One Foot in the Grape by Carlene O'Neil

she gets sloppy. It isn’t good for the winery if one of the family members has a problem with alcohol. Or pills. Chantal’s been on and off of both, for years.”
    Joanne leaned on the table. “Somewhere around that time, she started seeing someone else, and she and Todd actually managed to become friends. It was almost like she trusted him because he never let her play her games on him.”
    â€œWho did she start seeing?”
    Joanne shrugged. “Todd didn’t know. She wouldn’t tell him, but it was clear it wasn’t anyone good for Chantal. That was when she got bad—with the drugs and drinking, I mean.”
    â€œI wonder if Stephen knows who it was. He seems overly protective, even for a big brother.”
    Joanne smiled softly. “Oh, you noticed that, did you? Stephen acts like Chantal is made of glass.”
    â€œHow much time have you spent around them?”
    â€œWhen I wasn’t working I went and kept Todd company, so I saw them when they came into the tasting room.”
    â€œIs Stephen always this protective of his sister?”
    â€œEvery time I’ve seen them. It’s irritating, but I’ve never heard Veronica complain about it. She was a nurse in Monterey before marrying Stephen. It seems like she’s fit right into that family, but I wonder how it’s working. Can you imagine sharing a house with Antonia?”
    â€œNot remotely. How long have they been married?”
    â€œIt’s been years. Todd heard Antonia tell Veronica to start having children. Antonia wants heirs to continue the family legacy and inherit the winery. Stephen’s being groomed to be the lucky recipient.”
    â€œI heard about that. Francesca doesn’t hide how much she wants the winery.”
    â€œWell, you’ve picked up quickly on all the Martinelli family secrets.” Joanne smiled. “It’s funny, but Francesca’s more like her mother than she’d ever admit. She’d love to get her hands on the winery, but Antonia is determined to leave it to Stephen. I think that’s what infuriates Francesca more than anything. Antonia was given an opportunity that she won’t give her own daughter.”
    â€œI’m not a fan of Francesca’s, but I can understand that.”
    Joanne rubbed her temples, her eyes closed.
    â€œLet’s go inside.” We walked to the patio door. “Just one more question.” I thought about Todd, and the wedding photos. “Todd came to my house, to ask me . . .”
    â€œI know, about being our photographer.”
    I nodded. “He acted like there was something on his mind. Do you know what that might have been?”
    â€œNo. To be honest, we’ve mostly talked about the wedding the last couple of weeks.”
    â€œIf you think of anything, please call me. It would be something to do with the winery. Something that bothered him. Anything that might explain why he was out at the crusher alone that late at night.”
    Joanne paled. “Is that where it happened?” She reached out and I grabbed her by the arm. “Lucas said he’d wait to tell me the rest when I was feeling stronger.”
    Damn. “He was hit over the head. He was unconscious, and felt nothing.” I held her eye and willed her to believe me. I needed to believe it myself.
    She nodded and steadied herself as I held open the door for her. We chose a window table and Joanne stopped and turned to me.
    â€œI understand it wasn’t an accident, but I’d assumed it wasa random murder. A robbery that Todd walked in on, or some terrible chain of events. Why all these questions about the Martinellis?”
    â€œI’m just trying to understand what happened.”
    Her eyes welled up. She turned to face the window. “I hope you figure it out. I still can’t believe he’s gone. How could this happen in Cypress Cove? Things like this never happen