Claire Gulliver #03 - Intrigue in Italics by Gayle Wigglesworth Page A

poured a bit more in the glasses held out for another taste and then he passed around a little dish of crackers urging them to cleanse their palates before tasting the next.
    Finally, several wines later, Henri opened a Moscato d’Asti. “I have been signaled by your leaders you need to be moving on, so I want to give you a taste of this wine. I love this wine. It’s equally perfect to start or finish a meal.” He poured into the new tray of glasses which had been set down in front of him. “It is fabulously fruity.” He swirled again and they all did the same.
    Millie was feeling like she was really getting the hang of this swirling business. And she liked the smell of this wine, it was different than the others. She could actually smell the fruity odor. And when she tasted it, she felt the little fizz on her tongue and the slight taste of peach. She would remember this one for sure. But to make sure, she made a little note on the brochure she had picked up at the beginning of the tour.
    If the mood had been festive at the start of the morning, it was more so now. The wine had relaxed them and this pleasant visit had only heightened their expectations of what was to come. They were ready for the next winery.
     
    *  *  *
     
    For a moment everyone seemed frozen, then Kristen was on her feet, her eyes wide with horror as she looked back down the street at the smoke pouring out of the building at end of the next block. Little spots of color identified victims down on the street amidst the rubble.
    People were already running to their aid, as was Kristen. Grabbing her backpack, she shouted back at Claire, “Come on. Hurry! It’s down near the store...”
    The police vehicles, sirens screaming, passed before they even got to the nearest corner, and they could see the police were already cordoning off the street; refusing to let anyone enter.
    Kristen paused a moment, then turned to her left running down the street. “This way, we’ll go around behind. Maybe we can get closer from the other street.”
    Claire was noisily panting when Kristen stopped. This street was also cordoned off, but they were better positioned to see what was left of the art store on the corner and the building on the other side of the little alley. There were gaping holes through the rubble that had so recently been solid stone walls. They could see the flames. The firefighters were already on the scene connecting their hoses and forming groups preparing to enter both structures. More police, fire trucks and emergency vehicles were arriving filling the street. Passersby and emergency staff attended to victims lying randomly on the street. It looked like a war zone.
    Kristen was in shock. She stood pressed against the barricade with tears running down her cheeks as she recited the names of her co-workers. She started forward; she had to get closer.
    Claire pulled on her arm. “Wait, you can’t go in there. Can’t you see we’d just be in the way?”
    “But I have to see if anyone made it out. I have to know.”
    Claire nodded, understanding Kristen’s need. “I know, but everything is chaotic now. They need a little time to sort it all out. Why don’t we go back to my hotel and put on the TV. I’m sure they will be reporting on this. Then later you can call the authorities and tell them who was there and find out what happened.” She tugged on Kristen until she turned and followed her docilely down the street.
    Later Claire stood glumly at the window, watching the still billowing smoke. It was obvious the fire fighters were waging a battle with the flames. Kristen was lying on the bed, a cool wet towel draped across her forehead, a cup of cooling tea forgotten on the table beside her.
    Claire had needed a bracing cup of tea and thought Kristen would benefit from one too. Luckily the hotel catered to English guests, so it kept tea kettles and supplies in each of the rooms. They didn’t talk. What was there to say? Kristen was still