“And if there was another way?”
“I haven’t found it, nor has anyone else I know of.”
All this talk was much too profound for Helena, she longed to go back to her simple life before Minnie had started this whole mess. She held up the cork, inspecting it like a precious stone, her one of only two clues that had led her nowhere.
“What do you have there? A keepsake from tonight?” Suttor asked.
“Hum? Oh, this is just an old cork that has told me nothing.”
Adolph reached for the cork, taking it from her hand. “I don’t know about ‘old cork.’ I believe it is one of mine,” he turned the cork over in his hands inspecting it in the dim light.
Helena suddenly excited, “Why do you say that?”
“Most vintners label their corks to advertise, the corks stay around as the bottles are reused. I demand all my corks are not labeled. I rename our less expensive bottles with our label. I don’t want a conflict of advertising we also have two vineyards providing the same wine. Most people can’t tell the difference between the two lowest bidders.”
“So that means Missy visited here, or in the vineyards.”
“You mean Missy Whitaker, of the Nob Hill Whitakers?”
“Do you know her?”
“Of course, I know her or more precise her father. I’ve seen her here for many years, her father used to bring the family here for Sunday afternoon tea.”
“So, if you haven’t seen her in a long time why would she keep a cork from the Cliff House?”
“If half of what I’ve learned about the girl is true, she has some problems adapting to adult life. Gossip has it, she was running around with the lowest sort of people. Somehow, she had gotten it into her head that she needed to save the destitute. Be damned her family and her community,” again, he pointed into the room full of people dancing in tuxedos and pastel evening gowns. “Like I said everyone needs a community, those people in there are Missy’s community. It never pays to turn your back on them.”
“But she’s gone missing, I think her whole family might be missing, I don’t think a soul cares.”
“Only in so much that it could happen to them. If Missy became involved with the wrong sorts of people, she put her family in all kinds of danger. If she had stayed in line, she wouldn’t have gotten herself into trouble. If by some remote chance she did find herself in trouble, the police would’ve found her in an instant. Helena, you must understand the police are hired and paid to protect your community, and you. If you are kicked out of the tribe, or you turn your back on them, you won’t find much help. I’m sure Missy found that out, I’m just sorry her family had to find out as well.”
Helena wasn’t sure what Adolph tried to say, but she wasn’t too keen on it. It stung to hear the words, but she listened all the same before asking.
“You have no idea why Missy would keep a cork from your restaurant?”
“No, I’m sorry. This cork isn’t that old, I can smell a fragrance from the wine. Maybe search the wineries, perhaps you will find the connection there.”
“You’ve been so kind, thank you for all your help. Would you mind giving me the names of the wineries that used that cork?”
“Certainly, the first is a group of Catholic monks that live north of Oakland, on the river, once you reach Martinez, everyone knows where the Brothers are located. The other you will need to take the ferry over the river and continue up to a little place called Napa Valley. In the Valley, you will find a group of women whom oddly enough call themselves the sisters though they are not affiliated with any religious institution I know of. I hope this information proves fruitful.”
Helena held her hand out for the cork Adolph had somehow forgotten to return.
“Certainly, my dear, I hope you find what you’re searching for. Just remember the people in your community, your tribe is there to help when you need it.”
After handing the cork back, Adolph used his cane to rise off the bench. “If you’ll excuse me, dear, the night air has begun to cut through my old bones, I’m going to join our people in the ballroom.”
“Thank you for everything. If, if you don’t mind I would like to come back and speak some more about my parents.”
Adolph stopped and turned looking back at Helena. “My dear you are welcome at the Cliff House anytime.”
Helena scrutinized his receding back until her eyes caught Sigmund standing next to the doorway patiently holding two drinks. The old man nodded to her bodyguard before passing into the warm brightly lit ballroom.
“Did you have a nice chat with Mister Suttor?” Sigmund asked handing her the drink she previously needed so badly.
“He came out of nowhere like he knew I was going to be out here alone.”
“The Cliff House offices are down that way. Not that mysterious Mistress,” Sigmund motioned the way the old man had walked from. “He probably came from checking on something in the office on his way back to the party when he happened to find you.”
“Sigmund, why is it that everyone knows who I am?”
“San Francisco is a sizeable city, but the circles your mother and father ran in are substantially smaller. Your parents had been acquainted with many of the people in that room. They haven’t seen you for many years I’m sure they’re curious about you.”
“Tell me again why my stepfather thought it was such a good idea to keep me in seclusion for so many years.”
“You have seen a small part of how harsh life can be in our city. Ten years ago, it was even
