NAPA VALLEY SAGA #12

TIME TO RELAX AND GET HIS ZEN.

Sam Harley had been up for over 48 hours with little sleep.

He decided to make a visit to the spa at the hotel.

Zen was the way to go.

When Sam arrived at the front desk of the spa

he saw a young woman smiling back at him.

“Can I assist you, Mr. Harley?”

“Yes, I was hoping to use the sauna and get a massage.”

“This is your lucky day. Our masseuse, Sandi, is available.

Come with me, I’ll show you to the locker room.”

Sam followed the young woman and asked her name. He figured he needed

to get to know his newly acquired staff.

“My name is Missy. Enjoy your spa treatments, sir.”

After spending time in the sauna, Sam was ready for a massage.

“Hi, I’m Sandi. That’s Sandi with an “i”.

Sam thought to himself…do people really spell out their names?

Oh, then this is California.

During the massage Sam learned from the talkative masseuse

than the wife, Patricia, of murder

victim in room 11 was in the spa the day before.

“Yes, I hear on her iPhone talking to someone about a payment.

Of course, I don’t listen to client’s phone calls, but I was standing right here

next to her just like you and me.”

Sam was intrigued.

“Do you know who she was talking to?”

“Yes, but I’m not talking. I don’t want to get involved with the police.”

“Don’t worry about the police, I’ll help you.

What if I invite you to dinner tonight and we can discuss your future.”

“Well, I get off of work at 7 p.m.”

“I’ll meet you under the stars on the patio.”

Sandi was getting starry eyed just thinking about her date with her boss.

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #11

Sam Harley was walking the property to get an idea on what he about to undertake.

His iPhone buzzed.

“Sam, it’s Charlie. Are you OK?”

“Yes, why?”

“I’m back in Washington D.C. and I was unpacking

and I found an envelope, in my suitcase, with a computer memory chip.

“Oh, yes I was meaning to call you about that package.

I’ve been rather busy here, Charlie.

Can you get that memory chip over to our lab for review, asap.”

“So, I smuggled out a memory chip?”

“Yes, I didn’t want the local police to get their hands on it.

Once we determine the information on it, I can find the killer or killers of

the guy in room 11.”

“But, Sam, how did you get it?”

“Room number 11, named Tom Taylor. He slipped it my coat pocket when

he bumped into me in the hallway the first day we arrived.”

“Wow, Sam. This is an interesting case or I should say, mystery.”

“You got that right, Charlie.”

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #10

AFTERNOON REFESHMENTS.

Sam Harley was in the process of putting his ducks in order, as they say.

He made sure the Agent Chong was safely out of Napa

and on the next plane to Washington D.C.

He paid a visit to Aunt Beatrice in the hospital.

She was awake and talking. That was a good sign.

While he was at the hospital, Aunt Beatrice’s attorney approached him.

“Can we talk privately, Mr. Harley?”

“Yes, of course. Let’s let my aunt get the rest she deserves.”

“I hear the coffee is good in the hospital canteen.”

The men sat down in the canteen and drank coffee.

“You see, Mr. Hardley, your aunt had a statement drawn up when she purchased the winery.

It states that if she was incapable of running the property, that you would have full control.”

“Is that true? Me?”

“She knows you are the only relative that has experience in handling the wine business.

Your aunt mentioned to me many times of her trip with you to Argentina

where you run a successful business.”

“Yes, I own a vineyard in Argentina. It’s my second home after Texas.”

“Good, so it’s all settled. You can sign right here and it’s complete.

Congratulations, Mr. Harley. Here’s my card if you need my assistance in any way.

Good-bye and good luck.”

So, this afternoon as Sam sits outside slipping on wine,

alone he has decisions to make.

Along with a possible murder charge hanging over his head.

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #9

Charlie Chong met up with Sam Harley in the hotel coffee bar.

He was anxious to find out what happened at the Napa police station.

“Charlie, this going to get more serious at any minute. I don’t think you need

to get involved.

Aunt Beatrice had a mild stroke and will be in the hospital for at least a week.”

“Sam, I’m sorry to hear that. What can I do?”

“I you want to pack up and get the hell out of Napa. I don’t think it’s safe for you here.”

“But Sam, I can assist you.”

“No, no, you can’t. I think I was set up from the beginning

and I haven’t figured it all out.

But something is fishy.”

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #8

MORNING LIGHT IN NAPA.

Charlie Chong was barely awake when he heard

a rooster crow somewhere on the property.

One eye open and the other one closed.

Charlie laid on the bed wondering.

What happened last night?

Was it a dream or a nightmare?

He saw the empty wine bottle and moaned.

A knock on his hotel room door got him moving to answer it.

“Who is it?”

“Charlie, it’s me, Sam, open the door.”

“Sam, hold on.”

Opening the door, Charlie could see that Sam had a rough night.

“Sam, you look terrible. What happened at the police station?”

“I talked my way out of being arrested at least for now.

I need a few cups of coffee.

Get dressed and meet me in the dining room

and I’ll explain everything.”

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #7

ONE MAN STILL STANDING.

Charlie was left alone at the hotel.

Sam was taken to police headquarters for questioning.

Aunt Beatrice was transported to the local hospital.

So, this was Sam’s idea of a mini vacation?

Charlie just shook his head and grabbed a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon

and went to his room for some sleep and to drink.

Maybe, Charlie was getting to know the real life of an agent.

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #6

“Hold on to what is good,
Even if it’s a handful of earth.
Hold on to what you believe,
Even if it’s a tree that stands by itself.
Hold on to what you must do,
Even if it’s a long way from here.
Hold on to your life,
Even if it’s easier to let go.
Hold on to my hand,
Even if I’ve gone away from you.”

–Pueblo Indian Prayer

The police arrived at the winery just as the paramedics arrived.

The place was buzzing with the hotel guests standing in the reception area.

A heavy-set Sergeant yelled out, “Who’s in charge here?”

Sam stepped forward.

“I’ll answer any questions you might have about the incident, sir.”

“What’s your name?”

Sam pulled out his badge from the Agency.

“What the hell is a three-letter agency doing in Napa?”

“Sir, I can explain.”

Just as Sam was going to explain, the police were rolling out

the body of the dead man. Not far behind was Patricia, the wife,

who was sobbing loudly.

She looked in Sam’s direction and started screaming.

“That’s him, that’s him. He killed my husband.”

Sergeant Bailey looked at Sam. “Do you know this woman?”

“No, no, of course not. I don’t know what she is talking about.

I’ve never met her or her husband.”

Then Sam froze. The hallway. The hotel earlier. The couple arguing.

The man bumped into him.

Sergeant Bailey stared at Sam and asked, “Do you have a permit to carry that gun?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Why don’t you come with us Mr. Harley.

We would like to have you give your statement down at the station.”

“By all means, Sergeant. But first may I check on my aunt.”

The paramedics were in the process of attending to Aunt Beatrice.

One of the medics said, “Look as if she’s had a stroke. Let’s get her to the hospital.’

Aunt Beatrice reached out for Sam,

“Hold on to my hand,
Even if I’ve gone away from you.”

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #5

Photo by Roberto Nickson on Pexels.com

IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR.

“Sam, do you want me to call the police?”

“Charlie, I’m just getting over the shock and fact that Aunt Beatrice

owns this hotel and winery.”

“Oh, I see. But there’s a dead guy in room 11.”

“Sorry Charlie, yes of course notify the authorities.

I’ll be down there in a few minutes.”

Aunt Beatrice sat down in the nearest chair not looking good.

“Sam, I wanted to tell you sooner about being the owner, but I don’t know….

I guess I wanted to surprise you.”

“Why you surprised the hell out of me. Are you feeling all right Aunty?”

“Charlie, I think you better call 911.”

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #4

Here are some facts about Napa Valley

• Napa Valley is located in the heart of California’s wine country, with over 400 wineries in the area.
• The city was named after the Napa River, which flows through the region.
• The first grapevines were planted in the Napa Valley in 1836 by George C. Yount.
• Napa Valley produces over 4% of California’s total wine production.
• Napa Valley is only about thirty miles long, and a few miles wide.
• The local Napa Valley wine industry creates approx 46k jobs in Napa County
• with some 303k reported recently nationwide.
• The Wine Industry in Napa Valley represents over $50 billion
• to the U.S. economy in recent years.

The screaming was coming from one of the rooms at the winery/ hotel.

Charlie and Sam both jumped to their feet.

Sam signaled Charlie and Charlie took the lead towards the room.

Aunt Beatrice stood next to Sam looking worried.

“Aunt Beatrice, call the hotel management.”

“Houston, we have a problem.”

“No, Aunt B. that was my former name, I’m Sam, Sam Harley now.”

“OK, Sam. I understand you have a new name but I wanted to tell you

before but we got carried away talking.”

“Fine, Aunt B. but go and inform management about the situation.”

“Sorry, Sam but I’m the management. You see I bought the place two years ago.”

“What?”

“Yes, I needed a hobby.

So, I bought this beautiful hotel, winery and the vineyard.”

(To be continued)

NAPA VALLEY SAGA #3

HERE’S TO OLD FRIENDS.

Sam Hardley could not believe he was seeing Aunt Beatrice

after dozens of years of her absence.

“Where have you been hiding, my dear?”

“Sam, you know me, I’ve been traveling through Europe for starters

then back in Texas. There’s nothing better than the ole USA.”

Charlie was being introduced to Aunt B. for the first time.

“Charlie, this my infamous and glorious Aunt Beatrice.

She is one of a kind. Aunty is also an honorary agent with

our Agency.”

Aunt B. laughed at Sam’s remarks.

“Don’t believe everything he tells you Mr. Chong.”

“Please call me, Charlie, madam.”

“No madam, call me Beatrice. Nice to meet you, Charlie.”

The three of them sat near the window of the winery hotel

and sipped Champagne and told stories and laughed about the past.

It was just past midnight when they all heard screaming.

It was coming from one of the hotel rooms near where they were seated.

(To be continued)