Crush - Alan Jacobson [93]
“You two work together?” Panda asked.
Dixon swiped at her forehead with a towel. “I’m an investigator with the district attorney’s office.”
“I knew someone who worked for the DA.” Panda shook his head. “That was a long time ago.”
Cannon leaned back and appraised Vail. “Let me guess. You must be one of the attorneys.”
Vail smirked. “God, no. I’m with the FBI. Out of Virginia.”
“FBI,” Cannon said. “Very cool.”
“Visiting the wine country?” Panda asked.
“That was the plan,” Vail said. “Work kind of got in the way.”
Panda’s gaze flicked from Vail to Dixon. “Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise?”
“Nothing we can talk about,” Vail said. “And believe me, it’s nothing you’d want to hear about anyway.”
Cannon bent his head to the side and asked Vail, “I feel like we’ve met before.”
Vail shook her head. “I’ve only been in town a few days.”
“And what do you two do?” Dixon asked.
George tightened the Velcro strap on his glove. “I’m a consultant.”
“Are you with a company, or out on your own?”
“Totally solo.” He moved to the other glove, adjusted the strap. “I worked for a corporation years ago and swore that was the last time I was ever going to answer to anybody.”
Cannon moaned. “Oh, not the big, bad corporation story again.”
“I’m not gonna tell them the story, Jimmy, don’t worry.” Panda turned to Dixon and Vail and held out an open hand in explanation. “It’s just that people think they know better than you, but they’re either wrong or just plain clueless. I got tired of it, is all.”
“And you?” Vail asked Cannon. “What do you do?”
He set the water bottle down at his feet. “I’m a winemaker. Herndon Vineyards.”
Vail’s eyes traversed his body. “You don’t look like any winemaker I’ve ever met.”
Cannon pursed his lips. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Dixon wrapped her towel around her neck. “Never heard of Hern—Hernd—”
“Herndon. Herndon Vineyards. You will hear of us, guaranteed. We’re a closely held, private startup. We’ve got some of the best soil outside of Rutherford, with well-bedded sandstone and high gravel and volcanic content, and excellent runoff. Warm days, cool nights. We’re planning to debut our first release in two years. It’ll be the best Cabernet you’ve ever tasted. Believe me—couple years, everyone’ll know who we are.”
Panda shook his head. “You gave me a hard time about telling my corporation story and you bore these nice ladies with your company’s sales pitch?”
Cannon gave Panda another playful shove. “My sales pitch beats your ‘woe-is-me evil corporation story’ any day. Beats your consulting stories, too.”
“Speaking of which,” Dixon said, “what kind of consulting do you do? What industry?”
Panda placed a hand on the upright of the shoulder press machine. “Despite what Jimmy says, I think consulting’s a pretty good gig.” He fiddled with the iron plate. “I do critical thinking, strategic solutions. Pay’s damn good, so no complaints.”
“I’m into critical thinking, too,” Vail said. She pointed to her wrist, where there was no watch. “And we’d better get back to doing that. I’ll meet you in the locker room.” She extended a hand to Panda. “Good meeting you, George. Jimmy.”
“Same here,” Panda said.
Cannon quickly glanced from Dixon to Vail. “You, uh, you two doing anything for dinner?” He indicated Panda. “Maybe the four of us could—”
“Thanks,” Vail said. “I’m busy. But thanks for asking.” She made eye contact with Dixon and waved a thumb over her shoulder. “Meet you inside.”
Cannon tucked his chin back and watched Vail walk off. “I think I just got rejected.”
“New experience for you?” Dixon said with a laugh. “Don’t take it personally. She’s seeing someone.”
Cannon turned to Dixon. His face seemed to harden. “Yeah.” He bent down to pick up his water bottle. “Catch you later, Bear. I’m gonna hit the showers.” He tossed a tight nod at Panda, did not acknowledge Dixon, then left.
Dixon swung her gaze toward Panda. “I didn’t—I didn’t mean anything by that. You think I hurt his feelings?”
Panda waved at the air. “Bruised ego is all. He’ll be fine. He doesn’t take rejection well.”
“Who does?”
Panda grinned.