Shindo turned once again, this time quickly flashing his gun in and out of cover so that Pauline could see it. Fear froze Pauline in her tracks. She had left her purse and cell phone back at the winery table with Elise. She then turned and ran back to the Gambaro Winery table.
“Joe, Elise, something terrible has just happened to Ed!”
Joe looked up from pouring wine; suddenly feeling sick at not preventing what he knew was coming next. “Pauline, where did Ed and the Japanese translator go?”
Elise looked up as Pauline asked Joe, “How did you, how could you know.? Shindo is taking Ed somewhere. I don’t know where.” Pauline pulled her cell phone out of her purse and proceeded to dial 911.
Elise looked at Joe, her face suddenly white with fear. Joe felt his adrenaline starting to surge. He looked over at Elise, “I have some bottles of my special wines stashed in El Zin.”
Elise understood exactly what he was saying. When Joe left suddenly, she looked at those lined up to taste the Gambaro Winery wines, “I am terribly sorry, but there has been a sudden family emergency. We have to shut down for tonight. Let me pour just a few more glasses. I’m so sorry.”
About that moment, DeMario returned. Looking at Pauline with her cell phone to her ear, and now crying, and Elise, who was white as a sheet, he asked, “What’s going on? Where are Ed and Joe?”
Pauline was the first to answer. “Shindo, a Japanese guy who works for the Chinese, I think he is Yakuza, grabbed Ed and is taking him somewhere at gunpoint.” She then turned her attention to the phone. “Yes, I need to report a kidnapping.”
Elise then filled in, “Joe is going back to the truck. He can help, I can explain, but I must go now!”
Elise then just abandoned the table and dashed off in the direction that Joe had gone. Not knowing what else to do, Pauline, her phone still pressed against her ear followed after her. DeMario, after pausing momentarily, also decided to follow.
