FourteenAs Aristide trudged up Montgomery Street to the Occidental to seek out Will Davenport, he mused over the nightmare threatening his future. The glaring reality had kept him awake most of the night. He’d gone from being set to conquer the wine world and thinking of starting a family to attracting a Who’s Who of prominent enemies.
As he brooded on their names he caught the steamy whiff of musk and lavender from the Turkish Baths on Dupont Street, but it failed to soothe.
Number One: Senator Hector de Vile, with the power to lock Vino d’Oro out of the Symposium.
Number Two: Ramsden Meadows, who had resorted to adulterating his wine. He’d kept his cool and not challenged Meadows last night, earning a curious stare from his host as he quit the house, pleading his need of an early nigh
