Chapter 16: Silent Repercussions
“So what happened?” Bobby asked as his father brought to a close his epic tale of revenge.
“Bobby, it’s more what hasn’t happened. Reginald Sebastian Heath hasn’t written a word about what I said in my exposé. But do you know what’s even more interesting?”
“What?”
“Reggie must have put the word out to his contemporaries to not mention that new Schloss wine or else.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because not one of those wine writers who came here that weekend has mentioned a word about the new Schloss wine. I guess Reggie felt that it was the least he could do, and yet the most he could do. It’s strange, son, but I’ve come to kind of like and admire Reggie Heath.”
“Oh, come on now, Jeremy. He sounds like a pompous ass.”
“No, not entirely. I really think he did what he could do to affect a change – and still survive in ‘The Industry.’”
“Do the people at Schloss know about your exposé’?”
“No, I don’t think Delaney does. I’m sure he’s wondering what the hell happened to their brilliant plan. It has produced a big fat zero in cases sold.”
“What about the General Manager?”
“I think I gave away my disguise when I made my departing comment in the storeroom. And they fired Gregor’s kid over some petty thing the following week. But I don’t think those two ever told Delaney, because they’d have to tell him about getting caught with their pants down. They know better than that.”
“So you survived your escapade without any serious repercussions.”
“Except for my heart attack. It was just too much excitement. You know, Bobby, the strange thing is that I believe the GM thinks I was involved in all that in retaliation for what happened to Tobie years ago.”
“When he quit Schloss?”
“Yes.”
