Chapter 64

In Chapter 64, Henk finds himself at Rockgrove Vineyard, a picturesque location where he has joined a tour group, despite the fact that he has never been particularly interested in Irish wine. He secretly prefers milk, a beverage that often makes people uncomfortable, and his presence among the wine enthusiasts adds an unusual dynamic to the group. As they walk through the lush vineyard, Henk’s eyes fall upon a tree, which sparks a sudden and morbid thought. This is the very tree where Mark Gooch was found dead, and without hesitation, Henk shares this grisly detail with the group. His blunt mention of the influencer’s mysterious death, including the disturbing fact that Gooch was found nailed to the tree, causes an uncomfortable silence and an eerie sense of horror among the other tourists. The tour guide, clearly caught off guard, hastily attempts to steer the conversation in a different direction by introducing the Bacchus grape, which has gained increasing attention for its significance in Irish wine production. The shift in conversation does little to settle the uneasy atmosphere, as the other members of the group begin to pull away from Henk, uncomfortable with his open discussion of such a disturbing subject.

What the rest of the group doesn’t know is that Henk is not just a peculiar tourist, but a man with a hidden agenda. Tucked discreetly in his waistband is a gun, an unsettling detail that adds to the growing sense of tension surrounding him. As he checks his phone, Henk notes that Amy Wheeler will be arriving in approximately thirty minutes. He begins to reflect on the potential discoveries they might make during their investigation, particularly focusing on Mark Gooch’s mysterious arrival in a taxi, his missing leather holdall, and the fact that a local police officer was the one to discover him. Henk is convinced that the real breakthrough in the case will occur when they share lunch, a moment he anticipates will bring to light crucial information about Jeff Nolan’s involvement in the events leading up to Gooch’s death. With his thoughts lingering on the unfolding investigation, Henk steps closer to the tree, inspecting the holes that have been carefully filled and painted over. He’s pleased with the job done, as the concealment of the holes seems to have been executed flawlessly. In his usual blunt fashion, Henk proudly announces to the tour group that the holes have been filled with wood glue, offering the observation without any consideration for how uncomfortable it may make the others. His lack of social awareness only adds to the discomfort, further distancing him from the rest of the group, who are now visibly uneasy in his presence.

Despite his awkwardness, Henk’s observations continue to reflect a sharp and methodical approach to the investigation. His ability to focus on seemingly minor details, such as the wood glue used to fill the holes in the tree, suggests that he might be onto something that others have missed. The tourists, however, are growing increasingly uncomfortable with his behavior, and it’s clear that Henk’s fixation on the case is causing a shift in the group’s dynamic. His comments, though insightful in their own right, are unsettling to those around him, especially given the gruesome nature of the case he’s discussing. Yet, despite the social tension he’s causing, Henk remains determined in his belief that the investigation will yield important revelations. He anticipates that the lunch meeting with Amy will provide them with the breakthrough they need, especially when discussing Jeff Nolan’s role in Gooch’s death. The mounting suspicion surrounding Nolan only fuels Henk’s obsession with uncovering the truth, and he is resolute in his belief that their collective efforts will eventually crack the case wide open.

The chapter takes on a more somber tone as the group’s interactions grow more strained, and the focus shifts increasingly toward the investigation itself. Henk’s detailed examination of the tree and his blunt revelations about the hidden evidence suggest that he is, indeed, close to unraveling something significant. His keen observations, though socially inappropriate, indicate that he is on the right track, and the group’s growing unease only highlights the high stakes involved. With every passing moment, it becomes clear that Henk’s connection to the investigation is deepening, and the truth about Mark Gooch’s death may soon be exposed. The anticipation of the lunch meeting adds a layer of suspense, as the team prepares to piece together the scattered clues they have uncovered so far. As the tour progresses, the tension between the tourists and Henk only intensifies, setting the stage for the next phase of the investigation and making it clear that this case is far from resolved.