Tony, "And since we only share Rota with the Spanish I understand. We thank you again for your help. But one last question your sister's name?"
"Sorry, Franchesca Garcia," Tina replied.
Tony and Stan made their way back to the car.
"Rota I think, and a word with the Vice Admiral," Stan said as he started the engine, and the car sped off.
-oOo-
Although Rota is used by the Spanish and United States Navies, it does come under the Spanish flag, and is therefore commanded by Spain. While the Spanish Navy is responsible for external security of the base, both however have responsibility over internal.
When they got back, Stan went to see the U.S. Commander who promptly got on the phone the Spanish Commander. Within half an hour Marco and Franchesca had been pulled into the Vice Admiral's office.
The Spanish Commander explained the situation, but watched as both siblings looked at their feet and then at each other before Franchesca spoke.
"Tomas, he was how you say, a fly-by-night, a wise guy. He was always boasting how being a Navy aviator was better than just us plain navy."
"And Maria Sanchos, where did she come in to this? "Tony now asked.
"She was how you say, a honey bee, she was to lure Tomas into a trap, and then let him down," Franchesca continued.
"Who was he fighting with in the mess?" Stan enquired.
Marco now answered, "My friend George, he was trying to calm him down."
"But what started all this off?" Tony asked not getting his head round it.
"He called Tina and Franchesca putas."
"Why," asked the Vice Admiral.
"Both are going out with Amercans and Tomas thought he was better looking and better grade than their boyfriends," Marco continued.
"So how did or should I say who got Tomas into the car and who was driving?" Tony questioned.
"That was easy, Fernando's son drove the car, and it was a boy from the village who bundled Tomas into the car," Marco replied.
"Then what happened?" the Commander asked.
"I don't know. I didn't want to know. All I know is that next day his body was found in the cask at the base," Marco replied.
The four looked at Marco and his sister who was quietly crying, tears running down her face.
The Vice Admiral thanked the two Spaniards and dismissed them.
"Well gentlemen?"
"I think a trip back to Montilla, is required," the Commander replied looking at Tony and Stan.
-oOo-
This time the Vice Admiral commandeered a car and within 20 minutes Tony and Stan were back on the road.
"What you got in mind?" Tony asked.
"Fernando's adze I still think it has something to do with it. Whether accidental or on purpose, it has to be someone with access to alcohol and the tools, and I bet yah a dollar to a dime, Fernando's son is involved.
The pair arrived at the winery and went straight to the owner's office; they saw Tina talking to her father. Stan explained the situation and Tony saw the colour drain from the owners face.
"But of course, please Tina take them to Fernando and see if any of his tools are missing. I had no idea it was this bad."
Tina found the el tonelero, having a well-earned break and told him what had happened.
"Yes I am missing a adze, but I thought it was just mislaid, but if you need to question my son you have my permission, you will probably find the good for nothing chico perezoso, drinking with the other village vagos."
Tony and Stan made their way to one of the local tavernas and saw a crown of youths drinking and arm wrestling.
"Looking for a Mateo and Diego," Stan said looking at the crowd.
"Oh yeah like who wants to know?" one replied.
"Two Navy cops, looking for answers into the death of Tomas Jenkins," Tony added smiling and keeping eye contact.
"Never heard of them," came the reply.
"Oh yeah well it looks like if you don't then those two do," as Stan and Tony watched a pair turn and start to run from the bar.
"Oh no you don't," as the boys now saw two local Civil Guard officers blocking the door. "Your Commander called, he thought you might need a hand, and these two have been causing trouble for months," as they looked at the boys now being cuffed, and led away.
-oOo-
Back at Rota, Stan and Tony reported to the Commanders office, with their report.
"But why back at base?" The Commander enquired.
"I suppose as a warning, to any other men that the sister is out of bounds," Stan ventured.
"Not just the sister, but I suppose anyone fraternisation with local girls whether they be Navy or civilian," Tony added, "But the case still reminds me of "The Cask of Amontillado", it was a form of immurement, he was placed in an enclosed space and it did become his coffin."
Later in the mess Tony and Stan were having a meal and a drink. Tony was due to fly back to Washington next morning.
"I was thinking what you said earlier and I suppose you could say the case was a man taking revenge on someone who, he believes has insulted someone dear. Just remind me never say anything bad about Ellie or Delilah, but then I reckon they could probably take me out without any help from you or Tim."
"I'll drink to that," as he lifted his beer and saluted Stan, "Ships of oak yep, we will be Stan, our friendship is strong. Lot of water has passed under our bridges, but I still think of you as more senior."
"Thank you Probie," as Stan watched Tony laugh.
The End.