Maceration by Brian Briscoe Page A

our
chief winemaker Paul Lange. “ Look, this is just so terrible. Let
us know of anything you need to help with your investigation. I'm
not sure what we can do but...”
    Robin pushed him aside,“ Oh for
pity’s sake Len don’t be such a wimp! We all know how terrible this
accident is, but what we need to know from the pretty inspector
here is when can we recommence crushing? We’ve a thousand case
order to ship to America.”
    Maxine lifted her eyes to Robin.
She’d dealt with bullies before, “ What makes you so sure it was an
accident?”
    “ Well of
course it was an accident. You don’t think someone pushed him and
held him in the vat do you? Really Inspector Lake that’s crazy!
Now, when can we have our winery back?” He moved closer to Maxine
using his large frame to intimidate.
    Maxine ignored him and turned to
the chief winemaker, “ Now Mr Lange what do you think could have
happened?”
    “ Please call
me Paul Inspector Lake. The screw may have failed, but it hasn’t
failed before. The equipment is serviced and maintained regularly,
and Peter certainly knew what he was doing. A finer vigneron you
wouldn't find. So to answer your question, no I don’t.”
    Len was uptight. He rubbed his
hands together and mumbled, “ Peter was a workaholic. Would have
been working late. Could have slipped, bumped his head, anything!
He cared so much about our wines.”
    Robin was sick of being ignored;
“ Now look here Inspector you still haven’t answered my bloody
question. When can we have our winery back?”
    Maxine turned to Robin and took
one abrupt step forward. She stared into his eyes, lowered her
voice and spat back, “ Mr Felix you will have your winery back when
the chief pathologist gives me the all clear and when I am
satisfied that we have collected all evidence required. The Office
of Workplace Safety will need to inspect the site, as this is a
death in the workplace. So until I say so, nothing, and I mean
nothing happens here. The Felix Winery is closed! Now if you don’t
mind I’d like to talk to Mr Lange in private.”
    And with that statement Maxine
took Paul’s arm and led him quickly away with Robin visibly
smarting and Len physically upset.
     
     

Chapter Four
     
     
    “ Robin’s not
used to being spoken to like that Inspector. His bark is worse than
his bite, but he’s not my favourite person.”
    Paul led Maxine outside to a
series of bins full of grapes waiting to be crushed.
    “ This is what
he’s worried about. He can’t use the crusher for his remaining
grapes until it’s free. And he was right when he said we’d get
behind and jeopardise our shipment. He’s obsessed with America.
Fancies himself at the Waldorf hosting a tasting.”
    Paul took a handful of grapes to
show Maxine. She was immediately impressed with him. He’d have to
be pretty tough to work with three egos like the Felix’s.
    “ Peter’s Pinot
I presume,” said Maxine, taking the firm bunch from his
outstretched hand. “ Cool climate wines, popular in the Adelaide
Hills region. Good drop too, The Peter Felix."
    “ Not just good
Inspector, bloody excellent. The first batch is in the basket
press. Robin and Peter always argued as to whose wine would be
processed and bottled first. America beckons! Come on, I’ll take
you out to the block where these beauties come from, ‘Peter’s
Paddock’.”
    “ I’d like that
Mr Lange.”
    “ Look call me
Paul,” he said, as they bundled into a beat up Toyota
utility.
    “ Sure, call me
Inspector,” she laughed. “ No, call me Maxine. This thing air
conditioned?”
    “As if,” he laughed.
    Maxine admired the winery as
Paul drove between rows of leafy grapevines. Fantasies about being
a winemaker entered her thoughts. An endless supply of red, healthy
lifestyle and an attractive fellow like Paul to help wallow the
nights away. She knew the reality though would be very different.
Probably end up like Robin Felix, angry and in debt.
    Paul’s voice brought