Death in the Dolomites by David Wagner (feel good books .TXT) 📕

the snifter, thinking that cognac drinkers must spend as much time swirling as drinking. “Anybody, if they were following us. I picked her up at her apartment and we walked over to the lifts on the east side of town.”

“You walked right in front of Bruno’s shop,” Flavio observed.

“I suppose we did. And past the window of Zia Mitzi’s bakery.”

Luca frowned. “Too bad you didn’t clomp through Melograno’s real estate office, past the mayor’s shop, and across the porch of the Hotel Trentino. That would have covered all the bases. All right, we must conclude that anyone could have seen that you were going skiing, and on which trails.” He let out a deep sigh. “Let’s put aside today’s incident for the moment and return to the murder. Forensics has confirmed that Taylor was struck with a bottle, the pieces of which were found along the road back to town from the murder site. And it is the brand of prosecco that Flavio had thought.” Flavio raised an arm in triumph. “We’ve checked with the distributor,” Luca continued, “and two wine shops purchased one case each in December, as did three hotels in town. One of them is the Hotel Trentino. However, before you ask me to arrest Signor Muller, I should tell you that the mayor bought a complete case himself. Apparently he does that every year and gives them to clients and friends.”

“And political cronies,” Rick added.

“I would also note, before you shift the guilt back to Muller, that cases also went to hotels in Pinzolo, just down the mountain, as well as Folgarida. And various shops and hotels in Trento. It is a popular wine.” He noticed Flavio shaking his head. “You are skeptical, Flavio?”

“No, no, Luca. It’s just that they’re selling more wine than I thought.”

Rick grinned. “It seems that one of the upsides of helping the police, Flavio, is you’ve gained some proprietary information about the competition.”

“If we may return to homicide,” Luca said, “the bottle was likely full or partially full when it struck Taylor’s head. The contents would have given it the weight needed to do the job. We didn’t find the cork in the snow, but if it was opened there, he could have picked it up and discarded it later, as he did with the bottle. Same with cups or glasses. But the basic premise that Taylor was lured up there for some sort of celebration is still valid. It’s the most likely scenario, in my view.”

“But lured by whom, and to what end?”

“If we knew that, Riccardo, we could get this over with and I could go home to Trento.”

Two hands dropped over Flavio’s shoulders and they heard a feminine voice in English. “Have you and Rick solved the mystery?” The three men quickly slipped off their bar stools and stood facing Lori Shafer. She had gone from her more formal pantsuit to what Rick characterized as business casual, not a term he could translate easily, since in Italian it was an oxymoron.

“Lori,” said Flavio, “I don’t believe you have met Inspector Luca Albani.”

She shook Luca’s hand and switched into Italian. “Un piacere, ispettore.”

“Ah, you speak perfect Italian, Signora. I do not need to expose my wretched English. But I will allow you three to speak any language you wish, as I must, I’m afraid, return to the station. There are many details to attend to.” He gave her a short bow and turned to Rick and Flavio. “Keep your minds working, gentlemen. We will speak later. You will excuse me?” He pulled out his wallet and Flavio waved it away.

“The beer is on me, Luca. Off to work you go.”

“Grazie, Flavio. A presto.”

Another bow, and he was out the door. Rick moved over to give Lori the seat in the middle as the girl appeared behind the bar, took Luca’s empty glass, and smiled at the new arrival. Lori settled into the middle place, but leaned slightly toward Flavio.

He reciprocated the lean. “Cara, what would you like?”

Her eyes moved from Rick’s cognac to Flavio’s beer. “Birra,” she said to the girl, then settled back into English. “The inspector seems nice. I’ve met a few other Italian policemen with my consular work, and they’ve all been very pleasant with me.”

“They have been charmed by you, Lori.”

Flavio was getting back into his Casanova role. Rick wondered if Flavio was worse when Rick was around—showing off, so to speak, but returning to normal conversation when he was alone with the woman. He’d have to ask sometime, but not now in front of Lori. She was enjoying it.

“How is Cat doing, Lori? When I left her she seemed to have calmed down.”

“Yes, Rick, she’s much better.” Her beer appeared and she took a long drink. “I made her some tea and we talked about movies, American TV, that kind of thing. I thought that was better than dwelling on what had just happened, or the decisions she still has to make about bringing her brother’s body home.”

“Your job is part therapist,” Flavio said.

“Whatever helps,” she answered, and then turned back to Rick. “She’s looking forward to having dinner with you tonight, Rick.”

Cat’s done it again. He had no recollection of inviting her to dinner, though he probably should have. With all the confusion it hadn’t entered his mind. Was this another way for Cat to avoid spending time with Lori?

“Oh, dear, Rick, from the look on your face I have the idea that she hasn’t called you yet.”

“Well, as a matter of fact—”

“Be surprised when she calls. She pushed me out so that she could go out and buy some food.”

***

He had acted appropriately surprised and pleased with the invitation, despite having looked forward to what was on the dinner menu at the hotel. He stopped at a wine shop to pick up a bottle and checked out the prosecco selections for the murder weapon. It wasn’t there. After considering and rejecting the additional purchase of flowers he continued toward Cat’s apartment.

Following the