Chapter 34

 

 

Since Derrick has decided to go solo sans Maury Hoagland with his investigation, he elects to do some research on the Italian law enforcement arena so he’ll have some idea about who to contact for assistance. The internet once again proves to be a valuable tool.

 

He quickly learns of The Direzione Investigativa Antimafia (DIA which translates to Anti-Mafia Investigation Department. This is a joint organization of three separate units consisting of the Polizia di Stato Carabinieri, the Corpo Forestale dello Stato and the Guardia di Finanza that was organized in 1991 for the fight against organized crime.

 

This seems to be the ideal place to start so he’s off and running. Calling a number he also found on the internet, he soon finds himself talking with a man that speaks better English than he does, Inspector Antonio Bianchi.

 

Derrick explains the purpose of his call, provides the names of the people he’s trying to learn more about and why? His last words are barely out of his mouth when the inspector says, “I know quite a bit about most of these people and none of it is good. They are a very powerful and dangerous lot and they have a worldwide influence in just about every walk of life. This Nofri Nuzzoli is one of the worst of them.”

 

“I have two suspects in an investigation involving our winery industry here in Napa Valley, CA and I have reason to believe they are partnered up with members of organized crime to acquire some of the smaller wineries here by legal or any other means that might get the job done.

 

“Winery operations are being sabotaged and there have been two killings to date and I fear things are going to seriously escalate if I don’t quickly apprehend the culprits behind these takeover attempts. I’m hoping you can help me determine who the owners of Industrial Ventures International are and perhaps help me get the goods on them for the part they’re most likely playing in what’s happening here. The investors may or may not know what the owners may be doing, but, frankly, I’ll be surprised if they don’t. I’m kind of clutching at straws here, I know, but since these folks are playing in your backyard you’re more apt to know of ways we might be able to put them into forced retirement in a cell. Whether that’s in Italy or here I really don’t care. I just want them out of circulation.”

 

“If you will forward to me copies of your activities and progress to date regarding this investigation, I will sit down with my people to explore ways we might be able to lend a helping hand.”

 

“I’d be most happy to do that and thank you for your offer to help. There’s quite a bit of information. Will it be safe for me to email it to you?”

 

“Quite safe. It would be easier to break into your Fort Knox than to hack into our computer systems.”

 

“That’s comforting to hear. The information will be on your computer when you come in tomorrow morning. What’s your email address?”

 

Writing it down and giving the inspector his contact info he ends the call with, “Thanks again. If you’re ever in California, the pizza, pasta or whatever and wine is on me.”

 

“I’m a steak and baked potato man myself and you’re on if I ever get to la-la land.”

 

“Are you sure you’re not American? You sure talk like one.”

 

“My mother’s American, born and raised in Santa Monica. She met my father during a vacation to Florence, fell in love with the place and him, moved here and the rest is history.”

 

“Have you ever been to California?”

 

“Nope. I’ve been to Chicago and New York quite often on police business, but have never made it to the West Coast. If I ever do, we’ll have a real Italian meal, at least seven courses.”

 

With both of them laughing, they ended the call.

 

“Well, that puts another iron in the fire. Let’s hope it gets red hot.”

 

Figuring it’s time to give Bill an update on the investigation, Derrick heads over to his office, but before he can get there Julie intercepts him with a big smile on her face. “I found the lab.”

 

“So soon?”

 

“I have very nimble fingers.”

 

Looking at her suspiciously he asks, “What’s the name of the lab?”

 

“Particle Laboratories”

 

“What do they do?”

 

“Subatomic research and don’t ask me what that is because I have no idea.”

 

“Do you have an address?”

 

“Yes and a phone number.”

 

“Good work and quick too. That’s worth at least a Starbucks special. We can grab some go-go juice on our way to this mysterious lab after I give Bill an update on what we’ve been doing and are going to be doing. On the ride over to the lab, I’ll fill you in on my conversation with an interesting branch of the Italian national police.”

 

“Okay, but I can’t take a reward for a job well done when it was pure luck that I found the lab so quickly. I ran into Tess in the break room and we got to talking about what I was doing as your back up and when I told her what I was doing to identify the lab she gave me the name. Her kid brother is working there on one of their research projects associated with a grant some foundation awarded the company and he has a shirt just like the one Collins described to us.”

 

“I’m a firm believer in the axiom I’d rather be lucky than smart and you’re still getting the reward because you fessed up.”

 

“I’ll cherish this moment forever just like George Washington did with the cherry tree.”

 

“That supposedly never happened.”

 

“That’s just a minor technicality.”

 

Laughing, Julie heads for her desk to prepare to leave the station and Derrick turns to head for Bill’s office and finds Bemis standing in the doorway eavesdropping on their conversation.

 

“I see you and your backup are bonding very well. Why do I have this feeling that if I don’t keep an eye on you this winery investigation is going to set a world record for time in progress?”

 

“Hey! You’re the one that’s always harping about how good police work relies on good teamwork. I’m just following orders.”

 

Laughing, he motions Derrick into his office where Derrick gives him the short version of what has gone down and what the game plan is for going forward.

 

“Well, you’re finding and turning over a lot of rocks and if you keep doing that we just might get enough to bury these bastards. How are the dogs working out?”

 

“They’re terrific. I’m going to miss them when this is all over. They’re smarter than some people I know.”

 

“Good. Be careful at that hotel. No confrontation inside the hotel and none without backup, you hear me?”

 

“Yes sir.”

 

“Good. Now get out of here and scare the crap out of that hacker.”

 

Julie is waiting for him at his desk so they immediately head out to Particle Laboratories.