A/N: Thank you for reviews and interest in this story.

Chapter 2

Standing by the front doors of the PlayStation Theater, Peter Burke and his team were greeted by the facility guards. After showing their identification, the group was quickly guided through the entryway.

The building, renovated and reopened to the public in 2005, designed by famous architect David Rockwell, was known as an ideal setting for New York's hottest events. Able to accommodate over two thousand guests within 45,000 square feet, the PlayStation featured specialty lighting, lovely décor, VIP suites and impressive balconies.

If that wasn't enough, the venue boasted an 85 foot Times Square LED high-definition marquee to excite the outdoor crowds. All and all, a perfect setting for the northeast wine-tasting extravaganza of the year promoting the best selections from the world's grape growing regions.

"Impressive setting," exclaimed Brandon Blake, Peter's young probie agent, casting an awed glance around the room.

Quickly checking one of the participant boards, he noted major vineyards, distillers, and sellers, including the prominent wine collector and connoisseur, Ashley Coventry, the Manhattan office's wine fraud suspect.

Neal smiled. "Your first time here?" he asked.

Blake nodded, a sheepish grin on his face.

"What! A young man like you," said Neal. "You need to expand your horizons, Blake. Ask Peter to allow you out of the office more often."

Unable to hide his exasperation, Peter rolled his eyes, lifting his head to the ceiling.

Neal motioned for Blake to look around. "Performances by well-known artists, special events and even Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve take place here."

Diana and Jones glanced at each other with amusement.

"We have a job to do, people." reminded Peter. "Coventry is probably eyeballing all the new clients he can fleece."

A mysterious but gregarious showman, known for amassing a vast fortune trading excellent wines, Ashley Coventry bought and sold the most exclusive Burgundy vintage. Respected for years by colleagues and clients, it wasn't until the past six months that one of his wealthy victims discovered several fake bottles in their collection. Enraged, the duped man hired private investigators who discovered a specific magnum of Bordeaux, at a wine tasting, from early twentieth century; a period that didn't have that Bordeaux variety! With perseverance and plentiful cash from their employer, they traced the magnum back to Coventry. His victim sought FBI assistance.

After two months of meticulous investigation, Peter had recently received a tip from one of Coventry's associates. Sending two of his agents to executive a search warrant at Coventry's home, he decided to drop by the festival with his team to reconnoiter the multimillionaire's festival sales.

"If we're lucky, any evidence found during the search today, combined with some useful information from the 'Grand Tasting' sommelier will give us enough cause for an arrest."

Peter's consultant, unlike the rest of team, appeared to be only half listening, taking in his surroundings.

"Neal?" Peter cleared his throat and spoke loudly. "You can give a guided tour later."

"Bon Jovi… Peter. The Eagles, Usher, Janet Jackson ̶ ̶ "

"I thought you were more of the Classical or Early Romantic era, kind of guy."

"It's important to be familiar with the cultural, social and intellectual contexts of all musical eras."

"Why?" asked Peter, assuming his usual pose. Back straight, hands on hips, his eyes began to rove across the immense interior of the room.

"You never know when a situation would require that information," replied his consultant.

Peter did not look convinced.

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music," Neal quoted.

"Ah, Huxley," nodded the senior agent, frowning. "He took psychedelic drugs, you know." Rubbing his face, he glanced at Neal before giving the area another quick scan.

"Of course, you would zero in on that. Now back to music appreciation… have you ever thought about taking Music History 101 and 102? I could identify some noteworthy classes in the city."

"Wait. Let me give that some thought," answered Peter. Quick pause. "No."

"Peter, Julliard's has an Evening Division that offers exceptional music education to any of the general public; music history being one of the courses offered. In fact, the courses are taught only once per week." Neal added quickly, "If you left work at a reasonable time̶ ̶ "

"No! And Neal …"

"Yes?"

"You might try practicing the first inexpressible."

Neal grinned while Peter, hiding his own smile, gestured his group to move forward.

The theater interior was bustling with activity. Venue doors had been unlocked for early bird admittance on the first-afternoon session of the winter WineFest. Two hours prior, most of the front-of-house staff, including bartenders, security team, guest services, and festival clients, had been hustling to get everything set up. From the look of the venue, they were evidently successful.

Peter's group of law enforcement agents wandered past numerous white cloth-covered tables laden with empty wine glasses. Vendor and supplier booths, not only for wine but for cheese, fine chocolates, and assorted appetizers, tantalizingly lined the narrow aisles on the main floor. Billboards identifying regional and national wines, designed with striking holiday colors, were artistically displayed on the walls.

Peter promised himself he would ask Elizabeth if she wanted a ticket to attend the festival. Promising new contacts for Burke Premiere Events was certainly evident; his wife would be delighted.

Brazilian jazz played through the sound system as the group strolled past gift tables piled high with assorted baskets of delectable goodies. The music, sweetly enhanced by an in-house state of the art sound system designed by JBL, an elite American audio electronics company, added an atmosphere of excitement. A band, setting up for a live performance, occupied a discreet corner of the massive room.

"I need to attend these wine festivals more often," remarked Jones. "Come on, Blake, let's check out that area on the left-hand side of the room."

"The area with the tables of complimentary artisan foods," noted Diana with a straight face.

"Time's a wastin'." Casting a backward glance, Jones smiled. "Peter, we'll meet you back at the front door as agreed upon."

"Alright, Jones," said Peter as he stepped closer to Blake. "And, I know it's the season to make merry, but remember," directing his last words to the probie, "wine sampling doesn't start until my party on the twenty-fourth."

"Yes, Sir," answered Blake, before he turned to walk away. His departing whisper to Jones faintly heard as the two men trailed away.

"Agent Burke didn't say a word about complimentary food…"

"Ouch," remarked Neal. "I hope that last instruction about wine sampling doesn't pertain to your CI. There are some incredible vintage wines here."

"As if we could stop you," scoffed Diana.

Neal brushed off the remark. Settling his fedora on his head, he winked and walked off with a jaunty step, but not before telling Peter he would investigate the rear of the facility and meet him at Coventry's booth. Neal was hoping Mozzie, performing some delicate reconnaissance of his own, was waiting nearby with some timely information that would prove relevant to their case.

Peter and Diana shared an amused look before moving off to find their suspect's display of products.