“I’m going to walk around and see the extent of our losses. Want to come?”
He nods, and we set off through the mud. The ground is a proverbial quagmire. I’m not worried about that, though. The sun will dry it out quickly. That’s the worrying part. The weather predicts another week of record-high temperatures.
“We’ll need to get the water butts and tanks filled immediately.”
“I’ll make sure it’s done,” Lorenzo says. We walk with purpose around the edge of smouldering plants. So much love and work went into this crop. Old vines that produced exquisite grapes are ruined. I feel the prick of tears and berate myself. I can’t be seen as a blubbering mess.
“I’d say two-thirds of the crop in this section is gone.”
“Lucky.”
Rosa jogs up alongside us. “The starting point seems to be over there,” she says, pointing to a charred area roughly fifty metres to our right. “A young seasonal worker who turned up a day early was the one who spotted it. He’d come out to get familiar with the layout of the fields.”
“We owe him,” I reply. “He saved us from disaster.”
The three of us wander over and begin scouring the area. The smell is overwhelming.
“Fuck,” I hear Rosa growl. She’s bending down with her hand outstretched. I watch her brush some soil away and then pick something up. She turns to me and holds out what looks like a cigarette butt.
My blood runs cold. The fire wasn’t the result of the weather. Some stupid asshole was smoking near the plants. My team knows they are never to smoke or have open flames near the foliage or surrounding brush. It’s just common sense.
Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed with it. I’m betting one of the early seasonal workers sparked up as they wandered around and dropped the butt without thinking.
“Gather all the new staff in the restaurant, now,” I seethe. Rosa doesn’t reply. She just leaves.
Lorenzo dips his head and sighs. “Idiots,” he growls.
I agree, and I’ll make sure I find the moron who is responsible. They’ll never work on this island again. After confirming everyone is doing what they’re supposed to, I hop back on the quad with Lorenzo riding pillion.
The restaurant is buzzing with worried chatter. Faces I’ve never seen before sit with wide eyes and soot covering every inch of them. Most of these people would never come into contact with the head of a house, let alone two. When I’m out in the field, working, I stick to the people I know, simply because it’s a more relaxing environment for me. I don’t have to betheAllegra Malgeri. I can just be Allegra, picking fruit like everyone else.
“You know who I am,” I start. There are a few nodding heads, but most sit stock-still. “I intended to introduce myself tomorrow, along with the new arrivals. Well, you’re about to get acquainted with me sooner.” My voice is glacial fury. “Tonight, one of you walked the perimeter of this land, smoking.”
There’s a rumble of noise. “I promise, Ms Malgeri, it was none of us,” a strong young woman says confidently. “I’ve worked with everyone here for years. We travel around as a group, and we have enough experience and sense to never light anything near the plants.”
“Clearly someone did,” Lorenzo barks. “Our crew has worked this land for generations. None of them would have been so foolish.”
Lorenzo doesn’t need an introduction. The embroidered LF on his robe is a big enough clue as to who he is.
The young woman isn’t unsettled by Lorenzo’s ire. “I promise you, sir. It wasn’t any of us. I’ll stake my life on it.”
A dangerous thing to say to a Don. One I don’t think she’d say lightly. Something isn’t right.
“Bring Rosa to me, please,” I call. I don’t give a shit who does it. I just need her here because I have a sinking feeling.
“Allegra,” Rosa chimes as she steps into the restaurant.
“I need to see the cigarette butt.”
She pulls a small bag out of her combat pants’ leg pocket and hands it to me. My eyes gravitate to the tiny gold writing which circles the beginning of the white paper just past the butt.
I feel the blood drain from my face. Lorenzo steps up and holds me by the elbow. “Allegra?”
My head snaps to Rosa. “Get Toni and Mia. Now!” I bellow. My voice must have been loud enough for Toni to hear because he bustles in seconds later. Rosa runs out to find Mia. “Toni, I need your back up piece.”
He instantly reaches to his back and pulls out a pistol. It’s heavier than mine, but it will have to do.
“Allegra, what’s wrong?” Lorenzo asks.
