“For you to be really good at your job in Valentini’s tasting room, you should visit some of the other wineries in the area. That is the work you and I will do today. Since it is Monday, our tasting room and many others are closed. This will be the perfect time for us to visit.”
“That doesn’t sound much like work.”
“It’s research. We’ll visit Chianti.”
I stared at her with wide eyes.
“Sì.” She nodded. “That is what we will do.” Pia looked at Ben. “And when your business is complete, you can join us.”
“Pia!” I gasped.
“I’d like that very much,” said Ben.
I looked between them again, incredulous. “I think you should give me a tour of Valentini instead today.”
Pia nodded again. “We will do that this morning. This afternoon, we will go to Chianti. There are two wineries in particular we should visit. Casavetti, which is owned by my father’s sister and her husband. The other, I’m not sure is a good idea.”
“Which one?”
“Vitticio.”
I’d heard of it and would certainly like to visit. “Why isn’t it a good idea?”
“Paolo Vitticio.” When she rolled her shoulders, the expression on her face changed drastically from a frown to a wide smile. “He is married now, so it will be fine.”
I made a mental note to ask about him later when Pia and I were alone.
“It’s a date, then, sì?” Pia looked at Ben.
“Yes. Absolutely.” Ben looked at me.
“A date? Or work?” I asked.
“Both,” answered Pia, grinning from ear to ear.
9
Halo
Given how late it was when I returned to the farmhouse last night and the time difference, I waited until I’d finished breakfast to call Striker.
“You’re sure it’s her?” he asked.
I sent him a photo I’d taken of her and Pia last night. “See for yourself.”
“Yep. That’s her. What have you found out?”
“Not a lot.” I told him about her arriving with a tour group yesterday and how one thing had led to another, resulting in Tara being offered a job at Valentini.
“A job?”
“That was my reaction.”
“Interesting. Do you think she’ll stay on?”
“I do. At least temporarily.”
“This assignment might be over a hell of a lot quicker than we anticipated. My guess is her father is close by.”