Chapter 15: Heath’s Verdict
Jeremy waited anxiously for Monday morning to arrive. He hadn’t heard a peep out of the people at Schloss. When Jeremy arrived promptly at nine that morning at the Happy Trails Inn, the soft-lit, well-kept grounds were serene, with a group of robins cavorting around on the manicured lawn. Quite a contrast to the scene of Friday night.
Reggie and the impeccably groomed Alex emerged from the house. Stephanie and Pete were nowhere to be seen, and no mention was made of their disappearance. Jeremy felt it would be rude to make an inquiry, or to report the missing persons to the police. At the airport, with the commuter plane’s props whirring in the background, Jeremy sat in the Rolls and listened as Heath thanked him for his hospitality. Jeremy knew it was his final chance. He grabbed the folder beside him and handed it to his guest.
“Reggie, you saw some rather strange things at Schloss Friday night. I’ve done some research into the operation, an operation in which I’m a co-op member but play only a very, very small part. I’ve recorded what I’ve discovered in that folder, and all I ask of you is that you take the time to read it.”
“Why Jeremy, I had no idea you were the Deep Throat of your valley.”
It’s a situation I don’t like seeing exist here. All I ask, Reggie, is that if you read it and find it interesting, that you don’t attribute anything to me – don’t use my name. And if you feel it would be best not to write anything about what you’ve read, I will, of course, understand.”
Reggie flipped through the surprisingly thick typewritten file, what had been a tremendous effort on Jeremy’s part.
“I’ll certainly honor both of your requests. You just make sure, Mr. Barnes, that you save time from your writings to keep growing such fine chardonnay. Take care, Jeremy.”
“Thanks, Reggie. And goodbye, Alex.”
Jeremy didn’t know why he bothered to address that piece of furniture, that tete-a-tete at Reggie’s side. Reggie put the folder in his brief case on top of the Schloss press kit that concerned the new dba wine – the packet that had been delivered by one of Ms. PR’s lackeys the day before. Reggie and Alex hopped out of the limousine and were gone.
Jeremy never knew exactly what happened to the only copy of his exposé. He didn’t know that on their flight southward, Reggie had carefully read both items, Jeremy’s and Schloss’. After rereading parts of each of the dissertations, Reggie had returned them both to his briefcase. While waiting for his baggage at the LA airport, Reggie made his decision. He pulled both folders from his satchel and handed them to his companion.
“Alex, dear, will you please walk these over to that receptacle and deposit them?”
Alex obediently stepped over to a nearby trash can and dropped the folders into the plastic bag inside the can.
