Maceration (3 page)

She removed the suit and held
the two finds to the light,“ Do any of these look familiar to
you?”

“ That’s Peter’s chain. We
always used to rib him about it. A sixty’s porn star we called him.
The watch looks familiar and I’m sure I’ve seen it before. Could be
Len’s?” Paul handed the bags back to Maxine. “ What happens
now?”

Maxine smiled at him, “ I would
like you to not tell anyone about this. Is that clear?”

“
As mud
Maxine. I can see what’s happened here. Peter’s been drowned
somehow in the press, and someone has pulled him out and taken him
over to the vat, but why? Why would anyone do that? It’s
insane.”

“
Paul,
murderers are not always sane people. They panic, make poor
decisions. Or they make decisions for reasons only they understand.
That’s a motif.” She turned to face him. “I’ve monopolised your
time enough Paul. But, one last question.” They stood in the open
doorway, “ If a person or persons pulled Peter from the barrel,
wouldn’t they be covered in the stain of the pinot?”

“
Most
probably. Their clothes most certainly would be,” he said
absentmindedly, as they made their way back into the blazing hot
day. “ They’d stand out for sure.”

Maxine faced the hot afternoon
sun, shading her eyes.“ Once again, thank you so much for your
help. We must meet again some time for a drink. I enjoyed last
night.”

Paul took her arm,” Yes we must.
I’d like that.”

Chapter Eleven

Maxine organised a forensic
examination of the watch and cloth. A gathering at the winery was
arranged for the next day and Maxine requested that two local
constables attend.

Robin was waiting with one of
the constables when Maxine arrived the following morning. Paul
arrived from the direction of the office with Len in tow.

Robin arrogantly spoke first, “
I presume that you’re here to let us get on with our vintage.
Accidental death?”

“
Well
actually, I can say beyond doubt, it wasn’t accidental. Peter was
murdered.”

“
What, that’s
insane,” he turned to Len. “ You talk sense into this woman Len. We
must get my wine fermenting and soon.”

Len looked despairingly at
Robin.

“
Len what’s
the matter. What’s going on?” Robin’s tone was surprisingly caring.
He had sensed something different in Len’s mood.

Maxine stated firmly,“ Are you
going to tell him Len, or shall I?”

Len looked to his brother, then
to Maxine and Paul.

“
Len, tell me
what? Paul do you know what’s happening here?” Robin demanded of
him quietly.

“
Go on Len.
It’s okay,” Paul gently took Len's arm. He was noticeably unsteady
on his feet and Robin was worried.

“
Maybe I’ll
make a start for you Len,” said Maxine softly, as Len flopped into
a chair. “ Paul confirmed your stained shirt to me yesterday
evening. He confronted you later. Correct?”

Len nodded his head. His hands
fell to his side.“ I don’t know what got into me Inspector. Peter
just laughed when I said we couldn’t afford to keep making his
bloody pinot.”

“
Len what have
you done?” Robin lifted himself from the chair and crossed to his
brother.

“
Go on
please,” Maxine interrupted, gently moving Robin to one side. “
Tell me everything. You were discussing his unprofitable
wine?”

He raised his strained face.“ I
said to him that we had to use some of his, and your wine Robin, to
make a cheaper wine to save the winery. But he wouldn’t have it.
Just like you Robin!” He glared at his brother.

“
Please Len,”
encouraged Maxine.

“He pushed me away. Just walked
away, and left me, saying we’d never get any of his pinot. He said
he was sick of my whingeing and if I couldn’t manage the books,
he’d just have to talk to Robin and write me out of the business.
He said I was useless. I couldn’t just take that Inspector. I give
this place everything. I slave over every cent to try and make
sense of our finances. If it weren’t for me we’d have gone under
bloody years ago. They don’t understand.”

“
So you had an
argument with Peter. Here?”

“
Yes, he’d
come to the basket press to test his pinot.”

“
What
happened?”

“
He stood on
the stepladder to peer into the wine and I noticed his gold chain.
It was hanging into the must. I just reacted. In one movement I
grabbed the chain and his foot, and I just, tipped him in. I held
him under by the chain. I kept his head submerged holding the
chain. He struggled and thrashed about like a hooked fish.” Len
began to sob.

“
Is that when
your watch was broken?”

“
Yes, Peter
grabbed the watch as he struggled. When he struggled no more I
pulled him out. I thought I can’t stand this anymore. Peter and
Robin’s wine ruining everything. So I dragged him onto a pallet and
used the pallet lift to drop him into Robin’s vat. Ruin his crap
too! I knew deep down someone would find out. And when Paul came
and saw me last night and told me about the watch, I knew I had no
other choice.” Len suddenly stood and yelled at his brother. “ You
and your bloody maceration, and Peter with his ridiculous
overpriced pinot!”

“
Constable,
please take Mr Felix to your car and read him his
rights.”

Maxine firmly but kindly led Len
to the young constable.

Robin grabbed his brother’s arm.
“ Peter was our brother. This was our dream. His, mine and
yours.”

Len hatefully turned, and
screamed, “ Your brother, not ours. Your dream, never mine.”

The constable took Len. Robin
turned to Maxine, shook his head and trudged off without saying a
word.

Paul took Maxine’s arm. “ I went
home and thought about Len’s shirt. I saw him on the night Peter
was killed removing his shirt and putting on his overalls. I didn’t
think anything of it at the time. He didn’t see me. I didn’t say
anything to you yesterday. I wanted to give him a chance to tell
the truth. Will it help?”

“
A little I
think, but he’ll be making the warden’s wine now. I must be off.
The Superintendant wants a full report as soon as possible. Doesn't
like it when cases are solved too quickly. And Paul, thanks for all
your help. I hope this hasn't left the winery in the
lurch?”

" We'll be fine Maxine. Robin's
pretty tough."

" Yes, you're probably right. He
does look the type."

She turned and made her way to
the cellar door. Paul called after her, “ Arab Steed Saturday
night?”

Maxine stopped, turned and
smiled, “Too many trendies on a Saturday, what about Monday?”

Paul laughed, “ You’re on, see
you there.”

Author's note

I hope you have enjoyed meeting
Inspector Maxine Lake. For those of you who know of Adelaide would
agree with me that it's the perfect setting for crimes of this
nature. You could call it the Midsomer of Australia! And for those
of you who enjoy a glass of red wine have a look for Adelaide Hills
wines in your local bottle shop. I'm sure you'll be pleasantly
surprised!

Other books I have written
available from Smashwords are works for children. 'Pi Day'
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/21830 'Go Claire Go'
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/24480 Carrie's Ghost And The
Voyage Of The Land Of Cakes
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/26032