Lyndsey Cole - Lily Bloom 01 - Begonia Means Beware (6 page)

Lily found two large dog bones and two hamburger rolls. She artfully arranged the dog bone burgers on a plate and left it at Ryan’s back door in a picnic basket
. With a note.
Dog bones are tan, dog bones are yummy, here’s a special treat, just for your tummy. Rosie

Lily showered and made herself a grilled cheese sandwich. Just as she finished, she heard a soft knocking on her back door. Her heart skipped a beat. Rosie ran to the back door, whining and wagging her tail.
I guess it’s not a bad guy.

Ryan stood there with the picnic basket. “Thanks Rosie. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to dog bones so I brought them back for you to enjoy.” He looked at Lily standing in the kitchen.
She was totally unaware of how strong, defiant and at the same time, vulnerable, she looked in her snug t-shirt and shorts. Her blonde hair was slightly curly, framing her lovely face. The smell of flowers was a subtle sweetness in the background. “I brought over something a little yummier than dog bones if you’re still hungry.”

“How can I turn that offer down?”
Her heartbeat ratcheted up a notch.

Ryan very carefully placed the picnic basket on the table. He put the dog bone burgers on the floor for Rosie and took out two bowls with brownies and ice cream. “I thought we could start where we left off last night?”

Lily tossed and turned all night. Someone was pounding on the door. Rosie was barking. It was dark. She couldn’t move. Something was over her face. A siren blared in the distance. Rosie told her to get out of bed.
What? Rosie can’t talk.

Lily forced her eyes open.
The pillow on her face blocked the light and muffled the ringing of her alarm clock. The sheets tangled around her legs made her feel trapped. Rosie was barking and someone was pounding on the door even after she knew she was awake.
Was my dream warning me of danger? No, I don’t believe in that stuff.

Rosie was at the back door, barking and wagging her tail.
Lily saw Ryan’s smiling face through the glass.

“Morning sleepyhead. Didn’t mean to wake you up.
It’s a nasty day out today.”

Lily moved so Ryan could come in out of the rain.
“Glad you did. I was having a bad dream.” Lily glanced at her kitchen clock. “It’s late. I need to get going.”

“I just wanted to make sure there were no bodies in your house this morning.”

Lily scowled, trying to keep her smile from breaking through. “Haven’t found anything yet. But if you keep picking on me, yours might be the next one.”

He pretended to look worried.
“I’d better brush up my shooting skills. I’ve heard you’re the best shot in all of Misty Valley.”

“And don’t you forget it
, buster. But, for the record, I don’t own a gun.”

They both laughed
. Ryan asked. “Want to meet me at the shooting range later? I really do need to get some target practice in.”

“I’ll think about it. I’m
not a big fan of guns anymore. Besides, aren’t you worried I might miss and hit you?”

Ryan walked to the door.
“I’ve been warned. See you later?”

“Time will tell.”
Lily winked and shut the door.

“Let’s get a move on Rosie.
Want to come to work with me today? I like having you around. Keeps the jitters away.”
I wonder what surprises are in store for me today?

Lily groaned
when she arrived at her shop.
Never a good omen when my day starts with Tamara Biotchi. Fake smile. Check. Fake peppy attitude
.
Check
. “Good morning, Mrs. Biotchi.”

“Nothing good about this morning
, Lily. Open the door. Let’s get out of this terrible downpour.”

Lily rolled her eyes.

“Are you bringing that dog in, too?”

“Yes, she’s my body guard,
” Lily joked.

Tamara paused to digest that comment. “Very funny. It’s not professional to have her annoying your customers.”

“Don’t worry. She won’t annoy anyone.” Lily patted Rosie. “Right Rosie?”

Tamara shooed Rosie away. “And you talk to her? Put her someplace. I need to talk to you.”

“Come on Rosie. You can spend the day in the work room with Sweet Pea.” Lily yelled over her shoulder, “My bodyguard cat. They work as a team.”

Tamara settled her hefty frame into the one large chair in the appointment room.

“Okay. So what can I do for you Mrs. Biotchi?”Lily sat on the edge of another chair.

Tamara leaned close to Lily. “Clifton’s body was found in your house?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”

“Um, he was there and then he wasn’t.”

“What craziness are you talking about? Bodies don’t get up and move.”

“This one did.”

“Have they found anything else in your house?”

Lily stood up. “Why are you asking me these question? You should be asking the police.”

Tamara sighed. “They won’t tell me anything. I’m
dying of curiosity. I was very close to Clifton, you know. Don’t you think Melinda has a right to know what happened?”

Lily paced. “I understand your emotions
, but I don’t have any information for you. I am wondering about the loan Clifton made to help Geoffrey start his business. And Geoffrey doesn’t have to pay it back now?”

Tamara sputtered. “Clifton was a generous man. He helped a lot of people in town. He held the mortgage for Billy Owens when he wanted to buy the Misty Valley Market. Yes, Clifton was helpful. And no one in town seems to give him credit for that.”

“What about his family? I haven’t heard anything about his parents or siblings? Have they been notified?”

Tamara wiped a tear away. “Sadly, he has no family. Melinda was going to be the new start for him.”

The phone rang and the front doorbell jingled. Lily tried to extricate herself from Mrs. Biotchi who seemed to be oblivious to the activity surrounding her.
This woman is so self-centered.
“Excuse me for a minute.”

Iris was on the phone, all excited about something. “Just come here and tell me. I can’t talk now.” Daisy arrived
, followed by Candy.

Tamara looked up at Candy
. “Mrs. Biotchi. Just the person I’ve been trying to get in touch with.”

“Yes? Who are you?”

“I made the cake for your daughter’s wedding? Candy Clarke? Candies Cakes and Catering?”

“Of course.”

“I have the beautiful cake done. What do you want me to do with it?”

Tamara stared blankly. “The wedding is cancelled.”

“I’m so sorry about that. But you already paid for the cake. Would you like to donate it to the hospital charity?”

“That’s a splendid idea. Perfect. I’ll
make sure the right person is notified.”

Candy whispered to Lily. “Crazy?”

“Something. Not sure what though. At least your cake problem is sorted out.”

Iris rushed in dripping wet and bubbling with excitement. “Lily. I need to talk to you.”

They went to the back of the store. “I found this.” Iris held up a wallet. “Do you know whose it is?”

“Rosie found that. It must have fallen out of my tote when I stayed at your house.”

“But, do you know whose it is?”

“No. I never remembered to look at it.”

Iris looked around and whispered in Lily’s ear. “It’s Clifton’s wallet.”

Lily stepped back, eyes wide. “What?”

“Clifton’s wallet.”

“What’s in it?”

“Not too much except this ‘call in case of emergency card’.”

“Tamara told me he didn’t have any family. I wonder who that number is.”

Lily checked that no one was paying any attention to them. Especially Tamara Biotchi, who was still in her chair talking to Daisy and Candy. “Can you call the number? Find out who it is. Then we’ll make a plan. I have to stay here.”

“Of course. This could be exciting. I’ll call from my house and let you know if I find out anything.”
Iris strolled to the front of the shop. “How’s everything Tamara?”

Big sigh. “As well as can be expected. We’re all in such a state of shock. Poor Melinda. She just doesn’t know what to do with herself. And Clifton with no family. I’ll have to arrange the funeral on top of all my other responsibilities.”

Iris sat next to Tamara. “I guess you won’t be able to make it to the hospital charity?”

“What? Of course I’ll be there.”

“Really? That would have been a conflict if there was still a wedding.”

“Of course, the wedding was much more important.”

“Of course.” Iris stood up. “I’m heading home now. Braving the weather.”

“Are you driving that ridiculous scooter in this downpour?”

Iris snorted. “No. I have my car.”

Daisy managed to escape Tamara’s presence and find Lily working in the back. “She wants to talk to you about Clifton’s funeral flowers.”

Lily arranged the royal blue delphinium with the white roses and added some eucalyptus. “There, that’s done. Can you put this in the cooler while I get the funeral figured out?” Lily walked back out front. “Mrs. Biotchi, Daisy said you want to talk to me?”

“I’ve been waiting here forever. You shouldn’t make your customers wait. It’s not good for business. Can you get me some tea?”

“No. It’s not a café. It’s a flower shop. So, what can I help you with?”

Tamara was momentarily shocked but recovered and moved on with her agenda.
“There’s going to be a small service for Clifton. Just family. I’d like a nice arrangement with orange alstroemeria, blue delphinium and white snapdragons. Can you do that?”

“Of course. I’d be happy to. When do you want it?”

“Sunday.”

“Anything else?”

“Can you hold my umbrella for me while I get in my car?”

“No.” Lily abruptly went back to work.

Lily and Daisy watched Tamara huff and puff as she struggled to get herself to her car without getting soaked. She couldn’t close her umbrella so she left it on the sidewalk.

Lily and Daisy were
nearly rolling on the floor laughing. Whenhe bell jingled, they tried to pull themselves together.

Ryan looked quizzically at them. “What’s so funny?”

“Did you see an umbrella on the sidewalk?”

“Yes. I brought it in.”

They roared with laughter again. Lily managed to sputter out an explanation. “Mrs. Biotchi couldn’t close it without getting wet, so she just left it.”

Daisy added. “She asked Lily to hold it for her while she got in the car.”

Ryan started to chuckle. “What did you say?”

“I said no. You should have seen the look on her face. I don’t think anyone has ever said no to her before.”

“Nothing like a good laugh. That felt great. What can I do for you Mr. Steele?”             

Ryan took an envelope from his jacket pocket. “This came in the mail at the police station.” He handed the envelope to Lily.

She pulled out a blank card with a pressed flower taped inside. She looked up at Ryan. “Was there anything else with this?”

“No. You know flowers. Does this one have any meaning?”

“Tansy. I’ll have to look it up.” She pulled out her smartphone and started tapping away. “Here it is. It could mean hostile thoughts.” Lily looked at Ryan. “Beware? Hostile thoughts? Someone is trying to tell us something.”

Lily heard Daisy talking on the phone. “Mom? … Alright, I’ll tell Lily.”

“Tell me what?”

Daisy looked from Lily to Ryan and hesitated. “Can I talk to you alone?”

“It’s fine. Did Mom call that number?”

“Yes. It went to a nursing home. Someone named Mari Harris.”

“What number are you talking about? Where did you get it?”

Lily sheepishly reminded Ryan about the wallet Rosie found before Clifton’s body was discovered. “My mom found the wallet in her house after I stayed with her. I had forgotten all
about it and never looked inside. She found a card that said ‘in case of emergency’ with a phone number.”

“So?”

“Tamara told me that Clifton has no relatives. I think she may be wrong. I need to visit Mari Harris and find out more about her and if she’s related to Clifton.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Lily touched his arm. “I think I should go alone. She may open up more with me.”

Ryan started to argue with Lily but her look shut him up. “Okay. But tell me everything when you get back.”

Lily picked up Iris on the way to the nursing home. Iris looked in the empty back seat. “No handsome cop? I thought he would come too.”

Lily pulled onto the highway. “He wanted to but I told him it was better this way. I think a cop might intimidate her. Besides, he would take charge and I want to do it my way.”

Iris smiled. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Oh no you don’t. Don’t make this about you.”

“Whatever you say. How are you and your cop getting along lately? It seems to be a bit of a rocky relationship.”

Lily stomped on the gas. “He’s not my cop. And I don’t want to talk about it.”
Her mother did have a point about the rocky relationship but Lily wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of being right. Lily relaxed. “Ryan got something interesting in the mail.”

“Oh?”

“He stopped at the shop to show me a card with a pressed tansy inside.”

“That doesn’t sound very exciting.”

“I looked up tansy meaning and it can mean hostile thoughts. Begonia, beware? Tansy, hostile thoughts? There must be a meaning in this somewhere that points to the killer.”

Iris gazed out the window. “Maybe. But I sure don’t see it. How far is this place?”

“A few more miles. Did you talk to Mari Harris when you called the nursing home?”

“The main desk
tried to put me through. She didn’t want to talk on the phone but is looking forward to our visit.”

“Tamara told me that Clifton didn’t have any relatives. I wonder why he kept this all secret.”

“We all have secrets. On that subject, what do you know about Ryan Steele? He arrived in town and what do we actually know about him?”

“All he told me so far is that he’s from
the southern part of the state and he’s filling in temporarily until they get this mess figured out with Mike Keller.”

Lily took the exit and followed her directions to the
Spring Valley Nursing home. “This looks like a nice setting.” Pulling under an oak tree, Lily grabbed the flowers she’d brought for Mari Harris. “Let’s go see what we can find out.”

T
hey walked to the main desk and asked for Mari Harris’s room. “Marigold? You’ll find her in the common room. She’ll be sitting in the little greenhouse with all the plants.

Iris gave Lily a quizzical look. “Marigold? I like her already.”

Sure enough, they spotted a neatly dressed, petite, gray haired woman sitting quietly next to a table of blooming orchids. She looked peaceful.

Lily gently touched her shoulder. “Mrs. Harris?”

The face turned toward the touch and voice but the eyes were unseeing. “Yes?”

“My name is Lily Bloom and my mother, Iris, is with me. Could we join you?”

“Certainly, dear. And call me Mari. It’s short for Marigold. A flower name, just like the two of you. I don’t like to go by that name though. Do you know why?”

Lily whispered. “Because it can mean grief?”
             

Mari laughed. “Yes. You know your flowers.
Pull a chair closer. What did you bring?” She sniffed the air. “It smells like lilies and eucalyptus. Majesty and protection.”

Lily and Iris each pulled a chair on either side of Mari.
“That’s absolutely right. Where would you like me to put the flowers?”

“I’ll hold them. I’m guessing I might be needing some protection from whatever it is you’ve come here to see me about.”

Lily looked at Iris and frowned. “Why do you say that?”

“I haven’t heard from my grandson, Clifton. He calls every day and he had an important meeting here that he never showed up for. You must have found his ‘in case of emergency’ number?”

“Yes. My dog found his wallet yesterday morning. Do you know why he hasn’t called?”

“Not officially.
” She paused, dropped her head and sighed. “But I know.”

Iris wrapped her thin arm around Mari’s shoulders. “We’re so sorry to have to tell you. His body was found yesterday. No one knew he had any relatives. Not until I found this number in his wallet.”

Mari slumped. “I suspected. Like I said, he was such a good grandson. Called me every day.” Tears silently spilled down her cheeks.

Lily handed her a tissue.
“Did you know he was supposed to get married on Saturday?”

“Yes. He was so happy. Melinda
is her name, right? He described her to me and said he would bring her to meet me sometime. You must be wondering why he kept me a secret?”

“Only if it helps solve his murder.”

Her body tensed. “Murder? Why on earth would anyone murder Clifton?”

“That’
s what we’re trying to find out. We’re hoping you can give us some more information about him. Other family members? Friends? Enemies? Projects he’s working on?”

“Oh dear. I’m afraid I won’t be much help. There’s no one but me. He was adopted you know. I think he always tried to hide that. Growing up poor and all. He saw that as a stigma. He was very proud to get me a spot in this nice home
and he paid for all of it too. Never once complaining about spending the money. I don’t know what will happen now.”

Iris comforted Mari.
“He must have had a will.”

Mari tried to smile.
“Things will work out. Do you know if there will be a funeral?”

Lily hesitated. This was awkward. “There is a service planned for Sunday.”

Mari sighed. “I would love to be there. Say goodbye to Clifton. And meet that lovely girl he was going to marry.”

Iris stood up. “I’ll pick you up and bring you. I don’t know the details yet
, but when I find out I’ll let you know. You are his family after all.”

Lily was stunned but she nodded her agreement. “We’ll make it happen one way or another. Don’t worry.”

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is not to worry. What good does it do? It will happen or it won’t. Thank you both for visiting. I’m rather tired now. Would you be so kind as to help me to my room?”

“Of course. Just tell us
the way.” Lily and Iris stood on either side of Mari, guiding her down the hallway.

Mari’s room had snapshots of Clifton as a young boy, graduations and with his arm around Mari.

Lily found a vase for the flowers then helped Mari get comfortable in her bed. Iris studied the photos.

“I can’t see the photos anymore but I can still feel Clifton’s presence. It’s comforting to think he’s watching over me.”

“We’ll be in touch about the service. I’m leaving my number. If you think of anything else, have someone call me.”

***

“That was interesting.” Lily said as they were driving back to Misty Valley.

“Clifton had a side none of us knew about. And I think it was his best side. Why would he hide his grandmother?”

“We need to pay a visit to Melinda. Maybe she knows more than she has let on.”

Iris was thoughtful. “Tamara picked Clifton for Melinda thinking he had the right background. Ironic how things work out, don’t you think?
It seems like she chose a decent guy for her daughter, but for all the wrong reasons.”

Lily pulled into Melinda’s driveway. “Tamara won’t be happy about this. She won’t want his grandmother at the service.”

Iris was adamant. “She’s the most family he had and I’m bringing her. A promise is a promise.”

Melinda answ
ered the door looking cheerful until she saw who it was. “Oh. I wasn’t expecting you.”

Lily noticed the makeup and designer clothes.
She’s probably expecting Jack Weaver again. Have to find out more about that, too.
“We have some interesting news about Clifton. Can we come in for a minute?”

“I … I guess so.” Melinda
was much too polite to know how to get rid of unwanted guests. She led them to her sunny living room filled with flowers. “We can sit in here. Everyone has been so kind. Sending me all these flowers. I’m running out of room for them.”

Lily didn’t want to chat about all the flowers. At least not yet. “Melinda. Did you know that Clifton has a grandmother?
A very sweet grandmother?”

Her jaw dropped and fluttered like a fish out of water. “No. Yes. I don’t know what to tell you. Mother swore me to secrecy.”

Now it was Iris’s turn to be shocked. “Tamara knew?”

“She just fo
und out. After he was killed. She thought it would look bad for me.”

Iris was fuming. “Why on earth would it look bad?
” Then she added under her breath, “Look bad for her more likely.”

They all turned at the sound of the front door opening. “Melinda? Do you have company?”

Iris stood up, ready to face Tamara when she entered the living room. “So. Keeping secrets?”

Tamara stuttered. “Secrets? What on earth are you talking about
, Iris?”

“How about a kind grandmother named Marigold Harris?”

Tamara’s faced blushed from pink to bright red, matching the big red flowers on her blouse. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Iris’s face was inches from Tamara’s. “Yes you do
, and I’m bringing her to the service on Sunday.”

Tamara stumbled backwards. “You can’t. No one knows about her.”

“We know. She deserves to say goodbye to Clifton. You said the service was for family and she’s the most family he had. I won’t let you deny this to her. Have you even met her?” Iris glared at Tamara.

She hung her head in defeat. “No. I was afraid to.”

“Afraid?”

“Afraid I would like her.”

“And afraid of what you might find out about Clifton? Ruin that tidy life story we all believed?”

Melinda stepped between Tamara and Iris. “Mother didn’t know any of that. Clifton told me all about his past. We wanted to keep it secret until after the wedding
.”

Iris looked at Melinda with complete confusion.
“Why?”

Melinda
looked at her mother. “So mother wouldn’t try to stop it.”

“I won’t listen to any more of this.” Tamara
stomped out in a fury.

Melinda was crying. She looked at Lily through her tears. “I just want to wake up from this nightmare.”

Lily comforted Melinda’s trembling body. “It is a nightmare, but not one you will wake up from. You have to be strong and take control of your life.”

Melinda stared at Lily. “That’s what Jack keeps telling me.”