CHAPTER THIRTY
Father Nicholas stayed long enough to enjoy breakfast with the team, then Enzo took him into town to catch a train where he would return to his home. The girls were sad to see him go. So were the guys, but they were ready to get to the Lamborghini playground.
“Have fun,” smiled Erin.
“What will you all do today?” he asked suspiciously.
“Oh, Aldo said there are some cute shops in the small village down the road, a few great cafés, chocolate shops, so much more. We’ll be just fine and stay busy.” He kissed her and turned with the others headed to the vans. Truth be told, for once in their lives, they weren’t really concerned about the wives and what they were doing.
Waving goodbye, they turned to see Aldo standing behind them. He had a basket of flashlights, smiling at the women.
“Are you ready, bellas?” he asked.
“As ready as we’ll ever be, Aldo. This is making me very nervous after our conversation with Father Nicholas,” said Lauren.
“Yes. Italians are all connected in one way or another. His grandfather had factories in this area, and he ran that deaf school. I did not know this. Men like him would have taken what they wanted. Land, women, even children.”
“We’ve all known men like that,” said Erin. “Let’s go. We need to find whatever is in those caves.”
They walked through the vineyard, headed toward the two caves that Aldo was aware of. Deciding to stay together and explore one at a time, they illuminated the flashlights and entered the dusty, spider-filled cave.
“Still a lot of barrels out here,” said Adele. “Is there wine in them?”
“I doubt very much,” said Aldo. “The barrels are cracked from weather and can be moved.” He nudged one with his hip, and they all nodded at him.
“In my grandfather’s time and great-grandfather’s time, the wine would have been stored here until it was ready to be sold. The caves would have kept it cool even in the heat of summer. It was a simpler time back then. Now we have fancy machines and scientists that tell us when the grapes are ready,” he said, waving his hand in the air. “It’s all too technical.”
“But you’re a chef,” said Sara, smiling at him. “Being a chef has changed over the last decades. We have lots of machines and technical equipment to help us in the kitchen. You have a standing mixer, a microwave, all of it.”
“Some, yes. The ovens are different. More powerful, easier to use. But the cooking part, the creation is the same. That doesn’t change. The pasta that Enzo and I make for you is the same recipe that my great-grandmother used. That hasn’t changed. I still roll the noodles by hand, just like she did.”
“Well, I applaud you,” said Sara. “Too many people don’t feel the need to preserve that kind of art and culture. I’m going to have to vow to do that more often.”
“You are a great chef,” he said to her. “I watched you roll the meatballs the other night. Your elegant hands, careful and attentive. There is love in your food. That’s what makes a good chef.”
“Thank you, Aldo,” she smiled.
“Careful now, the beams are old, and it could be dangerous back here. Don’t touch the walls or ceilings if at all possible. I have not been out here in decades. I should have explored them when we deserted them.”
The women followed him, watching their step along the way. There were so many flashlights it was as if the cave had electricity. But all they saw were empty wine barrels and winemaking equipment.
Laying over one barrel was a discarded apron, dusty and still stained with grapes. On another were gloves, tossed aside as if they were just used. Lena shone the light at her feet, then knelt down to touch something.
“What is this?” she asked. Aldo knelt beside her, touching the dirty floor. The gleam of metal had him curious as he pushed aside the dirt. Smiling, he picked up the small medallion.
“That, my dear sweet girl, is my great-grandfather’s St. Christopher’s medal. It was given to him as a boy by his father. My father used to tell my brother, Enzo’s father, and I that his father was distraught for days over losing the medal. He said it was a terrible loss.”
“And it was right here all the time,” smiled Lena. “Now it’s yours.” She closed his fingers over the cold metal and smiled at him.
“If nothing else, we have already uncovered a treasure,” said Aldo. “Come, ladies. There is nothing else to discover here. We will find the second cave and see if our luck holds out for more treasure.”
With Lamborghini’s everywhere, the men were in their car heaven once again. They laughed at one another, attempting to get in and out of the crazy, sleek machines.
“Hey, do you think the girls are okay?” asked Gaspar to Ian, Ghost, and Nine.
“I think they’re fine. If anything were wrong, Aldo would call us. They’re probably happy to have us out of their hair. This trip has been amazing for all of us,” said Ian.
“Gentlemen, I have arranged another special treat today. I spoke to Captain Pietro, and he has opened the doors of the training facility for the Swiss Guard. He said it would be his honor to show you around.”
“Enzo, you really know how to entertain old sailors, soldiers, and Marines,” smiled Ghost. “Lead the way.”
Once again, Captain Pietro met them at the gates and directed them to the area they would need to park. Following him through long breezeways, buildings, basements, and finally ending up in a massive training facility, the men were in awe at the sophisticated equipment.
In fact, they spotted several items produced by G.R.I.P. Luc nudged his brothers, nodding at the shelves, and they all smiled.
“I see you recognize quality when you see it,” said the captain.
“Yes, you could say that,” smirked Luc.
“We do, too. You should know that we are aware of your affiliation with G.R.I.P., and we appreciate your inventions very much.”
“I’ll be damned,” smirked Ghost. “We’re in the Vatican.”
“You are indeed,” smiled the captain. “We need the best equipment available, and you produce that. There are a few things we should like to pick your brain on if that’s okay.”
“No better time than right now,” said Nine. “Let’s go do some brain-picking.”