6 A Thyme to Die (24 page)
Peggy could hear the sound of sirens coming toward the convention center. Her heart broke at the loss of another friend.
Epilogue
Peggy and Steve hosted a cookout in the backyard. The weather was glorious with so many trees and flowers in bloom. Their guests strolled the grounds, exclaiming over the scents and riotous color. Pink cherry blossoms were everywhere, creating a carpet on the new green grass.
They’d invited agents Sanford and Rankin, along with Sam and Selena. Al convinced Mary to come along, even though the possibility for the shop talk she abhorred strongly existed. Ken Benigni was leaving for home right after lunch. It seemed right to extend an invitation to Walter next door. Paul and Mai also joined them.
“The corn is almost ready,” Steve said, working the grill. “I’ve already got the potatoes warming and the veggie burgers are finished.”
“I’m starving, so whenever you’re ready.” Peggy put out a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses.
The old oak trees shaded the group as they ate lunch. Peggy sat at the opposite end of the table from Agent Rankin. She was still hoping he’d grow on her. There hadn’t been enough time for that to occur yet.
Tanya and her grandmother had left for home earlier that day. Peggy had the satisfaction of being able to tell them that justice had been done. The three of them had cried over their loss. Peggy knew it wasn’t much comfort to say that the man who’d murdered their loved one died, but it was the best she could do. In the future, they’d at least feel a sense of right over the wrong that had been done to them.
“I still don’t understand why Morrow felt that he had to kill Dr. Abutto.” Millie Sanford dragged up the first part of talking over the case they had all worked on.
“We’re guessing he lost control of the situation,” Al said despite a warning frown from his wife. “He wanted the diamonds. He might’ve thought he could threaten Abutto into giving them to him. A lot of times, threats get out of hand.”
“It was remorse that made Adam throw all of the thyme he had into the grave with Aris,” Peggy said. “At least that’s what I believe. He didn’t do anything for Dabney.”
“I think we were fortunate the whole thing came together so well.” Steve put his arm around Peggy’s shoulders. “And I’m glad to say there won’t be many cases like this where I need to work with a forensic botanist.”
They all laughed. The warm spring breeze rustled the new leaves in the oaks above them. Shakespeare was too busy chasing squirrels to even notice that they were eating.
“On that note,” Paul said with a grin. “I have some good news and some better news. I heard today that when my desk duty is up, I’m going to be promoted.”
Everyone applauded and congratulated him. Their applause startled a pair of nesting bluebirds in the cherry tree. The birds scolded them angrily.
“Isn’t there something else you wanted to say?” Mai raised an inquiring brow at her husband.
“Oh yeah.” Paul took her hand. “We found out the baby is a little girl! Now we can stop calling her ‘the baby’ and call her Paulette!”
“Paulette!” Mai hit him lightly with a napkin. “That’s awful.”
Peggy was so thrilled. She was going to have a granddaughter. The circle of life was coming around. She hugged Mai and Paul with tears in her eyes. Everyone else had to get in line behind her to congratulate the happy couple.
The lemonade was almost gone. She hadn’t thought to bring the second pitcher out. She ran back inside to get it. She grabbed her new cell phone at the same time to take some pictures.
Steve had set her phone so she could pick up emails from her laptop. She glanced at it and saw she’d had an email from
Nightflyer
.
Dear Peggy,
I hate to send this your way after you’ve barely had time to recover from your ordeal. A friend of mine is investigating an old murder in Charlotte and might call on you for your help. I sent him to you because he has part of the puzzle you’d like to solve about John’s death. I’ll speak with you when I can.
Nightflyer
“Need any help?” Steve popped his head inside the kitchen door.
“No. I’ve got this. Thanks.”
Peggy put away her cell phone and picked up the pitcher of lemonade.
The Peggy Lee Garden Mysteries
By Joyce and Jim Lavene
www.peggyleegardenmysteries.com
Pretty Poison - 2005
Fruit of the Poisoned Tree - 2006
Poisoned Petals - 2007
Perfect Poison - 2008
A Corpse for Yew -2009
Buried By Buttercups - an e-novella - 2012
A Thyme to Die - 2013
Coming in 2014: Deadly Dahlia
Peggy meets with Nightflyer’s friend who is trying to solve the murder of his wife from twenty years ago. The man claims to have knowledge that could help the police finally solve her husband, John’s, murder – if she agrees to help him with his case.
Peggy Lee’s Garden Journal
It’s
spring
again! Time for seeds and new plants!
What’s new for this year?
In the sun, there is the new Everlast Series of dianthus. The plant is called Everlast because it will bloom all season, even going through some cold weather in the fall and spring. These are double dianthus so the blooms are big too. They come in white, burgundy,
lavender
and orchid colors. These are also perennials.
I love one time planting, don’t you?
Have you tried growing abelias yet? The new Raspberry Profusion is a very small abelia with mounds of fragrant
raspberry
colored blooms that will bloom from spring to fall. These even have reddish bracts for more color after the flowers drop. They are great in containers and are heat and drought tolerant.
New roses this year include an old-time, deeply fragrant rose called
Wollerton Old Hall
from English grower David Austin. This rose has delicate
pink
blooms which last for months. It can be trained to climb, or to grow as a shrub.
In the Language of Flowers:
Looking for the perfect flowers to give your loved one? Try white clover which entices a special person to “think of me”. There is also
purple
lilac for new lovers. Mix with
pink
carnations to say, “I will never forget you!” Be sure to include a small note explaining the ‘language’ so your loved one knows you took the time to make it perfect.
Summer
Squash
Recipe: Squash Blossoms!
Squash blossoms are a tasty treat. I’ve never met anyone who didn’t enjoy them, especially fried. Try this recipe for delicious fried squash blossoms and see if you don’t agree!
You’ll need about 20 squash blossoms for this recipe. Be sure to wash them gently before using.
Combine 3/4 cup cornstarch with 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 cup flour along with ½ cup of water and 1 egg. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. Should be like thick pancake batter. Chill for about ten minutes.
Separate the blossoms without breaking them. Remove the pistil in the center. Combine ½ cup ricotta cheese with 1/3 cup mayonnaise, I teaspoon of onion and 1 tablespoon of plain breadcrumbs. Mix this until smooth. Add about a tablespoon of this mixture to each blossom. Twist the top of the flower tight.
Heat about ½ cup of vegetable oil in a frying pan. Carefully dip each blossom into the batter, coating both sides. Place each battered blossom in the hot oil and fry until golden crisp. Remove and drain oil on paper towels. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 2-4 people.
Garden tip for the growing season:
Pinch off the top of
scarlet
runner beans when they have reached the top of their supports otherwise the plant will become top heavy!
Enjoy the
Spring
!
Peggy
About the Authors
Joyce and Jim Lavene write bestselling mystery together. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications.
Pseudonyms include J.J. Cook, Ellie Grant, Joye Ames and Elyssa Henry
They live in rural North Carolina with their family, their cat, Quincy, and their rescue dog, Rudi. They enjoy photography, watercolor, gardening and long drives
Visit them at
www.joyceandjimlavene.com
www.Facebook.com/JoyceandJimLavene
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AuthorJLavene
Amazon Author Central Page:
http://amazon.com/author/jlavene
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